Cool Gifts for Tech Lovers: The Year’s Best Gadgets
These top tech gifts make cool birthday buys and exciting Christmas presents.
Shopping for a gadget-obsessed friend or family member? Tech gifts are some of the most popular and sought-after gifts out there. But if you’ve written off any and all devices this year because of the fear of sticker shock, you might think twice after seeing our editors’ creative ideas when it comes to gifts for tech lovers–some of the items are even small enough to fit in a Christmas stocking.
Our definitive list of the best gifts for techies includes finds like foldable keyboards and the latest wireless gadgets, along with presents that'll please the giftee who has everything. Whether you’re looking for cool tech gifts for a man, a woman, or a child, you’ll find the best option here for even the pickiest person on your list.
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1
Feel close to family and friends no matter your location with Portal from Facebook. The miniature smart camera automatically adjusts as you move about the room, so you can connect with loved ones via video call whether you're near or far.
To buy: Portal Mini 8", starting at $129; portal.facebook.com.
2
Take a call, queue up a podcast, or tune out with a playlist with the help of these noise-blocking headphones. Available in silver or black, each lightweight, voice-assisted set is optimized for Google Assistant and can block out up to 11 levels of noise.
To buy: $400; amazon.com.
3
With this old-school joystick, the tech lover in your life can play his or her favorite childhood video game on nearly any TV.
To buy: $20; walmart.com.
4
This clever take on the router knows that in this era, the best gift possible is speedy, reliable WiFi. Eero’s advanced system covers every spot of your home (backyard included) in a Wi-Fi “mesh,” with a simple plug-and-play installation. Instead of calling their Internet provider if something goes wrong, your friends can troubleshoot this tech gift via a user-friendly app—or get support from Eero’s team in an average of 60 seconds.
To buy: from $299; amazon.com.
5
Tired techies will obsess over this bedside glow light. Designed with quality sleep in mind, each self-dimming light tapers out over time, allowing for a better, deeper snooze.
To buy: $129; casper.com.
6
Powerful, durable, and battery-powered, the Sonos Move is ideal for indoor and outdoor listening. Sonos' latest speaker stands apart for its weatherproof and drop-resistant design, plus you can control playback using your voice, and steam via Bluetooth when WiFi simply isn't an option.
To buy: $400; amazon.com.
7
Perfect for gaming on the go, this handheld system is compact and compatible with over 2,000 games.
To buy: $200; amazon.com.
8
Tell time in an entirely new way with this sleek electronic word clock. Available in black or copper, the compact clock boasts LED display lights that alert you to the time in five-minute intervals.
To buy: $27; amazon.com.
9
Nothing takes a space from streamlined to cluttered faster than a jumble of wires. Plus, an unruly nest of cords can make it extremely difficult to grab your charger and take it on the go. Add style points to desks with this perfect gift for tech lovers: a compact charging pad that ups your battery life in a futuristic way.
To buy: $45; iottie.com.
10
Amazon's latest voice-controlled gadget packs in many useful features to help make everyday tasks a little easier. Use voice commands to ask Alexa to read the news, set alarms, control in-home devices and check the weather. The all-new Echo Dot also comes in new fabric designs and colors, including charcoal, heather grey and sandstone.
To buy: $40; amazon.com.
11
Another to add to your list of ideas for cool birthday gifts or best tech Christmas gifts, this printer lets you capture and share photos in less than a minute. Connect your smartphone, iPad and iPod Touch, Android, or other devices to the lightweight, portable gadget (it weighs just over six ounces) via Bluetooth or NFC (near-field communication), and then edit and print your favorite snapshots. You can even add emojis or a password-protected QR code to share secret messages.
To buy: From $90, amazon.com.
12
Modeled after a Japanese bento box, this sleek, stackable organizer fits all of your tech necessities. Stash cords, chargers, and USB ports in this compact container while traveling, or keep the box on your desk for a more streamlined space.
To buy: $50; amazon.com.
13
It’s never been easier (or, at the very least, it’s never been more fun) to carry a tune while lathering up. This sleek shower head comes with a clip-on water-resistant speaker that syncs with smartphones, MP3 players, tablets, or laptops (as long as they're within 32 feet of the shower head) using Bluetooth technology to wirelessly stream audio.
