Hardware

The best tech gifts and gadgets of 2023

In case you didn’t know, we at Engadget are unashamedly tech-obsessed. While our work revolves around testing and reviewing gadgets, reporting on technological advancements and social media controversies, our staff is made up of people who genuinely love technology and everything it takes to make cool gadgets. I am. If you have someone in your life who shares the same passion, it can be difficult to find technology that you think they’ll appreciate (and don’t already own). Here, we’ve gathered some of our favorite gear that we’ve tested, used, and thought would make great gifts for tech geeks. No, they don’t all cost a fortune.

Marshall Emberton II

Will Lipman Photography from Engadget

Any technology enthusiast will appreciate the Marshall Emberton II speaker, and not just for its good looks. The latest version of the compact rectangular speaker is equipped with a 10-watt full-range driver and a passive radiator to deliver the brand’s signature balanced sound. 360-degree sound makes it perfect for small gatherings or small desk concerts while working from home. Marshall has also improved the battery life on this model, increasing it from 20 hours to 30 hours, and it also has a more durable IP67 rating. Also, if the giver wants to expand his sound system, he can pair multiple of his Emberton II speakers using stack mode. – Valentina Palladino, Senior Commerce Editor

$136 on Amazon

amazon echo show 15

Will Lipman Photography from Engadget

If the tech geeks around you are interested in smart home automation, this gift might help bring it all together. The Echo Show 15 serves at least five different purposes: a display for a video doorbell feed, a smart home control deck, a widget-driven bulletin board, a compact smart TV, and a home for Alexa’s chattier assistance coming soon. There is. The 15-inch screen is large enough to accommodate all of the above and can be wall-mounted in portrait or landscape orientation. It also comes with a remote control, but you can also control it using the touch screen or just by speaking. — Amy Skolheim, Commerce Writer

$280 on Amazon

sonos ray

Photo credit: Nathan Ingraham/Engadget

Providing the tech enthusiasts on your list with a way to get better sound from their TVs will be welcomed. Soundbars can be cumbersome and expensive, but Sonos Ray is neither of those things. This compact gadget earns its place on our list of the best soundbars thanks to its relatively small size, which fits perfectly into most living room setups. You’ll also notice a noticeable improvement in audio quality whether you’re watching action movies, suspense dramas, or live sports broadcasts. Ray also supports his AirPlay 2, which can be used to stream music, audiobooks, and other content from a variety of services even when the TV is off. And if the giftee decides to expand his audio system over time, the Ray pairs seamlessly with his other Sonos devices. – vice president

$279 at Sonos

DJI Mini 3

DJI

If you want to gift a gadget lover with a real high-tech toy, a drone is the perfect choice. DJI’s Mini 3 is very similar to the Pro model at the top of the lineup, with the exception of forward and rear obstacle detection and ActiveTrack. It also weighs just 249 grams, so users don’t need special permission to fly it in most countries. The DJI Mini 3 is capable of shooting 4K 30fps video and 12 megapixel photos, and the camera can also be flipped 90 degrees to provide vertical photos and videos. DJI’s QuickShot is also supported here, making it easy to shoot short videos for social media without much human intervention. Drones perform most of the work themselves. Springing is recommended for packages containing DJI’s RC controllers. Your giftee will thank you – it’s much easier to use than a smartphone. – vice president

$609 on eBay

Audeze Maxwell

Audeze

Audeze Maxwell is the best wireless gaming headset we’ve tested for people who spend a lot of time gaming with friends online. First and foremost, it sounds great, with impactful but not bombastic bass and an overall high level of detail that’s sure to envelop your loved ones in multiplayer battles. halo infinite Or tense stealth scenes the last of us.. Detachable microphone provides clear sound and is great at suppressing ambient noise. It’s certainly bulky, but the cushioned design is much less uncomfortable than most gaming headsets. Battery life is good at around 80 hours, and there are also models for both PlayStation and Xbox (or PC). — Jeff Dunn, Senior Commerce Writer

$329 on Amazon

Anker Prime 20,000mAh Mobile Battery

Will Lipman Photography from Engadget

If you’re into all things tech, chances are you already have a spare battery pack or two, but Anker’s Prime Bank is a little different. First, the 20,000 mAh size is plenty, and the 100W port is powerful enough to charge even a laptop. The display shows the remaining battery power and emissions per port. But the best part is the charging base. Instead of the (admittedly trivial) hassle of plugging in a power bank to charge it, you just pop it into the base and it’s ready to use. Unfortunately, the base has to be purchased separately and is not cheap, but it does provide a premium portable charging experience. — as.

