6 safe smart gadgets for a high-tech nursery

Putting smart speakers in your living room is one thing, but if you’re going to have a connected device in your nursery, you need to know it’s secure.

Case in point: A popular baby monitor that allowed hackers to spy on live video of parents and their babies. Yeah. Scary. This isn’t the place to be cheap, folks. I found these top-rated, ultra-safe smart devices to make those early days a lot less stressful.

Babysense Breathing Monitor ($127.50)

This little gadget fits under your baby’s mattress and alerts you of any problems with your baby’s breathing or sleeping. There’s no Wi‑Fi or internet involved, so it’s hack-proof, too.

SNOO Smart Sleeper Bassinet ($1,695)

This bassinet helps you and your baby get more z’s. It comes with a built-in swaddle, rocks on its own, makes white noise and has an app. SNOO says your kid will grab one or two extra hours of sleep a night. It’s pricey, but if it delivers on even half that promise, it’s worth every penny.

Nanit Pro Camera ($193.52)

The Nanit Pro Camera lets you keep an eye on your kid from anywhere with high-quality video and secure encryption. It notifies you of movement, crying, breathing changes, or if your baby or toddler enters “off-limits areas” in a room, like a doorway or stairs.

Munchkin Bluetooth-enabled Swing ($198.50)

I like this little rocker a lot for entertaining your little one when they’re awake. The smart part? You can choose from several rocking movements and a variety of classical and soothing sounds. You can even connect your own audio.

Diaper Genie with Antimicrobial Odor Control ($47.99)

A newborn can go through up to 3,000 diapers in their first year. Diaper Genies are old-school … but so much better now. The bags have built-in antimicrobial tech to keep the whole house from getting stinky and even inhibit bacterial growth on the film.

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Affordable tech upgrades

⚗️ It’s the little things that can make a big difference.

Btw, this emoji — ⚗️ — is an alembic. I had to look it up. Merriam-Webster says an alembic is “something that refines or transmutes as if by distillation. Examples: In the alembic of the child’s mind, the ratty old blanket became a magnificent cape.”

Solutions for hiding ugly cables and more

You see ‘em and you want ‘em gone. Your wish has come true!

  • Cover that wall outlet with this smooth, flat panel, which comes with an attached extension cord. Just plug and go for 23% off.
  • This handy box organizes unsightly wires. Put your extension cord inside and voila! It’s 17% off right now.
  • Clamp this cable tray to the bottom of your desk, and say goodbye to crawling underneath to plug in and unplug your cords. Plus, it’s 20% off!
  • Get rid of that unsightly grease stain you’ve been staring at on the floor. This industrial cleaner wipes out heavy dirt, grease, food and other stains on lots of different surfaces, and it’s 49% off.
  • Stop staring at the TV (cords). This wall cord hider is on sale for $9.99 and conceals all those wires to your wall.

Quick and easy upgrades

Cancel out noise

  • Outfit your office with acoustic panels. These are under $20 and work on different types of surfaces.
  • Slide this stopper (25% off) under the door, and your room is instantly cushioned from sound outside.
  • Reduce up to 90% of noise with these over-the-ear headphones (43% off). Switch to Transparent mode when you need to hear the dog or kids.
  • White noise machines can help cancel out chatter coming from elsewhere or help you focus. This one is portable and offers six white noise sounds. Get it on sale for $24.
  • New parents (or grandparents) can keep this noise-canceling ear protection on hand for infants and toddlers up to age 2. These kid-approved earmuffs are on sale for $16 and last.

Power bill-saving moves, all under $30

  • Create a schedule for your appliances or an auto-off timer with a pair of these smart plugs, on sale for $14. Bonus: Enable the “Away mode” for that hall lamp to fool bad guys while you’re on vacation.
  • These LED bulbs are super versatile and dimmable with five options for brightness. Get four for under $10.
  • Install a door sweep if you have gaps between areas where you’re air conditioning and not. This one is a steal at $9.93.
  • This rechargeable table fan can move around the house, keeping your cooling bill down. A few colors are available too, at $12.
  • Blackout curtains can save you money by keeping that sunny room cooler. They come in tons of colors and are on sale for $18.

