Gifts for Tech Lovers

Tech lovers buy the big gadgets themselves, usually after weeks of reading reviews, so trying to guess their next phone is a losing game. The better gifts are the well-made accessories and small upgrades they keep meaning to buy: a better charger, a faster drive, a smarter plug. These are models that have sold well for years.

Under $25 5 ideas

  1. Anker Nano USB-C Charger 20W

    A tiny wall charger that fast-charges a phone. Everyone needs one more for the bag, the car or the bedside, and Anker's hold up.

    AnkerStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  2. Anker USB-C to USB-C Cable 240W (6 ft, 2-Pack)

    Braided, long and rated for laptop charging. Replaces the frayed cable they have been nursing for a year.

    AnkerStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  3. VELCRO Brand ONE-WRAP Cable Ties

    Reusable hook-and-loop straps for taming the cables behind a desk or in a travel bag. Unglamorous, and used constantly.

    VELCRO BrandStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  4. Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology

    How semiconductors went from a lab curiosity to the thing nations compete over. An engaging read that explains why the chip in their phone matters so much.

    Chris MillerBook

    See it on Amazon

  5. The Soul of a New Machine

    The Pulitzer-winning account of an engineering team racing to build a computer in 1979. Still the best book about why people work themselves ragged building technology.

    Tracy KidderBook

    See it on Amazon

Under $50 6 ideas

  1. Echo Dot (5th Gen) Smart Speaker with Alexa

    A small smart speaker for a kitchen, bedroom or office. Handles timers, music and smart-home controls, and it is an easy add-on for someone who already has one Echo.

    Amazon

    See it on Amazon

  2. Kasa Smart Plug HS103P4 (4-Pack)

    Wi-Fi plugs that put lamps, fans and holiday lights on a schedule or a voice command. The cheapest useful step into a smart home, and they work with Alexa and Google.

    Kasa (TP-Link)

    See it on Amazon

  3. Roku Streaming Stick 4K

    Turns an older TV, or the one in the guest room, into a quick, simple streaming setup. Roku's menus are the easiest for the rest of the household to use.

    Roku

    See it on Amazon

  4. iFixit Mako Driver Kit - 64 Precision Bits

    A precision screwdriver set with every odd bit used in phones, laptops and game controllers. For the person who would rather open it up than send it in for repair.

    iFixit

    See it on Amazon

  5. Rocketbook Core Reusable Smart Notebook

    Write with a pen, scan the page to the cloud with the app, then wipe it clean with a damp cloth. For the gadget person who still thinks best on paper.

    Rocketbook

    See it on Amazon

  6. Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

    A water-resistant speaker with a very long battery life. Not the loudest speaker made, but the one that is always charged when you want it.

    Anker Soundcore

    See it on Amazon

Under $100 4 ideas

  1. Logitech MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse

    The mouse that people who work at a computer all day swear by. It has quiet clicks, a fast-scrolling metal wheel and easy switching between three computers.

    Logitech

    See it on Amazon

  2. Apple AirTag 4 Pack

    Tags for keys, a backpack, luggage and a car, located through Apple's Find My network. For iPhone owners only; Android users need a different tracker.

    Apple

    See it on Amazon

  3. SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD

    A pocket-sized, rugged USB-C drive that is many times faster than an old external hard drive. Good for backups, photo libraries or moving files between computers.

    SanDisk

    See it on Amazon

  4. Soundcore Life Q30 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

    Noise-cancelling headphones with long battery life for a fraction of the flagship cost. A good pair for the gym bag or a commute, so the expensive ones can stay home.

    Anker Soundcore

    See it on Amazon

$100 and up 4 ideas

  1. Kindle Paperwhite

    A waterproof e-reader with a warm adjustable light and weeks of battery life. Even serious gadget people find it is the device they reach for every night.

    Amazon

    See it on Amazon

  2. Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe

    A small cube that charges an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at once. Clears the tangle of cables off a nightstand, and folds up for travel.

    Anker

    See it on Amazon

  3. Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit

    Smart bulbs and the Hue Bridge, the most reliable smart lighting system around. Once they have the bridge, every extra bulb is an easy future gift.

    Philips Hue

    See it on Amazon

  4. Govee HDMI 2.1 AI Sync Box 2 with TV Backlight

    A light strip for the back of the TV that copies the colors on screen, fed by a box that sits between the TV and their devices. It works with anything on HDMI, not just one app. Fits 55 to 65 inch TVs.

    GoveeFor display

    See it on Amazon