2024 Smart Home Holiday Gift Guide
Welcome to our eleventh annual smart home holiday gift guide! We don’t know how you feel, but for us 2024 has just flown by. It seems like we just returned from CES, but maybe that is because we went to IFA Berlin just a couple of months ago.
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Holiday decorations have been at Costco for several weeks now so it feels like we are somewhat behind. But whether you did most of your shopping already or like to wait until the last minute, we have technology ideas for everyone on your list.
You might notice some repeats – that’s because some of our favorite gadgets keep on going year after year. The best ones are still useful even if they may have an older Wi-Fi chip or App.
These gift ideas are things we have personally tested and would recommend. If we’ve done a video, we’ve included a link so you can learn more, as well as links to buy.
For the easiest way to shop this year’s guide, visit our Holiday Gift Guide on our Amazon store. You can also browse a playlist of all the videos on our YouTube channel.
What do you think? Have you bought any of these gifts? Where did you find the best deal? Have we missed anything? We’d love to hear from you.
Stocking Stuffers
Chrysmela Earring Backs
Watch: Chrysmela Catch Quick Look
Buy: Amazon
Sometimes when we meet PR reps working on smart home, we learn about other interesting products. One of our favorite finds this year was the Chrysmela Catch Earring Backs.
It’s not a technology device, but it is a solution to a problem every person with pierced ears faces – losing earrings.
Chrysmela’s founder designed their flagship product after losing a special pair herself and she has patented the unique locking earring backs in 5 countries. You can buy them in Platinum, Yellow and Rose Gold.
The Chrysmela backs work only for post-type earrings. You can use them with or without the lift ring which helps the earring stay in place. They also sell cute earring jackets to bling up those plain diamond studs.
Anker USB-C Outlet Extender
Watch: Anker USB-C Outlet Extender Quick Look
Buy: Amazon
With so many devices to plug in, it seems like we never have enough outlets. This little cube changes one outlet into three AC outlets, plus 2 USB-A and one USB-C, and its compact size means it is great for home, office, dorm, garage, or wherever you could use a few more outlets inside.
It plugs in firmly and includes Anker’s 7-point safety system to give you peace of mind wherever you use it. It also comes in a version with an extension cord.
Scosche BoomCan Mag Safe Speaker
Watch: Scosche BoomCan Quick Look
Buy: Amazon
The Scosche BoomCan is a small but powerful speaker that snaps on the back of your iPhone and works as a kickstand. It’s waterproof and dustproof and provides up to 5 hours of listening on a single charge.
The BoomCan can be used individually or in pairs for great stereo sound.
Anker Nano 100 Watt USB-C charger
Watch: Anker Nano Quick Look
Buy: Amazon
For your road warrior who needs fast charging for their laptop and their other devices, the Anker Nano is a great choice. With 100 watts of power, it can charge up devices ultra-fast and is much smaller than the traditional power bricks that come with laptops. You can buy it with or without a 5 foot, high-quality USB-C to USB-C cable.
Speaking of cables, chances are your loved one could always use another one. Anker has a huge selection of cables in different colors and sizes, including their sustainable charging cables made from renewable sugarcane and corn. There are nice cables in many different styles and price ranges for everyone on your list.
For your Favorite Travelers
Anker Travel Adapters
Watch: Anker 5 in 1 Travel Adapter Quick Look
Buy: Amazon
Before we left on our last trip, we realized it was time to upgrade our travel chargers. We have many more things now that are using USB-C that it made sense to get an adapter with those ports built right in.
We found this great one from Anker, a 15 Watt Adapter that includes two USB-C, one USB-A, and two regular AC plugs all in one compact unit, ideal for charging up to five different things from one outlet. It’s great for small hotel rooms or cruise ships where it’s hard to find more than one outlet to charge.
You can buy these adapters alone or in a 2-pack, and for Continental Europe (Type E/F) or the UK (Type G).