To buy: $143, homedepot.com.
14
For the tech lover who enjoys a good distraction but needs a short reprieve from the screen every once in a while, these playing cards are modeled after the solitaire cards used in the original Windows 3.0 (the cards are all tucked inside of a box that looks like the vintage desktop icon, too!).
To buy: $15, amazon.com.
15
This tiny camera is made to withstand the elements—water, snow, and mud (it can probably handle toddlers, too)—so tech lovers can shoot any adventure and share it with friends and family. A free companion app, which is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, makes it easy to wirelessly transfer, watch, edit high-quality photos (8 megapixels) and video (resolutions of 1440p30, 1080p60, and 720p100), and share film or stills on all of your favorite social media channels. An assortment of accessories and mounts—voice-activated remote, helmet mount, screen protectors, and more—are also available for an additional cost.
To buy: $200, target.com.
16
Charge gadgets more efficiently with this ultimate charging system. A retractable cable, LED ambient light, and swappable charging tips make phone-charging that much easier. The device is also able to power up multiple gadgets at once, making it a much-needed gift for tech lovers.
To buy: $50; amazon.com.
17
When it comes to gifts for tech lovers, you want to wow them with a device that does more than they expect. More than just a hub for smart home gadgets, the brand new Lenovo Smart Display comes equipped with a Google Assistant built-in, so you go about your day with ease. Not only does the hands-free display provide answers to any and all questions, but you can easily access your daily schedule, the weather, and YouTube videos with just your voice.
To buy: from $140; lenovo.com.
18
Stash away your laptop in this faux-leather sleeve. Embroidered with flowers and equipped with a hidden pocket, it's a stylish tech accessory that's just as chic as it is functional.
To buy: $33; skinnydiplondon.com.
19
This sleek digital frame links to a free app so anyone in the family can send photos directly to grandma’s living room.
To buy: from $299; amazon.com.
20
The latest fitness tracker from Fitbit includes new exercise modes (from yoga to swimming), a seven-day battery, and access to helpful sleep and health insights, making it a great gift for tech lovers who also love to get active.
To buy: $137; amazon.com.
21
Know a tech lover with an intense gym regimen? This interactive home gym is a game-changer for tech fiends and fitness buffs thanks to its archive of on-demand studio classes that help you break a sweat at home.
To buy: $1,495; mirror.co.
22
In an always-on world, it can feel increasingly difficult to escape the deluge of emails coming in at all hours of the day. Perfect for the person with a lengthy commute, this compact, foldable keyboard will help maximize those extra moments otherwise spent idle. That can add hours of extra productivity—catching up on returning messages or writing a memo—back to the day. The rechargeable keyboard is compatible with iPad, iPhone, Android, as well as Windows tablets and phones.
To buy: $159; amazon.com.
23
There's no misplacing your phone charger when it's rainbow-colored and five feet long. This can't-miss cord comes in six different shades, and is compatible with all Apple products.
To buy: $18; bando.com.
24
Although the Apple Watch's battery life clocks in at about 18 hours, chances are it will unexpectedly run out of power at an inopportune time. Make sure your tech lover doesn't miss any of those important notifications with this portable watch charger.
To buy: $40; amazon.com.
25
Bring back a childhood favorite for your tech lover with this personalized reel viewer. Your giftee will receive a code to redeem for a seven-photo reel.
To buy: $30; uncommongoods.com.
26
This award-winning LED lamp illuminates any room but also serves as an interesting decor piece and conversation starter. Tech lovers will geek out over the futuristic way the lamp turns on when two magnetic balls float toward each other.
To buy: $35; amazon.com.
27
Let your tech addict explore the fascinating inner workings of common household devices with this book from gadget YouTuber Mike Warren.
To buy: $20; amazon.com.
28
Encourage your giftee to rise and shine with the help of this high-tech alarm clock that features a sunrise-simulating light, gradually increasing alarm sound, and Bluetooth speaker.
To buy: $80; amazon.com.