Twenty Best New Consumer Products of This Decade
- Martin Low
- 4 days ago
- 35 min read
The 2020s have already delivered an exciting array of innovative consumer products. From virtual reality and electric vehicles to AI-powered gadgets and sustainable appliances, this decade’s inventions are shaping how we live, work, and play. In this blog post, we’ll explore 20 of the best new consumer products of the decade, highlighting what they are, their use-cases, and why they stand out. The tone here is informative yet personal and easily readable, breaking down complex tech into everyday terms.
When I compiled the research materials on innovative products of the last decade, I had noticed that the products were in large part marketed to young people. I had to look at the market and find out who this largest group of consumers are today. In today's consumer landscape, young individuals, particularly those from Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012), have emerged as a formidable economic force. In the United States alone, Gen Z's purchasing power is estimated at $360 billion, with projections indicating a global spending potential reaching $12 trillion by 2030. This surge is attributed to their increasing entry into the workforce, coupled with a strong inclination towards digital platforms for shopping and brand engagement. Notably, over 50% of Gen Z consumers prefer online shopping, and 45% discover new products through social media channels. Their spending habits are further influenced by a desire for authenticity, sustainability, and personalized experiences, prompting brands to adapt their strategies to resonate with this dynamic demographic. (Vogue Business, Porch Group Media)
Let’s dive into the list of groundbreaking products that have defined the 2020s so far.
1. Oculus Quest 3S VR Headset
What It Is: The Oculus Quest 2 (now known as the Meta Quest 3S) is an all-in-one virtual reality headset that doesn’t require a PC or console. It’s completely wireless, with built-in sensors and controllers that track your movements in 3D space. Released in 2020, the Quest 2 made high-quality VR more accessible to everyday consumers.
Use-Case: Quest 2 lets you step into immersive games, exercise in virtual environments, or attend live concerts and events in VR. For example, you can box against a virtual opponent for a workout or explore educational simulations like walking on Mars – all from your living room. It’s also great for social VR; friends can meet up in virtual worlds or play cooperative games together.
Why It Stands Out: Unlike earlier VR systems, the Quest 2 doesn’t need external sensors or a tangle of wires – you just put on the headset and play. It launched at a relatively affordable price ($299) while improving resolution and performance over the original Quest. This combination of quality and convenience led to huge adoption – the Quest 2 was preordered 5× more than its predecessor, helping bring VR into the mainstream. Its inside-out tracking and intuitive controllers deliver an untethered, mainstream VR experience that was previously hard to come by.
2. Sony PlayStation 5 Console
What It Is: The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is Sony’s latest generation of video game console, launched in late 2020. It’s a powerhouse gaming system that introduced ultra-fast custom SSD storage and a new DualSense controller for more immersive play. The PS5 can output stunning 4K graphics with ray-tracing (realistic lighting effects) and supports frame rates up to 120 FPS for silky-smooth gameplay.
Use-Case: The PS5 plays the latest blockbuster games – from Spider-Man 2 to God of War Ragnarok – with jaw-dropping visuals and near-instant load times. Beyond games, it’s an entertainment hub capable of streaming 4K movies or running apps like Netflix and Disney+. Families use PS5 for game nights, solo players dive into epic adventures, and its robust online ecosystem allows multiplayer gaming with friends around the world.
Why It Stands Out: The PS5’s hardware leaps set it apart. Its custom SSD virtually eliminates long loading screens, getting you into games faster. The new DualSense controller introduced adaptive triggers and advanced haptic feedback – meaning the triggers can simulate resistance (like the tension of a bowstring) and you feel more nuanced vibrations during gameplay. These features deliver a more immersive and tactile experience “like never before,” with haptics and adaptive triggers putting you “at the heart of the game”. Combined with 3D spatial audio and backwards compatibility with many PS4 games, the PS5 earned its spot as a must-have console (despite initial shortages). It was so popular that it became one of the fastest-selling consoles ever, thanks to its huge performance gains and innovative controller that “delivers a new feeling of immersion”.
3. Apple M1 MacBook (Apple Silicon Mac)
What It Is: In late 2020, Apple introduced the M1 chip and put it into new MacBooks (like the MacBook Air and 13″ MacBook Pro). This was Apple’s first in-house Apple Silicon for Macs, replacing Intel processors. The M1 is a system-on-chip combining CPU, GPU, and more, designed to deliver high performance with low power consumption. In simple terms, the M1 MacBook Air looks like a normal laptop, but under the hood it’s powered by a mobile-style chip that’s amazingly fast and efficient.
Use-Case: The M1 MacBooks handle everyday computing (web browsing, Office apps, video calls) with ease while staying cool and silent (the MacBook Air has no fan!). They also enable heavier tasks like video editing, programming, or even gaming far better than previous thin-and-light laptops. Users enjoy all-day battery life – up to ~15–18 hours on a charge – meaning a student can take notes, stream lectures, and write papers on an M1 MacBook all day without plugging in. It’s also instant-on like a phone and can run iPhone/iPad apps natively, bridging mobile and desktop worlds.
Why It Stands Out: The performance jump was unprecedented. Apple’s M1 chip delivered “up to 3.5× faster CPU performance, up to 6× faster GPU performance, and up to 2× longer battery life” than prior Intel-based Macs. Essentially, it made ultra-thin laptops as powerful as high-end machines while greatly extending battery endurance. Reviewers dubbed it a “Mac revolution”, noting the M1 MacBook Air “blew past the speed limits” of its predecessors. Everyday users noticed snappier performance and the ability to smoothly juggle dozens of browser tabs or edit large photos without the laptop breaking a sweat. By designing the silicon specifically for the Mac, Apple achieved an incredible balance – PC-class power in a fanless, featherweight notebook – that reshaped the expectations for laptop performance in this decade.
4. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Foldable Smartphone Series)
What It Is: The Galaxy Z Fold is Samsung’s line of foldable smartphones that open up to the size of a small tablet. When closed, the Z Fold looks like a regular phone with a touchscreen on the front. Open it like a book, and you have a 7.6-inch tablet-like display inside. Samsung launched the first Fold in 2019 and has iterated through the 2020s (Fold2, Fold3, etc.), refining the durability and design of these futuristic phones. The Current model is the Fold6 which I link to in the bottom.
Use-Case: Foldables offer the portability of a phone with the screen real estate of a tablet. In daily use, you might check messages or make calls on the outer display, then unfold the device for a big-screen experience when watching videos, playing games, or multitasking. It’s popular among tech enthusiasts, mobile professionals, and anyone who appreciates having a larger screen for productivity on the go. For instance, you can have a Zoom meeting on one side of the unfolded screen while reviewing a document on the other side – true multitasking in your hand.
Why It Stands Out: The innovation in display technology is remarkable. The Galaxy Fold series introduced bendable OLED screens and advanced hinge mechanisms that were science fiction not long ago. By the Galaxy Z Fold2, Samsung had a more robust design with a nearly seamless 7.6″ inner screen and a larger external screen for normal phone use. They also added features like Flex Mode, which lets the phone’s UI adapt when partially folded (for example, turning the bottom half into a control pad and the top half into a viewing area). In short, the Z Fold acts as both phone and tablet, “inviting users into an entirely new world” of productivity and engagement not possible on standard phones. While still pricey and niche, foldables have proven that pocket-friendly devices can expand into big, immersive screens, pointing to a future where your phone can transform shape to suit your needs.
5. Ford F-150 Lightning Electric Pickup
What It Is: The F-150 Lightning is the electric version of Ford’s iconic F-150 pickup truck (the best-selling vehicle in the U.S.). Launched in 2022, it looks and works like a regular F-150 but is powered entirely by batteries and dual electric motors. It’s a full-size electric pickup truck with notable features like a huge front trunk (since there’s no engine) and the ability to power tools or even your home.
Use-Case: It’s a workhorse and a family vehicle that produces zero tailpipe emissions. Contractors can use the Lightning’s onboard power outlets (up to 9.6 kW) to run tools at a job site or tailgate party. Families use the spacious crew cab for daily driving, and adventure seekers appreciate that it can tow trailers and go off-road (with 4×4 from its dual motors). One headline feature: in a power outage, the F-150 Lightning can serve as a backup generator for your house, keeping the lights on for days. In fact, Ford says a fully charged Lightning with the extended battery can power an average home for 3 days (or up to 10 days with rationing).
Why It Stands Out: The F-150 Lightning brings EV innovation to a hugely popular vehicle segment. It combines the practicality of a pickup with cutting-edge tech. For instance, its “Mega Power Frunk” can carry 400 pounds of cargo in the front trunk and has built-in outlets – great for stashing tools or groceries securely (and no more “engine” to maintain). It also accelerates extremely fast for a truck (0–60 mph in around 4.5 seconds) and offers a smooth, quiet ride. Perhaps most impressively, it turns the truck into a massive battery on wheels. With Ford’s Intelligent Backup Power integration, the Lightning’s battery (up to ~131 kWh) can “provide 9.6 kW of power” to your home during outages – a functionality that garnered significant attention. This versatility, combined with the fact that it’s still every bit an F-150 in terms of size and capability (towing up to 10,000 lbs), makes the Lightning a symbol of the automotive industry’s electric future. It earned awards like 2023 North American Truck of the Year for proving that even America’s favorite truck can go electric without compromise.
6. Peloton Bike (Smart Exercise Bike)
What It Is: The Peloton Bike is a high-tech stationary exercise bike that became a phenomenon in the early 2020s. It has a large touchscreen attached, through which riders can join live or on-demand spin classes led by professional instructors. While the original Peloton Bike launched mid-2010s, its popularity exploded in this decade – especially during 2020 when people turned to at-home workouts. (Peloton also released the Bike+ in late 2020 with an improved rotating screen and auto-resistance features.)
Use-Case: Peloton brings the spin studio experience into your home. Users hop on the bike, clip their feet into the pedals, and choose from thousands of classes ranging from high-intensity interval rides to leisurely scenic cycles. The large display shows the instructor, real-time metrics (like cadence, resistance, and heart rate), and even a leaderboard of other riders for friendly competition. It’s not just a workout device but a social and motivational platform – you can see when friends are riding, send virtual high-fives, and track your progress over time. Many people use Peloton for daily cardio, weight loss journeys, or just the convenience of fitting a 30-minute guided workout into a busy schedule without leaving home.
Why It Stands Out: Peloton is often credited with revolutionizing home fitness by combining hardware, software, and content seamlessly. The Bike’s quality build (smooth magnetic resistance, near-silent belt drive) and the energetic, engaging classes set it apart from a basic exercise bike. It fostered a passionate community – users (dubbed “Pelo-people”) share their milestones and find motivation in leaderboards and instructor shout-outs. During the pandemic, Peloton’s subscriber base and sales surged dramatically, as “droves of people who couldn’t go to a gym turned their homes into one with Peloton’s bikes”. By mid-2020, Peloton was shipping bikes as fast as they could make them, and yet demand outpaced supply. The appeal lies in its “interactive-exercise” model – you’re not just pedaling alone, you’re effectively in a spin class in your living room. This blend of convenience, competition, and community made Peloton a breakout success and a household name in fitness. It proved that with the right tech, working out at home can be as motivating as a boutique studio class, if not more.
7. Apple Watch (Series 6/7/8 and Beyond)
What It Is: The Apple Watch isn’t brand-new to the 2020s (it debuted in 2015), but it has evolved into an essential consumer product this decade with significant new health features. Recent models like the Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8 (and Ultra) introduced advanced wellness sensors and refinements. The Apple Watch is a smartwatch that doubles as a comprehensive health monitor, worn on your wrist like a regular watch.
