Google

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Google

55 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 23, 2025

  Why do charging cables die so easily?

  Yep, this is it. I haven't seen a broken cable in *years* and I don't own particularly high quality ones. I have a few Apple braided ones, a few Google Pixel ones and one Sharge 200W cables, all of them have zero issues.

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• #2Dec 22, 2025

  What are the Best Earbuds for Travel Now? Recommended

  Honestly my pixel buds pro 2 are the best I've ever owned

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• #3Dec 5, 2025

  Cheapest phone that isn't so old I can't download apps? iPhone 7 is causing me problems.

  Yeah. If having updates / security updates is the goal, get any new midrange phone. Maybe a Pixel a, or like a nothing / poco phone. Though not sure if poco phone has promised updates up to a certain year like the Pixels.

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• #4Dec 5, 2025

  What’s a small upgrade you made that ended up being way more impactful than expected?

  I feel like a lot of the previous suggestions are not small or cheap, but anyways here's my contribution: Lamps. Small table lamps on your window sill or bedside table makes the homey vibe go from 0-10. And they can be very inexpensive. Bluetooth light bulbs. You don't have to connect them to WiFi, and you can get a switch for them to turn them on and off from anywhere in the house. Makes your lamps dimmable too. IKEA has the bulb and switch for under 15€ I believe. Good floss. Makes all the difference and I floss everyday now. I get the double string floss picks, they're amazing. On the subject of teeth: electric toothbrush. I was so against them but it has really made my life easier. A manual chopper. It's like a little bowl with blades and a lid with a handle and string to pull on, they cost like nothing and if you're chopping up salad or onions or whatever it makes it 100 times faster and easier. Google wallet. Or similar apps. If you haven't yet, start paying with your phone. Another thing I was late to, but that's made my life so much easier. Magsafe case for your phone, unless you already have Magsafe built in. Key organiser. I got the Orbitkey as a gift and wow do I love it. No more jingly keys or scratching stuff up. Good vitamin D tablets. I feel like you could use these anywhere you live at least for the winter months. Made my winter depression go away.

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• #5Nov 3, 2025

  What’s a purchase that’s not fun, not flashy but now you swear by it?

  I do this with the smart speakers (Google/Alexa). You can ask them to add something to your shopping list. I keep one in my kitchen and as I'm cooking and use up something then I will immediately ask it to add that item to my shopping list. Then when you're at the store just pull up the list on your phone. Super convenient and easy and works great for people like me who can't remember items I need!

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• #6Nov 2, 2025

  What’s a purchase that’s not fun, not flashy but now you swear by it?

  I use the "gentle wake up" activity in the Google Home app. I followed the instructions for "sync Gentle Wake Up to an alarm on your speaker or display". I guess it actually raises brightness over 30 minutes, and I normally wake up 5-10 min before the alarm. https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9304145?hl=en My alarm clock is the Google Nest Hub. I have control of the smart home features without having my phone with me in bed.

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• #7Nov 2, 2025

  What’s a purchase that’s not fun, not flashy but now you swear by it?

  I use light instead of sound. I have my Google Home gradually raise the brightness of all of my bedroom lights starting 15 minutes before I need to wake up. I do play nature sounds that progressively get louder, starting at the alarm time and reaching peak volume (still fairly quiet) 10 minutes after. It avoids the jarring loud alarm. The lights are usually enough and I hardly even hear the sounds prior to turning off the alarm.

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• #8Oct 5, 2025

  Wireless earbuds that still let you hear outside?

  Honestly, the pixel buds pro 2 have been amazing. They can do ANC and transparency. When on transparency and not playing anything I often forget they are in.

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• #9Oct 5, 2025

  Probably not the place for it but might be

  I think a Chromecast can use your photos as its screen saver. Just select the appropriate photos in Google photos and that should do it for you. Can hook it up to any TV or monitor you would like.

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• #10Sep 6, 2025

  What purchase made you smile more often, maybe without meaning to?

  If you cool with the Google ecosystem you can setup a chromecast to automatically play photos from your Google photos account (works for joint family accounts as well). We setup a 47 inch TV in our downstairs that is primarily a digital photoframe that constantly showing our family photos. You can also setup specific people you want to focus on. Works great!

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• #11Sep 5, 2025

  What kind of Iphone is actually gonna last?

