Home
Christmas 2024 Tech Gift Ideas
Each year, we compile a list of useful and high-quality tech gear which we feel would make excellent Christmas gifts. We've bought most of the items below ourselves and/or have given them as gifts!
No-one pays us to include any of the items below.
Where possible, we try to provide links to where you can buy these items locally.
But, because of the ongoing Canada Post strike, we've reluctantly had to source most of these items from Amazon, rather than directly from the online retailer, unless the online store has been able to arrange for an alternate delivery method.
If you can't get an item in time for Christmas, don't get stressed! You can order it, print out a picture of it, and then gift-wrap that picture along with a note explaining that it's on its way, together with something heavy to camoflauge it!
And if you know of a better item, or a better price, or want to suggest something we should add, we welcome that, too. Many of the items below were, in fact, recommended by Tech Talk listeners!
Please text your feedback and suggestions to Alan at 250-589-2926 and/or Brian at 250-634-8986.
Super-bright waterproof rechargable LED flashlight
There are a lot of rechargeable flashlights for sale, but this one by USEUB, is both superb and affordable — currently just $34 on Amazon.ca.
It uses advanced CREE LED's to outpit 50,000 lumens — bright enough to be seen a kilometre away (we confirmed this from the top of Mt. Tolmie at night!) — and the LED's are rated for 100,000 hours.
You can adjust the width of the beam, and it has bright, dim, strobe, and SOS brightness modes plus a side LED light for close-up work. including a red night mode. It also has USB-C and USB-A ports, so you can use the flashlight as a battery pack to recharge a phone or other portable device. It can be used for more than 9 hours on a charge thanks to its 5000mAh battery, and recharges in 4-6 hours via USB-C. It's also fully waterproof — we tested it in the dive tank at Saanich Commonwealth Place!)

Amazon.ca

Rechargeable Flashlight 500000 High Lumens, Powerful Led Tactical Flashlights with Zoomable, 7 Modes & COB Light, IPX7 Waterproof, Brightest Flashlight for Camping, Emergencies, Dog Walking : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

Victoria-made electronic crib board
If you're shopping for someone who loves playing cribbage, this unique made-in-Victoria electronic crib board is sure to be a hit…
Electrical engineer Lisanne with the electronic PCB (Printed Crib Board) which she and her electrical engineer husband Stephen created to solve the problem of losing scoring pegs when travelling.
You really have to see and touch it to appreciate the ingenuity and love (and an incredible amount of hard work) which they put into making these! You push small LED buttons to advance the pegs, and hold a button for two seconds to have a pin leapfrog. The winner is treated to a chasing LED pattern.
Their electronic crib boards are $199 and you can order one via their website at SandlElectronics.com or by emailing Stephen@SandlElectronics.com, or by calling +1 250-508-5054. You can pick one up from their home in View Royal, so you'll have it for Christmas!
Rechargeble pocket hand-warmers
If you're shopping for someone who spends time outdoors when it's cold, rechargeable pocket hand-warmers are an excellent and environmentally-friendly replacement for the snap-to-start chemical-reaction hand-warmer pouches we've used for years!
The best hand-warmers which we've been able to find at a good price are by OCOOPA, and are on sale for just $32 for a set of two at Amazon.ca.
  • At just 15mm thick and 65 grams, these rechargeable hand-warmers fit easily into gloves, pockets, or purses, making them the perfect winter accessories for any outdoor adventure.
  • They produce warmth in two seconds after being turned-on, they have three adjustable heat settings, and can provide up to 8 hours of reliable heat in a palm-friendly design that's comfortable to hold. They're also water resistant so you can use them in the rain if you want.
  • The two hand-warmers will magnetically stick together for easily storage and carrying, and you can recharge them both at the same time in 3.5 hours.

Amazon.ca

OCOOPA Magnetic Rechargeable Hand Warmers 2 Pack, Card-Style Electric Hand Warmer 5000mAh, Pocket Battery Operated Heater, UL Certified, 3 Heat Settings, Tech Gifts for Men,Purse Must Haves, UT4 Young

OCOOPA Magnetic Rechargeable Hand Warmers 2 Pack, Card-Style Electric Hand Warmer 5000mAh, Pocket Battery Operated Heater, UL Certified, 3 Heat Settings, Tech Gifts for Men,Purse Must Haves, UT4 Young : Amazon.ca: Sports & Outdoors

