It’s all too easy to cram your life with useless tech that only temporarily titillates. If you sift through the chaff, you can find truly great technology that has the ability to make your life easier, more entertaining, and even a little bit safer. Now that the holidays are rolling around, it’s a great time to delve into some of the best tech (and men’s gifts) 2019 has offered up, and we’ve carefully selected a handful of our favorites, from an affordable smart padlock to a brilliant and versatile wearable. Whatever you choose as the gift giver (or even as your own recipient), each one of these is sure to bring a smile, over and over again.
CCsky Fingerprint Padlock
Your own memory sucks worse than a USB flash drive that’s been dunked underwater, so remembering a combination for a padlock is out of the question. This fingerprint padlock only needs a finger to operate, and its long-lasting USB rechargeable battery provides 1 year of standby time and up to 3,000 unlocks, making it your gym locker standby sans all the frustration.
$31
Google Nest Wifi Mesh Router
Forget standard routers and repeaters that send spotty internet signals through your house. This brilliant mesh router and stations provide ultra-strong, ultra-consistent internet access to every corner of your domicile and look unassumingly good while doing it.
$149+
One Eleven Field Watch
[Partner] The field watch is a staple piece that every man needs in his collection. The One Eleven Field Watch takes everything you love about the classic style and improves on it. Solar powered movement that continually charges in both natural and artificial light. Durable, corrosion-resistant case crafted from 85% recycled stainless. Top ring made from plant-based, petroleum-free castor oil that’s a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic. rPet fabric straps crafted from recycled plastic bottles. That’s right. This durable, go anywhere, adventure everywhere watch not only looks good, it does good.
$85+
0% Intro APR Credit Card
[Partner] You have enough to worry about this holiday season just thinking about all the gifts you’re going to get everyone. Forget the hassle of worrying about credit card interest rates because with this card you can shop now, enjoy the holidays and worry about paying later. This credit card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for almost two years and a 0% intro APR on purchases. Transfer your holiday shopping balance and pay 0% interest for nearly two years.
Next Advisor
Nintendo Switch Lite
Your efforts to be productive in 2020 might just come undone in the best of ways with the compact Switch Lite thaat ups the portability and decreases the price from the excellent Nintendo Switch. Play a slew of games alone, online, or in wireless multiplayer. Vivid colors, great physical controls, and a high-res screen ensure hours of competition, and the Joy-Con controllers allow you to go big-screen, too.
$200
Bose Rondo
If you hate headphones, the Bose Rondo augmented reality sunglasses should be a serious consideration. Play music, take calls, and make the most of Bose AR audio augmented reality enhanced apps. The special speakers are directed at your ears for disturbance-free calls and music listening pleasure. Lenses are swappable, too. You may never go back to headphones again.
$200
Lenovo Smart Clock
For way less than a hundred bucks, you get a command center that happens to look like a clock but does so much more. It can provide all the weather, news, and information you need when you rise, as well as monitor your kids’ rooms, adjust lighting and your home’s thermostat all via Google Assistant. The Smart Clock will even stream music and movies to your TV or home audio system, and charge your smartphone while you’re at it.
$80
Hudway Drive
You don’t have to own a premium car to get premium tech. This standalone portable head-up display throws all your smartphone’s relevant info onto a well-sized screen and projects navigation directions, messages, etc., and you can respond via voice command, Bluetooth, or even your Apple Watch. Choose Waze, Google Maps, or another app for navigation, and even get social media notifications… all without touching your smartphone.
$189
Rode NT-USB Condenser Microphone
Your podcast recording could sure use a boost, and maybe it’s not the content but the sound. The Rode NT-USB can provide excellent sound and convenient USB connection to your computer or compatible audio equipment. The included pop filter, zero-latency 3.5mm audio jack, and active electronics will make you sound way better than your real self.
$170
DJI Osmo Mobile 3 Gimbal
The new Osmo Mobile 3 makes a selfie stick look like, well, just a stick. Use the DJI Mimo app for iOS or Android for smartphones up to 3.5” wide to capture footage while using body and shape recognition to follow the action with fluid moves. All controls can be managed from the Osmo with multiple shooting modes and a whopping 15-hour run time for near-endless videos. It even responds to hand gestures and has a Sport mode for more active endeavors.
$139
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom Bluetooth Speaker
Great portable wireless sound doesn’t need to break the bank to look and sound great. The Wonderboom provides 86 decibels of 360-degree sound and can even pair with other Wonderbooms for colossal party sound indoors or out. It’s also IPX7 waterproof and drop-resistant in case someone gets overserved at your holiday event.
$67
Mobvoi TicWatch Pro
The TicWatch Pro offers serious capability for less money than premium wearables, and it happens to look far better than most. Compatible with iOS and Android via WearOS by Google, the TicWatch Pro can track health, fitness, and sleep, as well as track steps, heart rate, and speed. It also has a vivid AMOLED display, GPS, and up to 30 days of run time on a single charge.
$249
Catch:1 Charger
If you haven’t tried wireless charging, you have too much time on your hands. The Catch:1 keeps it simple with a textured black leather charging pad, fast charging speeds, and USB-C input. It’s the unassuming powerhouse that adds convenience and looks damned good, too.
$80
Cloudnola Flipping Out Clock
Analog and digital worlds collide handsomely with the unadorned flip clock, like a naked bike in all its glorious openness. White numerals on matte black surfaces make the time pop, and you can pass the holiday time listening to it work. Hang it on a wall or just place it on your desk. This might just be the best way to watch the time pass.
$140
