If you’re the type of person who panics when it’s time to install a new operating system on your laptop, you might struggle to find a good gift for the tech-obsessed person in your life. Even I — a person who has written about this stuff for nearly eight years and regularly tests gadgets — find it hard to keep up with what’s new and great and really worth the splurge.
So to help you (and me) make sense of it all, I looked back on the tech trends I’ve spotted this year, sourced recommendations from experts, and consulted friends and family about the gizmos and gadgets they all want this year. While hot-ticket items like flagship smartphones and consoles always make the list, they can get quite costly. But as with last year, tech accessories are a popular category for gifts, and I found plenty of excellent options this year, including phone-friendly keyboard cases, headphones, and Bluetooth speakers.
Headphones and speakers
Audio equipment is something I’m asked about a lot every holiday season. Headphones and earbuds are usually at the forefront of those queries, with Bluetooth speakers not falling too far behind. There’s no shortage of audio gear to choose from, so I’ve rounded up some of the earbuds, headphones, and speakers that have impressed me during my testing this year.
Apple’s latest AirPods now have noise cancellation, which was previously exclusive to the AirPods Pro. They sound great, and the smaller case makes them even more portable.
Google released new earbuds this year, too. They sound better than last year’s model, they’re better at blocking out external sounds, and their smaller design takes up less room in a bag or pocket.
I’ve long been a fan of JBL’s audio gear for its dedication to excellent sound no matter the device. The Tour Pro 3’s are no exception: In addition to sounding great, they also pair easily with in-flight entertainment systems, which is sure to make their next flight more enjoyable.
Our favorite Bluetooth speaker is small enough to drop into a tote, backpack, or even a purse, and it can still get loud enough for small gatherings.
For the person who hosts large gatherings (or those who just like to blast their music), JBL’s Authentics 300 is a gorgeous speaker that looks like some of the company’s classic bookshelf speakers.
While Dyson is mainly known for its cleaning appliances and hair tools, I’ve been impressed with the company’s second pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They have a unique style and customizable ear cushions and outer caps, so your recipient can turn their headphones into a fashion statement.
For design-minded music nerds with limited space, this speaker looks just as good as the JBL Authentics 300, but it’s far more portable.
Smartwatches and wearables
Health-focused gadgets like the smartwatches, smart rings, and fitness trackers can make great gifts for the fitness enthusiast in y our life, but they also work for people who just want to keep an eye on how they’re doing day to day.
Samsung, Google, and Apple all released updated versions of their smartwatches, with Apple and Samsung both offering multiple different models. Apple Watches only work with iPhones, and wearOS watches only work with Android devices, so make sure you know what phone they have before hitting that buy button. Samsung also released its first smart ring, the Galaxy Ring, this year. It covers the basics, like step and sleep tracking, but sacrifices some more robust tracking features in favor of being a subtler accessory.
Now they can track their steps without having to ditch their analogue watch for a FitBit.
Every time I wear my Apple Watch Ultra 2 review unit, someone tells me they wish they had their own. It has a customizable action button that can be used to quickly trigger a workout, plus a bigger and brighter display and longer battery life than the Series 9.
The Pixel Watch 3 is Google’s first smartwatch that’s just as good as the Apple Watch. It lasts all day, the circular display looks great, and it’s a solid fitness tracker.
![Samsung Galaxy Watch7 - 40mm [GPS]](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/aa2/325/b05f5ba4b245da3f917a0638732c01c0db.2x.rdeep-vertical.w245.jpg)
While the Pixel Watch is an excellent option, Samsung users may prefer the company’s own smartwatch, which has tight integration with other Galaxy devices.
The power of a camera, Bluetooth headphones, and an AI assistant all in a pair of glasses that look just like the classic Ray-Ban shades.
If your recipient prefers a more tactile watch, last year’s Galaxy Watch6 Classic features a dial around the display that makes interacting with the watch a delight.
Nearly everyone I know without a smartwatch has a Whoop. Unlike most fitness trackers and watches, the Whoop doesn’t have a screen, so they can focus on their workout instead of their pings.
If they’d prefer a more discrete tracker, the Oura Ring (which has been worn by Kim Kardashian and used by NBA players) can do everything from period tracking to sleep and heart monitoring.
iPhone 16 and accessories
One of the biggest tech-gadget stories from the last six months was the launch of the iPhone 16 in September. You don’t have to buy them a new phone to make their phone feel new, though: A fresh case or nifty stand can make their old phone feel exciting again, or just add some new functionality to make their life a little easier.
The latest iPhone isn’t a massive upgrade over last year’s iPhone 15, but the new camera button is a delightful addition that makes mobile photography a bit easier — and a lot more fun. There’s also a faster processor that makes it more suitable for the freshly released Apple Intelligence, which adds tons of functionality to the operating system.
This case gives the iPhone a Blackberry-style keyboard that’s delightful to type on. Now they’ll never be behind on their replies again.
If they’ve already gotten the new phone, a new case is a no-brainer. I’m picky about my cases, and this one from Casetify has been the only one that’s managed to stay on my phone longer than a month. It’s available for several iPhone models (and they also have cases for most flagship Samsung and Google phones), and there are countless designs to choose from so you can pick the case that’ll suit your loved one’s style.
