My Productivity Apps
(I am not sponsored or paid by any of these companies (I found them), but I do get a small affiliate payout if you’re nice enough to sign up using my link!😊)
Sleep
The Drowsy
Maximum Comfort!
For nights when i’m tired enough to fall asleep without listening to anything.
- 100% Mulberry Silk
- Wrap-around velcro design (no elastic)
- Blocks 98% of light, perfect for all but the brightest of rooms–and still works pretty well in them (it won’t take an airport to pitch-black, but it will make it easily dark enough to fall asleep).
- Feels like your face is getting a hug
Who is this for?
- If elastic bands irritate you / give headahces
- If you have sensitive skin
- If you want the best blend of light blocking and comfort
The WAOAW
Maximum darkness!
For times when i need maximum light-blocking. I’ve used this to fall asleep in a super bright airport on multiple occasions.
- Can’t tell the difference between room lights on or off.
- Doesn’t put pressure on the eyes or eyelashes
- Thick, full-wrap-around elastic band that doesn’t cause tension (normal thin elastic bands give me headaches)
Who is this for?
- If you often need to sleep in medium to high lighting rooms.
- If your eyes are sensitive to pressure
- If you have eyelash extensions
The Musicozy
I wear this >50% of nights.
If you like falling asleep listening to music, audiobooks, or podcasts, this guy will become your best friend!
- Built-in headphones
- wrap-around design
- blocks out most light (takes rooms from “dark-ish” to “optimal darkness for sleep health”)
- Very compact for travel (I sometimes put it in my pocket)
Who is this for?
- If you like falling asleep listening to something
- If your normal bedroom is dark but not pitch black, and you want the health benefits of the latter.
- If you travel on cars, buses, and airplanes and want to fall asleep listening to something
Healthy / Smart Home
Water Pitcher
super-embed:
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QDMM2WL?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=li3&tag=distilledscience-20&linkId=c757b8a7352da48e3bb10e5d0321da0c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07QDMM2WL&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=distilledscience-20&language=en_US" ></a><img src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=distilledscience-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B07QDMM2WL" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />Why I love it:
- The extra-wide filter is essentially 2-in-1, making it go twice as fast.
- Came in top, ahead of Brita and the like, when when filtered samples were sent to a lab.
- Natural wooden handle means I don’t mind putting it out on the table for guests as-is.
Humidifier
super-embed:
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095KGXPW5?ascsubtag=AwEAAAAAAAAAAlDL&th=1&linkCode=li3&tag=distilledscience-20&linkId=8a1c5015d3906808070226d893bc2ef7&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B095KGXPW5&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=distilledscience-20&language=en_US" ></a><img src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=distilledscience-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B095KGXPW5" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />Maintaining 50-60% humidity lowers your odds of getting severe COVID and many other diseases. Most humidifiers have a hard time gettin there during the winter, and are a pain to clean (necessary to prevent mold). This guy does it!
I recently switched to this one from this older evaporative humidifier. The top choice from both The Wirecutter and Consumer reports, this guy is powerful enough to make a significant difference in humidity levels, and the newer 600s model is smarthome enabled and easier to clean (which makes it worth the extra $25 in my book). If that’s less important to you, this older 300s is just about as effective.
Note: Relying on the built-in humidity sensor in humidifiers isn’t all that accurate, as the air right around them tends to be significantly more moist than the rest of the room. I like to use one / a few of these cheap $10 humidity sensors to better gauge how my space is doing.
Air Purifier
This has been the best bang for buck air purifier out there for years, even at it’s normal ~$185-$190 pricing. Now it’s down to $133!
- Great for rooms ~500 sq ft, still a solid effect for the 500-100 sq ft range.
- Top Wirecutter pick
- Best combo of coverage, noise, and price (including year 1 filter) in this analysis of 50+ air purifiers!
Note: The effectiveness of any filter-based air purifier is a direct function of it’s fan speed. When shopping for any air purfier, look for something that says “CADR” or “Clean Air Delivery Rate.” As a rule of thumb, aim for a CADR of ~50% the square footage you’re trying to treat, assuming ~8.5’ ceilings.
Air Quality Monitors
PORTABLE
super-embed:
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Aranet4-Home-Temperature-Ink-Configuration/dp/B07YY7BH2W?crid=22IAVIZCO4H2I&keywords=aranet&qid=1669143187&sprefix=aranet%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-1-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.fa474cd8-6dfc-4bad-a280-890f5a4e2f90&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1&linkCode=li3&tag=distilledscience-20&linkId=b95ac885321521146744b99c0d1706ff&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07YY7BH2W&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=distilledscience-20&language=en_US" ></a><img src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=distilledscience-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B07YY7BH2W" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />This is the best way to determine the ventilation level in a given environment, and the corresponding disease transmission risk. I take it everywhere. There are cheaper CO2 monitors, but this is the industry gold standard and it's worth every penny.
If ~$185 is too steep, here’s a decent budget option.
