This opinion piece is part of a series from Narcity. The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Narcity Media on the subject.
Among the many finds that can be made at Dollarama, whether in food, kitchen accessories, decorative items or others, there is also a section reserved for electronic devices. Although I usually avoid this row of the store for fear of poor quality, this time I decided to stop there to test some of the products on sale to find out if It might be worth it to pick up some gadgets at the dollar store.
However, I chose to avoid headphones as well as the wires that we plug directly into our phone to charge it given that, even if it works during the first tests, these are not items that have a long lifespan. life. In this sense, I tested each of the nine things found over a period of 48 hours, which perhaps does not completely allow us to evaluate the quality of the devices, but which still offers the chance to get a good idea on what I bought.
So I preferred to opt for more unexpected and special products which, with a little luck, will allow me to introduce you to small items to add to your home. While some of the items disappointed me, others clearly exceeded my expectations.
A fake security camera
Dummy security camera from Dollarama.
Laurie Forget | Narcity Quebec
Price: $5
Description: Some people will have already understood this by reading the title of the first item, but personally, I did not look up the definition of the word “dummy” before purchasing this camera. So I was surprised to see that the quality was very basicfor this surveillance camera that I was so eager to test: it’s because it’s a fake version to protect your home. So you only have to add two AA batteries in the black compartment where the fake camera is located and a small red flashing light. So it doesn’t really record, it hangs on the wall using screws and has no other use.
For $5, when it doesn’t do anything other than flash a little red light, I think that’s money better spent elsewhere.
A luminous “gamer” keyboard
Dollarama illuminated keyboard.
Laurie Forget | Narcity Quebec
Price: $5.20
Description: Who would have thought that one day we could get a “trendy” computer keyboard at Dollarama? Well, that’s now the case with this luminous version for video game fans… And yes, the keyboard works with a USB type wire. To properly test it, we connected it to a PC to play various online video games to see if the timing between pressing a key and the response was adequate. The product turned out to work wonderfully.
As for the rainbow of lights it should give off based on the image on the packaging box, that’s the part I was most disappointed with. The colors are stagnant while we mainly see red, green and blue, without really being able to notice the presence of other shades such as pink, mauve and orange. So, on the practical side, it’s a success, but if you wanted to go more for the aesthetics of the keyboard, it might be worth spending a few extra dollars for an option with more possibilities.
A smart plug
Dollarama Smart Plug.
Laurie Forget | Narcity Quebec
Price: $5
Description: To be able to program certain lights in my home so that they open themselves at nightfall, I wanted to try this smart socket which connects via Bluetooth to the free Globe mobile application . I was amazed at how easy it was to use. Once the app is downloaded, all you have to do is create an account with your email address and a password before finding your socket directly on your phone.
Three seconds to connect the two together and voila! Afterwards, you can control the switch remotely, add timers or a schedule for turning on your outlet. It even makes a little “click” when you turn the item off or on. I think it’s the kind of product that’s definitely worth trying, and even though it comes from Dollo, the app is very easy to use.
A smart light bulb
Smart bulb from Dollarama.
Laurie Forget | Narcity Quebec
Price: $5
Description: Just like with the smart plug, you had to download the Globe application on your cell phone to be able to access the range of features possible with this smart bulb. Once plugged into a lamp of your choice, it will start flashing blue until you add it to your app. Once connected, you can decide if you prefer to have cold or warm white, while choosing the intensity of the light, directly from your phone.
You can also control the On/Off switch, add timers and change the bulb to light any color. There are even mood games that allow the item to gradually change from one shade to another, depending on the chosen palette. It’s definitely something I plan to use on a daily basis while its lifespan is likely to be good given that it’s LED technology.
A wireless charging mat
Dollarama wireless charging pad.
Laurie Forget | Narcity Quebec
Price: $4.25
Description: Rather than trying cables to recharge a cell phone, we opted for the wireless tablet which allows you to charge your phone simply by placing it on top. At first, I was skeptical because I already tried with a similar option that I received at an event and I had to remove the case from my cell phone and place it in a precise angle on the plate.
