The Best Tech Gifts of 2024

8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard

This $86 8BitDo Retro is an ultra-aesthetically pleasing mechanical keyboard. It sports a hot-swappable PCB, which means you can easily change its switches without soldering. N-key rollover accepts multiple key presses simultaneously, which should help during gaming. There’s a dedicated volume knob and three connectivity modes (2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and Type-C wired). The Kailh Box White switches are stunning, and all the additional functionality is the cherry on top.

AeroGarden Harvest with Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit

The Aerogarden Harvest is the perfect gift for the green-thumbed cook in your life. It offers enough room for up to six plants at once and has a built-in grow light. The $100 kit comes with seeds for basil, parsley, dill, thyme, Thai basil, and mint—a solid selection that any home chef can get excited about.

Nintendo Alarmo

Any Nintendo fan would explode with joy to receive this $100 alarm clock designed for heavy sleepers. Alarmo has several game themes, including Super Mario and Legend of Zelda. It can play chimes every hour and show cute animations of characters from franchises like Pikmen. Nintendo promises to introduce more franchises to Alarmo over time, so if the giftee’s favorite isn’t there yet, it may arrive in the future.

Odd Ball

The Odd Ball makes a fantastic gift for an aspiring DJ. This $100 silicone ball lets you mix and create your own music through gestures, like tossing it in the air, spinning it around, and more. You can save and share your mixes on social media through the companion app. This fun and creative gadget is great for kids and adults alike.

TinyTV

Not every gift has to offer a ton of utility. Sometimes, it can just be an itty bitty TV that comes with an itty bitty remote. TinyCircuits recently added another minuscule product to its collection: the $60 TinyTV 2, which comes preloaded with videos and lets you load your own videos, movies, or TV shows using the TinyTV Converter tool. TinyTV 2 is housed in a 2-inch plastic case and sports a rechargeable battery and two knobs for channel and volume control.

JBL Clip 5

JBL Clip 5 is one of the best affordable portable speakers you can buy right now. It lasts 12 hours on a full charge and can safely clip onto a wide variety of objects, such as a backpack, belt, or door handle. Auracast support on the Clip 5 means you can pair two together for a louder sound at a holiday house party. At $50, it makes for a great stocking stuffer.

Apple Airtags

AirTags, at $20 a pop, are one of the easiest ways to keep track of your belongings. Their size makes it easy to slip them into luggage or attach to a keychain. With an onboard speaker, you can play a sound to help locate lost items, which is especially handy when your keys fall between couch cushions. It’s hard to go wrong with this gadget—after all, who doesn’t misplace things occasionally?

GoPro Hero

The GoPro Hero is a $200 action cam that’s a great starter device for somebody wanting to capture sporting antics. The tiny 4K camera is easy to use and compatible with dozens of existing mounts. The best part is that your highlights can be automatically sent to your phone for easy posting on social media. 

Lego DC Batman: The Classic TV Series Batmobile

Even those who didn’t grow up with the campy Adam West-era Batman TV series will enjoy this classic LEGO Batmobile. It’s a fun build that takes around six to eight hours. The final result is sleek and stylish—and there’s an adorable Adam West Batman minifig complete with tiny batarangs.

Edifier D32 Tabletop Speaker

At first glance, you’d never guess this sleek $200 speaker supports ALAC, one of the most premium high-fidelity audio codecs. This feature is exclusive to iOS devices, as ALAC is Apple’s proprietary codec, so the Edifier D32 is best suited for someone already immersed in the Apple ecosystem. For high-quality audio, it supports WiFi connectivity via Apple AirPlay, but it also offers a range of other options—Bluetooth, 3.5mm wired, and Type-C—for pairing with non-Apple devices. Its beautiful design and impressive performance make it an excellent gift for anyone who loves music.

SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds

The SteelSeries Arcits Gamebuds are good enough to become your everyday earbuds for listening to tunes on the go, but they’re also the best earbuds for gaming. The low-profile 2.4 GHz dongle is easy to slot into your console or Steam Deck and then put back in the case for when you need to move on. The audio quality is solid, with impressive noise canceling and simple switching between Bluetooth and 2.4 modes. You can’t connect it to multiple Bluetooth devices at once, but for $160, you won’t find many better ways to listen to your games without opting for larger, gaming-focused headsets.

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

Shokz may be an underdog in the industry, but an athlete will tell you how impressive its products are. Its flagship bone conduction headphones, the OpenRun Pro 2, improved in every area its predecessors were critiqued on. For $180, these offer better bass, reduced vibration (a common issue on bone conduction tech), longer battery life (12 hours compared to 10 hours on the Gen 1s), and a switch to Type-C charging. If you’re looking for a gift for an athlete, chances are they’ve already been eying this.

