We test a lot of products at Tom's Guide. From full product reviews to hands-on opinion pieces, our staff is playing with new gadgets every day of the week. But with all the gadgets we review, sometimes something is so good that we need to run to the store (or an online store, more likely) and buy one for ourselves with our own hard-earned cash.
Lots of people think we get everything sent to us, but that's not always the case. A lot of the time, we have to buy devices to fill gaps in our lives, just like anyone else. And those are the products the Tom's Guide team is shouting out today.
Rove R2-4K Dual dash cam — Anthony Spadafora
Our first product comes from our Managing Editor, Security and Home Office, Anthony Spadafora. He purchased a new car and wanted a way to protect it. A Rove R2-4K Dual dash camera turned out to be the perfect purchase.
Why did he buy it? He said, "Knowing that every time I turn on my engine I have both front and rear video recording in real time gives me tremendous peace of mind."
Read Anthony's full Rove R2-4K Dual thoughts.
GameSir G8 Plus — Jeff Parsons
Our U.K. Editor in Chief, Jeff Parsons, spent his cash on a GameSir G8 Plus, and he's very happy with it.
"In a world where costs are constantly increasing, it's refreshing to come across a product that actually seems reasonably priced," he said in his detailed breakdown on why he loves it.
Read Jeff's full GameSir G8 Plus thoughts.
Fujifilm X-E5 — Ashley Thieme
"I usually like to take pictures of nature, whether I’m at a lake, beach or in the woods, it’s a great way to connect with my surroundings. I’ve been shooting mostly on the Sony a6100 for the last couple of years, but in June, I had the opportunity to head out to Valencia with Fujifilm to test out their then-new camera, the Fujifilm X-E5, which I think is one of the best mirrorless cameras around," said Ashley Thieme, Staff writer, Reviews.
She liked it so much that she went out and bought one after the event. "There is nothing difficult about this camera. Everything runs smoothly, and there is very little room for error," Thieme continued.
Read Ashley's full Fujifilm X-E5 thoughts.
AirPods Pro 2 — Dan Bracaglia
Senior Writer, Fitness & Wearables, didn't purchase a newly released product this year; instead, he opted for a pair of AirPods Pro 2.
"Was I a fool for not ponying up the cash for the latest model? No, I ultimately decided, after reading Erin’s equally sound rationale for sticking with the AirPods Pro 2 over the AirPods Pro 3," Dan explained.
Read Dan's full AirPods Pro 2 thoughts.
Fujifilm X-T50 — Nikita Achanta
"When I first held it in my hands, all the way back in May 2024, I thought it was a lovely, compact, premium camera that took incredible photos. Fast forward a whole year to me adding it to my cart and paying for it myself," said Nikita Achanta, Senior Writer, Reviews.
"I wouldn't change a thing about the Fujifilm X-T50."
Read Nikita's full Fujifilm X-T50 thoughts.
Wireless CarPlay adapter — Dave LeClair
This is the product I bought this year and I couldn't be happier with my decision. Could I just have used a USB-C cable instead? Sure, but where's the fun in that?
"Most importantly, it works flawlessly. It never disconnects. My phone always connects in seconds. Delay is the lowest I've ever experienced with a wireless CarPlay device. It's just a solid little device that does exactly what it promises," I wrote in my piece explaining why I like this device.
Read Dave's Wireless CarPlay Adapter thoughts.
Ugreen DXP4800 Plus — Ryan Epps
"The DXP4800 Plus has proven to be a total lifesaver for uploading and saving all my iPhone photos and videos, as well as handling runoff content for my video editing workflows," Staff Writer Ryan Epps wrote.
"Plus, it’s become a substitute for Netflix and Hulu, allowing me access to my favorite anime, with subtitles to boot," he continued.
Read Ryan's Ugreen DXP4800 Plus thoughts.
Mayflash F700 Elite — Tony Polanco
Tony Polanco, Senior Computing Writer, went out and purchased a fight stick, which furthered his love of fighting games.
"Whether you’re an arcade stick master or novice, the Mayflash F700 Elite is worth checking out for all it provides. Here’s why it’s my favorite product I purchased myself in 2025," Polanco wrote.
Read Tony's full Mayflash F700 Elite thoughts.
Miro V99 powerbank — John Velasco
John Velasco, Senior Channel Editor for Phones, found a perfect way to spend his hard-earned money on something that's both practical and fun. He got the Miro V99 Power Bank that lets you play classic games while charging your phone.
"I’ve tested many of the best portable chargers around, but the Miro V99 is truly in a class of its own, in part due to how it also doubles as a gaming console," John wrote.
Read John's full Miro V99 Power Bank thoughts.
Nintendo Switch 2 — Scott Younker
"This year, one of the few big and best purchases I made was the new Nintendo Switch 2. I’ve had a ton of fun playing original Nintendo games and new third-party titles on it for the last six months," wrote Scott Younker, West Coast Reporter for Tom's Guide, on his decision to buy Nintendo's latest console.
"I can honestly say that the Switch 2 is tons of fun and one of my favorite things I bought this year," Scott continued.
