The 11 Best Technology Gifts
Ahh… technology. The ability to do more with less. All month long, we’re publishing giftsicles to help you find the best gifts for the holidays.
This giftsicle is all about tech. But we’re not going to go the obvious route of the other tech gift guides filled with gadgets. Nay, we have trekked to the four corners of the internet, pinched our Bitcoins, and found the most useful and undervalued technology. The person who gifts it will look good, and so will the person who gets the gift!
This Giftsicle is brought to your by our friends at Biostrap. The movement to better quantify and take control of your health is just beginning. We’ve tried many different health and fitness trackers, and up until now, haven’t found any that we love. Biostrap has changed that, which is why we asked them to sponsor this Giftsicle. We only use products we love, from companies that we trust, and Biostrap fits the bill!
A big thanks goes out to Biostrap for making great tech, and helping support independent media like The Mission!
And now, onto The Mission’s picks for the 11 best technology gifts of 2017.
1. Biostrap Biometric Wearable Set
Backed by serious hardware, software, and data-science, Biostrap is the most advanced wearable and platform on the market. It gives you biometrics insights and full-body motion tracking with two different sensors (wrist and shoe). Biostrap utilizes clinical-quality sensors to gather and analyze extremely precise heartbeat and movement data.
You can use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY to get a 20% discount on the Biostrap Platform.
2. Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones
From one of the fearless members of The Mission’s team, Lacey recommends these as an inexpensive $38 option for sharing a dorm room in college. She also says they’re amazing while traveling as they do a great job blocking out the buzz of the plane and crying children. This is the best set of headphones we’ve found for the price. If you’re looking for a top of the line wireless headphones, Sony offers great ones, and so does Bose.
3. Deebot
At only $180, it’s almost half the price of a Roomba automated vacuum and still gives you about the same cleanliness. You will be shocked how much dirt it picks up while you’re at work. It comes with a personal recommendation from Ian of The Mission.
4. Yoda 3D Desk Companion
Do. Or do not. There is no try. –Yoda
Those words are easy to say, hard to remember. Which is why we try to always have a Yoda watching over us at The Mission offices.
5. Sphero
We’ve been following the team behind this startup for years and boy have they created some cool tech. What started as an iPhone-controlled little ball that you can play with in your home or on the sidewalk has since gotten a new skin. With the release of the new Star Wars movie, they partnered with Disney to make a BB8, then R2D2 and even went into the land of Pixar with Lightning McQueen of Cars fame. Sean from The Mission team can tell you from personal experience that playing with your dog with one of these is one of the most fun times you’ll have all weekend. Sphero now offers dozens of different robotic toys that range in price from $43 to a few hundred dollars.
6. TP-Link Router
If you don’t have 5G speeds with your home WiFi, then it might be time to upgrade your router. Same goes for whomever you’re giving the gift to. The content we want to download or stream is getting bigger, and the connectivity is getting faster, but if all you’ve got is a legacy router, you’re not going to be able to participate in 4K Netflix. From Ian of The Mission fame, “Upgrading was one of the best decisions I made this year”. That says it all, and at only $80, it makes for a great gift.
7. Shutterfly Wrapped Canvas Picture Frame
We’ve all got plenty of photos collecting dust inside our smart phone camera rolls. Give the gift of a memory by taking one of those photos and having it printed on canvas, then wrapped around a frame. You can hang it straight on the wall or lean it against the back of a bookshelf. From $70 to $175 depending on size, you can personalize it to your heart’s content. Meeemmmoorrrrieeeees, like the cooorrrrnnerrrrr of my miiiiiind. (Comes standard without the horrible singing).
8. GUNNAR Computer Glasses
We’re big fans of GUNNAR over at The Mission. Their team is awesome, and we’ve even published a story about all the problems presented by digital eye strain and how to protect your peepers! Gunnar is still offering fans of The Mission 20% off all gear when you use the code, “MISSION17” at check out. Staring at digital devices all day will destroy your eyesight. If you’re like us and work behind the faint blue glow of laptops, computers, and phones, we strongly recommend buying or gifting some Gunnars this Holiday season.
9. SONOS One (with Amazon Alexa already built in!)
The Sonos One plays your music and has an Amazon Alexa built right in. If you or someone you know is still looking for a great wireless speaker for their home or dorm room, and they don’t have an Amazon Alexa, the Sonos One is where it’s at!
10. Buddha Board
At just $27, the Buddha Board is a great buy for any artist in your life. If you know someone who enjoys watercolor painting but can’t take all of his or her tools on the go, try the Buddha Board. All you need is a bit of water and the included bamboo brush. Paint away on the surface to practice brush strokes then wipe it away with a paper towel. No mess, no fuss, just creation.
11. Nintendo’s NES Classic
For those Nintendo buffs that really want to keep it 100, this is for you.
If you’re a child of the 80s (or after) who enjoyed battling Bowser, Donkey Kong, riding Excited Bike, or playing a little Punch Out and Ninja Gaiden… take notice. No matter which game feeds your fancy, two controllers guarantee that whomever you give this gift to has to invite you over to play. This gift guarantees some high quality nostalgia. The only thing missing is the superstitious practice of blowing on overheated cartridges to “make them work”. Ahh… those were the days.
Hope you enjoyed our 11 picks for the best tech gifts of 2017! For more giftsicles and curated content, make sure you’re subscribed to our daily M-F newsletter. Also, feel free to check out our Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide to get more great gift advice!
