Whether you’re a “shop early” kind of person or one that’s simply looking for ideas that you’ll pick up last minute, now’s the time to get the scoop on the perfect gift for your beloved family member or friend. Tech is only becoming more and more integrated in our lives, and for the tech enthusiast gift recipient, a new gadget can be a thoughtful option this holiday season.
There are plenty of tech items to choose from this season, and to make your gift decision easier, we’ve rounded up the best tech gift ideas to stick under that festive Christmas tree. Whether you’re looking for a gaming laptop, a simple mouse, or a way for your parents to stream their favorite shows, check out our list below for a variety of people and price points.
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The best tech gift ideas for the holidays
- Price: $120
- Tech specs or features: 1080p Full HD display | 12-hour battery life | Octa-core 2.0 GHz processor
There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a major tablet when Amazon’s user-friendly tablet is just over $100. It comes fully integrated with Amazon Alexa and a dedicated Show Mode that the recipient can use. Built into the frame are two cameras: one 2MP front camera for taking video calls, and a 5MP rear camera for capturing family moments.
It weighs just over a pound, so it’s easy to pack in a suitcase, read on the Kindle app in bed, or even catch the latest news while eating breakfast. 224 ppi means that everything will be sharp on the screen, too. You can also grab a keyboard (sold separately) and make it a portable work device when it’s needed.
- Price: $400
- Tech specs or features: Fitness tracking | 80-hour battery life | Titanium shell
Have a loved one that likes to hit the gym? The Samsung Watch Pro can help get them through the most rugged conditions, whether it’s biking, hiking, or another outdoor activity. With a titanium shell, enhanced GPS with Glonass and Galileo positioning, as well as LTE mobile data capabilities, it can be used to track health, fitness, and location with up to 80 hours of battery life.
In his review, ZDNET expert Jason Cipriani deemed it “the best wearable for Android phone users.”
Read the review: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro review
- Price: $120
- Tech specs or features: 5.5-hours battery life | Adjustable noise canceling | Adjustable fit
The Jabra line has consistently been one of our picks for best earbuds, and the 85t is the best for its noise cancelling capabilities. Plus, it’s also waterproof, making it great for those who work up a sweat at the gym and get caught out in the rain. The buds pack up to 5.5 hours of battery life and include a charging case that brings the total listening time up to 25 hours.
They’re compatible with both Android and iOS, so no matter what the recipient uses, they can connect them to their respective device. The MyFit feature with the Jabra Sound+ app helps ensure the earbuds are a perfect fit.
Read the review: Jabra Elite 85t wireless earbuds review
- Price: $160
- Tech specs or features: Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connectivity | 300-hours battery life | Customizable EQ settings
Gifting for a PC gamer? The HyperX Cloud Alpha wireless gaming headset is the perfect choice for gaming. This headset can handle over 300 hours on a single charge, so worrying about charging will be a thing of the past. It also features spatial audio and customized EQ settings.
ZDNET gaming expert Taylor Clemons considers the headphones a solid contender “for both PC and console gamers looking for clean audio as well as the ability to create custom EQ settings or take advantage of virtual, spatial sound drivers.”
Read the review: HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Gaming Headphones review
- Price: $160
- Tech specs or features: Adjustable warm light | 8GB storage | Weeks-long battery life
As a reader who uses this device almost daily, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is a must-have of the season, especially for those who read or need an upgrade. With a warm backlight, you can enjoy late-night reading, and the Kindle can hold thousands of books with its 8GB storage.
I travel frequently to visit family and friends, and I love how lightweight it is. Because it’s waterproof, I even took it to the beach during vacation and enjoyed glare-free reading on the 6.8-inch screen. You can opt for the ad-free version to avoid ads on the lock screen.
Read the review: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite review
- Price: $700
- Tech specs or features: Mini-LED design | Google OS home screen | Bright picture
I’ve personally used this Hisense TV, and I can say that for the price point (usually just under $1,200), it’s a great TV without the high price tag of other top brands. The Mini-LED picture offers spectacular quality picture for a 55-inch screen. Thanks to the Google TV OS, when you’re watching TV, the home screen automatically adds the show you’re watching. When you boot up, the next episode is only two clicks away.
The picture for gaming is also practically perfect, offering a detailed viewing thanks to the integrated NVIDIA G-SYNC technology built into the panel. It promises a 120Hz variable refresh rate, and in practice, it performs amazingly. One thing to note — it’s suited for a more narrow viewing angle, so if you’re looking for other TV options, we also have you covered on that front.
Read the review here.
- Price: $120
- Tech specs or features: 18,000 CPU | 74g weight | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity
The Aerox 5 is a gamer’s powerhouse, featuring nine different buttons for speedy in-game responses. Its design is not only lightweight at 74g, but it also features AquaBarrier technology with an IP54 water and dust-resistant rating. The CPI also goes up to 18,000.
Gamers will get up to 180 hours of continuous play and fast charging when the battery runs low, so they can quickly get back to gaming. It also offers a 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.0 option, offering multiple connectivity options.
