Image via Complex Original
Socks and underwear are useful gifts, sure, but there’s nothing more satisfying than unwrapping and unboxing a weighty new gadget or device. Whether or not you hate gifting and/or doing the shopping part, know that whoever is on the receiving end is going to appreciate the hell out of any of these tech gifts.
To make acquiring an appropriate gift for your tech-y bud less painful this year, we’ve sourced some of the best electronics available in Canada. There’s something for everyone, be it your brother who insists on pouring all of his money into high-stakes crypto and needs somewhere secure to store it, your old man who likes to keep track of who’s at his front door, or your significant other who desperately needs a phone upgrade. Here are 17 seriously dope tech gifts you can buy in Canada.
Ninja Air Fryer
The air fryer is one of the best new(ish) culinary inventions. It makes meals quick, easy, healthy, and best of all, creates next to no mess. Air fry everything from wings and bacon to french fries and nuggets with this simple 4-quart unit from the trusted appliance brand Ninja.
Unagi Electric Scooter
Those scooter kids who all the skateboarders and cyclists laughed at ten years ago when the sport rocketed in popularity have all grown up and got high-paying tech jobs in the city. Cities like Toronto are becoming thick with the electric versions that can carry a full-size adult at speeds up to the 32 km/h imposed for such vehicles in most areas of Canada. With over 500 5-star reviews on Google, the Unagi Model One folds with one click, weighs just 26 lbs, has a top speed that matches the national limit, and is rated for 275 lbs.
GilletteLabs Bugatti Edition Heated Razor
Gillette has recreated the feeling of a hot-towel shave with its heated razors (sort of), and this year French supercar maker Bugatti is getting in on the innovation with a collaboration inspired by its performance cars. The Bugatti Special Edition Heated Razor’s handle features the Bugatti Macaron and is made from premium-grade aluminum zinc as a nod to the Chiron Pur Sport’s titaniamium and anodized aluminum interior.
Apple HomePod Mini
Apple’s HomePod Mini is a worthy competitor to Amazon’s Echo and Google Nest Audio. It’s got a slight edge in overall sound quality compared to other smart devices. Especially when you’ve got two playing at the same time. The HomePod Mini’s strength is in numbers: if you buy several, you can create a network of speakers assigned to different rooms. This opens up the ability to use the intercom feature, play synced audio throughout your house, or have different music playing in each room. You can also sync together two HomePods in the same room for a stereo sound. The only way to listen to the year’s best Canadian albums, in our humble opinion.
Lenovo Duet Chromebook
Laptop or tablet? Lenovo’s Duet Chromebook offers the best of both worlds, meaning you can defer the solution to this particular first world problem for the moment. Use it as a laptop, or remove the detachable keyboard and tap away at the 10-inch touchscreen.
Nintendo Switch OLED
Nintendo’s small and versatile Switch is already over five years on the market yet it remains one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to have fun in a room full of Millennials. The new bigger and brighter OLED Switch white Joy-Con edition is selling fast, just like the originals. Best Buy Canada was already out of stock when this piece was written, but some retailers still had it.
Google Pixel 6
Google’s devices have a cult-like following that’s only growing. Last month, tech authority CNET awarded the Pixel 6 with its Editors’ Choice badge, explaining “the combination of price, design, cameras, processor and software make the Google Pixel 6 one of the best value phones you can buy.”
Echo Buds
Amazon’s answer to Apple’s Airpods: the Echo Buds. These sweat-resistant wireless headphones are best suited for anyone who prefers Alexa’s voice over Siri’s.
Ledger Nano X Crypto Wallet
For your buddy who’s already been burned by storing their cryptocurrency or NFT assets on an online platform that was hacked or outlawed, a hardware crypto wallet that secures their digital wealth in a safe place will be appreciated.
Nanoleaf Hexagon Light Panels
Toronto smart lighting company Nanoleaf makes these light strips that will make any old room an immaculate vibe. They reach to touch, sync with music, can take voice commands, and can be programmed to different schedules. You can also place them behind your TV and the light will mimic the colours, so next time you put Belly on, it will literally be lit.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3
Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Fold3 is another hot commodity this festive szn, but it doesn’t come cheap. The device retails for over $2,250. Still, there are a lot of reasons to consider it, like its five cameras, including three on the back (a wide-angle, an ultra-wide, and a telephoto camera) and two on the front (a selfie cam on the outer screen and an under-screen one on the inner screen). Available in 256 or 512 GB storage with 12 GB of RAM. Pair it with the Galaxy Buds2, featuring well-balanced sound and active noise canceling, for the full Galaxy gang experience.
NBA Top Shot x Infinite Objects NFT Video Frame
Maybe you’ve got that friend who blew his kids’ college fund on an NBA Top Shot moment. Hey, to each their own, but at the very least, it would be nice if they could flex their investment somewhere other than their cluttered desktop. Well, now they can. Top Shot owners can finally immortalize their digital crypto highlights IRL with officially licensed looping video frames via Infinite Objects. Only the owner of an NBA Top Shot highlight can purchase an Infinite Object frame with the associated video clip on it. Each frame comes with a QR code and holographic sticker to prove the clip’s authenticity. What a time.
$199 for large frame, $399 for extra large frame at Infinite Objects
Smart Home Theater Projector
Theatre projectors can run in the thousands, but this mini option will give you those at-home movie vibes for a fraction of the price. This portable projector gets a solid 4.3 rating on Amazon and comes with Netflix and YouTube apps for easy streaming. Alternatively, you can connect a Fire Stick and access other streaming services like Prime or Disney+.
Bug-A-Salt Gun
The old manual fly swatter is a completely functional instrument, but it’s not nearly as fun as this new way to murder any bugs who dare invade your living space. The Bug-A-Salt Gun uses basic spring power to fire a projectile of table salt.
Oura Ring Gen 3
This gender neutral health tracking titanium ring is sort of like a Fitbit, but for your finger. The brand says because the ring is worn on the finger (and not wrist), it’s closer to the arteries and therefore more accurately tracks things like heartbeat and other activity. It’s water resistant up to 100m and keeps battery for four to seven days.
Nest Doorbell (Battery)
Keeping a watchful eye on your front door has never been easier. Google’s battery-powered Nest Doorbell device is easy to install (though there’s also a hard wired version) and simple to use. The thing can tell the difference between a human, car and animal, and also has face recognition, so it knows who certain people are when they approach the door.