In this article we will now deal with unusual and lesser-known gadgets for everything to do with smartphones.
Measuring devices for home and hobby
We start with the measuring equipment category and start with devices for household, workshop and hobby. There are, for example, digital barbecue thermometers with WiFi or Bluetooth and a smartphone connection. The practical wireless devices are hardly more expensive than the classic version without an app. There are inexpensive models from around 30 euros, branded devices are more expensive, but offer additional functions. More on this in the Smarter Grilling Guide.
Combined hygro- and thermometers with Bluetooth are ideal for monitoring the room climate. In addition to real-time monitoring, the apps usually also enable long-term evaluation of temperature and humidity. Battery operated Entry-level devices are available from 12 euros. If you want an additional display on the sensor, you can get the model, for example Govee from 13 euros. Not only the climate, but also the gas concentration of the most important common household gases (butane, propane, natural gas or autogas) can be monitored using a smartphone. the Motorhome gas detector from Visor-Tech with WLAN and app is available from 32 euros. The smart home sensors, which can not only be controlled via the app, but also enable additional actions such as automatic heating control, offer even more functionality. More on this in the guide to temperature, CO2, VOC and Co. – smart room air sensors from 10 euros.
If it is not the climate in the room but the comfort factor of a potted plant that is to be monitored, there are combined plant sensors with an app connection. the Flower Care floor tester for 26 euros monitors the moisture content of the soil, the EC value of the soil, room temperature and the amount of light.
When it comes to measuring water quality, for example in a pool, the electronic water tester is ideal Pool Lab 1.0 on. The device for 129 euros analyzes up to 13 different parameters and transmits the data to a computer or smartphone via Bluetooth. Values ​​for pH, chlorine (free / bound / total), alkalinity (acid capacity), cyanuric acid (stabilizer), active oxygen (MPS), bromine, chlorine dioxide, ozone, total hardness and hydrogen peroxide are displayed.
Even the fill level of heating oil tanks can be conveniently checked on the smartphone. the WiFi level indicator from Mex In addition to real-time monitoring, it also provides a statistics function for around 99 euros.
If you are concerned about UV radiation exposure, you can also measure it with a detector and evaluate it on your smartphone. The small devices are connected with a jack plug. An additional adapter is required for smartphones without a headphone connection. Cheap UV meter for Android and iOS are available from 37 euros. Even electrosmog can be analyzed with the appropriate hardware via app. the Smart EM Checker FEC-001 is available from around 37 euros. The measuring device for electromagnetic radiation is only slightly larger than an ink cartridge. The data is sent to the smartphone via a headphone connection. Radiometers for smartphones are even more unusual, but optically almost identical. The Geiger counter for your pocket also transmits the data to an Android or iOS smartphone via a jack plug. The prices for the Radiation measuring devices with app start at around 41 euros. More professional devices for long-term stationary use are significantly more expensive. the RadonEye costs around 280 euros.
Multimeters for measuring voltage, current and resistance are indispensable tools for handicrafts and hobbies. If you want to check and log the data in detail via the app, you get digital multimeter with bluetooth connection from around 42 euros. Laser rangefinders are not new, but there are now variants with an app function. Here, the measured data can be conveniently visualized on the monitor. The model Bosch PLR 30 C with a measuring range of 0.05 to 30 meters costs just under 60 euros. The variant for Distances up to 50 meters is listed for around 79 euros.
Medical accessories
Devices for controlling the vital system are also available with associated apps for iOS and Android. That ViAtom Pulse Oximeter, an oxygen finger monitor including a heart rate monitor, is available from Amazon for around 30 euros, for example. The measured values ​​can be conveniently read and evaluated on the smartphone.
Significantly more extensive are the data that Heart monitor with EKG are to be expected. The device for heart monitoring transmits the recorded data to a PC, smartphone or tablet and allows export as PDF or JPEG. The price for such devices is 150 euros or more. Simple Heart rate monitor in the form of a chest strap with app are available from 30 to 35 euros.
Classic blood pressure monitors with arm cuffs are also available with an app connection. That Wellue sphygmomanometer For 50 euros it has its own display, but evaluating and storing the data on the smartphone still makes sense to us.
