Home gadget updates you didn't know you needed

To help you make healthier choices and still enjoy the foods you love, the T-fal Actifry is here for you. It puts the original deep fryer to shame by using little to no oil—yes, you read that right—to cook your favourite foods.

T-fal Vista Actifry, $320, canadiantire.ca. 

A crock pot is definitely not a new gadget, but it’s still one of the best ones to invest in—especially this new version, which allows you to control the settings from your smart phone. What does this mean? No more dry chicken. 

Crock-Pot Wemo Smart Wifi-Enabled Slow Cooker, $242, amazon.ca. 

Want to eat more fruits and vegetables? There's a gadget that can help. This pineapple corer helps you peel and core your fruit effortlessly. And there's one for watermelon, too. 

Rienar Pineapple Corer, $7, amazon.ca. 

This thermostat not only allows you to control the temperature of your home from anywhere, but also schedule your settings to ensure an even temperature throughout your home. Plus, once you’ve connected it to your smart phone, it will detect when you’re close to or further away from home and adjust the temperature accordingly, to save you money and ensure your place is the ideal climate for your return. 

Honeywell Lyric T5 Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat, $130, bestbuy.ca. 

This herb stripper makes removing the leaves of thyme, rosemary, kale, collard greens and chard a breeze. Put the stem through the hole, pull through, and the leaves will be removed.

Chef’n LooseLeaf Kale, Chard, Collard Greens and Herb Stripper, $11, amazon.ca. 

Whether you’re a novice in the kitchen or the next Master Chef, having a mandolin will help you achieve chef-quality dishes every time. With four cutting options and adjustable thicknesses for each, you can slice, julienne and waffle to your heart’s content with professional blades and a no-slip stand.

PL8 Professional Mandoline, $80, bedbathandbeyond.ca. 

If you’re the kind of person who tends to get lost in a good book or gets buried under emails and forgets about their cup of coffee, this gadget is for you. Just set it on this warmer, and never again will it your coffee go cold before you have the chance to finish it.

Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer, $22, amazon.ca. 

Those who like to batch-cook and freeze meals for easy weeknight cooking will appreciate this small-budget find. This clip holds plastic baggies open making it easier for you to store soups, sauces and anything else you want to pack away. 

Hands-Free Baggy Rack Clip, $12, amazon.ca. 

If you’re planning on embarking on home renos or décor projects, this laser level will make your tasks so much easier. If you’re building a gallery wall or hanging a shelf, this tool will keep everything level.

Bosch 30 ft. Self-Levelling Cross-Line Laser Level, $85, homedepot.ca.