2021 Holiday Tech Shopping Guide
The Latest Tech for Everyone on Your Holiday Shopping List
The Holiday Season is quickly approaching and 2021 brought tons of cool new gadgets that could make great gifts for your loved ones! To help kickstart your holiday shopping, our team put together this awesome guide filled with some of the latest and most unique tech devices of the year. From smartwatches to household gadgets — from gaming consoles to levitating speakers — there is likely a gadget to surprise everyone on your list!
Smartwatches for Kids
You’re probably already familiar with the wide array of smartwatches on the market, such as the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy smartwatch. While these are both great options, there are also several options available that were specifically designed for kids, too! These devices offer great features and functionality for both kids and parents. For example, the TickTalk4 offers GPS tracking, messaging capabilities, and a camera so that you can always stay in touch with your child. Another option, the Angel Watch, also offers instant vital sign readings such as body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and more so you can keep tabs on your child’s health. Budget-friendly options like the Xplora X5 Play can still offer features such as GPS tracking and messaging functions at a lower cost.
Webcams
Do you have someone on your list that works from home? A high-quality webcam could be a great gift idea and would make a great addition to any home office! There are plenty of options out there to choose from, and when working from home means virtual meetings, webcams are essential. With low-light capabilities and clear audio and picture quality, the Razer Kiyo Pro has been called the “jack-of-all-trades” — an option to consider for the streamer or vlogger on your list. If you’re looking for more functionality and customization of your picture, the Anker PowerConf C300 offers adjustable picture settings such as field of view, noise-canceling mics, low-light correction, and HDR capabilities. It also allows for multiple people in the frame and is even certified by Zoom as a great option for video conferencing.
Speakers
You can’t have a holiday party without some great music, and that all starts with an awesome speaker! There are several high-quality options that each offer their own unique functionalities. Speaking of parties, the JBL Xtreme 3 was actually voted “Best for Parties” by PCMag. While it is a more expensive option, it offers an IP67 waterproof/dustproof rating and features a convenient carrying strap so you can bring the music with you wherever you go. Bose, a brand known for its exceptional sound quality, offers a portable speaker option that is easier on your wallet, the Bose SoundLink Flex. This speaker also has an IP67 rating, comes in a variety of colors, and was rated the “Best Affordable Bose Speaker”. If you’re looking for a very unique functionality that is sure to impress your guests, be sure to check out a levitating speaker. That’s right — levitating! While these speakers are currently in high demand (we’re not surprised, because who wouldn’t want one?), there are still plenty of options available like the RUIXINA Floating Speaker. The floating function is achieved using electromagnets, and also features touch controls and LED lighting effects that we bet will keep your guests talking.
Gadgets & Gizmos
If you’re looking for something unique — these out-of-the-box products are different from our list so far because they seem to be in a category of their own. For example, the Click & Grow Indoor Garden allows you to grow your favorite herbs, vegetables, fruits, or flowers indoors regardless of sunlight and weather. This smart garden takes care of the light, water, and nutrients for you — no green thumb required! Speaking of indoors, the Meural Canvas II is a smart frame that adds a 21st-century touch to home decor. With this digital “canvas” you can showcase the world’s most renowned works of art, or even give your own photos that art gallery treatment. If you’re looking for a practical gift for your car, the ZUS Smart Vehicle Health Monitor is a relatively inexpensive way to keep tabs on the health of your vehicle right from your smartphone. For the grill master in your life, the Meater Smart Thermometer is a nifty gadget that will allow you to monitor the temperature of your meat. It even allows you to select your desired doneness and sends an alert to your phone when it’s ready. With new tech ideas constantly hitting the market, chances are you can find something for everyone!
Gaming Consoles
A holiday tech shopping guide is never complete without mentioning gaming consoles. While some of 2021’s most popular consoles like the Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X/S are still in very high demand and can be tricky to get your hands on, there are several other great options to explore. You still might have a pretty good chance of finding a Nintendo Switch in stores or online if you act quickly, and this is a fun option for gamers young and old on the go. Nintendo offers a small handheld Switch Lite, the standard Switch, and a newly-released larger OLED version of the console. If you find yourself feeling nostalgic and missing the classics, you might want to consider the Playstation Classic, a Playstation 1 revival that comes preloaded with 20 classic games at an affordable price. Or, you can immerse yourself in the technology of today with a VR experience — the Oculus Quest 2 is a well-known option that can take some of your favorite titles to a new level of fun.
Our team set out to put together a shopping list of super cool tech products and gadgets to share with you, because we know finding the perfect gift can be a challenge. We hope you find great gifts for everyone on your list, even for those with the most specific hobbies and interests — we certainly found some gifts for our own friends and family (and let’s be honest, ourselves). Technology never stops surprising us with new gifts and gadgets that we didn’t know we needed. We hope you enjoy our picks — be sure to let us know what you think if you give any of these products a try!