Looking for Valentine’s Day gift ideas for the tech lover in your life?
Valentine’s Day gifts typically revolve around jewelry, chocolates or flowers. These items are an excellent way to show you care, but many go unused or don’t last throughout the year.
Valentine’s Day tech gifts are helpful and likely to be used for years to come. If you’re still considering what you should buy your loved one this year, various electronics are worth your consideration. We sat down with our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to get gift suggestions for Valentine’s Day. We even evaluated some of these top devices in the BestReviews Testing Lab, including the Nintendo Switch OLED, Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2, Apple AirPods Max and the Roku Express 4K+.
Shop this article: LanLuk Mini Portable Charger for iPhone 2-Pack, Logitech G Cloud and Philips Hue Starter Kit
Why buy tech gifts for Valentine’s Day?
Nowadays, many people use electronics daily. Thanks to continuous technological advancements, many of these devices can make your life easier, keep you safe or entertain you. Electronics are thoughtful and memorable gifts since your partner will use them throughout the year.
According to Vazquez, “Valentine’s Day is the most personal holiday we have, so it only feels right to give the most personal gifts you can, which are the gadgets people will use every day.”
What to consider when choosing the best tech gifts for Valentine’s Day
- Personal preferences: It’s essential to consider the types of electronics your partner uses already. You can’t go wrong with a new gaming console or accessory if your partner is a gamer. Those who work from home are sure to enjoy a tablet stand or another gift that makes their work day easier.
- Budget: Electronics are getting cheaper and cheaper every year, but that doesn’t mean they’re all affordable. It’s important to consider how much you’re willing to spend before shopping for a Valentine’s Day tech gift.
- Usability and compatibility: Electronics typically work best with specific devices. You’ll want to think about the devices and services your partner has already, so you can buy a gift that works with their current setup. For example, if their internet service provider offers Wi-Fi 6E, but their router doesn’t support it, they would benefit from a Wi-Fi 6E router. If they’re a fan of Apple devices, they will benefit from an iPhone or iPad accessory.
Types of electronics that make great gifts
- Smart home devices: These make life easier and let you automate many of your daily tasks. Smart home devices are often easy to install and take only a few minutes to set up. Matter and Thread technologies will make many of these products compatible with those made by other brands, but in the meantime, it’s essential to consider what types of smart devices your partner already has.
- Smartphone accessories: Many people spend over three hours daily using their smartphones. Gifts that protect, charge or enhance their phone are sure to be a hit.
- Wi-Fi 6E routers: According to Vazquez, “The newest Wi-Fi standard is Wi-Fi 6E, and we’re finally starting to see devices that support it, such as the latest Mac Mini, iPad and MacBook Pro.” Wi-Fi 6E is an improved version of Wi-Fi 6, offering faster speeds and lower latency. Still, to use Wi-Fi 6E, you’ll need a router that supports it.
14 best Valentine’s Day tech gifts
LanLuk Mini Portable Charger for iPhone 2-Pack
This comes with two convenient portable iPhone batteries that plug into the bottom of your phone. Many said it could charge their phones to 60% in around 30 minutes. You don’t have to worry about cords getting in the way.
Skycase Travel Cable Organizer
This has two individual compartments with numerous pockets, so you can effectively keep your cables separated and organized. It is made with durable fabric and is available in 12 colors.
This is a perfect gift for gamers. It has a vivid 7-inch OLED screen and both handheld and tabletop modes, with two detachable controllers and a wide adjustable stand. In the Testing Lab, this console got good scores in performance, graphics, storage, user interface and gaming experience, as well as online and multiplayer capabilities. The downside is that the device offers only two to three hours of playtime on a full charge.
This comes with three bulbs, a Phillips Hue Hub and a smart button. The smart bulbs can switch between 16 million colors to add ambiance to any room. They’re compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Homekit.
Philips Hue Smart Motion Sensor
This motion sensor lets you create automations with your smart lights when used with a Philips Hue Hub. It is affordable and easy to install.
This convenient stand comes with a desk base and clamp for added versatility. It is durable and compatible with most iPhones and iPads. It’s an excellent gift for those who regularly attend Zoom calls.
TP-Link Deco Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Mesh System
It supports Wi-Fi 6E, letting you get the most out of your internet service. This system covers over 5,000 square feet. It’s available in a one-, two- or three-pack. The installation and setup process is straightforward.
Amazon Eero Pro 6E Mesh Wi-Fi Router
This covers up to 2,000 square feet and takes only a few minutes to set up. It works as a Thread-enabled smart home hub, meaning you can use it with a variety of smart home devices.
The Apple M2 chip lets this device achieve lightning-fast speeds. It’s compatible with Wi-Fi 6E. It features a sleek, compact design.
Ocoopa Rechargeable Hand Warmer
This convenient device keeps your hands warm throughout the day. It features three temperature settings and doubles as a power bank. Many said they were impressed with the battery life.
Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2
If your absent-minded loved one is constantly reheating coffee that they forgot to drink, this smart mug is a must. They can set the temperature manually or with the Ember app. The wireless battery lasts 80 minutes on a full charge or all day when used with the charging coaster. Our tester admired its accurate temperature control, build quality and how easy it was to set up and clean, although the app was a bit finicky.
JBL FLIP 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
This is one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers around, offering impressive sound quality and 12 hours of playtime on a single charge. With its wireless and waterproof design, your significant other can take this JBL speaker to the beach, to a backyard barbecue, on a camping trip — wherever they want to listen to music.
If your better half is a music lover, these noise canceling headphones are among the best you can buy. In the Testing Lab, we liked their crisp sound and premium feel, and how you can disable noise cancellation. Our tester reported that the ear cups are breathable and verified that the battery lasts for days of heavy use. On the downside, the headphones are a bit heavy compared to other models.
This Roku streaming device scored high in the Testing Lab, offering 4K HDR video quality and Dolby/DTS audio optimized for your TV. You and your partner can watch movies, TV series and more, including 350-plus free channels. We found that its performance rivals that of premium streaming devices for significantly less money. The Roku Express comes with an all-in-one voice remote that’s compatible with Echo Dot.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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