These Gadgets Make the Best Holiday Gifts, According to our Tech Pros

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What’s not to love about a shiny new TV or the latest laptop or smartwatch? Electronic gifts make some of the best holiday presents and the good news is that there’s something out there for everyone, whether you’re shopping for an avid gamer, a student or someone who just can’t seem to own enough gadgets. To make holiday shopping easier this year, our pros pulled together the coolest electronic gifts of 2023, including ones that we use and love ourselves, GH Institute award-winners and those with thousands of rave reviews.

Throughout the year, the product experts and analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Media & Tech Lab test every consumer electronic you could think of, from the most innovative smart home devices that make your life easier to hundreds of the latest earbuds, home projectors, smartphones and more. Below you’ll find our experts’ favorite electronic gifts for every budget and style to help you prepare your Christmas gifts and get your stocking stuffers ready ahead of the holiday rush.

Once you’ve checked out our top picks, keep an eye out for early Black Friday deals like these TVs on sale or not-to-miss discounts from Apple!

Under $50

Fusion Smart Reusable Notebook

Most of us have a friend that loves writing lists and scribbling notes everywhere. For them, Rocketbook offers this 42-page reusable paper that can be filled with notes, lists and sketches. Once they're done, everything can be sent to cloud-based services like Slack, Dropbox, Google Drive and more, then wiped clean with a damp cloth before starting over!

Remote Control for Smartphones

It can be annoying having to set a 10-second timer to capture the perfect group shot... then redoing it over and over. This handy Bluetooth-enabled remote pairs up nicely with most smartphones (up to 30 feet away, according to the brand) so all your gift recipient needs to do is press a button when everyone is picture-perfect. Just make sure to double-check that their phone is compatible with the remote first.

LED Clock Fan with Real Time Display

Upgrade your colleague's office space with this nifty clock fan, which Amazon shoppers call a "must-have for any geek." Simply plug it into any laptop's USB port to get it moving and display the time with an LED light.

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Dime 3

These cheap earbuds cost well under $50 and are the perfect gift for anyone who wants to go hands-free when streaming shows or taking calls. Our tech analysts were impressed by how comfortable they felt when testing and love that they offer up to 20 hours of claimed battery life.

RunOff Waterproof 3-1-1 Pouch

Help your friends prep for their next vacation or cruise with this travel-friendly waterproof phone case that not only protects smartphones but keeps other electronics like AirPods and e-readers safe and dry. We like that it’s transparent so you can see everything inside and the zipper feels super sturdy when closed.

Magnetic Phone Car Mount

If buying someone a new smartphone isn't in your budget, we recommend shopping for accessories, like headphones, chargers, phone cases or this handy magnetic phone mount that should prop up any phone. They can attach it anywhere on their car's dashboard with the provided adhesive, as long as it's in clear view.

AirTag

This Bluetooth tracker is ideal for an iPhone user who's always losing their wallet or is nervous about checking their luggage when traveling. Not only will they be able to check on their belongings in real-time, but they can tap into Apple's Find My network to locate the item should it get lost. If they're not an iPhone user, our pros recommend buying the Android-friendly Tile instead, which is an equally effective luggage tracker.

Multi-Device Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard

Whether your kids are back to school or your friend's home office needs an upgrade, this cute, lightweight cordless keyboard will look and feel great while typing. Our pros like that it's offered in several colors and that its owner can pair up to three devices via Bluetooth, making it easy to switch between laptops at the end of the day.

Solar Charger Power Bank

Gift outdoor enthusiasts this portable, top-tested solar phone charger. Its compact size makes it easy to fit into a camping backpack and our pros like that it features a flashlight, compass and four output USB ports as well as a wireless charging option. In our testing, we found that it was even rugged enough to handle exposure to light rain.

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myQ Smart Garage Control

This gadget is perfect for a new homeowner or anyone who's always worrying about whether the garage door was left open. Once installed, they'll get notifications straight to their smartphone and they'll be able to set convenient daily schedules like having the garage door open before leaving for work. The pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute especially like that this smart garage door opener enables remote operation from just about anywhere.

Smart Plug Ultra Mini 15A

If dad loves his Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant but only relies on it for the basics, introduce him to these smart plugs that can make ordinary electronics smart. Once he's downloaded the Kasa app, plugged in the smart plugs and connected to WiFi, he can control the house's lights, appliances and other household items just by asking.

