Ever wonder if those quirky gadgets you see online are actually worth it? I recently got my hands on a Bluetooth-enabled “Music Hat” that lets you play music and take calls, plus some fun glowing ice cubes and straws to add a little flair to your drinks. Let’s dive in and see how they held up in a real-world test!
Where to Purchase
Below are links to the Amazon listings where I purchased these products:
The Bluetooth “Music Hat”
Unboxing & Setup
The Music Hat arrived with simple packaging, a charging cable, and a 4.2-star rating from Amazon reviewers. At $19.99, this hat promises to keep you connected hands-free, with six hours of talk time and 48 hours of standby. It’s branded “Music Hat” right on the side, which was, well, a bit much in the branding department, but I decided to look past it.
Sound Quality Test
After charging it up, I tried a few tracks to see what this hat could do. Unfortunately, my initial impression wasn’t great. Despite being labeled a “Music Hat,” it severely lacked bass, leaving songs sounding thin. Adjusting volume was a hassle, too—finding and pressing the buttons was hit-or-miss. Out on a walk, the sound only got worse when cars drove by, completely drowning out the music. I was left wishing I’d stuck with the Bluetooth beanie I tested a while back, which provided better coverage and sound quality because it sat directly over the ears.
Phone Call Test
For calls, the sound was acceptable, albeit not impressive. I tested it out by having my son call me from about 75 feet away. While I could hear him, he noted that my voice sounded muffled, as if I were in a tunnel. The Music Hat works for calls in a pinch, but don’t expect crystal-clear quality.
Verdict on the Music Hat
Between the oversized “Music Hat” label, underwhelming sound quality, and uncomfortable fit, this gadget felt like more of a novelty than a useful tech accessory.
Glowing Ice Cubes and Straws
Glowing Ice Cubes
Next up: light-up ice cubes! These were priced at $27.88 for a pack of 12 and came highly rated, though some users warned that the batteries didn’t last long and certain cubes were defective. Sure enough, two of my cubes were duds right out of the box.
Once I got the functioning cubes going, they did look nice in the glass, giving off various colors. They’re not meant to keep anything cool since you can’t freeze them. While I did enjoy the ambiance, the limitations made them feel more decorative than functional.
Glowing Straws
The glowing straws were a bit of a letdown. They look like traditional glow sticks but function as straws, and they’re one-time use only. They require a lot of suction, making it tricky to actually drink through them—especially with thicker beverages. While the idea was fun, they’re best suited for light, thinner drinks at parties rather than a practical drinking straw.
Final Thoughts on the Cubes and Straws
These drink accessories do add a bit of flair to a party setting, and I can see them working well for events like New Year’s or Halloween. But with some items not functioning straight out of the package, and the ice cubes’ short battery life, they might not live up to the price tag for regular use.
Conclusion
Testing these gadgets was definitely an adventure. The Music Hat, while entertaining, didn’t deliver on sound quality or comfort, making it hard to recommend for serious music lovers. As for the glowing ice cubes and straws, they’re fun for special occasions but don’t expect them to be functional for everyday use. Overall, if you’re looking for a quirky conversation starter, these might fit the bill, but for everyday practicality, you might want to look elsewhere.
Have you tried any similar gadgets? Let me know in the comments what your experiences were! Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you in the next review.