Jump Start Your Holiday Shopping: Must-Have Electronics and Cool Gadgets for Tech Lovers
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As any early-bird shopper knows, the closer we get to the holiday season the harder it’ll be to get certain things. Though most consumers seem to prefer shopping online vs. in-store, buying new gear on the web presents its own challenges. From extended wait times to websites crashing and items selling out in minutes, online shopping can be risky — which is why it’s good to stay ahead of the curve.
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Whether you’re a tech lover scoping out the coolest new gadgets to buy before they’re gone, or simply starting your Christmas shopping early, the list below will help you get started. Keep reading for gadgets slated to hit the market this fall (and winter), alongside more familiar electronics that you’ve probably been meaning to pick up. To find more recommendations, see our list of best tech deals.
Ring Always Home Flying Indoor Camera
Price: $249.99
If you pride yourself with buying tech gear that turns heads, then you might be interested in the Ring Always Home Flying Indoor Camera. This first-of-its-kind flying security camera soars along a custom path (that you create) to give you a bird’s-eye view of everything that’s going on in your home or office (in 1440×1440 HD video). In order to pre-order the camera you’ll need to request an invitation from Amazon through the buy button above.
Halo View Fitness Tracker
Price: $79.99
Wearable technology is extremely popular. The Halo View Fitness Tracker wants to be your new favorite fitness device and a possible Fit Bit competitor. Halo View comes equipped with key Halo health metrics such as heart rate, activity points, sleep patterns, and on-demand blood oxygen levels, all of which can be accessed via the Halo View color touch display. The Halo View is available in Active Black (pictured), Sage Green, and Lavender Dream. It’s unclear when the item will debut, but you can click the buy button to request an email from Amazon for further updates. Your purchase will include a free one-year membership to Halo.
Muse S Headband
Price: $349.99 $244.99
Health and fitness should be a daily priority all year long, and it’s good that we’re seeing more ways to help keep your body and mind on track. The Muse Headband uses advanced EEG technology to do everything from tracking your sleep, breathing, and heart rate to providing real-time feedback, and teaching you the art of meditation.
Blink Video Doorbell
Price: $49.99
One of the perks of technology is the ability to do just about anything remotely. The Blink Video doorbell lets you answer your door from your smartphone (in 1080p HD day with infrared night video and two-way audio). This slim little gadget works with Alexa and requires two AA lithium batteries. The Blink Video Doorbell is available for pre-order ahead of its release on October 21.
Oculus Quest 2 Advance All-in-One Virtual Reality Headset
Price: $299
The Oculus Quest 2 is a great way to enter the world of VR. IndieWire VR expert Eric Kohn rated Oculus Quest 2 as one of the more exciting and most consumer-friendly VR headsets because it allows users to tether it to their own PC — something the previous model did not — and it offers more gaming access. For more options, check out best VR headsets.
Potensic T25 Drone with 2K Camera for Adults
Price: $169.99 + Save $20 with instant coupon
Drones can be used virtually any time of year, so long as the weather permits. If you’re new to the world of drones, the Potensic T25 Drone is safe for beginners and pros. The device comes equipped with a 2K camera with 120-degree FOV, and 75-degree adjustable wide angle to help clearly capture photos and provide more stable videos. It records in 1080p, utilizes an advanced 9-axis gyroscope, and it’s also portable enough to bring on a trip (you can also connect it to a headset for a full VR experience). The Potensic T25 is wind-resistant and steady flying and works exceptionally well, according to several customer reviews. The set feature above includes the Potensic T25 Drone, an aluminum carrying case, a transmitter, two 3.7V 1000mAh batteries, a battery charger, a screwdriver, two extra landing gears, four extra propeller blades, and four extra protection guards.
LG XBOOM 360 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Price: $399.99
In the market for a new speaker? The LG XBOOM360 Omnidirectional Portable Speaker is designed to use with computers and other devices. It features a sleek lantern design with 120W total output power, 1″ titanium compressed horn tweeter, a 5.25” glass fiber woofer, and built-in battery (10 hours of playback). Read our list of best Bluetooth speakers for additional options.
VOBAGA Coffee Mug Warmer
Price: $22.99 + Save $2 with instant coupon
There’s nothing like cozying up with a warm cup of joe. The VOBAGA coffee warmer will keep your coffee, milk, tea or hot cocoa at a perfect drinking temperature. It has three settings above 104 degrees, and you can control the temperature with a tap of your finger. The smart cup shuts off automatically after four hours of continuous use, and it comes in several colors including green, pink, and black and white.
Smart Growbar
Price: $119.00
It’s easy to get lost in the mound of indoor gardening gear, so it’s best to start small. The Smart Growbar provides full-spectrum light with a natural white glow, allowing you to grow your favorite plants, flowers, herbs, and more in any spot in your home. The compact Growbar comes with hardware so that you can mount it under a shelf or cabinet and save even more space. To automate this device, use the manual on/off switch, or connect to the Modern Sprout smart app.
Luminette Blue-Enriched White Light Therapy Glasses
Price: $199.00
As the seasons change, your sleep pattern can be thrown off by the weather and even Daylight Savings time. The Luminette Blue-Enriched White Light is a wearable light therapy visor that helps to combat SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and sleep pattern disorders. Wearing these glasses for 20 minutes will help relieve insomnia, sleepiness, physical and intellectual fatigue. The light receiver is designed to send signals to your body to stop producing the sleep hormone melatonin and enables you to feel more awake at the time you want. The glasses are recommended for ages 12 and up and not suitable for people with macular degeneration, cataracts, and other eye diseases.
Amazon Astro
Price: $999.99
The future is here. Introducing, the Amazon Astro: A household robot that will basically keep an eye out on your home and hang around to set up reminders, organize your shopping lists, provide entertainment, deliver calls, messages, alerts, and more. It even comes with a detachable cup holder to carry your drink around. The Astro stands about 17″ tall and weighs 20 pounds; it uses advanced technology to find its way around the house, and you can program where it’s allowed to go via the Astro app. When you’re not using the Astro, one button turns off the microphone, camera, and mobility. Astro feels like “The Jetsons” (their dog was named Astro!) or some other futuristic series come to life and if you like that sort of thing, this is an item that you can’t pass up. Pre-order the Amazon Astro via the link above.
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