I bought tech at the dollar store and you should too
0 up · 0 down · 0 ratings
Promos
Check out Storyblocks at storyblocks.com The dollar store has a lot more tech than you might think, but how much of it is actually worth buying there, and how much is just cheap trash? Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Buy Cable Zip Ties: geni.us Buy Duracell Alkaline Batteries: geni.us Buy Clear Organizer Boxes: geni.us Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Big Clive's 2017 Poundland USB charger analysis: youtube.com ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► AFFILIATES, SPONSORS & REFERRALS: lmg.gg ► PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg ► SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech TikTok: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Intro: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High Video Link: youtube.com Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi Artist Link: youtube.com Intro animation by MBarek Abdelwassaa @mbarek_abdel Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 0:38 Batteries 1:33 Headphones 4:34 Bluetooth speaker 6:21 Tools and supplies 10:17 Chargers and power 11:38 USB and HDMI cables 15:15 Battery results and conclusion
This video dives into the practical question of what tech items found at dollar stores are worth buying and what to avoid. The host kicks off with a live battery test, comparing carbon zinc dollar-store batteries to name-brand alkaline cells, using a Sega battery killer to gauge runtime. The results are surprising: the alkaline batteries outperform the zinc-carbon options by a sizable margin, illustrating why not all cheap batteries are equal in performance or longevity. Next, the focus shifts to headphones, with a detailed, side-by-side assessment of several dollar-store models. One set is declared unusable due to sound quality and build, while another surprisingly decent option shows that at least some cheap earbuds can offer usable sound, comfort, and extra features like built-in microphones. The video continues with a Bluetooth speaker, which, despite some questionable controls and a fragile-feel design, delivers acceptable audio for casual listening and voice calls, illustrating a mixed bag of outcomes in this category. The presenter then explores tools and supplies, highlighting inexpensive organizers, a magnetic parts tray, and a couple of budget screwdrivers that may handle quick tasks but are unlikely to stand up to heavy or repeated abuse. Throughout, the host tests USB and HDMI cables with a cable tester, only to find that most dollar-store cables lack proper shielding or meet the required electrical specs, underscoring the risk of reliability issues. The conclusion synthesizes the results: a handful of dollar-store items are surprisingly useful for basic or occasional use, but many cables, high-use tools, and certain electronics are better bought elsewhere for reliability and safety. The video closes with a reflection on the value of dollar-store tech, noting that a careful, item-by-item purchase strategy can yield useful gadgets while avoiding cheap trash, and it teases future lab testing and deeper analysis through LTT Labs. Overall, viewers are encouraged to balance cost with real-world performance, use-case needs, and the potential cost of failure when deciding what dollar-store tech to trust in daily life.
Topics · consumer electronics · budget shopping · tech testing · hardware tools · dollar store finds · product reviews · electronics accessories
Questions answered
- Welke dollar-store tech-items leveren volgens deze video echte waarde op voor dagelijks gebruik?
- De video toont aan dat enkele items zoals magnetische onderdelenbakken, betaalbare gereedschappen en bepaalde kabels met redelijke prestaties wel degelijk nuttig kunnen zijn voor basistaken of organisatorische doeleinden, terwijl veel kabels en dure tools vaak beter elders gekocht kunnen worden.
- Zijn de getest kabels betrouwbaar genoeg voor dagelijks gebruik?
- De tester laat zien dat de meeste dollar-store kabels geen shielding hebben en niet aan de relevante specificaties voldoen, wat kan leiden tot slechte signaalintegriteit of zelfs veiligheidsrisico's; dus gebruiksgemak en betrouwbaarheid zijn beperkt.
- Welke accessoires werden als redelijk bruikbaar beoordeeld ondanks de lage prijs?
- Onder meer de zes-in-één pen, een paar budget USB-adapters en de magnetische onderdelenbakken worden genoemd als redelijk bruikbaar of handig voor simpele taken of organisatie.
- Wat is de algemene aanbeveling van de video over dollar-store tech?
- Het is verstandig om kritisch te zijn en elk item per situatie te beoordelen: sommige goedkope gadgets zijn prima voor sporadiek gebruik, maar andere producten, met name kabels en draagbare elektronica, kunnen beter vermeden worden.