24 of the best tech gift ideas for anyone you love (starting at $40)

• Price: $120
• Tech specs or features: 1080p Full HD display | 12-hour battery life | Octa-core 2.0GHz processor

There's no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a major tablet when Amazon's user-friendly tablet is under $200. It comes fully integrated with Amazon Alexa and a dedicated Show Mode that the recipient can use. Built into the frame are two cameras: One 2MP front camera for taking video calls, and a 5MP rear camera for capturing family moments.

It weighs just over a pound, so it's easy to pack in a suitcase, read on the Kindle app in bed, or even catch the latest news while eating breakfast. 224ppi means that everything will be sharp on the screen, too. You can also grab a keyboard (sold separately) and make it a portable work device when it's needed.

• Price: $99

• Tech specs or features: 200+ colors | App connected | Mid-century design

Long-distance best friends or partners should check out this great lamp. This smart lamp easily connects to Wi-Fi and the accompanying app, and when you're thinking about that special someone, all you have to do is tap on it. No matter where it's at, the other lamp will light up to let the other person know that you're thinking about them.

A lot of people use this lamp to say good morning, goodnight, or even just let their friends and family know they're thinking about them, no matter if they're just across town or across the country. With over 200 colors to choose from, you can find one that matches your space and keeps you connected.

• Price: $400
• Tech specs or features: Fitness tracking | 80-hour battery life | Titanium shell

Have a loved one that likes to hit the gym? The Samsung Watch Pro can help get them through the most rugged conditions, whether it's biking, hiking, or another outdoor activity. With a titanium shell, enhanced GPS with Glonass and Galileo positioning, as well as LTE mobile data capabilities, it can be used to track health, fitness, and location with up to 80 hours of battery life.

In his review, ZDNET expert Jason Cipriani deemed it, "the best wearable for Android phone users."

Read the review: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro review

• Price: $50
• Tech specs or features: 756 pieces | easy-to-read instructions | No water necessary

For those that don't want to drop a cool hundred on some flowers that may or may not live more than a week, why not go a little more unconventional when it comes to your flowers? Once these roses, daisies, asters, and snapdragons are pieced together, they'll last forever -- only a minor dusting every once in a while is needed.

I have this bouquet set up in my living room, and I can say that I love looking over and seeing the pop of color against my light blue walls. This gift is also perfect for those whose pets prefer to snack on plants, since they won't be tempted to gnaw on the leaves. You can also opt for some succulents instead for the same $50 price.

Check out my review of the Lego flower bouquet, and you'll understand why I'm obsessed.

• Price: $179
• Tech specs or features: Adjustable noise cancelation and transparency mode | 6-hour battery life | IPX4 water resistance

We've been enamored with these earbuds for a while now, and if you're looking for an earbud set with a dedicated noise-canceling feature, these are the buds for your holiday gifting. They offer up to six hours of battery life (and an extra 12 hours with the case), and three ear tip sizes for a customizable fit. You can get them in two colors -- black and white.

Read the review: Step aside, AirPods. There's a new ANC champion in town

• Price: Varies
• Tech specs or features: One month to annual membership options | 1 credit per month | Access to Plus catalog

After earbuds, why not share the gift of a great (audio) book? The Audible gift card is a great gift for commuters, WFH-ers, and more who love to read but don't have the time to pick up a physical copy of a book (or Kindle). Every month, the recipient will get access to one book from the regular catalog of audiobooks, podcasts, meditation workshops, and more. Thanks to the Premium Plus membership, the title of their choosing will also be theirs to keep, so when they're done with it and want to relisten to the title, they can.

It comes in one month to an annual payment installment, so you can choose the price point that you feel comfortable paying for.

• Price: $350
• Tech specs or features: 40-hour battery life | Customizable spatial audio | Dual connectivity

As a personal user of this headset, I love that I can wirelessly plug into my gaming as well as listen on my phone while I'm on the go. This headset can connect to the DAC station and my phone simultaneously. The Nova Pro Wireless offers up to 40 hours of battery life with swappable batteries and complete audio customization with the Sonar app.

Something to keep in mind with this headset -- if your recipient will play on Xbox instead of a PC or PlayStation, they'll need the Xbox version of the gaming headset, which you can find here. 

