10 Holiday Tech Gift Ideas! [2022 Edition]
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The Holiday season has snuck up on us again and gift giving is the name of the game many of us have to figure out within a short window of time. Fear not, we’ve gathered a list of 10 affordable tech related items that are bound to match a certain someone you know.
SofaBaton U1 Universal Remote
If you know someone who has a bunch of media devices hooked up to a TV, then they’re probably in need of a good universal remote. The Logitech Harmony is the king of this department, but it’s also super expensive. The SofaBaton U1 is a cheaper alternative that actually handles the core functions of TV remote management well. This remote can be purchased for less than $50. It requires you to download a companion app to program the remote, but once this simple process is completed, the remote just works effortlessly. With a small OLED display that identifies which device you are connected to, you no longer will find yourself frustrated thinking you’re navigating one device when in reality you’re tinkering with another. This remote can be paired with over 6,000 brands. We use it with our Nvidia Shield TV and Samsung TV and it’s been terrific for cleaning up our setup.
8Bitdo Ultimate Wireless Controller
I like pink gaming accessories. There’s no shame in that. Actually, I like color in my accessories in general. I also like XBox controllers. Naturally I found the new 8Bitdo Ultimate Wireless Controller in the Pastel Pink color to be an instant buy. This controller model works with Windows, Android and Raspberry PI operating systems. For $49.99, it also comes with a charging dock in a matching color that also functions as a storage compartment for the USB receiver. This thing has decent weight under it and is extremely comfortable to hold. If you’re looking to gift an Xbox controller to someone this holiday season, Microsoft is no longer the only legit game in town. I might actually be inclined to say I like using this controller more than the official Microsoft version.
Hori Nintendo Switch Horipad Mini Pikachu Pop Controller
Keeping on with the gaming theme, Hori is another well regarded third-party accessory maker that makes terrific quality products. With the brand new Pokemon Scarlet and Violet released for the holidays, this Pikachu Pop Horipad Mini wired controller is the perfect themed accessory for the Pokemon Trainer in your life. Once again, I love color on gaming products and this little Switch controller has plenty of neon shades to bring Pikachu to life for only $30.
Switch Game Card Case
Speaking of the Nintendo Switch, this transparent display case for Switch game cartridges is an absolute gem for $10. Acrylic cases have always been staples for collectors of nerdy things, but I never realized how clean cartridges looked when displayed like this. The card case holds 6 switch games in perfectly cut out slits on full display. There’s no screws or levers needed to disassemble the case as it’s a strong magnet that brings the front and back together. I can count about 8 Nintendo fan friends right off the top of my mind that I know would love to display their favorite Switch games while keeping them safely stored like this.
Nintendo Gameboy Watch
If you know a millennial out there, chances are their first real gaming experience was with the Nintendo Gameboy. Nostalgia has been running rampant for people in my generation and nothing reminds me of my childhood more than a Gameboy. This officially licensed Gameboy digital watch will not only remind you of the current time, but also remind you of a time where 8-bit gaming was magical to a child. This is simply a digital watch in the shape of the classic Gameboy. There’s no frills to it except for the Super Mario Land theme song as an alarm tune. So if you remember anybody who thought they were the cool kid bringing a Gameboy to school, gifting them this will let them relieve their glory days.
Courant Catch:1 Classics Leather Qi Pad
One tech gift that you can’t ever go wrong with in 2022 is a Qi charging pad. Just about everybody has a phone that can rely on wireless charging nowadays. Once it’s in your life, it’s hard not to capitalize on it. $60 is a bit pricey for a single-device wireless charger, but the Courant Catch:1 has a classic luxury presentation to it that would be great on top of a desk for your working father, mother, spouse or friend. Made with a premium Italian leather as the surface material wrapped over an aluminum alloy, the Catch:1 charges phones at up to 10W speeds. That’s not the most bleeding tech wireless charging speeds, but it does get the job done. If you’re looking for an upscale product with a sense of luxury behind it, this might be a good option to place in the stocking.
Belkin Magnetic Magsafe Wireless Charger
Here’s a specialized wireless charger stand for Apple iPhone users. This MagSafe compatible Belkin charger retails for less than $20 and comes with a 20W USB-C power supply that MagSafe compatible iPhones no longer come with. This is a clean looking wireless charger that is great for media consumption in both portrait mode and landscape mode while the device charges in the background. For such a low price tag and from a respectable brand like Belkin, anyone could use an extra Magsafe wireless charging stand in their life as a gift for the Holidays.
Native Union Clean Screen Spray
$20 can also net you a nifty gift option that once again, just about anyone can find a use for. This product from Native Union is essentially a microfiber cloth that doubles up as a pocket case for a liquid glass cleaning spray. Instead of just wiping your smartphone display or laptop screen with just a microfiber cloth, this thing adds an extra layer of maintenance to things with an alcohol, ammonia, and odor free liquid spray. It’s compact and portable enough to fit into my palm so transporting this around with you is quite easy. Just pop the spray up slightly, pump the spray and use the body to wipe. Native Union produces a lot of high end looking products that I’d describe as business professional and something as simple as a cleaning cloth now also has those traits. Definitely a safe gift for a working adult this Christmas.
Satechi Stand & Hub
Tablets have so many great keyboard options nowadays that they’ve essentially become mini-laptops. However, sometimes you just want to turn that iPad into a desktop computer instead. Enter the Satechi Stand & Hub. This aluminum made hub has a 4K HDMI port that pushes up to 60 Hz, a USB-A port and a USB-C charging port, as well a 3.5 MM audio jack and micro and SD card readers built into it. If you have a tablet with a USB-C port, this Satechi product basically transforms it into a mini-pc. Satechi products have always matched up really well with the Apple aesthetics and that’s what gives this $80 stand and hub combination a lot of value. It can fit into an office setting or a dorm room. It’s a timeless and clean look.
Muzen Mini Retro Speaker
This last one is also the most unique gift option we’re going to suggest. Muzen is a company that made a name for themselves through unique looking mini Bluetooth speakers. This particular one has a vintage radio appearance that is bound to attract attention with not only its music, but its classic look. The Muzen mini speaker has a 5 watt amplifier and pushes about 4-hours of playtime. This is one of the cutest and smallest Bluetooth speakers around. For $60, the solid build quality alone might even justify the gift alone.
Alex
Caught in between the conundrum of his fascination with retro and the future, Alex has a very unique taste in technology. Never one to follow trends like his millennial peers yet constantly desiring to get ahead of the curve, he sees technology like he does his other love: comic books. Always looking for the best value or a hidden gem, his collector mindset reflects on some of his favorite gadgets: the Moto X (2015), HTC U11 and the Google Pixelbook. If there’s a good tech deal out there, Alex is on the hunt!