We've found three different units at three different price-points. The least-expensive first:
Canadian Bear Company rechargeable electronic hand warmers (they come in a set of two) provide instant heat with the press of a button, and are $20 at London Drugs stores.
Next, Ricky suggests Tough Tested brand rechargeable hand warmers, which can also charge your phone...
These have a more-powerful 3600MaH rechargeable battery which can warm your hands for up to 9 hours at the lowest of the three heat settings. They also have a USB jack so you can plug in a cable and charge your phone. They're $40 each at London Drugs.
Rechargeable mini-electric screwdriver set
If someone you know uses mini-screwdrivers a lot, this is a great find!
This set includes 70 magnetic screwdriver bits, including hard-to-find ends for work on smartphones and cameras, and they snap into a small handheld rechargeable powered screwdriver which has four torque settings, and can be recharged while in the case.
It's $66 on Amazon, but currently eligible for a 30% off coupon…

Amazon.ca

Mini Electric Screwdriver Set, 70 in 1 Rechargeable Precision Screwdriver Cordless with 64 S2-Steel Bits, 5 Torque Settings, 4 LED Lights, Power Screwdriver Repair Tool for Phone Camera Laptop (Grey)

Mini Electric Screwdriver Set, 70 in 1 Rechargeable Precision Screwdriver Cordless with 64 S2-Steel Bits, 5 Torque Settings, 4 LED Lights, Power Screwdriver Repair Tool for Phone Camera Laptop (Grey) in Screwdriver Sets.

Bluetooth audio transmitter for plane & vehicles
If you, or someone you know, either flies a lot, or has an older car or truck that doesn't have Bluetooth, this NIWEYA rechargeable Bluetooth transmitter/receiver will let them use their headphones to enjoy onboard entertainment on a plane, or to stream music from their phone to their car-stereo.
There are lots of brands out there, but we like this one by Niweya, because it lets you stream to and from two sets of headphones, and also uses Bluetooth 5.3 for longer use without needing to recharge, up to 16 hours of continuous usage in transmitter mode and up to 13 hours in receiver mode. It can be fully charged in one hour. It has a range of up to 30 feet — 9 metres.
It's $27 on Amazon, but currently eligible for a 20% off coupon…

Amazon.ca

Niweya Bluetooth 5.3 Transmitter Receiver for Airplane, 2 in 1 Wireless Aux Bluetooth Adapter for AirPods or Wireless Headphones Dual Pairs, 3.5mm Audio for Flight TV Gym Car Stereo iPad Tablets

Niweya Bluetooth 5.3 Transmitter Receiver for Airplane, 2 in 1 Wireless Aux Bluetooth Adapter for AirPods or Wireless Headphones Dual Pairs, 3.5mm Audio for Flight TV Gym Car Stereo iPad Tablets : Amazon.ca: Electronics

Timekettle M3 instant-translating earbuds
If you're going travelling to some place where you don't know the local language, or if you're going to be hosting somone who speaks a different language, these are great!
We were blown-away when we live-demo'd the original model of these six years ago at the Consumer Electronics Show, and they've come a long way since then.
You put one in your ear and invite the other person to wear the other, then just open the app and start talking, and now with virtually no lag, you'll both hear what the other said in your own language.
This new model supports 40 languages and multiple dialects, including French-Canadien, and uses AI to translate on the fly without the need for a cell connection for 13 languages. You can use them continuously for about six hours on a charge, and they recharge in their pocket case in about an hour.
There are lots of other cheaper brands out there, but Timekettle continues to get far and away the best ratings. The new M3 model is $220 on Amazon…

Amazon.ca

Timekettle M3 Language Translator Earbuds, Two-Way Translator Device with APP for 40 Languages and 13 Offline Translation Packs, Fast Reaction with Revolutionary Al Semantic Segmentation Tech

Timekettle M3 Language Translator Earbuds, Two-Way Translator Device with APP for 40 Languages and 13 Offline Translation Packs, Fast Reaction with Revolutionary Al Semantic Segmentation Tech : Amazon.ca: Office Products

Find your wallet or purse with new ultra-thin and rechargeable credit-card-sized item trackers
These SEINXON credit-card-sized trackers are the first ones we've found which you can recharge, and wirelessly, so they can be ultra-thin (about the thickness of a credit card) because they don't need to have a power jack. They work with Apple's "Find My" system, as well as with Seinxon's own app.
They're waterproof and can work for up to eight months on a charge, and you can also hold your finger on the power logo to power them off if you won't need to track an item for a while.
They're currently $28 on Amazon…
SATURDAY UPDATE: SOLD OUT.