Read the review: SteelSeries Nova Pro gaming headset review

• Price: $160
• Tech specs or features: Adjustable warm light | 8GB storage | Weeks-long battery life

As a reader who uses this device almost daily, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is one of the most giftable items well.. ever in my opinion, especially for those who love to read or need an upgrade. With a warm backlight, you can enjoy late-night reading, and the Kindle can hold thousands of books with its 8GB storage.

I travel frequently to visit family and friends, and I will always recommend the Kindle Paperwhite as a gift. It's lightweight, slim, and packs easily on the go when I'm on the NYC subway. Because it's waterproof, I even took it to the beach during vacation and enjoyed glare-free reading on the 6.8-inch screen. Opt for the ad-free version to avoid ads on the lock screen. The lockscreen ad-free model is $20 more at $160, but it's well worth paying the extra for an ad-free experience.

Read the review: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite review

• Price: $650
• Tech specs or features: Mini-LED design | Google OS home screen | Bright picture

I've personally used this Hisense TV, and I can say that for the price point (usually just under $1,200, but you can find it on sale often), it's a great TV without the high price tag of other top brands. The Mini-LED picture offers spectacular quality picture for a 55-inch screen. Thanks to the Google TV OS, when you're watching TV, the home screen automatically adds the show you're watching. When you boot up, the next episode is only two clicks away.

The picture for gaming is also practically perfect, offering a detailed viewing thanks to the integrated NVIDIA G-SYNC technology built into the panel. It promises a 120Hz variable refresh rate, and in practice, it performs amazingly. One thing to note -- it's suited for a more narrow viewing angle, so if you're looking for other TV options, we also have you covered on that front.

Read the review: Hisense U8H smart Google TV review

• Price: $200
• Tech specs or features: Portable and light | 5.5-inch touch screen | up to four-hour battery life (depending on the game)

Whether you're gifting for a teenager or a younger kid, the Nintendo Switch Lite is the perfect starter portable gaming console. It comes with parental controls to make sure your kids are playing age-appropriate games. The 5.5-inch screen is perfect for family hits like Super Mario, Lego, and more. If you're gifting for an adult, opt for the OLED model with detachable joysticks.

• Price: $125
• Tech specs or features: Two size options | Can be controlled without the app | Two-hour safety time limit

Winter mornings can feel even colder when your coffee grows cold, and the Ember Smart Mug seeks to end all lukewarm beverage problems. It can hold 10oz of any beverage of choice, and you can control it from a smart app. For those that need a certain temperature to brew, say, a cup of English Breakfast, it can help maintain that temperature for optimal steeping.

If apps aren't the drinker's preference, the mug can be used without the app. The temperature is set to 135 degrees out of the box, and for safety purposes, it shuts off after two hours. It comes in 10-oz and 14-oz options, and remember to inform the recipient it isn't dishwasher safe.

• Price: $50
• Specs: Built-in speakers | Multiple colors | Privacy Controls

We get it -- some people may be vehemently against adding these to their home, but starting your smart home journey with the Echo Dot is a must-have gift. I love how my Echo Dot can voice control my smart lights, play music, tell me the weather, set cooking timers, and more. I now cannot imagine having a smart home sans this important smart home device, I use it that much.

The newest generation comes with improved speakers so you can enjoy your music and podcasts with top quality sound.

• Price: $70
• Tech specs or features: Multiple light colors | 11 white noise sounds | Alexa compatible

It may not be a toy, but parents swear by this sleep machine and wake-up light. The smart clock plays 11 soothing white noise machine sounds to help little ones sleep through the night, including rain, ocean, and lullabies. Control the customizable nightlight, time-to-rise light, and more from the smart app.

It works in conjunction with Alexa so you can voice control the device, and it has an audio monitor to keep an eye on the little ones. It also features a dimmable clock that can be turned off completely. And, in the event of a storm, it can operate on up to 8 hours of battery life to keep that much-needed sleep schedule.

• Price: $160
• Tech specs or features: 10-inch picture | 1280 x 800 resolution | Touchscreen

Looking for something more sentimental? Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles would love this smart digital photo frame. It's easy to set up and even easier to add photos -- all you need is a Wi-Fi connection to add more. You don't need to have a Wi-Fi connection to enjoy the photos that have been previously uploaded, either. 

It's also great for families that are spread out over the state or country, offering a way to bring families together with just a touch of the 10-inch touchscreen display.