The term “gadget” covers a wide range of devices. There are gadgets for the kitchen, entertainment, self-care, and so much more. Most have a sort of novel aspect while still being utilitarian. The actual use is what makes gadgets so desirable.
Think about past gifts you’ve received. Have you ever gotten one with nice sentiment, but in reality you have little use for the item? Next time you’re tasked with giving a gift, make it something super cool but also super useful.
This list of gadgets will help you wow anyone with your gift-giving abilities. These devices combine the perfect amounts of novelty and utility. And hey, they even make nice presents when you’re in the mood to treat yourself.
Self-watering planter
This planter can help anyone keep their plants alive, even herbs and vegetables. It features a built-in reservoir that stores a month’s worth of water and an LED lamp arm that provides light. The kit even comes with three basil starter pods to get growing right away. The soil mix is designed to stay pH balanced and contains nutrients that are released in sync with the plant’s life cycle. The planter does almost all of the work, you just have to plant the seeds.
3D printing pen
With this pen, you’re able to create 3D-printed art in high precision. Adjust the material flow and control temperature settings to optimize your creating — both can be managed via the OLED display screen. The pen uses PLA plastic filament and includes two colors in the kit. This gadget is ideal for artists who want to experiment with a different medium, and it’s also easy enough for kids to use.
$99.99
Omelet maker
Avoid messes and uneven omelets with this gadget. Simply put your ingredients onto the hot plate and close the lid — no need to battle with a stubborn omelet that won’t flip properly. The omelet maker also works for frittatas, paninis, pizza pockets, and more. It’s a great gadget for people who like having versatile cooking options with minimal effort.
$28.99
Embr personal thermostat
Embr Wave cools or warms the wrist, triggering the body’s natural response to temperature change to make you more comfortable. Control your temperature directly on the device or within the mobile app to visually track thermal changes. After three minutes of use, wearers will feel warmer by 4.6 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler by 5.8 degrees.
Flameless lighter
This lighter works in even the windiest conditions because its plasma surface replaces a traditional flame. Not only is a flameless lighter safer, it’s also longer-lasting as you can just recharge it when the juice runs out. This gadget is good for lighting cigarettes, cigars, and candles, though it does ignite slower than traditional flame lighters. Plus, the iridescent exterior of the lighter is sure to wow any recipient.
$15.29
Pizza scissors
A regular pizza cutter does its job just fine, but then you’re left to pick up slices with your hands. If your pie is loaded with toppings, the pick-up method is key to ensuring those toppings stay where they’re meant to. This gadget cuts out all the work — literally. These scissors cut pizza slices to the desired size and then scoops them out to eliminate any unnecessary mess while serving.
Typewriter keyboard
Living in a high-tech world doesn’t mean you have to give up old technology — sometimes it just means putting a fun, new spin on things. This keyboard gives the look and feel of a typewriter but connects to digital devices wirelessly or through a USB cord so you’ll get the mechanical feel of a typewriter with the modern blessing of a backspace key.
$259.99
Smart water bottle
This water bottle is like having a personal hydration coach — it reminds you to drink water and celebrates when you’ve met your daily goal. A sensor inside the bottle records the number of ounces or milliliters you drink and records them in the Hidrate app, which also syncs with other health apps. Daily water goals are set based on age, physiology, and more. The bottle holds 24 ounces, but the sensor accumulates the ounces you drink as you refill.
$45
Bright On teeth whitening kit
Smile Direct Club’s whitening works three times faster than strips to brighten your smile. The brand suggests doing a treatment every three months, with each treatment being two applications a day for seven days. You’ll seriously see results after day four, though. To use, apply the whitening gel to your teeth then place the LED mouthpiece in your mouth and plug it into your smartphone. The mouthpiece has lightning, USB, USB-C, and micro USB adapters, so you can plug in almost anywhere.
Monet phone wallet
Accessories are great, but there’s only so much room on the back of your phone. Do you want a stick-on wallet or a grip? The days of choosing between one or the other are over. This wallet has two pockets that can securely hold cards, IDs, and cash, and it has a strap that slides open to function as a grip. It’s the best of both worlds. Plus, its thin design won’t make your phone feel bulky.
Bose audio sunglasses
These sunglasses allow their wearer to listen to music, podcasts, and more — without headphones. The frames contain speakers and an integrated microphone, so you’re able to listen to audio and make calls, all while protecting your eyes from UV rays. Yes, the audio plays out loud, but the design keeps the sound from reaching others. People might be able to hear that you’re listening to something, but no more than they would if you had your headphone volume all the way up.
Potato peeler
This nifty gadget automatically peels potatoes, apples, cucumbers, and more. It takes the skin off without wasting any of the rest of the fruit or vegetable. To use, place a potato in between the sharp holders, push a button, and watch as the machine peels your food in one continuous curl. A paring knife is included to cut out any blemishes. Arguably the best part of this gadget is its name — the Rotato Express. You get it.