Diabetics can also use the app to monitor their blood sugar levels. There are a large number of suitable devices. That GlucoNavii Pro mit Bluetooth comes to customers with 60 blood sugar test strips for around 25 euros.
A very compact one Infrared thermometer for iPhone or Android smartphone we discovered for just under 16 euros. The tiny device only needs the smartphone as a power source. However, the measurement data are not transmitted and can only be read on the small display of the thermometer. The solution is still practical for on the go.
There are also so-called stitch healers for smartphones with a USB-C connection. The little devices like that Heat_it model for 28 euros, draw power from the smartphone and heat up. If you hold the heated tip on or over an insect bite, the itching is relieved. The manufacturer explains exactly how this works BiteAway on his homepage.
Car, motorcycle, mobile home
There are also practical gadgets that work with smartphones for cars, bikes and mobile homes. There is, for example, the alcohol test to check your own fitness to drive. The model ACE AFM-5 for 81 euros advertises with high accuracy and the possibility to check, save and compare the data on the smartphone.
OBD2 adapter with bluetooth or WLAN are also a sensible acquisition for screwdrivers. Error memories can be read out here or specific data can be called up in real time. Thanks to the wireless connection, the results go straight to your iPhone or Android smartphone. Inexpensive adapters with smartphone apps are available from 17 euros. If you want, you can use the adapter to retrofit a head-up display for your car. More on this in the guide to OBD-2 head-up displays for cars from 20 euros in comparison.
If you want, you can also keep an eye on the vehicle battery or the air pressure of the tires via the smartphone. This is useful for mobile homes, for example. The wireless connection via Bluetooth allows the values ​​to be checked conveniently from the driver’s seat. the Battery-Guard For example, it costs 22 euros and works from 6 to 24 volts. Tire pressure monitoring systems for smartphones consist of an app and smart valve caps. These send air pressure and temperature wirelessly via Bluetooth directly to a smartphone or tablet. That Model with four sensors for cars is available from Amazon for around 45 euros, for example. the Variant for motorcyclists with only two sensors are available from 40 euros.
Other wacky gadgets
The list of smartphone gadgets also includes a number of products that are difficult to put into one category. For example, there is the small disco light for smartphones. Admittedly, the mini LED lights are more of a gimmick than serious lighting, but the small spotlights are still fun. The present lights from the manufacturer Nepak cost in Triple pack around 11 euros – including a practical USB adapter. Each lamp comes with three USB-A adapters. One for USB-C, one for Micro-USB and one for the Lightning connector.
Or how about one Mini-Ventilatorthat gets its electricity from the smartphone? These are available from around four euros. The effect of the mini gadget is manageable, but this always-with-you fan is actually very helpful on the bus or train.
Even skipping ropes are now available with Bluetooth and an app connection. Training progress and successes can be documented very conveniently directly on the smartphone. Ideal, for example, to measure yourself against each other. The cost of one Springseil 2.0 are around 25 euros.
In order to print pictures directly from the smartphone, there are compact and battery-operated photo printers for on the go. The top 10 of the best mobile mini photo printers 2021 shows which models have convinced in the tests. If a simple photo seems too boring for you, you can also control and operate a mobile laser engraver with your smartphone when you are out and about. Photos, lettering or logos can be easily engraved on different surfaces. The compact laser pecker (test report) is not exactly cheap at over 500 euros, but in the test it convinced with great results and simple control. If you want to output videos instead of images while on the move, it is worth taking a look at the mini projectors, which often allow direct operation via the app. More on this in the guide to mini-projector comparison: What can a 50-euro projector do?
Conclusion
There are an incredible number of different gadgets for smartphones. Some of them, like the universal USB sticks (advice), are actually worthwhile for practically every user. Other products, such as the blood glucose meter, the Geiger counter or the electrosmog detector, are intended for a specific target group.
In our experience, these gadgets work despite their sometimes very low prices. However, you should see the readings of these budget gadgets as a guide rather than relying 100 percent on them. This is especially true for the readings from medical devices. If you use the accessories regularly, if in doubt you should prefer more expensive models instead of relying on the cheap ones.
