The Best Gifts for the Techie

As a category, “tech” can spider web in a lot of different directions. It could mean computers, cameras, televisions, headphones, hi-fi systems – and that’s just scratching the surface. Yes, a lot of what shopping for somebody who is into tech means shopping for the latest and greatest gadgets, which you can find below, but it also means getting them accessories for the tech they already own and love. And you can find those below, too.

Vector

Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is the next wave of 21st-century technology. And Anki’s Vector provides insight into what that could look like. The home robot is a friendly little guy who brings some pizzazz to your space while providing the weather or answering questions. A forthcoming integration with Amazon’s Alexa means Vector could become the congenial smart hub perfect for any techie’s home.

Pro-Ject Juke Box E

More than just a turntable, this is an all-in-one system. Built into the body is a Bluetooth receiver, a power amplifier and a phono stage. So, you just have to you just plug it in, add some nice speakers, and you’ve got a high-end hi-fi system.

Nest Secure Starter Kit

For anybody who has a Nest Learning Thermostat or a Nest Cam Indoor (or Outdoor), this starter kit — consisting of one Nest Guard (a smart hub), two Nest Detects (magnetic door or window sensors) and two Nest Tag (smart keys) — is a great way to build out your smart home. It’s Nest’s first smart security system and uses the same app as Nest’s other devices. Essentially, if you want an easy way to know if your kids (or strangers) are coming and going, this is a great way to keep them in check.

Master & Dynamic MW07

Hands down, these are the most beautiful and high-end true wireless headphones on the market. They’re made of stainless steel and acetate, the same material used in high-end sunglasses. And they sound terrific. If AirPods don’t fit in your ears, these definitely will; they come with silicone ear tips and ear wings in a variety of sizes.

2018 MacBook Air

This is the first MacBook Air — Apple’s most popular beloved laptop — with a Retina display and Touch ID. It’s beautiful, slim and has two Thunderbolt USB-C ports. It essentially feels like a slightly less powerful MacBook Pro, but it’s thinner, lighter and more affordable. For most people, this is the new laptop to buy right now.

Anker PowerPort Atom PD 1

This is 27-watt USB-C wall charger that’s roughly the same size as the 5-watt puck that comes with your iPhone, but it can charge your MacBook Pro or new MacBook Air.

Schiit Audio Jotunheim

For anybody searching for the ultimate desktop audio setup, they should seriously consider the Jotunheim. It’s a really nice headphone amplifier, but you can also customize it to add an internal DAC or phono preamp. And even though $399 seems expensive, all Schiit Audio’s stuff is shipped direct to consumer, so it’s actually worth a lot more than that.

BenQ SW271 Monitor

For photographers, graphic designers and other creatives, this is one of our favorite 4K external monitors. It’s a 27-inch IPS monitor that supports HDR and really wide color gamuts. And there are wide-range of ports built right into the back, including USB-C, USB 3.0, HDMI, DisplayPort and an SD card reader. It also comes with a light hood.

Nikon Z7 Mirrorless Camera

Nikon’s first full-frame mirrorless camera manages to match Sony’s renowned mirrorless models, but Nikon is giving photographers upgrading to pro-am gear a little bit extra to consider: including fast 493-point autofocus capabilities that cover over 90 percent of the frame, 4K video, 9fps shooting and a top-mounted display that gives photographers better access to exposure and battery life. Then there’s Nikon’s new Z Mount System — it’s the first time Nikon has used an interchangeable lens mount other than the F Mount. The good news is Nikon will offer a first-party adapter so all F-Mount DSLR lenses will have full functionality on the new Z system.

LG B8 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV

We could go on and on about how and why OLED TVs are better than traditional LCD TVs. We could talk about superior contrast and more vibrant colors, but they bottom line is that they just look better. And LG makes the best OLED TVs in the business.

Sony WH-1000M3 Noise-Canceling Headphones

The Sony WH-1000XM3s are the best overall noise-canceling headphones. It’s as simple as that. If noise-canceling ability and sound quality are the two priorities in headphones, than these are our hands-down favorite. The kicker is that they charge via USB-C, which not a lot of wireless headphones do yet, meaning you can use charge them with the same cable you use with your MacBook Pro or new MacBook Air.

Google Wifi

A mesh router system is a simple solution for all those “dead zones” in your house. Plus, this one by Google comes with a bunch of modern perks. Through its app you can easily monitor which devices are using your home’s wi-fi. You can quickly share wi-fi passwords. You can set specific times when devices can use wi-fi. (For instance, you can disable wi-fi after 10pm so your kids can’t play Fortnite anymore.) And you can make sure your kids aren’t watching porn or accessing violent websites. It’s like a security system for your digital home.

Twelve South AirFly

How many times have you wanted to use your AirPods to listen to in-flight movies, only to realize that those small TVs support Bluetooth? This little reciever solves that. No more purchasing those $2 wired earbuds from the flight attendent.

Jaybird Tarah Pro

The Tarah Pro are really great wireless headphones for serious runners. They have a huge 14-hour battery life and support fast charging (a five-minute charge gets you two hours of playtime). They’re water and sweat resistant (IPX7). And you can customize the EQ in all sorts of cool ways.

Twelve South HiRise Pro

Twelve South

This is a practical and great-looking stand for anybody using an iMac, iMac Pro or even just an external display. And if you want to hear a little secret, rumor has it that all employees working in Cupertino use this exact same desktop stand.

Holiday Gift Guide 2018

Don’t know what to get the people on your list? We’ve got you covered with our holiday gift guide.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

Related Topics