The tech products we enthusiastically recommend this holiday season

We’ve been reviewing a bunch of new gadgets and hardware at TechCrunch this year: dumb phones, bird feeders, health trackers, slushy machines, AI mattress pads, you name it. Sometimes we think they’re unnecessary and expensive, but other times, we try out devices that we love so much that we go out and buy them ourselves.

If these products can impress a group of (sometimes) curmudgeonly tech reporters, then they’re sure to please whoever you’re shopping for this holiday season.

For the reader

We’ve reviewed a lot of e-readers this year. What can we say? We’re nerds. We work for a tech website. But after trying devices from the usual suspects as well as some wildcards, we have recommendations. Evidently, 2026 was the year we fell in love with the pocket-sized e-reader.

Xteink X3 ($55) – a budget pick for someone techy

It’s an e-reader so small that it can fit in your wallet, or even magnetize to the back of your phone. Do you dream of a world where instead of scrolling Instagram when you’re waiting in line for coffee, you actually opt to read books? There’s really something special about the X3, and it’s only $55 during Xteink’s Black Friday sale. Fair warning, it takes some fiddling with to set up, and it has no integration with Kindle, Libby, or any other apps, so only buy this for someone willing to do a bit of Reddit browsing and tinkering to get it up and running.

XTeink X4 Pro ($99) – it has a backlight!

If you aren’t planning to magnetize the XTeink to your phone, you’ve got to go with the X4 Pro. It’s slightly bigger, but it has a backlight, which makes it way more versatile. After using both the X3 and the X4 Pro, I find that the backlight really is a game changer, since I do a lot of reading in bed — plus, I like my Pop Socket wallet a bit too much to displace for the X3, and I’d rather just carry an extra credit card-sized device than risk forgetting my actual credit and ID cards, which I have grown too used to having on my phone.

Boox Palma Pro 2 ($400) – a phone-sized e-reader without the drawbacks

If I’m being honest, reading my colleague Aisha Malik’s review of the Boox Palma Pro 2 is making me want to buy one. I love using the Xteink e-readers, but they don’t connect to any outside apps. As a hardcore Libby power user (a phrase I am saying in earnest sincerity), it’s a bit frustrating that I can’t get my library books on Xteink e-readers. The same goes for apps like Kobo and Kindle, where any e-book you already own cannot be transferred out of the Amazon ecosystem unless the publisher agrees, which most do not.

If you’re looking for an e-reader with a screen that’s actually book-sized, my favorite that I’ve used is the Kobo Libra Colour, which is $259. The Amazon Paperwhite line is great, but c’mon, Amazon. Branch out!

For the foodie

Hey, we’ve all got to eat. And if you want, you can make that eating process overly techy. Why not?

Ember Mug 3 ($99) – for the tea lover who’s really particular

The Ember Mug 3 is the latest iteration in Ember’s line of coffee/tea cups that actually stay warm. Our reviewer Lauren Forristal especially appreciated that you no longer need to use your phone app to change the mug’s temperature, which seems like it would be really annoying!

This mug is perfect for gifting to someone, or to put on your own wishlist — you might not want to spend $99 on a mug for yourself, but these sorts of luxury, nice-to-haves are what holidays are made for!

Ninja Crispi Microwave and Air Fryer ($449.99) – two appliances in one!

Ah, Ninja, the premiere company in the business of turning every appliance into a two-in-one air fryer. I jest, but at least Ninja knows it’s onto something. Despite the high price point, Lauren says that this new product made “a pretty convincing case for ditching two appliances and making room for one.” You can’t buy more counter space (without moving), but you can buy more versatile appliances.

GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro ($499.99) – if your fridge has a built-in ice maker, you just won’t understand

Sure, there are cheaper ice makers on the market. But Aisha clarifies that this is the ice maker for “those who crave what’s called ‘the good ice.’” If you feel so passionately about the ice in your beverages that you know what she means, then maybe this is for you.

For the AI-pilled vibe-coder

What they really want is a Mac mini or Claude subscription, but if that’s out of budget, we have some other ideas that might impress your AI-pilled, vibe-coder loved ones…

Open AI Codex Micro ($230) – for the Codex evangelist

When I asked my colleague Lucas Ropek what about his favorite product he reviewed this year, he mentioned the Codex Micro. Some hard-core coders — who the product is aimed toward — have found this thing less than pleasing, but Lucas seems to have had fun figuring out this first attempt by OpenAI at hardware.

Best case, it’s a productivity game-changer for your friend who has a hardworking team of AI agents within the OpenAI ecosystem. Worst case, this will be a great piece of tech history in a few years.

For the person who’s desperate to log off

As people have become more conscious about how much time they spend online, new tech has emerged that, ironically, is designed to keep you away from tech. Some of these products can really make a difference in your life.

Brick ($59) or Brick Night ($129) — a not-so-subtle gift for your friend who doomscrolls every night before bed

For about six months, I’ve consistently used the Brick to prevent me from using social media as the last thing I do before bed, or the first thing in the morning. Some people use it to help them focus during the work day, but evidently, I was not the only one who needed Brick’s help with sleep. The company recently launched its second device, Brick Night, which “Bricks” your phone when you are in the same room. You can customize the times that the Brick Night is active, so it’s not as though you can never, ever use social media in your room. Both Brick and Brick Night are very customizable, so you can create the perfect set-up tailored to your needs.

It’s embarrassing how whole-heartedly I recommend the Brick, which is basically just a hunk of plastic with an NFC chip in it and a companion app. But my sleep has improved significantly — I even do 8 AM Pilates now. Who am I?

Dumb Phone ($20 + service plan) – for someone who wants to try something new but can’t totally give up their iPhone

I’ve tried out far pricier smart phone alternatives, but the Dumb Phone was both the most affordable, and the most usable for me. In the humble shell of a $20 TCL flip phone, Dumb Co loads its own software so that users can access apps like WhatsApp, Spotify, Apple Music, and Uber. You can even access iMessage through a third-party app, though Apple could probably get that shut down… no one tell Apple, please!

The Dumb Phone is particularly usable because it’s not intended to be a complete replacement for your smartphone — it’s more like a companion device that you can take out with you when you want to feel more present in the world but still may need to call an Uber home.

For the health nut

Wearable health trackers are pretty common nowadays, but after reviewing several different rings and wristbands, Aisha has named a winner.

Oura Ring 5 ($399-$499 + $5.99/month subscription) — for someone who cares about style as much as their step count

There are a lot of ugly health trackers. And then there’s the Oura Ring 5, the leading smart ring maker’s first product that’s thin enough to wear without loudly broadcasting to the world that you’re monitoring your heart rate. (For what it’s worth, I tried the RingConn 3 — which is about the same size as Oura Ring 5 — but returned it, unsatisfied. Womp womp.) Aisha notes in her review that the newest Oura ring is more durable, has a better battery life, and looks more premium than its predecessors.

Source: techcrunch.com