Alright, you’ve procrastinated long enough. Christmas is a week away and you need to get some gifts. Instead of wasting your time, we’re going to get straight into the best gifts of 2017.
Toys
Sphero Mini – $49 at Sphero, Amazon, Best Buy and Target
The Sphero Mini is already one of the hottest toys of 2017 and it’s great for kids of all ages. The Sphero Mini connects to your Android or iPhone and is remote-controlled through the app. It can even be driven by gestures from your face. It lights up, spins, has an interchangeable cover and is about the size of a ping-pong ball. This toy will make anyone’s Christmas a good one.
Anki Cozmo – Starting at $124.99 at Amazon, Best Buy and Target
Another hot toy for 2017 that will make any kid happy is the Anki Cozmo. It’s a super smart robot that is curious to learn more. He’s also equipped with Code Lab so kids can learn the basics of programming simply by interacting with Cozmo.
Holy Stone Mini RC Drone – $44.99 at Amazon
Drones are easier than ever to fly and they’re affordable too. The Holy Stone Drone from Amazon has a whopping 3500+ 4.5 star review rating and is a best seller because of its affordable price at $45, easy to fly 6-axis gyro system, and great flying time of 6-8 minutes.
Smartphones
iPhone X – Prices start at $999 at Apple, Target, Best Buy, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile
I’m an Android fan at heart, but I can’t get over just how great the all-new iPhone X is. It has an incredible build that is easy to hold in one hand, Face ID works almost every single time, it has plenty of memory in the base model, the camera is the best I’ve ever used and the display is drop-dead gorgeous. Sure the price tag is high at $999, but this is a phone you will be used for years to come and whoever is the gift recipient will love you all the more for the best gift of 2017.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 – $835 at Amazon, Samsung, T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T
My favorite Android of 2017 is the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 which I reviewed the last month. It has internal specs that are as good as any consumer smartphone on the market, with a fantastic dual camera, a handy S-Pen stylus and a huge 6.3″ OLED display that is hands down the best to look at on any portable device. It doesn’t run pure Android like the Pixel 2, but that’s okay because Samsung added quite a few useful features that consumers will love. I particularly like the integrated call spam blocking (with T-Mobile and AT&T) because I get almost 10 calls a day from annoying sources. It’s also one of the last flagships that still have the audio jack so you can plug-in any headphones you want.
Honor 7X – $199.99 at HiHonor.com
Huawei and its sub-brand Honor don’t get enough press coverage in the US. I’ve been a huge fan of Huawei ever since it released the Nexus 6P in collaboration with Google, and the 7X is a masterpiece when you consider performance per dollar. At $200, the 7X is five times cheaper than the iPhone X and still can take great pictures with its dual camera, run smoothly with 3GB of RAM, has an all-day battery and looks great with its full HD display.
Mesh Networks
Google WiFi – $269 for a pack of three routers at the Google Store, Target and Amazon
I find it rather astounding that more people haven’t adopted mesh networking technology. So many people suffer from slow, laggy and spotty WiFi throughout their homes and apartments and have a simple solution right at their fingertips with mesh networking. I guess it makes sense though since people assume their wireless routers should do the job, but that’s what makes the Google WiFi combo a great gift. For homes up to 4,500 sq.ft., Google WiFi can solve all networking issues. It takes less than 10 minutes to set up and updates and resets the network when it needs to. You’ll never have to unplug your modem ever again with Google WiFi. You even have total control over all the devices on your network and can pause devices when you want kids to do their homework or get some sleep.
Ubiquiti Amplifi HD – $310 at Amazon, Best Buy and Target
Ubiquiti Networks has been making mesh networking hardware for business longer than all of the newcomers in the consumer market. Its Amplifi HD system is one of the best I have ever used and is the best option for those of you with large homes, or for older homes with really thick walls. The HD system uses a single hub and two boosters that can cover up to 20,000 square feet. I installed the HD system at my parent’s 100-year-old home with lathe and plaster walls and it solved all of their wireless issues that had been plaguing them for the last decade. Like the Google WiFi system, this network takes less than 10 minutes to install and will update itself with new firmware and software to ensure your home doesn’t get hacked into by evildoers.
