Tech Gadgets Made in the USA

Ammo Audio makes its Ammo Can Bluetooth Speaker X from military-issue Fat 50 ammo cans. Obviously, the speaker is rugged, but its great qualities don’t stop there; they also produce great sound. It can also stream music for 20 hours. The Bluetooth speaker is made in Fayetteville, Georgia, by veterans.

Origin PC is a Windows-based computer company from Miami, Florida. As with any computer, most of the components come from somewhere other than the United States, but the builders at Origin PC configure the internal components to make a great computer here in the USA. Combined with its reliability and customer service, the Origin PC should last you much, much longer than cheaper versions you’ll pick up at the local big box stores. Once known primarily as a gaming computer company, Origin also carries workstation laptops and PCs that double as a workhorse from 9-5 or during college classes, then comes alive after-hours as one of the best gaming components on the market.

Trenton Systems has been designing, manufacturing, assembling, testing, and supporting computer systems in Atlanta, Georgia, since 1989. In a phrase: Trenton Systems makes computer boards, something that can’t be said for other computers that are assembled in the USA. Nothing is outsourced. The caveat is that these computer boards are made for industrial and military applications. While they’re not the choice for a home computer, they deserve to be acknowledged for what they do. And who knows? Maybe someone who’s reading this right now has a future in the military and/or cybersecurity. If so, you need to know about Trenton Systems.

Shown is the Ion Mini PC, a TAA-compliant (among other qualities) made to optimize performance within tactical contexts. While this company won’t put a computer on your desk or lap because of its focus on military and cybersecurity, it’s still a name to know, which is why we share it.

Velocity Micro calls itself “the original boutique brand,” as this company has been around since 1997. Like its competitor, Origin PC, Velocity Micro relies on many components made overseas. Then, its USA builders do their magic with the internal setup that makes Velocity Micro a great computer. Whether you’re looking for a gaming console or a college/work laptop, Velocity Micro offers both. Velocity Micro is committed to building a great computer in the USA, even if it does have to rely on another country’s microprocessors. The company is located in Richmond, Virginia.

This is really cool! UGMONK, located in Pennsylvania, crafts metal and wooden desk organizers with magnets to hold everything in place! Genius! Buy each item separately, but you also might want to just go ahead and buy the entire set. Choose from a monitor stand, a laptop stand, phone stands, trays, and more. They have a modern, sleek look that takes your desk organization to a whole new level.

Audeze makes its over-ear headphones in California. These headphones offer professional sound; actually, many professionals choose Audeze headphones not just for the sound, but for the comfort, too. The gel-filled earpads cradle the ears for you to wear as long as you need. Connect the cable to either side of the headphone. You’ll want to take these everywhere you go—whether school, work, home, or the studio!

• Buy Audeze Headphones online at B&H
• Shop Audeze Headphones at Amazon.
• Shop Audeze at Adorama.

Grado Labs has a small production building in Brooklyn, New York, where the family has been making audio products since the 1950s. Today the company assembles its headphones there. The only things NOT made by Grado Labs are the wood, the metal, and the drivers. When everything is put together, the sound is incredible. Another interesting tidbit about Grado Labs is it doesn’t advertise, nor does it pay celebrities to endorse its products. Grado Labs has always been focused on quality and making great products. You’ll also find turntable cartridges made by Grado Labs. Note: Grado Labs’ earbuds (in ear buds) are NOT made in the USA.

• Buy select Grado Labs headphones on Amazon.
• Shop Grado Labs at Audio Advice.

I recently purchased this laptop tower stand from Obvus for two reasons. First, I was experiencing significant neck pain and needed to find a better way of working on my computer. Two, I wanted an American-made product. I’m so glad I discovered this laptop stand! It feels heavy and sturdy, but I can still place it on my lap when I’m working away from my desk. It allows me to adjust it to hold my laptop anywhere from 2 inches up to 21 inches when I stand. It’s ergonomically designed that allows me to stand or sit so I’m not stuck in one position all day. I cannot recommend it enough!

Along with the Laptop Tower Stand, Obvus also makes The Best Posture Chair in the USA. Keep going back to its website, though; I’m told more American-made products are coming! Obvus is located in Los Angeles, California.

• Shop the Obvus Laptop Tower Stand on Amazon.

