• Dessalines@lemmy.ml
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    11 months ago

    One I didn’t see mentioned yet: a rice cooker.

    Put in rice, add water, push start button, and you get perfect rice every time. I’m usually against single-purpose kitchen tools but a rice cooker is soo worth it.

  • nbailey@lemmy.ca
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    11 months ago

    If you have a car get a dashcam. It’s more valuable than any insurance because it will definitively prove what happened when something goes wrong. Bonus: you can post videos of bad drivers doing stupid things on the internet for imaginary points.

  • VaultOS@lemm.ee
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    11 months ago

    A pair of high fidelity earplugs (aka concert earplugs or filtering earplugs). You can get a good non-custom pair for $15–$40, and that’ll work well for the average person for a long time.

    They’re excellent for live music, airplanes, and anytime you want the world to be quieter but still need to be able to understand speech. And for music specifically, they can bring the volume level down just enough to be safe without muffling the sound like traditional foam earplugs do. Protect your hearing, kids!

    • Pattern@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      Just went to my first concert with a pair of these and I highly recommend. Not having a headache and ringing ears the next day was really nice.

    • Paul@feddit.uk
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      11 months ago

      I know it’s way more expensive, but the last gig I went to, I used my AirPods Pro in transparency mode, and it reduced the sound down from an insane ~110db to peaks of 90! Definitely worth protecting your ears.

      • Jonesy@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        Yeah, I can’t stand losing the high frequencies and overall feel of the music with “musician’s” earplugs. How anyone other than a drummer plays with them and is satisfied is beyond me. I have some Etymotics just sitting here.

      • VaultOS@lemm.ee
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        11 months ago

        I’m no earplug connoisseur, but I’ve been using Westone’s WM16 for smaller venues, and Etymotic Research’s ER20XS dual-flange for louder situations. I haven’t tried much else, but these work well for me. I’ve also heard great things about Earasers, Eargasm, and Hearos.

        Earasers are a bit more expensive and appear to have a unique ergonomic eartip. iirc you can get them for $40 elsewhere, maybe Amazon. I’ve read that Earasers’ “-19dB Peak” model has a very slight sound reduction, so I’d probably opt for their middle “European Standard” model. On the other end of the price spectrum, Hearos is particularly inexpensive at a glance. Idk anything about specific models.

        Some brands have multiple types of earplugs (e.g. for music, shooting, construction work), so make sure you’re getting one designed for music or “high-fidelity” or something like that. Any of the “good” brands are probably going to work just fine. (Read the reviews if you’re unsure.) Most brands seem to include multiple eartip sizes in the package so you can choose the right fit.

        Beyond that, there is some element of personal preference. For example, I first tried Etymotic’s classic triple-flange version and didn’t like how deep they stuck into my ears. It felt invasive. But the dual-flange model feels great for me.

        And finally, there are different options for how much attenuation (noise reduction) you want. Like I mentioned, my “-16dB average attenuation” earplugs feel good for small/medium venues (a backroom venue of a bar, maybe a theater). For a larger venue (arena or stadium, or even just a really loud loud theater) you’d definitely want more significant average attenuation, probably in the low-to-mid twenties.

        Most earplugs will be confusingly marketed with multiple attenuation values. One will be an official NRR value, which is apparently required but controversial, and the other(s) will be the average and/or peak decibel reduction “when the product is used correctly” as reported by the manufacturer. It seems people don’t talk about the NRR as often. But it’s fun that they’ve made it more complicated for us to compare products.

        I should also mention that if you’re a performing musician or hardcore concert-goer, you may consider springing for custom-molded earplugs, which are way pricier. I haven’t made that upgrade yet, but everyone who does seems to think it’s life-changing.

        This got long, sorry!

      • RinseDrizzle@midwest.social
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        11 months ago

        +1 for Eargasm. The real MVP is the keychain carrying case which ensures I never leave home without em. As a drummer, DJ, and loud music enthusiast they’re one of my best purchases ever. I genuinely forget they’re in sometimes, but then I’ll take em out and it makes a big difference. Awesome quality of sound, just less damage.

    • Mothra@mander.xyz
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      11 months ago

      I didn’t even know this existed. I really suffer in places with too much background noise.

    • iRyu@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      For anyone reading this, I definitely recommend Earasers. I have spent the better part of my life around really loud music things, especially because of my job. These things work wonders and are incredibly comfortable and low profile

    • Damaskox@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      I have done this same thing. My hearing is a bit hypersensitive and these kinds of headphones have helped me in many different, loud situations!

    • FrostKing@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      Went to my first concert recently—I loved it, but immediately knew I should have bought a pair of these.