Amazon.ca

Wallet Tracker Wireless Charging IP68 Thin Item Finder Luggage Located Works with Apple Find My APP(iOS Only) Black

Wallet Tracker Wireless Charging IP68 Thin Item Finder Luggage Located Works with Apple Find My APP(iOS Only) Black : Amazon.ca: Electronics

As an alternative…
Eufy have a Find My-compatible SmartTrack Link tracker which is the size of a credit card and just twice the thickness.
It's also twice as loud as an AirTag, and has a QR code on the back that someone who finds it can scan to see contact info for the owner. More on how they work is here.
Android users can also track their wallet by using the MyEufy app.
The Eufy SmartTrack Wallet Link is $40 at London Drugs or Best Buy.
Find your wallet, keys, and other items with Eufy SmartTrack Link item trackers -- they work with both iPhones and Android phones
Eufy makes an AirTag-style tracker which is twice as loud as an AirTag and doesn't need a holder, as it has a keyring hole in the corner. The Eufy SmartTrack Tracker Tag is $30 at Best Buy stores.
Another option is BoomPod BoomTags, which also work with Apple's "Find My" system…
They're made out of 100% recycled ocean plastic, available in four colours, don't need a tag holder, and are on sale for $20 (save $10) at London Drugs.
If you have an iPhone or iPad, Apple AirTags (and holders) are superb for locating keys, purses, backpacks, bikes, pets, and vehicles
Apple AirTags are the gold standard for locating missing items — and offer great peace-of-mind when travelling, as you can use them to ensure your luggage isn't being left behind.
AirTags are listed in the "Items" tab in the "Find My" app ,which is built into every iPhone and iPad. The app includes a Notification option which will put a pop-up on your iPhone if you're leaving an item behind, with a switch to have it not do that at specific locations such as your home or work. More here.
I have them in my backpack, tech bag, carry-on and suitcase, as well as on my keys, on my bike, and in my car. You can now share the location of your AirTags with multiple people, so they can help you find missing items if your iPhone is out of power or not with you.
Apple AirTags are $39 each or $129 for a package of four (you can sell/give them individually) at London Drugs, Best Buy, Staples, The Source, and other stores.
If you buy one/some, you'll want to put them in holders to keep the top from vibrating off, but holders are quite pricey at most stores — up to $30 each! You can buy high-AirTag holders that are just as good for a fraction of the price on Amazon. Here are two which we've bought, which are $14 for a set of four leather ones, or $11 for a set of five silicone ones…

Amazon.ca

[4 Pack] Leather AirTag Case for Apple AirTags, AirTag Keychain, AirTags Holder with Anti-Lost Key Ring,Protective Air Tag Cover Holder Cases,Airtag Cases for Dog,Keys,Backpacks,Airtag Accessories.

[4 Pack] Leather AirTag Case for Apple AirTags, AirTag Keychain, AirTags Holder with Anti-Lost Key Ring,Protective Air Tag Cover Holder Cases,Airtag Cases for Dog,Keys,Backpacks,Airtag Accessories. : Amazon.ca: Electronics

Amazon.ca

[5-Pack] AirTag Holder - Silicone Case for AirTag Keychain for Keys, Bags, Luggage, Pet Collars - Anti-Lost and Scratch-Resistant Design for Apple AirTags 2021

[5-Pack] AirTag Holder - Silicone Case for AirTag Keychain for Keys, Bags, Luggage, Pet Collars - Anti-Lost and Scratch-Resistant Design for Apple AirTags 2021 : Amazon.ca: Electronics

Light bulbs that stay on when the power goes off
We first saw power failure bulbs at the Consumer Electronics Show years ago, but it's taken until now for them to come to market, and they've made some big improvements in that time…
These look like regular LED lightbulbs, but they have a built-in rechargeable battery, so they'll stay on for 4 to 5 hours if the power fails.
Not only that, but they come with a portable power cap with a hook, that you can screw onto the base, which will let you use the bulb anywhere without electricity!
The bulbs are 15W LED, so equivalent to an 80W incandescent bulb.
A set of four is $40 at Amazon, but look for a discount code.

