Do you have a few tech-obsessed recipients on your holiday gift list? Check out these top gadget gift ideas, in a range of prices, guaranteed to wow your loved ones.
We’re officially in the crunch part of the holiday shopping season, and so you’re likely on the hunt for some last-minute great gifts for family and friends. And there’s no shortage of awesome gadgets and games for everyone on your list, but therein lies the problem: With so many products to choose from, it can be tough to know what’s hot and what’s not.
No one wants to gift a dud.
Assuming it’s tech toys you want, the following is a look at ten great gadget gift ideas to consider, to suit varying tastes and prices (ranging from $39 to $999). And perhaps you’ll pick up a little something for yourself, too, to take advantage of discounted prices leading into the holidays. The gift giver deserves a treat, too!
Gadget Gift Ideas for Everyone On Your List
Kindle Paperwhite Kids
Gift the gift of reading with Amazon’s new Kindle Paperwhite (from $185) and Kindle Paperwhite Kids (from $215), both with sharp, anti-glare 7-inch screens. Now with 20 percent faster page turns than its predecessor, the new Kindles are also waterproof, so you can take it to the beach, pool or into a bubble bath. An optional backlight lets you read in bed without disturbing anyone. The Paperwhite Kids model also includes a protective folio screen, parental controls and six months of Amazon Kids+, a service that offers thousands of kid-friendly books, movies, games and more.
Tonies Starter Set
Designed for little listeners, Toniebox is a screen-free entertainment system that plays your children’s favourite songs and stories. You place a Tonie figure on top of the soft speaker, and it launches audio content—everything from Peppa Pig and Disney to Sesame Street and Paw Patrol. The Tonies Starter Set ($119) includes one Tonies character, but there are many more to purchase over time (most under $25), including Disney’s Moana, Marvel’s Spidey, Lightning McQueen, Elmo, Elsa, Minnie Mouse and Dr. Seuss characters, to name a few. Parents and grandparents can record messages and stories for the kids on the mytonies app, too, which then plays on the Toniebox.
Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle
The versatile Nintendo Switch ($399) can be played at home on your big-screen TV (in its dock, included), but it can also be played on the go via its built-in screen. A holiday bundle includes the Nintendo Switch console, a digital copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and a 12-month individual membership to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service, to play with others over the internet ($100 value).
Just Dance 2025 Edition
Playable on Nintendo Switch, PS5 or Xbox Series S/X, Ubisoft’s Just Dance 2025 Edition ($59) challenges you to move your body to many of today’s top hits from the likes of Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish and Lady Gaga. Your goal in this family-friendly video game is to follow along with the on-screen dancers to rack up as many points as possible—and out-dance competitors beside you. If virtual reality is more your thing, Just Dance VR: Welcome to Dancity ($40) is playable on Meta Quest 2/3/Pro, where you can create your very own avatar and play online with others.
Meta Quest 3s
Speaking of VR, if the gamer you’re shopping for hasn't been gaming in virtual reality (VR), they’re missing out. From $399 (for 128GB), the new Meta Quest 3S lets you experience mind-blowing interactive entertainment, as the 360-degree content seen (and heard) in the headset can be incredibly realistic. Plus, this device supports augmented reality (AR), too, since you can also see the real-world around you in some apps and games (like aliens hiding behind your sofa). Backed by a huge app store with thousands of titles, Meta Quest 3S is also for viewing movies, fitness and meditation exercises, chat rooms, virtual concerts and much more. Meta Quest 3S includes a downloadable copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow.
Bounce Kids Smartwatch
Garmin’s Bounce ($169) is a kids smartwatch, which lets you can communicate with your child via two-way text and voice messaging via the Garmin Jr. app on your smartphone, plus there’s real-time location tracking. Just like other smartwatches, Bounce can also track steps and exercise, and monitor sleep patterns. Garmin says the watch can last up to two days between charges, depending on which features you use.
HP x360 Chromebook Plus
Powered by Google’s ChromeOS, this 14-inch HP x360 laptop (from $699) delivers an enhanced Chromebook experience, with a vibrant touchscreen display (it also bends back to become a tablet) and twice the storage, speed and memory than a regular (non-Plus) Chromebook. Built-in Google AI tools, including Google Gemini, let you get more done in less time, including handy features like Help Me Read, Help Me Write and Magic Editor (to have AI fix up your photos). Also included with purchase is 12 months of Google One AI Premium, for even more advanced AI, extra cloud storage and more. Other features of this Intel Core-powered laptop include an all-day battery, Bang and Olufsen audio and a Google Play store to download apps and games.
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 Potable Smart Laser Projector
The only thing better than a picture up to 150 inches is when it’s portable. The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 Portable Smart Laser Projector ($999) produces a super-bright image, up to 1000 lumens of colour and white brightness, with no lamp to replace. The 360-swivel stand lets you beam the image against a wall, or even a ceiling—for a kids sleepover, perhaps—or in the summer, bring it outside for movie nights in the backyard (plus there’s a built-in speaker, too). Available in Stone Blue, Quartz Rose, Opal Green, Onyx Black or Diamond White, the Epson EF22 also features the Google TV platform built-in, with access to more than 10,000 apps, including popular streaming services.
Blu Toque Cable Knit Bluetooth Beanie
You’ve heard of Bluetooth, but what about a Blue Toque? Dress warm for the winter and still take calls and hear tunes. As the name suggests, the $59 Blu Toque Cable Knit Bluetooth Beanie is a Bluetooth-enabled toque with built-in headphones that you wirelessly stream music, podcasts, audiobooks or calls from your nearby smartphone. The “faux fur pom” material will keep you warm, yet connected several dozen feet away from your music source. Compatible with both Apple and Android devices, use the onboard controls to play/pause music, skip between tracks, adjust volume and more. Battery life tops six hours between charges. Remove the electronics from its small inside pouch before washing.
Govee Star Light Projector
Project an “out of this world” moving image onto your child’s bedroom ceiling with the Govee Star Light Projector ($89). This projector is capable of creating a stunning 650-square-foot image with a button press on the app (or on the unit itself), with 16 million colours, flowing aurora effects and 52 scene modes. Optional, but there are white noise tracks, too, to complement the starry image, plus it’s a Bluetooth speaker if you want to play your own songs. Other features of the Govee Star Light Projector include smart speaker support (use your voice to control it via an Alexa or Google Assistant device) and an easy-to-set timer.
