Welcome to the 21st century, a world of conveniences that have quietly become part of our daily lives. We go through our days with an ease and efficiency that would have seemed like science fiction to our grandparents.
For instance, the Pew Research Center found that a staggering 91% of American adults own a smartphone, representing a phenomenal increase from 35% in 2011. The technological advances of recent decades have been extraordinary, radically transforming how we work, communicate, cook, and entertain ourselves.
These modern marvels, now considered essentials, were not part of the daily toolkit for earlier generations. Here are 17 everyday devices that we often take for granted.
Smartphones
These palm-sized powerhouses are now an extension of ourselves, a hub for virtually every facet of contemporary existence.
We utilize them for everything from plotting our morning commute to shopping for groceries for dinner. The typical American spends over four hours a day on their mobile device, a testament to its integral role in our daily routines.
The Internet and Wi-Fi
The internet has evolved from a niche academic network into a fundamental utility for most American households. Today, 90% of U.S. households have a broadband internet subscription, providing the invisible yet essential foundation for our digital lives.
This widespread access, primarily through Wi-Fi, fuels everything from remote work and online education to streaming entertainment and smart home devices. The average American home now has several internet-enabled devices, and the number continues to increase annually.
Personal Computers (Desktops and Laptops)
While the concept of a computer once conjured up images of room-sized machines, the personal computer is a fixture in U.S. households. Approximately 81% of U.S. households possess a desktop or laptop computer, a device that has revolutionized productivity, creativity, and communication.
The arrival of the personal computer in the 1980s and 90s initiated a new type of digital literacy and empowerment for the average American. The evolution of these machines has been relentless, with each new generation offering more power and portability.
Navigation Apps and GPS
Getting lost is now largely a thing of the past thanks to the widespread usage of GPS technology and navigation apps. The Global Positioning System, once a military technology, has found its way into consumer hands, and the GPS market is set to grow exponentially going forward.
A vast majority of smartphone users rely on apps like Google Maps and Waze for everything from daily commutes to cross-country road trips. This technology has not only made navigation more efficient but has also reshaped our understanding of and interaction with our physical surroundings.
Microwave Ovens
The humble microwave oven is a testament to the modern desire for speed and convenience in the kitchen. It is a testament to its status as a kitchen staple that over 90% of American kitchens possess a microwave.
This appliance, which was developed from WWII radar technology, has transformed American cooking, making it possible to heat and cook food in a fraction of the time it would take in a conventional oven.
Microwave oven sales remain high, with the United States market alone being worth billions of dollars.
Streaming Services
The way Americans consume entertainment has been completely transformed by the development of streaming services. Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ have, in large part, become alternatives to traditional broadcast and cable television in many homes.
Netflix alone has tens of millions of U.S. customers, and the streaming service industry as a whole is still seeing hyperbolic growth. This shift has led to the phenomenon of “cord-cutting,” where increasingly, households are dropping traditional cable subscriptions altogether.
Social Media
Social media sites are the online town squares of the 21st century, and they have had a deep impact on how we communicate, share information, and perceive the world. The overwhelming majority of American adults are on at least one social media platform, with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok having billions of users worldwide.
Researchers continue to study the ramifications of social media, with scholars analyzing how it impacts mental health, social cohesion, and political discourse.
Online Shopping and E-commerce
The capacity to buy from home has transformed e-commerce into an American retail giant. Online sales have witnessed consistent double-digit growth year in and year out as buyers have embraced the convenience of shopping for everything from clothes and electronics to furniture and foodstuffs online. According to Statista, retail e-commerce sales are estimated to exceed $ 4.3 trillion worldwide in 2025.
The COVID-19 pandemic only helped accelerate the phenomenon, with the volume of people making their very first online purchases expanding exponentially.
Disposable Diapers
For parents of infants, the disposable diaper is an essential product that offers unparalleled convenience. The North American disposable diaper market is a multi-billion-dollar industry, reflecting the widespread adoption of the modern product.
Before the mass manufacture of disposable diapers during the latter half of the 20th century, parents used cloth diapers that were washed and disinfected repeatedly, a process that was both time- and labor-intensive.
The environmental science of disposable diapers has been a prominent area of research and development, with companies exploring greener materials and biodegradable products.
This shift towards more environmentally friendly products is one of the key trends in the baby care industry.
Electric Kettles
The electric kettle has established itself in many American kitchens as a convenient way to boil water for tea, coffee, and other beverages. Although less popular than in some other countries, the market for electric kettles in the United States has seen steady growth.
Research has shown that new electric kettles are significantly more energy-efficient than boiling water on the stove, as they only heat the water needed and shut off automatically.
