Everybody has a few gadgets or pieces of gear on their wish list that they would love to receive. Here are some cool tech gifts you’d want to see for those who are still on your list.

Oculus Quest 2

Things you need to safely escape your home: a mask and hand sanitizer—or an Oculus Quest 2. Fine, Facebook’s Quest only allows for virtual escape but, oh, does it feel more real than ever with the headset’s improved-resolution screen, reduced weight on your head and new controllers. The only question: “Where do you go?” We like the office—yes, a virtual office for meeting your real colleagues—but the Quest Store is brimming with hundreds of games and other 360-degree worlds to teleport to.

Google Nest Audio and Apple HomePod Mini

This year’s class of virtual assistant-powered speakers have seriously good-sounding hardware in a shelf-friendly size and $99 price tag. Buying two, and pairing them in stereo mode, boosts the audio experience even more. Google’s Nest Audio, with its well-balanced audio and eye-catching colorful design, was a top performer. It’s best for Spotify and YouTube Music subscribers. Meanwhile, Apple’s HomePod Mini is ideal for Apple Music subscribers and iPhone owners. But it doesn’t pump out big volume, so don’t expect it to drop a beat at your next dance party—not that you’re having one anytime soon. 

Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise-Canceling Headphones

If you want to really drown out the world (or just your roommate), you’ll want an over-ear set like the Sony WH-1000XM4. It’s classic Sony: terrible name, great sound quality and noise cancellation. The touch panel allows you to adjust volume or skip a track with a swipe of your finger. And since you can pair with two devices simultaneously, answering a call on your phone then switching back to your laptop is seamless.

Raspberry Pi 400 Computer in a Keyboard

A fun little machine that’s as practical as it is affordable, the new Raspberry Pi update comes tucked inside a keyboard. Flip the keyboard over and you’ll see three USB ports and two (yes, two!) HDMI ports—plus a general-purpose input-output header for conducting computer-science experiments, which are introduced in the included textbook. While this computer might not be a good choice for non-tech-savvy types, it is a great launchpad for kids age 8 and up who are bored with basic coding.

PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X

Next-generation videogame consoles come but once every seven years or so, and 2020 was that year for Sony and Microsoft. Both newly released consoles blow past all previous specs, with beefier controllers, impressive lighting effects and almost zero load time—while remaining compatible with many of your older games, too. And both come with slightly more affordable siblings for those who don’t mind dropping some features. Picking one over the other would be like deciding between Spider-Man and Master Chief—literally, that—so we decided to feature them both. The real challenge will be finding either in time for the holidays.

Habbi Habbi Reading Wand Bilingual Books

Sure, there are now so many ways to teach your child a new language using smartphone and tablet apps, but getting away from the screen makes a big difference. Turn on the speaker-equipped Habbi Habbi wand, open one of the supported books, lightly tap the wand to any of the pictures or words on the page and boom—instant and interactive translation! You can adjust the volume on the wand itself. The books are available in Spanish and Simplified Chinese and are intended for children between 1 and 10.

Lexon Oblio Phone Sanitizer/Charger

This stylish nightstand vase is an answer to both germophobia and doom-scrolling. It’s a Qi-compatible wireless charger that powers up your phone while bathing it in ultraviolet light, which is known to reduce the spread of harmful bacteria and may also be effective in inactivating the new coronavirus, according to the FDA. Perhaps the best thing of all about it is its design: When you drop your phone in there with a satisfying clunk, you can’t see the screen, so you’re less likely to be pulled back in.

ReMarkable 2 Reading and Writing Tablet

Writing on a touch screen’s slippery surface doesn’t quite feel like paper. (Looking at you, iPad.) Remarkable is an e-ink tablet that fixes the problem with a matte display that has paper-like resistance. The tablet’s 8GB of internal storage—equal to about 100,000 pages—can store a lot more than bulky notebooks. And at less than a pound and just 4.7 millimeters thin, it’s a lot easier to lug around, too. A Chrome plug-in ports over long articles from your computer, and a desktop app can quickly send PDFs to the device via Wi-Fi. Its best feature is distraction-free reading and notetaking. (Bye-bye, notifications!)

MaskFone

Look, is the MaskFone really just a mask with a pouch that holds a pair of Motorola wireless earbuds? Yes, but it does solve some highly annoying mask-headphone issues. The earbuds, which are attached to the straps, stay firmly in your ear when walking or running. No more flying AirPod when you remove the mask. Then, with the microphone shoved inside, you don’t sound like you’re underwater every time you take a call. Just beware: Since there’s no phone in sight, people you pass will think you’re talking to them under your mask.

Source: Best Tech Gifts 2020: Our Favorite Gadgets