Crab multi-tool
Not only is this little crab super cute, it’s also super handy. The six-in-one multi-tool features a mini scissors, bottle opener, flat-head screwdriver, can opener, mini knife, and rope saw. Plus the tool has four fold-out legs to give it the full crab effect and its eyeholes allow you to place the multi-tool on a keyring or thin rope. The crab’s beech wood body and stainless steel appendages make it the Edward Scissorhands of sea creatures.
$20
Lovebox Messenger
Gift this to someone and you’ll be able to send them love notes whenever you want. Compose the messages in the Lovebox mobile app and send them to the digital box in your loved one’s home. The heart on the outside of the box notifies the recipient that they have a message, then they just lift the lid to see it. They’re able to manually spin the heart to send a flood of hearts to your phone screen. So sweet.
Laser scissors
Cutting crooked lines is a thing of the past with these scissors. They have an attached laser to guide your cut line, making sure you get the straightest cut. The laser is adjustable with two screws, allowing you to aim where you want it. This gadget is good for sewing, crafting, and gift wrapping, though some reviewers noted there is a bit of a learning curve when figuring out the best way to use the scissors.
$10.99
Suction whiskey stones
Taking a drink on the rocks is refreshing, but it can be a race against the clock to finish the liquor before it’s watered down by melting ice. Whiskey stones eliminated this issue, and Rabbit took the ingenuity even further. These stainless steel whiskey stones have suction cups to attach to the bottom of glasses, making it easier to enjoy a cold drink without having ice rush at your face with every sip.
$20
Temperature controlled mug
Cold coffee is only enjoyable when you specifically ordered or made it that way. You want to keep your hot coffee hot and with this mug, you’re able to do just that. Using the buttons on the mug’s exterior or the mobile app, you can control your drink’s temperature — and the LCD display on the mug shows you its current temperature. Use this mug to warm coffee, brew tea, or heat up soup.
$129.95
Meural digital canvas
It can be tough to choose just one piece of art to hang in the perfect spot on the wall, so what if you didn’t have to settle for just one? Meural comes loaded with a library of art that numbers in the thousands and users are even able to upload their own content. You can even pair specific works with playlists and the digital canvas connects to Amazon Echo for next level smart tech. It’s the ultimate art lover’s dream.
Crushed ice tray
Not having an ice dispenser means that if you want ice, it’s got to be cubed. But this ingenious tray provides a way to make your own crushed ice — plus it comes with three trays, so you can make a boatload. After the ice is made, the silicone base acts as storage, so you can keep the cycle going.
$15
Neutrogena acne light mask
Using blue and red light therapy, this mask targets acne-causing bacteria and reduces acne inflammation. It’s basically like getting a professional spa treatment without having to leave your home or drop a ton of money. The Neutrogena mask comes with a 30-treatment applicator, with each treatment lasting 10 minutes. It’s safe enough for daily use.
$37.68
Portable humidifier
This little device can turn a glass or bottle of water into a humidifier, letting you add moisture to almost any environment you’re in. Its portable design is great for humidifying on the go. The humidifier’s stem is adjustable to make it stand comfortably in a variety of containers and it plugs in via USB and starts producing moisture within minutes.
$25.99
Crock-Pot food warmer
Waiting in line to use the microwave during the lunch rush at work takes up precious time that could be spent actually eating. This food warmer from Crock-Pot eliminates the need to microwave. Just plug it in and the 20-ounce container begins to heat up and warm your food. It even has a handle for portability.
$21.99
Zivix Jamstik+
This gadget allows you to learn guitar with real-time feedback. Dubbed a “smart guitar,” the Jamstick+ is compatible with your phone, iPad, or Mac computer plus multiple music apps including an interactive guitar lesson series.
Anyone from beginner to pro can play the Jamstick+. It has real strings and frets, so the skills learned translate seamlessly to a traditional guitar.
Egg timer
Boiling eggs can be a tricky game — the yolk consistency can change in a matter of minutes. This timer goes in the pot with your eggs and absorbs heat exactly as an egg does, then changes color to indicate soft, medium, and hard boiled eggs. This gadget adjusts to the number of eggs and level of water to take the guesswork out of boiling eggs. It’s a great tool for home cooks, but especially for people who detest runny eggs.
$10.38
Blackhead remover vacuum
Blackheads are no fun — they clog your pores and they’re tough to get out. Picking at your blackheads can even make them push down deeper into your skin. This tool gets rid of that downward pushing motion by using suction to pull impurities from the skin. Set the suction level, pull your skin taut, and move the blackhead vacuum around your problem areas in a circular motion to remove blackheads and even smooth wrinkles.
