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Best Tech Gifts for the 2021 Holiday Season
This holiday season, whether it’s for your colleague or your spouse, your cousin or a friend, give them a present that embodies the spirit of innovation! We’ve collected an array of the best technology gifts on the market, with multiple options to fit any budget. Empower your colleagues and loved ones with everything from productivity hacks to workstation must-haves so that they can start 2022 off right.
Screen Time
A monitor is a workstation essential, whether working in the office or from home. While a laptop is perfect for on-the-go, a monitor—or better yet, dual monitors—offers more screen space for productivity, improved picture quality for photo or video editing, and a more ergonomic setup for a happier, healthier work environment. Below are three of the best monitors, according to N.Y. Times:
- Best Picture Quality: Dell P2721Q for *$510
- Best Ultrawide: Acer XR342CK Pbmiiqphuzx 34″ 21:9 Curved IPS Monitor for *$650
- Best on a Budget: ViewSonic VA2456-MHD for *$270
Dell’s 4K monitor, ideal for creative workers, is highly rated for its color accuracy, adjustable stand, and port selection. For those who enjoy one ultrawide screen for a seamless layout of applications and programs, Acer offers 34 inches of unbroken horizontal space as well as a pixel count high enough to replace two monitors. ViewSonic’s 24-inch 1080p monitor is ideal for both space savers and money savers, offering a quality monitor for smaller workstations that is considerate of smaller budgets. No matter which of the three you may choose, rest easy knowing they all have three-year warranties
All in the Wrist
Now that you’ve got the monitor sorted, it is time to pair it with a wireless mouse and keyboard combo. The wireless feature is top notch when on the go, whether on a hybrid schedule between the office and home or rotating through favorite local cafes. Even if the keyboard never gets packed up, having no visible wires to get caught on or clutter a workstation can greatly simplify things. Here are some of the top wireless keyboard and mouse combos, as recommended by Reviewed.
- Best Overall: Logitech MK850 for *$80
- Best Value: Logitech MK270 for *$25
- Best for Multiple Devices: Dell KM7321W for *$80
Type in ease with MK850’s comfortable wrist rest and its fully-featured, ergonomic mouse. For a quarter of the price, MK270 is not only an affordable option, but a quality one that is easy to type with programmable hot keys. Dell’s premier multi-device wireless keyboard and mouse connect with up to three devices that are easy to switch through and features an elegant design for a minimalist workstation.
Get in the Zone
Whether in the office or at home, tuning out distractions and tuning into projects is critical for maintaining high productivity levels. Noise-cancelling headphones eliminate the water cooler chatter or the tumbling washing machine so that your colleagues and loved ones can get stuff done. Here are the highlights from TechRadar’s round-up of the best noise-cancelling headphones of 2021:
- Best Overall: Sony WH-1000XM4 for *$350
- Best Earbuds: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds for *$280
- Best on a Budget: JBL Tune 750BTNC for *$130
Sony took first place for its sound quality and new features, including multipoint pairing, DSEE Extreme upscaling, and conversational awareness, all wrapped up in a lightweight design. For those who do not enjoy over-ear headphone designs, Bose earbuds offer best-in-class ANC, clarity, and a comfortable fit. With a reliable brand name like JBL, the Tune 750BTNC are easy to use and feature strong active noise cancellation at a budget-friendly price.
Make a Call
Nowadays, basically everyone has a phone. Since it is the one item many people never leave home without (because it is usually glued to their person), investing in a high-quality phone is a worthwhile expense. If you’re a practical gift giver, then you can’t go wrong with a smartphone. Check out a few of the best phones to buy in 2021, according to CNET.
- Best Overall: Apple iPhone 13 Pro for *$999
- Best Foldable Phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 for *$1,050
- Best Camera on a Budget: Google Pixel 5a with 5G for *$450
Apple is known for its high-quality cameras, and its latest smartphone, iPhone 13 Pro, adds a third rear camera with 3x optical zoom. Samsung is bringing back the flip phone in a big way with a main screen that measures 6.7 inches but folds to fit in a pocket without the bulge. While half the price, Google Pixel 5a features a 6.34-inch OLED display, a quality camera, and is water-resistant.
