Everyone loves getting a bit of technology for the holidays, whether it’s something futuristic for early adopters or a simple but useful gadget for novices.
For the minimalist music lover
Ikea: Symfonisk Table Lamp with WiFi Speaker
This may look like your typical Ikea lamp, but it’s actually a Sonos WiFi speaker. You can stream music from services such as Spotify or Pandora, and two lamps can be used together to create stereo sound.
For the nostalgic gamer
Sega: Genesis Mini
People love nostalgia and cute portable things. This miniature version of the classic gaming system connects to a monitor or TV and has two wired controllers to play old-school games such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Ecco the Dolphin.
For the chatty chef
Google: Nest Hub Max
If your loved one is comfortable with an always-on microphone and face detection, this is the best smart display on the market. It shines in the kitchen, where it can show step-by-step recipes or let a baker make a call with messy hands.
For the fitness buff
Beats: Powerbeats Pro
There is no shortage of wireless in-ear headphones, but anyone who likes to jump or dance or head-bang will need something that holds on for dear life. These headphones combine decent audio quality with a smart over-the-ear design.
For the binge-watcher
Disney: Disney Plus Streaming Service
There’s a wave of streaming services launching this year, but Disney Plus is the best subscription to give any Star Wars, Marvel or Simpsons fan. It costs less than Netflix and includes features such as unlimited downloading for those extra-long flights.
For the chic charger
Courant: Catch:3
At first glance the Catch:3 is an attractive catchall tray. But it can do something far fancier than hold your change: The Italian leather tray also charges any device that’s compatible with Qi wireless charging.
For the photographer who loves prints
HP: Sprocket Portable Photo Printer
This gadget takes the images on your phone and prints them out. It may seem old-school in the era of Instagram, but there’s something deeply satisfying about holding pictures of family members, pets or perfect sunrises in your hand.
For the audiophile on the go
Bose: Portable Home Speaker
This high-end Bluetooth speaker runs on batteries and can connect to Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant. It’s also water-resistant and lightweight (2.34 pounds), so it is ready to take any pool party to the next level.
For the phone addict
Light: Light Phone II
To curb technology overuse, you could activate screen-time settings or move to the woods. Or you could try this petite device, designed to do the basics and little else. You can make calls or send texts, but you can’t check Instagram or email.
