One of the best ways to select a tech gift for someone is through the scope of lifestyle. Straight up, it’s kind of hard to pinpoint a person’s interests, especially in the tech segment, but if you view it through the lifestyle lens, it becomes much easier.
That’s one of the hacks I use to purchase tech related presents because it’s really hard to find an option that will interest many.
With the holidays now just a few short weeks away, we are in crunch time. That is unless you are one of those people who enjoys shopping on Christmas Eve. That’s not me, I like to get my shopping done with plenty of time to spare. If you’ve been having a hard time finding a gift for someone, here are 25 tech lifestyle gifts worth checking out.
iPhone XS
Unless you are a monk who enjoys living a reclusive life, a smartphone is really important to you. The best smartphone you can gift this holiday season is the iPhone XS. It’s Apple’s best smartphone with a premium design, beautiful display and a camera that takes class-leading photos. $999 [Apple]
Pixel 3
In case you are more of an Android fan, the Pixel 3 is the best way to go. Google hit it out of the ball park with the Pixel 3. It checks every box you want from a smartphone, including boasting arguably the best smartphone camera with the terrific Top Shot and Night Sight modes. $799 [Google]
MacBook Air
Apple finally updated its fantastic MacBook Air computer line and brought it to life with cutting-edge specs. Now it has a Retina Display and a fingerprint scanner, making it a powerful computer for just about everybody. $1199
Surface Laptop 2
Changing gears, if you want to go with a premium Windows laptop, you can’t go wrong with Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 2. Sleek and premium, it has some unique characteristics like the alcantara fabric lining inside that makes it feel uber luxurious. $799
Apple Watch Series 4
Apple took a huge stride with the Apple Watch Series 4 this year, updating the line with its most striking changes since it was introduced four years ago. The display is now much bigger, covering nearly the entire panel, and is much more powerful with the updated dual-core 64-bit S4 processor. $399
AirPods
One of the most popular products Apple has released over the last few years is the AirPods. They seamlessly connect to any Apple device thanks to the custom W1 chip and even better, they usher in a truly wireless future. $159 [Apple]
iPad Pro
Apple again dropped the mic with the introduction of the 2018 iPad Pro. It features a redesigned Liquid Retina display that radically reduces bezels while offering powerful performance with the A12X Bionic chip that rivals computers. And if you pair it with the Smart Keyboard or Apple Pencil, you open the door to even more functionality. $759
Ember Mug
Who says tech is all about phones and computers? You can tech-up your morning routine by ensuring your coffee never turns cold with the Ember Mug. The custom ceramic mug keeps your coffee at a constant 130-degree temperature ensuring your coffee as is warm in your mug as it was getting made. $79
Google Home Hub
Last year, smart home assistants were all about speakers, but in 2018, they come with displays. Leading the charge is the Google Home Hub, as it offers the best of Google Assistant but throws in a 7-inch display to better deliver important information such as the weather and traffic reports. $149 [Google]
Echo Spot
Amazon doesn’t stay behind with its visual smart home assistants. The Echo Spot is its miniature smart speaker that comes with a 2.5-inch display that gives you the information that matters in the most concise way possible. $129
Nintendo Switch
It used to be that you had to leave expansive games at home tied to your console and TV, but that all changed with the Nintendo Switch. The portable gaming system offers fantastic gaming on-the-go with terrific titles like Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey without losing anything that makes the games so special. $299
Pixel Stand
In 2018, you don’t plug in your phone to charge any more, you do it wirelessly. With that in mind, the Pixel Stand is one of the most stylish wireless chargers available. It’s angled in a perfect position that still delivers notification information and as a bonus, it adds extra functionality to the Pixel 3. $79 [Google]
Google Wifi
Home Wi-Fi can get needlessly complicated. Google Wifi solves all those issues by offering a mesh router system that covers every inch of your home. You connect up to three separate routers and spread them around a household delivering a strong and reliable signal. But the best part is that the Google Wifi makes the set up process a super easy experience. $249 [Google]
DJI Osmo Pocket
Once upon a time, the action camera of choice was the GoPro, but now it’s the DJI Osmo Pocket. The camera is capable of taking 4K video at 60fps while delivering next-level mechanical stabilization due to the 3-axis stabilizer that takes ultra smooth video. $349 [DJI]
Apple TV 4K
There are many worthy set top boxes out there, but none offer the functionality of the Apple TV. It has the best streaming apps such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime while delivering the best streaming features with 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10 and Dolby Atmos. $179
Nest Thermostat
The Nest Thermostat was the original way to make your home a little smarter. It’s a very convenient way to control the air conditioner of your home with a sleek design and a visually informative display. Eventually it added support for Google Assistant and Alexa that now make it must-have smart home accessory. $202
Wemo Smart Plug
The Wemo Smart Plug is the easiest way to begin turning your home into a smart home. It is compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, which means you can control anything that is plugged in through a Google Home or Echo device with just a short command. $30
Philips Hue Bundle
While on the topic of smart homes, the feature most associated with the term is automatic lights and no one does that better than Philips Hue. The Philips Hue bundle gives you the two bulbs and a bridge that is compatible with Google Home, Alexa and HomeKit making turning off your lights a futuristic experience. $90
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is the best way to get into drones. It’s outfitted with a Hasselblad Camera that has a one-inch CMOS sensor with adjustable aperture. It can take scenic hyperlapse content and can track subjects with ActiveTrack 2.0. $1,439
Sony RX100VI
Sony’s RX100 series has long been the point-and-shoot camera of choice for everyone from YouTubers to video editors. It features the best camera technology Sony has to offer including Optical SteadyShot, and with the sixth generation, it added a Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T24-200mm lens that takes its telephoto functionality to new heights. $1,199
UE MegaBoom 3
UE has been making wonderful portable speakers for years now, and its latest product, the MegaBoom 3, continues that. However, that’s an oversimplification of how great the speaker is. The design has been slightly tweaked and it looks amazing as the internal tweeter sound design has reached a new level of quality. It’s also waterproof and can charge wirelessly with a new dock. $180
OnePlus Travel Backpack
A good rule of thumb for a travel backpack is for it to be stylish and roomy. The OnePlus Travel Backpack delivers on that with a sleek design that has 12 pockets and fits a 15-inch laptop while adding layer of comfort with memory foam back pads. $69 [OnePlus]
Nomad Universal Cable
Though Apple and many more have pushed for an all USB-C future, that future is still not here. To get through the annoying transition phase, check out the Nomad Universal Cable offers Lightning, MicroUSB and USB-C in one cable. $35
Mophie Charge Force Powerstation
Portable batteries have been around for a while now and they are very well known. They provide some extra juice when you’re on the go. Mophie’s Charge Force Powerstation is just that with a twist: It charges your phone wirelessly. Yes, we live in the future. $76
Tile Pro
One of my greatest fears with having expensive tech is getting it stolen. Services like Find My iPhone do provide a layer of security, but something like the Tile Pro notches things up with unique tracker that will let you know where your most precious tech is located at all times. $35
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