Founder of lesterchan.net, a Singapore tech and gadgets blog running since 2002. An engineering leader by day and a WordPress plugin developer since 2003, with a soft spot for gadgets, smart home, and a good deal.
My PS5 Digital Edition came with just one controller, so I bought a second DualSense for two-player games. Rather than the S$99.90 local price, I grabbed a Japan export set from Lazada for S$77.87, around S$22 cheaper.
GilletteLabs x Razer is a clever collaboration on a shaving razor, launched in Singapore in December and now widely stocked. Against the S$44.90 retail price, I held out and grabbed mine from Watsons for just S$29.90.
Sony's PS5 'Slim', officially still just the PS5 (model CFI-2000), launched in Singapore on 20th December 2023. The Digital Edition retails for S$669 and the Disc Edition for S$799. A look at this revised, slimmer console.
The Roborock Dyad Air is the mid-range model in Roborock's Dyad wet-and-dry vacuum series, retailing for S$499.90. At S$200 less than the Dyad Pro, it drops to a single roller and loses the automatic cleaning-solution dispenser.
The Aqara Camera E1 is Aqara's latest security camera at S$99, essentially a stripped-down Camera Hub G3 costing about S$100 less. It drops the built-in Zigbee hub but still supports HomeKit Secure Video, with improved Wi-Fi.
I bought the Aqara Motion Sensor P1 for S$26 during 11/11, down from S$36. This battery-powered sensor runs on two CR2450 cells with a claimed five-year life, and it proved impressively responsive in use.
The Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter retails for S$45, though a Singtel voucher brought mine down to S$30. It lets you connect Lightning accessories to a USB-C device such as the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The Aqara Wireless Remote Switch H1 is a battery-powered, 2-gang wireless Zigbee switch, essentially the wireless version of the Smart Wall Switch H1 EU. Compatible with Apple HomeKit, it retails for S$39.90 at Souky's stores.
The Starling Home Hub connects Google Nest devices to HomeKit. I currently use a Homebridge plugin to surface my Nest Cams, but it is rate-limited by Google and lacks thumbnails, prompting me to try this hub.
The Ulti Flex Single Monitor Arm retails for S$79.90, with a dual version at S$119.90. It offers tilt, swivel, and rotation, supports up to 9kg for 17 to 32-inch monitors, fitting standard VESA mounts.
The Aqara Water Leak Sensor is an IP67 waterproof sensor that detects water and triggers automations. My use is simpler: alerting me when the drainage under my sink overflows. I paid S$26.90 for it.
The Aqara Wireless Mini Switch is a no-frills button offering single, double, and long-press triggers. Powered by a CR2032 with a claimed two-year life, I bought it from Souky's Shopee store for S$27.90.
The Mikit MT80 is an 80% white mechanical keyboard at S$180, bundling Mac keycaps and swappable logo accents. Its translucent shell shows off RGB lighting, and a 4,000mAh battery lasts up to 50 days over Bluetooth.
A longtime Ariston user, I chose the Slim2 Lux-D Wi-Fi, a 'smart' water storage heater unlike the dumb Andris Lux I had to wire up myself. It launched in Singapore in April 2023.
Thanks to Souky, I was among the first in Singapore to install the Aqara D200i Smart Door Lock, the global version of the China-only D200. It adds remote unlocking and Southeast Asia support, retailing for S$999.
Orange is my favourite colour, but Apple dropped the Orange Alpine Loop from the Apple Watch Ultra 2 lineup. I tracked one down on Shopee's authorised Apple store for S$101.76 after vouchers.
The Aqara TVOC Air Quality Monitor measures temperature, humidity, and total volatile organic compounds. I bought it to watch the air in my newly renovated home, where fresh carpentry gives off chemical compounds.
Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max Clear Case holds the S$75 price, or S$68.04 on the EPP. I ordered on announcement day and DHL delivered the next. With the mute switch gone, the case loses that cutout.
I bought the Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor for S$22.75 during 9/9, down from S$27.90. This small HomeKit-compatible wireless sensor measures temperature, humidity, and air pressure, running about two years on a CR2032 battery.
A rundown of Singtel's price plans for the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max, launching 22nd September 2023. The mini is officially dead, and the standard models gain new colours.
The Ugreen Nexode 100W Charger steps up from the 65W model with four ports, three USB-C and one USB-A. It retails for S$73.59, and I paid around S$60, though flash sales can drop it to S$46.
Launched August 2023, the Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad is the smaller sibling of the 3-in-1. It charges an iPhone at 15W plus a Qi device at 5W, in black or white for S$139.