Apple AirTags
Watch: Apple AirTags Review
Buy: Amazon
Airlines seem to do a lot better at tracking your bags these days, but I know that I feel much better when I’m on the plane and I can pull up my iPhone and see that my checked bag is on the plane with me, thanks to my Apple AirTag.
Even if your loved one is not a frequent flyer, they can use AirTags inside their backpacks, purses, or attached to their keys. The Apple Find MyApp makes it easy to locate them and will even remind you if you’ve left your bag behind.
If you want to keep track of a wallet, we also like the Eufy Security SmartTrack Card. It also works with Apple FindMy as well as the eufy App. It’s flat and not much thicker than a credit card and it has up to a 3-year battery life. It plays a funny little song when you activate it – the first time that happened was quite a surprise!
If your loved one uses an Android phone. Tile is a good alternative and will work with both platforms.
Vasco V4 Translator
Watch: Vasco V4 Translator Review
Buy: Amazon
Your adventurous travelers may appreciate a Vasco Translator v4. It’s a small, thin device with a 5 inch screen and packed with a built-in translation engine that can help you understand up to 108 different languages, by translating pictures, text and voice. It includes a lifetime, unlimited internet connection that works in almost 200 different countries around the world.
We just used the Vasco V4 on a trip to Poland, and it came in handy especially since Polish includes a lot of different characters than we are used to seeing when we travel. Plus we never had to worry about turning on our phone’s data plan just to read a menu or a plaque on a monument.
TP-Link Travel Router
Watch: TP-Link Travel Router Review
Buy: Amazon
Now that we travel with so many different connected devices, it can be difficult sometimes to get good Wi-Fi for them while we travel. Many hotels now are limiting the number of things that can connect, and if you are working remotely with others you might need to get more than one laptop and phone on the network.
TP-Link has a great solution for this, the AX1500 Travel Router. Once you connect it to the Internet, you can share Wi-Fi with all your devices. You can use it on the road or even at home, as a range extender for your existing network.
It has USB-C charging so you can power it with a power bank if necessary, and if you plug in a USB drive, you can even share files between your devices.
The AX1500 is small and easy to pack and will make a great gift for your digital nomad or other frequent traveler on your list.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Buy: Amazon
We first experienced the Bose QuietComfort Headphones more than 20 years ago at a Bose store and since then we’ve never traveled without them. We have both upgraded a few times after they wear out and later when they added Bluetooth and USB-C charging.
Bose seems to have gotten rid of the confusing numbering schemes and now just has two versions – the QuietComfort and the QuietComfort Ultra.
When you’re flying, the noise ranges from about 65 and 105 decibels, with cruising altitude about 85 db. After a while you may not notice it that much, but when you use noise-canceling headphones, it becomes so much more relaxing.
There are plenty of other noise canceling headphones out there now, including in-ear versions, but we love the over the ear Bose QuietComfort headphones for their comfort, quality, battery life, and longevity. If your favorite traveler doesn’t already have them, it’s a nice, luxurious gift.
For your favorite creators
Belkin Stand Pro with DockKit
Watch: Belkin Stand Pro Review
Buy: Amazon
The Belkin Stand Pro is one of the first smartphone stands to take advantage of Apple’s DockKit technology. Your favorite creator can pair it in minutes with their iPhone, start filming and the phone will follow them, keeping them perfectly in frame and in focus while they move around the scene.
The Belkin Stand Pro is great for filming short TikToks or Reels or even for regular old Zoom and FaceTime calls. It is chargeable so it can run without being plugged in and even mounts to standard tripods for more flexibility.
Scosche MagicMount Flask
Watch: Scosche MagicMount Flask Quick Look
Buy: Amazon
Everyone must be really thirsty these days because we are all carrying around reusable water bottles. And a lot of people on your list would probably appreciate one that does double duty, like the Scosche MagicMount Flask.
The MagicMount Flask is a high-quality stainless steel water bottle that keeps drinks hot and cold with a built-in straw. But this one also has a lid with a built-in magnetic phone stand that you can use to hold your phone in the car, in the gym, in the park, or anywhere you need to multitask.