Because Carved is located near my town, I’ve been watching this business grow for the past dozen or so years. This company has really made a name for itself! While it continues to evolve into making other products, the guys at this small company still create the best-looking phone cases on the planet. Choose from the live edge or wood and resin phone cases, whether for iPhone or Android. No two are alike. These phone cases are swoon-worthy.

• Shop the Carved Amazon store.

Pronounced “wooden,” WUDN makes its iPhone and Galaxy phone cases in Idaho. The company sustainably sources its wood species, then makes some beautiful cases to wrap your phone in. Then WUDN gives it a Sure Grip surface so it won’t slip from your hands. Choose a wood species, and if you want an engraved design, select from a number of different options. Shown is a phone case with the design of a mountain biker.

• Shop the WUDN Amazon store.

Not only does WUDN make its phone cases in the USA (Idaho), but it also takes power banks, fast chargers, and mouse pad chargers, and wraps them in thin wood to make some pretty amazing tech gadgets. There’s no need to settle for the ordinary! Choose a wood species and color. Shown is the WUDN Qi wireless fast charging pad in walnut. It’s only 6.5mm thick, and it shows a green light when your device is charged.

The Buffalo Billfold Company has been handcrafting leather goods since 1972 in Worthington, Minnesota. Crafted from American Bison leather sourced from American ranches, these RFID bifold wallets look and feel luxurious but provide protection from hackers wanting to obtain credit card chip data. The wallet has a bill slot, three credit card slots, and two inner fold slots. These are gorgeous bifold wallets!

Casupo takes leather left over from leather workers and repurposes it into belts, bags, wallets, and more, including these RFID mini envelope wallets. These are offered in several different colors; shown is hot pink. They measure 4.5” x 3” and hold up to 12 credit cards plus folded cash. You can also use them to hold business cards. The Casupo company is named after a Venezuelan mountain range. The Los Angeles, California, company gives back to an organization that helps kids with cancer get the treatment they need.

If you’re searching for an industrial-looking wallet, check out the RFID Wallet from Dango. It’s handcrafted in the USA from leather and 6061 aerospace grade CNC'd aluminum. It weighs just over two ounces. Another cool quality about this wallet is that it has a built-in bottle opener. These wallets are made in California.

• Buy select Dango RFID wallets on Amazon

If you want a cell phone NOT made in China, and if you desire phone freedom beyond Apple and Google’s closed systems, check out the Librem 5 USA smartphone made by Purism. The company touts the smartphone as a “private and secure computer in your pocket.” All its electronics are made in the USA except for the large integration circuits that are made in Japan, Taiwan, or South Korea. However, Purism says these circuits are driven “by free software in the kernel.” Everything is assembled in the USA. This phone also affords you the security protection you desire. Go to the Purism website and check out all it says about its product. You'll be impressed!

It’s unclear from exactly where Blumenstein Audio sources its electronics, but this company that’s been around since 2006 truly knows its craft of putting speakers together. Located in Washington, Blumenstein Audio hand makes refined single-driver speakers, passive subwoofers, and wall-mounted speakers. These are minimalist design speakers that provide an excellent audio output when encased in Blumenstein’s wood boxes.

McIntosh may well be the only audio company on our list that makes its own circuit boards in-house. The company makes its home audio products at its Binghamton, New York location. This Made in the USA company has its own machines for printing and soldering its in-house designed circuit boards. McIntosh also cuts and prints its own glass that goes into its units. Everything is assembled in-house, and the result is a world-class audio experience. Here, I’m highlighting the WS350 in-wall loudspeaker. All of McIntosh's in-wall speakers are made in Florida. The WS350 features one 8” woofer, one 4” midrange, and five 1” tweeters. It’s a work of art in form and function. While you’re on the McIntosh website, check out its other products, including the McIntosh turntable.

U-turn Audio is a boutique company in Woburn, Massachusetts where Ben Carter and team make and assemble its turntables. While some of the electronic parts are sourced internationally, other parts are made on domestic soil. The company is driven by excellence, customer support, and employing local workers. Not to mention it “turns” a great turntable! The U-turn website highlights its parts and process. Check out this small company!

• Shop the U-turn Audio Amazon store.
• Shop U-turn Audio at Target.

I raved over the wooden phone cases from Carved earlier in this list; now, I’m singing its praises over its circle wireless chargers. Each charger is wrapped in a wooden resin inlay. This Elkhart, Indiana company describes its chargers as “perfectly simple, MagSafe compatible, USB-C, one of a kind Wireless Qi charger.” Why choose the same as everyone else when you can have a work of art?