Gifting can be a complicated topic, especially with tech products. Everyone has different preferences, and you might not know which tech products your giftee already has. But that doesn’t mean you should shy away from buying a tech gift for a loved one.
That’s why we’re here to help get your gears turning when it comes to figuring out which tech gifts you should even consider, because there’s a lot more out there than phones and Bluetooth speakers. Check out some of our favorite products for gifting across a wide budget range, whether you’re shopping for your mom, dad, boyfriend, or best friend.
Avoid the hassle of a dead phone battery with this handy portable USB-C charger from Anker. Whether they’re a camping fanatic or seemingly always on five percent battery, this compact power bank can fit in just about any backpack or purse.
They can drift into a deep sleep listening to their favorite tracks with the help of this headband, headphone, and eye-cover hybrid. The memory foam and silk lining, as well as the compact speakers, make this eye mask comfortable enough to wear as they snooze. To complete the sleep package, pair it with a weighted blanket.
No YouTuber or Livestreamer’s setup is complete without a ring light. They’ve become the go-to light for shooting professional videos or photos at home. A ring light is also handy for video meetings and WFH setups, so you can ensure even lighting on every call.
Transform the backseat of their car into a mini entertainment center with this simple gadget that allows them to mount an iPad, Nintendo Switch, or iPhone to their headrest. No matter what age your backseat passengers are, they’ll enjoy this entertainment for a long ride or road trip.
This double-sided laptop cleaner clears debris while the microfiber pad wipes away smudges. Say goodbye to all those pesky fingerprints on your screen and hello to a good-as-new laptop. Small and unusual but highly effective, this makes a great white elephant gift.
Ever wanted to adjust the intensity of your fragrance and set it on a schedule or timer all with the press of an app? With the Pura smart diffuser, you can. With clean, high-end fragrances to choose from, this is the perfect gift for someone who loves to keep their space smelling amazing at all times.
Apple is known for its cool tech gadgets, and the Apple Magic Trackpad is no exception. If your giftee isn’t a fan of the look or feel of a mouse, this trackpad not only allows them to have more space to move their hand while scrolling but also have a super sleek office setup while doing so.
Aptly named, the GhostCover protects your keyboard while remaining virtually unseen. It’s transparent enough for light to shine through but thick enough to keep your keyboard free from spills and other debris.
For Apple users, this three-in-one wireless charger is a simple and compact way to charge three of the most common devices: an iPhone, an Apple Watch, and AirPods. They can even use the device as a stand to watch videos or FaceTime on their phone.
Stave off frigid hands and fingers with the Ocoopa Rechargeable Hand Warmer. The charge lasts for about three hours depending on the temperature, which ranges from 95 degrees up to 131 degrees.
You can’t go wrong with a pair of AirPods. These are constantly at the top of everyone’s best-sellers lists, and for good reason. They work well for office, fitness, and casual use, plus easily pair with any Apple product.
For the frequent traveler, a tech case is a helpful tool to prevent cords from getting all tangled up in their carry-on bag. This one comes in four different colors and is finished with leather accents. It’s also a great gift for college students who are constantly trekking from class to the library.
A pair of noise-canceling headphones is a must for, well, basically everyone. This upgraded Sony model looks sleek and can be used for listening to music or audio while riding on the subway, working at a coffee shop, or pretty much any time you want to drown out the world around you.
This portable speaker is our top choice for indoor and outdoor entertaining. It’s dust- and waterproof, and it has a battery life of 12 hours, so it’s handy on the go. It’s a smart gift idea for a couple who loves to entertain.
If you’ve ever wanted to shoot videos with your phone that have the smoothness of a professional camera, this is the gadget for you. This stabilizer prevents your videos from looking wobbly and losing focus and makes it easier to zoom in and out while keeping your subject in the center of your frame. It’s a good gift ideas for teens who are always recording videos.
Grill fanatics and foodies alike will get ample use of this wireless meat thermometer, which utilizes Bluetooth to provide the precise temperature of their steak, along with the ambient pit temperature. They can also receive alerts directly to their phone, ensuring they have a perfectly cooked piece of meat every time.
Memorialize their favorite moments and photos with the help of the HP Sprocket Portable Printer. This pocket-sized printer can connect to their phone or laptop for seamless printing, ideal for the scrapbook or keepsake extraordinaire.
Level up from a regular water bottle with this Larq model that uses UV-C LED technology to not only sanitize the water, but also the entire inner surface of the bottle every two hours. It comes in a variety of fun colors, and is also capable of keeping drinks cold for up to 24 hours.