The Flask holds MagSafe compatible iPhones and, with the included Scosche Magic Ring adaptor, it will hold older iPhones and Androids too, making it perfect for any thirsty person on your list. The silicone anti-slip base even doubles as a dog water bowl for furry companions.
Keeping everything charged
Scosche BaseLynx 2.0
Watch: Scosche BaseLynx 2.0 Review
Buy: Scosche BaseLynx 2.0 Phone
Buy: Scosche BaseLynx 2.0 Watch
Buy: Scosche BaseLynx 2.0 Tablets
Buy: Scosche BaseLynx 2.0 EndCap
When you’re at home, it’s nice to have a clean and organized setup to charge up all your Apple devices. With the Scosche BaseLynx 2.0, you can customize your gift and your loved one can connect everything all up together.
The BaseLynx 2.0 is the ultimate gift for your favorite Apple junkie. It has modules for charging an AppleWatch, iPhone, AirPods (with charging case), multiple tablets and a regular AC adapter. You can buy the modules on their own or mix and match for whatever charging you need.
One thing you won’t find on the BaseLynx 2.0 – USB-A or Lighting ports. So it won’t charge older generation devices, unless of course you plug them into their own power adapters.
Aukey MagFusion GameFrost
Buy: Aukey.com
If you have spent any time playing mobile games on your phone, you may notice it can get a little toasty. Your favorite mobile gamer will love staying charged and cool with the Aukey MagFusion GameFrost.
The GameFrost is a MagSafe charger that snaps to the back of your phone to charge it and cools it with its built-in fan. If you attach it to your phone and keep on gaming, you won’t run out of power or overheat your phone.
Beyond gaming, Aukey claims that the MagFusion GameFrost can reduce charging temperatures by as much as 20 degrees centigrade (68 degrees fahrenheit) and that it can shorten the full-charging time of an iPhone 15 pro by 26 minutes, making it a great gift for anyone with a compatible iPhone.
TP Link Tapo P306 Outlet Extender
Watch: TP-Link Outlet Extender Review
Buy: Amazon
If you want to turn one of your home outlets into a super-powered charging station with smart outlets and a night light, the TP-Link TapoP306 Outlet extender is an excellent choice.
The Outlet extender has nine different outlets – three 110v outlets that are always on, two smart USB ports and one USB-C port, and three smart 110v outlets you can control with the Tapo App, Alexa, Google or Apple HomeKit.
For Coffee Drinkers
A few years ago we switched our coffee habit to pour over and we have never looked back. These are our favorite tools we used every day to make our perfect cup of Joe. If you have a coffee lover in your life, these make great gifts.
Oxo Conical Burr Grinder
Watch: Oxo Conical Burr Grinder Review
Buy: Amazon
Great coffee starts with fresh beans and we grind ours every morning with the Oxo Conical Burr Grinder. The stainless steel conical burr grinds the beans precisely and uniformly every time.
You can dial up to 15 different settings for your beans, and once you find the timing you like on the dial, you can just push it every day to get that same amount of coffee ready to brew. Ours has been going strong with more than three years of daily use.
GoveeLife Smart Electric Gooseneck Kettle
Watch: Govee Smart Gooseneck Kettle Review
Buy: Amazon
Electric kettles are great for heating up water quickly for tea or coffee. The Govee smart kettle takes it one step further by connecting over WiFi.
We love our smart gooseneck kettle for making pour-over coffee. It has a number of presets to quickly heat up water to the perfect temperature for coffee, black, green or oolong tea, or you can set it to your exact preferred temperature using the app or by asking Alexa. With the hold function, it will keep your water at that perfect temperature until you’re ready to use it.
Since we bought our original Govee Kettle, they’ve given it a nice update that includes a digital display and a sleeker look.
Bean Envy Pour Over Coffee Maker
Buy: Amazon
This was my first Pour Over I found on Amazon and it has turned out to be a great choice. I love the stainless steel filter, the handle that stays cool to the touch and the non-slip silicone base. It is just the perfect size for morning coffee for two.