USB-C Portable Charger

Anker makes some of the most reliable chargers out there, and our pros recommend this portable pick for a friend whose phone battery is always dying. It has a USB-C port for fast charging and its slim and compact design makes it easy to stuff inside a purse.

Pro 1000 Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush

It may not be the sexiest present, but there's nothing like the gift of great hygiene. Introduce someone near and dear to the convenience of electric toothbrushes with this affordable pick from Oral-B. It's one of the best-rated toothbrushes on Amazon, and our product testers found it effective and easy to use.

Express 4K+

They can cut the cord and stream thousands of TV shows and movies on Netflix, YouTubeTV, Disney+ and more through Roku's intuitive platform. No monthly equipment fee is required — just set it up with the included HDMI cord and start binging. It's the perfect gift for kids, teens or families that like watching a wide variety of content.

Cam v3

Home security is more important than ever. Be a good neighborhood and offer this affordable but effective security camera to your pals next door so they can keep tabs on their homes, both inside and out. Whenever motion is detected, they'll get a notification straight to their phone. Plus, it can double up as a pet camera to spy on their furry friends when they're away.

Electric Lighter

Instead of giving your friend yet another candle, consider gifting this electric lighter instead! Our tech analysts swear by its efficiency and love that it's rechargeable so you don’t need to purchase lighter fluid or matches. Plus, it’s long enough so you won't burn your fingers when lighting anything.

Pro Lens Kit

Even though the newest iPhone and Android models already take high-quality photos, this kit will give amateur photographers the ability to take professional shots with a 15x macro or wide-angle lens on any device — no expensive camera equipment required. We love that the lens is easy to clip on and that it comes with an LED light for the perfect Instagram shot.

iRoller Screen Cleaner

Does your partner hate having a dirty phone screen? Get rid of fingerprints and smudges with this liquid-free cleaner that's compact and easy to carry around. While it doesn't disinfect, it'll make their phone, tablet and laptop screens appear crystal clear.

Plus Car Charger

Since most families rely on Google Maps, Spotify and Netflix to stay informed and entertained on the road, a multi-port car charger is a must. This pick can charge up to five devices at once, making everyone in the car very, very happy. Our pros love that this latest model even includes a USB-C port.

$50 - $100

Sprocket Portable Instant Photo Printer

Your mom or sister will love this super slim, portable phone printer that makes scrapbooking a breeze. Just pair the printer to your smartphone via Bluetooth and start printing out your favorite memories on the included sticky back paper.

Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Star Projector

Turn your kid’s bedroom into a whole other galaxy with this star projector. It projects millions of colors onto the walls and ceiling along with bright, floating stars that can help anyone relax and drift off to sleep.

Dash Cam Mini 2

This compact and discreet camera mounts onto any car's windshield to let drivers record in high-quality 1080p resolution. Should anyone bump into their car, they'll be able to pull the footage. Our pros like that you can even access Live View to check on your vehicle when you’re away, as long as there is a WiFi and power connection.

UV Smartphone Sanitizer & Universal Charger

This case disinfects your phone as it charges! Your gift recipient can also place other small accessories inside, like keys, earbuds, credit cards and more. According to the brand, the UV-C light will kill 99.9% of germs in just 10 minutes.

Dock5 Multi-Device Charging Station

This handy docking station will help any gadget lover keep all their devices organized, clutter-free and charged in one space. Because it can power up to five devices at a time and wirelessly charge AirPods or iPhones, they'll never complain about a dead battery ever again. Our pros love that it's equipped with two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports and features built-in dividers.

Plus Smart Meat Thermometer

Do your in-laws always seem to overcook steak? This smart meat thermometer will ensure that never happens again by keeping track of the meat's temperature via Bluetooth. In our tests, we were impressed with this thermometer's accuracy, its cordless design and the easy-to-use app.

Spark PRO Smart Water Bottle

It's hard to make sure you're drinking enough water every day. Help a friend in need with this smart water bottle that tells them when it's time to drink more, thanks to LED lights built into the bottle. By syncing via Bluetooth, the smart water bottle will also track their daily water intake so they'll remember to stay hydrated and refreshed.

