This story is part of the Forbes Vetted 2023 Holiday Gift Guide, where you can find handpicked presents for everyone on your list.
If you’re looking to give presents that will surprise and delight recipients of all ages this holiday season, then look no further than the very best tech gifts. Let’s face it: A smartwatch will always be more fun than socks, a new pair of AirPods will receive greater fanfare than a scented candle and a sleek new TV will always wow on Christmas morning (or otherwise). But if you’re a novice to the tech world, it can be difficult to decipher between the latest and greatest models of smart speakers, iPhones, e-readers and more.
With that in mind, we turned to tech expert, Forbes 30 Under 30 alum and Cameo cofounder Devon Townsend to help us select the very best tech gifts for everyone on your list. Townsend’s approach to holiday shopping starts close to home. “If I’m using a product and unexpectedly become obsessed with it, that becomes the thing that I buy as a gift because I know how well it works,” he says. “That recently happened with the Garmin Vívoactive 5 GPS Smartwatch—after I bought it, I got addicted to running with it, and I’ve since given it out a bunch of times as a gift. Same thing for the Marshall Tufton Speaker: I use mine constantly and it has incredible sound quality, so I’ve given it at 10 different weddings. If you love something, why not share the joy?”
At Cameo, Townsend is also working hard to spread some holiday cheer. The platform sells personalized video messages from thousands of celebrities, athletes, musicians and social media influencers, with figures like Priscilla Presley and Drew Brees on tap to send yuletide greetings to your loved ones near and far. “We also recently launched Cameo Kids, so now we have AI-powered 3D avatars that represent animated characters from popular TV shows like Blippy, CoComelon and Gracie’s Corner,” says Townsend, who’s planning to gift one of the CoComelon videos to his 3-year-old nephew, along with a video from one of the stars of The Bachelor to a friend who’s a fan of the reality TV show. “At the end of the day, the perfect gift is something that you know will put a smile on their face.”
Ahead, shop the best tech gifts, according to Townsend. And if you end up buying a gift or two for yourself, well, no judgment here.
Best Tech Gifts, At A Glance:
- Best Affordable Tech Gift: Apple AirTag
- Best Splurge Tech Gift: Samsung The Frame 65-Inch QLED 4K UHD Smart TV
- Best Tablet Gift: Kindle Paperwhite
- Best Headphones Gift: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
- Best Tech Gift For Kids: Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set
- Best Smartwatch Gift: Garmin Vívoactive 5 GPS Smartwatch
- Best Speaker Gift: Marshall Tufton Portable Speaker
The Best Tech Gifts, According To Our Editors
Looking for more inspiration? The Forbes Vetted editors and writers have compiled the very best presents that top their wish lists, from soundbars to GoPros.
A Perfect Gift For Music Lovers
Impressive, Affordable Mobile Listening
Give The Gift Of A Clutter-Free Desk Or Nightstand
Desktop Stand Pulls Double Duty
A Way To Control Your Smart Home
Ask The Weather and More
Make Movie Night Extra Special
An Affordable Soundbar For Any TV
Great Audio For Gamers
Compatible Across All Consoles
A Great Tablet For Android Users
Versatile, With A Handy Stylus
A Great Tablet For Students
Part E-Reader, Part Notebook
Light Up Their Life—Or Yours
Permanent Programmable Outdoor Lights
For The Gamers On Your Gift List
Game Controller Perfection For PS5
Headphones For Music Lovers And Gamers Alike
An Over-Ear Style That Helps You Hear It All
A Great Gift For The Entire Family
Games For All Ages In Your Hands
A Fun Way To Document Adventures
An Action Camera That Shoots 360-Degree Video
The Gift Of Home Security
A Versatile Video Doorbell From Google
For Remote Workers And Photographers
Take This Durable, Portable SSD Anywhere
The Perfect Gift For Coffee Or Tea Drinkers
Keeps Coffee At The Perfect Temperature
An Ideal Addition To Any Smart Home
Stream Your Music From This Smart Speaker
A Tablet For Everyday Use
Latest Apple iPad Gets More Powerful
The Perfect Gift For Mobile Gamers
Play PlayStation Games On-The-Go
Go For A Spin With This Crowd-Pleasing Gift
A Bluetooth Suitcase Record Player
Perfect For Anyone Who’s Not Tech Savvy
A Low-Cost Tablet From Amazon
For People Who Often Forget To Charge Their Phone
Recharge Your Smartphone On The Go
Tune Out The Noise Around You
Premium Earbuds With The Best Noise Cancelation
A Gift That Does Much More Than Tell Time
A New Garmin Smartwatch For Kids
The Perfect Gift For Someone’s Nightstand Or Dresser
An Elegant Wireless Charging System
A Stocking Stuffer For iPhone Users
A Genuine Leather Wallet Case For iPhone
The Most Popular Gift That All Gamers Want
The Gaming Console On Every Gamer’s Wishlist
A Spy Cam For Dog Parents
Check In On Your Dog While You’re Away From Home
Everyone Wants A Clutter-Free Desk
Maintain An Organized And Elegant Desk
A Folding Smartphone That Easily Fits In A Pocket
People Are Flipping For This Smartphone
Kids Will Love This Stocking Stuffer
A Digital Pet For Kids
What Every Frequent Traveler Needs
Power Strip For Frequent Travelers
Teach Young Kids About Digital Photography
A Child’s First Camera
A Wonderful Gift For Notetakers And Readers
An Amazon E-Reader You Can Write On
Give The Gift Of Great Audio While On A Plane
Lasts Over 20 Hours On a Single Charge
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