Amazon.ca

4 Packs Rechargeable Light Bulb, 15W 80W Equivalent LED 6000K Emergency Battery Light Bulb Stay Lights Up When Power Failure, 1200mAh Battery Operated Light Bulb for Home, Camping, Tent : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

Ultra-thin & ultra-strong aramid-fibre phone cases
They're not cheap, but Latercase make the worlld's thinnest and strongest phone cases out there.
The cases are made from woven premium aramid fibres similar to the Kevlar used in bulletpproof vests), and are thinner than a penny, lighter than a pencil, and five times stronger than steel.
They're coated with a durable, grippy matte finish that's addictive to touch, and they're designed here in Canada!
The price varies by phone model, but they range from $60 to $120 CAD. They're available directly from Latercase in Toronto (they ship by Purolator or UniUni), or from Amazon…

Latercase

Latercase: Impossibly thin phone cases.™

The world's thinnest phone case, made using premium aramid fibers. Thinner than a penny. Lighter than a pencil. 5x stronger than steel. Coated with a durable, grippy matte finish that's addictive to touch. Designed in Toronto, trusted by 100K+ tech enthusiasts around the world.

Kagiwiru compressed air duster
If you know someone who uses cans of compressed air in their workshop, they'll love this!
It's a rechargeable compressed air duster kit, which is great for getting rid of dust, crumbs, and hair from keyboards and inside computers and printers, and for blowing away sawdust after woodwork, and especially getting dust out of hard-to-reach spaces.
It has three different air pressures and five different nozzles, and has a 91000RPM motor which runs for about 40 minutes on a charge. This computer cleaning kit can even inflate swimming rings, air cushions, kayaks, etc. Most importantly, no more buying cans of compressed air!
The Kagiwiru rechargeable compressed air duster kit is $34 on Amazon…

Amazon.ca

Compressed air Duster, Electric air Duster，Keyboard Cleaner for Office - no Canned air Duster - Reusable - Good Replacement for Compressed Air Can - Cordless Air Duster 7500mAh (‎GG09)

Compressed air Duster, Electric air Duster，Keyboard Cleaner for Office - no Canned air Duster - Reusable - Good Replacement for Compressed Air Can - Cordless Air Duster 7500mAh (‎GG09) : Amazon.ca: Office Products

Handheld car jump-starter
If you've ever had to jump-start your car, you'll like this handheld FlyLinkTech jump-starter, which is much more powerful than it appears!
Despite its small size (it can fit in the glovebox), this FlyLinkTech jump-starter outputs 2500 amps of peak current and can jumpstart 12V vehicles (8L gas or 6.5L diesel engine) in seconds up to 30 times. Suitable for cars, trucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATV, SUV, lawnmowers, yachts and more.
It's $80 on Amazon, ($60 if you're a but there's currently also a 10% off coupon you can apply…

Amazon.ca

FLYLINKTECH Battery Jump Starter, 2500A 12V Portable Car Battery Booster Pack(8.0L Gas Or 6.5L Diesel), 19.6'' Safe Jump Cable, LED Flashlight, EC5 Adapter

FLYLINKTECH Battery Jump Starter, 2500A 12V Portable Car Battery Booster Pack(8.0L Gas Or 6.5L Diesel), 19.6'' Safe Jump Cable, LED Flashlight, EC5 Adapter in Jump Starters.

Plasma-powered lighter and light
If you're looking for a gift for a techie who has everything, our friend Ron Fraser found this: a USB-C rechargeable waterproof and windproof plasma-powered lighter with a built-in LED light. This'd be a great gift for someone who goes camping a lot, as the lighter has no fuel and works even in the rain…
I can't find it in any stores, but the LCFUN model is just $22 on Amazon.

Amazon.ca

Electric Rechargeable Lighter, Windproof Plasma USB C Lighter, Dual Arc Lighter with Battery Display & Flashlight, Waterproof Lighter for Camping, Survival, Hiking (Black)

Electric Rechargeable Lighter, Windproof Plasma USB C Lighter, Dual Arc Lighter with Battery Display & Flashlight, Waterproof Lighter for Camping, Survival, Hiking (Black) : Amazon.ca: Health & Personal Care

Space Buddy Star and Nebula Projector
Suggested by Tech Talk listener Jason, the Space Buddy Star and Nebula Projector casts an undulating and mesmerizing space nebula onto a ceiling or walls, in your choice of five colour palettes, and you can overlay it with laser stars which fade in and out…
The Space Buddy Projector is USB-powered, is about 9" (23cm) tall and comes with a remote …
Stores here that carried it are sold out and won't be getting more till the new year, but you can get the Space Buddy Star and Nebula Projector on Amazon for $50.
Cordless rechargeable mini-chainsaw
This is a new and improved version of the mini-chainsaw which we had on our Tech Gift List last year.
The 2024 rechargeable SeeSii mini-chainsaw now has a more-powerful 900W motor and a 6" / 15cm long cutter that is good for close to 100 cuts per charge. It comes in a carrycase with two batteries, a changer, a spare chain, plus gloves and safety goggles.
The SeeSii mini-chainsaw kit is $74 on Amazon.

