As you make your list of gifts for all your family and friends, you can’t forget those very special guys in the family. In fact, many of our readers are probably this kind of family member – the techie guy.
These guys are at the forefront of technology and will go nuts for a geeky piece of technology. And contrary to general belief, you don’t need to spend a fortune on them. Int his list we have included both affordable and pricey gifts the techie guy will love. Dig in!
A new smartphone or tablet?
I know, new devices can be very expensive, but there are some affordable options out there. We have put together lists of the best affordable smartphones, as well as the best tablets. If I were to recommend one of each, though, it would have to be the Moto G and the NVIDIA Shield Tablet.
The Moto G offers amazing affordability at about $179, yet it features very decent specs and performance. In fact, it would probably beat many other over-priced smartphones. We have tested the device, so if you want to learn about it you can check out our hands-on coverage.
As for the NVIDIA Shield Tablet, it does cost $400 off contract, but its a great balance between performance and price. In fact, the device is very powerful for the price, as the tablet is optimized for gaming. Gaming devices don’t often come cheap, guys.
But of course, if you want something a bit cheaper and much more productive, I always recommend the ASUS TransformerBook T100. It’s under $300 and runs full Windows 8.1. This means it can handle full desktop apps and all.
Definitely a good battery pack
There is nothing techies appreciate more than long-lasting battery life. Sadly, not all phones have this, or they don’t have enough of it, so we need to compensate with rechargeable battery packs. These will keep our devices running for longer, even if it can be a bit annoying to have to be plugging them in all the time.
One of my favorite happens to be the Juno Power HUE Pro. This battery carries a 10,000 mAh battery thatwill keep your devices running for a good amount of time. It can charge two devices at once (one port is 1A while the other is 2.1A) and it even has a flashlight.
Now, if you are not worried about pocket-ability we have a very interesting product for you. It’s called the LUXA2 P-MEGA portable battery and comes with a whopping 41,600 mAh battery. It is a beast. It’s also large, but it makes it a perfect companion for road trips and camping trips. It’s also not cheap, though.
Talking about charging – how about a wireless charger?
Have you ever noticed that your phone’s USB port starts running out after some good use? Of course, you are shoving cables up the phone every single day and this is expected. This is why I happen to like Qi wireless chargers… and also just because they are damn cool.
If a person’s phone or tablet is compatible, a Qi wireless charger can be an awesome gift. I have also put together a list of the best wireless chargers in the past, but I know I can recommend one. It’s actually the one I use – the Tylt Vu.
The Tylt Vu doubles as a charger and a stand for your phone. You can watch movies and use your device while it continues to get juice. I love it.
Price: —
0 used & new available from
Great sound for rocking out
Of course, your family geek will need a good pair of headphones or speakers. We like wireless around here, so we have a couple lists for the best bluetooth headphones and best bluetooth speakers.
If I had to choose, though, it would be the Plantronics BackBeat GO 2 bluetooth earbuds and the SuperTooth Disco 4 D4 speaker. These products offer a great balance between affordability and performance. They are not super expensive and get the job done very well.
Price: $59.99
4 used & new available from $13.99
Make his life easier with a wearable
It’s the age of communications and only those who stay in touch win. Want to get a smart watch that takes care of business, works well and has an amazing battery life? Not many fit all these characteristics, which is why we are still fans of the Pebble.
This smart watch has proven you don’t need flashy LCD screens and stunning animations to be a make a good wearable. This device has an E-Ink display and takes advantage of unmatchable battery life. Not to mention, it does just what you need it to do. It’s also a relatively affordable device.
Streaming frenzy with Chromecast
Of course, we can’t forget about the Chromecast. At only $35 (and yes, there are some Black Friday deals), this little HDMI dongle turns your phone into a remote control for your TV, which essentially becomes a smart TV. Easily stream your videos, images, music and more to the large screen.
If all else fails, get a gift card!
Of course, tech geeks probably already have awesome devices. Good content is never bad, though. You could easily get your tech geek a nice gift card so he can buy all the apps, movies and music he wants.
You can get them from Amazon, Apple, Google or Microsoft.