Most cases just give your phone some added protection and maybe a nicer aesthetic. This case goes a step further with a modular design that allows for attachments like a bike mount, car mount, or mini-tripod. If they rely on their phone for more than just emails and social media, they’ll probably find an attachment or two they’ll love.
If they’re all-in on the Apple ecosystem, there’s a good chance they have a set of AirPods and an Apple Watch. Twelve South’s latest wireless charger has spots for both plus one for an iPhone. The dedicated iPhone charger has a strong set of magnets and can take advantage of iOS’s new StandBy feature, which can turn their phone into a digital picture frame or notification hub.
This portable charger has enough power to recharge an iPhone 16 twice, and its sleek design makes it perfect for stuffing in a bag before heading out.
Once they latch this tiny USB-C cable onto their key chain they’ll never have to turn on low power mode again.
Folding phones
While smartphones have matured as a category, this year has been an interesting one for Androids — especially given the advancement of folding phones. But these are nothing like the Razr you used back in 2005. Samsung has continued to hone its formula for a good foldable phone with the Flip6 and the Fold6, and Google released its second foldable phone with the Pixel Fold 9 Pro. They all provide a fun spin on a gadget with a relatively stagnant design, and though it’s a big commitment to get them a phone, it will wow even the most passionate techie in your life.
While I prefer a foldable that converts into a tablet, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip6 turns a standard smartphone into an old-school clamshell flip phone that’s small enough to fit into even tiny pockets.
Gaming consoles
Portable gaming has seen a boom this year. There’s the Switch, a now-classic holiday gift, as well as the Steam Deck — but companies like ASUS and Lenovo have entered the space as well. Meta also released a cheaper version of the Quest 3 that performs just as well, but it’s way more affordable. There’s also traditional consoles like the Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X, but while those could make fun gifts, these consoles are more likely to surprise them and make them smile.
This funky handheld console looks sort of like a Game Boy but has its own unique games and a fun crank that offers a clever spin on gameplay.
Our best handheld console overall is like a Nintendo Switch that plays PC games, so they’ll never be without their favorites again.
If they want to dive into VR without needing all the bells and whistles, Meta’s new budget-friendly headset gets all the fundamentals right, and it’s a joy to use.
For those who just want to play Pokémon without having to buy the pricey old cartridges, this console is inspired by the Game Boy Advance SP and comes pre-loaded with tons of games. It’s perfect for a bit of Saturday-morning nostalgia.
Video games
This year saw the release of several excellent games, including Astro Boy, Balatro, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Even the most devout gamers would have a hard time keeping up with it all, so there’s probably a game or two they would’ve liked to pick up but didn’t have the time for.
The latest in the Final Fantasy VII series expands on the story from last year’s Remake, and introduces an open world they can spend hours exploring.
“It’s everything every mascot platformer in the ’90s dreamed of being,” says Stephen Hilger, co-host of the gaming podcast Into the Aether.
E-readers and tablets
Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite, which is still the gold standard in e-readers, got a noteworthy upgrade this year with a larger display, thinner design, and longer battery life. The company also announced a color e-reader and updated Kindle Scribe. But it’s been a big year in e-readers for other companies, too. Kobo’s Libra Colour was the first color e-ink reader from a major manufacturer, and the super-pocketable Boox Palma has almost become a meme for its popularity among those longing for an off-the-grid lifestyle (myself included).
Tablets also make great e-readers (though they’re harsher on your eyes), and have additional functionality that make them just as good for working as they are for consuming. This year, Apple released an updated version of nearly every iPad in its lineup, with the new Pro receiving the most significant performance bumps.
This pocket-friendly e-reader works just like a Kindle, but it supports Android apps, too, so they can install all their favorite apps on it.
No e-ink device makes a better notebook than the reMarkable. This year’s new model has a color display and a backlight, making it perfect for jotting notes and doodling in the dark.
This year’s iPad Pro is just as good as its predecessors, with a snappier processor and support for an even fancier Apple Pencil that you can squeeze to interact with.
Subscriptions and entertainment
It seems silly when you say it, but subscriptions have been a surprisingly consistent gift over the past couple years. With the abundance of streaming services available now, your loved one will probably appreciate a few months to catch up on the shows they aren’t able to watch on their own services (especially if they finally got kicked off their family’s account).
Google’s newest streaming gadget works well for Netflix, Hulu, and all things media, but it’s also an excellent smart home controller, so they can control everything right from the couch.
Now they’ll have one less reason to not start My Hero Academia.
In addition to enabling online play, this subscription will also give them discounts on games and the occasional freebie.
Nintendo’s online service provides online play, plus the ability to download old school games from consoles like NES, SNES, and original Game Boy.
Other gifts
If they like to get out of the home office for an hour or two, this pop-up desk packs a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse into a folio that fits right in a backpack.
Smart alarm clocks are an excellent way to maintain a morning routine; this one even has a sunrise light to help ease them into their day.
Loftie also makes this gorgeous lamp that syncs with the clock’s alarms for a truly pleasant wakeup experience. Mine hasn’t left my nightstand.
The new under-$200 drone from DJI is easy to fly right out of the box and shoots photos and video.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
