There is no universal gift for every friend, so the best choice depends on the recipient’s personality, needs, and hobbies. Drawing on products tested by WIRED’s review team, this guide covers practical technology, self-care devices, cozy home goods, and kitchen essentials across a range of prices. The recommendations include items the writer regularly uses, as well as gifts purchased for family and friends after testing.
These suggestions are intended as a starting point. Prices and availability can change, and the guide may be updated with additional picks as the holiday season approaches.
Technology gifts
JBL Go 5 portable Bluetooth speaker — $55
A small Bluetooth speaker is useful for everything from singing in the shower to playing music around a campfire. The JBL Go 5 costs less than $60 and is compact enough to take almost anywhere. Its design can also be customized with images, text, and stickers, making it a more personal gift.
Buy the JBL Go 5 from Amazon or JBL.
Google Home Speaker — $100
For someone who does not use Alexa, Google’s Home Speaker can set timers, check the weather, and play music throughout the house without requiring a phone. It is especially suitable for people already using the Google Home smart-home ecosystem, and it comes in several colors. The speaker is described as having powerful sound for its size and as being built for Google Gemini for Home, although some Gemini features require a subscription.
Buy the Google Home Speaker from Best Buy or Google Store.
Amazon Echo Dot (5th generation) — $80
The Echo Dot is a budget-friendly smart speaker for households that use Amazon Alexa. It works well on a bedside table or in a smaller room, and its sound includes more bass than previous generations. The source recommends it for setting timers, checking the weather, and playing music, and notes that versions given to the writer’s parents and sister-in-law became among their most-used gifts. It will not fill a large room as effectively as larger speakers.
Buy the Amazon Echo Dot from Amazon.
Self-care gifts
Chirp Sole Vibe — $140
The Chirp Sole Vibe is designed for people who spend much of the day on their feet. One side has a textured surface intended to target pressure points, while the other has an oval shape with a heated center that acts like a hot stone for the arch. USB-C charging, heat and vibration controls, and preset recovery programs are built into the device. The writer says they use it almost every day and considers it a good choice for anyone who regularly wants a foot massage.
Buy the Chirp Sole Vibe from Shop or Chirp.
Chirp Halo — $180
The Chirp Halo uses TENS and EMS technology to deliver low-voltage electrical currents to motor nerves. The writer, who reports chronic back pain and joint overuse, says consistent use improved their mobility and circulation, particularly in colder weather, and helped their muscles relax. It is presented as an option for people with chronic pain or those seeking targeted relief after a workout.
Buy the Chirp Halo from Shop or Chirp. Learn more about TENS and EMS.
Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand — $170
This handheld device is designed as an upgrade for people who use a gua sha tool. It uses similar massage techniques to encourage lymphatic drainage and adds cold and heat settings. The cold mode is intended to reduce puffiness and brighten the skin, while heat is intended to increase circulation. The wand has a portable design, a travel cap, and a contoured tip for lymphatic massage and hard-to-reach areas.
The source notes that the lowest cold setting is not as cool as a traditional ice roller, the applicator can be difficult to glide over dry skin, and its battery life is shorter than that of some other Therabody devices. The writer uses it daily and gave one to a skin-care enthusiast who now uses it regularly.
Buy the TheraFace Depuffing Wand from Amazon or Therabody.
Dollar Shave Club Fully Loaded Starter Set — $47 for the women’s set; $40 for the men’s set
The women’s set includes an ergonomic razor handle, six six-blade cartridges, a shower-wall razor hanger, a sugar scrub for exfoliation, and shaving oil to moisturize and soften hair. The writer, who experiences persistent razor bumps and irritation in sensitive areas, says testing this set changed their shaving routine and that they continue to give it to friends.
A subscription can provide new blades, scrubs, and shaving oil every two months at half price. The men’s set, which the source says WIRED has not yet tested, includes two six-blade razors, a diamond-grip handle, shaving butter, prep scrub, post-shave dew, a razor cover, and a travel case. Its subscription plan is the same as the women’s set.
Buy the women’s set or men’s set from Dollar Shave Club.
Cozy gifts
Hatch Sleep Clock — $250
Hatch’s Sleep Clock combines a sunrise alarm, dimmable bedside light, sound machine, and contactless sleep tracking. Instead of using a wearable, it monitors movement from the nightstand and reports information such as sleep time and sleep stages through interactive visuals. Sleep data is available without a Hatch+ subscription.
The source highlights the device’s clean design and the fact that it does not use a camera or microphone to monitor sleep. Limitations include strict placement requirements that affect accuracy, no physiological data, no snoring detection, and an audio library that requires Hatch+. Controlling a bedtime routine through the app also requires screen time. It may suit someone who has trouble sleeping or waking up and does not want to wear a tracker.
Buy the Hatch Sleep Clock from Hatch.
Bearaby Cotton Napper Weighted Blanket — $269
The Cotton Napper is woven from 100 percent cotton and comes in four weights, from 10 to 25 pounds. The writer describes it as a relaxing, cozy gift that feels like a hug, particularly in cold weather. The 15-pound version is listed at $269.
Cocoon Classic Blanket — $255, reduced to $204
The Cocoon Classic Blanket is made from a soft, shed-free polyester blend with added spandex for stretch. The writer compares its feel to being surrounded by a fluffy cloud and expects it to be popular during movie nights.
Kitchen gifts
Material The 8-Inch Knife — $105, reduced to $84
A good chef’s knife is a versatile kitchen tool for slicing, dicing, and chopping. Material’s 8-inch knife is made from Japanese high-carbon stainless steel and has a matte, stain-resistant composite handle. The source describes it as a mid-range option compared with chef’s knives that cost less than $100 or several hundred dollars. Buyers can engrave a message when ordering from Material’s website.
Caraway Fry & Sauté 4-Piece Set — $405, reduced to $395
For someone using old pans that stick or flake, Caraway’s four-piece nonstick ceramic set includes an 8-inch mini fry pan, a 10.5-inch fry pan, a 4.5-quart sauté pan, and a heavy-duty lid. The writer says the set covers most everyday stovetop cooking and has eliminated the need for another pan size.
Hydro Flask Coffee with Flex Sip Lid — $33, reduced to $30
The 16-ounce Hydro Flask travel mug is designed to be low-maintenance and durable, while fitting most car cup holders. Its wide-mouth lid is interchangeable, so a straw lid can be used for cold drinks. The mug can also be personalized when purchased directly from Hydro Flask. The source describes it as a favorite among the WIRED reviews team.
Buy it from Amazon or Hydro Flask.
Source: www.wired.com