However, I was surprised to notice that, although the packaging did not inspire confidence in me, this time I did not need to remove my protective case for the thing to work. I was also able to fill my cell battery during the night, while leaving it on my bedside table, without having to unplug the cord when I woke up. I therefore really recommend this product, but just like the rest, the test would have to be extended to find out if its effectiveness persists over time.
A battery-powered touch lamp
Dollarama touch lamp.
Laurie Forget | Narcity Quebec
Price: $5
Description: Another little light addition that caught my eye is this battery-operated touch floor lamp. Adding three AAA batteries, it seemed like the perfect little bedside light even though the packaging said it had three different intensities. I would have preferred it to plug into the wall, but there is still a way to use rechargeable batteries so that its lifespan is longer.
When I took the item out of its box, I liked the fact that the post placed in the center is made of metal. This adds weight to the lamp, which means that we are not afraid of it tipping over after a slight gust of wind. When activating it, simply press the bottom of the lampshade, in the center, to obtain the lowest brightness up to the highest.
The light shines a little on the top, but it is mainly from below that everything is released. It is available in white, gray and black, which allows you to add a little extra touch to your bedroom.
An LED light cord
Dollarama LED light cord.
Laurie Forget | Narcity Quebec
Price: $4 for one meter
Description: I was pleasantly surprised to see that there were thicker LED light strips at Dollarama, and even more surprised to find that this one looked as good on the box as it did out of the box. It is made solid and shines bright enough to create a beautiful ambient light above a bed, behind a screen or at the foot of a piece of furniture.
However, there are two small drawbacks that have lowered my appreciation for the product. With only one meter, it is not long until you finish installing the light strip and I find that it is a little short, especially since it is not possible to connect extension cords to the product . Also, some people will say it’s convenient, but the cord only comes with a USB plug. So you need to find a cube to plug it into the wall or make sure you have a compatible socket a few centimeters from its location.
Aside from these two small flaws, I think it might be worth it to add a little more magical touch to a decor since the brightness is perfect, in my opinion. Let’s hope it lasts a long time!
A 3-in-1 screen cleaner and real stylus
3-in-1 screen cleaner from Dollarama.
Laurie Forget | Narcity Quebec
Price: $4
Description: Just like the office accessories that we see everywhere on TikTok for cleaning the keyboard, screens and more, I let myself be tempted by this stylus which is also used to clean screens even though it has a product cartridge as well only one felt side for wiping. Its appearance seemed quality to me and, in addition to having a tube with cleanser already inside, the pencil comes with three other refills in the package, which I think justifies its $4 price.
To check how much product is left, simply pull the cap, you can even lock the spray by turning its head 180 degrees. All features that work wonderfully. Where things go wrong is when it comes time to apply product to the screen… It’s only small droplets that come out of the bottle. In other words, it doesn’t work.
So, although I liked the hardware for wiping off the liquid afterwards, as well as the pen tip, I do not recommend buying it since the most “complicated” function is not adequate.
A plant with essential oil diffuser
Essential oil diffuser from Dollarama.
Laurie Forget | Narcity Quebec
Price: $4.50
Description: At first glance, the light diffuser appears to be a decorative item that you could find at Walmart or another such big box store, which inspired me quite a bit of confidence. According to the instructions, simply put a few drops of essential oil of your choice (which is not included in the package) inside the night light in the small metal compartment that surrounds the light OF THE. You then have to close the lid with the plant on top and wait a little.
As soon as you plug in the decorative item, which works with a USB socket while the wall cube does not come with the product, a series of six colors begins to cycle through one after the other. Although I found that the object looked cheap due to its lightness, I was not disappointed once placed in my room. I added a few drops of essential oil as directed and was surprised to find that the smell spread throughout the room without being too intense.
So, my only downside is the wire which is not only very short, but which cannot be plugged into the wall directly. Besides that, it’s a wonderful little addition to add scent and ambient light to a room.
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