Walmart’s Lowest Cost TV Box, and a New Echo Show 8 Digital Assistant for Smart Home Automation and Photo Frame and Video-Calling
Walmart has the cheapest TV box on the planet, at $20, and it is an absolute steal. The inexpensive streamer has some features we love, but it doesn’t support higher-end features like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. There was a price of $19.88.
The latest Echo Show 8 offers a lot for a single eight-inch device. It can be a digital assistant, helping your giftee set alarms or reminders as well as a digital photo frame and video-calling device. The new model supports Thread and Zigbee which allows them to control virtually any smart home device. Price: $149.99
The Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant and Yeedi Vac 2 Pro: A Budget-Friendly Robot Vacuum for Children and Families
Over the last few years, Lego has launched a slew of clever botanical sets for adults that can add a touch of color to any room with absolutely no maintenance. The Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant is kind of like that, only it’s a posable 540-piece replica of one of Mario’s iconic baddies instead of a Welsh poppy or your run-of-the-mill larkspur. Price: $59.99
If you can’t decide on a present, do your giftee a favor and just buy the last-gen iPad. The versatile device can work as a TV, notebook, e-reader and canvas, allowing your loved one to entertain themselves in many different ways. The 2021 model is also significantly cheaper than Apple’s 10th-gen iPad, so you won’t feel as nervous gifting it to your kids. Price: $249.99+
It is easy to get out of the way if you use the Yeedi Vac 2 Pro. The powerful robot vacuum features an oscillating mop, voice controls, a big bin, and digital keep-out zones, letting you easily flag areas you want it to avoid. Plus, it can avoid obstacles over an inch tall, which is impressive for a budget-friendly robovac. Price: $179.99+
The Blink Doorbell: An Ultra-Wideband Feature for Protecting Your Closeest Neighbors Against Porch Pirates
The blink video doorbell is a great way to help protect your loved ones from porch pirates. The battery-powered buzzer doesn’t require any ongoing fees and has lots of support, like night vision and two-way audio. It was priced at $59.99.
Sometimes a classic handheld is the only thing you need, even though high-end automated vacs with auto-empty docks and other benefits are great. Black and Deckers have a batteries. Furbuster is a good option for picking up dirt and fur since it offers extra long tools for hitting hard-to-reach areas. Price: $78.99+
The AirTags are becoming more common as a set of keys. The handy ultra wideband item trackers are our go-to recommendation for Apple users thanks to their user-replaceable batteries and ability to tap into Apple’s extensive Find My network, which lets you and up to five others keep tabs on whatever belongings you can’t afford to live without. Price: $27.88+
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Bringing Out All The Essentials: The Baboon to the Moon Fanny Pack as a 3-liter Space-Saving Gift for Nintendo Switch Users
If you are going to carry all of your daily essentials with you, you don’t need a full-on backpack. Thankfully, there are space-saving alternatives such as the Baboon to the Moon Fanny Pack, which offers three liters of space and is a colorful design that is as unmistakable as it is durable. Price: $35+
The Hall effect sticks of the KingKong 2 Pro controller are drift-proof for better long-term reliability, which is especially useful for those who play their Nintendo Switch while docked. The gamepad offers a comfy rubberized grip as well, and you can even rearrange the face buttons into an Xbox layout for playing on PC. Price: $69.70
The Japanese game Kendama has been around a long time, so it makes sense that it would be special for you to give it as a gift. The cup-and-Ball game is a good option for anyone who wants to get better at it over time. The price is $34.99.
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
The Amazfit Band 7: A Low-Complexity Fitness Tracker and Fitness Gyroscope for Sports, Leisure, and Leisure
The Amazfit Band 7 offers over a hundred premium features for the same price. For less than $50, you get a quality fitness tracker that nails the essentials while boasting abnormal heart rate notifications, stress tracking, and a nice OLED display. Add in 18 days of battery life and it’s easy to see why it’s such a steal. The price is $44.99.
