From Disney’s Lorcana cards to Logitech keyboards, find the gear your accountant will approve for your 2024 tax return.
Are you hoping for a great tax return but not sure what to reward yourself with after another tough year? We might have some suggestions…
Disney Lorcana
Price: From $11.95 via Gamesmen
Some would say there’s no better way to invest your 2024 tax refund in a new hobby, and if that’s you, Disney Lorcana might just be the perfect love interest. A new entry into the competitive trading card scene, Lorcana certainly exudes vibes of the long-running Magic: The Gathering, but it’s backed by the sheer power of Disney’s vast catalog of IP.
But let’s take a step back. Disney Lorcana, like any good TCG, unfolds an epic story with the player at the center. As a result, the player finds himself in the middle of the magical realm of Lorcana, summoned by the great Illuminary (who has a lot of great stories to tell), but its previous inhabitants, the Illuminaries, are missing. So it’s up to the player to unravel what happened and use magical ink to summon Glimmer (a version of a popular Disney character that only exists in this world) to add to the overall lore of Lorcana.
But with each new set, that core story changes and evolves: “Rise of the Floodborn,” for example, sees giant explosions and magical ink mixing to send lore to far-flung lands, while the upcoming “Ursula’s Return” focuses on how the titular villain’s glow is unleashed by the Great Illuminary, ready to conquer all lands.
There’s a ton of backstory that continues to grow with each new set release, but it all leads to a common goal in each game of Lorcana: victory is awarded to the player who accumulates 20 Lore through clever use of the game’s various character, action, and item cards. The game involves sending your own characters on quests to increase your pool of Lore while dueling your opponent’s characters.
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However, I will point out that even if you don’t plan on learning the actual game mechanics of Lorcana, if you’re a die-hard Disney fan, the Lorcana set is still worth a lot of money because the art on display is truly impressive. This is mainly thanks to Disney’s ability to portray many of your favorite characters. All of the art is new to Lorcana, making for some really interesting variations like a fully engulfed in flames or a sword-wielding Cinderella.
Needless to say, I’ve become a fan of Disney Lorcana, so whether you buy the full set or just a booster or two, it’ll be a great way to spend money on your 2024 tax return.
Ember Travel Mug 2+
Price: $299 at JB Hi-Fi
As a longtime extra hot coffee drinker, it goes without saying that I’m a fan of Ember products. I enjoy a variety of beverages in Ember Espresso Cups during early morning and late night gaming sessions, and I’m also a long-time fan of the Ember Travel Mug 2+.
While the standard Ember Mug is designed to be stationary, with the Travel Mug 2+ the world is your oyster. Simply select your desired temperature between 50°C and 62.5°C and the mug will wake up when it senses liquid being poured into it and maintain that temperature for up to 3 hours while you’re on the go, or all day when you pop it on the included charging coaster.
While it’s obviously nice to be able to keep sipping on a piping hot hoppy beverage during your morning commute, what impressed me most was the front LED display that lets you adjust the temperature (it also appears on the front of the device.) And for those within the Apple ecosystem, the 2+ also comes with a Find My feature in case you accidentally lose your liquid gold.
While obviously on the pricey side for a mug, the Ember Travel Mug 2+ has a stainless steel interior and a soft-touch exterior so it feels cool to the touch from the outside and is very well-built. It’s definitely a luxury item, but I don’t think I could live without it. A great investment for your 2024 tax return.
Sonos Ace
Price: $699 at Sonos store
There’s no doubt that the wireless headphone market has exploded over the last few years, but I’ve been very impressed with the Sonos Ace. This is a new over-ear unit that I’ve been using daily, and there’s no denying that Sonos has put out an impeccable unit right from the get-go.
Regardless of color (black or white), the Sonos Ace looks and feels incredibly premium, lightweight and comfortable, plus it also has surprisingly good noise cancellation and transparency mode, both of which easily rival the stronger competition.
While some might lament its lack of integration into Sonos’ wider ecosystem, the Ace pairs easily with other devices, delivers powerful, resonant audio, and comes with its own carry case — not a bad way to spend your 2024 tax return.
Nanoleaf Matter Smart Multicolor HD Lightstrip
Price: $119.99 at the Nanoleaf store
If you watch a lot of Twitch or YouTube streamers, you’ve probably already seen Nanoleaf on your radar, but if you’re looking to spend your 2024 tax refund on something flashy for your setup, you might want to consider the new Matter Smart Multicolor HD Lightstrip.
