Polygon choices
The Polygon Picks badge is awarded to each of these special products because we believe they can improve the lives of our readers. Through a mix of research and testing of the wide range of offerings on the market, we’ve selected these picks as exemplary and worthy of your consideration. These are the things we like and we hope you like them too.
This improved version of the standard Switch features more internal storage, better audio, an improved kickstand and best of all: a larger and more vibrant OLED screen. The slim profile, robust battery life, and massive library of exclusive titles make the Nintendo Switch OLED the best option for handheld gaming.
Kubb is a lawn game that is ideal for anyone who has played one too many games of cornhole. It’s an eccentric cross between cricket and bowling. While it’s a little hard to take out of context, you should definitely give Kubb a try at your next outdoor gathering if throwing wood in your backyard seems like a good time.
The upgraded version of Valve’s handheld features a more efficient battery and an HDR OLED display, but somehow manages to be lighter than the original Steam Deck. Not as affordable or lightweight as the Nintendo Switch OLED, the Steam Deck OLED is a fantastic way to play many Steam PC games, such as Elden Ring or Armored core 6 in the wild.
Keep your party going until dusk with the SolarPuff Lantern. These foldable, waterproof solar lanterns charge during the day, giving you up to 12 hours of RGB lighting. Each cube weighs just under 3 pounds and packs down into a compact 4-inch square, so you can lug a bunch of these to your favorite camping spot without weighing you down.
Tellstones: The King’s Gambit, $30
Tellstones: The King’s Gambit is a quick and simple game of bluffing, memory and a little luck. Every round of Counting stones plays out as a double-sided shell game in which players challenge each other to shake, hide and summon the icons on each of the game’s seven tiles. Thanks to the light control set and the limited set of components that do not easily blow away in the wind, Counting stones is an excellent choice for outdoor play.
Wise Owl Portable Hammock, $33
Sometimes the trick to being more productive begins and ends with hammocks. If you have a few trees that are less than 18 feet apart, you can set up the Wise Owl Portable Hammock in minutes for great outdoor lounging. Each nylon hammock is available in different colors and can weigh up to 400 pounds.
If you’re going somewhere that doesn’t have an electrical outlet to charge your devices, a high-capacity power bank is essential. The Anker 737 isn’t the cheapest option out there, but it is one of the coolest. This 24,000mAh power bank has a power of 140W, which is more than enough to charge portable devices and most laptops, so you never run out of power when you need it most.
GCI camping chair, $60
The next time you’re invited to a picnic, maybe just bring this chair instead of awkwardly changing its position every five minutes. The GCI camping chair is a slim, lightweight model with straps to carry it on your back. It also has a fold-out table with a cup holder, so you don’t have to worry about finding a flat surface for your drink.
GCI Outside
The UE Megaboom 3 is the Bluetooth speaker that powered my engagement party. This simple waterproof speaker can float in water and provide up to 20 hours of music without charging. Playback and volume are controlled via a trio of almost comically large buttons, and the Megaboom 3 can be paired with other UE-branded speakers for louder sound.
Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, $380
Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are essentially the gold standard for smart glasses. While they’re far from perfect, these relatively innocuous shades come in a few styles and let you take photos, record video, make calls, listen to music, and do more using voice commands. Their usability and price won’t appeal to everyone, but if you’re looking for sunglasses that do cool things without making you look like a total dork, the Meta smart glasses are your best option right now.
Meta
The Anker Nebula Capsule Projector is the most convenient way to watch a TV show or movie outside. The Anker Nebula Capsule is not much bigger than a soda can, has a built-in speaker and can run for up to three hours at full brightness without having to charge. Content can be accessed through a variety of apps available through the Capsule’s built-in Android operating system, and can also be connected to external HDMI sources, such as a Roku Streaming Stick or a gaming console.
Being outdoors makes many of us pyromaniacs, sometimes out of necessity. If you’re tempted to light a small fire outside to cook, by all means be safe. This smokeless fire pit gives you a convenient place to roast weenies or marshmallows and generally burn things without the risk of accidentally setting nature on fire.
Alpha Industries jacket, $180
Everyone loves spring because it is not too hot and not too cold. All you need is a light jacket. If you need a cool one for yourself, we can recommend pretty much all of Alpha Industries’ bomber jacket options. These durable and stylish flight jackets are ideal for layering in spring or autumn weather and are machine washable.
Alpha Industries
Chillbo Shwaggins Inflatable Chair, $60
Good chair, great name. If you don’t have a few trees on hand for a hammock, we recommend bringing an inflatable chair from Chillbo. These durable, waterproof nylon bags suck in air and snap into place, quickly transforming into a portable chair that fits one (or two, if you want to get cozy with someone).
The Analogue Pocket is the record player among gaming handhelds. It’s the ultimate way to play your old cartridges for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance and more. This handheld features a vibrant LCD screen, a rechargeable battery, remappable controls, and the ability to save your games at any time that your teenage self could only dream of.
Despite all the bells and whistles found in fancy Bluetooth earbuds and headphones, there’s still no convenient way to share audio with someone nearby. If you need an easy way to privately share another audio source with someone else, your best bet is something like the Twelve South Airfly Duo. This dongle is compatible with any device with a 3.5mm audio jack and can stream audio to two Bluetooth headphones simultaneously.
Bandanas deserve better than paisley. If you’re looking for a sharp spring accessory, look no further than Kiriko’s classic collection of bandanas. These cotton bandanas come in an impressive collection of different prints and patterns that are sure to turn heads and keep yours cool.