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One great thing about this job is that we get to write about all kinds of gadgets. Often times, what catches our attention isn’t a hot-ticket thing like a new iPhone, but something smaller, stranger, and sometimes more obscure. These are things you never knew existed, but they enter your life and change it for the better.
And looking at the list of the best-selling gadgets ZDNET readers are buying so far in 2026, it looks like readers share our fondness for little gadgets that prove to be super useful.
Too: 12 travel gadgets that can upgrade your spring break
So let’s take a look at what our readers have been buying from the beginning of the year through April. Note: (Your privacy is protected – we only have access to aggregate data from our user base, and we have no way to identify individual people’s purchases.)
The 10 most popular gadgets among ZDNET readers in 2026 (so far)
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Whereas
The Chipolo One Point Key Fob is much like the AirTag, powered by a
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Well, possibly one of the weirdest gadgets to make it onto ZDNET — a 1080p smartphone-controlled camera that will go into your ear and help you remove wax accumulation.
ZDNET’s Adrian Kingsley-Hughes says, “I can’t confirm or deny that I’ve put it in my ears at any time, so it’s not on this list.” “It’s a super-useful camera for peeking into cracks, looking for water leaks, lost screws and bolts, and other stuff I can get my eyes on wherever I can.”
The professional end of the camera is only 0.17 inches/4.3 mm in diameter, so it’s perfect for checking random spots. And the business end of the unit is IP67 rated for water and shmu resistance, and can be cleaned with a cloth or alcohol wipe.
Too: The weirdest tool I have is also one of the most useful
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This toolkit is proof that good tools last a long time. Expert Adrian Kingsley-Hughes purchased his Vera Tool Check Plus kit in 2015, and he says it’s still going strong.
“The Tool-Chek Plus keeps everything together in a sturdy polymer carrying case. It has a small 1/4-inch ratchet, a screwdriver bit holder, and a selection of bits and sockets, and everything is of the highest possible quality. The ratchet may look small, but in this case looks are deceptive,” says Kingsley-Hughes.
Also: This is my all-time favorite tool kit – that’s why it’s still in use after 10 years
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Expert Adrian Kingsley-Hughes and I can both vouch for this strange gadget. If you love being outside but are prone to insect bites, this unusual accessory could be a game-changer. Heat it up It’s a USB-C phone bug bite zapper that soothes the itch. It is perfect for the upcoming summer months and is small enough to take anywhere.
Too: This USB-C accessory gave my iPhone and Android an unexpectedly useful superpower
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