Read the review: SteelSeries Aerox 5 Wireless mouse review
- Price: $100
- Tech specs or features: Two size options | Can be controlled without the app | Two-hour safety time limit
Winter mornings can feel even colder when your coffee grows cold, and the Ember Smart Mug seeks to end all lukewarm beverage problems. It can hold 10oz of any beverage of choice, and you can control it from a smart app. For those that need a certain temperature to brew, say, a cup of English Breakfast, it can help maintain that temperature for optimal steeping.
If apps aren’t the drinker’s preference, the mug can be used without the app. The temperature is set to 135 degrees out of the box, and for safety purposes, it shuts off after two hours. It comes in 10-oz and 14-oz options, and remember to inform the recipient it isn’t dishwasher safe.
Our tablets and phones can keep us glued throughout the day — and if you’re looking for a display to bring a sense of calm and “rays” of light throughout your day, the Presence Inspiration Display can help you do just that. This digital inspiration quote board posts only inspirational quotes, not notifications, to help you take a moment to reflect on the good through your day. You can adjust the accompanying app to show you quotes from Oprah, Michelle Obama, and many more.
We recommend adding this to your cart today — when the batches come in, they sell out very quickly.
- Price: $40
- Tech specs or features: Android compatible | Portable | Ergonomic grip
For those that spend hours gaming on their mobile devices, this handy mobile controller from Razer can help boost their A-game in whatever battle, puzzle, or sandbox game that they are using. Perfect for Samsung and Pixel smartphones (you can find the iPhone compatible one here), it brings latency-free gameplay to the table for Cloud and Mobile gaming.
The device was designed with an ergonomic, flexible design for hours of long, comfortable gaming sessions. When not in use, it collapses for easy travel.
- Price: $70
- Tech specs or features: Multiple light colors | 11 white noise sounds | Alexa compatible
It may not be a toy, but parents swear by this sleep machine and wake-up light. The smart clock plays 11 soothing white noise machine sounds to help little ones sleep through the night, including rain, ocean, and lullabies. Control the customizable nightlight, time-to-rise light, and more from the smart app.
It works in conjunction with Alexa so you can voice control the device, and it has an audio monitor to keep an eye on the little ones. It also features a dimmable clock that can be turned off completely. And, in the event of a storm, it can operate on up to 8 hours of battery life to keep that much-needed sleep schedule.
- Price: $150
- Tech specs or features: 10-inch picture | 1280×800 resolution | Touchscreen
Looking for something more sentimental? Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles would love this smart digital photo frame. It’s easy to set up and even easier to add photos — all you need is a Wi-Fi connection to add more. You don’t need to have a Wi-Fi connection to enjoy the photos that have been previously uploaded, either.
It’s also great for families that are spread out over the state or country, offering a way to bring families together with just a touch of the 10-inch touchscreen display.
- Price: $150
- Tech specs or features: 24,000mAh | 3 different ports | Compatible with iOS 13 series, Android, and more
Travelers and those whose cell phones are constantly at low battery will love this handy gift. The Anker 737 power bank is powerful enough to charge a laptop while in use as well as charge a cell phone and earbuds. A smart digital display will indicate how much power is left and how much time it will take to completely recharge the battery.
It’s a little bigger than most power banks, but then again, most power banks can’t charge a MacBook Pro 50% in as little as 40 minutes — and this device can. For that reason alone, this charger makes the list. It also still tucks away into a backpack or purse pocket for easy portability.
The best tech gifts deals during the holidays
Prefer a lower price point on the holiday shopping? Check out the best tech gift deals below.
We found an array of tech gifts knowing that everyone has different tastes, preferences, and personalities. For each of the products on this list, we took into consideration who might be using them and the purpose for their use. We also took into account the reviews on these products as well as our own personal experiences with them to make sure that what you’re getting is truly a high-quality product.
You’ll want to look for a few things, but for starters, you’ll want to check to see if the gift you’re considering is compatible with the recipient’s devices. For example, the Razer mobile handheld on this list will work with Android devices, but not iPhone, and Razer developed a separate model we linked to ensure your recipient will enjoy it.
Also take into consideration your recipients hobbies. While a traveler may enjoy the Kindle or power bank, they may not enjoy the Hatch Restore+ as much, for example.
It depends on your recipient. In general, you’ll want something that fits into their lifestyle, so if they love a warm cup of coffee, the Ember Smart Mug might be a good fit. If you think it’s something that they will get a solid use out of, that’s what counts. Because they’re usually on the pricier side, you will definitely want to lean into its practicality in the recipient’s daily life.
Every piece of tech on this list will indicate what it will be compatible with on the packaging, so you will know exactly what to order. It should say something along the lines of, “Bluetooth compatible.” One of the most important things to note is that if it’s Bluetooth compatible, you want to ensure they have the appropriate device.
For a gift that requires an app or an iPhone connection, you want to make sure that they have an iPhone. The same goes for Android-based devices on this list — while some are compatible with an iPhone, not all are, and the packaging and product description will tell you.
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