  I've been sticking with Google Pixel phones for several years now and am very satisfied. I used to mainly use Samsung Galaxy/Note phones which always started to slow down by year 2 or 3, but the Pixels have been great and you cannot beat vanilla Android and the Google software. Pixels get 7 years of updates now which I think is the best support you can get nowadays from the manufacturer.

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• #12Sep 5, 2025

  What's a purchase under $50 that has genuinely improved your daily routine?

  Not BIFL but lasts for at least 4-5 years: Google TV/Chromecast dongle (3rd gen and up) those ~50$ saved me from "investing" in a 300$+ smart TV. It's customizable and works with lots of android apps. Another one, a good flashlight. I was always cheap on buying flashlights (10$ and under), that always bit me in the ass when I actually needed a flashlight. The batteries were out, the contacts were rusted, the brightness was not enough, the brightness was too much, the flashlight was too bulky or awkward to handle, etc. I got a Nitecore TINI2 (and lots of others, it became a hobby actually) and it's my most used flashlight. It has a really low mode for when I go to the bathroom at night so I don't get blinded by the ceiling lights. It has other modes in between but it also has a 200 lumens mode which is more than enough for my needs. Oh and my favorite part? It has a really accurate estimated runtime reading, I know exactly how much light I'm going to get on each mode. And yes, I've actually tested this with a timer, from 100% to 0% and it was off by a few minutes (very acceptable)

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• #13Sep 1, 2025

  Android phones that can last a long time?

  The best phone I ever had was the google nexus 6p, that was a huawei phone.

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• #14Sep 1, 2025

  Android phones that can last a long time?

  To preface the following statement: I don't want to seem like I'm a fanboy for google or anything. They dropped "not being evil" a long while ago, and the new side-loading thing is horrible and gonna piss of the core techy audience (myself included). Never be loyal to any company or corporation; this kind of thing could potentially happen to any of them. But the side-loading thing is literally them finally emulating Apple's business practices. iPhones have some good hardware for sure, but they can be pricey and you gotta be willing to get into their "walled garden" ecosystem and software. Which as much as I hate what it looks like the direction Google is moving Android, there ain't no way I'd go back over to Apple's software and their business model. It seems like the new 9a's had some unforeseen hardware component issue. I'm not sure you can infer that the entire line of Pixels has gone "to hell quality wise" just for this - pretty much all phone ranges have ups and downs and between versions. The big names all release new ones pretty much every year after all. Your mileage will always vary, and of course there is personal preference. It's not like there is a limit of phones on the market to choose from after all. A better idea is to not pre-order or buy the absolute latest release for *any* new phone or device. Wait like the better part of year after its been out, that way there will be plenty of reviews and will mostly know if there were any issues (plus might have a discount as they prepare the hype train for the next release). I went from a hand-me-down iPhone 5s to a Pixel 2, until that was too dated/no longer updated, then did Pixel 6 Pro and then Pixel 8 Pro a few years later after it had been out for a year. Fully intend to keep using this Pixel 8 until it runs out of updates in like 2029-2030.

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• #15Sep 1, 2025

  Android phones that can last a long time?

  Hardware, the Fairphone. Software support duration: Google or Samsung.

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• #16Aug 2, 2025

  Anyone keep a “BIFL Roster”?

  I sue Google pixel. Updates for 5 years, security updates for another 5. Longest lasting phones.

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• #17Aug 2, 2025

  Anyone keep a “BIFL Roster”?

  This whole "android manufacturers don't support their phones as long as Apple" thing definitely used to be true, but in the last few years that's been changing rapidly. Both Google pixels and Samsung galaxy phones now get software support (not just security updates, but full android versions as well) for 7 years. I recently bought a galaxy S24 FE, released in 2024, that will be getting software updates until 2031.

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• #18Jul 10, 2025

  what’s the best most inexpensive sunrise alarm clock?

  Get smart bulbs and do this with a Google Home and their "Gentle wake up" mode. Amazon Echo devices with screens also do sunrise alarms, but I'm not sure if they have a "no audible alarm" the way that Google Home can.

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• #19Jul 7, 2025

  Looking for a Book Holder for Reading While Lying on My Back

  Google WatchUp Reading Stand. I got one on Amazon 3 years ago (no longer available at this time). Best thing I ever bought in my LIFE!

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• #20Jul 6, 2025

  Gentle alarm clock without a subscription

  Get a google home or echo dot. Last I checked you could set what sound to use for the alarm. You could also setup a routine to gradually brighten your room, of course you’d need smart bulbs for this to work. Get a cat and feed them when you wake up, I guarantee you they will wake you (maybe not always gently) when it’s breakfast time. Plus as a bonus you now have a cat. This probably works for a doggy too, but I haven’t had a dog in 20 years.