Use-Case: It keeps you connected (texts, calls, notifications) and helps track your fitness and health. Throughout the day, the watch logs your steps, heart rate, and calories burned. It can record workouts from running and cycling to yoga and swimming (it’s water-resistant). Modern Apple Watches also monitor your blood oxygen level (useful for fitness and altitude acclimation), take an ECG to check your heart rhythm, and even measure skin temperature changes at night (used in cycle tracking for women’s health). The device will gently remind you to stand every hour if you’ve been sitting, guide you through mindful breathing sessions, and track your sleep automatically. Crucially, features like Fall Detection can sense if you’ve taken a hard fall and offer to call emergency services – potentially lifesaving for older adults or those with medical conditions.
Why It Stands Out: The Apple Watch has redefined what a watch can do – it’s not just telling time, it’s looking out for your well-being. Apple has continuously pushed the envelope on health tech: Series 6 added the Blood Oxygen sensor and app, providing insight into respiratory health, and Series 4 (late 2018) had already introduced an FDA-cleared ECG. The watch’s ability to detect irregular heart rhythms (and notify you of potential AFib), along with features like high/low heart rate alerts, has literally saved lives by prompting users to seek medical care. By Series 8, the Apple Watch could even detect ovulation estimates for women via temperature trends, demonstrating how it’s becoming a personal health assistant. All of this is achieved in a sleek, waterproof watch that also integrates deeply with your iPhone for music, maps, Apple Pay, and more. Apple Watch’s “indispensable” reputation is well earned – it provides peace of mind (through safety features), fitness motivation (rings to close, challenges), and convenience (Siri on your wrist, always-on display for glanceable info). Few gadgets feel as personal as a smartwatch, and Apple Watch leads the pack by packing serious health capabilities into a friendly accessory that millions wear every day.
8. Amazon Astro Home Robot
What It Is: Amazon Astro is a home robot introduced in 2021 – think of it as Alexa on wheels. It’s a small wheeled robot (about knee-high) with a cute digital face on a rotating screen, and it can autonomously roam around your house. Astro is equipped with cameras, microphones, sensors, and Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, enabling it to do things like patrol your home or deliver items to someone in another room.
Use-Case: Astro’s core uses are home monitoring, assistance, and companionship. For security, Astro can autonomously move from room to room on patrol when you’re away, using its periscope camera to peek at higher vantage points (e.g., check if the stove is off or if a window is closed). If it sees something unusual or hears a smoke alarm, it can send an alert to your phone. For caregiving, Astro can help you keep an eye on elderly loved ones – they can ask Astro to remind them to take medication or send you a Drop-In video call if needed. Around the house, Astro functions like a mobile Echo device. It will follow you with music or video calls so you can move about while staying in frame. If you set a timer or get an incoming Alexa call, Astro wheels over to find you. It even has a cargo bin – you could place a can of soda in Astro and have it roll over to your spouse in the den as a friendly delivery.
Why It Stands Out: Astro represents one of the first real attempts at a general-purpose home robot. It brings together AI, computer vision, and voice computing in a way we’ve mostly seen in sci-fi. While it’s not a humanoid or a robot maid, Astro can navigate your home intelligently, avoid obstacles (pets, stairs), and interact through speech. Its design deliberately leans into being “fun, entertaining, and engaging” by giving it a personality (eyes that move, expressive beeps) – which helps people feel comfortable with a robot ambling around. In practical terms, it’s basically a security guard, helper, and Alexa voice assistant in one. Amazon touts tasks like “check in on specific areas, show you a live view, even send alerts if it detects an unrecognized person” – useful for home security. It also integrates with Ring security, so it can respond to disturbances by recording and saving video clips. Though Astro is an early product (available via invite only), it stands out as a bold step into home robotics – showing what’s possible when you put wheels on a smart speaker and add eyes. It’s like having a little robot pet that, while it can’t clean or cook, can keep you safe and connected in a uniquely personable way.
References: Amazon – Meet Astro (About Amazon official announcement)
9. Amazon Echo Show 10, 15, and 21 Smart Display
What It Is: The Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) is a smart display – essentially an Amazon Echo with a 10-inch screen – that can rotate and follow you as you move. Released in early 2021, the Echo Show 10 looks like a tablet fused to a cylindrical smart speaker base. The display can automatically swivel on the base to keep the screen (and its camera) pointed at you.
Use-Case: It does everything a normal Echo Show does: voice-controlled Alexa queries (“What’s the weather?”), showing videos or recipes, video calling, controlling smart home devices via touch or voice, etc. The twist (literally) is that if you’re on a video call or following a cooking tutorial, the screen will turn to face you as you move around the room. For example, while cooking, you can walk from the fridge to the stove and Alexa’s recipe video stays facing you so you can see the next step. During video calls, the built-in 13MP camera uses motion tracking to keep you centered in frame – you can chop veggies and chat, and the camera will zoom/pan to follow you. The device also doubles as a security camera; when you’re out, you can remotely view the Show 10’s camera feed and even rotate it to scan the room.
Why It Stands Out: The Echo Show 10 introduced a truly dynamic smart display. It’s the first of its kind that “follows along with you as you move about the room” via a smooth, silent motor. This means Alexa is now motion-aware in a useful way – video callers feel more natural, and you don’t have to manually adjust the device or stay put in one spot. It basically solved the problem of needing to be in front of your device; now the device comes to you. The Echo Show 10 also functions as a Zigbee smart home hub and packs a good audio system in the base, making it a capable music speaker as well. Reviewers noted the novelty but also the practicality: it “has a rotating base that enables the screen to move on its own, following you around the room”, which is especially handy in large kitchens or open living spaces. In short, the Echo Show 10 made Alexa more interactive – instead of a stationary gadget, it feels a bit more alive and attentive. This merging of AI assistant with robotics (albeit simple rotation) is a clever innovation that enhances daily convenience. Whether you’re doing jumping jacks while tuning into a workout video or moving about during a video chat, the Echo Show 10 ensures you stay in frame and in the know, hands-free.
10. Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise-Cancelling Headphones
What It Is: Sony’s WH-1000XM4 (released 2020) are over-ear wireless noise-cancelling headphones widely regarded as some of the best of the decade. They are the follow-up to Sony’s highly rated XM3, and they continue the trend of top-tier active noise cancellation (ANC) paired with excellent sound quality and comfort. In 2022, Sony released a successor (XM5), but many still prefer the XM4 for its foldable design and value.
Use-Case: These headphones are perfect for travelers, commuters, office workers – anyone who wants to drown out the world and sink into music or focus. On a plane or train, the WH-1000XM4’s ANC silences the drone of engines and chatter so you can enjoy your music, podcasts, or simply catch some sleep. In an open-plan office or a noisy home, wearing these can create a bubble of quiet or play concentration-boosting tunes without distraction. The XM4 connects via Bluetooth to phones, laptops, etc., and even supports pairing with two devices at once (so you can seamlessly switch from listening on your laptop to answering a call on your phone). With about 30 hours of battery life per charge, they last through long workdays or international flights. Touch controls on the earcup let you play/pause or skip tracks, and a quick attention feature drops the volume and lets sound in when you cover an earcup – handy for briefly chatting without removing the headphones.
Why It Stands Out: The noise cancellation on the XM4 is class-leading, improving even over Sony’s own previous model. It can “keep out even more high and mid frequency sounds”, meaning everything from the hum of an air conditioner to human voices get significantly hushed. Coupled with a warm, rich audio profile, many reviewers crowned these the best all-around headphones of the year. TechRadar, for instance, gave them a 5-star review, calling them “the best headphones ever made” for their balance of features. The XM4 added smart features like Speak-to-Chat – if you start talking, the headphones automatically pause audio and enable ambient sound so you can have a conversation – and wear detection to pause music when you take them off. Importantly, they’re supremely comfortable for long listens and lightweight, addressing one complaint about some high-end headphones. All these factors combined to make the WH-1000XM4 a runaway hit. They “deliver excellent noise-cancellation and surprising sound quality, in a lightweight, comfortable design,” with new tricks like multi-device pairing and conversational awareness that help them stand out in a crowded field. In short, these headphones set the gold standard for personal audio in the 2020s, turning noisy environments into private concert halls.
11. Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus (Electric Fat-Tire Bike)
What It Is: The RadRover 6 Plus is a popular electric bike (e-bike) from Rad Power Bikes, released in 2021 as the latest in their flagship “RadRover” fat-tire series. It’s essentially an all-terrain fat tire bicycle with an electric motor and battery, allowing pedal-assisted or throttle-powered riding. With 4-inch wide tires, front suspension, and a sturdy build, the RadRover is built for both streets and trails.
Use-Case: The RadRover 6 Plus serves as a versatile ride for commuting, recreation, or errands. You can pedal it like a normal bike, get an extra boost from the electric assist (which helps flatten hills or fight headwinds), or use the thumb throttle to cruise without pedaling at up to ~20 mph. A commuter might ride it to work without breaking a sweat (no need to shower after, thanks to the electric assist), then take a scenic detour on dirt paths on the way home. Weekend riders use it to explore bike trails, campgrounds, or beach boardwalks – the fat tires handle gravel and sand with ease, and the motor help makes long rides or steep climbs approachable for riders of varying fitness levels. It has mounts to add racks or baskets, so it’s also great for grocery runs or deliveries (essentially replacing some car trips).
Why It Stands Out: Rad Power Bikes has been a leader in the e-bike boom, especially in North America, and the RadRover 6 Plus encapsulates why e-bikes are one of the decade’s hottest consumer products. This model brought major upgrades (“the biggest evolution in RadRover history,” claims Rad): a more refined design with a semi-integrated battery (sleeker look, easier removal), improved hydraulic disc brakes for stronger stopping power, and a dual-display dashboard. It has a powerful 750W motor that feels smooth and handles hills well, yet the bike is tuned to be approachable – you don’t need to be a cyclist to hop on and feel comfortable. By offering a relatively affordable e-bike with serious capability, Rad Power helped bring e-bikes to the masses. The fat tires and stable frame inspire confidence for new riders, and the ability to go off-road adds fun versatility. In cities, you’ll spot RadRovers everywhere, often replacing cars for short trips. The RadRover 6 Plus specifically stands out for hitting a sweet spot: it’s a “Class 2” e-bike (20 mph limit) with both throttle and pedal assist, a 45+ mile range per charge, and a reputation for durability, all at a price point far below some high-end competitors. Its success is a strong sign that electric bikes have gone mainstream this decade, offering an eco-friendly, enjoyable way to get around town or hit the trails.
12. DJI Mavic 3 Drone (Camera Drone)
What It Is: The DJI Mavic 3 is a high-end consumer camera drone released in late 2021. It’s a quadcopter that folds up for portability, and it represents DJI’s state-of-the-art in aerial photography for consumers and prosumers. The Mavic 3 features a dual-camera system co-engineered with legendary camera brand Hasselblad – including a large 20MP 4/3 CMOS sensor main camera for stunning images/video, and a secondary telephoto camera for zoom shots.
Use-Case: This drone is used for capturing breathtaking aerial footage and photos. Travel vloggers use Mavic 3 to record cinematic 5.1K resolution videos of landscapes, cityscapes, or events from the sky. Real estate photographers deploy it to get sweeping property shots. Hobbyists fly it for fun to explore their surroundings from above, using the live video feed on their controller to feel like a bird in flight. The Mavic 3’s advanced obstacle sensors give pilots more confidence to fly complex paths (it can automatically avoid trees and buildings). With around 46 minutes of flight time per battery, it’s great for longer missions like mapping an area or simply enjoying a scenic flight at sunset. It also supports automated flight modes – you can have it circle a point of interest, follow a subject, or perform pre-programmed cinematic maneuvers, making it easier to get professional-looking shots.
