Curious about quirky drink gadgets? Today, I tested three intriguing products: a USB mini fridge, silicone bottle caps, and a soda spout with a handle. These gadgets range from highly rated to almost invisible on the review radar. Here’s my breakdown of their performance and usefulness.
Where to Purchase
Below are links where you can purchase these gadgets, if available.
USB Mini Fridge: A Total Flop
The Hype
This $35 gadget claims to cool your drink to 5°C (41°F) while running on USB power. It even boasts a light inside, adding a pseudo-high-tech vibe.
The Reality
From the moment I unpacked it, I was skeptical. Cheap plastic construction and the absurd claim that it required 100 MB of hard drive space for operation didn’t inspire confidence. After testing, my skepticism turned to outright disappointment.
I placed one soda in the USB fridge and another in a standard refrigerator. After an hour, the USB fridge soda measured 73°F—barely cooler than room temperature—while the regular fridge delivered a crisp 66°F. Even after 15 hours, the mini fridge soda only dropped to 72°F. It didn’t cool; it barely maintained room temperature.
Verdict: Avoid. This gadget failed spectacularly at its only job.
Silicone Bottle Caps: Surprisingly Useful
The Hype
These reusable caps promise to reseal your bottles and keep drinks fresh, even fizzy.
The Reality
For just over $1 per cap, these little silicone covers do a decent job. While they’re not completely leakproof (despite initial appearances), they fit snugly and seem to preserve carbonation. After 12 hours, soda sealed with a cap retained noticeable fizz compared to its uncapped counterpart. Beer results were less dramatic but still leaned in favor of the caps.
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Helps maintain fizz for soda and beer.
Cons:
- Not entirely leakproof.
- May not work well for heavy liquids or in transit.
Verdict: A solid buy for casual use, especially for soda drinkers.
Soda Spout & Handle: Functional but Unnecessary
The Hype
This $3 gadget attaches to a 2-liter soda bottle, providing a handle and a spout for easy pouring.
The Reality
The good news is that this spout works as advertised, with no leaks and a smooth pour, albeit slowly. The handle, however, is another story. While it technically supports the bottle, it’s awkward and uncomfortable. Gripping it forces your hand into an unnatural position, making pouring more effort than it needs to be. Holding the bottle directly is far easier.
Pros:
- Leak-free pouring.
- Affordable price.
Cons:
- Uncomfortable handle design.
- Adds no real convenience to holding the bottle itself.
Verdict: Functional but unnecessary. Skip it unless you’re desperate for a pour spout.
Final Thoughts
- USB Mini Fridge: Absolute failure. Save your money.
- Silicone Bottle Caps: Worth considering if you regularly reseal soda or beer.
- Soda Spout & Handle: It works, but you probably don’t need it.
If you’ve tried any of these gadgets, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Until next time, happy gadget testing!
Video Review
You can watch my review of these gadgets in the video below.