Audio
Zolo Liberty true wireless earbuds – $99.99 at Amazon
With almost all smartphone manufacturers going away from the trusty 3.5mm audio jack, one of the best things you can do is to go wireless. The Zolo Liberty true wireless earbuds are from the trusty third-party manufacturer Anker and they’re some of the best and most affordable out now. The Liberty earbuds automatically pair with each other and are quick to pair with your Android or iPhone. You can custom control the equalizer settings using the accompanying app and listen to music for up to 3.5 hours at a time. The case helps prevent you from losing each earbud and provides 24 hours of additional playback since it doubles as a portable battery.
Amazon Echo – $79 at Amazon
Amazon’s Echo is one of the best products I have in my home. I use it to listen to music, podcasts, news and from time to time, I even have it order paper towels and pizzas. It can also be used to make calls, control smart lights, garage doors, sprinklers and more. It’s one of the most versatile gifts that anyone would be sure to love.
Anker SoundCore Bluetooth Speaker – $23.95 at Amazon
Everyone loves music and Anker brings wireless speakers down to earth with the SoundCore at $24. This speaker is easily one of the best deals of 2017 and is why it has earned the number 1 best seller title on Amazon for portable speakers. The SoundCore has a powerful and rich sound signature and has an incredible 24-hour playback time.
SENSO Bluetooth Headphones – $29.97 at Amazon
The SENSO Bluetooth earbuds are easily one of the most reviewed products on Amazon with over 20k reviews at the time of writing. These intrigued me and I decided to try them for myself and gave them a full review in July. These aren’t truly wireless since a wire connects both earbuds, but they are wireless in the sense that they don’t need a wire to connect to your smartphone. They’re great for those of you who love to spend time working out, running, cycling or hiking since they are water-resistant, sound great and are quite affordable at just $30. These are sure to make any recipient happy.
Edifier S1000DB Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers – $350 at Amazon
Before Google and Sonos, there were bookshelf speakers. Bookshelf speakers are long trusted by audiophiles since they offer powerful, detailed and stereo sound in a compact package. The Edifier S1000DB bookshelf speakers come modernized with Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX for high-quality playback, 5.5″ subs and custom tweeters for sound that speakers twice their price can’t put out. If you know someone who loves music, this is a great gift they will love for Christmas.
Wearables
Huawei Watch 2 – Starting at $180 at Amazon and Best Buy
Smartwatches aren’t replacing smartphones anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a place in a techies stable of products. The Huawei Watch 2 is one of the more versatile smartwatches since it can track exercise activity, heart rate, provide GPS, download and stream music, is water-resistant and can take calls with its built-in speaker.
FitBit Charge 2 – $130 at Amazon, Best Buy and Target
Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband: Put your daily exercise motivation on your wrist with the Fitbit Charge 2. This heart rate & fitness wristband automatically tracks all-day activity, sleep, and exercise. It also features personalized exercise modes to view real-time stats on display, a way to track your cardio fitness level, and guided breathing sessions to help you find moments of calm in your day. Packed with the smartphone notifications you need most and a new sleek design with an interactive OLED display, Charge 2 is your perfect companion for all-day and workouts.
Accessories
myCharge Adventure Ultra – $129.99 at myCharge and Best Buy
Take this myCharge Adventure Ultra charger along on your next camping trip, and keep phones and cameras charged and ready. The intelligent display lets you track what is charging and a variety of ports, including USB-C and USB-A, can handle your devices. This myCharge Adventure Ultra charger utilizes safe-cell, ensuring your safety while charging your phone. It can even charge your laptop or run a television since it has a standard plug included. I love it and reviewed it last month.
Tile Pro – $59.99 for a two pack at Amazon, Target and Best Buy
Find your items anytime, anywhere. Tile Pro attaches to anything you don’t want to lose and helps you find it, fast.
No matter where your busy life takes you, Tile Pro makes sure you don’t lose anything along the way. With 2x Bluetooth range and 2x louder ring, attach Tile Pro to anything so you can find it, fast.
Ring it, find it.