$21.99
PhoneSoap UV sanitizer
Our phones are constantly being touched, so it comes as no surprise that they harbor a lot of bacterio. This device kills the nasty stuff using UV light to sanitize your phone — or anything else that fits inside the casing. Along with cleaning germs off your phone, this gadget simultaneously charges your device. Choose from a variety of colors and sizes to fit your needs.
$59.95
Defrosting tray
The most annoying part about cooking is waiting for frozen items to thaw out. This defrosting tray cuts down the time it takes to thaw frozen meat and veggies and you get to avoid running food under hot water or sticking it in the microwave. This defroster comes with a drip tray to catch any run-off fluids and a silicone sponge for easy cleaning.
$24.99
Oven rack edge guards
If you know someone who burns themself every time they take something out of the oven, gift them these edge guards. These silicone guards attach to oven racks to provide a heat-resistant surface for any accidental slips or bumps that would result in burns. This pack comes with two guards that are heat-resistant up to 400 degrees.
Motiv fitness and sleep tracker
This ring weighs less than a penny, but has all of the capabilities of a fitness tracker. The Motiv Ring tracks your sleep, heart rate, and activity and it’s less invasive than trackers worn on the wrist. The tracker’s battery lasts up to three days. When you order a Motiv Ring, you receive multiple sizes to try on to make sure you get the best fit possible, resulting in the most accurate health tracking.
Coravin wine preserver
This gadget helps keep your wine fresh longer by piercing the cork and keeping the bottle vacuum sealed. This way you don’t have to commit to a whole bottle or one type of wine. Just pour what you want and save the rest for later, knowing it will still be fresh. The lack of exposure to oxygen allows your wine to age naturally, giving you the best glass with each pour.
Shake-N-Wake alarm clock
If you know someone who has learned to tune out their blaring alarm clock, get them this gadget. It’s a wearable alarm that vibrates and shakes to wake up its user.
The alarm is silent, which is nice for anyone else who sleeps in the same room or house as someone who’s a repeat snooze button fiend. Though the Shake-N-Wake does have the option to turn on a sound alarm in the case of extremely heavy sleepers.
Chef’n veggie chopper
This food processor is completely manual — you pull a cord to kickstart the chopping. It effortlessly cuts through vegetables, nuts, and herbs without using any electricity. The bowl holds up to five cups and is dishwasher safe. This gadget is ideal for anyone who is low on kitchen space or someone who cooks when they travel.
$31.7
Skincare refrigerator
Cold temperatures help keep pores closed, resulting in less dirt and bacteria getting in. On the other hand, if you want your pores to be open for easier extraction, heat is the answer. This tiny refrigerator switches from warming to cooling to keep skincare products the ideal temperature for your face. Use this fridge to store crystal rollers, serums, creams, and more.
Word clock
Make telling time fun with this clock that backlights words in a unique way to display the hour and minute. This clock keeps people on their toes in a way traditional numeral clocks do not. The modern design makes this clock a nice addition to any room — prop it up with its kickstand and power the LED display with a USB cord.
Avocado slicer
Sometimes the hardest part of eating fruits and veggies is actually getting past the skin. This nifty gadget helps you cut into avocados with ease, remove the pit with the twist of the wrist, and separate the flesh it into thin slices. This slicer may actually be all you need to prepare an avocado in one convenient tool.
Jiobit child tracker
This device allows parents to monitor where their kids are and receive alerts if they stray from trusted locations. Within the Jiobit app, you’re able to see the child’s real-time location wherever they are — there’s no limitation to tracking distance. This is perfect for kids who are old enough to be playing outside alone, but a little too young to have a cellphone.
Solar USB charger
Portable chargers are super handy, except when they run out of power. This charger pulls juice from traditional charging methods as well as from its four solar panels. A single charge gives you about nine days of usage. Just make sure the panels are in contact with sunlight and your devices will stay juiced up.
Mini projector
This device connects to your phone or tablet and projects video onto whatever surface you choose. It’s like bringing a theater experience into your home. The projector is small, so it’s not invasive and in the way when you want to watch something. This gadget is easy enough for kids to use and it’s great for watching content while camping or traveling.
$47.99
French press travel mug
Being on the move shouldn’t mean that you have to sacrifice your coffee’s flavor. With this mug, just add coarsely ground beans, hot water, and then seal the lid for freshly pressed coffee in minutes.
You don’t have to wait for your coffee to finish brewing at home, so you can be out the door and on time to your destination.
Expandable wireless speaker
Phone speakers just don’t cut it when trying to play audio for a group of people. This speaker enhances the sound and attaches to the back of your phone. The POW Mo speaker is expandable, meaning it can also push in close to the surface of your phone so that it fits in your pocket without being too bulky. Added bonus: It’s also a wallet.