Being a shopping editor has its perks. Among the best is having unfettered access to other shopping experts who spend their days and nights testing all the latest, greatest products. When it comes time to splurge on a new vacuum or video doorbell, I don’t spend hours researching. Instead, I send a note to my bud Rick Broida, Yahoo’s resident tech expert, or the tech whizzes at Engadget. Within minutes, I not only know what to buy but where to buy it — and right now, Walmart is coming in hot with a bevy of our best tech buys.
This holiday season, I’m sharing my good fortune with all of you. Because I know how hard shopping for gadgets can be — especially when you’re trying to impress someone more tech-savvy than yourself — I rounded up top picks from Yahoo’s tech experts that will make great gifts this season. From the best noise-cancelling earbuds perfect for plane rides to a crystal-clear digital photo frame you can load with pics, these tech gifts are smart buys you don’t have to think twice about.
Say it with me — it’s time to get the photos out of the smartphone and into a picture frame. If you know someone whose camera roll is out of control, help them out this holiday season. No, I’m not talking about printing pictures the old-fashioned way; I’m talking about something way easier. Broida named this Walden gadget the best overall digital picture frame, praising the clarity and color of the screen, the easy setup and the built-in motion sensor.
If you want to make the coffee lover in your life squeal with glee, gift them an Ember temperature control mug. According to Broida, “It was among the first, and it’s arguably the best — at least for anyone seeking ultra-precise temperature controls and total automation.”
The cup can hold 14 ounces of liquid and has a 1.5-hour battery life. And yes, the Ember can be used for more than just coffee. Think tea, hot chocolate, apple cider, a hot toddy — the options are endless.
If you’re shopping for someone whose nightstand is a disaster — ahem, the person you sleep next to every night — Broida says this Anker gadget is a game changer. Not only can it charge multiple devices simultaneously, but it juices them up “wirelessly and magnetically via a single, unobtrusive power cord.”
We all know someone — okay, let’s be honest, multiple someones — who will resolve to live a healthier, more active life come January. It’s not up to you to make sure they stick with it, but you can show your support by gifting them the best fitness tracker money can buy, according to the team at Engadget. Not only does this Fitbit monitor heart rate, but it counts steps and sends reminders for the wearer to get moving.
Got a person in your life who always hosts the most epic backyard bashes? This is the gift for them. Broida says this is the best outdoor speaker because it has “excellent sound that handily beats Sonos in outdoor environments.” As if that weren’t good enough, it boasts an impressive battery life, and it’s easy to move around.
When it comes to tablets, the Apple iPad is still the best money can buy. But don’t just take my word for it. Broida had this to say after testing plenty of competitors: “It offers the best, most versatile tablet experience you can get.” What more do you need to know?
If you’re tired of your significant other complaining about your work-from-home calls, then treat them to a pair of these noise-cancelling headphones. Broida tested tons, and these Sony over-ear headphones are among his top picks. He writes, “Sony’s over-the-ear cans automatically adjust to your environment and tailor the noise-cancelling accordingly. Beyond that, you get premium sound and up to 30 hours of battery life.”
Think your loved one would prefer lower-profile earbuds? This Bose pair is the way to go. Broida named these the best noise-cancelling earbuds in his latest guide. Among their selling points? Superb sound quality, logical, responsive touch controls and highly immersive spatial audio.
Laptops are the kind of investments that require serious research. Not only can you expect to spend some significant cash, but whatever you choose needs to perform — and reliably so. Luckily, the experts over at Engadget did the hard work for you. After months spent testing all the top options, they named this HP pick the best budget Windows laptop thanks to its attractive design, solid performance for the price and wide-ranging ports.
Splurge on the clean freak in your life with this iRobot vacuum-mop combo. It earned high marks from the folks at Engadget, who praised its ability to accurately map your space and avoid obstacles. “While it’s expensive, the Roomba Combo j9+ certainly beats paying for a professional cleaning service,” they wrote.
There are true audiophiles, and then there are the rest of us. You may not be able to tell one Bluetooth speaker from another, but some music snobs, err, music lovers definitely can. For those picky people, Engadget recommends the Sonos Five. “If you crave more bass, clarity and stereo separation, the $550 Sonos Five is the best-sounding smart speaker,” the experts explain.
Want to save even more? Make sure you’re signed up for Walmart+. It’s easy to sign up for your free 30-day trial here. You’ll get free shipping and grocery delivery, savings on gas and prescriptions, exclusive access to major deals, and more. (And by the way, those without Walmart+ still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)