Gadgets we're relying on to drive up productivity in the new year
Updated
9Product Reviews / reMarkable
Every year, I make the same mistake. I set goals, and tell myself this year I will hit them. Even just a few weeks in, I become exhausted. I'll snooze my alarm, sleep in or stay up late doom-scrolling.
For 2026, I hope to change that by relying on a few principles from James Clear's Atomic Habits: environment design and habit stacking (so Atomic Habits if you haven't already).
My goal won't be to have more willpower, but to build spaces where I don't need willpower.
I'm not fully there yet, but I have made a start. I've anchored my 2026 routine around the reMarkable Paper Pro Move, which has already killed my digital distractions, and I've built a specific shopping list for the friction points that remain.
So here are the gadgets, either tested or wishlisted, that I'm betting on for a productive 2026.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at the time of publishing.
Sunrise alarms for an easy wake-up
Philips HF3519/01 Wake-up Light
9Product Reviews / Philips
Lumie Bodyclock Rise 100
9Product Reviews / Lumie
One of my most recent points of failure is waking up (as a result of my phone addiction). To fix this, I'm eyeing a sunrise alarm. It's a bedside lamp that mimics a sunrise and sunset to naturally wake you up before the actual alarm kicks in.
I've narrowed down my wishlist to two options. The Philips HF3519/01 is a bit more of a premium choice for an easier experience, featuring nature sounds (like birds) and an auto-repeating alarm.
The Lumie Bodyclock Rise 100 is a cheaper, medically certified alternative that offers great light quality but seems to require a daily manual reset and only uses a simple beep.
The role: Sleep management
Why they are on the list: To replace the need for a phone in my room
The 2026 goal: To wake up at a consistent time
The anchor to my routine
reMarkable Paper Pro Move
9Product Reviews / reMarkable
This is the device that started this whole journey, and in an economy of distractions, it's become my central thinking hub.
At $779, it feels like a serious investment, but I would argue it's one of the few gadgets that justifies its cost by what it removes. It's not trying to replace your current tech, but rather, it's designed to slow you down.
I've been testing the latest 7.3-inch Move model, which is perfectly pocketable and discreet enough to take to a cafe without the bulk of a tablet. The coloured canvas display also has a textured matte finish that creates a soft hiss when you write, feeling exactly like a real pencil on paper.
The role: Deep work and planning
Why it's on the list: it can act as three notebooks in one (personal, work, academic). The backlit display also means I can write my morning or night pages in the dark without blue light straining my eyes
The 2026 goal: To journal and use this as my daily distraction-free brain
READ MORE: Why the reMarkable Paper Pro Move feels both pointless and perfect
My morning ritual
Ninja Luxe Cafe Premiere Espresso Machine
9Product Reviews / Ninja
For me, coffee isn't just caffeine; rather, a ritual. The problem? Getting coffee out is expensive, and while doing work from a cafe can be productive, it's not for me.
I've been testing the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine because it solves at-home coffee problems by being a 3-in-1 system that brews espresso, drip coffee and cold brew.
The goal here is habit stacking. When the coffee brews, the phone goes away, and the work begins. This is thanks to its semi-automatic system that even automatically steams the milk to a perfect texture. So while that's happening, I can prep other parts of my day.
The role: An affordable way to set up my day
Why it's on the list: I remove the need to spend more money by bringing the cafe experience into my kitchen
The 2026 goal: To exploit habit stacking. For example, when the coffee brews, it's time to journal
READ MORE: Ninja's 3-in-1 coffee machine is a beginner's dream for making great espresso
The recovery tracker
Kogan Aura Smart Ring
9Product Reviews
You can't manage what you don't measure. Smart rings have rapidly become a choice for tracking health, and optimising your energy is a form of productivity management.
Unlike a smartwatch, a ring is a passive tracker. They have no screen to distract you during work, and they can also be worn for longer periods of time, like while you sleep.
The role: Energy and sleep management
Why it's on my list: It promises a full suite of health tracking without a monthly subscription
The 2026 goal: To optimise my health and ensure I get enough sleep throughout the year
READ MORE: The new wave of fitness trackers has arrived
No more afternoon slumps
Merach Walking Pad Treadmill
9Product Reviews
The 2 pm slump is real, and while I always consider making another coffee, I know it'll ruin my sleep. That's why I'm considering a walking pad as the solution.
This Amazon's Choice walking pad runs at a quiet 40dB, so I can keep walking on calls without bothering anyone, it has a compact 5-inch profile to slide under a couch or bed, and supports up to a 6.1km/h pace.
The role: Regain afternoon energy
Why it's on the list: It would easily allow me to generate energy through movement rather than caffeine
The 2026 goal: To hit 10,000 steps per day
READ MORE: Walking pads to get you moving when you're stuck indoors