AT HOME
super-embed:
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Awair-Element-Indoor-Quality-Monitor/dp/B082ZF4H37?crid=O7TILTW1QHEK&keywords=awair&qid=1669143423&s=industrial&sprefix=awair%2Cindustrial%2C75&sr=1-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.fa474cd8-6dfc-4bad-a280-890f5a4e2f90&th=1&linkCode=li3&tag=distilledscience-20&linkId=0c4e94f952a3d2721234bebbf507122c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B082ZF4H37&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=distilledscience-20&language=en_US" ></a><img src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=distilledscience-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B082ZF4H37" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />Living in a NYC apartment, it's amazing how fast the CO2 levels can rise out of control, or other particulates and gases from the oven. Having this guy running and hooked up to my fan / air purifier / AC via smart connections is super useful!
Audio Recording Setup
super-embed:
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B07QR6Z1JB?crid=897LWXEF2IJ1&keywords=focusrite&qid=1699976523&sprefix=focusrite%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18630bbb-fcbb-42f8-9767-857e17e03685&th=1&linkCode=li1&tag=distilledscience-20&linkId=da751606732d1581682d1e875752ba6d&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07QR6Z1JB&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=distilledscience-20&language=en_US" ></a><img src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=distilledscience-20&language=en_US&l=li1&o=1&a=B07QR6Z1JB" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface - This lets you plug your XLR mic into your computer, adjust it’s volume levels, and monitor the sound as you’re recording.
super-embed:
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CZ0R42?ie=UTF8&th=1&linkCode=li1&tag=distilledscience-20&linkId=1cfb706748fea0543a2d9afbebb074d3&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000CZ0R42&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=distilledscience-20&language=en_US" ></a><img src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=distilledscience-20&language=en_US&l=li1&o=1&a=B000CZ0R42" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone - This has been an industry gold-standard for years, for good reason. I use it to record in my New York City apartment and it does an excellent job of NOT picking up all the background noise!
I use this windscreen for it as well.
If you have a larger budget, I’d go with this Shure mic instead.
I also use this mic stand and this pop filter.
Gadgets
Here are some of the fun gadgets I currently use. Eventually I’ll get around to writing about some of my favorite setups! 😃
super-embed:
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XV3Z484?coliid=IN075MSOWBT83&colid=204NR2RUH3087&psc=1&linkCode=li3&tag=distilledscience-20&linkId=a8fd4aa69beae15d3fb464288823cfc0&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B09XV3Z484&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=distilledscience-20&language=en_US" ></a><img src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=distilledscience-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B09XV3Z484" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />WAOAW Sleep Mask
Why I love it:
- I’ve worn this in a bright airport and not been able to tell if my eyes are open or closed. ‘nuf said
super-embed:
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JWTRA5I?coliid=I1KNFGTSU8FNUZ&colid=204NR2RUH3087&psc=1&linkCode=li3&tag=distilledscience-20&linkId=d05d8f537f690f9cb3cef635ad407154&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00JWTRA5I&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=distilledscience-20&language=en_US" ></a><img src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=distilledscience-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B00JWTRA5I" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />Expand-A-Lung | A Breathing Fitness Exerciser Device
Using this sucks. For your lungs. In the short term. Buut in the long-run it’s great for you respiratory health! (Full review / vid on this coming soon)
super-embed:
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T37X4SP?coliid=IPXR34VIBWC9&colid=204NR2RUH3087&psc=1&linkCode=li3&tag=distilledscience-20&linkId=4c8edcab8cf9721f074706a9b34940be&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B08T37X4SP&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=distilledscience-20&language=en_US" ></a><img src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=distilledscience-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B08T37X4SP" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />Philips Norelco OneBlade Pro
After doing a ton of research into the latest electric shavers, I got this last month and have been loving it. And now it’s 33% cheaper than i bought it for.
Gifts for Nerds
Floating Lightbulb
This is the coolest piece of decor in my living room right now. I may need to get another one for my work/studio area.
Novium Hoverpen
Precision engineering, luxury feel, super cool floating floatiness! Owning it automatically makes you feel rich. Buying it makes you feel poor 😉
FerroFluid - Venom in a Bottle
This stuff is fascinating to play with, whether you’re 5 years old or 50. Also a cool way to teach electromagnetism. Also might be an alien parasite.
(no links here are sponsored, but some are affiliate–ie if you use them to buy you help me out 😊)
(These are affiliate links, which means if you buy through them it helps me! Use code “DistilledSci25” for 25% off!)
Kits
super-embed:
<iframe src="https://kit.co/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fkit.co%2FDistilledScience%2Fmy-computer-gear" style="display: block; border: 0px; margin: 0 auto; width: 100%; height: 100vw; max-width: 700px; max-height: 700px" scrolling="no"></iframe>super-embed:
<iframe src="https://kit.co/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fkit.co%2FDistilledScience%2Fmy-smarthome-setup" style="display: block; border: 0px; margin: 0 auto; width: 100%; height: 100vw; max-width: 700px; max-height: 700px" scrolling="no"></iframe>super-embed:
<iframe src="https://kit.co/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fkit.co%2FDistilledScience%2Fsunscreens" style="display: block; border: 0px; margin: 0 auto; width: 100%; height: 100vw; max-width: 700px; max-height: 700px" scrolling="no"></iframe>Note: I am not being paid to endorse any of these products, but the links you see are affiliate links that will give me a super tiny percentage of your purchase price if you decide to use them. It’s not much, but it helps!
Budget Moisturizer: CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion | Night Cream with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide