Gift guide
Tech gifts for gadget lovers
For someone who loves a good gadget. Practical tech they'll actually use.
Every product below comes from recent independent reviews, and an automated fact check confirmed each detail against its source. We don't test products ourselves. How we pick.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Portable power bank
A pocket-sized battery for charging a phone away from an outlet.
Budget pick
OKZU 10000
- Holds 10,000 mAh. (CleverHiker)
- Weighs 6.6 oz on CleverHiker's scale. (CleverHiker)
- Recharged from empty to full in about 2 hours 36 minutes in CleverHiker's test. (CleverHiker)
Recommended in: CleverHiker
See price on AmazonMid-range pick
Nitecore NB Air
- Holds 5,000 mAh. CleverHiker measured about 16 Wh of usable energy. (CleverHiker)
- Weighs about 3.1 oz. (CleverHiker)
- Rated IPX7, meaning it can be submerged to about 1 m for 30 minutes. (Pack Hacker)
- Has a single USB-C port rated at 18W in and out. (Pack Hacker)
Recommended in: CleverHiker, CleverHiker, Pack Hacker
See price on AmazonSplurge pick
FLEXTAIL Zero Power 10000
- Packs 10,000 mAh into about 5 oz. (CleverHiker)
- Has two USB-C ports and no USB-A. (CleverHiker)
- Supports pass-through charging. (CleverHiker)
- Outputs up to 22.5W and is rated IPX4 for splashes, not submersion. (PaddlingLight)
Recommended in: CleverHiker, PaddlingLight, Adventure Alan
See price on AmazonWireless over-ear headphones
Over-ear headphones for music, shows and calls.
Budget pick
Soundcore Life Q30
- Rated for up to 40 hours of playback with noise canceling on and up to 60 hours with it off. (NBC Select)
- Headphones Addict measured 44 hours of playback with noise canceling on. (Headphones Addict)
- Folds up, comes with a hard case, and connects to two devices at once. (NBC Select)
- Has noise canceling and a transparency mode, plus the Soundcore app for iPhone and Android. (NBC Select)
Recommended in: NBC Select
See price on AmazonMid-range pick
1More SonoFlow Pro
- TechGearLab's testers found it comfortable for about 8 hours. (TechGearLab)
- Supports LDAC, multipoint pairing and EQ in the app, and comes with a case. (TechGearLab)
Recommended in: TechGearLab
See price on AmazonSplurge pick
Sony ULT Wear
- SoundGuys measured 32 hours 35 minutes of battery life in its lab test. (SoundGuys)
- Folds, comes with a hard case, weighs 8.99 oz and connects to two devices at once. (NBC Select)
- A ULT button adds bass: a little with one press and a deep boost with two. (NBC Select)
Recommended in: SoundGuys, NBC Select, SoundGuys
See price on AmazonPortable Bluetooth speaker
A small speaker that plays music from a phone, indoors or out.
Budget pick
Soundcore Select 4 Go
- Rated IP67 for dust and water, and it floats. (TechGearLab)
- TechGearLab measured about 25 hours of battery life in its test, more than the 20-hour rating. (TechGearLab)
- Weighs about 9.3 oz, has a carrying loop, and two units can be paired. (Engadget)
- The Soundcore app offers a 9-band equalizer. (SoundGuys)
Recommended in: SoundGuys, TechGearLab, Engadget
See price on AmazonMid-range pick
JBL Clip 5
- A built-in carabiner clips onto a backpack, and output rose to 7W from the Clip 4's 5W. (SoundGuys)
- Supports multipoint connections and has presets and a custom EQ in the JBL Portable app. (SoundGuys)
- Rated IP67 for dust and water and weighs about 0.6 lb. (TechGearLab)
- Reviewers at TechGearLab found it survived drops without a scratch and clips onto a showerhead. (TechGearLab)
Recommended in: SoundGuys, TechGearLab
See price on AmazonSplurge pick
Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
- Rated IP67 and floats. In TechGearLab's testing it survived repeated 3-foot drops onto concrete. (TechGearLab)
- Weighs about 1.3 lb, and two Bose speakers can be paired. (TechGearLab)
- The Bose app adjusts bass, mid and treble. (TechGearLab)
- Has a built-in microphone for calls and works with phone voice assistants. (Engadget)
Recommended in: TechGearLab, Engadget, SoundGuys
See price on AmazonInstant camera
A camera that prints a small photo right after you take it.
Budget pick
Fujifilm Instax Mini 13
- Has a self-timer with 2-second and 10-second settings, set with a lever around the shutter button. (BGR)
- Runs on two AA batteries, which BGR says Fujifilm rates at about 100 shots. (BGR)
- Prints 62 × 46 mm Instax Mini photos; the film is sold separately. (Digital Trends)
- Exposure is fully automatic, and Digital Trends found the flash can't be turned off. (Digital Trends)
Recommended in: BGR, Digital Trends, Android Central (syndicated on Yahoo Tech)
See price on AmazonSplurge pick
Fujifilm Instax Mini 99
- Colored LEDs inside the camera can be turned on to add in-camera color looks. (Engadget)
- The flash can be switched off completely. (Engadget)
- Has a tripod thread, which Digital Trends notes the Mini 13 lacks. (Digital Trends)
- Engadget lists its weight as 12 ounces without batteries, strap and film. (Engadget)
Recommended in: Engadget, Digital Trends
See price on AmazonHeadlamp
A hands-free light worn on the head for camping, walks or power outages.
Budget pick
Nitecore NU20 Classic
- Puts out up to 360 lumens. (Treeline Review)
- Weighs about 1.34 oz, including its built-in 500 mAh lithium-ion battery. (Treeline Review)
- Recharges over USB-C. (Treeline Review)
- Rated IP66 against dust and water, but it shouldn't be submerged. (Treeline Review)
Recommended in: Treeline Review
See price on AmazonMid-range pick
Nitecore NU25 UL
- Weighs about 1.7 oz. (CleverHiker)
- Maximum output of 400 lumens. (CleverHiker)
- Recharges in about an hour and a quarter. (CleverHiker)
- Rated IP66, so it handles rain but isn't meant to be submerged. (CleverHiker)
Recommended in: CleverHiker, Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Switchback Travel
See price on AmazonSplurge pick
Petzl Swift LT
- Weighs about 1.5 oz. (CleverHiker)
- Maximum output of 380 lumens. (CleverHiker)
- Rated IPX4 for splashes and rain. (Treeline Review)
Recommended in: CleverHiker, Treeline Review
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