Technology is an interesting category. These can be simple nicknacks that make life easier, to amazing tools that are hard to live without. Over the year we’re fortunate enough to check out a number of items from a surprising range of categories. Since this is perhaps one of the most complicated categories, we wanted to offer a couple suggestions that are sure to wow your special someone this holiday season.
Tech Holiday Gift Guide 2024
Dreo Fan/Heater
Over the years Dreo’s range of products have certainly wowed me. This started with their Polyfan line, and has continued to their recent heater. What I love about them isn’t just how well they perform, it’s the simple fact they integrate so well in my system. I can hook it up to my Google Nest Hub and control them in minutes, use the application to do countless things, or share a specific device with another person so they can easily control it as well.
Due to the range of products it’s hard to highlight a specific option. Since it’s Winter their tower fan/heater combo, MC706, is a great pick. This is one model we unfortunately did not, and likely will not cover specifically, but it looks like a great option for an all-in-one device.
Beyond that I genuinely love their wall heater line. We reviewed last year’s unit, and found it a great space saving way to warm a room. The new version, WH517S, looks to further the concept by reducing the size without compromising on quality. Plus, it’s a super easy install.
Another strong option is MC710S. Unlike the similarly named heater, this tower fan is combined with an air purifier. It offers all of the benefits of cleaner air, without negatively impacting the fan. The application is also a delight to use, as it can function as strictly an air purifier if you don’t want to use the fan portion.
A great all around option is their Polyfan line. I’ve joked a few times they work too well, though there is honestly some truth to this. They simply do a fantastic job of circulating air, with the designated target getting a refreshing blast of cool air. Perhaps the best thing is the price range. While options around $200 exist, Dreo’s recent efforts have expanded on the lower end. For example, Polyfan 311 is only $89.99, or $99.99 if you want smart.
Oransi Air Purifier
Thanks to wildfires, and other unexpected problems, a number of people have started to invest in air purifiers. Among my favorite is Oransi’s line of products. Contrary to most products, these air purifiers simply work.
Once set up there is an on/off button, and fan speed that can be increased/decreased as needed. It’s great for someone less technologically inclined, or just wants a product that works out of the box with relatively no work. Best of all, the purifier is rated for 12 months, so that can be a recurring gift as well.
As for options, it ultimately depends on what is most important to you. I personally prefer the Mod line, as they look aesthetically pleasing in most spaces. However, I was also told the True Carbon line is also good at eliminating the smell of weed, among other things.
AndaSeat
Whether you’re working, or studying you’ll likely be sitting in a chair for a long time. This makes it one of the best investments one can make, and a great addition for either situation.
What ultimately makes AndaSeat stand out is how well it handles common issues.
One of the most common, big and tall people, can rest assured knowing options exist for those up to 395 lbs, and 6’10.5″. Plus it supports removable arm rests, one of the most common points of failure when it comes to office chairs.
Schumacher Electric Portable Power Pack
As someone who lives in Michigan, dead batteries are an unfortunate way of life. It doesn’t matter if I use my car daily, or give it the week off, eventually age and temperature will get the best of my system. This makes a portable battery start a fantastic accessory that I always have on my person, but they sometimes come with caveats.
The one my father gave me years ago could only be charged via the lighter port. I always found this design frustrating as there was no way to utilize the device in the event it doesn’t have enough juice when you need it. Naturally, when I saw companies were moving to more traditional jumps, just in a portable form factor, that seemed like an infinitely better solution.
Among the options are Schumacher Electric, which offers a number of solutions. Among our favorite is the power pack series. These handy devices can be charged at home, have a built-in flashlight, and can be used to directly jump a car’s battery. But what makes them stand out is beyond being a practical safety tool, they double as a traditional portable battery.
If that isn’t enough, Amazon has a killer Black Friday deal on their previous generation. Options start at $29.99 for 800 amps, and go up to $47.99 (with coupon) for the 2000 amp version. That deal is so good the difference between this, and a standard one from Anker is a couple of bucks.
Once the deal passes the latest version will likely be your best bet. Not only are they a bit cheaper, I find inserting the jumper tools a lot easier. These also boast wireless charging as a standard feature, further enhancing the battery side as well. I also suggest looking into a case, as it helps keeps things nice and organized.
Reolink Argus 4 Pro
One unfortunate trend is the rise of “porch pirates.” For those unfamiliar, the cute term refers to people who steal packages outside of a home. This has become such a problem services like UPS, FedEx, Amazon, and more now take a picture of the item being delivered at the intended address.
This alone has increased interest in security cameras. It makes it a lot easier to find, track, and monitor an area. Plus, on a basic level, it acts as a pretty solid theft deterrent. And while Reolink, and other companies, make a number of solutions, Argus 4 Pro is simply a great solution.
The above is a picture from our review of it, and it’s a great image of my local area. It’s vibrant, clear, and can easily catch any nearby action. Even at night the amount of detail is great. More than enough to notice key details, or just give law enforcement a good place to start. It also pairs extremely well with a solar panel to ensure it always has some battery life.
Audeze MM-100
Despite looking like Audeze Maxwell, their MM-100 headset is a great balance between quality and affordable. It retains the quality, and craftsmanship Audeze is known for, including their iconic side grills, that performs surprisingly well under a number of conditions. The perfect headset for someone looking to up their game without breaking the bank.
Toshiba Rice Cooker (TRCS502)
Right now there is a lot of economic uncertainty. There is talk of big changes, groceries continue to climb, and even fast food has moved from a whatever purchase to rivaling sit-down restaurants. This has some people looking to save a buck, without sacrificing too much, which I honestly think Toshiba’s Rice Cooker accomplishes.
Rice, being a staple in a wide variety of dishes across a multitude of price points, is surprisingly hard to cook right. I’ve seen stovetop methods result in failure, and even cheaper machines produce lackluster results. With TRCS502 it’s really straightforward. All you need to do is get things in the general range, click a couple buttons, and the machine does the rest.
GravaStar
As much as we love technology, it doesn’t always reflect our personality. It’s an unfortunate situation that comes from needing a wide variety of items to accomplish our daily tasks. And while obvious choices include a deskmat/mousepad, an interesting alternative is GravaStar.
They make fun versions of otherwise humdrum accessories. Newer options include a keyboard and mouse, though I am partial to categories that don’t get as much attention. For example, the Mars Pro line of speakers are an absolute delight to have on your desk. Not only do they look like a toy, with the latest limited edition featuring an Assassin’s Creed collaboration, it provides a function.
Gunnar Glasses
For years Gunnar Optiks made blue light blocking glasses with gamers in mind. Over the past year or so the company has moved to be more style oriented. They still have gaming specific products, like their Fallout glasses are probably among their best sellers, but beyond that are new, and interesting products. With the addition of Clear Pro, they’re a fantastic choice if you have a kid that wants fun glasses, a fan that wants to celebrate their favorite series, or someone who just wants something stylish.
Vasco Translator V4
As technology continues to advance, devices like Vasco Translator V4 truly fascinate me. Even if phones are gaining various ways to translate, interpret other languages, and better help people connect, there are a lot of benefits to a specific device.
One of the biggest is streamlined software built for this specific purpose. I love how simply it is to use, and quickly it gives results. Best of all, it includes unlimited connectivity for life across nearly 200 counties. This is a massive win for anyone planning a trip to a foreign land and wants to minimize data while having fun.