Air Fryers
The air fryer has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity, emerging as a home-cooking essential for the health-aware. The U.S. market for air fryers has experienced explosive growth in the past several years, with millions of units sold annually.
The countertop convection oven utilizes a fraction of the oil used in a deep fryer, offering a healthier alternative to achieving fried and crispy textures.
Scientific research has demonstrated the health benefits of air frying, as food prepared in this manner contains significantly less fat and calories compared to deep-fried foods. “The air fryer has allowed people to enjoy their favorite ‘fried’ foods in a much healthier way,” says Dr. Lisa Young, a nutritionist and registered dietitian.
Wireless Headphones
The tangled mess of headphone wires is one frustration that’s been largely eliminated by the advent of wireless technology. Wireless headphones, including Apple’s AirPods and other popular versions, have grown into an astronomically sizable market.
The liberation from being physically tethered to a device has made wireless headphones the preferred choice for everything from commuting and exercising to open office use.
The future of sound is undoubtedly wireless, with advancements in Bluetooth technology providing improved sound and more stable connections.
Ride-Sharing Services
The advent of ride-sharing firms like Uber and Lyft has revolutionized big city transportation in America. These mobile app-based platforms have provided a more efficient and frequently cheaper alternative to taxis.
Ride-sharing has turned into a daily habit for a large number of Americans, particularly in urban areas.
The financial implications of ride-sharing services remain under examination, with studies analyzing their effects on employment, traffic, and public transportation.
Home Security Cameras
Keeping an eye on our homes is now more accessible and convenient than it has ever been, thanks to the proliferation of smart home security cameras. Ring and Nest are two of the brands that have enabled homeowners to easily monitor their homes from anywhere they have internet connectivity.
The U.S. market for home security cameras has experienced unprecedented growth, driven by the increasing demand for enhanced security and peace of mind, which in turn fuels adoption.
Plant-Based Milks
The supermarket dairy aisle is a far cry from what it was for our parents, with a selection of plant-based milks now occupying a significant chunk of shelf space alongside milk from cows.
Oat, almond, soy, and other plant-based milk sales have all soared in recent years as consumer attitudes undergo a dramatic shift. It is being driven by a variety of factors, ranging from dietary requirements to ethical considerations and a broader interest in plant-based diets.
Single-Serve Coffee Makers
Single-serve coffee makers like Keurig and Nespresso have transformed the morning coffee ritual with their convenience of use. The machines offer an instant and easy way of making a fresh cup of coffee by simply inserting a pod.
This is a multi-billion-dollar industry in America comprising single-serve coffee makers and the respective pods. This popularity is indicative of the modern consumer’s penchant for speed and convenience, even in their daily routine.
Fitness Trackers
Wrist-worn fitness trackers manufactured by companies like Fitbit and Garmin have emerged as a trendy method for monitoring health and promoting physical activity. Millions of Americans now wear the devices on their wrists, tracking everything from their daily steps and heart rate to their sleep.
The future of fitness trackers will lie in providing more personalized insights and actionable advice, moving beyond simple activity tracking to encompass general health and wellness companionship.
Key Takeaways
The world we inhabit is a mirror held up to mankind’s ingenuity and the never-ending quest for betterment. The seventeen products we have examined are not simply gadgets and conveniences but are emblematic of a sea change in how we live, work, and communicate.
The generation of our grandparents, with their frugality and toughness, made possible the advances we now enjoy. The pace of technological advancement ensures that tomorrow’s everyday products will be no more unimaginable to us than our current necessities would have been to them.
As we embrace each emerging technology, we create a legacy of innovation, tirelessly seeking new ways to enhance and enrich our lives daily.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
I was in the grocery store the other day, and it hit me—I’m buying the exact same things I always do, but my bill just keeps getting higher. Like, I swear I just blinked, and suddenly eggs are a luxury item. What’s going on?
Inflation, supply-chain delays, and erratic weather conditions have modestly (or, let’s face it, dramatically) pushed the prices of staples ever higher. The USDA reports that food prices climbed an additional 2.9% year over year in May 2025—and that’s after the inflation storm of 2022–2023.
So, if you’ve got room in a pantry, freezer, or even a couple of extra shelves, now might be a good moment to stock up on these staple groceries—before the prices rise later.
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
We scoured the Internet to see what people had to say about gas station food. If you think the only things available are wrinkled hot dogs of indeterminate age and day-glow slushies, we’ve got great, tasty news for you. Whether it ends up being part of a regular routine or your only resource on a long car trip, we have the food info you need.
Let’s look at 6 gas stations that folks can’t get enough of and see what they have for you to eat.
