Giving gifts to tech enthusiasts can be a real pain. How can you make sure you’re giving someone who enthusiastically buys all the gadgets they can afford something they don’t already have, or that would make their life just a little easier? To help out, the IGN staff is pitching in: We asked everyone for some of their favorite techy items that would make great gifts this holiday season and firmly stand behind these picks, from more high-end pieces of gear down to super-practical everyday things.
Backbone One Controller for iPhone
Perfect for someone who recently got addicted to Balatro on their phone, or otherwise plays tons of games on their mobile device instead of a console or another handheld, the Backbone One is one of our favorite phone controllers. It was one of the first expandable controllers for phones and remains one of the best to ever do it. It’s compatible with iOS and Android devices.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Smartphone Printer Pikachu Bundle
This Fujifilm printer spits out Instax photos straight from your phone’s camera roll via Bluetooth, which is ideal if someone is into the vibe of instant cameras but isn’t great about remembering to bring theirs when they go out. This Pikachu bundle that prints mini film is very cute, but if that sells out, there are plenty of other sizes (I’m especially partial to the wide film).
Hori Nintendo Switch Split Pad
Give the gift of ending the Switch scourge that is stick drift by investing in a Hori Split Pad. It’s great for those with bigger hands or simply want something with more real estate to grab onto when playing Switch as a handheld. (You can also find the Hori Split Pad Pro on our list of the best gifts under $50).
RayCue 128K SE Docking Station
This RayCue docking station is both extremely practical – with 13 different ports – and far nicer to look at than your typical USB/HDMI/etc. hub. The screen is actually functional and can display preset visualizations, the time, or a slideshow of photos that you’ve uploaded.
Shokz OpenRun Pro
For the runners and cyclists in your life who are constantly on the hunt for the best workout headphones, the Shokz OpenRun Pro are the ones that will put their search to an end. They might look goofy but their functionality is legit: Even though these are open-ear headphones, Shokz’ bone-conduction technology means that it still delivers clear audio while letting you stay aware of your surroundings.
Analogue Pocket Console
If someone on your list is adamant that handhelds peaked with the Game Boy Color – and who can blame them? – then the Analogue Pocket Console is a no-brainer. It’s compatible with Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges (though it can handle more niche handhelds of the era with an adapter), and as a fun little bonus, it’s also a tiny synthesizer to make chiptune dreams come true.
Twelve South HoverBar Duo for iPad
Trifold iPad cases don’t hold a candle to this stand. This Twelve South stand might seem like overkill at first brush, but IGN staff swears this is game-changing for iPad havers.
Kobo Libra Color eReader
The Kobo Libra is as close as you can get to the experience of marking up an actual book outside of the Kindle Scribe (which is double the price).
Philips Hue String Lights
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise: String lights are great any time of the year, not just the holidays, and if someone on your list is already a Philips Hue user, these are a great fun addition to that suite.
Asus ROG Ally X
For those who have been on the hunt for a new handheld, the ROG Ally X is your best bet. It’s our top pick for portable gaming PC, and for good reason. In IGN’s 9/10 review, Jacqueline Thomas said that “compared to other handheld gaming PCs out there, the Asus ROG Ally is the best positioned to play the latest AAA games at high settings,” and praised the longevity of its battery life.
JBL Go 4 Portable Speaker
Portable speakers are a great little investment, and JBL’s Go 4 is extra-portable (and comes in fun colorways) while still maintaining robust sound quality.
Meta Quest 3S
There’s never been a better time to give the gift of mixed reality now that the Meta Quest 3S has released a cost-effective headset. In our 9/10 review, Gabriel Moss wrote “the Meta Quest 3S is the perfect entry-level VR headset, finally bridging the price gap between the relatively shiny new Meta Quest 3 and the now four-year-old Meta Quest 2.”
iFixIt Essential Electronics Toolkit
A truly essential gift for any tech tinkerer that includes 16 4mm screwdriver bits, angled tweezers, and other specialized tools. As an upgrade, throw in an electric screwdriver, especially if they’re obsessed with keyboard modding.
Apple Airpods Pro
Airpods are insanely popular for good reasons, including active noise cancellation plus other adaptive audio hearthrough modes. Convert a holdout today by gifting them a pair of the Pros, which we still think still stand as the best model of Airpods to-date (and will definitely go on sale for Black Friday).
Apple MagSafe Charger
Wireless charging is a beautiful convenience to add to a friend or family member’s life. Just be sure they have an iPhone 12 or newer for this MagSafe charger to work.
Genki Global Dock & Charger
This Genki dock doesn’t seem like much, but that would be like judging an incredible book by its lackluster cover. It’s super useful for owners of gaming handhelds – like the Switch Lite, ROG Ally, or Steam Deck – who would like it very much if they could play those games on a TV or monitor.
Anker Prime Power Bank (9,600mAh Battery)
“Thanks for the power bank………” is how an uninitated giftee might react. Everyone else in the know about how reliable and good these Anker plug-in/portable chargers are for pretty much any device that needs power will be delighted.
USB Type-C Flash Drive 512GB
USB drives are certainly not glamorous gifts, but man, if they aren’t extremely handy to have around when you desperately need one. This Samsung 512GB one is especially great and compatible with loads of devices since it’s USB-C. It’s time to upgrade from the old 8GB USB thumb drive you got as a random freebie 10 years ago.
Insta360 X4 Camera
One of the best consumer portable cameras on the market right now. The Insta360 X4 can take 8K video in 360º and has helpful settings to stabilize movement and reframe shots that came out a little off-kilter.
Clicks Keyboard for Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
For the nostalgia hounds in your life who wish that the tactile clickity-clack of Blackberry keyboards never gave way to touch screens. The Clicks case adds a bit more length to iPhones, but that also saves a good amount of precious screen real estate from the Apple keyboard.
Hottest Tech Deals Right Now
If you are seeking even more inspiration and want to find a good deal on gift ideas, be sure to check out the Black Friday deals we have spotted so far. It’s only going to continue ramping up as we approach Nov 29th. Here are some highights so far to narrow down your search:
For more shopping tips, see our holiday gift guides for the gamers and geeks in your life:
The Best Gift Cards to Give Out This Holiday SeasonThe Best Harry Potter Gifts I’d Recommend for Any Potter FanaticBest MTG Gifts I’d Recommend for Any Fan: Cards, Cases and MoreBest Lord of the Rings GiftsThe Best Xbox Gift Ideas for 2024
Leanne Butkovic (she/they) is an Editorial Project Manager at IGN, where they’ve also written about movies, TV, and games. They have nearly a decade of experience in digital media.
