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Welcome to How I Pick My Picks — a kind-of-regular newsletter series in which we check in with the Strategist staff on the stuff they’re using day-to-day, the products they’re testing for stories, and the things their friends and families won’t stop asking them about. Consider it a peek into the always whirring brain of a Strategist writer. Today, we talk to our technology writer, Jordan McMahon.
I’m a tech journalist who is on a constant journey to unplug. Six months ago, I moved back to my hometown in Arizona, where the rent’s cheaper than my previous home in Los Angeles and where my living room no longer doubles as my office. Luckily, Tucson is more outdoorsy than L.A., so I’ve been finding ways of integrating product-testing into my day-to-day life while staying (kinda) offline. For example, this tiny Kodak projector lets me have backyard movie nights with friends. At a resolution of 1080p, it’s not the highest-res screen in my home, but it still looks pretty great, and I pair it with my favorite Bluetooth speaker (the JBL Pulse 5) for better sound than the built-in one can provide. I’ve also been using an E Ink tablet from reMarkable that does nothing but allow me to take notes and read books and documents, so I have a space for getting my writing done without notifications and the freedom of the web distracting me. On a more extreme level, I’ve been using a minimalist phone that doesn’t do much more than take calls and send texts, but it’s adorable and it helps me stay tuned in to the world around me. Of course, I always go back to my iPhone to catch up on articles or see what’s going on with my Instagram friends, but a guy can dream.
As a technology writer, what’s the product that friends and family always ask for your advice on?
I rarely go more than a week or two without somebody asking me which headphones or earbuds they should buy. For budget-conscious buyers, I usually tell them to get either Apple’s 2nd Generation AirPods (which can often be found for around $100) or JLab’s Epic Air ANC True Wireless Earbuds (you can usually find them for under $100). If you’re willing to spend more, Apple’s AirPods Pro and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds2 Pro both sound excellent and have great noise cancellation — it just depends on which platform you’re committed to.
Do you have any strongly held opinions that have changed after testing?
Testing ends up changing my opinion a lot! Most recently, I had to test robot vacuums, which I had no interest in. (My old roommate in Long Beach and I went a year without running hers once. Plus my Dyson and Swiffer suited me just fine.) But since watching my favorite robovac (it’s the iRobot Roomba Combo j7+) sweep and mop my floors without me needing to lift a finger, I’ve resorted to using my Dyson only to clean up larger messes.
What’s the least amount of money you should spend on, for example, a monitor?
I think anything under $400 is going to require some compromises (like a less adjustable stand or less accurate color reproduction), but you can get a really good monitor for well under $1,000, depending on what you’re doing with it. I’m still using a Dell monitor from 2013, and for what I do every day for work — browse the web, work in my text editor, and check my Slack messages — it’s perfectly fine.
Do you think it’s worth buying open-box items?
It depends on the manufacturer. I’ve bought refurbished gear from Apple before and haven’t been disappointed, but I just backed out of buying an add-on to my indoor bike trainer because REI doesn’t check the functionality of open-box items. Bummer.
What are you currently testing and researching?
I just wrapped up testing Google’s cheapest smartphone, the Pixel 7a, which I absolutely love. It’s affordable without lacking in specs or feeling cheap, and it comes in some nifty colors. You’ll have to tune back in once the embargo is lifted, but I’m also getting ready to test a supercool new phone that I’m worried will make me abandon my screenless endeavor altogether. I’m welcoming the challenge.
Which product do you think is a total waste of money?
Nobody should be using screen protectors on their phones. If you drop your phone hard enough, your screen’s going to crack. You’re better off getting a durable case that’ll keep the whole thing safer from a tough fall than a thin layer of plastic or tempered glass. (I really dig Casetify’s Ultra Impact Case.) People also like them for preventing microscratches, but there are way bigger things in life to worry about than tiny lines you can see only when the screen is off.
What’s the most luxurious product that you own?
I splurged a few years ago on a big 4K LG TV, the C9. I never used to care about having a fancy screen, but I love this dang thing. I can’t get confirmation on this, but I like to think it makes my dogs’ days brighter, too, since I play an assortment of “TV for dogs” videos on YouTube for them whenever I leave the house.
What’s the last thing you bought?
I’m going to cheat a bit here (sorry!) and talk about something my mom bought because it’s way more interesting. Earlier this year, I wrote an ode to this Bluetooth speaker that has as much in common with a lava lamp as it does a boom box. My mom bought one for my niece (who’s just over a year old) a few weeks ago, and she’s told me about how my niece dances to the music while she stares at the moving patterns on the speaker. I can’t think of a better person to endorse a fun speaker than an easily distracted 1-year-old.
What’s the last thing you bought for yourself?
I used to ride my bike every day, but after a gnarly car accident, I had to pump the brakes on that for a while. I finally got clearance a bit ago to start riding again, but the Arizona heat has been a huge obstacle in hitting the road. I just bought the Wahoo Kickr Core, a bike trainer that turns your bike into a Peloton-like workout machine. I use it with a subscription to Zwift, a workout app that shows a cool little cartoon avatar riding a bike through landscapes like an aquarium or alongside a volcano while a trainer-designed workout kicks my butt. It rules, and I can do it all on my lunch break.
If you had to spend $1,000 at Best Buy, what would you buy?
If I never had to flip another light switch again, my life would be infinitely better for it, as silly as that sounds. My house is filled with (honestly too many) recessed LED lights, but they’re the old-fashioned kind that don’t change colors or plug into your smart assistant of choice. I’d probably drop all that cash on replacing every one with a smart bulb so I can just tell my Google speaker to turn lights on or off, change colors, or tweak the brightness.
What are some open tabs on your computer right now? What’s on your list, but you can’t bring yourself to buy it just yet?
Since last week, I’ve kept a tab with Apple’s new 15-inch MacBook Air pinned to my Favorites because it looks great and the larger screen is enticing. Even so, my M1 Air from a couple years ago is still a total powerhouse, so I don’t need a new laptop. But, like, I need it, you know?
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
