In my latest Amazon haul, I explored a range of items that could work as stocking stuffers or practical gadgets. Some came through the Amazon Vine Program or from manufacturers free of charge for review, but all opinions are my own. Here’s a breakdown of what I unpacked this time.
You can find all of this stuff on my Amazon Shop page here.
The first item was the Samsung Essential Monitor S3, a budget-friendly curved display available in 27 and 24-inch variants. It’s an entry-level display best suited for light casual computing use or game consoles like the Xbox Series S. It’s not bad for the price – especially as it’s from a known and respected brand – but there are some limitations for gamers and professionals.
I received the 27 inch unit to review, and found that the better resolution for a display of this size is 1440p. The 1080p resolution makes the pixels very apparent when using this as a desktop display.
While it offers a 100Hz refresh rate, it is a bit dim at 250 nits and lacks advanced features gamers are looking for like AMD FreeSync. It also has a 4ms response rate which means that you’ll see some motion blur in fast moving games. But for those looking for a low cost display you can’t go wrong with a Samsung.
Next up was a portable SSD called the Beetle X31 from SK Hynix. This 2TB drive impressed with its no-frills design and reliable performance, offering speeds of about 900 MB/s in tests. While it won’t support newer console titles due to USB drive limitations, it’s great for PC games, older console games, backups, and even externally booting operating systems. The included USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables were a thoughtful touch.
A quirkier addition was a handheld gaming device, the Howow Papa JJ. This unit claims to encourage outdoor play with its built-in compass on the back, but its game library turned out to be a bunch of hacked and re-skinned versions of classic NES titles. Poor build quality and unoriginal content made this one a pass.
Switching gears, the Legion Go from Lenovo made an appearance. This handheld gaming PC is equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z1 processor and supports versatile gaming setups, including docking for TV use. Its modular design and robust features make it a solid choice, though its bulkiness might not suit everyone. It’s on sale this week at a price that rivals the Steam Deck with a similar configuration. I recommend the Go for those who want to dock the handheld to a larger display as the Z1 can outperform the Steam Deck for 1080p output. See my full Legion Go review here.
On the accessory front, a few interesting gadgets stood out. The Scosche Magic Mount (compensated affiliate link) combines a water bottle with a magsafe compatible phone mount, catering to multi-taskers.
The Ugreen Magnetic/Magsafe Travel Phone Holder surprised me with its practical design and surprising strength. This compact accessory uses a secure grip to attach your phone to a variety of surfaces, from desks to airplane tray tables. With its durable rubberized grip and thoughtful design, it’s a simple yet highly functional stocking stuffer for anyone who frequently uses their phone hands-free.
Next up were some neat chargers that came my way. Duracell’s power bank, styled like a “giant copper top” battery, doubles as a wireless charger with space for two devices along with a 60 watt USB-C output and 12 watt USB-A port. It includes a docking plate for easy recharging at home and provides convenient on-the-go power, albeit with a moderate capacity.
The Scosche Baselynx modular charger system (compensated affiliate link) showcased how a simple device could evolve into a multi-functional charging hub. Its stackable design allows for various configurations, including Apple Watch and additional device charging modules, with a simple-to-understand point based power budget system to avoid overloading.
Finally this little ProtoArc retractable charger offered a unique solution for those who often forget to pack cables. Featuring an integrated retractable USB-C cable, it eliminates the hassle of carrying extra wires while delivering up to 20 watts of power. In addition to the built in cable there’s a USB-C charging port that shares its 20 watt power budget with the cable. The cable functions like a tape measure, extending to the desired length and retracting smoothly when not in use. Though modest in capacity, its convenience and portability make it an excellent addition to any tech-savvy traveler’s kit.
Keep an eye out for more hauls as I continue to review the latest gadgets and gizmos! You can see my prior hauls here.
Disclaimer: These items came in free of charge either through the Amazon Vine program or direct from the manufacturer. No other compensation was received nor did anyone review or approve this video before it was uploaded. All opinions are my own.