We get it: shopping for the tech lover in your life can seem impossible at times. That’s why we’re here to make things easier for you. Our team tests hundreds of products a year from tried-and-true picks to new launches.
To help make shopping easier for you, we’ve rounded up everything from earbuds and smart alarm clocks to kids toys, so there’s truly something for everyone at every budget. Read on to find Shop TODAY Gifts We Love award winners, editor-loved products and even products seen on the show.
Best tech gifts under $25
Whether they spend their days beachside or love a water-based adventure on vacation, they’ll appreciate this waterproof pouch that’ll keep their tech safe. Even if they lose their hold on it, no need to worry about it sinking to the floor because the case floats, too!
This Shop TODAY Travel Gear Award winner helps to keep track of and find items by connecting to the Find My app. Each tag can be set up with one tap and connect to an iPhone or iPad. A built-in speaker allows them to find their items, or they can ask Siri for help.
While this might not seem gifty, they will be endlessly grateful for these smart plugs. One former Shop TODAY editorial assistant uses them with her living room lamps, so she could tell Alexa to turn them on the second she walked in the door. You can also schedule the lights to come on at any time you want.
Best tech gifts under $50
Charge three of your tech products simultaneously with this portable charger. When you’re done, simply fold it up and throw it in your bag until next time. It’s important to note that while the magnetic sides will work with most devices, the brand recommends using it with Apple products.
This smart notebook allows users to reuse the pages, thanks to its ability to digitize and save handwritten notes. Whether they’re writing notes for class or planning a trip, users can scan the notes using the Rocketbook app to then access them via their smartphone.
Then, clean-up is a breeze thanks to the included cleaning cloth, making the pages good as new!
This compact cleaning machine utilizes the power of ultrasonic waves to clean jewelry, makeup brushes and more. It has two different cleaning modes: one for routine, everyday cleans and a mode for the “really grimy stuff,” per tech expert Jenn Jolly.
“I love it because it uses no harsh chemicals, requires zero scrubbing, and you’ll be both horrified and amazed at how dirty your things actually were,” says Jolly.
Jolly also recommends this unique mug for dads. As their sipping their morning cup, they can scan the QR code and find a new ‘dad joke’ every day.
This little gadget had everyone on our team so intrigued. This little camera can not only take photos but video too. You can choose from different frames and attach it directly to your keychain or bag.
The early 2000s called — ZhuZhu pets are back! Nostalgia is in this holiday season, with toys from past decades having a resurgence. This hands-on toy requires children to build tunnels for their electronic hamsters to zoom through.
“In a season filled with AI-everything, ZhuZhu pets stand out as a reminder that sometimes the best tech runs on imagination and a few AA batteries,” says Jolly.
Hold onto memories differently this year with this unique book. When opened, the book plays back 10 to 60 minutes worth of videos or photos you upload.
If someone you love has been thinking about taking the plunge and getting the Amazon Echo, now’s the time to treat them. You can do it all from this baby: play music, make calls, set music alarms and control all of your smart home devices.
Feeling limited by your Bluetooth speaker? Try this Anything Speaker that is able to project audio off of any surface like glass, wood, walls and more. It might be tiny, but the device is mighty enough to emit some serious soundwaves wherever you go.
Best tech gifts under $100
You won’t have to wear uncomfortable wired headphones provided on your flight. This award-winning, bestselling wireless transmitter has got you covered. Its long battery life (up to 25 hours, according to the brand!) will keep you plenty entertained, especially when you’re taking an international trip.
One former Shop TODAY writer got this toothbrush as a gift one year and she never looked back. Her pearly whites always felt clean, and the self-timer helped her actually brush for two full minutes. Also, the charge lasts long enough to take it on a weekend trip with no problem.
For the moms who have their hands full — literally — this hands-free rocker can help their baby fall asleep and stay asleep. You can choose the rocking speed and one charge lasts up to eight hours, according to the brand.
Whether they spend all day typing on the computer or their line of work requires a lot of manual labor, a unique device like this will be a welcomed gift. It features five different massage modes and intensity levels, as well as two vibration options, per the brand.
