10 Overhyped Tech Gadgets That Are Not Worth Your Money in 2025

 

Standalone AI-Powered Pins and Pendants

You may have seen these gadgets on your social media. Sleek, screen-less gadgets like the Humane AI Pin or the Rabbit R1 promise to give you freedom from your smartphone. The idea is quite tempting: a personal AI assistant that talks to you, sees what you see, and handles your tasks.

Reality

• Honestly, these first-gen AI gadgets are quite disappointing.
• In the real-world, they are quite slow, make AI mistakes, and have a short battery life.
• Tech reviewers and early adopters have pointed out that everything these devices promise can already be done on your smartphone in a fast and reliable way.

My Opinion

• The idea of a "second brain" seemed exciting to me, but in practical use it seems like a half-baked concept.
• If your phone is getting smarter every day, why carry another device?

Better Alternative

• Your smartphone! Seriously.
• Google Assistant, Siri, and AI-powered apps are getting more powerful every day.
• Save your money and explore the AI you have in your pocket.

The Ultra-Expensive Mixed Reality Headset (For Now)

Mixed reality is definitely the future. Headsets like the Apple Vision Pro have given us an incredible glimpse of how the digital and physical worlds can be fused. The demos look amazing, and the technology is awesome.

Reality

• But in 2025, it may be a bit too much for the average person, and the price is sky-high (thousands of dollars!).
• Even for comfortable use, wearing a heavy device is quite uncomfortable, and there is no “killer app” yet that justifies its daily use.
• Many early adopters have said that when the wow factor was achieved, these headsets just collect dust.

My Opinion

• I tried it, and for 30 minutes the experience was amazing, but I can't imagine using it all day.
• It feels like an early developer kit, not a consumer product.

Better Alternative

• If you want virtual reality, headsets like the Meta Quest 3 also offer pretty good value for gaming and entertainment, but the cost is much lower.

Most "Smart" Kitchen Appliances

A fridge that tells you when the milk is finished? A toaster that you can control with an app? The "Internet of Things" has entered the kitchen as well, and promises convenience.

Reality

• To be honest, do you really need notifications from your washing machine?
• These smart features can be quite complex and unnecessary, making appliances expensive and complicated.
• The touchscreen on the refrigerator is just one more thing that can break, and the AI that claims to identify your groceries is often wrong.

My Opinion

• I thought about getting a smart microwave, but then I thought I found it more efficient to press the button in 2 seconds.
• The risk of software glitches and the added cost just seemed like a waste of my time.

Better Alternative

• Invest in high-quality "dumb" appliances.
• They are long-lasting, inexpensive to repair, and do their job perfectly.
• For smart features, you can make your coffee maker or kettle “smart” with a smart plug without spending a lot of money.

NFT and Crypto Hardware Wallets & Displays

In the past few years, there was a lot of hype around NFTs and cryptocurrency. This hype created a wave of gadgets that displayed your digital art or secured crypto assets, such as dedicated NFT frames and specialized hardware wallets.

Reality

• The NFT market has gone down significantly.
• Many digital assets that were once so expensive are now worth a lot less.
• Now NFT frames are starting to look like a niche and outdated product.
• If you are a casual crypto user, the built-in security of software wallets and exchanges is enough.

My Opinion

• I have seen people who were spending hundreds of dollars to buy digital frames, and now they have become just unused screens.
• Excitement grew, and so did the utility of these gadgets.

Better Alternative

• If you want to display digital art, get a high-quality digital photo frame that can display family photos, famous artwork and yes, even NFTs.
• For crypto, software wallets are enough, unless you are a high-volume investor.

Cheap, Low-End Portable Projectors

Movie nights anytime, anywhere—these promise tiny, portable projectors. In ads, people see bright, large images in a tent or on a ceiling.

Reality

• If you buy cheap models, you are bound to get disappointment.
• These projectors come with low brightness and poor image quality, and the battery life is also quite short.
• Many models also have clunky software and weak speakers, meaning you will have to carry extra gear.

My Opinion

• I bought a cheap projector on a camping trip, and we spent more time setting the picture than watching the movie.
• It was a very frustrating experience.

Better Alternative

• If you seriously want a portable projection, you can spend a little more money and buy a good brand like Anker Nebula or XGIMI.
• These mid-range options offer a pretty good balance of brightness, battery life, and user-friendliness.

Most Smart Rings (For Now)

Smart rings are the next frontier of wearables. They track sleep, activity, and readiness in a discreet, comfortable spot.

Reality

• The technology is promising, but it's still at a pretty early stage.
• For the price, most smart rings don't do much that a good fitness tracker or smartwatch can't.
• Some top brands even ask for a monthly subscription to access your health data, which seems pretty unfair.

My Opinion

• I like the idea of a smart ring, but right now my smartwatch doesn't want too much data, screen, or extra subscription fees.

Better Alternative

• A good fitness tracker like Fitbit or a multi-purpose smartwatch like Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch offer more value for you.

Overly Complex "Smart" Watches

There are a lot of smartwatches on the market, and some brands are trying to cram every feature into them. Watches that sit on your wrist like a tiny, clunky smartphone.

Reality

• Do you really need to browse the web on a tiny 2-inch screen?
• These watches don't even do the basics well—like tracking fitness or just checking the time.

My Opinion

• Sometimes simplicity is best.
• A traditional watch is timeless craftsmanship that doesn't need to be charged every day and doesn't get obsolete in 2 years.

Better Alternative

• If you want a smartwatch, get one that does the core functions—fitness tracking, notifications, and time telling—well.
• If you want style and longevity, a traditional watch is also a good option.