Revo elevates sunglasses to a whole new level with its Sonic audio sunglasses. These stylish frames allow you to listen to music, take phone calls, and track your health via a fitness app.
Elevate their birdwatching with this sleek feeder cam, which has a bevy of modern features like species detection, color night vision, 1080p resolution, and a connected app with notifications for when feathered visitors land.
Lovers of the great outdoors will appreciate the convenience of this waterproof lantern, which can charge via the attached solar panel or a USB cable. Once fully charged, it emits 75 lumens of LED light for up to 24 hours. Plus, it folds up to stash away when not in use.
Any gamer will delight at this RGB Gaming Keyboard, which responds to their keystrokes with a full spectrum of color and reactive effects. An ergonomic wrist rest and whisper-quiet keys mean this keyboard is comfortable and minimizes excited clacking when gaming intensifies.
The Holy Stone HS720G Drone captures stunning footage and video from a bird’s eye view with the help of electronic image stabilization. The user-friendly functions and controller also make it easy to operate, so even beginners can master it.
Help them keep track of all their important belongings with this set of Tile trackers. They’ll get two keychain-friendly fobs, a wallet-friendly fob, and a sticker fob, all of which are compatible with both Apple and Android.
This smart pen and notebook set by one of our favorite notebook companies, Moleskine, bridges the gap between both worlds. Everything they write in the notebook using the pen is replicated digitally via an app, so they have a digital and paper record of their thoughts.
Fitness trackers can be rather unsightly, but you’d never know one was hidden inside this ring. The battery life is pretty impressive at four to five days, and it’s water resistant up to 100 meters.
Apple AirTags may be ubiquitous at this point, but carrying them around can sometimes be a pain. This protective holder allows them to secure their AirTag to their belongings and protect it against scratches and bumps. It’s a perfect size for a stocking stuffer.
A vertical design makes this mouse comfortable to use, despite its unusual look—it allows for a more natural position that’s better for your body. It’s still as intuitive as a traditional mouse, so don’t worry too much about adapting to the new shape.
Do you have a coworker who’s sick of having too many charging cords tangled by their desk? This simple and inexpensive USB adapter can solve that problem. It allows them to convert any USB-C device to any USB-A device (or vice versa) for charging and data transfer.
If they have wonky Wi-Fi in certain areas of their home, a Wi-Fi range extender might be the solution. This device will help boost your signal in dead zones and allow you to enjoy high internet speeds across a greater area.
The Sony neckband speaker is a unique device that brings a home theater–style sound system to their ears. The waterproof speakers rest on their shoulders and can pair with their TV, laptop, or smartphone via Bluetooth—it’s an ideal alternative to headphones if they prefer keeping their ears free.
If you haven’t yet upgraded your traditional, high-pitched-whistling kettle, let this device introduce you to the wonderful world of electric kettles. Simply plug it in and boil your water in an instant. We particularly like the gooseneck design, which helps prevent spills.
There’s no better gift than a night of blissful, deep sleep, and the Loftie Clock has all the functions they’ll need to achieve sweet dreams. It’s not just an alarm clock—it’s also a white noise machine and Bluetooth speaker, providing guided meditations, sound baths, and their favorite evening playlists.
This sticky tech organizer will keep all their gadgets in order, whether they adhere it to their laptop or desk for a streamlined work setup. It can hold wires, smart pens, earbuds, chargers, and more—ultimately keeping all their must-have devices conveniently on hand.
If they love nothing more than sipping on a pint at their local taproom, they’ll adore this beer dispenser that converts any can or bottle into a crisp, nitro-style draft. It works with any type of beer, whether they’re an IPA, stout, or sour fanatic.
For those who want to automate their daily routine, opt for this combination espresso and coffee machine that yields barista-level lattes and brews. It’s equipped with all they’ll need for their favorite cup, like an advanced steam wand, programmable timer, a digital touchscreen, and dual heating system so they can make espresso and coffee simultaneously.
There’s no need to select a singular photo to display with this Wi-Fi-enabled frame—they can highlight all their favorite photos and videos on this HD touchscreen. They can also tailor their frame from the Frameo app for both Android and iOS devices.
This modern take on a classic record player has all the tech they need to spin their favorite tracks, like Bluetooth capability and automatic functionality with two speeds. For those who want to reminisce, this old-school upgrade is the perfect gift.
