Welcome to the latest edition of the Weekend Recommender. Our team has been busy this season, exploring gadgets and devices galore, and today we’re bringing you a handpicked selection of several standout items that deserve your attention.
This week’s collection features an innovative mix of smart home security, audio excellence, intuitive controls, and brilliant lighting solutions. From sophisticated biometric access to customizable illumination that transforms workspaces, we’ve assembled products that blend cutting-edge technology with practical everyday utility.
Whether you’re looking to enhance your home security, upgrade your listening experience, or simply add more convenience to your daily routine, these discoveries offer clever solutions that might just become your next can’t-live-without essentials.
Flic Duo
Meet the Flic Duo, the smart remote that’s gonna change the way you look at home control. This sleek dual-button device combines minimalist design with powerful functionality, offering over 20 gesture combinations to manage your entire smart home ecosystem. With its intuitive interface, featuring push, double push, hold, swipe, and twist actions, the Flic Duo transforms from a simple wall switch to a versatile handheld controller.
Perfect for both tech enthusiasts and family members who prefer simplicity, the Flic Duo integrates seamlessly with popular platforms including Matter, Apple HomeKit, Alexa, and Sonos. Use it to control lighting, adjust music, trigger custom routines, or manage temperature, and all without reaching for your phone or shouting voice commands.
We know a good thing when we see it.
The First-Rate Find badge recognizes products that go beyond standards in performance, design, value, and/or innovation. They also tend to boast interesting features or distinct hallmarks.
We don’t need to assign any formal scores to indicate that this one is worth your attention.
The device boasts impressive battery life (up to three years), visual feedback through a 3-color LED, and works either directly with your smartphone or with a Flic Hub for expanded functionality. Recently honored with three “Best of CES 2025” awards, the Flic Duo represents the next evolution in smart home control, bringing tactile simplicity back to increasingly complex connected environments.
Whether mounted on a wall for the whole family or carried as a personal remote, the Flic Duo delivers reliable, instantaneous control that makes smart home management genuinely intuitive.
TCL D2 Pro Smart Door Lock
The TCL D2 Pro Smart Door Lock brings cutting-edge security to your doorstep with its revolutionary palm vein recognition technology. Forget fumbling for keys or remembering codes because your palm is now your key, with impressive 99.99% accuracy and lightning-fast 0.3-second unlocking.
This sleek, aerospace-grade aluminum device offers unmatched versatility with six different ways to unlock: palm vein scanning, app control, keypad, physical key, FOB, or voice commands through Alexa and Google Assistant. Perfect for tech-savvy homeowners and busy families, it works reliably in all conditions, whether your hands are wet, dirty, or you’re juggling groceries.
Security meets convenience with features like auto-lock when you leave, real-time notifications, and remote access management. Grant temporary access to guests or service providers with customizable schedules, all controlled through the intuitive TCL Home app.
Built for durability with IP55 waterproof protection and operating temperatures from -25°C to 70°C, the D2 Pro’s 10,000mAh rechargeable battery delivers up to 8 months of power. Your data stays secure with 100% local storage and there are no cloud servers involved.
SOUNDPEATS H3 Earbuds
The SOUNDPEATS H3 delivers audiophile-grade sound in a sleek, portable package that punches well above its weight class. Featuring a sophisticated triple-driver system, two balanced armature drivers paired with a 12mm dynamic driver, these earbuds produce rich bass, detailed mids, and crystal-clear highs that will satisfy even the most discerning music lovers.
What sets the H3 apart is its impressive tech stack. With Qualcomm’s QCC3091 chipset supporting multiple high-resolution codecs including LDAC and aptX Lossless, you’re getting wireless convenience without sacrificing audio quality. The semi-transparent housing with precision-engineered aluminum details isn’t just for show, it’s part of the acoustic design that enhances sound reproduction.
Battery life is equally impressive, offering up to seven hours of playback per charge and 37 hours total with the case. A quick 10-minute charge delivers two hours of listening time, making it perfect for those on the go.
The AI-powered adaptive noise control system with four distinct modes (Adaptive, Indoor, Outdoor, and Traffic) provides up to 55dB of noise reduction, while six built-in microphones ensure crystal-clear calls even in noisy environments. For personalization, the PeatsAudio app offers a 9-band EQ to fine-tune your listening experience.
With IPX5 water resistance, dual-device connectivity, and ultra-low latency gaming mode, the SOUNDPEATS H3 is the perfect companion for music enthusiasts who demand premium sound without premium pricing.
Tronsmart T8 Portable Outdoor Speaker
The Tronsmart T8 is built for bold, immersive sound that travels with you. Its 2.1-channel system combines dual full-range drivers, a dedicated woofer, and passive radiators to deliver 360-degree surround sound with crisp clarity and punchy bass, all powered by SoundPulse audio tuning. At 40 W output, you can count on rich, room-filling audio whether you’re indoors or out. The speaker also supports custom EQ settings, letting you tailor the sound to your music or mood.
For stamina in the wild, the T8 is up to the challenge. It packs an 18-hour battery life (via a 9,000 mAh cell) and recharges fully in about 4.5 hours, ideal for long days outdoors. Its IPX7 waterproofing ensures protection from rain, splashes, and even brief immersion, so it’s rugged enough for poolsides, trails, and beach days. The intuitive classic knob dial offers quick, tactile control over volume, and there’s built-in ambient lighting that pulses with the beat for an added visual flair.
As for aesthetics and cost, the T8 is available in black, blue, and gray color options with a current street price of $60 from Tronsmart.
Enbrighten UltraBrite Hex Lights
The Enbrighten UltraBrite Hex Lights will illuminate your spaces with an innovative modular design. These customizable LED light fixtures allow you to create the perfect lighting configuration for any environment, whether you’re detailing cars, setting up a workshop, or upgrading your home gym.
With 24 light bars delivering a powerful 24,000 lumens of bright white 5000K light, these hex-shaped modules can be arranged in countless patterns to suit your specific space. The patent-pending snap-in connectors make installation a breeze, while self-anchoring screws eliminate the need for drilling pilot holes or using sheetrock anchors.
What truly sets the UltraBrite Hex Lights apart is their versatility. The complete kit includes everything needed for DIY installation: direct-wire adapter for traditional home wiring, plug-in cord for standard outlets, or an E26 adapter for existing light sockets. Control brightness with three settings using the included RF remote, which features both wall mount and magnetic options.
ETL safety certified and expandable up to 50 light bars, these fixtures are perfect for professionals who need precision lighting for detailed work and homeowners looking to transform their spaces with modern, efficient illumination. The preinstalled 3M tape supports the fixture during installation, making this a truly user-friendly lighting solution.