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• #21Jul 6, 2025

  Gentle alarm clock without a subscription

  I love my Google Nest. It doesn't run on batteries though.

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• #22Jul 4, 2025

  Is this a true 'Buy It For Life' WiFi extender?

  Why not go with a mesh system? It’s a bit more expensive, but with how important WiFi is these days, it is SUCH a worthy expense. We’re 3 years into our first gen Google mesh system. Does all we need.

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• #23Jun 7, 2025

  I need to keep this phone for as long as possible!

  I bought my Pixel 3a back in Aug 2019. I spent $40 on a really good wallet case and tempered glass cover. The battery isn't lasting like it used to, I can't delete any more items, so the storage is almost always full, and it runs slowly. I think almost 6 years with no major issues has been more than I expected from my downgraded Pixel. Gonna buy a Pixel 8 or 9 pro soon and hope it lasts at least 4 years.

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• #24Jun 7, 2025

  I need to keep this phone for as long as possible!

  My Google pixel is 7 years old. I will be going with google again.

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• #25Jun 6, 2025

  What is your most unintentional BIFL item?

  Google’s Wireless Charging Orb for Nexus 4. It is from 2012, still the daily charger for my current phone. I don't know how many phones it outlived, but works great with all of them.

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• #26May 8, 2025

  What did you wish you had at 21?

  1000 shares of Amazon, Google, Yahoo, etc.

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• #27May 3, 2025

  What smart home automations have actually made your life easier?

  Google nest. Haven’t turned off a light switch in years 🤣

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• #28Apr 10, 2025

  Do smart home items really work in long term?

  The programing I'm referring to integrates it into a system like Google home. You can automate it based on a schedule, your location, etc. Your limits are really based on imagination and what sensors, etc you're willing to purchase. My goggle recognizes that I'm leaving work and heading home, it adjusts the temp based on that. The living room and porch lights turn on when I pull into the driveway. Those are some of the smart programs I use.

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• #29Apr 10, 2025

  Do smart home items really work in long term?

  Haven't lost any equipment in 10 years. My oldest smart bulb was purchased in 2016. Even the Google home from 2016 still works.

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• #30Apr 10, 2025

  Do smart home items really work in long term?

  We use our smart home stuff quite a bit. It's really nice at night to just tell Google goodnight and everything I want off, turns off. Right now this is lights and TV. Really like my Nest Doorbell Camera. Keeps an eye on packages, I get to watch the kids get on the bus too. We have a Google Hub and it's nice for music while cooking, quick questions on recipes or conversions, and the kids love using it to call their Grammy. We have a robot vacuum but kinda got lazy picking kids stuff of the ground and emptying it but newer systems seem much better at bother so that's my next goal. Tbf the one we have was a cheap Sam's club option, and it works well, we're just lazy lol Next step is motorized blinds so that I can have them set to raise or lower based on time and what not. I'd like to get something for the garage door as well, and a few more cameras for security.

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• #31Apr 10, 2025

  Do smart home items really work in long term?

  I have the same Alexa/Google home and smart lights since 2016. I’ve programmed the lights to turn on/off every day at certain times. That’s already 365 uses in a year. Also being able to voice control your lights without getting out of bed is nice.

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• #32Apr 9, 2025

  Best TV User Interface That’s Not Roku?

  Personally I like the Google TV experience and replaced all my Fire TV and Rokus units with the Chromecast counterparts last year. Will eventually get the Google Streamer once it goes on sale.

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• #33Apr 9, 2025

  Best TV User Interface That’s Not Roku?

  Android / Google tv + projectivity tv launcher or another custom launcher

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• #34Apr 9, 2025

  Best TV User Interface That’s Not Roku?

  I have 2 Sony TVs because I prefer the Google TV interface

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• #35Apr 8, 2025

  What’s your best lazy-but-functional home upgrade?

  I honestly love my Google home… I have Enbrighten smart plugs that connect to it. I can turn my lamps off with my phone or by speaking to the Google home, and I have my daily wake up alarm programmed to turn music and certain lights on and I don’t have to check my phone at all in the morning. Sure maybe Google is listening in on my life but my morning routine is great for my mental health!

