First there were matching sweatsuits. Then there were stylish face masks. Now no-touch gadgets are the must-have social distancing accessory. As with most trends, we first found out about the Touch Tool, designed by Peel, through Instagram. According to the brand's website, it's a brass object that's designed "so you never have to touch a shared surface again." The Touch Tool allows you to open doors (of the non-knob variety), press buttons, checkout at an ATM, and avoid more germs in general—all thanks to a gadget that looks like something Elon Musk would use to open a beer bottle.
According to Marshall Haas, Peel CEO and cofounder, "We designed the Touch Tool as a direct response to COVID-19—to help customers avoid direct contact with shared surfaces." He says it's an added barrier between you and potentially germ-infested surfaces in public spaces.
Like many items in the age of this coronavirus, the handy Touch Tool is sold out—but it is available for preorder and will ship at the end of May. To see if it lives up to the hype, we tried it out ourselves for a week. Here are our thoughts.
Shanna Shipin, commerce editorHow did you use the Touch Tool?
I live in a large apartment complex in Brooklyn, where 12 floors of people funnel through two elevators and one set of doors every minute of the day. I've convinced myself that my building entrance is the squeaky wheel to my safer-at-home situation. I mostly used the Touch Tool for that: to push the keypad buttons and open the double doors in my lobby.
Was it helpful and easy to use?
It takes some time getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, yes. The trick is to remember to pull it out and actually use it. (Then figure out what to do with it when you're done—there's no sanitizer spray or special pouch to place it in, so I didn't really know where to put it after it got germy.)
What was the most unexpected way you used it?
The pointy end actually works as a stylus, so I used it to check out on a touchpad while picking up my egg sandwich at a bagel store around the corner.
Do you plan on using it once social distancing rules are lifted?
Probably. I actually love the weight and feel of the tool more than anything—like an elevated fidget spinner.
Erin Parker, commerce writerHow did you use the Touch Tool?
I'm currently quarantined in an apartment complex with many units, so tenants are in and out all the time—meaning the front door gets touched a lot. The Touch Tool was able to open and close it when I was on my way out, or to push the keypad to get back in.
Was it helpful and easy to use?
So-so. It's kind of heavy and can't actually turn doorknobs, but it's useful for picking up a tote bag, etc.
What was the most unexpected way you used it?
Pretending to be a pirate.
Do you plan on using it once social distancing rules are lifted?
Yes, because it actually doubles as a pretty sleek bottle opener.
Talia Abbas, commerce writerHow did you use the Touch Tool?
I used the Touch Tool for opening doors and pressing elevator buttons.
Was it helpful and easy to use?
It's really straightforward to use, but I had some gripes with it: I wish it came with a holster or a machine-washable pouch because I don't want to put a "contaminated" Touch Tool in my pocket; I also wish it came with cleaning supplies, like a mini spray so I could wipe it down on the go.
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