Parliament

Give your loved one this sleek, leather smart wallet built with a cash strap, RFID blocking and a little pocket that can even hold a slim Bluetooth tracker like an AirTag or Tile so they never lose their wallet. Our pros love that there's a built-in trigger that makes releasing up to six cards quick and easy.

Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera

This compact, colorful Fujifilm camera will instantly print out mini photos for your kids to share with friends and decorate their room. There's even a selfie lens that makes capturing close-up shots easy.

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Echo Dot (5th Gen)

When it comes to smart home products, Amazon tops our list. If they don't already have their own smart home system, Amazon's Echo Dot speaker is a great place to start. Better than a basic alarm clock, this Echo Dot pairs up with digital assistant Alexa to set timers, play music, answer questions and recap the news. Unlike previous models, this latest version features improved audio and an LED display that shows you more than just the time (like temperature, song titles and more).

Vintage 3-Speed Record Player

Don't be fooled by its vintage look — this high-tech record player is a great gift for any audiophile. Not only will it look nice in their living room, but it'll play their favorite records, plus music streamed from their smartphone via Bluetooth. It includes a carrying case so they can easily transport it, too.

Wonderboom 3

Bring this compact, waterproof speaker from Ultimate Ears on your next road trip to the beach or use it to stream music in the shower. Our pros like its colorful design and big sound. It's an especially great gift for someone who likes taking baths, too, since it even floats!

Compact Case

Of course they've already upgraded to the iPhone 15 — but do they have an eye-catching phone case for it yet? Casetify offers hundreds of different models and cool designs, so there's something for everyone. Or you can always offer them a Casetify gift card so they can customize their own case!

Caseta Smart Dimmer Kit

This smart lighting system by Lutron is the perfect DIY project for your parents. Once installed, they can control the lights from anywhere with their smartphones, smartwatches or voice control. That's right, mom can turn off the lights without moving an inch or turn them on so it looks like someone is home when the family is away on vacation.

SRS-XB13

This mini waterproof Bluetooth speaker is super small and compact, making it a great stocking stuffer for someone who likes to bring their music with them wherever they go. Our pros were impressed by its mighty sound and 16 hours of battery life. We also like that it comes in multiple colors to suit all tastes and personalities.

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$100 - $300

Quest 2

If they’re already a gamer but new to VR headsets, they won’t be able to get enough of the Meta Quest 2. It’s intuitive and easy to use, according to our tech pros, and doesn’t require the purchase of a gaming console. Once you’ve set up your account you can start exploring among hundreds of games and immersive experiences.

Smart Bird Feeder

Mom can keep track of all the beautiful birds that visit her backyard thanks to this smart bird feeder that not only feeds birds but captures photos and recognizes over 1,000 species. They’ll even get a notification straight to their phone when a bird stops by to say hello!

Stagg EKG Electric Kettle

Are they always seeking out the best lattes? Get them this electric kettle so they can brew their own pour-over coffee at home. Not only will the kettle look stunning on their kitchen counter, but it ensures precise temperature control so the coffee comes out perfect every time.

Osmo Mobile 6

They can now improve their video skills with this gimbal that stabilizes video footage. It’s also a great tool to help parents track their kids at sports games, take family photos with the built-in tripod and more. Best of all, it folds up to a compact size so they can bring it on their next adventure.

Kindle Paperwhite

Do they always have their nose in a book? This e-reader will give them access to hundreds of books available for purchase via Amazon’s Kindle Store. Our pros love that the screen is glare-free with adjustable brightness (so they can read at night) and that battery life lasts several weeks.

Clock

Does your partner sleep through every alarm? Consider getting them the buzzy Loftie Alarm Clock that will wake them up with a gentle, two-phase alarm that should feel more natural. Plus, it has white noise and other sounds built-in to help them fall asleep. Our pros love that it even features a handy night light for middle-of-the-night bathroom runs.

Mug 2

Gift your coffee-loving boss this smart mug so they never have to drink lukewarm coffee ever again. Rechargeable and self-heating, it ensures that their morning brew stays at the perfect temperature even hours after it is poured. In Lab tests, our pros found this mug easy to use and pair with the app, and we love its sleek design that’s available in several gorgeous shades.

AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C)

Devout Apple users will love the seamless connectivity AirPods
have with all their devices, not to mention their impressive sound quality, noise cancellation and comfortable fit thanks to adjustable silicone tips. We love that this latest model features USB-C charging (say goodbye to lightning cables!) and how easy they are to use. Bonus: Our shopping pros expect these to be discounted for Black Friday 2023.

Prime

While you may not be able to afford a new massage chair for your athletic cousin, this popular Bluetooth-enabled massage gun with four attachments is the next best thing. It's designed to provide deep-tissue muscle relief via percussive therapy and they can choose among five speeds via TheraGun's app.

Indoor Hydroponic Garden

Gift this indoor herb garden kit to anyone who likes to cook so they can grow up to six herbs indoors, no soil needed! All they'll have to do is plant the seeds, mix in the nutrients and pay attention to when the garden says it’s time to add water and plant food. Our Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab pros were impressed by how quickly this compact garden grew lettuce in their tests.

DraftPour Beer Dispenser

Beer connoisseurs know that draft beer always tastes better, but it can get expensive! That's where this high-tech machine comes into play. All they'll have to do is pour any beer into the machine and DraftPour will produce "micro-foam," a creamy head that the brand says enhances the drink's aroma and flavor.

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Long Distance Touch Bracelet Set

Even when you're miles apart, they'll still feel connected to you thanks to these Bluetooth-powered bracelets. When one person taps their bracelet, it causes the other person's to vibrate, as a subtle reminder that they're thinking of them.

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Smart Digital Photo Frame

The best photos deserve to be framed, and this smart picture frame that's racked up over 18K 5-star reviews on Amazon makes it easy. By connecting the digital frame to WiFi, your grandparents can display their favorite photos straight from their phone and, best of all, family members can add their photos to the collection, too.

Versa 4

This fitness watch will be perfectly aligned with their New Year's health resolutions. Our pros like that Fitbit's Versa 4 offers an even better look into holistic health by tracking steps, food, sleep, heart rate and more. It also features a solid battery life and a built-in GPS, so its owner can take it out on runs and hikes and avoid getting lost.

Outdoor Movie Projector

Turn a Netflix binge into a movie theater experience with this top-tested outdoor projector. Because it's portable, it can be easily moved from the game room to the backyard, and they can adjust the massive 200-inch screen size depending on the space. Our pros not only love the bargain price, but also the sharp full HD 1080 pixel resolution.

Frames

If she likes running but hates the feel of earbuds, consider getting her these top-rated smart glasses from Bose. In testing, our experts were impressed with the high-quality audio emitted from the temples, as well as how quickly the glasses paired to Bluetooth. We also like that they come in three classic styles, so you can pick the ones that best suit her style.

Dash Cam

This camera mounts onto any car's windshield to let them record their drives. Should anyone bump into their car, they'll be able to pull the footage. Our pros like that this cam features lots of bells and whistles, like motion detection sensors and a parking monitor, at an affordable price point.

The Ultimate All-in-One Kit + Dopp Bag

This kit from Panasonic has everything he could ever need when it comes to grooming. He'll get an electric shaver, beard trimmer, nose trimmer and toothbrush in one compact toiletry bag. While we haven't tested this kit yet, we do like that all of the tools are cordless and can be used both in and out of the shower.

Over $300

MoGo 2

Turn a Netflix binge into a movie theater experience with this top-performing budget projector. Because it's lightweight and compact, it can be easily moved from the game room to the backyard and project up to 200”. Our Media & Tech pros were impressed by its superior picture quality and brightness as well as its auto keystone correction that readjusts the image for you no matter where you set up your screen.

Roomba s9+ Robot Vacuum

The perfect gift for neat freaks, this robot vacuum will help do the chores for them by mapping each room! It was a top performer in our Cleaning Lab tests and blew our pros away with how well it removed debris from hardwood floors and carpets.

AirPods Max

Future college students will love you for getting them the sleekest, coolest headphones on the market. According to our engineers, the AirPods Max sound as good as they look and were one of the top performers in our noise canceling headphones tests, blocking out street sounds and other disturbances so we could focus on their clear and crisp audio quality.

Normatec 3

These high-quality compression boots will help soothe sore muscles after a long run or intense workout. Our fitness pros love that they feature seven levels of compression so your sporty friend can get as much relief as they need, whenever they need it.