$0 donuts and coffee

At Krispy Kreme this month. The chain is celebrating Independence Day with a free Fourth-themed donut every Tuesday and free iced coffee on Fridays with your purchase. Nothing says “freedom” like fried dough.

Life’s little problems, solved

  • Don’t hold your phone the whole flight. This $13.97 mount clamps onto the airplane tray table for hands-free viewing. Works on desks or your luggage, too.
  • Not a fan of in-ear earbuds? These open-ear headphones are for you, and they’re on sale for $24.99.
  • A little scanner to make sure your Airbnb or hotel room is free of hidden cameras or bugs. And it’s 40% off!
  • Rechargeable LED lights that stay on for three to four hours when the power is out. A set of two is on sale for $17.99.
  • Buh-bye, cord mess. A retractable pair of cords, plus ports for two more, make it a snap to charge four devices at once. It’s 28% off now.

Feelin’ like summer

Organization on sale!

Bright idea

A ton of you asked me to share more lights since you loved my flashlight pick the other day. I did the work to find you the best ones.

Pens that do more than write

I need a better way to …

Splash into summer

Affordable upgrades

Problem, meet solution. Inexpensive hacks that make life easier:

The replacements

Some items need to be replaced more often than most of us actually do. I’ve got you covered! Even better, these household items are on sale now:

  • Replace your toothbrush every three months or after you’re sick. Bacteria sits in the bristles. Grab a four-pack for 13% off now. 
  • Dishwashing sponges should be replaced every couple of weeks. Set yourself up for six months to a year with a 24-pack for under $10.
  • You’re supposed to replace your pillow every year or so. Get a four-pack of quality down-alternative pillows to update your household ($29.99, 32% off).
  • Spices lose their flavor fast, but whole spices can last for three to four years. Now you just need a spice grinder. This Ninja model is 28% off.
  • At least once a year, replace your shower curtain liner to keep mold and mildew at bay. This bestselling liner is 29% off now and $11.99.

They made too much

Amazon has a hidden overstock outlet section. Items up to 70% off? Yes, please!

 Road trip essentials

Summer is road trip season, which means it’s time to make your ride road-ready. This list isn’t exhaust-ive, but it’s a good start!

  • Toss empty snack wrappers into a leakproof car trash can, on sale for $9.99.
  • Don’t throw your purse on the ground. Hang it on this hook, which goes on the back of a headrest. It’s 41% off now, at $7.66.
  • This smartphone charger keeps your phone in place for navigation with a sturdy mount, and it’s 57% off.
  • Air sanitizers get the lingering greasy burger or smoke smell out of a rental car. Grab a pack for 11% off.
  • Every vehicle needs jumper cables, an LED headlamp and a tire pressure gauge. You’ll be set with this kit, now 15% off.

Step off

Fellow walkers, runners and hikers, let’s upgrade your gear:

Play on, player

Summer is playtime. I wrangled up a few great beach or outdoor lawn games for hosting, travel or just weekend fun.

  • Keep it classic: This bocce ball set is 19% off and comes with its own carrying case.
  • Get the kids off their screens: This game set is a party in a box for the younger members of your summering crew, with four games in one. Select the size for kids ages 3 to 7 or 5 to 10.
  • Light up the night: A lightweight, light-up flying disc is good for parties that go past sunset, which is pretty late these days! Woo, it’s 15% off.
  • Backyard bowling: An outdoor (or indoor, for rainy days) bowling set for 22% off. Strike!
  • Tabletop playing: Give your feet a rest from the other games and play a hook-and-ring game (15% off).
  • Create your own course: Most putting games are pricey, but this set of two putting cups is a steal on sale for $8.99. Get a bunch and create your own 18.