Five questions before you buy a tech gift
- Which phone do they use? Apple Watch, AirTag and many accessories only work with iPhone; others are Android-first.
- Is there a subscription? Smart rings, video doorbells, kids’ smartwatches and some photo frames work best with a paid plan.
- Will they need to set it up? For older relatives, set it up before you wrap it.
- What’s the return window? Check gift receipts and holiday return policies.
- Does it suit their age? Check platform age rules for VR headsets, smart speakers and social apps.
Why we sort by “him” and “her” at all
Because that’s how lots of people search for gifts. But gadgets aren’t gendered: our “for him” and “for her” lists are just starting points based on what’s popular, and every gadget in the finder can be filtered by age, type and price instead.
Last updated: 14 October 2026