If you want to enjoy time with your friends or family while enjoying the warmth of a home, board games like Evolution are ideal. The game pits players against one another in order to get the most out of their resources in a constantly shifting environment. Price: $44.95+
When you have no phone charge, a phone dying is the most anxiety inducing thing. Even if your gadgets require a Lightning cable or a different kind of cable for the charging, the BoostCharge Plus will give you up to 23W of power on the go, with a 10,000mAh capacity. Price: $68.25
You don’t need a logo-loving heart to be entertained by the Magnetic Poetry Kit. The Original Kit includes more than 300 magnetic word tiles that you can use to conjure up poems, stories, or even song lyrics, making it an entertaining gift for the entire family or whoever happens upon your refrigerator. Price: $21.95
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Wireless ear candies and the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer: a delightful gift for the garden, for the kids, and for the elderly
Succulents can spruce up any home or office with minimal effort, making them a good gift for both existing plant lovers and anyone who feels like they lack a green thumb. They are relatively easy to care for and grow, so your giftee will not need to babysit them as much. Price: $20
The Studio Buds Plus sound great and have a sleek design, making them a feast for the eyes and ears. The wireless ear candies, also known as earbuds, are useful at tuning out noise and are also great for tapping into the Find My network or the Google equivalent on Apple and/or Android devices. It was $169.95.
American Prometheus is the book that inspired Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster film Oppenheimer — you know, the movie that played opposite Barbie and had little pink in it. The biography tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, from his rise and fall to his importance as the father of the atomic bomb. ”Price: $14.99+
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Dart Zone Covert Ops Max Outlaw and Meross Smart Speaker for a Small Sonos Sonos In-Red Sonos Home
Ah yes, the thrill of reloading in battle — a foam dart battle, that is. The Dart Zone Covert Ops Max Outlaw is a six-shot, revolver-style blaster that can fire half-size darts from up to 125 feet away. The loading mechanism makes it incredibly satisfying to use. Price was $32.
Hoto’s electric screwdriver is the perfect around-the-house tool for a frequent tinkerer or a weekend warrior building some Ikea furniture. It is simple to use and can be used for small to medium-sized projects. Your giftee doesn’t have to bust out the big tools unless they need some serious Torque. There is a price for $59.99+.
Want to add some smarts to your home without spending a fortune on a so-called “connected” appliance? Meross’ compact Wi-Fi plugs can turn traditional lamps, fans, coffee makers, and other gadgets into smart ones, so your giftee can use their voice to turn off the holiday lights at night and wake up to a freshly brewed cup of coffee in the morning. Price: $18.99+
Sonos’ latest entry-level speaker puts out some big sound despite its small stature. The smart speaker is a great start if you want to build a multi room Sonos setup, since it supports both line in and line off audio, but it can also be used to play music from a turntable across the home. The price is $249.
The Aloha Edition of the Switch: A Heavy-duty Powerful Gaming Console with Air Duster, Dust Vacuum, and Air Purifier
The most charming Switch to date, by far, is the Aloha Edition, which takes the handheld’s regular coral color and adds a decorative leaf design. The theme runs on skin deep as it is the same non-dockable console with a 5.5-inch screen and built-in hardware controls. Price: $199.99
Dust sucks. It clogs your PC’s ventilation, makes your desk space look ugly, and it gets everywhere. The electric air duster can blow off all the dust. The A-2 from XPower comes with tools to get in the hard-to-reach places. Just be sure to run a vacuum or air purifier alongside it to capture that pesky dust. You can pay $52+.
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
An Ikea Wall-Mounted Pegboard? How To Keep Your Space Organized and Bright with Dedicated Headlamps and Bluetooth Headphones
A simple wall-mounted pegboard like Ikea’s Skadis can do wonders to keep your desk space organized and lively. It can be a utilitarian storage space for stowing tools and hobby stuff or an aesthetic decoration that lets you suspend plants, cute mini posters, and cards. There is some cool stuff you can hang from the world. The price is $271.99.
Most phones have a flashlight function, but if you need some light for a long time, a dedicated headlamps is the best option. Black Diamond’s rechargeable Astro 300 is a solid option that offers a commendable 300 lumens of brightness, IPX4 waterproofing, and the ability to run on AAA batteries in a pinch, so you never have to worry about keeping things charged. $19.95+ is the price
What even is a photo anymore? That was a hotly contested question we once asked Nilay Patel and the hosts of the Vergecast, our weekly podcast series. We have a cotton T-shirt that gives a glimpse of the Great Debate, but we’re not entirely sure we have the answer.
