Dude's Must See Products for May 2023
May had its way with an array of different products this year of 20 and 23. Aside from the 4th, which was with you in the form of a dozen-plus Baby Yoda gifts, there wasn't much of a theme to the month's most popular finds. A couple luxe items for the backyard, some novelties, such as the Mini Archery Bow & Arrow Set pictured above, and two pairs of sunglasses that probably don't work. Or at least don't do exactly what they say they do.
I think the lack of product consistency and trends for the month is better though. More variety means more of a little something for everyone. More of a chance May will have its way with an array of you dudes and ladies out there too.
Note: All must see products for May 2023 are priced as they were at printing on June 1, 2023. Pricing, and availability, are subject to change.
Anti-Tracking Rearview Mirror Sunglasses
You won't just look slick in these shades, you'll be performing slick tricks of "I see you, smarmo!" on anyone who might be tailing you, thanks to the sunglasses' anti-tracking mirror coating. They're basically mirrored lenses that extend from the outside in, covering areas at the corners to provide a rearview mirror effect.
In addition to alerting you to followers and sneaker up behinders, the rearview mirror sunglasses can help you out while running or biking, providing a glimpse of what's behind you without the need to turn around when you want to make a turn or pass.
May the 4th Be With Grogu: 15 Baby Yoda Gifts
May the 4th be with Grogu, and with you too. Score one of these 15 Baby Yoda gifts on Stars Wars Day, and I guarantee the 4th will be with you. The Force too, at least by proxy, since you'll have a brand new Grogu spouting it in spades by your side.
Yoshino B330 SST Solid-State Portable Power Station
It looks like a portable speaker, but rather than blasting sound, the Yoshino B330 SST blasts power. To your portable speaker, if you like. Or your smartphone, tablet, laptop, fan, mini fridge, CPAP machine...CPAP machine? That's an interesting device to call out, Yoshino. But, yeah, if there's a power outage at home and it's bedtime, or you don't want to keep the whole forest awake while camping, having a solid-state portable power station for your CPAP isn't a bad idea.
The B330 SST is the most compact and lightweight in Yoshino's line of solid-state power stations. The 330 indicates it delivers 330 watts of power through AC, DC, or USB outlets, with a 241 watt-hour capacity that's enough to charge a dead phone to full 20 times before its solid state battery needs recharging itself. You can do that in 2-1/2 hours via AC power, 4 hours over USB-C, or 3-1/2 hours using Yoshino solar panels.
E187: What Is This Thing?
Hints: 1) It has a musical talent, of sorts; 2) It isn't into staying static; 3) Vinylly, a solution!
Paperlike All-in-One Screen Cleaning Kit
Dust and fingerprints, snot and spit, meat grease and hot sauce. All seem to find their way onto the screens of my phone, tablet, e-reader, and laptop. The Paperlike All-in-One Screen Cleaning Kit is a small geometrical tube with big claims of removing it all.
Supernova Bluetooth Speaker & Lantern
The Supernova is coming to blast you out of your bedroom...with sound and light. Though possibly also with advanced mecha weaponry controlled by AI. Could really go either way these days.
Made by GravaStar, the Supernova is a combination Bluetooth speaker and lantern that pairs 25 watts of sound with a trio of immersive lighting effects. The 3" full-range speaker and 0.5" tweeter are made to deliver deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs from anywhere. In particular, GravaStar recommends taking the Supernova camping, since its handle clips easily to packs, Bluetooth connection extends over 65 feet, and Camping Light Mode mimics the flickering effect of a campfire.
Razersuperfuture Gamer Sunglasses
I know what you're thinking about Razersuperfutures, a collaboration between Razer and Retrosuperfuture to create so-called "gamer sunglasses." You're thinking, When do gamers ever go out in the sun? Well, don't worry, because if you came here for a gift for a gamer, you're still in luck: Razersuperfutures are made to be worn indoors, while gaming, too.
The chunky, black matte acetate frames are fitted with outdoor / indoor photochromic lenses. Even better, those lenses have a blue light protection finish, which some say helps prevent Digital Eye Fatigue and Computer Vision Syndrome during extended gaming sessions.
TheraCup At-Home Cupping Therapy Device
Can I interest you in a DIY red polka-dotted epidermis? The TheraCup is an at-home cupping therapy device you can use on your own body to increase blood flow and provide relief to areas that are tight or in pain. But it's made by massage gun brand TheraGun, so the TheraCup is obviously more than a simple glass fish bowl or plastic boobie-lookin' bauble you suction to your leg until you can't stand it anymore.
