Gifts for Gadget Lovers

It’s that time of year where people ask me what to get their friends who love gadgets. There is no shortage of ideas this year for you to consider. The hard part is finding the right gift for the right person.

Let’s start with the obvious.

Amazon Echo (Alexa): On the off chance you know someone who still doesn’t have one, this is a great gift (as long as long they aren’t uncomfortable with Amazon listening all the time). I have an Echo in every bedroom and my kitchen for us to be able to use the intercom, as well as to control our lights, thermostats and play music. The big question is, which Echo? For the best sound, get the full blown Echo. For portability, get the Tap. For low price and small profile, the Echo dot.

Nest Thermostat: A great gift if you are buying something a little more expensive. It does require installation, but if the person is handy at all, it’s easy, and their support is great (I’ve installed mine and a few friends').

Roomba: OK, it’s pricey, but it really will be the favorite gift you give anyone this year. I have the 870 model and I love it. I would love to get the newer model with app support, but the 870 is just fine.

Nintendo Switch: OK, any of the game consoles for your gamer friend would be awesome, but the Switch is the hottest game console.

Outdoor security camera: This is a growing trend to consider with packages being stolen, cars broken into and neighbors speeding by your house. Having an outdoor camera allows you to look back and see what happened. I like the Arlo outdoor camera because it includes seven days of free video storage. However, the Nest Outdoor camera is a better camera if you are willing to pay for the storage fees.

Roku:  The absolute best in home streaming, Roku is steadily beating AppleTV, FireTV and Chromecast. Ease of use and wide support make Roku your best option. The stick is cheap and good, but I prefer the box for a little bit more.

Laptop: If you are considering a laptop, I have two choices for you. A Google Chromebook will get you a great machine for web-based fun and a great device can be picked up for about $250. If you want windows (for games or work), I still only recommend the Lenovo Yoga laptops with solid-state drive.

Noise canceling headphones: I’ve tried several, and I keep returning the rest and going back to Bose. I prefer the over-the-ear version, except that they leave me with “bed-head” after my flights, so I switched to the QC30 neck collar version. Most people will prefer the QC35, as earbuds tend to annoy people after a few hours. Noise canceling is amazing on either.

Did I miss something you love? Drop it in the comments.

P.S., Kim, I still want a full blown VR system for the house! ?