Bose latest flagship headphones have an excellent transparency mode for when it istime to let the outside world back in and offer some of the best comfort and noise cancellation around. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones make a great gift for someone who really likes their music, even though they have a high price. Price is $429
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
The Hoptimist: a fountain pen that’s fancy-schmancy, but can be worn with any unique tech gimmick
TWSBI has a special version of theirVac700R fountain pen that is inexpensive, but is fancy-schmancy and writes well. The vacuum filler-type pen has a clear design for showcasing your ink of choice, and the rainbow-colored titanium finish looks unique on every model. Price: $80.
There are a lot of other PopSockets alternatives, but we think the New MagOne is the best of them all. You don’t have to worry about tossing it on the phone Charger since it’s compatible with Apple’s MagSafe tech. The price was $19.99.
The Hoptimist is part toy, part desk ornament, all kitsch. Hans Gustav Ehrenreich created the colorful figure out of the same plastic as Lego bricks and it has been around for more than 50 years to spread joy. Price: $24
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
8bitDo: A Retro Mechanical Desktop and the SAMSUNG S23 Ultra – The Galaxy’s Best High-Energy Smartphone
8bitDo has a Retro Mechanical keyboard that has a love for the originalnes and old keyboards. It’s satisfying to type on (if your environment is okay with the volume of its clicky switches), it looks fantastic, and its hot-swappable nature makes it a gateway to a larger keyboard hobby. In addition, the A and B buttons are some of the hottest macro buttons we have ever laid eyes on. The retail price was $94.99
The kitchen sink of the flagship phone is the s23 Ultra. All the quality of a high-end phone is expected from this one, as it has all the specifications. This year’s top-rated and largest-selling Android phone is the Ultra from SAMSUNG, it has everything from a stylus to a quad-core processor. There’s a price of $988.99.
Olive oil is a key ingredient in many a Mediterranean dish, from pasta and pesto to hummus and even salad. The squeeze bottle makes it far more convenient to cook with, as the “Sizzle” extra virgin olive oil was made using 100 percent single varietal olives from Spain. Price: $13.99
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Getting Your Bath Closer to Nature with Fender Play: The Ultimate Handy Tech Guide for Beginners in Guitarrs and Bass Players, using the Kindle Paperwhite
Nothing beats a hot bath when it is cold outside. With its IPX8 waterproofing and monthslong battery life, the latest Kindle Paperwhite makes relaxing in the tub for hours on end even more relaxing. And thanks to the e-reader’s sharp 300ppi display and adjustable backlighting, you can even dim the lights to really set the vibe. Price: $139.99
Few watches can match the features of the Pixel Watch 2. The second-gen stunner offers all-day battery life and faster charging than the original model, along with better health and fitness tracking. It also features irregular heart rhythm alerts and nightly SpO2 right out the gate as well as automatic workout tracking for seven activity types. Price: $349.99
Have a loved one who saw the Eras Tour and is now an aspiring guitarist? Through thousands of bite-size videos, Fender Play can help beginners and intermediate players build core skills and techniques, while giving them a chance to learn from the best. This is the price
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Tears of the Kingdom: The Best Teeth of the Year for Smartphones and Computers Powered by Android, iPhone, and Blackberry
It doesn’t matter if you’re shopping for a college student, a working professional, or even a retired parent, Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Air should appease all three. The newer M2 model is a speedy laptop with all-day battery life and perks like MagSafe charging; it’s also powerful enough to handle some light editing in Photoshop, in addition to most everyday tasks. Price: $949+
Did you know a woman published the first computer program back in the Victorian ages? In Broad Band, Claire Evans pays homage to the female pioneers who helped develop the internet. She also shares their stories, painting a picture of real women with their own fair share of flaws, pain, and failures, who changed the world regardless. Price: $12.21+
For those who long for the halcyon days of flip phones, let us introduce you to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5. The 6.7-inch Android phone flips shut like many of the most memorable phones from the ‘90s, except it also includes modern touches like a dual-camera setup, IPX8 water resistance, and a 3.4-inch front cover screen. Price: $849.99+
2023 may have been a huge year for video games, but there’s no arguing that one of the biggest (and best) to come out this year was Tears of the Kingdom. The Nintendo Switch title combines the open world of Hyrule with a unique crafting mechanic that allows for an infinite number of ways to solve puzzles, fight monsters, and get from A to B.