DJI Neo

If you thought drones were a product that only enthusiasts could afford, the DJI Neo makes the case that anybody with a phone and quality earplugs can take to the skies. The $200 DJI Neo is the most basic form of drone you can get, and yet it’s still very usable, even without spending extra for the RC-N3 controller (which may become necessary if you want to fly long distances). It’s very loud, especially indoors, but it’s delightfully zippy and can take off and land in the palm of your hand.

Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station

The problem with multi-charging power bricks is that they often lead to a tangle of wires. With its folding and multiple charging puck design, the $110 Anker MagGo 3-in-1 charging station is a surprisingly convenient and portable alternative for Apple users. Two of the Qi2 15W wireless charging pucks can support a device like a newer iPhone or AirPods Pro 2, while the third is designed for the Apple Watch. It’s a great device for folks who travel and need something to get all their devices to 100% overnight.

Kodak Mini Shot 2 Era Instant Camera

There are lots of instant cameras out there, but the $130 Kodak Mini Shot 2 Era is our absolute favorite. The best feature is the viewfinder, which allows you to preview your photos before deciding which to print, and you can even save your favorite images directly to your phone.

HP Sprocket Photo Printer

If you know someone who loves to plaster their home with photos, the HP Sprocket Photo Printer is the perfect gift. The $80 Sprocket will print any photo from your phone’s camera roll via Bluetooth. The photo paper’s rear is fully adhesive, so you can stick the printed picture anywhere.

Razer Aether Lamp Pro

The $130 Aether Lamp Pro brings a modern lava lamp vibe to your work or gaming desk. It’s easily our favorite of Razer’s current Gamer Room products because it requires the least setup and has an eye-catching design.

Meater Pro Duo

The Meater smart thermometers are best for grill dads who obsess over cooking their burgers right every time. The $200 Duo is a solid middle ground for home cooks, especially when you’re cooking several dishes at once. The Meater Duo connects to your WiFi, and the base acts as a WiFi range extender so you can check temperatures on your phone from anywhere in the house. Also, it lets you set alerts when your food hits that perfect temperature. The Meater will even estimate how long it will take for your food to be ready.

Laifen Wave Electric Toothbrush

The Laifen Wave Electric Toothbrush will turn anyone into an electric toothbrush person. The $70 Wave offers three intensity levels. A 45-minute to one-hour charge fully replenishes toothbrush, after which it lasts 20 to 25 days, assuming you’re brushing twice a day.

Bird Buddy Nature Cam Pro

The $150 Nature Cam Pro is perfect for capturing the action at your home bird feeder. It’s a significant upgrade to the base image quality offered by the original Nature Cam. It can better capture birds in slow motion, meaning it should be much better at tracking fluttering hummingbirds. Bird Buddy offers a variety of bird feeders and baths that easily hold the camera, or you can set up your own DIY bird hangout.

Shark HV301 Rocket

The neat freaks in your life will truly enjoy the sleek and slim Shark HV301 Rocket ultra-light vacuum cleaner. It’s currently a heavily discounted at $130, a great price for a versatile machine that’s effective on carpets and bare floors. At only 7 pounds, it still offers a powerful suction for a satisfying Sunday deep-cleaning experience.

Meta Quest 3S

The biggest issue with VR goggles is how expensive they are, but the $300 Quest 3S is an easy, affordable way into VR gaming. It doesn’t require much set up, and it’s just as powerful as Meta’s Quest 3. It comes with Batman: Arkham Shadow pre-loaded, which means users can quickly hop in and start enjoying themselves in the virtual world.

Ray-Ban Meta Glasses

The Ray-Ban Meta glasses rank high on the list for coolest tech of 2024. They offer a discrete way of snapping the world without making you reach for your phone. But more than just excellent camera capabilities, they sport AI features that help you with everyday tasks. These glasses can answer questions, set reminders, tell you where you parked your car, scan QR codes, and, following a future update, will be able to translate English, French, Italian, and Spanish. A $300 pair of smart glasses is a stand-out gift for the person who loves to capture every moment.

Teenage Engineering EP-1320 Medieval

We don’t know how many nerds are on your list, but if any of them love to drop beats, they’ve probably already heard of the Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II. It’s essentially a sampler and groove box that’s incredibly small yet surprisingly versatile. This year’s sister device is the $300 EP-1320 Medieval. Like the K.O. II, it’s designed for making music tracks, but this device is specifically for those who love their fantasy novels and/or playing Dungeons & Dragons. It takes some tutorials, but soon enough, you’ll be dropping thick dungeon beats with Gregorian chanting accompaniment.

Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System

Ninja’s $160 Portable Crispi Air Fryer is great for anyone short on counter space. It comes with a 4-quart and 6-quart glass container (which also acts as a basket) with storage lids, meaning leftovers are easy to package and store in the fridge. The air fryer is good for crisping up fries and baking or “recrisping” to return your soggy fries to their original consistency.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

If you’re looking for the best flagship earbuds released this year, the $230 Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are it. They’re dramatically smaller compared to their predecessors, so they’re snug and comfortable in your ears. The noise canceling is powerful enough to make you want to turn it off on the street for safety, and the punchy bass is definitely the star of the show. The battery life is well above the industry average for true wireless earbuds.