Mini 3

If they don't have a drone yet but seem like they'd be interested in shooting and recording pristine 4K HDR footage from above, this is a luxe gift idea. It's light enough to pack along for family vacation and is easily operated from a controller that connects to their phone.

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Move

Gift the gift of music with the Sonos Move, one of our tech pro’s favorite wireless speakers for its rich audio quality. It works over Bluetooth or WiFi so they can use it indoors and outdoors and, as a bonus, it’s compatible with voice assistants like Google and Alexa.

iPad (10th Generation)

They can now surf the web, stream their favorite shows or even take notes and doodle on the iPad with an Apple pencil. Our pros love that this premium tablet features a sharp Retina display as well as fast and responsive performance that makes it an excellent present for kids, students and adults.

Ring Gen3

Our tech pros are obsessed with the Oura Ring, which features a minimalist design that tracks key metrics like sleep activity, heart rate, temperature and more to provide useful insights into your health. This trendy smart ring is available in six sleek shades and is comfortable to sleep in, according to our testers. Our pros also love Oura's intuitive app and how the battery charge lasts for several days at a time.

Premium Cocktail and Margarita Machine

Forget about measuring and mixing! Anyone can become a top-notch bartender with this easy-to-use electronic cocktail-making machine. Just insert any Bartesian cocktail capsule, add booze, select a strength and say cheers. The machine even runs an auto-rinse cycle after each cocktail so that whiskey sour won't taste like the margarita they just made.

Mirror

If they love to work out, treat them to one of the hottest pieces of fitness gear on the market right now: a workout mirror. The Lululemon Studio Mirror features a sleek design our pros love, and it offers subscribers more than 10,000 class options, including one-on-one training and personalized weekly programs centered around cardio, HIIT, strength training and yoga.

The Frame TV

Give a lucky someone this beautiful QLED 4K TV from Samsung featuring a thin, customizable bezel and an "art mode" for when the TV isn't in use — making it disguisable as a piece of framed artwork. Our pros like The Frame TV's matte display that reduces the pesky glare some TVs have, as well as its vivid colors and stunning picture quality.

Switch OLED Model

Gamers will love playing on the easy-to-use Nintendo Switch video game console. It features a bright and crisp 7-inch OLED screen that makes graphics really pop. Our pros love that it has lots of internal storage and features three different modes to play in (TV, tabletop and handheld) and that the controller (a.k.a. Joy-Con) can be removed easily, so they can play with friends as well as take it with them on the go. Pair this gift with a $20 Nintendo Switch Online 12-month subscription for bonus points.

RELATED: 30 Best Gifts for Gamers in 2022

Surface Go 3

They may already have a standard laptop, but Microsoft's lightweight Surface Go is a great option for taking, well, on the go. The touchscreen functions as a tablet and a laptop, with an adjustable kickstand and the ability to connect to accessories like the Surface Go keyboard cover and Surface Pro pen (sold separately). In our tests, we were impressed with its battery life and compact design.

Smart Oven

Our Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab's top pick for the best smart oven, this 12-in-1 countertop convection oven is a technological revelation. Just place any food inside, and an interior camera will detect what it is and recommend cooking options. With the capability to air fry, grill, roast, toast, dehydrate and more, our pros love that the touchpad responds as fast as an iPhone and is just as easy to use.

QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones

Our top pick for the overall best noise-canceling headphones, these are a must for frequent fliers. Not only are they comfortable to wear for hours at a time, they feature 24-hour battery life and effectively block out all chatter and the droning of the plane so they can enjoy the crystal-clear audio performance.

Arc Soundbar

Take their entertainment system to the next level with this top-performing soundbar from Sonos. It's a splurge, but we found that it's also one of the easiest soundbars to set up and use, and it offers clear sound and crisp dialogue that's a major improvement over what most TVs' built-in speakers can offer. They can even pair it with other Sonos speakers they have around the house, as well as Google Assistant and Alexa for voice control. If they have a smaller TV or you're looking to spend a bit less, we recommend the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) soundbar.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on the best tech gadgets for your home. This gift guide was most recently updated by Media & Tech Reviews Analyst Olivia Lipski, who has been reporting on and testing the latest consumer tech gadgets for years, as well as following the biggest trends in the space. She ensured that this story reflects the latest top-performing electronics and gadgets tested at the Good Housekeeping Institute in the past year.

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