    • FederatedSaint@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      Even regular earplugs at a loud concert work amazingly well for me. I can still hear conversation (people yelling over the music) but the deafening volume of the concert is brought down to acceptable levels.

      I don’t understand why concerts are so loud. They’re just…so, so fucking loud…

    • AlgonquinHawk@lemmy.ml
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      11 months ago

      I’ve been using my AirPods Pro 2 at races. They seem to work exceptionally well with noise cancellation on.

    • interolivary@beehaw.org
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      11 months ago

      Protect your hearing, kids!

      Seriously, PROTECT YOUR FUCKING HEARING. I was young and stupid (now I’m no longer young) and went to way too many raves, gigs etc. without any sort of hearing protection, and now I have a nice constant background track of EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE and can’t hear higher frequencies worth shit

  • Jazsta@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    A bidet. You can install it yourself in 20 minutes and enjoy a lifetime of cleaner buttholes and save on tp.

  • UnfortunateBlaster69@feddit.de
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    11 months ago

    A bike. Poor people in underdeveloped countries can use it to get access to education and markets, while people from developed countries can ise it to keep healthy and reduce their environmental footprint

    • teft@startrek.website
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      11 months ago

      I have a bike in a city and it’s faster than the cars. The cars are always stuck in traffic as I fly by. Bikes are the best.

    • FrostKing@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      If you live in America, there are certainly a lot of things to consider on this point; mainly whether cycling in your area is even safe—obviously the ideal solution would be to move to an area with safer cycling, but that’s not an option for everyone—and I’d much rather someone not cycle than die because their area has horrible roads for cycling and they didn’t think about that. Check the safety of your area, and consider moving to a safer area for cycling if necessary (Or if you’re in it for the long haul, consider pitching in the community and trying to lead it towards a safer cycling future)

    • corm@beehaw.org
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      11 months ago

      I was gonna say this.

      $100 on craigslist or a local bike refurbishing place (where I got mine) will get you something that will last for years.

      Throw in a $15 bike lock, a cheap returned helmet, and a $5 rear bike light and you’re set for life.

    • ∟⊔⊤∦∣≶@lemmy.nz
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      11 months ago

      I was going to say that, but out of the 6 bikes in the garage none of them are under $100 even second hand.

      In fact I would advise against getting a cheap shitty bike that isn’t going to last. Spend the extra money, get something good. It’s better for the environment and your wallet in the long run.

    • Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      11 months ago

      And a disaster kit, tailored to the most common disasters in your region. If you have a first aid kit you already have a large portion of what it needs!

    • Landrin201@lemmy.ml
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      11 months ago

      Very important that whatever first aid kit you get has a tourniquet, or that you buy one separately.

      They are easily the most important life saving device in any first aid kit. 99% of the time you won’t need it for normal cuts but when you are dealing an injury that needs one you WILL regret not having one.

  • guazzabuglio@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    Soft close toilet seat. You’ll slam the seat out of habit every time you visit someone.

  • Mr_1077@monero.town
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    11 months ago

    A fire extinguisher can be found for less than 100 USD and is a must-have. A smoke detector is also a bare minimum in my opinion.

    • Shrek@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      And not that one that’s been sitting there for many years. They need to be replaced and you need to know how to use them.

  • ch00f@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    Maybe specific, but if you do any DIY housework, get an endocscope. Baiscally, a 10 foot long flexible wire with a camera and light at the end. Uses your phone as a screen. Can be had for <$50. So many of my house projects would have been impossible without it. Also good for finding stuff under the couch.

  • Aussiemandeus @lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    The Haynes manual for your car. Even if you’re not a mechanic they are so detailed they will walk you through fixing almost anything, they’re made for the laymen. I’m a diesel mechanic and even i own one for my cars.

    When friends buy a new car i buy them a Haynes manual.

    They don’t do them for ever single car in the world and the coverage isn’t as great on later model stuff but if you own s car 5 years or more old they’re great.

    https://haynes.com/en-au/?gclid=CjwKCAjww7KmBhAyEiwA5-PUSuYaLa8Lf9OzVI6z-fuUXN0lI7Wo2VP6vV-gXqGiDAJzVaogwRctThoChAIQAvD_BwE

  • kostel_thecreed@lemmy.ca
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    11 months ago

    A water kettle. Doesn’t have to be any fancy one, but it really fucking rocks for anything you might think of : want hot water for tea? No problem. Need hot water to steep something? No problem.

    Most mid-range ones are insanely power efficient too, often being alot better than just boiling water on a stovetop, or using a microwave. And, depending on insulation, heat can be stored for over 6! hours.

  • Kramgr@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    I spent a lot of time in the middle east, so I’m going to say: Deodorant, not more perfume. Please.