Holiday shopping? Technology gifts for every kind of user, budget - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press

Stumped for a tech gift? Here are some of my favorites — with something for every budget, and an emphasis on versatility and mainstream appeal.

These are all tech products I’ve tried out in my personal life and, in some cases, on the job. I therefore feel confident in recommending this gear to you, as I have to my friends and family members.

You’ll see some big names here (including Apple and Google) along with some lesser-known companies — but it is all top-notch tech.

COMPUTER KEYBOARD

Logitech, a longtime keyboard manufacturer, has outdone itself with the Craft, a luxurious-feeling, full-sized keyboard with a twist — a stylish dial for powering through work in Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, the Chrome browser and other apps.

Logitech Craft keyboard

If this $200 keyboard isn’t right for you, Logitech has lots of other, often-cheaper options. logitech.com

CHARGING CABLES

If you’re tired of fraying, failing phone and tablet cables, invest in something durable.

Nomad charging cable

Charging cables from Nomad are built to last, and the maker has a something for everyone: Lightning cables for iPhone, a battery cable, even a multi-gadget cable with interchangeable Lightning, USB-C and micro-USB tips. $22.46 and up. hellonomad.com

E-BOOK READER

Amazon has updated its Kindle Oasis e-book reader, and it’s a beauty. Larger than last year’s Oasis, it’s now sheathed in aluminum and can survive an accidental dunking.

It has the same attractive leather covers and well-balanced one-hand design. It is a bit spendy at $250, but Amazon has e-readers starting at $80. kindle.com

SMART SPEAKER

If you lust after a smart speaker with an integrated voice assistant, one of Amazon’s Echo devices is certainly a great way to go. But for those among us who already use Google services, there is the Google Home Mini.

Google Home Mini

It’s compact like the Echo Dot, but is more attractive, and it’s very easy to use. Best of all, it’s only $30. store.google.com

TABLET STAND

Apple iPads and other tablets are great, but propping them up can be a pain at times. Stump has this problem licked with a couple of its device stands. The small Stump Stand holds up a tablet (or phone) on a table or desk at a range of angles.

Super Stump device stand

The big, soft Super Stump is perfect for use in bed, on the couch or at the beach. $25 and up. stumpstore.com

BETTER WI-FI

If your house is a bit on the large side, a single Wi-Fi router might struggle to blanket that residence with bandwidth. A “mesh” router system is a better bet.

Eero Wi-Fi mesh kit

Eero offers wireless kits consisting of multiple Wi-Fi gadgets that live in different parts of a home but work in unison to create a single, reliable wireless network. Kits start at $300. eero.com

PHONE MOUNT + HANDLE

Glif phone mount and handle

Shoot better phone videos with Studio Neat’s $28 Glif, which clamps around your handset, and a companion solid-wood handle, which screws into the clamp ($55 for both).

Glif phone mount and handleThe Glif has a total of three sockets that also work with a tripod in landscape or portrait. No tripod? Try a Joby GorillaPod. studionet.com and joby.com.

SECURITY CAMERAS

Many off-the-shelf Internet-connected security cameras are available. Neatgear’s Arlo Pro versions are worth a look because they are wireless, weather-resistant, accessible via your smartphone, and have rechargeable batteries that last a while.

Netgear Arlo security camera

Seven-day online video archiving is free. Get Arlo cameras in kits starting at $200. arlo.com

TABLET COMPUTER

Apple’s iPad Pro is a compelling alternative to regular laptops because it’s thin and portable yet a productivity powerhouse with a durable add-on keyboard, a vast app library, a jaw-dropping touch display and desktop-caliber horsepower.

Apple iPad Pro

Two iPad Pro sizes, $649 and up. The Smart Keyboard and a Pencil stylus are extra. apple.com

READING GLASSES ON YOUR PHONE

For those of us who are not getting any younger, ThinOptics makes compact, flexible and virtually indestructible reading glasses that fit into a tiny plastic sleeve when not in use. That sleeve can be attached to to almost anything — such as the back of your smartphone — so the reading spectacles are always handy.

ThinOptics phone case with built-in reading-glasses slipcase

Better yet, ThinOptics offers handsome Apple- and Samsung-smartphone cases with the reading-glasses slipcase built in. It doesn’t get any handier than that. A phone case with two pairs of specs starts at $29.95. thinoptics.com

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