Amazon.ca

Seesii 8000mAh Mini Cordless Chainsaw,CH600+ 6 Inch Electric Chainsaw with 900W Powerful Motor and Oiler System, Handheld Battery Powered Chainsaw for Superior Trimming,Cool Christmas Gift Idea

Find thousands of tools and home improvement products at low prices. Shop online for power tools, hand tools, hardware, building supplies, and more at Amazon.ca

Rechargeable OCHTER LED-Strip Headband Lights
This is a new version of a hugely-popular item from last year's Christmas Tech Gift Ideas list.
Instead of the hiking lights which we've had for many years, these rechargeable headband lights have a super-bright (2000 lumens) strip of LEDs which provide a wide and uniform beam of light that's ideal for walking, hiking, and biking at night, and provides several hours of illumination.
The button on the side lets you choose bright or less-bright, and also alternates with a focussed beam of light for working on something up close. The second button lets you activate wireless control, so you can just wave your hand in front of the switch to turn the light on and off, ideal if you're wearing gloves.
They are water-resistant so you can wear one in the rain, and come with clips to attach to a bike or ski helmet, and a USB-C charge cable.
You'll find all sorts of different brands of these being sold online, but shop carefully — many of them are poor quality and/or have batteries that don't last very long.
The brand which we've found to be the best this year is : OCHTER. This year, you can get a pack of two Ochter headband lights for just $26 on Amazon.

Amazon.ca

Headlamp Rechargeable, 2 Pack LED Headlamp 230° Wide Beam 2000 Lumen with Motion Sensor, Super Bright IPX5 Waterproof Head Lamps, Headlight Flashlight for Hiking, Running, Camping : Amazon.ca: Sports & Outdoors

Charmast Portable Power Pack with built-in cables & AC plug
There are a myriad of portable power packs available to recharge your smartphone, tablet, and other portable electrincs, but very few have lots of power as well as built-in charging cables, and a flip-out AC plug so you can quickly recharge the power pack without needing to find a charge cable.
This is our current favourite — the Charmast 10,000 mAh Portable All-In-One Power Bank, which packs enough power for three full smartphone recharges, and has an LED readout of how much power is left, plus built-in with USB-C, Lightning and older USB-mini plugs for charging phones, tablets, older Android phones and other small electronics devices...
This update to last year's model now offers fast-charging at up to 15W output. You can use it to charge two devices at once, and you can also use it while you're recharging the powerbank, by flipping-out the AC plug and plugging it into an outlet.
I have yet to find any brand of power bank in stores that has both a flip-out AC plug and built-in charging cables, so your best option is to get it online…
The Charmast 10,000 MaH Portable All-In-One Power Bank is currently on sale on Amazon for just $29. It's available in black, white, and several pastel shades.

Amazon.ca

Charmast Portable Charger with Built-in Cables and Wall Plug, 10000mAh USB C Power Bank Fast Charging 15W, External Battery Pack Slim, Travel Essentials Compatible with 15 14 13, Samsung Galaxy, iPad

Charmast Portable Charger with Built-in Cables and Wall Plug, 10000mAh USB C Power Bank Fast Charging 15W, External Battery Pack Slim, Travel Essentials Compatible with 15 14 13, Samsung Galaxy, iPad : Amazon.ca: Electronics

Bluetooth keychain smartphone camera trigger
If you know someone who uses their smartphone self-timer to pics of themselves with others, this will save them from racing to trigger the countdown and running to get into position!
These are small (1.5"/5cm) handheld Bluetooth camera triggers, which let you take pictures are start/stop recording a video on iPhones, iPads, and Android phones and tablets. They're powered by a CR2032 watch battery.
London Drugs and Kerrisdale Cameras both used to sell them, but no longer do.
I found them on Amazon, from the Skoutag brand; you can currently get a pack of two for $14.

Amazon.ca

2 Pack Wireless Camera Remote Control - Wireless Remote for iPhone & Android Phones iPad iPod Tablet, Clicker for Photos & Videos

2 Pack Wireless Camera Remote Control - Wireless Remote for iPhone & Android Phones iPad iPod Tablet, Clicker for Photos & Videos : Amazon.ca: Electronics