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Gifting a Little Word with a Nonstick Easier-Generator and a Leaky Eggo Waffle Maker
Even in a digital age, handwriting has its benefits. It adds a personal touch to letters, promotes mindfulness by slowing down our thoughts, and even helps us retain information better. A pocket and stickers allow your giftee to put pen to paper with a little style. Price: $19.95
Psh. Who needs a Resident Evil 4 remake when you can play the original title on the PlayStation 2 with a modern wireless controller? 8BitDo’s latest adapter allows you to connect Sony’s DualSense controller and a host of other newer gamepads with either the PS1 or PS2, giving you a more convenient way to revisit the classics. Price: $23.74+
Eggo waffles are overrated. It is possible to make a Belgian classic from scratch with the Dash Mini waffle maker. The nonstick appliance lets you create pillowy waffles in a matter of minutes, whether you want them to come in the shape of a four-inch circle, a rabbit, a pineapple, or a variety of other adorable objects. Price: $9.99+
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Topo Designs for Dungeons & Dragons: The Ultimate Game Plan for a Valentines Day in the Forgotten Realms
A good catchall bag can be as well-made as a clutch. Topo Designs’ ultra-durable accessory bags come in three convenient sizes that make them perfect for stowing earbuds, charging cables, and a host of other small items. Plus, they’re available in an array of two-tone designs, allowing you to add a splash of color to any packing kit. The price is fifteen dollars.
Meta’s Quest 3 makes big strides in the comfort and performance departments, with much-improved displays and snappier performance than the Quest 2. It’s the best standalone VR headset you can buy for someone right now, and it’s capable of playing fitness games like Supernatural as well as AAA VR experiences like Resident Evil 4 and the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Nexus. Price: $499
We get it. There are few tabletop roleplaying games as daunting to pick up as Dungeons & Dragons. Fortunately, Dragons of Stormwreck Isle, the latest boxed starter set, provides five premade characters, a rulebook, a set of dice, and everything your giftee might need to embark on their first journey into the Forgotten Realms. All they need is some crazy people to experience it. Price: $19.82+
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Fuel Brite: A Low-Cost Retro-Inspired Phone/Tabletop Gamer’s Guide for the 2023 Best Ideas as Unique Tech Gadgets
The transparent tech renaissance is upon us, bringing with it see-through earbuds, handhelds, and other electronics. Case-Mate’s foldable Fuel Brite is one of the more recent examples to take a cue from the vibrant iMacs and N64 controllers of the late ’90s, one that lets you charge your phone, tablet, and other gadgets via a single 30W USB-C port on the front. $30 is the price.
The dream of the ’90s is alive at REI, apparently. All of the Wallace Lake Flannel styles are retro-inspired for both men and women, but you don’t need a splitting maul to wear them. Price: $74.95
You can grant someone access to hundreds of quality games on both PC and Microsoft’s consoles with a gift of a few months of Game Pass Ultimate. There are also surprise hits like Lies of P and indie works of art like Cocoon, making it quite the curated collection of games. Price: $44.99+
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Magna-Tiles: Animals, Magnets, and the Disney Plus Supercomputing Superhero (and a link to their Amazon Kindle)
It’s a proven fact that everything is more fun with magnets. Don’t believe us? Just ask any four-year-old child or any of us children at heart. Magna-Tiles’ jungle-themed set unites two things most kids love: animals and magnets. How do they work? Who knows? Nor do we think anyone is going to care when there’s a magnetic sloth this adorable involved. Price: $39.99
Logitech’s G Pro X Superlight 2 may have a super long name, but it’s super short on heft, weighing in at just 60 grams. The newer mouse is designed for esports-level gaming performance, but its svelte looks and USB-C charging mean it can do the full-time job thing by day and land those perfect no-scopes in Counter-Strike 2 by night. It’s price is$159.99.
The fatigue of the movies in the MCU is a real thing, but Loki remains a high point for the franchise. The six-episode Disney Plus series, which stars Tom Hiddleston as the titular antihero, is quite different from the usual superhero formula thanks to its unique set design and characters — not to mention its fun time paradoxes. There is a price of $39.96.
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
The FunKey: Why Squishmallows ruled the earbuds of Furbies, Plants, and the AirPods
The furbies might be making a comeback but Squishmallows still reign supreme. The wide-eyed plushies are much easier to find now that they are over. They are just as cute as when they first launched. There are over 1,000 characters to choose from, from Pikachu to house plants. Cost: $13.97
There’s no real competition. For iPhone owners, the AirPods Pro are easily the best wireless earbuds on the market. They boast some useful Apple-only features as a result of their deep iOS integration, including extensive Find My support along with terrific noise cancellation and sound. The latest model comes with a USB-C charging case, too, just in case the Lightning port isn’t your jam. Price is $199.99.