Power Hungry
Whether travelling to a coffee shop for an afternoon change-up or flying in between meetings, there is one thing you can count on: Charging stations may be few and far in between. Empower your colleagues and loved ones this holiday season with portable power banks so that they can take charge(s) wherever they go. PCWorld reviewed the best power banks of 2021:
- Best Overall: Mophie Powerstation XXL for *$60
- Best on a Budget: Anker PowerCore Fusion 5000 2-in-1 Portable Charger and Wall Charger for *$30
- Most Rugged: Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC Portable Power Bank for *$300
Mophie’s efficient power bank offers 74Wh of power, three ports, and a sleek design, making it the complete package. Free two birds with one key with Anker’s combo power bank with two USB-A ports plus a built-in wall charger. For those on the road all the time, Goal Zero has got you covered with a rugged power bank loaded with extra features that can take the jostles of travel.
Lost N’ Found
Running late for work and can’t find your keys? Never again with a Bluetooth tracker. Attach it to your phone, keys, laptop, or another valuable item so that you can quickly locate it or track if stolen and in range. Giving someone one of these smart devices is a smart choice (ha!), so check out the best Bluetooth trackers, according to PCMag:
- Best iOS-compatible: Apple AirTag for *$30
- Best Android-compatible: Tile Pro for *$35
- Best Smart Home Integration: Samsung Galaxy Smart Tag for *$20
Whether stuck in the couch cushions or left 100 miles away in a hotel from last week’s conference, your Apple devices can be found with the nifty AirTag. Durable with good connectivity, Tile Pro can be submerged for up to 30 minutes and has a battery life estimated to last up to a year. Track and locate your devices as well as activate start home automation routines with Samsung’s Smart Tag.
Pocketful of Sunshine
With the huge increase in video conferencing due to remote and hybrid work environments, most people are in front of a camera at least once a weekday, and so, a ring light makes a solid gift. Help your colleagues and loved ones put their best face forward with one of these best ring lights of 2021, according to Spy.
- Best for Video Conferencing: Rotolight Video Conferencing Kit for *$300
- Best for Remote Work: Video Conference Lighting Kit for *$21
- Best Pocket-Size: Auxiwa Clip-On Selfie Ring Light for *$14
Kit out your loved one with Rotolight’s 1000+ Lumens and a CRI color accuracy rating of 96 so that they always look sharp. The Video Conference Lighting Kit offers a 48 LED light with 360-degree adjustment that clips onto a laptop or computer for easy setup. Carry a ring light wherever with Auxiwa’s pocket-size, clip-on light with 36 LEDs and three brightness settings.
Lunch Break Fun
All work and no play didn’t work so well for Jack, so help your colleagues and loved ones decompress with a fun tech gadget that won’t take up too much desk space. These quick games will keep brains active and fingers warm so they’re ready to hit the keyboard again after lunch.
- Best for Mindful Gamers: Winning Fingers Electronic Memory & Brain Game for *$40
- Best for Star Wars Fans: R2-D2 Tamagotchi for *$20
- Best for Arcade Lovers: Street Fighter II Champion Edition Micro Player for *$60
Winning Fingers offers four speed games and memory games fit for adults and kids in an LED cube design. Tap into 90s nostalgia and help your digital friend, R2-D2, learn new skills and play mini-games. Released in 1992, Street Fighter II: Champion Edition has been miniaturized with twelve characters and 78 different possible match combinations.
Focus Group
Jumpstart productivity in 2022 with a gadget that improves time management and focus. Enable the people in your life to work towards their goals with technology designed to help keep them on top of their game.
- Best for Hot Drinks: Excalibur USB Beverage Warmer/Cooler for *$16
- Best for Time Management: Mooas Cube Timer for *$15
- Best for Fidgeting: Fidgi Pen for *$30
Ideal for coffee or tea drinkers, users can eliminate wasted time with a beverage warmer/cooler that keeps them out of the kitchen and away from unnecessary chitchat. Users can delegate how much time each task needs with a cube timer, perfect for time management and any size desk. For those fond of clicking pens, try the Fidgi Pen, which comes packed with seven different features for discreet (and quiet) fidgeting while focusing.
Happy Holidays
We hope you’ve found some exciting technologies and inspiring gifts in this blog!
Thank you for reading, and happy holidays from NexusTek! We look forward to seeing you in 2022.
*Please note all prices mentioned in this blog were up to date at the time of publishing on December 8, 2021.
**This list of technology products is solely for the purposes of offering our audiences market knowledge and does not signify NexusTek’s endorsement of the abovementioned brands and/or products.