The 5 Best Christmas Gifts for Tech Lovers in 2026

Why it made the list

• It has a built-in carabiner, so it clips to a backpack, belt loop or door handle.
• Its listing gives an IP67 dust and water rating and about 10 hours of playtime.
• It has a speakerphone with noise and echo canceling for calls.
• The review texts we read are about sound for a small speaker and ease of pairing.

Drawbacks

• Ten hours is not an all-day battery, and one review text says it runs down fast.
• One review text asks why JBL’s app does not support it.

Watch for this: the listing is one of a family of colors, and the colors are not all listed at the same figure. Check the color you put in your cart.

Skip it if they want big, room-filling sound. It is a small clip-on speaker.

Why it made the list

• Its listing gives a native 1920 by 1080 picture and a picture size of 40 to 200 inches.
• An HDMI cable is in the box, and Bluetooth sends audio out to a speaker or headphones.
• It has built-in stereo speakers and can sit on a desk, a tripod or a ceiling mount.

Drawbacks

• A streaming stick is not included, and phones and tablets need a separate adapter.
• Its listing gives 300 ANSI lumens, and one review text says it is not at its best with room light.
• One review text says a streaming stick did not seat in the HDMI slot.

Watch for this: Bluetooth carries audio only here, not video. A review text says Bluetooth would not connect, so plan to use HDMI for the picture.

Skip it if the room is bright or they want to cast video straight from a phone.

Why it made the list

• It shows indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, daily highs and lows, the moon phase, air pressure and a forecast.
• One wireless outdoor sensor comes in the package, and the station supports up to three.
• The included power adapter keeps the screen on, and it doubles as a clock with two alarms.

Drawbacks

• Batteries are not included, and on battery power the screen lights for only 15 seconds at a time.
• Review texts mention an outdoor sensor that dropped its signal and a maker that was slow to answer.
• Its listing gives a temperature range of 14 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, so check that against your winters.

Watch for this: the listing is one of a family that differs by the number of sensors. Check that the one in your cart is the sensor count you want.

Skip it if they want a phone app or an official reading. This is a radio sensor and a screen.

Why it made the list

• You play it by sliding a stylus along a touch-sensitive metal surface, and each strip is a different note.
• It has three octaves, an optional vibrato effect and a built-in speaker.
• It has a headphone socket and a line connection for a computer.
• It runs on three AA batteries and is under 12 centimeters wide.

Drawbacks

• A review text says it can only play one note at a time.
• Another review text says the tracks can wear and crackle after a while.
• The sound is retro and nasal, and some people will not like it.

Watch for this: the listing is one of a family of three. The review texts we read all describe the original model.

Skip it if they want a full keyboard.

Why it made the list

• It reacts to touch and picking up with animated faces and has mini games built in.
• Its listing says it works out of the box with no complicated setup, and that it uses no Wi-Fi.
• Two or more Eiliks interact with each other, so a second one can follow.

Drawbacks

• One review text says it stopped working after seven months, and the maker’s warranty is 90 days.
• Its listing sells it as a toy, and the AI Station and Panxer add-ons are sold separately.
• Another review text says it moves a lot and can get tiresome.

Skip it if they want a gadget that does a job. This one is for company on a desk.