Kindle Colorsoft

Amazon’s first color e-reader is a gem; the color E Ink screen adds so much to the Kindle experience that wasn’t there before. It boasts solid performance and is much faster than other E Ink e-readers. The $280 Kindle Colorsoft includes everything good about past Kindles, like the Paperwhite’s water resistance. The color display makes this an excellent gift for the comic book reader in your life.

Asus TUF Gaming A14

Starting at $1,400, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is a tiny powerhouse ideal for the busy college student. It’s got the power and portability you want in a 14-inch gaming laptop without all the razzle-dazzle. What we like most about the A14 is that it gives you premium laptop performance at entry-level laptop pricing.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

For anyone who loves a big phone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers a vibrant and dazzlingly bright 8-inch OLED display, excellent AI features for photo and video editing, and a Tensor G4 processor that can efficiently handle your work and play load. The 48 MP main camera and 10.8 MP telephoto rear cameras take excellent pictures that look more natural than those of other phones without that glaring glow from oversaturated shots. The $1,500 Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the top choice for anyone who’s looking for a phone with a stellar camera, efficient AI, and multiple gorgeous screens, allowing a lot of multitasking.

Asus ROG Ally X

The Asus ROG Ally X will be the big gamer gift this year. At $800, you’re getting one of the most powerful and versatile handheld gaming PCs currently available. It’s everything we loved about the original Ally, with twice the battery capacity, more RAM, 1 TB of SSD storage, and a subtle ergonomic redesign that’s much more pleasant to hold. It may not have as nice a display as the OLED Steam Deck, but the lucky giftee can play all their games across Steam, Epic, and beyond, since the device supports Windows 11. You could try to nab that white Steam Deck instead and save $120, but the Ally X is the one to beat in terms of raw power and versatility.

Apple iPad mini

The latest rendition of the $500 iPad mini is very similar to the 2021 version. But now it’s packing an A17 Pro chip capable of running Apple Intelligence whenever it comes to its full realization. More than that, the iPad mini feels like the perfect small-form companion that offers more screen real estate than an iPhone without the pain points of the iPad’s usual lack of Mac-like versatility. It can now work with the Apple Pencil Pro (though not the second or first-gen Apple Pencils). If you’re looking for supplementary gifts, the pencil and the folio turn the mini into a great mobile slate for everyday needs.

Apple iPhone 16

The best part about the iPhone 16 is that it doesn’t feel like a significant compromise over not going with the 16 Pro model. The base iPhone 16 model, at $930, thankfully has the best features of the higher-end models, such as a fusion camera, Apple Intelligence support, an Action Button, and the all-new Camera Control button. It also offers pro-level performance and an excellent battery life, making it a great gift for anyone on your list needing a phone upgrade.

Apple Mac mini

As it currently stands, the $600 Mac mini with M4 is the most affordable way to get into the Mac ecosystem. It’s a lot smaller than past versions, and with the higher-end chip, it’s fully capable of performing well at intensive tasks like rendering and can even do some light gaming. However, if you’re looking for power, the $1,400 Mac mini M4 Pro is one of the best mini-computers you can buy today and rivals some models of the Macbook Pro.

Ooni Koda 2 Max Pizza Oven

Anyone bragging that they can craft an accurate New York slice can put their dough where their mouth is with the $1,000 Ooni Koda 2. It’s a 24-inch propane-powered pizza oven large enough to cook two small pies or one large pie. It can reach a top temperature of 950 degrees Fahrenheit, but it takes just 30 minutes to reach the prime 750 degrees, which is good for cooking your various pies. The most important thing is the bake, and the Oonis are lauded for their design, which offers even browning everywhere you need it and still gets the right heat on the bottom with the included pizza stones.

Panasonic W95A

There were too many mini-LED TVs to count this year, but the season’s surprise hit came from a company that hasn’t sold TVs in the U.S. for nearly a decade. The $1,000 Panasonic W95A has some of the best viewing angles compared to the competition, along with menus that make it relatively easy to bring out the best in the TV. If that doesn’t float your boat, the Z95A fellow mini-LED TV boasts more drivers and has on-board directional audio that sounds so good, you may not even need a soundbar.

PlayStation 5 Pro

If you really want to wow someone this year, get them the most powerful gaming console out now: the $700 PlayStation 5 Pro. With more horsepower than the original PlayStation 5, the Pro will make most existing games look and play better. Just make sure it’s paired with a high-quality TV or 4K monitor to take full advantage of the PS5 Pro’s graphical capabilities.