The latest tech accessories, tools, and gadgets always make for an awesome gift—you just have to know what device to give to which loved one, based on his/her interests. It’s always useful to keep an eye on the latest local tech news so you know what gadget everyone is after. There are so many gifts to choose from, so it’s important to find one right up their street! Whether they are a gamer, music junkie, student, or an entrepreneur, indeed you’ll find a special and, of course, functional tech gift that they can’t resist gushing over.
No matter your budget, you’ll definitely find the perfect gift from our list of top picks this 2020!
1. Portable wireless power bank for phones and tablets
Let’s start off with one of the most basic yet essential tech accessories everyone needs, a portable wireless power bank. Watching your phone or tablet run out of juice when you’re in a place without a power outlet in sight is just plain stressful!
Fortunately, having a Mophie Charge Force Powerstation can save you from the unnecessary headache. With a battery capacity of 10,000mAh and a built-in Qi charging system, you can charge different compatible devices multiple times without even needing a cable.
2. Portable charger for laptops
Looking for an external battery that’s even more powerful to charge your devices, including the ones that need an AC outlet? The Mophie Powerstation AC might be the perfect gadget for you.
While it indeed isn’t cheap nor all that sleek, this portable charger packs a massive 22,000mAh battery capacity and can charge not only your phone or tablet but also your laptop. Plus, it comes wrapped in fabric, so you don’t have to worry about pesky scratches.
3. Turntable for vinyl records
During the dawn of the digital age, turntables and vinyl records took a back seat—but true blue music lovers are finding their way back to this beloved gem, and it’s more popular than ever! If you’re looking to shop for your audiophile friend, you can’t go wrong with the Sony PS-LX310BT.
It’s a crowd favorite for a handful of good reasons! Firstly, it’s a plug-and-play device, which is why it’s usable even for people new to vinyl. Secondly, while it’s a great beginner turntable, it’s definitely a step up from most entry-level record players. It also has Bluetooth functionality that allows you to pair it with any Bluetooth speakers or headphones.
This stylish, beginner turntable offers high-quality sound quality, as well, at an affordable price.
4. Instant camera
Another piece of tech that seemed to have died when new ones came rushing in during this digital era, instant cameras have made a successful comeback. There are a lot of instant cameras options for retro nostalgists, but out of them, Polaroid Now is one to beat.
It takes the Onestep Two up a notch by upgrading it with autofocus abilities and refining its viewfinder while retaining its iconic retro look. Designed for quick, sharp snaps, Polaroid Now is the go-to instant photography tool that mixes the old with the new.
5. Wireless Mini Photo Printer
With all the available options, it can be confusing to settle on an instant camera. If you want to replicate the functionality with your everyday smartphone, you can just go for a wireless mini photo printer. Fujifilm is a brand known worldwide for instant photos—aside from good instant cameras, they also offer portable printers like the Instax Mini Link.
This pocket-sized mini printer from Fujifilm is designed to be carried around and print out Instax prints from your mobile phone on demand. One of the best things about portable printers is the fact that you no longer have to worry about wasting film on bad photos. With the Instax Mini Link, you can now choose specific images that you want to print!
6. Smart dog or cat collar
Need a gift for a techie furparent? Help them keep their cats and dogs safe, happy, and healthy with smart collars. Integrated with a GPS-enabled tracker and fitness tracking features, the smart collar designed by Fi can be used by concerned furparents to keep their eyes on their pets.
Aside from that, it also sends out alerts, which can be useful when there are multiple pets in their household. According to reviews, it can also record health information, which can come in handy for vets.
7. Key finder
You probably have that one friend who keeps misplacing, or worse, loses their keys. Sometimes, it’s not just keys but even their remote, wallet, and smartphone, among other essential things. One of the best overall key finders available in today’s market is Tile Pro.
This tiny, handy device packs a punch with its 400-feet Bluetooth range, combined with a replaceable battery and load ring functionality, allowing you to locate valuable things like your car or house keys. If you’re looking for something sleeker that will easily slide into any wallet or laptop sleeve, Tile also offers Tile Slim, among other types.
8. Fitness watch tracker
There is a wide range of fitness trackers out there, varying in features and price range—so which one is the perfect gift? If you’re on a tight budget, you can go with the new Xiaomi Mi Band 5 since it’s one of the best budget alternative available in the market.
This fitness tracker packs a lot of features in a 1.1-inch AMOLED display, including heart rate tracking, sleep tracking, notification support, and sleep tracking.
But if you’re looking to splurge, you can’t go wrong with the Apple Watch. Apple recently released the Apple Watch Series 6, and it’s reviewed to be one of the best apple watches for iPhone users.
If the Apple Watch is way over your budget, you can also check out the best all-around tracker, the Fitbit Charge 4—an affordable, durable, and comfortable fitness watch with a built-in GPS tracker. Plus, it’s known for being one of the best sleep trackers!
9. Wireless, noise-canceling headphones
Everyone needs wireless, noise-canceling headphones, especially these days when we’re all confined and working from home. The recently released Sony WH-1000XM4 delivers excellent sound quality with an outstanding noise-cancelling feature.
Aside from its lightweight, sleek, and durable design, the Sony WH-1000XM4 has a multipoint Bluetooth feature and superb battery life that can run for 30 hours—making this model ultimately better than its predecessor, the Sony WH-1000XM3. In today’s COVID-struck world, it’s definitely an essential gadget worth the splurge!
