I don't need technology to completely reinvent my life. I need it to stop my phone from dying when I'm nowhere near an outlet.

The best gadgets, in my opinion, solve tiny problems that are disproportionately annoying. They save you a few minutes, prevent the occasional mini meltdown, or eliminate something you were tired of dealing with anyway.

These five little tech upgrades do exactly that.

1. A Portable Charger You’ll Actually Carry

A portable charger isn't exciting until your phone hits 8% while you're out for the day. Then it becomes the most important object you own.

The key is buying a small one.

Look for a compact power bank that can live in your purse without feeling like you've packed a brick. Magnetic chargers are especially convenient if your phone supports them because you can skip the dangling cable situation. Or, buy a power bank like this one that includes the cables so you have one less thing to remember.

Charge it when you charge your phone at night, toss it back in your bag, and enjoy your newfound superiority over the red battery icon.

2. A Cordless Mini Vacuum for Tiny Messes

I don't want to drag out the full-size vacuum because there are crumbs in a kitchen drawer.

A small rechargeable vacuum handles the little messes that aren't worth turning into an entire cleaning event. I like the Hedgehog 3-in-1 vacuum with its unique attachments that fit just about anywhere.

Keep one nearby for kitchen crumbs, desk debris, couch cushions, or whatever has accumulated in your car's cup holders. They're especially handy for those irritating little spaces where a normal vacuum attachment somehow feels like more trouble than it's worth.

Does owning a tiny vacuum make cleaning fun? Let's not get carried away.

But it does make the mess disappear faster.

3. Smart Plugs for Your “Did I Leave That On?” Anxiety

You know that moment when you're halfway down the road and suddenly think, Did I turn that off? A smart plug can end the debate.

I use these smart plugs from GHome. It took me a hot second to get into the habit, but it finally kicked in and now I don’t have to call my husband on my way to take the kids to school to ask him if I unplugged my hair straightener.

Plug in a lamp, curling iron, Christmas lights, or another compatible device, and you can control the power from your phone. Many smart plugs also let you create schedules, which is handy for lights or electronics you turn on and off at the same time every day.

Just make sure whatever you're connecting can safely be used with a smart plug. Technology is helpful. Common sense still matters.

4. A Rechargeable Lighter

A rechargeable lighter is one of those gadgets I didn't realize was useful until I saw one.

Instead of buying disposable lighters for candles, a rechargeable electric lighter uses an arc of electricity to create the spark. Charge it with a USB cable, then use it again and again.

The longer wand-style versions are especially nice if you're trying to light the bottom of a candle without performing finger gymnastics near an open flame.

If your fall personality involves lighting a candle the second you get home, you might appreciate this one.

5. A Mini Label Maker

Today's little Bluetooth label makers are considerably cuter than the clunky office versions you might remember. Connect one to your phone, type what you want, and print a tiny label in seconds.

Use it for pantry containers, charging cables, storage bins, or the mystery leftovers in your freezer.

Will labeling everything magically make you an organized person? Probably not.

Will seeing a beautifully labeled basket make you feel like one?

Absolutely.

Good Tech Should Make Life Less Annoying

You don't need a house full of expensive gadgets to make technology useful. Sometimes the best upgrade is a $20-ish device that fixes one irritating problem you encounter constantly.

That's my favorite kind of tech: simple enough that I don't need an instruction manual and useful enough that I wonder why I waited so long to buy it.

Now if someone could invent a gadget that puts away clean laundry, I'd like to preorder immediately.