Why It Stands Out: The Mavic 3 pushed the envelope in almost every way for consumer drones. Its 4/3 sensor Hasselblad camera is significantly larger than typical drone cameras, meaning it captures more light and detail – yielding professional-grade image quality (5.1K video, RAW photos) in a backpack-sized device. It also introduced a second camera: a telephoto lens with up to 28× hybrid zoom, letting users scout faraway subjects (like wildlife) or compose shots creatively without flying too close. In terms of flight performance, the Mavic 3 set new benchmarks with that 46-minute battery life and the updated O3+ transmission system for a strong HD video link up to 15 km away (far beyond visual range, but it speaks to signal reliability). It has omnidirectional obstacle sensing – sensors on all sides – giving it 360-degree vision to prevent crashes and enable features like Advanced Return-To-Home (it can intelligently route back avoiding obstacles). Essentially, DJI took everything learned from years of drone development and created an aerial platform that “significantly improved imaging performance” and flight safety. For consumers and content creators, the Mavic 3 is a game-changer because it delivers filmmaking capabilities that previously required much bulkier, more expensive rigs. Capturing Hollywood-like aerial shots of your own is now as simple as unfolding a compact drone, thanks to the tech packed into the Mavic 3.
13. Anova Precision Oven (Smart Steam Oven)
What It Is: The Anova Precision Oven is a countertop combination (combi) steam oven for home use, launched in 2020. About the size of a large microwave, this appliance can bake, broil, and also inject steam into the cooking process. It’s like having a miniature high-end bakery/restaurant oven at home – something that was previously rare for consumers. Anova, known for popularizing sous vide devices, designed this oven to achieve sous-vide-like results without the water bath, by using precise temperature control and steam.
Use-Case: The Precision Oven is incredibly versatile. You can use it as a normal convection oven to roast meats or bake cookies, but the real magic comes with its steam and precise temperature features. For example, you can steam-bake bread – professional bakers use steam for crusty loaves, and now you can too, yielding bakery-quality bread with crackling crust and fluffy interior. You can cook a steak with Sous Vide Mode: instead of sealing in a bag, you put the steak on a rack, and the oven keeps the environment at (say) 129°F with steam, cooking the steak evenly edge-to-edge (then you finish with a quick sear). It will come out “perfect… as hands-off as good steak gets,” according to one reviewer’s experience. The oven is also great for delicate baking (cheesecakes, custards) thanks to humidity control, for proofing dough or making yogurt at low temps, and even for vegetables (you can steam veggies so they stay moist, then finish with a dry heat blast to char or crisp them).
Why It Stands Out: It’s billed as “the first-ever countertop combi oven for home cooks,” bringing techniques once limited to professional chefs into anyone’s kitchen. The Anova Precision Oven uses steam, which is a “remarkably efficient heat-transfer method favored by restaurant chefs”. This means faster, more even cooking and the ability to do things traditional ovens can’t. You get sous-vide style results without plastic bags – retaining food’s juices and nutrients. For health-conscious cooks and food enthusiasts, it opens up a world of experimentation: imagine “soft on the inside and crispy on the outside” roast potatoes, or effortlessly juicy roast chicken with golden skin. Importantly, Anova made it approachable: set desired temperature and humidity on the app or oven controls, and the device takes care of the rest. The New York Times’ product review site even crowned it the “most popular sleep-tracking device” of kitchen ovens (just kidding, but it is widely loved by early adopters). Jokes aside, the Precision Oven is pointing the way to an exciting new direction for home cooking – one where steam joins bake and broil as a standard function. As WIRED put it, “Move over, air fryers. The use of steam is an exciting and approachable new direction for the home kitchen, and this oven is pointing the way.” For avid cooks and bakers, this product is a dream gadget that can elevate everyday meals with restaurant-tech techniques.
14. Apple AirTag Item Tracker
What It Is: AirTag is a small, button-shaped Bluetooth tracker that Apple released in 2021. It’s designed to be attached to personal items like keys, wallets, backpacks – anything you don’t want to lose. Once attached and set up, an AirTag integrates with Apple’s “Find My” network, allowing you to locate the item using your iPhone or other Apple devices.
Use-Case: Suppose you can’t find your keys. If an AirTag is on your keychain, you just open the Find My app on your iPhone, and it will show the approximate location of the AirTag (and thus your keys) on a map. If it’s nearby, you can make the AirTag play a sound to help you pinpoint it by ear. For very precise finding (within a room or under couch cushions), newer iPhones support Precision Finding – an on-screen arrow points toward the AirTag with distance in feet, guiding you straight to it with a combination of sound, haptics, and visual feedback. If you left your wallet (with an AirTag inside) at a café and walked away, you’ll get a notification alert that you’ve separated from it. And if you truly lose something out in the world, the crowdsourced Find My network kicks in: any iPhone that comes within range of your lost AirTag can securely and anonymously update its location to you. This massive network (hundreds of millions of devices) means AirTags can be found virtually anywhere – from a misplaced bag at the airport to a bike stolen and ditched in a park.
Why It Stands Out: AirTag stands out for bringing Apple’s signature integration and privacy focus to item trackers. Products like Tile existed before, but AirTag leverages Apple’s huge ecosystem – “tapping into the vast, global Find My network” of devices – making it extraordinarily effective. It’s “small and elegantly designed”, with a user-replaceable battery that lasts about a year. Setup is dead simple (like AirPods: just bring it close to your iPhone to pair), and you can even engrave emojis on it for personalization. The U1 ultra-wideband chip enables that Precision Finding, which is a futuristic experience (almost like a metal detector for your lost stuff). Apple also built in strong privacy features to prevent unwanted tracking – for example, your iPhone will alert you if an unknown AirTag is traveling with you (to deter bad actors from slipping one in someone’s bag). In use, AirTags have saved people countless hours of searching and anxiety, whether by finding lost luggage at an airport or recovering a tossed set of keys from a snowbank. At $29, it’s a cheap little insurance policy for your memory lapses. By providing a “private and secure way” to keep track of items – with all data end-to-end encrypted – AirTag quickly became a hit. Millions have been sold, adding a new layer to Apple’s ecosystem where not just your devices, but even your everyday objects, can be part of a smart, findable network.