If they have been talking about wanting to start a new hobby, grab them this engraving pen. They are able to engrave items like ceramics, wood, glass and more. The kit comes with an engraving guide and practice canvases for them to test out their skills.
In today’s day and age, children are exposed to technology at a very early age. Control the narrative and introduce tech that allows for a screen-free story time.
With different characters to pick and choose from, like Cookie Monster, Mickey Mouse, The Velveteen Rabbit and more, this storytelling device is loved by parents and Shop TODAY editors alike.
This is a go-to gift for anyone you know who suffers from body pain, which Jolly says will “save their sanity.” Each massage “session” lasts up to 20 minutes and targets your neck, back, shoulders, arms, legs and even feet.
Get the same look and feel of a disposable camera but with the benefit of 500 photos in one charge. Many team members on Shop TODAY love this camera because it has an impressive charge and the photos turn out great. I (Shigo) have this camera and take it with me everywhere to capture fun moments.
This Yoto mini is great for families who travel a lot. Despite it’s small size, it is able to play stories, music and more while also having pixel display to go with the sounds.
We bet the gamer in your life has never received something like this before! They can use coding programs to create their own 8-bit games or install classics like mushrooms, turtles and more.
“Once you get it, you can plug it into your computer to access the free web-based, beginner-friendly visual editor, then follow prompts to build your own games or download games from a library,” explains Jolly.
This digital camera is another one that’s love by many of our team members. This camera mimics the look and feel of the early 2000s digi cams. Special projects associate Jordan Murray says, “You can add on an adorable pouch and stickers which allow the receiver to customize and make the camera their own. It’s a great starter camera for someone into photography.”
This smart printer turns any of your favorite digital photos into polaroids that you can share with friends and family or hang for decoration. You can even add backgrounds and/or decor via the paired app.
I (Shigo) own several Nothing products and I recently just got these earbuds. The audio is amazing and when I have them on, I can not hear anything around me. I also get so many compliments on the color of them.
Best splurge tech gifts
This electric tricycle was designed with young riders in mind: It is entirely electric — no peddling required! The bike stays within a speed range of 3 to 6 mph, which can be controlled through the parental control system, to give parents peace of mind, too. And for their fun, the front wheels are decked with colorful LED lights that are lit with every motion.
This kid-friendly version of the viral Skylight calendar is great to get kids used to routines. Standard features includes chores and routines that sync to the main family Skylight, an alarm clock, a nightlight, a sound machine and more.
One thing that’s for sure: kids love stickers. Now they can make their own this this machine that uses AI voice controls to create custom stickers of pretty much anything they can think of. All they have to do is say what they want!
Want to wake up and go to bed a little easier? This alarm clock from Loftie is phone-free meaning you can control it all from the device itself. It has unique features like nightlights, sound machines, light settings and more to help you sleep.
Rated as one of Shop TODAY’s Gifts We Love for someone who’s gotten into bird watching recently, this feeder allows them to get an up close and personal view.
An attached camera provides them the chance to view, name and identify birds from their phone, thanks to the notification they get when a new friend has landed.
One writer who tested several earbuds for our Ranked series said these provide “rich, balanced sound with plenty of detail across every genre I listened to. The improved active noise cancellation impressed me immediately. The moment I put them in, the world seemed to disappear. At the gym, the treadmill noise faded away, and while walking outside, traffic and engine noise became far less distracting.”
Anyone who with a gamer in their life knows how important their setup is. This keyboard was made with notes and tips from real gamers. It includes features like speed, stabilizers, volume control and more to keep anyone quick and agile while gaming.
Oura Rings have been staples in many of our editor’s routines. Shop TODAY writer Emma Stessman tried their newest launch, the Oura Ring 5 that features a smaller sized ring and like the 40% smaller size, extended battery life and improved health features.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best gifts for the tech lover in your life. We also use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for everyone on your list including tweens, teens, music lovers, movie lovers and more.
