Tech gifts are always a favorite to give for the holidays. They can range from purely fun to just plain useful. The costs can vary greatly, so you’ll likely find something to satisfy the techie on your gift list, no matter your budget. Here’s a list of 10 great tech gift ideas, from the cheapest to the most expensive (as currently listed on Amazon):
Dash – $4.99
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Amazon has created neat little buttons called “Dash.” The concept behind them is very simple. When you run out of a particular product, such as laundry detergent or coffee, you can just push the button and Amazon will automatically order it for you. You can hang it where you use the product and when you get low, just press a button. It is that easy! As an added bonus, most Dash buttons come with a $4.99 discount on your first order. A nice little stocking stuffer that is very practical.
APC M3 Mobile Power Pack – $14.99
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This mobile power pack can supply extra charging power to devices that use USB for power. Most common usage: smartphones. These devices come in handy in many situations. For example, ever fight over a power outlet at an airport? This helps you avoid that situation. Or what if you like camping? It is a great way to make sure your phone is charged in case of an emergency. APC makes many quality battery-related devices, so you can rest assured its high rating will translate to a happy and useful gift.
Roku Streaming Stick – $39.99
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Roku is by far the most established streaming hardware provider in the market. I personally have owned multiple Roku products and have loved them all. A Roku plugs into a TV’s HDMI port and allows you to stream various content from the Internet, such as Netflix, Hulu, HBOGo, etc. The Roku 3500R Streaming Stick is the entry-level Roku and is great for someone just starting to stream. More advanced versions of Roku can run upwards of $129.99 and include features such as 4K video support and voice search.
UDI Quadcopter with Camera – $54.99
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Quadcopters (also known commonly as drones) are becoming more and more popular. This model by UDI comes with a camera so you can take video from above. It’s a cool and fun tech gadget that doesn’t come at a steep price. Of course, you can spend close to $1000 on a more “professional” quadcopter that can carry heavier equipment, such as high-quality cameras. But for just learning and playing, this UDI quadcopter is a fun way to start a drone hobby.
Amazon Prime Membership – $99.00
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Here is another very practical gift for the holidays: an Amazon Prime membership. A Prime membership not only gives you free 2-day shipping on thousands of products on Amazon, but it also gives you access to Amazon’s streaming service, which includes hundreds of TV shows and movies. This is a gift that helps save money and provides a year’s worth of entertainment.
Fitbit Charge – $119.89
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Fitbit has been making wearable watches for several years now and they have become very popular. While they look like simple watches, they are anything but. Fitbits are designed to help you track your activity — how many steps you take, distance traveled, calories burned, floors climbed, and the general amount of time you spend on activity. The Fitbit Charge model is a popular choice as it gives you lots of options and works well for both serious athletes and the more casual user who just wants to stay healthy.
Nest Learning Thermostat, 3rd Generation – $248.75
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The 3rd Generation Nest Learning Thermostat is a great gift that will help to keep your family and friends warm this winter. Nest has many built in features that will learn from your activities (including a motion sensor to detect when you are home or not) in order to optimize energy usage in your home. Nest connects to your WiFi to bring in data about the local forecast and to allow you to remotely control the temperature in your house from your smart phone. To learn more about Nest you can check out this article on PJ Media.
XYZprinting Da Vinci 1.0 3D Printer – $399.00
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3D printers are coming down in price. The XYZprinting Da Vinci 1.0 has won many awards including the CES Editors’ Choice for Most Affordable 3D Printer. Unlike other lowe-cost 3D printers, the Da Vinci has a rather large build area and is capable of constructing objects that are 7.8” x 7.8” x 7.8”. While not a “professional” 3D printer, hobbyists report that the Da Vinci is easy to use and has few problems. It also builds in an encasement making it much safer than open-air 3D builders. Even Santa’s hard-working elves have to be a little jealous of this 3D printer.
iPad Air 2 – $455.00+
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Designed to be one of the thinnest tablets on the market, the iPad Air 2 is sleek, yet powerful. This tablet has been extremely highly rated, with customers reporting excellent speed and an impressive screen display. You can buy the iPad Air 2 in different configurations with different memory capabilities and hard disk sizes, which of course will add to the price.
Surface Book – $1499.00+
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Part laptop, part tablet, the Microsoft Surface Book is an impressively powerful portable machine. Following Microsoft’s success with its Surface tablet, the Surface Book is the first true laptop Microsoft has built. Unlike a lot of Microsoft releases, the reviews have been mostly positive for the Surface Book. Like the iPad Air 2, you can get different packages, such as more powerful processors or graphics cards.
This holiday season you may want to try a tech gift. They are often fun and practical, and you’ll find a wide variety of options to fit any budget — from a few dollars to a few thousand dollars. Hopefully this list will give Santa a few ideas.
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