From smart tags to gaming controllers, these gadgets are what tech freaks and non-geeks alike will perpetually find useful no matter the season.
In this era of iPhone, PlayStation, and AI-powered earbuds, most people on your Christmas list are likely to be tech enthusiasts. Still, the real ones who truly live and breathe tech can be difficult to shop for, especially when they have strong knowledge of the best brands, operating systems, performance, and features available on the market.
Good thing is, despite the rapid advancement of technology, there are still gadgets that both tech freaks and non-geeks perpetually find useful and consider a must-have no matter the season. After all, tech is all about providing convenience to our everyday lives, right?
Here, we’ve rounded up some of those cool and failproof gadgets to surprise your tech friends with, which they can practically use, enjoy, and even brag about this Christmas and every day after.
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For the forgetful traveler
We all have that friend or family member who always misplaces their essentials, whether it’s their smartphone and car keys, wallet, passport, or even luggage. Surprise them with location trackers that “tag” an item and keep track of it using an app on your phone.
A top choice among Apple users is the tech giant’s own AirTag, which comes with a Precision Finding feature and can be connected to your iPhone or iPad in a jiffy. For Android users, one of the best choices is the Chipolo ONE Point smart tag. Compatible with any smartphone running Android 9+, this smart tracker uses Google’s expansive Find My Device network to track items.
Both the AirTag and Chipolo ONE Point have built-in speakers that play an alarm for found items, water resistance with an IP67 and IPX5 rating, respectively, and user-replaceable CR2032 batteries.
For the serial multitasker
A smartphone is the ultimate essential for professional life, or life per se. That is why running out of power unexpectedly is anyone’s worst nightmare. The Anker Nano MagGo power bank can keep the workflow going, with its 5,000 mAh battery pack that wirelessly snaps to the back of your phone to keep your device running for another day or so. It boasts a fast 15W wireless charging speed and a sleek, card-like 0.3-inch design that slips easily into your pocket. While originally designed for iPhone 12 and later models, the power bank includes a USB-C port for charging non-iPhone devices.
You can also bet on the Baseus PicoGo to bring Holliday cheer to your busy giftee. This 5,000 mAh power bank offers a balance of speed and performance, with its fast and Qi2-certified 15W wireless charging for iPhones and up to 67W wired charging for Android devices. It also has an ultra-slim pocketable design and advanced heat dissipation (graphene tech) for safety.
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For the audiophile
Giving a new audio device to an audiophile is like treating them to a personal escape where there’s just them, their favorite jam, and a complete sense of comfort, control, and emotional release. For iPhone owners, the Apple AirPods 4 is the perfect choice with its advanced features like Active Noise Cancellation for better concentration, Personalized Spatial Audio where the soundscape adapts to your head movements, plus new H2 chip and acoustic technologies for a more immersive listening experience.
For those who prefer superior sound quality over portability, the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is your best bet. This audio device combines lossless audio and best-in-class noise cancellation with a new Cinema Mode, battery life of up to 24 hours, plus a comfortable design with smarter auto-on/off features.
For the hardcore gamer
Sure, gift-giving has never been a competition but wouldn’t it be fun to find your name at the top of your gamer friend’s “favorites list” this year? The Backbone One (2nd Gen) mobile gaming controller is your superweapon, giving mobile gamers the experience of playing on a console wherever they go.
This device easily snaps onto an iPhone or Android phone, transforming it into a potable console complete with physical buttons, joysticks, and triggers for a leveled-up gaming experience. It connects via Lightning or USB-C for low latency and features two magnetic adapters for a snug fit on your phone. With a reshaped D-pad for enhanced responsiveness and a 3.5mm jack for wired audio, the Backbone One (2nd Gen) controller is a gamer’s potent weapon in native mobile games, cloud gaming, and PlayStation Remote Play.
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For the fitness buff
Having a joyful holiday season could mean gaining an extra pound or two, but you can help your health-conscious buddy get back on track with a smartwatch designed to keep them ahead of their fitness goals—without burning a hole in your pocket—like the Garmin Forerunner 165.
Designed both for runners of all levels, this smartwatch offers advanced training guidance and health metrics without the complexity or price of higher-end models. It features a bright, user-friendly AMOLED display; built-in GPS; and advanced health trackers that monitors your heart rate, body battery, stress, and sleep score. It also offers personalized training with Daily Suggested Workouts and Garmin Coach plans via the Garmin Connect app. If you want to give your friend all these plus the pleasure of playing music on the go, upgrade to the watch’s Music version for some on-device tunes.
For the smart home enthusiasts
Got a friend who wants to switch to a smart home? Get them started in their journey to modern convenience with the Amazon Echo Spot smart clock. This device has Google’s virtual assistant, Alexa, built into its system to assist users in controlling smart home devices, timers, news, and calls via hands-free voice commands.
It features a dimmable touchscreen display and a compact 4.5-inch build that makes it ideal for nightstands or small spaces. This recording device comes with an internal speaker sans the camera, so you don’t have to worry that your device is constantly being monitored or hacked. With its customizable faces, timers, and weather trackers, this smart home device will provide your pal the hands-free help they need in their daily routines.
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