The Hottest Gadgets for Summer 2021

The weather’s heating up and with that comes glimmers of excitement about what the summer will bring. Long hikes in the wilderness? A last-minute booking to wherever the next flight is heading? No matter the adventure, it wouldn’t be complete without the latest, greatest, and hottest gadgets for the summer of 2021.

Discover the Top 7 Gadgets to Trend this Summer

1. Pool inflatables

2020 was a year that saw people actually place an order to get on a waiting list to buy an inflatable pool or hot tub⁽¹⁾. A waiting list! They don’t arrive until the summer of 2021. Some were lucky enough to enjoy their pool last year and those will have it up again this year.

Whether new or setup for a second season of fun in the sun, there’s more to do than laze around. Pool inflatables will likely be more popular this year than the actual inflatables were last year.

Asides from inflatables, there’s likely to be a myriad of accessories such as clip-on drinks holders, secure step ladders, slides, or for the all-day users, side umbrellas provide shade during the hottest afternoon sun, while towel warmers are perfect for stepping out the tub later in the evening.

2. Bluetooth portable speakers

With a compact portable Bluetooth speaker, you get concert quality sound in a miniature sized gadget that’s extremely energy efficient. And some models can even charge your phone when it’s paired. If it can’t, you might want to invest in a power bank to make sure neither of your devices loses power.

Depending on how it’ll be used, you may want higher decibels for things like group fitness classes outdoors in the park, or lower power if you only want a speaker to play music in a tent when you’re away camping.

3. Recreational drones

Make no mistake, flying can be expensive! That includes UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), but there are affordable drones to fly for fun rather than shooting professional photography, aerial video, or using thermal imaging to help with hunting or fishing.

As of 2015, approx. 15% of Americans⁽²⁾ have flown a drone. 8% own one. Those stats will have increased as more people have been intrigued with UAVs flying overhead equipped with cameras and, more recently, loudspeakers.

The summer of 2020 saw a number of police forces around the world launch drone initiatives to police social distancing⁽³⁾ from a distance. That it did, and it’s also got people interested in learning to fly without their feet leaving the ground.

Professional drones can cost thousands of dollars and even more in modifications. Recreational drones though, not so much. On a full charge, a budget drone can have enough battery power to be in flight for up to 20 minutes; longer if you buy additional battery packs.

4. GPS luggage trackers

Airlines, the world over, are notorious for mishandling luggage. Before they started laying staff off in the droves, they were losing around 25 million bags annually⁽⁴⁾. American Airlines are America’s worst for mishandling baggage, accounting for almost 23% of all luggage lost or misplaced by US airlines in 2020. Even with passenger numbers down, they still couldn’t handle the baggage.

GPS trackers are the modern equivalent of writing your name on a tag. Some trackers affix to the suitcase, others fit inside them. Wherever your luggage goes, its geo-location data will be transmitted to an app on your phone making it easier to get it returned and faster.

5. Moisture-wicking face masks

Face masks are almost a certainty to be mandatory in the summer of 2021. Probably into 2022⁽⁵⁾. Most of us have developed the habit of wearing one in stores, but in the summer, it will be more uncomfortable than usual.

Standard face masks are made of cotton and that’s usually thick. Sports brands have thinner moisture-wicking face masks so if you plan on playing outdoor sports, running, jogging, or participating in a yoga class down the park, breathable masks will be the new essential.

Being thinner, they’ll offer less protection when indoors, such as in the supermarket or on public transport, but for being active, whether gyms are open or you’re among a group outdoors, the thinner moisture-wicking face masks will be popular.

6. String lights in the garden

People have spent the better part of the past year with nothing better to do than tidy up their gardens. Gazebos are up, garden sheds painted, fences brightened, new flower beds planted, vegetables are growing and the gardens are turned into mini floral havens.

When the summer rolls around, enjoy it for longer by installing outdoor lighting. The simplest are solar powered garden lights, but the ones to create the most ambient atmosphere are outdoor patio string outdoor lights. Think of the type of lighting for romantic al fresco dining out on a patio.

Hang the string lights overhead, around the base of decking, or even along the front porch or fencing.

7. Mini projectors

Mini projectors are ideal for movie streaming in the backyard, or taking on a camping trip with an extra power bank to have a movie night under the stars.

Since holidays were cancelled in 2020, people have been forced into finding different ways to enjoy a vacation. Staycations became popular and people bought camping equipment to take trips to local sites.

If you like your luxuries, turn camping into glamping by bringing your electronics with you. As long as you have a wi-fi connection, mini projectors can be used to stream VOD (Video on Demand) services to any light-coloured screen, whether that’s a projector screen inside a tent, or a couple of bed sheets stretched between posts in the garden to stream a family movie night or a game day outdoors.

Sources:

(1) https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pools/pool-sales-skyrocket-as-consumers-splash-out-on-coronavirus-cocoons-idUSKCN2520HW

(2) https://www.phillybyair.com/blog/drone-stats/

(3) https://dronelife.com/2020/04/14/using-drones-to-monitor-social-distancing-is-now-a-thing-is-that-creepy/

(4) https://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/44256814/the-u-s-airlines-most-likely-to-lose-your-luggage/

(5) https://www.businessinsider.com/face-masks-needed-until-2022-cvs-ceo-dr-anthony-fauci-2021-2