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• #36Apr 6, 2025

  Got a long day of travel and desperately need some earbuds with really good battery life and are very comfortable to wear for long periods at a time

  I like the Google ones.  When I'm traveling all day I just use one bud at a time to keep the other charged. 

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• #37Mar 12, 2025

  Looking for good quality reliable alarm clock

  I use a Google nest. It's been great as an alarm clock.

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• #38Mar 11, 2025

  Noise cancelling headphones (cancels without music)

  Pixel pro buds have very strong NC. You can also take any buds and wrap some extra wax from a wax earplug around them

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• #39Mar 10, 2025

  what are your BIFL ADHD products that make life easier?

  Not something I had to buy but once I realized I could use my google home device as an alarm that turns on the lights and play music my life changed. Oh and a sleep mask! And a v consistent night time routine

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• #40Mar 10, 2025

  what are your BIFL ADHD products that make life easier?

  Smart home stuff. I put a Google speaker in every room and a handful of smart switches. I do things like "turn on my heater for 30 minutes" "remind me to get my laundry in an hour" "turn off my TV at 8:30 pm" "remind me every Tuesday at 6pm that trash goes out" "remind me to cancel this subscription in 30 days." Really helps keep track of what I'm doing. I sleep super hard. So when my alarm goes off it also turns off my fan, turns on my lights, reads the news, weather and traffic.

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• #41Mar 10, 2025

  what are your BIFL ADHD products that make life easier?

  Anything that lets me get shit done with the fewest steps \-Dry erase board for groceries \-Smartlights so I can turn everything off/on at once when I leave the apartment \-Google Home for setting timers and finding out weather \-Wall calendar with lots of space for writing stuff

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• #42Mar 10, 2025

  what are your BIFL ADHD products that make life easier?

  Buying multiples. Phone charger everywhere I sit. Garbage cans in every room (sometimes multiple). Lip balm and hand creams everywhere I spend time. Also, clear containers (so you don’t forget something exists when you put it away). Dump containers that contain the mess (but you need to empty them periodically for it to work). I love having Google homes so it’ll turn off and on my lights and tv for me (not for everyone). Some people I know love their shower speaker or a clip to hold their phone so they can watch a show in the shower. Ear plugs if you get overstimulated by noise (loop is great). You really have to figure out what works for you and what’s actually worth paying money for.

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• #43Mar 10, 2025

  what are your BIFL ADHD products that make life easier?

  We have a bunch of Google/Nest speakers throughout the house, and I use them to add things to Google Keep lists constantly. If I had to open my phone to add them, whatever app I was last in would wipe my brain clean of whatever needed to go in a list, and this way I can't lose the list.

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• #44Mar 10, 2025

  what are your BIFL ADHD products that make life easier?

  Managing my own ADHD is mostly about making policies and procedures for myself. Keys and wallet go on my dresser. Always. No where else. Etc.  My wife can't seem to do this, and after years of monthly "end of the world I'm late where are my keys" crises I bought Tile Bluetooth trackers for my wife's keys and her credit card holder. This has worked well. I just need to figure out how to put one on her Kindle now. Also useful are a calendar app like Cozi or Google Calendar. We have a shared shopping list on Cozi that helps with remembering what to get. Likewise, in the office we have a dedicated "important drawer" where things like passports, social security cards, tax documents for this year go.

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• #45Mar 10, 2025

  what are your BIFL ADHD products that make life easier?

  \- A bedside alarm that wakes me up with light as well as sound. Mine's a Google Nest mini synced to smart bulbs, but there are tons of sunlight alarms on the market. The light helps wake me up gently and keep me awake, but the biggest benefit is that I'm not using my phone as an alarm anymore and can charge it in another room. If I can reach my phone from my bed I'm prone to get stuck in the endless scroll before I've taken my meds. \- A weighted blanket. Excellent for when I'm overstimulated and go full burrito mode, but also surprisingly helpful for grounding me and keeping me me focused if I drape it over my lap while I'm working. Sometimes I'll use a heat pack instead for a similar effect. \- Duplicates of self-care items you struggle to use. The classic example being one toothbrush for the shower and one for the counter. I have the same lotion by my bed and in my bathroom. Multiple water bottles around the house. The idea is to eliminate as many steps as possible for when the executive function just isn't functioning. \- A hanging egg chair. Easily my most expensive ADHD purchase to date. My parents have one in their backyard and I realised pretty quickly that it's amazing for helping me self-regulate. There's just something about that gentle swinging motion. I genuinely considered mine a health expense when I budgeted for it.

