I knew as soon as I laid eyes on Vappeby that I had to have it. Sure, it would be right at home on my desk, given that everything in and around my workstation is from Ikea, from the Skadis on the wall right down to the Spänd desk legs. But there was something else about this nifty little Bluetooth speaker that spoke to me — the promise of a little extra coziness in dark times. Can $15.99 buy me some peace of mind in a time when the federal government is tear gassing peaceful protesters at will? Not at all, but it can buy a perfectly cheery little Bluetooth speaker, and that can make a gray day feel a little brighter.

I’m not suggesting, you know, withdrawing into a shell and avoiding what’s going on outside entirely. Support your community how you can; engage with it all as best you can. But when it’s time to recharge your batteries at home, might I suggest a nice little rechargeable speaker?

It doesn’t have to be Vappeby, though I can think of a few reasons to recommend it. First, it’s cute as hell. Second, it’s only 16 bucks. It’s also IP67 water resistant, so I have no fears about using it to soundtrack a relaxing soak in the tub. The wrist strap is handy, too, so I can hang it from a hook on my Skadis pegboard when I’m not using it. Or when I am using it! That’s just how versatile Vappeby is.

Sound quality? Uh, it’s fine. I use the built-in speakers on my seven-year-old Samsung TV. I’m not exactly an audiophile. It sounds perfectly decent sitting on my desk a foot away from my face, and easily fills a small-ish room with sound. And that’s what I need from it: I need an envelope of lo-fi beats while I type my little blogs. I need hygge. I need background sound to drown out the ringing in my ears that seems to get louder by the day. I need to create the illusion that what’s inside my house is within my control, just for a little while.

I’d even go so far as to say that Vappeby — and any other nice little speaker of its ilk — is the perfect gadget. It’s reasonably durable and highly portable. It contributes much and asks for hardly any space on my desk in return. It charges over USB-C, so I don’t have to track down a Micro USB cable, thank Christ. All for 16 bucks! I’ve spent a lot more on gadgets that I’ve enjoyed less.

Anyway, consider this your permission to indulge in a nice little gadget. Maybe it’s a Vappeby, maybe it’s a JBL, maybe it’s, I dunno, that immersion blender you’ve been wanting for years. Creature comforts alone aren’t self-care, but when wielded properly they can help us help ourselves. Now, especially, is the time to lean into the things that spark joy and help us come back to ourselves. The best things in life are free, but at least 16 bucks can get you something halfway decent.

Photography by Allison Johnson / The Verge