TheraGun has infused the TheraCup with their signature vibration technology, plus thrown in a heating element for good measure. The resultant ThermaVibration feature combines with the cup's suction "to create an easy-to-use digitized cupping experience that optimizes localized relief and recovery."
Woozie Can Cooler & Cone Holder
High-five to John Olwig not only for his Woozie Can Cooler & Cone Holder, but for his introduction to it: "Here today we have a rather special type of can cooler or can sleeve." Rather special, indeed. So a high-five to Olwig, and a high-five to all you dudes and ladies out there looking for a koozie that can keep your beer cold, plus keep your lighter and weed contained and close at hand.
That second high-five is because the Woozie can help you get high with five things: hard plastic can cooler; can of beer; BIC-style lighter; and 2 cones.
Makita Portable Cordless Microwave
Makita might be known for power tools, but while the company's new Portable Cordless Microwave Oven looks like a beast, it doesn't bring a whole lot of power to the tool table. With an output of either 350 or 500 watts, the carry-along "oven" is mostly just a warmer for leftovers. Preferably refrigerated or room temp leftovers, too, since frozen meals are going to suck more life out of its pair of 40V batteries.
By comparison, an 800-watt microwave takes 3 minutes to boil water. At the 500-watt setting, the Makita Portable Cordless Microwave would take around 7 minutes.
Still, the brand says its design has the juice to heat up 11 meals and 20 drinks per charge, and if you're stuck on a job site or in a remote area, and really need a hot burrito and some warm milk to get you through the day, the Makita Portable Cordless Microwave is certainly one way to get them.
Toja Grid DIY Hammock Kits
Whether you prefer your hammock open to the sky, with a top shade sail, with a back or side shade sail, or with a pair of shade sails to custom install to your shade and privacy needs, Toja Grid has options for all of them. Know what Toja Grid doesn't have options for? A hammock and shade sail(s) I don't have to spend all weekend building for my mama. Because Toja Grid doesn't sell hammocks, they sell DIY Hammock Kits. With or without shade sails.
But you know my mama's gonna want whatever version requires the highest amount of manual labor from me.
Hopefully she'll deign to let me take a nap in the hammock after I'm done making it.
14 Gifts for College Graduates
Normally, I wouldn't spout off about gifts for college graduates, because, hey, first lesson in adult life: you don't deserve gifts and rewards for doing what you're supposed to, i.e., not wasting the thousands and thousands of dollars spent on your education dropping out, flunking out, or otherwise not graduating.
But perhaps my 40s have made me a kinder, gentler dude, more sympathetic to today's youth. Or maybe the current socioeconomic climate and pending doom of AIs taking over the world just make me realize college graduates have nothing whatsoever to look forward to in life, so a set of mezcal glasses, some futuristic earbuds, and a new comforter might be the only things their diplomas ever get them.
Mini Archery Bow & Arrow Set
The bow in this mini archery set don't shoot no stinkin' toothpicks. It comes with 10 real metal arrows, secured into polyester drill rods, that can fly up to 50 feet when released from the 5.5" x 2.4" metal and elastic fiber launcher.
Not surprisingly, the Mini Archery Bow & Arrow Set comes with a suggested minimum age for use. Surprisingly, that age is 12, not 40. With 3 written references stating you have never appeared on Jackass, or been a contender for a Darwin Award.
WorkPod Lite Backyard Room
Those of you whose: kids won't (can't afford to) move out of your house; partners now work from home; teenager (wrongly) believes they're the next Kenny G; or in-laws and extended family feel like your casa is their casa, you can pay for the perpetual disruption in two ways. Frustration and stress. Or dollars. The WorkPod Lite Backyard Room from Autonomous gives you a somewhat affordable way to do the latter.
Beer Gear: 16 Ways to Enhance a Cold Beer on a Hot Day
16 ways to enhance a cold beer on a hot day. That's 4 more than a 12-pack of ways. A 6-pack plus 10. A pint of beer gear! And if this summer is the scorcher they say it's going to be, I for one will gladly make use of every single one of them.
Cobra Storage Garage Door Rack
I don't know if feng shui or Marie Kondo would like the looks of a Cobra Storage Garage Door Rack, but dudes. What a way to maximize space in your garage. Cobra Storage originally developed their Cobra Racks to secure and organize fishing rods, but as you can see, the holders are game to elevate and eliminate the clutter of brooms and mops, long-handled gardening tools, pool skimmers, and hockey sticks too.