Best Values in Tech
Best mobile wallet, best way to power up, best password manager, best smart watch.

Mobile wallet. With mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Android Pay, you can use your phone to tap and pay only at stores that accept near field communication (NFC) transactions. But Samsung Pay (available on the Galaxy S6, Note5 and later-generation Galaxy phones) has NFC capability and a separate technology that allows contactless payments at most businesses that have a magnetic-stripe card reader. Plus, earn Samsung Rewards points—redeemable for Samsung products and gift cards from major retailers, among other options—every time you make a qualifying purchase.
Power up. A portable charger can keep your devices running without a desperate search for an outlet. The RAVPower 12000mAh Power Bank ($22) holds enough juice to fully charge an iPhone 7 four times. Plus, dual inputs allow you to charge two devices at once.
Password manager. Creating (and remembering) strong passwords for all your accounts can be taxing. But password manager LastPass will do the heavy lifting for you. The free version will generate and save strong, unique passwords and store them for you securely. You only need to remember one master password. You can use the service to log in to your accounts from multiple devices. The site’s $24-a-year premium option adds a few security features and 1 gigabyte of encrypted storage, but families will do better with the $48-a-year family plan, which allows up to six people to use the service and share log-in information with one another for shared accounts, while keeping other accounts private.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Smart Watch The latest Apple Watch (Series 3, $329)—without the Dick Tracy–esque cellular capability, which has been reported to be sketchy—is an evolved version of its predecessor. It features faster processing speeds and a brighter display, and its built-in GPS and improved barometric sensor are boons for runners. Fans of Siri can interact with the digital assistant through the watch.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
-
Markets Are Quiet Ahead of Fed Day: Stock Market Today
Investors, traders and speculators appear to be on hold amid an unusually fraught Fed meeting.
-
Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the OBBB, Wealth Transfer and Early Retirement
Quiz The financial professionals who contribute to Kiplinger's Adviser Intel recently wrote about the OBBB's impact on retirement, how to ensure your wealth passes to your family and early retirement questions.
-
21 Last-Minute Gifts for Grandparents Day 2025 to Give Right Now
Holiday Tips Last-minute gifting is never easy. But here are some ideas to celebrate Grandparents Day.
-
Texas Sales Tax-Free Weekend 2025
Tax Holiday Here's what you needed to know about the Texas sales tax holiday.
-
Alabama Tax-Free Weekend 2025
Tax Holiday Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 back-to-school Alabama sales tax holiday.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online Bargains
Feature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
Best States to Buy Chocolate Candy Tax-Free
State Taxes There’s something spooky this Halloween, and it’s not just the ghouls. Find out if your state’s sales tax takes a bite out of sweet savings.
-
Florida Back-to-School Tax-Free Holiday 2025
Sales Taxes The new tax-free holiday in Florida brought month-long savings on computers, clothing and other school supplies.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025
Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to fund your retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2025 limits and income-based phaseouts.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnb
real estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.