15. SpaceX Starlink Satellite Internet Service
What It Is: Starlink is a satellite internet service launched by SpaceX, aimed at delivering high-speed broadband internet to virtually any location on Earth. Unlike older satellite internet which relied on a few big satellites in geostationary orbit, Starlink uses a constellation of thousands of small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) – as of 2025, SpaceX has launched over 4,000 Starlink satellites, with plans for more. Consumers use a pizza-sized Starlink dish and Wi-Fi router to connect to this satellite network and get internet access.
Use-Case: Starlink is a game-changer for rural and remote areas that lack reliable internet options. For a family living in a countryside farmhouse or a cabin in the mountains, Starlink can provide home internet with speeds typically around 50–150 Mbps (and improving), where previously they might have had only sluggish DSL or no service at all. It’s also used by RV owners, boaters, and van-lifers – Starlink’s RV/Roam service lets users take the dish on the go, so you can have internet while camping off-grid or traveling cross-country. In emergency situations or disaster relief, Starlink can quickly restore connectivity by simply deploying dishes wherever needed, since it doesn’t depend on terrestrial infrastructure. The user experience is straightforward: mount the dish where it has a clear view of the sky, plug it in, and it automatically aligns to the satellites. Then you connect your devices to the Starlink Wi-Fi like any normal internet. It supports streaming, video calls, online gaming (latency is ~20–50 ms, much better than traditional sat internet), and large downloads – essentially broadband-level service beamed from space.
Why It Stands Out: Starlink is the first satellite internet that truly rivals terrestrial broadband in speed and latency. It promises up to ~300 Mbps download speeds in its standard tier, and has a premium tier that’s even faster. This is a huge leap from prior satellite options that were slow, high-latency, and data-capped. What makes it possible is the massive LEO satellite network and SpaceX’s rapid launch capability – they have “launched more than 6,900 Starlink satellites” since 2019 (note: not all active at once due to replacements). By being in low orbit, these satellites reduce latency and increase throughput. The impact has been significant: Starlink has already connected over a million subscribers globally and “is already having an impact on people living in rural parts of the world,” with customers “reporting greatly improved internet speeds” compared to their old setups. It effectively “delivers broadband speeds to anyone in the world regardless of where they are” – whether on a remote farm or a boat in the ocean. Another standout aspect is Starlink’s role in humanitarian and geopolitical events: for instance, it provided internet in war-torn Ukraine when infrastructure was damaged. In terms of consumer tech, the ability for a person to self-install a kit and be online via space within minutes is astounding. Starlink is shrinking the digital divide, showing that the 2020s may finally solve the problem of “broadband for all” by literally going above and beyond the limits of ground-based networks.
16. OpenAI ChatGPT (AI Chatbot Service)
What It Is: ChatGPT is an AI chatbot and language model developed by OpenAI, first released to the public in November 2022. Essentially, it’s a conversational AI – you type in questions or prompts, and ChatGPT responds with remarkably human-like text. It can answer factual questions, write essays or code, brainstorm ideas, tutor you in various subjects, and much more. ChatGPT is powered by a cutting-edge large language model (GPT-3.5 at launch, now GPT-4), which was trained on vast swaths of internet text to predict and generate coherent content.
Use-Case: ChatGPT became the ultimate general-purpose assistant. Students use it to explain complex concepts (“ChatGPT, help me understand quantum physics in simple terms”) or even to draft outlines for papers (though with caution to avoid plagiarism). Professionals use it to generate boilerplate emails, summarize reports, or even write snippets of code. For creative projects, ChatGPT can help brainstorm names, plot ideas, or characters for a story. It’s like having a knowledgeable (if not always perfect) expert on call 24/7. Importantly, it’s also used for pure curiosity and fun – people ask it to compose poems, tell jokes, role-play historical figures, or provide advice. Its ability to remember context in a conversation makes interactions feel natural. For example, you could start with “I’m planning a trip to Paris. What should I see?” and then follow up with “Give me an itinerary for 3 days.” ChatGPT will carry over the context and refine its answers.
Why It Stands Out: ChatGPT was a breakthrough in making AI accessible to ordinary people, and it became the fastest-growing consumer application in history, hitting 100 million users just two months after launch. This was an unprecedented adoption rate – “In 20 years…we cannot recall a faster ramp in a consumer internet app,” UBS analysts noted. The reason is simple: ChatGPT can be genuinely useful (and entertaining) in an astonishing variety of ways. It writes fluently across many domains, which felt almost magical – you can ask for a Shakespearean sonnet about coffee, then debug a programming error, then get relationship advice, all in one chat session. While not infallible (it can make errors or “hallucinate” answers), it represents a new kind of AI interaction that’s far more engaging than prior voice assistants or chatbots. People started using terms like “I consulted ChatGPT” as casually as “I Googled it.” Unlike a search engine that gives you links, ChatGPT gives you direct, conversational answers. It was also arguably the tipping point that kicked off an AI arms race among tech companies to integrate similar capabilities in their products. Beyond its technical prowess, ChatGPT sparked important conversations about AI in society – from education policy (is it OK for students to use it?) to ethics and jobs. In sum, ChatGPT in the 2020s is as revolutionary as the introduction of the web browser in the 90s – a new interface to knowledge and creativity. It’s AI for everyone, and its launch marked the moment AI left the lab and became a household tool.
