Tech Gifts and Gadgets Worth Giving
- 20 gift ideas
- From under $25 to $100 and up
Good tech gifts fit what the person already uses. Strong ideas include noise-cancelling headphones for commuters, a portable Bluetooth speaker, a Wi-Fi smart plug pack for tinkerers, a GPS running watch, a pocket vlogging camera and a portable SSD, plus low-cost picks such as wireless earbuds and LED strip lights.
Quick picks
- Best under $25: Low-cost wireless earbuds A low-cost backup pair for the gym, travel or a first set for a teen. Idea 2
- Best for music lovers: A stylish portable speaker A compact speaker that sits well on a shelf and goes outside too. Idea 3
- Best splurge: A pocket gimbal camera for video A stabilized pocket camera for travelers and video makers. Idea 12
- Best for the home office: A comfortable wireless keyboard A keyboard is used for hours a day, so an upgrade is felt right away. Idea 16
Tech gifts work best when they plug into something the person already does, whether that is commuting, working from home, filming trips or setting up a smart home. We picked 20 tech gifts and cool gadgets in five groups: audio, smart home, everyday carry, cameras and screens, and desk gear.
Before you buy, check what phone, computer or TV the person uses and whether the gadget works with it. Most of these suit tech gifts for men, tech gifts for women and anyone else who loves gadgets, and a few suit teens. For a younger crowd, see Gifts for Teens.
Ideas 1 to 4
Headphones and speakers
Sound is an easy tech gift to get right if you check pairing and battery life.
1. Noise-cancelling over-ear headphones
Over-ear headphones with active noise cancelling make commutes, flights and open offices quieter, which suits commuters and frequent flyers who spend hours with music or podcasts. Check the listed battery life and how they pair with the person's phone. Keep the receipt, since fit and sound are personal.
Tip: Keep the gift receipt, since fit and sound are personal.
2. Low-cost wireless earbuds
A low-cost pair of wireless earbuds is a handy backup for the gym or travel, or a first pair for a teen, and it suits anyone who keeps losing their earbuds. Look for a charging case and good battery life. Check that the fit sits comfortably, since small ear tips can change how they feel.
Tip: Keep the spare pair in a gym bag or a travel pouch.
3. A stylish portable speaker
A compact speaker with a classic look sits well on a shelf and goes outside when needed, which suits music lovers who care about design. Check the waterproof rating and battery life, and match the color to the room. It also works as a housewarming gift for a friend who loves music.
Tip: Check the waterproof rating if it will go outdoors or near water.
4. A rugged waterproof speaker
A sturdy, waterproof speaker handles the beach, the pool and the backyard, so it suits friends who bring the music outside. Look for drop resistance and a long battery, and check that it pairs easily with the owner's phone. A bright color makes it easy to find at a campsite or on a boat.
Tip: Check the waterproof and dropproof ratings before you order.
Ideas 5 to 8
Smart home upgrades
Small upgrades that make an ordinary home easier to control.
5. A compact smart speaker
A small smart speaker handles timers, music and quick questions in a kitchen or bedroom, an easy first step into smart home gear for anyone who is starting out. It has a microphone, so review the privacy settings together. Check that it works with the services the person already uses.
Tip: Review the microphone and privacy settings together before you set it up.
6. A pack of smart plugs
Smart plugs make ordinary lamps and appliances controllable from a phone or voice assistant, and they take minutes to set up, which suits tinkerers who like automating the house. A multi-pack covers several rooms. Check which voice assistant and Wi-Fi band the plugs work with.
Tip: Check which voice assistant it works with before you order.
7. A color smart lighting starter kit
Color smart bulbs let someone set scenes for movie night, mornings or parties from a phone, which suits homebodies who like to set the mood. A kit with a hub tends to be more reliable in larger homes. Check that the lamps at home take the bulb size in the kit.
Tip: Check that the lamps at home take the bulb size in the kit.
8. App-controlled LED strip lights
LED strip lights add color behind a TV, desk or bed and are an inexpensive way to change how a room feels, which suits teens and gamers decorating a room. Measure the length you need first. Check that the adhesive backing is safe for the wall or furniture before you stick it down.
Tip: Measure the length first and test the adhesive on a small spot.
Ideas 9 to 11
Cool gadgets for everyday carry
Gadgets for commutes, runs and cold walks.
9. A foldable 3-in-1 wireless charger
A 3-in-1 charger tops up a phone, watch and earbuds from one plug, which clears the nightstand and packs well for trips. It suits iPhone users with a cluttered bedside table who travel with a phone, watch and earbuds. Check that it matches the person's phone and watch before you buy.
Tip: Check that it matches their phone, watch and earbuds before ordering.
10. A GPS running watch
A GPS running watch tracks distance and pace without carrying a phone, which suits runners training for a race. Look for battery life and an easy-to-read screen, and check the strap size. Pair it with a race entry or a new pair of shoes if you want to make it a set.
Tip: Check the case size and strap to match the wearer.