The FunKey is perhaps the most darling handheld ever made. The small console has a similar design to the Game Boy Advance sp that plays retro games. Its built-in screen is only 1.54 inches, so it may be more of a novelty than something to play Super Mario World on, even if you could.
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Live Streaming with Stream Onyx: The Lowest Price Smart Glasses For A Pikachu-Sensor
You could always give a set of regular sunglasses, we have a feeling they would pale in comparison to the Ray-Ban Meta. The unique smart glasses don’t just protect your eyes but allow you to capture photos and video, take phone calls, and even livestream your everyday adventures directly to Facebook or Instagram. $299 is the price.
Kids backpacks are adorable, but they would be even cooler if they opened into a Pikachu playset. A plastic backpack will unfold to reveal a hidden cave as well as a field for small plastic pokemon to fight in. Price: $38.42
Stream Onyx takes analogue and digital worlds and blends them together. The two-speed, belt-driven turntable is one of the few certified for Works with Sonos, which allows you to wirelessly play vinyl records through your entire Sonos system without the need for any extra equipment. Just drop the needle on the wax and Stevie Wonder’s tracks will wash over you. Price: $599.99
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
The $229+$ Cruz’s Blender Cap: A Battery-Powered USB-C Microcavity for Growing a Better Product with Your Laptop
If you thought the convenience of Nutribullets was good, you should get a load of the Cruz’s battery-powered BlenderCap. The portable, 500W USB-C blender can screw onto most wide-mouth bottles — including those from Hydro Flask, Nalgene, and Yeti — allowing you to churn ice cream, frozen fruit, and other delectable goodies while at home or on the go. $129 is the price.
The Xbox 360 was a hallmark console that ushered in a new era of HD graphics and online play. Now, you can enshrine your fondness for the 18-year-old console with this building set by Mega. The 1,342-piece model recreates the uniquely shaped console itself, its wireless gamepad, and even the physical case for Halo 3.Price: $149.99
Have you ever wished you could upgrade your laptop with new internal components like a desktop PC? The 13-inchFramework Laptop can be changed later and is a little bit like the MacBook, but it has an Intel orAMD chip. You can change the expansion ports to your liking, freeing you from the throes of #donglelife This price is called $1,049+.
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
Shadows in the Forest: A Family-friendly Shadow Hunting Game to Win a Family Scenario from a Portable USB-C Power Source
Shadows in the Forest is a cute tabletop game you can play in the dark, a la flashlight tag. Anywhere from two to seven players can join in on this asymmetrical game, which is easy enough to play for the whole family. The player is using the lantern to find the other players. Shadowling characters, encouraging the group to work together. Price: $31.81
Hark the herald EU singing, glory to the USB-C! The biggest change from last year’s iPhone 14 Pro to the newer, smaller iPhone 15 is the use of a portable power source rather than the traditional phone charging port. We can’t guarantee you’ll ever know peace if you’re a house fiercely divided by iOS and Android, but at least you can now all use the same chargers. Price: $799.
The humble buff is not the most exciting present in the world, but if your giftee is the outdoorsy type, they make for great stocking stuffers. The quick-drying neckwear can be worn in a variety of ways and offers both warmth and UV protection, which makes it incredibly handy from sea to summit. price is $17.67
Source: The Verge’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide
The MoMA/LG 27GR95QE-B: a beautiful set of Keith Haring inspired, OLED TVs with 240 Hertz refresh
Modern OLED TVs are a feast for the eyes thanks to their exceptional color, deep black levels, and terrific viewing angles. You can get all that in a monitor with a fast 240-hertz refresh that keeps up with twitch-response games, thanks to the newLG 27GR95QE-B. Price: $847.20+
When a board game has been around for as long as chess, style updates aren’t just inevitable, they’re welcome. MoMA’s gorgeous Keith Haring-inspired set features colorful humans, barking dogs, and other iconographic pieces adapted from some of the artist’s most famous works, all lacquered and offset by Haring’s trademark black outlines. The price was $49.50
You will not be able to take advantage of the best topo maps in the wilderness without paying, even if you choose to. You will be able to download all of them for offline use, but you will not be able to create routes and record your outdoor activities in a similar fashion as the free version. Price: $40
The Slice safety cutter is one of the things TikTok made me buy. The ceramic blade has a built-in key ring hole for easy storage, which is great for when it isn’t in use. Price: $5.69+
The Smart Oven Air Fryer From Tovala: Easy, Simple, and Efficiently Cooking with a Smart Doorbell
The Tsuki Usagi Jirushi Slim Pot is an enamel kettle with a long, slim spout that lets you easily control the pour of hot water when making coffee and tea at home. It is handmade in Japan and will add an elegant touch to any kitchen, whether you prefer a black vessel or something more splashy. Price: $48.20+
Our furry friends are the lights of our lives, but they also require a lot of work. PetSafe has a pet feeder that can lighten the load for the busy bee. You can schedule the feeder to automatically feed your cat or dog the exact portions they need when they need them or whenever you’d like using either your phone or Amazon Alexa. It was $12 and $4.95.
