The Buying Game

The Buying Game (Issue 13)

This week's picks include a smart lock, ice cream, an iPhone app, and more.

Tyler H

Tyler H

— 5 min read
The Buying Game (Issue 13)
💡
The Buying Game consists of me selecting three products worth buying at different price points. Each product is given a Value Score—based on price and function—and then one is crowned the winner at the end. Affiliate links may be used.

How I’d spend $500: Level Lock Pro

I've tested nearly a dozen smart locks over the years and the Level Lock is simply one of the best. The newly released Pro version is the sleekest yet with Matter compatibility included. In previous versions, my one complaint has been around battery life. There are claims that the issue has been addressed, so I'm hopeful that aspect is better.

Price: $350 (link)
Value Score: Fair

Cheaper smart locks forgo some of the elegance of the Level Lock Pro. However, there are also practical reasons, like the location of your door, that you might need the most compact lock available. This is that.

How I’d spend $150: Logitech Keys-To-Go 2

There are a lot of types of keyboards, with different strengths. The Logitech Keys-To-Go 2's unique quality is (extreme) portability. If you don't want to attach a keyboard directly to your iPad with an expensive Apple case, then this one is easy to slip into a backpack to take anywhere. It can be used with a tablet, but it can also connect to a phone, computer, or even an Apple TV box.

Price: $70 (link)
Value Score: Fair

The Keys-To-Go 2 is on sale right now, $10 off its retail price. It's a little pricey in general, but I love the feel of the keys and how lightweight it is. Best yet, the coin cell battery should last three years before needing to be replaced.

How I’d spend $50: Flighty (1 year)

Even if you're not a stressful flyer, the Flighty app is simply the best way to keep track of all the info related to arrivals and departures. Pop in your flight number and Flighty will prompt you when it's time to check in, when a gate is assigned, when the plane is on the way, and so much more. Almost always, Flighty tells me all this info before the airline app, text, or email. Plus, Flighty makes it easy to share your flight progress with anyone, including those without a subscription.

Price: $48 (link)
Value Score: Great

The more you fly, the better deal the $48 yearly subscription becomes. However, I love that the company is so confident in the product that you can subscribe for a week at a time for $4. So, if you only fly once or twice a year, you can still enjoy the premium features without overpaying.

The winning pick: Flighty

There are plenty of ways to keep track of your flight, but Flighty is simply the best. One minor aspect I appreciate is that the app is constantly updated with the latest iOS features. Each year, when Apple rolls out new features, this is one of the first apps to support them. Another nicety is the flight passport feature, which tracks all your flights and showcases them on a map that you can share with others.

Are you looking for even more picks this week? Here are a few things worth considering.

An expensive pick: Fender Bromley 750

Party speakers aren't in short supply. However, the Fender Bromley 750 seems to put all the best pieces together for an ultimate party on the go. Eight drivers power the sound, while a removable battery can keep audio going for around 40 hours. There are ports for instruments and microphones, so it isn't just a simple Bluetooth speaker. Built-in wheels and a handle make it easy to move, and a water resistance rating should keep it safe from the weather. Is there anything that makes this speaker worth the price? Probably not, but it makes every effort to give you all the features you could want.

Price: $1,300 (link)

Non-tech pick: McConnell's Ice Cream See’s Milk Bordeaux

Rarely has a candy seemed so fitting to be turned into an ice cream flavor. The Milk Bordeaux is part of the See's collection with McConnell's Fine Ice Cream that includes several other flavors, none of which are as iconic.

This week's other interesting deals and product news

  • The Plaud Note Pro is the company's latest AI voice recorder. It adds a screen and recording range up to 16 feet, among other new features.
  • Dyson's 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum is half off, down to $500. It's got plenty of quirks, but I use it regularly for carpets and it's got suction.
  • Nomad's new Tempo Band for Apple Watch is a hybrid between its other bands, with specific sizes for each unique watch model. The bands cost $50.
  • DJI announced a new Mic 3 that's smaller than the Mic 2, but with expanded capabilities. No price or release date has been set.
  • Google's Pixel Tablet is on sale for $250, down from $400.
  • Sony's PlayStation 6 could be a lot like the Nintendo Switch.

This week's published stories

Genki moonbase charger on a desk.

This Week The Trend is branching out. I'll be publishing some buying guides on Yahoo, under its creator program. These stories will appear across the brand's properties.

Here's the first one: I’m a tech reviewer and these are the gadgets I travel internationally with

Here's the second: Which style of Apple AirPods is right for you?

Read more