10. Wireless, noise-canceling earphones
Want the same noise-canceling feature without the bulk? If you’re looking for something a little more discrete for an audiophile friend, you can go for some wireless noise-canceling earphones instead. With their winning design and unrivalled ear fit, you can’t go wrong with a pair of AirPods Pro.
There’s more to AirPods sleek design, as they are good wireless, noise-cancelling earbuds with an improved bass performance. On top of the killer sound quality, the AirPods Pro’s noise-canceling processor is powerful enough to quiet almost everything!
11. Bluetooth Speaker
There are a lot of portable speakers available today, but it’s hard to find one that features crisp sound quality, good bass, durable, and, of course, waterproof. Exceptional speakers for the ultimate beach bum must have a rugged protective coating to stop rain and saltwater from ruining the party.
The JBL Flip 5 is a simple yet powerful, must-have Bluetooth waterproof speaker. It provides the necessary features needed—great sound quality combined with a stunning rugged look designed perfectly for when you go sunbathing. Plus, it’s an awesome gift if you’re on a budget!
12. Two-in-one Phone Sanitizer and Charger
In the era of social distancing with COVID-19 still wreaking havoc worldwide, a two-in-one phone sanitizer and charger may just be an essential tech gadget. The PhoneSoap 3 is one of the best phone sanitizers in the market with an additional perk, as it also doubles as a charger while it cleans.
This plug-and-play device kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria on the surface of your phone through its medical-grade ultraviolet light. Additionally, the PhoneSoap 3 comes in three different colors and is compatible with most mobile phones, so you don’t have to worry about not finding the right cable for your device.
13. Drone
You have to admit, drones are just plain cool! It’s the type of gift that is impossible to ignore—anyone gifted with this item will definitely be elated in an instant. If you’re looking for something more compact, though, the DJI Mavic Mini is something worth checking out.
Made with premium, durable materials, the DJI Mavic Mini is often seen to be in a league of its own, as it delivers excellent quality video capture, combined with a lightweight frame and overall good flying experience.
14. Handheld tablet for reading
Compared to cool drones, noise-canceling wireless headphones, instant cameras, and smart fitness trackers, gifting a handheld tablet dedicated for reading ebooks might sound bland, but this isn’t the case for your bookworm friends and relatives.
The Kindle Paperwhite has proven its worth time and again—with the new version, you can squeeze in hundreds of books in a thin, compact, and lightweight device. Aside from saving a lot of bookshelf space, it also ups the experience with its waterproof shell, glare-free screen, and adjustable brightness feature.
You don’t have to worry about accidentally ruining paperback books during mishaps when reading by the pool or beach. With the battery life being able to last for weeks on end, the Kindle Paperwhite’s versatility and functionality are indeed unbeatable! Not to mention that, in the COVID world, it’s a must-have gadget for book lovers stuck in isolation.
15. Handheld video game console
It’s time to take a walk on the geeky side of things now. There are various options for handheld video game consoles today, but perhaps one of the bests in the market is the Nintendo Switch. It has gained a lot of praise from a wide array of people—from beginners to seasoned gamers, particularly during this quarantine period—as this unique hybrid video game unit serves as both a home and handheld console.
This unique console packs a lot of features into an all-in-one, compact device. It offers motion controls just like the Wii, while also having two built-in controllers suitable for both single and multiplayer games just like the PlayStation, but with an added portability feature for on-the-go gamers.
Apart from its unique hybrid design, its screen also offers crisp graphics, making it a hit to gamers and non-gamers alike since its launch three years ago.
16. Tablet and laptop
Apple is known for a lot of things, but its newest tablet is just simply a crowd favorite! The newly released Apple iPad Pro is perhaps the most powerful tablet out there since it’s not only stunning but also rich in features. Although, if money isn’t an issue, you can’t go wrong with investing in the upcoming 2020 MacBook Pro, as well.
As Apple is known to upgrade regularly its lineup of tablets and laptops, the upcoming MacBook Pro is definitely one to watch. Apart from design refinements and fine-tuning, it’s rumored to feature improved display and connectivity, as well as better processors.
The upcoming 2020 MacBook Pro is definitely a great gift, but if you’re looking for a more affordable alternative, then it’s the perfect time for refurbished Macbooks. While some may argue that it’s way cheaper to buy a second-hand laptop than a refurbished MacBook, there are a lot of known drawbacks.
Used, non-refurbished laptops are not covered by warranties, and they may be running on rusty old parts. Unlike second-hand Macbooks, refurbished ones have brand new replacement parts and often come with warranties.
While refurbished MacBooks can offer you savings of up to 30% for newer models, make sure to buy from trusted sellers only to ensure that it’s spruced up with new parts to get more bang for your buck. Give the gift of refurbished Macbook, and your loved ones who may be working or studying at home will thank you for it!
Spread the Love!
Despite being an ideal gift, gadgets aren’t the only things you can present to your friends and families this Holiday season, especially if you’ve been deeply affected by the ongoing pandemic. Always remember than more than the price of your gifts, it’s the thought that counts!
Chris is a long-time gadgets enthusiasts, writer, and tech consultant for Macs4u. He is an avid collector of “vintage” gizmos and loves to watch 80s sci-fi movies in his leisure time.