Dinner is ready if you could click a button. The Smart Oven Air Fryer from Tovala lets you do that. The oven can cook tandoori spiced chicken, a Korean BBQ salmon bowl, and other tasty meals in just 20 minutes with its accompanying meal kit service. It can also scan store-bought groceries, though it pairs best with Tovala’s meal kits. The price is $199.99.
Source: The Verge’s 2023 home tech holiday gift guide
The Frame: The Amazon Smart Thermostat, a New Home Tech Gift Guide for 2023 Video Doorbells Plugs Robot Vacuums
It’s not every day you come across a TV that can moonlight as a painting, but that’s the beauty of Samsung’s The Frame. A selection of art can be found on the anti-glare display of the TV. At the same time, it’s an impressive 4K set with a 120Hz refresh rate and support for Alexa and Google Assistant. Price: $1,499.99
Dyson’s most robust vacuum features a high efficiency purification system, illumination technology that exposes hidden dust, and a run time of up to 70 minutes. This model transforms into a handheld cleaner with the integrated dusting and crevice tool, making it a versatile cleaning solution. Available in an exclusive Prussian blue and copper color, only from Dyson. Price: $949.99
Baby, it’s cold outside, but Amazon’s Smart Thermostat can keep your loved ones warm throughout the winter. Since the smart thermostat can adapt its habits to their lifestyles over time and adjust the temperature when necessary, it can save them money on their energy bill. Price: $79.99
Source: The Verge’s 2023 home tech holiday gift guide
Getting Your Home Smart: How a Ring Alarm Pro can help You Make Your Home Feel Homey, or Why You Shouldn’t Give It Up
All the cool gadgets in the world won’t make a house feel homey if it’s an absolute mess. Marie Kondo presents step-by-step illustrations in her book that will help you clear out everything from socks to selfies. She also gives tips to help people decide which items to give away in order to spark joy. The price was $11.
Ikea’s Symfonisk picture frame is more than simply a pretty piece of wall décor, it’s also a smart speaker that delivers solid sound for the price. The unusual collab is the perfect gift for audiophiles and art lovers alike as well as anyone looking to add a unique touch to their home or save a little space. Price: $259.99
Even though everyone else uses a phone as an alarm, the recipient should not, given how blue light can affect sleep. Pottery Barn’s Mario-themed alarm clock isn’t exactly traditional; however, it does offer a few basic tidbits of information and a snooze button. It even plays the Super Mario Bros. theme song when it’s time to wake up. Price: $49
If your giftee is just setting up their smart home, the Ring Alarm Pro offers everything they need to do so. Along with a base station that doubles as an Eero mesh Wi-Fi router, the eight-piece security system includes a contact sensor, a motion detector, and even a Z-Wave range extender that can reach sensors further away. Price is $299.99.
Source: The Verge’s 2023 home tech holiday gift guide
Fast and Easy Pot Openers: From Staircases to Autonomous Vacuums with FlexCut and Govee’s LED Strip Light
If you want to quickly take the joy out of cooking, try opening a can of cranberry sauce with a manual can opener. It can be a tricky process, which is why Hamilton Beach’s FlexCut is such a lifesaver. The can opener is easy to use and can slice through a 120-ounce container in about five minutes, it’s a good gift for any budding chef. Price: $24.96
From brightening up a drab staircase railing to electrifying parties with colorful lighting that pulses to the beat of your own music, Govee’s LED Strip Light M1 can give everything that extra oomph. The tunable, ultrabright LED lights are also Matter-ready, so you can use them with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, and any other Matter-compatible platform. Price: $44.99+
I think that any device that can shorten the cooking and eating time is a winner. You can begin to feast on turkey or ham sooner if you use Marsno’s instant-read thermometer. You don’t have to spend time digging through your junk drawer to get a bottle when it comes with the bottle opener. The price is $12.