The woman in your life will love the gift of an at-home hair salon with this complete styling kit from Dyson. With seven attachments, four heat settings, and three airflow modes, this multifunctional tool can transform any hair type into sleek styles in a matter of minutes.
This compact gaming gear is a fan favorite for a reason—it’s portable, offers multiplayer functionality, and can seamlessly connect to your TV. From road trips to family nights, the Nintendo Switch is a covetable gift for anyone on your list, whether you’re shopping for a kid or an adult.
Stargaze in stunning detail with the assistance of this portable refractor telescope from Celestron. The large 70-mm objective lens captures brighter, enhanced viewing, while 20-mm and 10-mm eyepieces allow them to see celestial views during day and night.
Any skincare fanatic will adore this LED facial mask, which has three modes to target fine lines, wrinkles, and acne. They can integrate this mask into their daily skincare routine and skip the expensive spa alternative.
For those who seem to have every kitchen device imaginable, opt for the Aarke Carbonator III, which infuses Co2 into their water for refreshing, bubbly beverages. It’s sleek, stylish, and cordless—all they have to do is push down on the handle, and they’ll have sparkling water in no time.
Their coffee will never get cold with this smart mug, which can keep their beverage hot for 1.5 hours on its own, or indefinitely when it’s set on a charging coaster. They can even use an app to set the perfect temperature.
They don’t need a green thumb to operate this hydroponic indoor garden, which is a great gift for novice and pro gardeners alike. Simply plant the herb seeds and follow the instructions about when to water and add plant food—the lights turn on and off by themselves.
If you’re looking for a humidifier, this smart model is one of our favorites. It’s perfect for larger rooms up to 505 square feet, surprisingly easy to clean, and is totally customizable thanks to its smart home compatibility.
Nobody likes waking up to a jarring alarm. This smart wake-up light is designed to wake them up naturally by creating an artificial sunrise in their room.
There’s something just so luxurious about having your milk heated and frothed before you top off your coffee or hot chocolate. We tested the Bodum Bistro Electric Frother in our Lab and found it to be one of the best options on the market thanks to the long-lasting, frothy foam it created.
Fitness fiends, meet your new best friend. This intense muscle massager pounds soreness right out, making this a great gift for a hardcore athlete or someone who’s training for their first half marathon.
Are lightbulbs an odd gift? Perhaps, but they’re something most people wouldn’t splurge on themselves, which actually makes them a rather great gift. This model has a variety of light temperatures and color options, as well as voice command compatibility with smart home devices.
For someone who needs an upgrade for their old FitBit, this fitness watch is one of the toughest on the market. The GPS-enabled device has more than 80 different sport modes, so it’ll suit any athlete.
It’s easy to forget to disinfect your phone, but having a UV sanitizer on hand makes it easy. Toss your phone in (there’s even a hole for a charging cable) and turn it on to get rid of 99.99 percent of bacteria.
The AnkerMake M5 makes 3D printing more accessible than ever, bringing the technology into your home. This easy-to-use 3D printer will have you testing your design skills in no time.
Most casual home cooks wouldn’t buy themselves a pizza oven—particularly a high-tech, super expensive one. But for a pizza lover who enjoys throwing extravagant dinner parties and perhaps is crafting their best homemade pizza yet, this might be the perfect gift.
It might be difficult to find someone who doesn’t already own an air fryer, but if you do know that person, give them a helping hand by gifting them one. This Philips model has an impressive 6.2-liter capacity and can also grill, roast, bake, and even reheat.
Robot vacuums might not be as powerful as upright vacuums, but they sure do make life a lot easier. This model came out on top during our Lab test for the best robot vacuums for its ease of use and impressive power.
Both apartment dwellers and homeowners can benefit from wireless doorbells. We like this video doorbell, which doesn’t need to be hooked up to a pre-wired traditional doorbell. It operates off WiFi and batteries that last about six months.
E-readers might not replace the feel of a physical book in your hand, but to carry an entire library in your pocket is a pretty incredible thing. This backlit device makes reading anywhere, anytime a breeze, so it’s a great gift for bookworms.
Fitness wearables are all the rage, and Whoop is one of the latest on the scene to provide in-depth tracking and analysis of an impressive array of fitness and health data. From sleep, strain, recovery, and stress, to overall health metrics, this is the perfect gift for any health enthusiast. Plus, this purchase includes a 12-month membership to their connected app.