17. Midjourney (AI Image Generator Service)
What It Is: Midjourney is an AI image generation service that launched to the public in mid-2022. It allows users to create art and images from text prompts using generative AI. Accessible primarily through a Discord chat interface, you type a description of what you want to see (e.g., “a castle on a floating island, in watercolor style”) and Midjourney’s AI produces unique images matching that description. Midjourney quickly gained popularity for its ability to create stunning, imaginative artwork that looks like it was painted or rendered by human artists.
Use-Case: Midjourney is used by artists, designers, and everyday folks to visualize concepts or generate graphics without traditional drawing skills. For example, a novelist might use it to generate character portraits or fantasy scenes for inspiration. A small business owner could create a logo concept or marketing imagery by describing the vibe they want. People have used Midjourney to make personalized wallpapers, concept art for games and movies, illustrations for stories, or just for fun and creativity challenges (the internet is full of communities sharing their wild prompt ideas and the AI’s outputs). The workflow is typically: you join the Midjourney Discord, enter a command like “/imagine” followed by your prompt, and the bot replies with a generated image in under a minute. You can refine the output by re-rolling (generating new variants) or upscaling a draft to a final high-res image. The results often look professional – from oil painting styles to futuristic 3D renders – and users can experiment endlessly at relatively low cost.
Why It Stands Out: In the span of a year, Midjourney demonstrated how far AI creativity has come. It’s arguably one of the most visually impressive AI generators, often producing art that could pass for human-made on a casual glance. This led to a frenzy of adoption: by mid-2023, Midjourney had over 16 million users on its Discord, and by 2024 it grew to nearly 20 million. In fact, as of August 2023, an estimated 964 million images had been created with Midjourney – nearly a billion images in about a year! Such volume suggests it unlocked demand for custom art creation like never before. Midjourney’s ability to handle a wide range of artistic styles (photorealism, sketches, anime, etc.) and its relatively user-friendly interface contributed to its success. It stood out in quality even among peers like DALL-E or Stable Diffusion when it came to coherently following prompts and adding artistic flair. The broader significance is that Midjourney and tools like it are democratizing art and design. One doesn’t need years of training to create a beautiful illustration now – just a good idea and some descriptive words. This has huge implications for industries (stock imagery, graphic design) and for personal creativity. It’s now common to see AI-generated images in presentations, blogs, album covers, and more, often courtesy of Midjourney. While it raised debates about the role of human artists, there’s no doubt Midjourney showcased an exhilarating new form of expression for millions. It’s like having a talented art studio on call, limited only by your imagination and prompt-writing skill.
18. Lomi Kitchen Composter
What It Is: Lomi is a countertop electric composter introduced by Pela in 2021. It’s a small appliance (about the size of a bread machine) that breaks down food scraps, organic waste, and even some bioplastics into soil-like compost with the push of a button. Lomi uses a combination of heat, agitation, and oxygen to accelerate decomposition, turning kitchen waste into nutrient-rich dirt in as little as 4 to 24 hours instead of the weeks or months traditional composting can take.
Use-Case: For anyone who cooks at home or consumes fruits and vegetables, Lomi provides an easy way to deal with peels, leftovers, and other food waste. Instead of throwing it in the trash (where it would go to landfill and potentially create methane), you toss it into Lomi. After dinner, you press the single button to start a cycle (it runs quietly overnight, for instance), and by next morning, the volume of waste is greatly reduced and comes out as earthy-looking Lomi “dirt”. You can mix this output into your garden soil or houseplant potting mix as a fertilizer, or if you don’t garden, simply dispose of it knowing it’s far less harmful than raw food waste. Urban apartment dwellers who couldn’t compost before now have a mess-free, odor-controlled solution – no worms or outdoor bins needed. Lomi also accepts certain compostable plastics and packaging (like bioplastic utensils or bags labeled industrially compostable), which it can break down so they don’t end up littering the environment.
Why It Stands Out: Lomi gained attention because it tackled the “gross” factor and inconvenience of composting head-on. Traditional composting requires balancing greens/browns, dealing with smells, bugs, or worms, and waiting a long time. Lomi made it “as easy as pressing a button”. Its appeal was proven by massive crowdfunding – it raised over $7 million via Indiegogo from tens of thousands of backers, indicating huge pent-up demand for a product like this. What’s remarkable is that Lomi does in a matter of hours what nature does in months, by “fragmenting organic waste” and using controlled heat/airflow to “expedite the composting process at the literal press of a button.” It also includes activated carbon filters, so it operates odorlessly, even if you compost things like meat or dairy that normally would stink – that’s a big plus. By 2022, Lomi was being sold at major retailers and garnered rave reviews from eco-conscious consumers and gardeners. It effectively closes the loop on kitchen waste for individuals, turning trash into a resource (compost) without the usual hassle. In an era where sustainability is top of mind, Lomi stands out as a gadget that makes green living more convenient. It shows how technology can solve everyday problems: reducing landfill waste, cutting down garbage odors, and providing homemade plant food, all in one slick device. In short, Lomi is “the one-button composting machine” that lets anyone – even in a city high-rise – “keep the worms in the ground and the odors at bay while giving back to the Earth.”
19. Valve Steam Deck (Handheld Gaming PC)
What It Is: The Steam Deck is a handheld gaming device released by Valve in 2022 that essentially packs the power of a gaming PC into a portable console form factor. It looks a bit like a larger Nintendo Switch, with a 7-inch screen and gamepad controls on either side, but inside it runs a full Linux-based operating system (SteamOS) and is capable of playing PC games from your Steam library and other sources. It has a custom AMD APU (with CPU+GPU), allowing it to run modern games surprisingly well on the go.
