Tech Gift Ideas That Should Be on Your Holiday Shopping List

TVs, laptops, headphones, and smartphones are among the most-wanted tech gifts this year, according to a recent survey. And if you have a tech lover on your holiday shopping list, you’re in luck. We’ve done some of the legwork for you, rounding up our favorite tech gift ideas to make your shopping adventure a bit easier.

So before you hit the stores or the websites this holiday, take a look at the eight great tech gifts below for a little inspiration.

Laptop

Whether you’re looking for a laptop for work or an entertainment device for the house, Microsoft’s new Surface Pro 6 gives you both options without compromising on power. Running the latest 8th Gen. Intel processor, it’s fast and responsive when working with Office 365 or creativity programs. You can effortlessly draw on the screen using the Surface pen, or use the kickstand to convert the device from laptop to tablet mode when you want to relax and stream a movie. Road warriors will appreciate the 13-hour battery life and password-free Windows Hello sign-in. Check it out here.

Smartphone

The Samsung Note 9 is hands-down the ultimate phone for power users. But if you’re looking for something with truly great camera features, check out LG’s flagship LG V40. It has five camera options--three on the back and two on the front. The main rear cameras offer wide-angle and telephoto options while the front cameras also offer a main sensor and wide-angle shooter. Impressive options for those who take lots of photos for work or fun. The OLED screen is 6.4 inches with rich, vibrant black colors, has expandable memory, is water resistant and unlike other flagship phones, still has a headphone jack. Check it out here.

Smart Digital Assistants

JBL Link View: Smart digital assistants are great; they can tell you the latest news and weather, control smart home devices, and even show you things. JBL’s Link View has an 8-inch HD touchscreen display and works with Google Assistant. Ask it to play YouTube videos, make a video call, and of course, control and view your compatible devices right on the screen. It’s great for listening to music when you want rich, stereo sound that’s perfect for both the home or office. You won’t have to worry about privacy with the built-in mute button for the microphone and a shutter to cover the camera when you’re not using it. Check it out here.

Echo Show: Shopping for an Alexa fan? The new Echo Show (2nd Gen.) combines thousands of Alexa skills with a 10-inch HD screen, making this the perfect device for watching movies and shows from Prime Video, streaming audiobooks and music, and more. The Echo Show is great in the kitchen, providing step-by-step recipe videos, timers, alarms, and the ability to create a shopping or to-do list with just your voice. Someone at the door? You can view the video from your connected smart doorbell right on the Echo’s screen. Check it out here.  

Wireless Headset

Wireless headsets make long conference calls more bearable but it’s a pain to switch back and forth between your phone and your PC headset. The Plantronics Voyager 6200 UC is a Bluetooth-enabled, neckband-style headset that transitions from your cell phone to your computer so you can move between tasks or locations easily. It has four omnidirectional microphones and enhanced noise cancelation to minimize background noise when you’re on a call. When you’re done, simply remove the earbuds or connect to the computer for some music while you work. It can connect to two devices at the same time, and for those who don’t like wearing earbuds all day, the neckband vibrates to let you know when there’s an incoming call. Check it out here.

Wireless Charging

If you have a smartphone that supports wireless charging (iPhone 8 or later and newer Android devices) the Ventev Wireless Chargestand is a handy device to have. Place your phone on this sleek-looking charging stand in portrait or landscape mode (case and all!) or lay it flat on the detachable charging pad. Our favorite feature is the Fast Wireless Charging that delivers 15W of power, if your phone supports it, so you’re charged up and ready to go 3x faster than standard Qi charging. Check it out here.

Cables

When traveling for business, packing cables for your phone, laptop, portable battery, etc can be a pain! But the days of multiple cables has come to an end. The Nomad Universal Cable is the only cable you need to take with you. It has integrated tips for micro USB, Lighting for iOS and USB C (for some of the newer smartphones). It’s made of ultra-rugged nylon and comes in two different lengths. Check it out here.

Blue Light Glasses

The blue light that comes from your digital devices is bad for your vision. In addition to eye strain, it can lead to dry eyes, headaches, blurry vision, and other issues down the road. GUNNAR Optiks makes glasses with special technology that blocks the blue light. These glasses make a great gift for friends or family who spend their days on the computer. GUNNAR now also offers Blue Light Reading Glasses in magnifying powers ranging from +1.0 to +3.0. Check them out here.

Backpack for work and play

For those who tend to carry around a ton of stuff like tech gadgets, chargers, gym clothes, spare shoes--you name it--Lifeproof’s GOA backpack will become an instant fav. It’s loaded with inside compartments to organize all that stuff, including a side stash pocket for easy access to your phone, and sealed, weather-resistant, cushioned-tech pockets to protect your devices. It holds laptops up to 15 inches and has an outside water bottle pocket. Check it out here.