The bad news: Summer – and the beach excuses that come with it – are coming to an end. The good news: Labor Day sales are here to soften the blow. Take advantage of the right deals, and you could be spending that extra day off breaking in a new household widget you've been pining for.
In fact, you can start right now. Here are 10 tech innovations that almost anybody can use, and anyone can afford.
EarDial: The Invisible Smart Earplugs for Live Music
Want to live in the now but keep a little insurance for the future? Wear these super-discreet plugs to concerts or clubs. They'll protect against ear-damaging sound while still keeping things clear, thanks to a high-def noise filter. They even come with an app that can let you know when ambient sound is getting loud enough to warrant their use, and how long you can safely stay around it.
They were sale priced at $21.99, but you can now get EarDial: The Invisible Smart Earplugs for Live Music for $19.99, almost 40% off the original cost.
iPM World 360-Degree 1080p Wireless IP Security Camera
This high-tech watchdog is infinitely quieter than the real thing, offering 360-degree views of any room that you can control remotely with your smartphone. Day or night, you're covered thanks to the camera's infrared mode. And the video is encrypted with multiple protocols for that extra dose of security.
The iPM World 360-Degree 1080p Wireless IP Security Camera is now on sale for $44.99, down 65% from the MSRP.
VIZIO SB3821-C6 38" 2.1 Soundbar System with Wireless Subwoofer (Certified Refurbished)
Wireless subwoofer combined with Dolby Digital® and DTS® sound tech makes this soundbar a game-changer for movies no matter what TV you're watching them on. And with Bluetooth connectivity, you can get the same experience with any of your mobile devices.
You can get this certified refurbished VIZIO SB3821-C6 38" 2.1 Soundbar System with Wireless Subwoofer for $99, a 33% break off the list price.
This tiny gadget is primarily billed as an easy way for travelers to wash delicate clothes, but it can really be used to clean just about anything – food, baby products, jewelry, cutlery, you name it. Just immerse your items in a small amount of water, and the SonicSoak sends 50,000 ultrasonic vibrations per second through the liquid, wearing away not just surface stains but bacteria and other contaminants.
Pick up the Sonic Soak Ultrasonic Cleaner for $135.99, a full 45% off the retail price.
This hub charges your gear the way you want: quickly, efficiently and with a minimum of tangled cables. It delivers power through three USB ports, with a LED indicator to tell you the power status of each. And thanks to the ambient light sensor, it can even dim those LEDs to let you sleep at night while it works.
Grab the Nomad 3-Port Charging Hub for $19.99, almost 60% off the regular price.
Flip Out Rechargeable Screwdriver & Bit Set
Handymen might actually save on blood pressure medication with this one. It features an adjustable head with 360 degrees of orbital rotation, allowing you to reach those awkward screws in cabinets or furniture assembly. There's also an LED to light up your work in tight spaces, and the Li-ion battery charges up in 45 minutes so you're never without it for long.
The Flip Out Rechargeable Screwdriver & Bit Set is on sale for $29.99, down 33% from the store price.
Keezel 2.0 Online Protection Device with Lifetime Protection
This modest-looking widget might be your best friend, and it's certainly a lifesaver for your devices. It comes with a VPN plan that keeps your PC, tablet or smartphone safe from malware and hackers, and doubles as an 8,000mAh power bank for any device.
Originally priced at $239, the Keezel 2.0 Online Protection Device with Lifetime Protection is now 25% off at $179.
Force1 U49WF Wi-Fi FPV Drone with HD Video Camera
Take off with a single press of the button, then enjoy the view on your iPhone or Android phone from this drone's 720p HD camera. It's especially good for beginners with three-speed settings, an altitude hold feature and other modes. (And for the full first-person experience, it's fully compatible with VR headsets.)
The Force1 U49WF Wi-Fi FPV Drone with HD Video Camera is on sale for $89, a 40% discount from the MSRP.
WOM Height Adjustable Tabletop Standing Desk Converter
We've all heard the posture, health and productivity benefits of working at a standing desk, but it's tough to make that leap when it means buying an entirely new desk. So much for that excuse: This simple platform expands to turn any surface into a standing workspace, complete with a bi-level surface for keyboard and monitor.
Formerly priced at $139.99, the WOM Height Adjustable Tabletop Standing Desk Converter is now 17% off at $115.
Syncwire 2M UNBREAKcable MFi-Certified Lightning Cable
Say goodbye to frayed cables. In fact, say goodbye to any other cables at all. This Lightning charging cable is good for 30,000 90-degree bends and can withstand up to 275 pounds of pressure, all while delivering steady power and data transfer over its 8-pin connector.
You can get the Syncwire 2M UNBREAKcable MFi-Certified Lightning Cable in black now for $12.99, a 23% discount from the list price.