Source: The Verge’s 2023 home tech holiday gift guide
Twinkly: Smart Home Tech Gift Guide 2023 Video Doorbells Plugs Robust Vacuums for Your Closed House
W&P’s The Popper brings the beloved movie theater experience we all know and love home. The bowl can be microwaved to cook enough popcorn for two people and has a lid that is a measuring cup. The bowl flattens to the point that it’s easy to store it in your cupboard no matter how small it is. $25 is the price.
With the Yale Assure Lock 2, your loved ones will never have to worry about forgetting to lock the door, locking themselves out, or hiding a key under some precarious rock. The battery-powered Bluetooth lock lets them control their door via their phone or Siri thanks to its support for Apple Home, and it features a handy keypad with an auto-unlock feature for when they approach. Price is $136.01.
Twinkly has star-shaped smart lights that add a touch of magic to your Christmas tree. The string lights have a variety of scenes, music sync and other features, but they are even better if you can control each one individually with Twinkly. Price: $49.99
Source: The Verge’s 2023 home tech holiday gift guide
The New Nest Wireless Pro Smart Home, Available at $199.99, on Amazon.com / B2Bee for $1999.99, $299.99, $999.99
You have to have reliable wi-fi to have a smart home. If you have less than gigabit speeds, the newer Nest Wireless Pro is an excellent choice because it doesn’t have subscription fees and has more coverage per unit. The shiny mesh routers also support Wi-Fi 6E, Matter, and Thread, allowing you to futureproof your home for years to come. Price: $199.99
There are a lot of things going on with the phone from the company. As an 11-inch tablet, you can use it to stream shows, take notes, and control various smart home gadgets. When placed on an included speaker dock, the slate becomes a smart display and picture frame that automatically updates as you share more photos. You can find the price at $299.
With Rachio’s smart sprinkler controller, you can easily schedule when your sprinklers run while ensuring each and every plant in your garden gets just the right amount of water. The useful gizmo can help you save money. as it automatically stops your irrigation from running before, during, or after rainstorms. The price is $1299.99
Source: The Verge’s 2023 home tech holiday gift guide
Anker 351 Power Strip: From Smart Home to Home Office Space with Nanoleaf Shapes Mini Triangles and Alexa-compatible Modular Light Panels
Posters are boring, but Nanoleaf’s Shapes Mini Triangles? Not so much. Each one of the ten modular light panels can display millions of colors and sync with your music, rendering them a great piece of accent lighting. The Alexa-compatible panels can also mirror the colors on your TV or monitor, letting you add an extra level of immersion to whatever you’re watching. Price: $99.99
Every smart home needs at least a few outlets to power up their gadgets. Fortunately, Anker’s 351 Power Strip is a single surge-protected strip that provides 12 AC outlets, a 20W USB-C port, and a pair of USB-A ports, so you can power everything from your TV and smart display to that behemoth OLED monitor in your home office. There is a price for $2199.
With the nightlight-themed plug, you can get into a festive mood and have the scent of fresh-baked holiday treats, and even pumpkin, for up to a month at a time. You can also swap in non-holiday fragrances like eucalyptus or lavender throughout the rest of the year, just in case you want to give your bathroom those relaxing spa vibes. Price: $16.95
Flowers are a classic piece of home decor that can make each room feel fresh and inviting. Most die quickly and that is what makes Venus et Fleurs so attractive. The colorful roses can last up to a year, while their scent will perfume your home for up to a month. They’re also gorgeous, arriving at your home in a slick hat box-inspired round box. The price is $44+
Source: The Verge’s 2023 home tech holiday gift guide
The Breville Barista Express: an easy to maintain and maintenance free espresso machine with no trained barista for lunch & dinner parties
Coffee is one of the essentials that humans need to survive. The Breville Barista Express is a refined espresso machine that’s easy to use and relatively simple to maintain with some good ol’ fashioned elbow grease, one that also happens to create coffee-shop-like espressos without the need for a trained barista. $699.95 is the price