I use brown paper filters with mine so I can easily throw them in the compost bin. The only thing I don’t like is the little rubber thingy on the filter tends to come off, but we haven’t lost it yet.
Ember Mug
Watch: Ember Mug Review
Buy: Amazon
We can’t live without our Ember Mugs and we still think they are the perfect gift for anyone who loves coffee or tea. You won’t believe how much better hot drinks taste when they stay hot.
This year, Ember has introduced mugs in even more fun colors, like lavender and powder blue. For your coffee lovers on the go, you might consider the Travel Mug 2 with built-in Apple FindMy, or the 16 oz Ember Tumbler that promises 3 hours of battery life.
For your Party Lovers (or for your own holiday party!)
Bev by Black & Decker Cocktail Machine
Watch: Bev Cocktail Maker Review (Cordless)
Buy Bev Cocktail Maker: Amazon
Buy Bev Cordless Cocktail Maker: Amazon
Buy Bartesian Capsules: Amazon
If you are looking for an easy way to make cocktails at home, for yourself or for a crowd, look no further than the bev by Black+Decker.
The bev uses Bartesian capsules with all the right mixers for up to 40 different cocktails. Attach your favorite liquors and a bottle of water and the bev pours out a perfectly mixed drink – with or without alcohol.
You can get the bev in a plug-in version for use indoors or in a cordless version you can set up on your patio or take on the road. It makes a great gift for your favorite party host(ess) or for yourself. Order it early so you can use it for Thanksgiving too!
For Home Chefs
Meater Pro Wireless Meat Thermometer
Watch: Meater Pro Quick Look
Buy: Amazon
Buy: Meater.com
The Meater wireless meat thermometer is another perennial gift guide favorite for your home cooks and grill masters. Just plug the Meater into your favorite protein, use their app to set up a cook, and you’ll get a notification on your phone when it reaches its perfect temperature.
Last year, Meater updated their design with the Meater Pro. The new improved thermometer adds new sensors to allow for an even more accurate reading, and can be safely used in ambient cooking temperatures up to 1000 degrees fahrenheit, so it can be used for long term cooks and even deep frying.
You can get the Meater Pro individually, in a Duo with two probes, or in the Meater Pro XL with four probes and built-in WiFi for an even longer range. As of this writing, the Duo is only available on their website.
Typhur Instant Read Thermometer
Watch: Typhur InstaProbe Quick Look
Buy: Amazon
While we love our Meater, sometimes you just want to know the exact temperature right now with an instant read thermometer. We’ve bought and discarded so many of the cheap battery-powered ones before we found the Typhur.
The Typhur InstaProbe has a beautiful design with an easy to read digital display. Plus, when you’re not using it, it’s magnetic so you can stick it to your fridge and never lose it. It’s an elegant and useful gift for cooks and mad scientists alike.
Blue Apron Gift Card
Watch: Blue Apron 10th Anniversary Review
Buy: BlueApron.com
We have been recommending Blue Apron gift cards almost every year we’ve done this gift guide. We took a break last year because we had paused our service due to delivery issues.
This year we are happy to report that after they were acquired by the Wonder Group, delivery has improved and Blue Apron is better than ever.
A Blue Apron gift card is a great gift for that busy person on your list who loves food but has no time to plan and cook every week. There are lots of choices available every week, from healthy to celebrity chef-inspired meals, with many that you can prepare in 15 minutes or less. Your loved one can even add on extra proteins, sides and breakfast options in their box.
Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro
Watch: Breville Joule Oven Unboxing
Buy: Amazon
For a big splurge, for your family or for a home cook in your life, we recommend the Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro. It was our holiday wish for 2022, and though it took us a while to make that happen, we have barely cooked in our big ovens since.
The Joule Oven takes up about as much space as a large toaster oven, but it packs a much bigger punch. It has 13 built-in functions including air frying and dehydration, all powered by the Element IQ system to optimize cooking and the Joule Autopilot, that will use multiple functions seamlessly on the same recipe.
