Digital TV (ATSC 1.0) Tuner Box:
GPX Digital TV Tuner/Recorder (TVTR149) ($34.99) – Menards
Mediasonic Digital TV Tuner/Recorder (HW130STB) ($28.99) – Amazon
Screen Cleaner (for TVs, computers, phones, tablets, eye glasses, etc):
Screen Kleen
(Screen Kleen is a pH neutral screen cleaning product that does not contain alcohol, amonia or phosphates. It’s safe for today’s polycarbonate plastic screens and anti-glare coatings. Comes with a super fine microfiber cloth that doesn’t leave behind any dust or debris. For use on TVs, computer screens, tables, phones, eye glasses, etc. We cannot recommend this stuff highly enough!)
Cable Modem:
ARRIS SURFBoard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Modem (138.99) – Amazon
(Most Cable Internet providers charge a ~$10/mo rental fee for Cable Modems. Purchasing your own modem will pay for itself within ~1yr and save hundreds of dollars in rental fees over the life of the modem)
Mesh WiFi systems:
TP-Link Deco
(Owning your own mesh WiFi system is much more cost-effective in the long run, as opposed to renting a modem+router from the Internet provider. A mesh WiFi system will also give significantly better coverage in most houses than running a single router).
Ethernet switches:
TP-Link
WiFi point-to-point links:
Ubiquiti NanoBeam ac Gen2 ($99.99/each)
Infrared (IR) Remote extender (for A/V equipment in cabinets, etc):
Dongjian IR Extender Kit ($20) – Amazon
Printers/All-In-Ones:
Brother Laser Printers
(Laser printers are much more affordable to operate in the long run compared to inkjet printers. Brother laser printers are generally reputed as being some of the most reliable units on the market – that has been our experience as well.)
Disposable Batteries:
Amazon Basics
(In this test by Youtuber Project Farm, Amazon Basics AA batteries were found to be the most cost-effective in terms of mAh per penny).
Weather Radio:
Midland WR120B ($34.99) – Amazon
(Every household, especially those outside of the range of tornado sirens, should have a weather radio. See our Weather Radio page for more information.)
Bluetooth audio Transmitter/Receiver:
1Mii Bluetooth 5.3 Transmitter/Receiver ($22.99) – Amazon
Car Bluetooth car audio receiver+phone mic:
JOYROOM Bluetooth 5.3 Car Adapter ($19.99) – Amazon
Basic Weather station w/display:
BOZYBO Weather Station – ($59.99) – Amazon
-Indoor/Outdoor Temperature
-Indoor/Outdoor Humidity
-Barometric Pressure
-Time and Date (Auto-set via WWVB Atomic Clock signal)
-Moon phase
WiFi Weather station w/display:
Ambient Weather WS-2902 ($189.99) – Amazon
-Indoor/Outdoor Temperature
-Indoor/Outdoor Humidity
-Barometric Pressure
-Wind speed/direction
-Rainfall
-UV and solar radiation
Windshield Wiper Blades:
PIAA Silicone Wipers
(Silicone blades last multiple times longer than traditional rubber blades, for nearly the same price. Silicone blades are not usually sold in auto parts stores).
Windshield Wiper Fluid:
Rain-X Windshield Washer Fluid
(Rain-X Windshield Washer Fluid contains Rain-X coating, which maintains a smooth, hydrophobic coating on the windshield. This results in easier bug removal, better visibility in rain, quieter windshield wiping and wiper blade life.)
Water filtration:
ZeroWater
(ZeroWater uses a 5-layer ion-exchange filtration system, which not only improves taste, but essentially removes ALL total dissolved solids in the water. See this test from Project Farm.)
Gutter hinges:
Zip Hinge (Available at Menard’s)
(We find that loose or disconnected downspouts are a very common occurrence at the homes we visit. Often times, downspouts have to be removed when mowing and re-attached later. Zip Hinge fixes those problem altogether – the product is very economical and extremely easy to install).