Tech, Car and Science Gifts

Gadgets, car care and space-and-science picks for people who like how things work.

What are they into?

Tech lovers

All 19 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.

    AnkerUnder $25Stocking 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.

    AnkerUnder $25Stocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  3. 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.

    AmazonUnder $50

    See it on Amazon

  4. 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.

    LogitechUnder $100

    See it on Amazon

  5. 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$100 and up

    See it on Amazon

Programmers

All 21 ideas →

  1. A Philosophy of Software Design

    A short, clear book about keeping code simple, by a Stanford professor. Readable in a weekend, and useful whether they write Python or Rust.

    John OusterhoutUnder $25Book

    See it on Amazon

  2. The Phoenix Project

    A novel about an IT manager trying to rescue a failing project. Anyone who has lived through an outage or a doomed launch will recognize every character.

    Gene KimUnder $25Book

    See it on Amazon

  3. The Pragmatic Programmer, 20th Anniversary Edition

    Practical advice about the craft of programming that holds up decade after decade. A good gift for a junior developer and a good reread for a senior one.

    David Thomas and Andrew HuntUnder $50Book

    See it on Amazon

  4. Designing Data-Intensive Applications

    The book backend engineers keep recommending to each other. It explains databases, replication and distributed systems clearly. Many readers say it changed how they design software.

    Martin KleppmannUnder $100Book

    See it on Amazon

  5. Keychron Q1 Max QMK/VIA Wireless Custom Mechanical Keyboard

    A heavy, all-aluminum keyboard with a gasket-mounted plate for a soft, quiet typing feel. The keyboard programmers buy once they get serious about it.

    Keychron$100 and up

    See it on Amazon

Car lovers

All 18 ideas →

  1. Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash, 64 oz

    A pH-balanced wash that will not strip wax like dish soap does. A consumable they will happily use up.

    Meguiar'sUnder $25Gets used up

    See it on Amazon

  2. Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer

    A spray detailer for removing dust and fingerprints between washes. Good for keeping in the trunk before a car show.

    Meguiar'sUnder $25Gets used upStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  3. Chemical Guys Torq Foam Blaster 6 Foam Wash Gun

    Attaches to a garden hose and covers the car in thick soap before washing. No pressure washer needed.

    Chemical GuysUnder $50

    See it on Amazon

  4. DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set, 108 Piece DWMT73801

    A tidy case of sockets and ratchets that covers most small jobs on a car. A good start for a new car owner.

    DEWALTUnder $100

    See it on Amazon

  5. BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBDII Scan Tool

    Plugs into the port and reads codes on a phone with repair reports. More detailed than basic code readers.

    BlueDriver$100 and up

    See it on Amazon

Space and science fans

All 21 ideas →

  1. Cosmos

    Sagan's classic on the universe and our place in it. If they have only seen the TV series, the book goes deeper and has aged well.

    Carl SaganUnder $25Book

    See it on Amazon

  2. What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

    The xkcd author answers ridiculous questions with real physics and stick-figure drawings. Funny and rigorous, which is rare.

    Randall MunroeUnder $25Book

    See it on Amazon

  3. Estes Tandem-X Launch Set

    Two model rockets plus launch pad and controller, from the company that has made them since the 1950s. Engines are sold separately, so buy a pack to go with it.

    EstesUnder $50Ages 10+An experience

    See it on Amazon

  4. Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope

    A small refractor with a tripod and backpack, light enough to take camping. A sensible starter scope for a kid or someone unsure how much they will use it.

    CelestronUnder $100

    See it on Amazon

  5. Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope

    A 114mm reflector with a phone dock that shows exactly where to point it. Solves the biggest problem with beginner telescopes, which is not being able to find anything.

    Celestron$100 and up

    See it on Amazon

Vinyl collectors

All 19 ideas →

  1. Boundless Audio Record Cleaner Brush

    A velvet and carbon fiber brush for a quick sweep before each side. Every collector should own one, and they wear out.

    Boundless AudioUnder $25Stocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  2. AudioQuest Anti-Static Record Brush

    A carbon fiber brush from an established hi-fi brand that pulls dust out of the grooves and reduces static. A small, useful stocking stuffer.

    AudioQuestUnder $25Stocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  3. Mobile Fidelity Original Master Sleeves, 50 Pack

    Anti-static inner sleeves to replace the paper ones that scuff records and shed dust. Collectors re-sleeve their favorite records first, so these get used.

    Mobile FidelityUnder $50Gets used up

    See it on Amazon

  4. Spin-Clean Record Washer MKII

    A basin with brushes that scrub both sides of a record as it is turned by hand through cleaning fluid. Ideal for someone who buys used records at thrift stores and estate sales.

    Spin-CleanUnder $100

    See it on Amazon

  5. Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB Direct-Drive Turntable

    The standard upgrade turntable: adjustable tracking force, a switchable built-in preamp, and USB for digitizing records. A real step up from a starter or suitcase player.

    Audio-Technica$100 and up

    See it on Amazon