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• #46Mar 6, 2025

  What are solutions to losing your wallets that last a long time?

  If your not carrying cash why don't you put everything in your phone. You can wladd your driver's license, and all your credit cards and insurance cards ect to your Google or Apple wallet . And I believe your CCs will give you a virtual number that can't be stolen from.

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• #47Mar 5, 2025

  Earplugs For Sleeping

  Man. I have tried every single type of earplugs in existence. I'm deaf in one ear so I have to plug the other one. If I sleep on my good ear and then roll over with like WHOOOOOAAAAA!! Any little noise sounds shocking. Below is my ranking. 1) flents soft foam 44db. Technically used for heavy machinery or shooting. Damn near as good as my deaf ear. I buy the big box of 100+ and it lasts a year. Plugs work well for 3-5 days. 2) Google Pixel buds pro 2 with noise cancelling. Even without music playing the ANC is sooo good. Downside is they do run out of battery after 8 hours or so, so if you sleep in they may not be as effective. 3) custom silicone earplugs. Audiologist takes a mold of your ear and then creates a very tight fitting custom plug. Super comfortable but not quite as much noise reduction as you would think. Downside to this is that they really need cleaned almost every day, especially if you have oily skin. They get nasty. 4) silicone putty types. Meh. Good enough in a pinch, but don't really stay in or block that much noise. 5) loop earplugs. Fuck that. They brushed the shit out of my ear. Supposed to be soft and all but I must just have an extra heavy noggin. No go for me.

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• #48Feb 10, 2025

  What is the best laptop brand for long term use?

  chrome books are cheap AF and long battery. if you can live in google's world

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• #49Jan 6, 2025

  65" TV Recommendations

  Android tv generally has more support than WebOS. However you can buy a Google TV dongle and attach it to any tv for Android tv as well. That increases your options.

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• #50Jan 5, 2025

  Has everything we buy reduced in quality over time? Has anything increased in quality or stayed high quality and durable?

  Pixels too - Google has promised that replacement displays and batteries will remain available for 8 years on the Pixel 8 series.

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• #51Jan 5, 2025

  Has everything we buy reduced in quality over time? Has anything increased in quality or stayed high quality and durable?

  I think the issue with electronics is that once they stop being supported with security patches, they're really vulnerable to being hacked and compromising your whole network. That said, it's great to see Google offering 8 years of updates on the latest Pixel.

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• #52Jan 4, 2025

  FM alarm clock with low light and

  Google Nest hub. It has sunrise alarm that gradually increase light to wake you up, and you can choose sound. It also has sleep sensing and tons of other features for smart home.

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• #53Jan 3, 2025

  White noise machine: A budget friendly one that makes sound that is both deep and loud enough and I can run all day and night long in my bedroom?

  I use my Google home, but I'm pretty sure every single smart speaker can help you here.

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• #54Jan 3, 2025

  Cell phones - what's the closest brand to a BIFL?

  You said closest to BIFL, which I take it to mean you want the longest lasting, knowing you can't have a single phone for life. For me, I found I've settled on Google Pixel phones. I used to change phones every year to upgrade to the latest and greatest, but since switching to the Pixels, I don't feel like that anymore. I kept my Pixel 5 for 3 years, which is the longest yet for me, and I only upgraded to the Pixel 8 Pro because I got an insanely great deal by trading that in and paying less than $200 cash to own the new one. I'll probably keep this phone as long as I can now. Plus, Google says they will support it for 7 years with updates.

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• #55Jan 3, 2025

  Cell phones - what's the closest brand to a BIFL?

  The modern idea of "planned obsolescence" in phones is largely the result of a misunderstanding. Apple got caught with its hand in the cookie jar altering system parameters without notifying users or giving them a choice, now everyone thinks that manufacturers intentionally slow down older phone in order to convince you to upgrade. The reality is that modern software development relies on ever increasing hardware capabilities for baseline functionality. The Youtube App on your phone is probably an order of magnitude more demanding than the youtube app on the first iPhone. Manufacturers simply don't want to write a different version of every app and OS to support weak hardware, and definitely don't want to test and patch security vulnerabilities on 10 year old devices. Google has stated that it will support updates on its Pixel devices for 7 years, starting with the Pixel 8. I believe Samsung has put out a similar statement. As far as I know, that's the longest stated support period of any smart phone on the market.

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