One of the great things about this job is that I get to write about all sorts of gadgets. Many times, the stuff that catches my eye isn't the hot-ticket item like a new iPhone, but the smaller, stranger, more obscure stuff. These are things you might never have known existed, but they enter your life and change it for the better.
And looking at the list of top-selling gadgets (by number of units sold through our story links) that readers have been buying in 2025, it seems that readers share my taste for smaller, more obscure gadgets that turn out to be super useful in their own way.
So let's take a quick look at what our readers have been buying this year. (Your privacy is protected -- we only have access to aggregate data from our user base, and there is no way for us to identify individual people's purchases.)
Also: 10 DIY gadgets I never leave out of my toolkit (and why each one earns its spot)
Who knows, maybe there's something here that will catch your eye or that you missed. Some are also on sale for Black Friday (you can find my favorite gadget deals live now, too).
The 10 most popular gadgets among readers in 2025
Chipolo One Point Bluetooth finder tags
While
The Chipolo One Point key fob is very much like an AirTag, powered by a
Review: Finally, Bluetooth trackers for Android users that work better than AirTags (and are cheaper)
USB-C Magnetic Adapter 2-pack
This might be one of the best USB-C accessories I've ever purchased. It's a magnetic breakaway USB-C connector similar to Apple's MagSafe connector, compatible with all your devices, from smartphones and tablets to power banks, docks, and laptops, including MacBooks that lack MagSafe.
A magnetic breakaway USB-C connector consists of two parts: the first part is the USB-C port that plugs into the device you want to protect -- be that a laptop, smartphone, charger, power bank, or other device -- and the other part goes on the end of the cable you're going to use.
I've got a good handful of these connectors, and I use them daily.
Review: My favorite USB-C accessory of all time got a magnetic upgrade - it's spoiled me ever since
NexTool multitool
I like my EDC (everyday carry) gadgets, but when I travel by air, I almost always end up having to empty my pockets of a lot of useful stuff. I find it handy and convenient to have a screwdriver, scissors, and a pair of pliers close at hand, but most multitools are a no-go at airports and on commercial aircraft, often confiscated.
But Nextool has a TSA-friendly multitool called the Mini Sailor Pliers Lite, and I've taken this with me on several flights with no issues whatsoever.
NexTool's mini multitool fits the bill perfectly. It has no blade and features needle-nose pliers with wire cutters, tiny scissors, a bottle opener, a SIM extractor, and Phillips head and flathead screwdrivers. There's also a handy keyring for attaching it to your keys.
Review: They said I could bring this TSA-approved multitool on a plane - here's how that went
DottorPod Mini iSesamo Spudger
There's one tool that I carry with me everywhere. It lives on my keychain and is simple yet incredibly versatile, capable of handling all sorts of tasks. This tool is an absolute workhorse, from opening letters to popping open random electronic gadgets.
It's the DottorPod Mini iSesamo Spudger. Whether I'm dealing with seams glued shut, ultrasonically welded, or just clipped shut, the Mini iSesamo Spudger can sneak into even the tiniest cracks. Once it's in...