Our Picks for Christmas tech gifts
1A colour e-reader with page-turn buttons and stylus support, named by CNN Underscored as a gift for serious readers (for book-gift-ideas, section 1: book light,
$259.99Rakuten Kobo
3Backbone Pro Wireless Mobile Gaming Controller | Backbone
A CNN Underscored brother pick; a pro-grade phone controller for gaming on the go.
$169.99Backbone
5NEW Camp Snap 2 (Screen-Free Digital Camera)
CNN Underscored recommends Camp Snap in both its boyfriend and girlfriend guides as a screen-free, disposable-camera-style option that saves photos to an includ
$69.99Camp Snap
7XGIMI Horizon S Max 4K IMAX Enhanced Projector
The first IMAX Enhanced 4K projector you can carry room to room; The Shortcut praised its huge brightness boost and IMAX picture quality. A big home cinema gift.
$1,429XGIMI
2Puffy Laptop Sleeve 16" Strawberry - Baggu
CNN Underscored's pick for students; a padded, playful laptop sleeve that protects her laptop on the way to class.
$34.00Baggu
4CNN Underscored's wife gift guide picks this stand for turning into a sturdy tripod with no assembly, handy for recipe videos, makeup tutorials or filming.
$39.99MOFT
6The plant pet that tells you when it's thirsty.
$98.99Plantsio
HintDrop perk: 8% off
Fix the small daily annoyances
Ask yourself what a tech lover grumbles about without noticing. It is usually power and cables. A compact fast charger, a magnetic charging stand for the bedside or a tidy cable organiser costs very little and gets used every single day.
These gifts work because nobody buys them for themselves. They are the sort of upgrade that makes someone say they cannot believe they lived without it.
Make their desk a nicer place to be
Anyone who spends hours at a screen appreciates a better setup. Think a laptop stand, a decent desk lamp, a mousepad large enough for the keyboard or a monitor light bar that cuts glare in the evening.
Check what they already have before buying. A person who built their own desk will care about the details, so choose neutral colors and avoid anything that needs to match a specific setup.
Better sound without a big spend
Audio is the easiest place to improve something they use all the time. A small Bluetooth speaker for the kitchen, a pair of comfortable earbuds for the commute or a travel case for headphones they already own all land well.
If they are particular about sound, go for accessories rather than the main kit. A good pair of replacement ear pads or a stand to hang headphones from the desk shows you noticed without risking the wrong model.
Smart home starters
A smart plug, a color changing bulb or a voice controlled light strip lets them start automating the home without a large commitment. Pick something that works with the ecosystem they already use, usually the one on their phone.
If you are not sure which system they use, a plain smart plug is a safe bet. It turns any ordinary lamp or fan into something they can schedule or control from the sofa.
Things that travel with them
A tech organiser pouch, a slim power bank or a portable tracker for keys and bags suits anyone who is on the move. These are small enough to wrap neatly and useful enough to be remembered.
For frequent flyers, add a universal travel adapter. It is the sort of item people always forget to pack, which is exactly why it makes a thoughtful present.
Gadgets that are just for fun
Not every tech gift has to be practical. A retro style handheld, a mini projector for movie nights, a desktop gadget or a puzzle with a clever mechanism can be the present they open first and keep on display.
Keep an eye on the age and taste of the person. A playful gift suits someone who likes to tinker, while a minimalist will prefer something quiet and well made.
Choose a budget and keep it flexible
Tech gifts range from stocking filler sized to genuinely expensive, and the price is not a reliable sign of how much it will be appreciated. A thoughtful accessory often beats a bigger gadget they would have picked differently.
If the budget is higher, ask them to add a few options to a list so you buy something they really want. On HintDrop they can save products from any shop, and you can mark the one you are buying so nobody doubles up.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Christmas gift for someone who loves tech but has everything?
Look at accessories and daily annoyances rather than main devices. Chargers, cable organisers, desk upgrades, speakers and smart plugs are all things they are likely to use but unlikely to have bought themselves.
What tech gifts work as stocking fillers?
Cable organisers, small trackers, phone grips, screen cleaning kits, compact chargers and travel adapters are small enough to fit and useful enough to be appreciated.
How do I avoid buying the wrong device?
Stick to accessories that work with almost any model, or check what they own first. Universal items like power banks, stands and organisers are much safer than anything tied to one brand or version.
Is it better to buy a gadget or an experience for a tech lover?
Either can work. A gadget they will use daily is usually the safer choice, but a workshop, a game night or a trip to an arcade or tech museum can be memorable if they enjoy getting out.
How can I make sure no one else buys the same tech gift?
Share a list and mark what you are buying. With a shared HintDrop list, a claimed item disappears for other buyers while the person it is for never sees what was bought.
Ready to actually find something?
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