One of the benefits of working for a gadget magazine is that you get to try all the cool stuff out for free.

Sometimes this means the opportunity to drive a Mini Cooper back from France or to see the new MacBook before it's released. You may even get the occasional chance to drive a Ferrari around Silverstone (thanks, LG).

But as they say, it's the little things in life that seem to make a biggest difference. So in that spirit, here's the three favourite gadgets that I have, er, borrowed from the office:

Creative Vado HD (£169)
Only a year ago Creative seemed to be lagging a few steps behind rival manufacturer Flip. Now, however, the tables have turned and the Vado HD is one of iGIZMO's Top 30 Gadgets to own.

It gives you 720p recording for two hours on a very reliable and fast-starting solid state drive. A decent-sized screen, sleek design and built-in editing software make it very user friendly.

It's an ultra handy gadget to have in your pocket during a night out or even to keep in your office drawer to capture that random comedy moment. It's an ideal way to preserve those memories without having to take out a heavy and expensive video camera every time.

Freecom pocket hard drive (£50)
We featured the Freecom Mobile Drive XXS in Five to Try back in issue 14. I promptly half-inched the drive shortly after we got it and now use it virtually every day for work related stuff and file transportation.

The drive has 160GB of storage, USB 2, a mere 10.9cm long and 1.3cm thick and comes housed inside a nice protective rubber jacket.
I've captured DV video to this drive and edited straight off it, I've processed loads of RAW files directly off the drive and I've watched many HD videos with no problems at all. It's fast and has given me a confidence in pocket drives that has largely eluded me in the past. It's one of my most valued gadgets and well worth the price tag of around £50.

Nike Air Blazer ACG (£68)
Are trainers gadgets? Sure they are, they're a man-made item meant to improve the quality of your life. The trainers in question (seen in iGIZMO issue 28) also have the added benefit of Gore-Tex material and a unique waffle design sole for added grip.

I was almost sceptical of such 'technology' and whether it really made any kind of noticeable or not. So I borrowed the trainers and even decided I'd start running in the mornings. To my surprise I found myself falling in love with a pair if trainers.

I run on an old abandoned railway track with a lot of stones and woodland that is quite often slippery. Not only does the ankle support give you a bit more stability (and maybe even confidence), the sole gives extraordinary grip. Jogging at 7.30am is not an experience I find particularly enjoyable, but between my iPod nano and my new trainers, they seem to make it that little easier.

In an office environment where we get to play with all manner of expensive gadgets it tends to be the small things I would normally overlook that make the biggest impact. Trainers and a pocket hard drive – two thoroughly boring items that have made my life slightly easier and maybe just that little bit more enjoyable.