Use-Case: Steam Deck allows gamers to take their PC game library with them anywhere. You can be playing Elden Ring or Cyberpunk 2077 on your couch, then undock and continue playing on a bus ride or in bed. It’s both a console-like experience (turn it on and resume your game instantly) and a full PC – you can even switch to a desktop mode, hook it up to a monitor/keyboard, and use it like a computer for web browsing or running other software. Many use it purely for gaming: it’s great for indie titles, emulation of older consoles, and AAA games at medium settings. The Deck has various control inputs (analog sticks, trackpads, gyro) so it can handle complex PC game interfaces and even FPS aiming with gyro assist. It also introduced the concept of “Docking” (sold separately) – you can plug it into a dock to connect to a TV and use external controllers, essentially doubling as a home console. So whether it’s plowing through your Steam backlog, playing PC-only strategy games portably, or enjoying some retro emulator classics, the Steam Deck is a swiss army knife of gaming. It caters to hardcore enthusiasts who might tinker with settings or install Windows on it, as well as casual gamers who just hit play on Steam.
Why It Stands Out: The Steam Deck opened up a new category: the handheld PC console. It proved that a portable device can run real PC games – not watered-down mobile versions – and do it at a reasonable price ($399 starting). Upon release, it was frequently sold out due to high demand, and by 2023 Valve had shipped over 3 million Steam Decks. It basically validated that there’s a huge appetite for portable PC gaming; so much so that competitors like ASUS and Lenovo have since launched their own handhelds. However, Deck has dominated this nascent market – in its first year, it made up the lion’s share of the ~1.6 million handheld gaming PCs shipped in 2022. Critics and users alike praised it for running SteamOS with Proton, which can transparently run many Windows games without the user even realizing it – a testament to Valve’s software work. Another standout aspect is the community and support: Valve encouraged modding and hacking. Users can install any software, replace SSDs, and Valve provides repair parts and how-to guides. This open approach endeared it to the gaming community (a contrast to closed consoles). The Deck also smartly balances power and battery life; you can cap framerates or tweak performance to extend playtime. In short, the Steam Deck’s success is that it delivered a home PC gaming experience in a portable format with minimal compromise. It’s been called “Valve’s most exciting hardware since the original Half-Life” (tongue-in-cheek) and has changed how many gamers play – no longer tied to a desk or TV. Its release will likely be remembered as the moment handheld gaming PCs went from a niche experiment to a mainstream segment, much like what the iPad did for tablets. For that, Steam Deck earns its place as one of the decade’s best products.
20. Oura Ring (Gen 3 Health Wearable)
What It Is: The Oura Ring is a smart health tracker in the form of a ring – essentially, a tiny wearable computer that you slip on your finger like any other ring. Oura (a Finnish company) launched the Gen 3 Oura Ring in late 2021, and it has become one of the most advanced wellness wearables. Despite its small size, the ring is packed with sensors: it measures heart rate (including during exercise now), heart rate variability, body temperature, respiratory rate, and movement. It uses these to provide insight into your sleep quality, recovery, stress, and overall health.
Use-Case: Many people use Oura Ring primarily as a sleep tracker. You wear it to bed, and in the morning the Oura app gives you a detailed breakdown of your night: how long you spent in deep, light, and REM sleep, your overnight heart rate and breathing patterns, and a Readiness Score that tells you how recovered you are (how ready your body is for activity). The ring is so small and light that it’s more comfortable for 24/7 wear than a typical smartwatch – you almost forget it’s on. Throughout the day, it can track your steps and basic activity, but its forte is in background health signals. For example, it can detect if your body temperature is elevated (sometimes hinting at illness or, in the case of women, it can predict menstrual cycle phases). Athletes love it for tracking recovery; if the ring shows an elevated resting heart rate and poor sleep, they know to go easy that day. It also has guided meditation sessions and can take daytime heart rate readings to help with stress management. The Oura Ring syncs to your phone, and it’s compatible with services like Apple Health, so it can integrate into your health data ecosystem.
Why It Stands Out: The Oura Ring carved out a niche by offering highly accurate health tracking in a discreet form factor. It’s arguably one of the most accurate consumer sleep trackers – independent studies have found its sleep stage tracking correlates well with medical devices, and its accuracy in measuring certain metrics (like wake detection) can even beat popular wrist wearables. Because the ring sits on an artery-rich part of the finger, its pulse measurements are very reliable. Unlike a watch, it has no screen – which some prefer as it feels less like wearing a gadget and more like an accessory. The Gen 3 improved the tech by adding continuous heart rate and period prediction, making it even more useful for everyday health awareness. It’s telling that the Oura Ring became something of a celebrity favorite (many NBA, NFL players use it, and it famously was given to Olympic athletes for COVID detection support via temperature sensing). Essentially, Oura took a different approach to wearables: go for minimal design and maximum comfort, and focus on the data and insights rather than notifications or apps. This resonated with people who wanted health metrics without the feel of a mini smartphone on their wrist. By 2022, Oura had sold over a million rings and was valued at $2.5B, reflecting how mainstream the concept became. It’s not often that a ring is considered cutting-edge tech, but Oura proved that big things can come in small packages. For advancing the field of digital health and showing that wearables can be stylish and unobtrusive, the Oura Ring shines as one of the decade’s best innovations for health-conscious consumers.
These twenty products illustrate the incredible breadth of innovation in the 2020s – from our homes to our pockets to the skies. They’re changing how we experience entertainment, how we stay healthy, how we get around, and even how we interact with technology on a fundamental level. What’s exciting is that each of these products is not just a one-off gadget, but often the start of a larger trend (foldable devices, AI assistants, electric everything, etc.) that will likely continue evolving. If the first half of the decade is any indication, we’re in for many more revolutionary products in the coming years. It’s a great time to be a consumer and a tech enthusiast, as ideas once thought futuristic are becoming readily available to improve our everyday lives. Whether you’re exploring virtual worlds, achieving your fitness goals at home, or simply never losing your keys again – there’s a product on this list that’s making it easier and more enjoyable than ever. Here’s to more innovation ahead!
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