15 Tech Gifts For The Least Techy People You Know

Didn’t you hear that wired headphones are cool again? Willa, 27, who’s based in New York, calls them “every sad girl’s dream.” While Apple’s latest AirPods will run you $179, the classic white wired earbuds are a primo stocking stuffer at only $19.

I cringe every time I see someone walking around with their phone sans case — they’re just asking to smash their screen. These technicolor designs from Society6 are available both for iPhone and Android phones and won’t compromise your giftee’s sense of style.

With live sports, original series, big movies, and holiday specials, Paramount+ is the perfect holiday streaming destination. For a limited time only, new subscribers can take advantage of an extended 1-month free trial and stream their favorite things all holiday season. After the trial, plans start at $4.99 a month.

Dog moms appreciate practical gifts like Whistle’s dog GPS. “It’s my future stress reducer for off-leash park time,” says Elizabeth, 28, who’s based in New York. “If he runs, I’ll find him.”

They’re not just for wannabe influencers. Tech journalist Andrea Smith calls ring lights nonnegotiable, especially for post-lockdown video calls. This highly-rated version comes with a tripod and is only $20 on Amazon.

Alaia, 37, from Los Angeles, says playing video games is one thing she misses as an adult. “I wouldn’t buy a console for myself, but I would love to be given one.” A Nintendo Switch Lite comes in five colors and will let you play as much Mario Kart as your inner child desires.

Send an implicit “literally do not talk to me” signal to the bros at the gym with these top-rated over-ear headphones. With 20 hours of battery and moisture-wicking ear pads, they’ll drown out the sound of the weight rack so you can focus on your sweat sesh.

Don’t forget about the work-from-home crew. New Yorker Frances, 27, says a second monitor is one gizmo she definitely needs. This 24-inch version from ViewSonic saves space by being able to power up laptops that use USB-C chargers. At $290, it’s not the cheapest present, but it does level up a workspace — perfect for your sister who’s girlbossing a bit too close to the sun.

If your roommate won’t stop sacrificing her keys to the depths of your couch cushions every week, a Bluetooth stuff-tracker comes in handy. Tile’s Android-compatible option is the OG version, while Apple’s AirTags are easier to set up for iPhone users.

Your cousin might not need the latest tech gadget, but she definitely watches TV. Smith says that anyone who doesn’t already have a smart TV would benefit from the latest Roku Streaming Stick 4K. “It gives you access to all other subscription services,” Smith explains. Rohrbaugh adds that given concerns about the supply chain this holiday season, she expects streaming video, audio, and fitness subscriptions will be popular gift options this year.

If there’s one new year’s resolution sleep experts want you to make, it’s to stop sleeping near your phone. “Just glancing at the time can be enough to wake you up, while checking email, reading news, or engaging in other activities such as playing games or texting can make getting back to sleep difficult or impossible,” Rose MacDowell, sleep expert and chief research officer at Sleepopolis, previously told Bustle. The blue-light-free Hatch Restore is an elegant sunrise alarm, bedside lamp, noise machine, and meditation assistant all in one device.

If your insomniac friend can’t bear to follow the above advice, simplify their bedside charging station with Native Union’s wireless charging pad. Compatible with Apple and Android devices, this pad eliminates the need to rummage around for a cord. For someone who needs to charge their phone, Apple Watch, and AirPods overnight, Native Union also makes a pad that supports all three at once.

For your college bestie who just moved into her first big-girl home, Smith recommends GE’s brand new smart home camera. “What I like about it is that it has a privacy shutter on it. So if you’re home, you can just pop that privacy shutter down and it’s not going to record anything, but if you lift it up when you leave, it’s a motion-sensor camera.” Unlike similar versions, this camera stores all the footage it captures on a physical SD card, not on the cloud, assuaging any privacy concerns.

Kristjana, 31, in Rapid City, South Dakota, says a smart speaker is the one tech item her home is missing. For $50, you can get the globular white Echo, which uses Alexa to play music and carry out home tasks through connected apps. Buying for a friend named Alexa who can’t handle the competition? Google’s Nest Mini is $24.99 (down from $49) and comes in four colors that’ll suit any design scheme.

And for the person in your life who says she absolutely doesn’t want any more gadgets? Consider a donation to Black Girls Code, which will help provide workshops and classes for the next generation of people turning tech dreams into reality.