$130 on Amazon

peak design tech pouch

Engadget

When your tech-loving friends travel, there’s a good chance they bring the gear that means the most to them. Peak Design’s Tech Pouch provides a way to organize all your small gadgets and keep everything neatly in one place. Origami-style pockets can hold your phone, wireless charger, power bank, adapter, cables, etc. Additionally, the outer shell is water resistant. The bag stands upright when open, making it easy to find what you need in an emergency, and the outer pocket has a pass-through opening that allows you to connect to a power source to charge items inside the bag. The Tech Pouch is spacious without being too big or bulky, making it an easy gift for someone who’s always on the go. – vice president

$60 at Peak Design

Logitech G PowerPlay Wireless Charging Mouse Pad

logitech

Logitech PowerPlay is a mouse pad that wirelessly charges your mouse every time you use it. It only works with a few of his Logitech mice (I recommend the G Pro X Superlight 2 if you have one at your disposal) and is frankly quite expensive.Physically charge the mouse that It’s very annoying, but once your loved one no longer has to worry about cables or charging, it may be hard to go back. Mats have both cloth and hard plastic surfaces. The former is softer and quieter, while the latter is a little smoother, which is better suited for fast-moving games. — J.D.

$109 on Amazon

Govee M1 RGBIC LED Light Strip

govie

Smart lights are a great way to add personality to any room, and Govee’s M1 RGBIC Smart Light Strip makes a great gift for technology enthusiasts who want to match their home’s mood. This model features an upgraded chipset, higher brightness and richer color performance than previous Govee light strips, and the whole thing can be controlled via the company’s companion app. Givers can customize the lights by segment, give each a different color if desired, and control the whole thing with Alexa or Google Assistant commands. Govee’s app provides a huge number of preset lighting effects and customizations, but users can also create and save their own lighting effects to use at any time. You can definitely use it on a regular basis to set the tone for your next gaming stream or for movie night. – vice president

$100 on Amazon

little things

little things

Tidbyt is a small LED light board that displays the time, weather, sports scores, calendar and transit alerts, news headlines, or a floating DVD logo that never appears in the corner of the screen, all in stylish chunky pixels. can. The walnut hardwood case is approximately 8 inches long and does not include microphone or camera. The $199 price tag is probably too high for a geeky décor item. But hey, this is a gift guide and would look great on your bedside table or kitchen counter. — J.D.

$199 at Tidbyt

box page

box

When we tested the Boox e-reader for our guide, it wasn’t initially available. The library is just an open domain thing, and proprietary reader apps do not support rights-managed titles. It finally clicked when I realized that this was simply a compact Android-based tablet with a (fairly sharp) E Ink screen. You can run almost any app on the Google Play Store. It could be a Kindle, a Kobo, a Libby library book reader, and anything in between. The Page has a classy feel with its soft front light and nimble page-turning buttons. These buttons, and almost every other feature on the page, are customizable, giving you many ways to further customize your device. In short, this is an impressively built e-reader that the tech-obsessed can get plenty of use out of while giving their eyes a break from the bright LED screen. — as.

$250 in box

lego nintendo entertainment system

Engadget

Everyone I know who is deeply involved in technology started their journey with Legos or video games or both. This fun, retro and incredibly detailed TV and original NES Lego set will warm the heart of anyone who’s ever picked up a controller. The completed set is approximately 10 inches tall and has over 2,600 pieces, so it will take hours to assemble. Then it will look great on the shelf and bring joy to everyone who sees it. If anyone I know is reading this, please make this your gift to me this year. — as.

$300 on Amazon

ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless Gaming Keyboard

Will Lipman Photography from Engadget

If you’re shopping for someone who spends most of their day typing and wants to relax with a good game, the ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is sure to be a treat. Scary name aside, this is a premium wireless mechanical gaming keyboard with a sturdy aluminum frame and crisp keys that are incredibly smooth to press and relatively quiet. It has a long battery life of 90 hours (with RGB lighting on), a removable wrist rest, and a clever multi-function key that puts volume, media, and backlight controls all in one place. . It should make PC gamers’ work and play time more comfortable. — J.D.

$180 on Amazon

XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro 1080P

Jimi

Even if you have everything, you may not have any of them yet. XGIMI’s MoGo 2 Pro is one of his recommended projectors because it’s small enough to fit in a backpack and provides relatively accurate and detailed images. It has HDMI, USB-A, and USB-C ports, but it also supports Chromecast and has AndroidTV built-in. To play outdoors, you’ll need a long cord or battery pack. It does not have a built-in battery. But at less than $600, it’s pretty affordable for a high-quality projector. — as

$450 on Amazon


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