While Lightstrips aren’t entirely new for Nanoleaf, Matter’s pairing capabilities are. This means, relatively simply, that you’re no longer locked into a specific ecosystem or smart assistant, so whether you use Apple Home, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa, Nanoleaf blends seamlessly with them all.
Meanwhile, the new Smart Multicolor HD Lightstrip also features high-resolution RGBIC addressability, allowing for 60 LEDs per meter, with each LED acting as an independent color zone. As a result, I really like the flexibility Nanoleaf is offering here, and found myself hooked as I tinkered with the multitude of options for creating every color of the rainbow in the Nanoleaf app.
I was equally impressed with how bright the strip actually is – there’s no actual cover over the LEDs themselves, so naturally, it might not be the most stylish addition to your decor unless you hide it behind a TV or shelf.
If you’re okay with that concession, the Smart Multicolor HD Lightstrip, another high-quality smart light from Nanoleaf, adds some serious flair to your space while being significantly cheaper than the competition.
Audio-Technica ATH-S120C headphones
Price: $79 from the Audio Technica store
While the Sonos Ace aims to wow you with its array of features, Audio-Technica’s ATH-S120C hopes to do the same with its price tag of just $79.
These lightweight (weighing just 110 grams) over-ear headphones are simple and versatile: the USB-C connector makes it easy to plug and play with any new device, for example, and they have in-line controls (including a mic) so you can make quick adjustments on the fly.
It’s made entirely from plastic, so don’t expect it to be the most durable headset, but it’s perfect to keep in your desk or office drawer. Likewise, this compact unit is equipped with 38mm drivers, but don’t expect amazing sound; it’s adequate for the price, though (especially if you’re giving it to a young child). The built-in digital-to-analog converter does a good job of improving the sound quality a bit.
To my surprise, I was able to get the ATH-S120C to work with my Nintendo Switch, so I started carrying the two together in my backpack when I go out. They’re a great option to have in your backpack, but be aware that these are compact headphones and may not fit if you have larger ears.
Given its budget price, it’s hard to argue with the ATH-S120C, and if you’re adding this to your tax wish list for 2024, you can also choose from three colors: black, blue-grey, and light violet.
Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL Keyboard
Price: $269 at JB Hi-Fi
If you’re looking to upgrade your work or gaming station for your 2024 tax return, take a look at Logitech’s newly released G515 Lightspeed TKL keyboard.
At first glance, you’ll notice that the G515 comes with most of the extra features you’d expect from a gaming keyboard: RGB lighting, tri-mode connectivity, and low-profile GL mechanical switches (1.3mm actuation point), allowing for much faster typing and response in competitive games that rely on reflexes, like Call of Duty.
But the G515 packs these features into a surprisingly sleek design that’s just 22mm tall, making it much slimmer than you might first imagine. Combined with its tenkeyless design, the G515 fits easily into my gaming setup, and thanks to its thin, sleek design (available in both black and white), it blends in easily with the rest of my gear.
It’s important to note, however, that this keyboard doesn’t come with a variety of knobs, levers, or switches, so while the G515 Lightspeed TKL keyboard allows for a focus on ease of use, some gamers might lament the extra functionality. Another disappointing omission is the lack of bundled wrist support, but it’s a small gripe for an otherwise reliable keyboard that feels great to type on, offers strong wireless performance, and is perfect for adding a bit of flair to your desk.
Belkin SurgePro Power Board
Price: From $79.99 via JB Hi-Fi
We understand that a Powerboard isn’t the most exciting purchase in the world, but if you’re a tech-obsessed person, it’s probably the most important one you can buy. Before you spend your 2024 tax refund on all sorts of goodies, you might want to take a look at Belkin’s SurgePro series.
The SurgePro is likely one of the most feature-rich boards available on the market. For starters, it has an 11-point safety system that includes a variety of features to keep your valuable items, such as your PS5, safe, including overheat protection, overcurrent protection, and surge protection indicators, but it also comes with a 2m-long cable and a wall mount.
Plus, Belkin is trying to sweeten the deal by offering up to $70,000 in coverage for your connected devices, depending on which product you’re using (though you’ll need to check their terms and conditions for the full details, of course).
I’ve been using several of the SurgePro series for a while now and have found them to be a godsend for connecting my workstation – for example, the eight outlet board means I can get a lot of bang for my buck from a single power outlet and the two USB-C ports on the bottom of the unit mean I don’t have to waste slots on phone chargers etc.
By the way, these USB-C ports also extend to 6-port and 4-port devices, so you don’t need to invest in the top-of-the-line products. One thing to keep in mind is that these boards are obviously chunky, so they might not slide perfectly under all of your furniture. However, if you have the space and money, it’s worth considering.
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