The Breville Plus app has tons of recipes and cooking ideas and you can even use the oven with your Alexa or Google Home. You can get it in regular or the really beautiful black stainless steel edition.
Keep your Favorite Cyclist Safe
Garmin Varia Rearview Radar
Watch: Garmin Varia Short
Watch: Garmin Varia First Look
Buy: Amazon
We ride bikes a lot, both on the road and on our local bike trail, and it’s always been a challenge to stay safe from cars and other cyclists approaching from behind. Not everyone knows to say “On your left,” when passing.
Pair the Varia with your Garmin Edge Bike computer or a compatible smartphone, then mount it on the back of your bike. Then you’ll get an audio and visual alert that someone is approaching behind you.
The Varia comes in three options – just the radar, radar and tail light, and the radar tail light with a built-in camera. Pick the right one for your favorite rider based on their activities and your budget.
Kodak Photo Printers
Watch: Kodak Dock Plus 4×6 Printer
Watch: Kodak Mini 3 Retro Printer Review
Buy: Dock Plus:Amazon
Buy: Mini Retro: Amazon
We all have thousands of photos stored on our phones and computers, but there is nothing like a photo print you can hold in your own hand. We love the Kodak photo printers and they come in several versions that make great gifts.
The Kodak Dock Plus 4-pass printer prints high-quality 4×6 photos, both with and without a border, ready for giving, framing, or scrapbooking. The Mini Retro prints smaller photos in a compact package not much bigger than your phone.
You can buy the printers by itself, but for giving, we recommend the accessory bundle that includes a nice case, extra cartridge and paper, and some cute stickers and mini-clothespins.
Gifts for Young and Old
Toniebox and Tonies
Watch: Toniebox and Tonies Review
Buy Toniebox Starter Kit: Amazon
The Toniebox is a colorful, screen free companion for kids three and up. The box works with smart little characters, called Tonies, who activate stories, songs and games when you put them on top. The child can listen through the included speaker or with headphones.
There are lots of different characters, or you can record your own voice and favorite content with the companion app.
If you’re gifting a Toniebox, we recommend a starter kit that includes at least one character.
Mirai Speaker
Watch: Mirai Speaker Quick Look
Buy: Amazon
We saw the first edition of the Soundfun Mirai Speaker at CES 2023. We were amazed that a curved shape could make such a big difference in the clarity of sound, especially for dialogue.
That first speaker was a bit funky, but last year SoundFun released their new version, in the form of a beautifully designed, curved soundbar. If someone in your life struggles understanding voices on their favorite TV shows, this would make a great gift to enhance their home entertainment experience. It’s easy to control with its simple remote.
For your New Year’s resolutions
Peloton Guide
Read: Peloton Guide Review
Watch: Peloton Guide Review
Buy: Amazon
Almost everyone on your list would like to be healthier and stronger and may already be on that journey or thinking about how to get started. Peloton bikes, treadmills and rowers are amazing for in-home fitness, but might be a little too expensive for your holiday shopping. For the rest of your list, a Peloton Guide may just be the best gift ever.
The Guide attaches to a TV and gives you access to world-class fitness instructors with a library of thousands of classes. Follow along with the instructor on the screen and the built in camera displays you alongside, so you can see how your form looks. Many classes will also track your reps and progress so when you take the class again, it shows you how you compare.
Peloton has many engaging instructors of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds plus has great music choices so your loved one is bound to find someone they can connect with. They will need a monthly membership of $24 that they can share with up to five people in their household, so it’s a gift for the whole family to enjoy.
igloohome Smart Padlock
Watch: igloohome Smart Padlock Review
Buy: Amazon
If your loved one already goes to the gym (or school, or somewhere else with a locker) they might appreciate the Padlock Lite from igloohome. It pairs with the igloohome app on your smartphone and allows you to open it with the app, with a fingerprint, or, coming soon, with an Apple Watch. You can even share keys and see who’s been locking and unlocking it.