The Levoit Core 400S Smart Air Purifier was the best air purifier among the 67 models we tested in our Lab. In addition to its effective filtration, it also has Wi-Fi compatibility that allows you to control it via an app or smart home device like Google Assistant or Alexa.
Soothe an aching or strained back with this heat and massage wrap from Hyperice. With three heat levels, customizable massage patterns, Bluetooth connectivity, and app controls, the Venom 2 can instantly and conveniently relieve sore muscles.
Your giftee can indulge in the scent of their favorite candle for longer with this candle warmer. It’s available in 11 colors and finishes, and has a convenient dimmer switch that adjusts the brightness and heat of warmer. This makes a perfect addition to any bedside table, offering a soft glow of light and the fragrance of a candle without any flame.
Don’t limit whimsical outdoor lighting to just the holiday season—with the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights your giftee can illuminate their home with a creative LED display year-round. Select from 75 scene modes and 16 million colors for truly customizable lighting. Plus, with the connected app and voice control, it’s exceedingly easy to control the colors of each light and set timers.
For the fitness enthusiast who wants to take their recovery to the next level, opt for the Higher Dose Infrared Sauna Blanket. This blanket uses infrared heat for ultimate relaxation from the comfort of home and rolls into a compact size for convenient storage.
Whether your giftee is new to plant-based eating or has a penchant for sustainability, the Almond Cow Milk Maker is a handy device that makes whipping up delicious dairy-free milk easier than ever—no nut milk bag needed. They can create their own signature recipes using ingredients like coconut shreds, almonds, oats, cashews, dates, and spices. Not only does the machine minimize waste, but it also creates creamy, delicious milk in a matter of seconds.
If they are devoted to a quality night’s sleep, there’s no better gift than these smart blackout shades from the Home Decorators Collection. They can control the shades using Alexa, Google, or the Hubspace app and add customized open and close times for their sleep schedule.
Complete their at-home spa day with this facial steamer from NanoSteamer. The device can also turn into a mini humidifier or towel warmer with just a turn of the knob, giving them a versatile device that can dial up their self-care in more ways than one.
It’s not always easy scheduling movement into our daily routines, but with the Redliro Under Desk Treadmill, your giftee can get their steps in while sending emails, taking meetings, or streaming their favorite shows. The sleek treadmill can fold or raise and fits seamlessly under most desks with its slim 25-inch width.
If white noise machines have proven ineffective, these in-ear sleepbuds might do the trick. They’re noise-canceling, and use soothing sounds to block out unpleasant ones.
For a splurge-y gift, consider this home movie projector which can expand their TV or monitor to the size of a full wall. It’s perfect for gamers, movie lovers, and sports buffs alike.
Questions You Might Ask
How much money should you spend on a tech gift?
Your budget is your own and should reflect what you’re personally able to give—this will differ for everyone! But there are some general guidelines you should consider.
“The amount you spend on any gift is dependent on a number of factors, including your budget and your relationship with the recipient. You might spend more on your niece or nephew than on your first cousin once removed,” Smith says. She also notes that the occasion might change the budget: Once-in-a-lifetime events such as a graduation likely merit a bigger budget than a birthday.
But you should consider situational circumstances, too, such as precedent. “If you have a squad of five besties, then what you spend on one of your BFFs should be what you spend on the other four BFFs,” Smith says.
And finally, consider going in on a group gift for larger purchases. “For all group gifts, the best way to handle them is to have a recommended contribution, but allow for any amount,” Smith says. She offers some sample text for pooling funds for a teacher’s gift, like: “The suggested contribution is $50/family. Any and all amounts are welcome. Please give what you are able.”
What are the best places to buy gift cards for tech gifts?
Gift cards might seem impersonal, but given the price of many tech products, they’re a way to meaningfully contribute to your recipient’s fund for a splurge item. “Tech gift cards are perfect when you know someone is saving up for a specific item, such as a gaming computer. Your budget may not be able to cover the entire amount, but your gift card will certainly help make the item a reality,” Smith says.
She advises speaking to the recipient about their preference for which specific store. It might ruin the surprise, but it’s better to buy a gift certificate that they’ll use.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Stefanie Waldek, a contributing writer for Real Simple with eight years of experience writing about home and three years of experience reviewing products. It was updated by Quinn Gawronski, an associate commerce editor at Real Simple. To come up with these recommendations, they researched different types of tech categories and products across a range of prices. Stefanie also tapped Jodi RR Smith of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting for tips about gifting tech.