11. Rechargeable hand warmers
Rechargeable hand warmers replace disposable packs for winter walks, games and commutes, so they suit anyone who is always cold outside. Look for more than one heat setting and USB-C charging. A pair slips into a coat pocket, and they work for outdoor events such as football games and holiday markets.
Tip: Check the charging cable type so one cable can charge everything.
Ideas 12 to 15
Cameras, screens and photo gadgets
For people who film, print or watch on a bigger screen.
12. A pocket gimbal camera for video
A stabilized pocket camera records smooth video while walking, which suits travelers and people who make videos for social media. It is easier to carry than a full camera. Check which accessories you want, such as a spare battery or a mic, and what memory card it needs.
Tip: Check the memory card type and add a spare card to the gift.
13. An instant smartphone photo printer
A pocket photo printer turns phone pictures into small prints in about a minute, a fun gadget for parties and scrapbooks, and it suits scrapbookers and party hosts. Check the cost of refill paper, since you will need it often. Print a few photos before wrapping so they see how it works.
Tip: Check the cost and availability of refill paper before you buy.
14. A mini projector for movies anywhere
A small smart projector turns a bedroom wall or a backyard sheet into a big screen, which suits movie fans with a blank wall. Compact models work best in dark rooms. Many run on USB-C power, so use away from an outlet needs a power bank with enough output.
Tip: Check the power bank output needed if you want to use it away from an outlet.
15. A 4K streaming device
A streaming device upgrades an older TV with apps, a voice remote and 4K playback, which suits anyone with an older TV. Check which services they use most and that their TV has an HDMI port. The voice remote has a microphone, so talk through the privacy settings when you set it up.
Tip: Check that the TV has an HDMI port and supports 4K for the best picture.
Ideas 16 to 20
Desk and productivity gear
Gear for the home office, the notebook and the workbench.
16. A comfortable wireless keyboard
A good keyboard is used for hours a day, so an upgrade is felt right away by writers and people who work from home. Look for multi-device switching and backlit keys. Check the layout and whether it works with the person's computer before you buy.
Tip: Check that the layout and connection work with their computer.
17. A reusable smart notebook
A reusable notebook lets someone write by hand, scan pages to the cloud and wipe them clean, which suits students and meeting note-takers who want less paper. Check which pens and cloud services the notebook works with. Add a pen and a microfiber cloth to get started right away.
Tip: Add the right pen and a cloth so it is ready to use out of the box.
18. A Bluetooth label maker
A phone-connected label maker makes organizing a pantry, garage or cable drawer quick and tidy, which suits organizers who love a labeled shelf. Check which label tape widths it takes and how easy it is to find refills. A few extra tapes in different colors make it a good set.
Tip: Check the label tape widths and add a spare roll to the gift.
19. A precision electric screwdriver
A small electric screwdriver with many bits handles electronics repairs, glasses and flat-pack furniture, which suits tinkerers who fix their own gadgets. Look for USB-C charging and a storage case so the bits stay organized. Check that the bit set covers the screws they work with most, and add a small tray for loose screws.
Tip: Check that the bit set covers the screw types they use most.
20. A fast portable SSD
A portable SSD backs up photos and moves big files quickly, and it fits in a pocket, which suits photographers and video editors. Choose a capacity that matches how much they shoot or store. Check that the cable matches their computer's ports before you buy.
Tip: Check that the cable type matches their computer's ports.
Frequently asked questions
What are good tech gifts?
Good tech gifts fit what the person already does: noise-cancelling headphones for commuters, a waterproof Bluetooth speaker for the backyard, a GPS running watch for runners, a pocket vlogging camera for travelers or a portable SSD for photographers. Check which phone or computer they use before you buy.
What are good tech gifts for men?
Look at his habits instead of the stereotype: a GPS running watch for a runner, an electric screwdriver for a tinkerer, a wireless keyboard for someone who works from home or a smart plug set for home automation fans. See our Gifts for Men guide for more ideas.
What are good tech gifts for women?
Match the gadget to her routine: a 3-in-1 wireless charger for a cluttered nightstand, a photo printer for scrapbooking, a smart notebook for work or a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for commutes. Skip assumptions about taste, and check what devices she already uses.
What are good tech gifts for teens?
Gadgets that fit a teen's room and routine work well: LED strip lights, low-cost wireless earbuds, a portable speaker or a mini projector for movie nights. Check the age and the phone they use, and ask a parent if you are unsure about microphones or app accounts.
What are good tech gifts under $50?
Try low-cost wireless earbuds, a pack of smart plugs, app-controlled LED strip lights, rechargeable hand warmers or a smart reusable notebook. These suit gift exchanges and small budgets. Check prices at checkout, since they change often, and look for a gift receipt in case of a mismatch.
How do I choose a tech gift for someone who has everything?
Upgrade something they use daily, such as a keyboard, headphones or a streaming device, or add a gadget that solves a small problem, such as a label maker, a hand warmer or a smart plug. A gadget that fits their hobby, like a photo printer, also works well.