The Padlock Lite comes in both red and black. They claim the battery life lasts for about 6 months, then the locks are easy to charge using USB-C.
Smart Lights for Inside and Out
We have been having a lot of fun this year testing different kinds of colorful, dynamic smart lighting. These make great gifts for your gamers, music lovers, party hosts or anyone on your list who wants to add some smart lighting to their life.
Nanoleaf Blocks
Watch: Nanoleaf Blocks First Look
Buy: Amazon
Your loved one can build their own custom lighting display and organize and show off their favorite items with the Nanoleaf Blocks.
You can pick and choose from individual packs, bundles and kits, with small, large and textured light panels as well as pegboards and shelves.
They connect with the Nanoleaf App as well as Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings and Razer Chroma.
eufy Pathlights
Buy: Pathway Lights
Buy: Spotlights
Perfect for your outdoor entertainers, we love the Eufy Outdoor Pathway Lights and Spotights. They are super bright and colorful lights with more than 80 preset themes to create the perfect ambiance for your yard.
If you have eufy smart cameras you can also sync them so they work together for safety and security.
Holiday Lighting and Beyond
Nanoleaf Holiday String Lights
Buy: Amazon
For your favorite smart holiday expert (maybe that is you!) you can take your decorating automation to a new level, with the new Nanoleaf Smart Holiday String Lights.
The string lights have 300 addressable LEDs with 16+ million color combinations and can be used both indoors and out, to decorate your tree and beyond. They even sync with your favorite music.
Since these lights use the Matter smart home standard, they can be controlled with any compatible smart home hub, as well as the Nanoleaf App or the included controller.
eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights
Watch: eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights Quick Look
Buy: Amazon
No one likes to get up on a ladder to put up holiday lights. With the eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights, you can do it once and keep using them year after year.
The lights are designed for outdoor use and durability, waterproof and UV resistant. The lights have a triple LED design and are adjustable with lots of colors and variable brightness up to 9000K.
You can choose from one of the holiday themes in the eufy Life app or describe your preferences and it will use AI to tailor your lighting experience.
Controlling the Smart Home
Apple HomeKit has long been a secure and easy way to control your smart home, but with the expansion of Matter, the smart home standard, Apple Home has really expanded its library of compatible devices. We like these two devices for both their entertainment features and for their ability to control other things with the Home App.
Apple Home Pod Mini and Apple TV 4K
Watch: HomePod Mini Review
Watch: Apple TV 4K Quick Look
Buy Apple TV 4K: Amazon
This HomePod Mini offers great sound, lots of fun colors, and a cute form factor that looks good in most every room. While you can control your smart home with Siri, most every Apple lover on your list will also appreciate the great sound.
We have long used our Apple TV as a home entertainment hub – and it’s great for that with access to all your favorite streaming apps plus Apple’s own entertainment services. But like Homepod Mini it also functions as a Thread Border Router for Matter, giving you the ability to connect up even more smart home devices. We especially like Secure Video, which lets us see our camera feeds right on the TV.
Shop our Holiday Gift Guide on Amazon.com
Our Holiday Wish
Peloton Tread Plus
I got the chance to try out a Peloton Tread Plus this spring. After all the recall controversy and Peloton’s corporate woes in the media, I was not expecting to be impressed, but wow, it was amazing.
It has none of that hard bouncy feeling of a regular treadmill and feels like you’re walking on air. For serious athletes, it even has a manual mode where you propel the treadmill on your own. While I don’t see myself getting to that level, I can definitely imagine taking more walks inside if I had one at home.
So if you’re listening, Smart Home Santa, I wouldn’t mind having a Peloton Tread Plus and I promise I’ll do another video and story on it if it arrives under our chimney.
Summary
We hope you enjoyed our eleventh holiday gift guide. As always, we’d love your feedback. Did we miss anything? Are you looking for something special that’s not listed? Hit us up on Facebook or Threads.
Shop our Holiday Gift Guide on Amazon.com
