GadgetsVerge ShoppingGift GuidesThe Verge’s 2026 holiday gift guideOur latest holiday cheat sheet is jam-packed with our favorite tech, along with Play-Doh, vinyl, and plenty of analog picks.If you buy something from a link, The Verge may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.by Ryan WaniataNov 6, 2026, 3:00 PM UTCShareIf you buy something from a link, The Verge may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. Image: Cath Virginia / The VergeGift-giving isn’t just about grabbing something solid under a determined spending limit.
It’s an expression of love, a way to show someone how well you really know them. That doesn’t mean you have to do it all on your own, though. Sometimes you just need a push in the right direction to get things rolling. This year, we spent hours collecting our favorites to help you get ahead of your holiday shopping.
This list has everything: minimalist smart rings, Play-Doh flowers, sleek beat machines — you name it. Whatever your needs, no matter how demanding the recipient, you’ll find something exceptional below for that special someone on your list.How much do you want to spend?Under $20$21 to $50$51 to $150$151 to $400$401+Cricut StickerPix Print Plus Cut$299$299Most of us have thousands of photos in the cloud, but if a photo never makes it into the real world, did it really happen? Existentialism aside, the Cricut StickerPix offers a new way to play with photos, providing you with everything you need to turn any picture into a pro-quality print or sticker.Read More$299 at Amazon$299 at CricutAirPods 5$149$149If you’re a fan of Apple’s open-ear standard AirPods, the AirPods 5 are the best model yet. The higher-end pair (there are two models) offers upgraded sound, better noise cancellation, and swipe-based volume controls, bringing some Pro-level features to the buds that started the wire-free revolution.Read More$149 at Amazon$149 at Best BuyBusy Bar$199$24920% off$199It’s rare for a product to boast that it’s “hacker-friendly,” but the Busy Bar isn’t your average device.
Equipped with a pixelated LED screen, fantastically fun buttons, and intriguing ways to play, Flipper’s open-source productivity tool breeds efficiency by, among other things, keeping coworkers from interrupting your flow with their weekend plans.Read More$199 at Amazon$199 at Busy BarWacaco Minipresso GR2$55$55Espresso in the woods? Yes, please. The GR2’s magical mechanics make it possible, letting you turn 12 ounces of grounds into espresso without power. Its carrying case houses all the accessories needed to get that sweet shot of bean, making real coffee available virtually anywhere.Read More$55 at Amazon$55 at WacacoFujifilm Instax Mini Evo$219$2357% off$219Digital photos changed everything, but there’s still something wonderful about the visceral touch and nostalgia of analog.
Fujifilm’s Instax Mini Evo provides an intriguing hybrid that bridges these worlds, with a retro design, intuitive dials and controls, and the ability to filter like it’s 1989 (or 1889?).Read More$219 at Amazon$235 at Best BuyTP-Link Roam 7 portable router$88$14037% off$88What if you could give the gift of stress-free Wi-Fi on the go? That’s the promise of TP-Link’s dual-band Roam 7, a portable Wi-Fi 7 router that simplifies connecting to public portals so travelers can connect everything to a single device and be done with it.Read More$88 at AmazonBelkin ConnectAir Wireless HDMI Display Adapter$150$150For those who love travel but hate the constraints of a hotel TV, Belkin’s ConnectAir is a slick solution. Plug the transmitter into any device with a USB-C video-out port and the receiver into the TV’s HDMI port, and voilà, you’re easily (and wirelessly) connected.Read More$150 at Amazon$150 at BelkinSuper Nintendo: The Game-Changing Company That Unlocked the Power of Play$23$3228% off$23The company that brought gaming to the masses still defies the odds, thanks in large part to its creative roots. Those roots run deep, and journalist Keza MacDonald’s fascinating book traces them to their source, from a simple card game company to the minds behind the biggest hits of all time.Read More$23 at Amazon$32 at Barnes & NobleAkai MPC Sample$399$399You can give the gift of creativity with this do-it-all digital music maker.
Akai’s portable sampler, beat maker, and all-around sound machine blends tactile quick keys and pads with an onboard screen so musicians can build it all in a box and send the results to their DAW of choice.Read More$399 at Amazon$399 at Guitar CenterNimble SharePower Portable Charger$80$80For those who enjoy clever devices that just work, we give you Nimble’s “breakable” SharePower Portable Charger. The magnetically joined power bank quickly snaps into a pair of 20W batteries, letting two people charge their phones, or works as a single 10,000mAh unit for larger top-offs.Read More$80 at Amazon$80 at AppleTrain on the Island (vinyl)$32$32New Zealand artist Aldous Harding has another eccentric album on her hands with this year’s Train on the Island. The slow-burning LP is gorgeously recorded and delightfully weird, and it feels tailor-made for vinyl, making it an easy pick for Harding fans (or anyone who loves quirky indie jams).Read More$32 at Amazon$33 at Best BuyNinja Crispi Microwave & Air Fryer$450$450For those in smaller dwellings, efficient living means maximizing space. That’s where combo appliances like Ninja’s newest microwave / air fryer combo come in.
The handy countertop gadget lets you zap your food, then crisp it at the end so your pizza or French fries don’t turn into a soggy mess.Read More$450 at Amazon$450 at SharkNinjaGrand Theft Auto VI$80$80Perhaps no game in history is more anticipated than the latest entry in Rockstar’s sprawling, intricate, and absolutely bonkers open-world series. Grand Theft Auto VI is said to offer a more obsessively dense map, more realism in details like weather and passing time, and more realistic NPCs (non-player characters) than ever before. Here’s hoping those 13 years were worth the wait.Read More$80 at Amazon (PS5)$80 at Amazon (Xbox)Shokz OpenFit Pro$250$250Open-style earbuds aren’t just for the sporty; they’re an entirely different way to listen that keeps you environmentally aware without the plugged-up feeling of traditional buds. The OpenFit Pro take a balanced approach, with seamless open-ear performance and even a touch of noise reduction to dampen the din on crowded commutes.Read More$250 at Amazon$250 at Best BuyTimex Retroware Digital watch$149$149The old Ironman Timex was a staple for ’80s and ’90s kids, and while you can’t bring back those carefree days, remakes like the Retroware can bring back that carefree feeling.
No smarts, no notifications, just a takes-a-licking Timex watch with tactile keys, 50 meters of water resistance, and totally tubular digital graphics.Read More$149 at Amazon$149 at Timex8BitDo Ultimate 3E Controller for Xbox$150$150Serious gamers need a serious controller, and few take gaming more seriously than 8BitDo’s Elite-style Xbox gamepad. From its drift-proof TMR joysticks and motion support to its customizable buttons and remappable bumpers, the Ultimate 3E is the gift for that lovable control freak in your life.Read More$150 at Amazon$150 at 8BitDoPlay-Doh Blooms$15$2540% off$15There’s regular Play-Doh for kids, but did you know that Play-Doh makes kits for adults, too? We’re not scoffing. The new Blooms sets take on Lego’s floral bouquets with more realistic-looking flower arrangements, and they include a vase.
They’re equal parts nostalgic kitsch and stylish decor.Read More$15 at Amazon (Rosy Petite)$32 at Amazon (Meadow)$21 at Amazon (Wildflower Petite)Insta360 Luna Pro$600$600For on-the-go content creators, it’s all about capturing the moment in the highest video quality possible. Insta360’s Luna Pro steadycam offers plenty of features to get the job done right, inc
Leave a Reply