Best Smart Ring for Health and Fitness: Oura Ring 5

Best for: Health enthusiasts, fitness fans, and people interested in sleep tracking

Oura remains one of the biggest names in smart rings, and its latest model launched in July 2026. The Oura Ring 5 is smaller and more comfortable than earlier versions, according to WIRED reviewer Butaina Chokran, who says it is easy to forget that she is wearing it.

That comfort is especially important for a device designed to be worn throughout the day, including during sleep and workouts. The Oura Ring 5 is positioned as a proactive health and fitness platform, offering information about sleep patterns and predictive blood pressure signals.

It probably isn’t worth upgrading from an earlier Oura model, but for health and fitness enthusiasts who don’t already own a smart ring, the Oura Ring 5 is one of the best options available.

Best Tech Gift for Families: Skylight Calendar 2

Best for: Busy families and households that need help organizing schedules

Many families already have smart speakers, tablets, and digital photo frames. A dedicated digital calendar may seem unnecessary, but the Skylight Calendar 2 makes a strong case for having one in the kitchen or living room.

Its large screen lets everyone see the family schedule at a glance, which can be useful for households that struggle to keep multiple calendars in sync. The calendar also includes a meal-planning page for organizing family dinners and task features to help manage chores.

The newest 15-inch Skylight Calendar 2 is the best version yet, making it a practical technology gift for families.

Best Mechanical Keyboard: Keychron 75% Mechanical Keyboard

Best for: Writers, typists, and anyone upgrading from a basic office keyboard

Keychron’s latest mechanical keyboard is not only our favorite Keychron model—it is also our top overall pick. Released in early 2026, it combines a mid-century modern design with wood and metal construction.

The compact 75% layout includes the keys most people need while preserving desk space. It also includes familiar Keychron features such as hot-swappable switches, double-shot keycaps, and strong build quality.

Unlike many mechanical keyboards, this model is relatively thin. Its keys have shorter travel and are designed primarily for typing, making it a comfortable companion for the office. It is also an appealing upgrade for people moving from a traditional rubber-dome keyboard such as the Apple Magic Keyboard.

Best Tablet Gift: 2025 Apple iPad

Best for: Travel, reading, entertainment, and everyday productivity

It has been a relatively quiet year for the iPad. Although the iPad Air M4 arrived in the spring, prices have continued to rise across Apple’s tablet lineup. That makes the 2025 iPad an especially sensible choice.

It is not as inexpensive as the previous model, but it delivers plenty of performance for casual productivity and entertainment. It is easy to take on a trip or use on the couch while reading, watching content, or browsing the web.

The iPad is not designed as a full work replacement, although the Magic Keyboard Folio adds a trackpad and makes basic work tasks easier. The latest design also places the camera in the center for landscape use, making video calls feel more natural.

Best Wireless Mouse for a Home Office: Logitech MX Master 4

Best for: Remote workers, office professionals, and anyone who values ergonomic comfort

The Logitech MX Master 3S has long been one of the most popular productivity mice, so expectations for its successor were high. Fortunately, the MX Master 4 delivers meaningful improvements without abandoning what made the previous model so popular.

The mouse adds haptic feedback to the thumb rest and includes a virtual action ring that can be activated by pressing the rest. Through the Logi Options+ app, the ring can be customized to launch applications, open websites, insert symbols, and type text.

Owners of the MX Master 3 or 3S may not need to upgrade, particularly because the polling rate remains unchanged. However, the MX Master 4 is now the go-to wireless mouse for serious office workers who want excellent ergonomic support and a comfortable fit in the hand.

For more home office gift ideas, check out our guide to the best work-from-home gear.

Best AI Note-Taking Device: Pocket

Best for: Early adopters, meeting participants, and people who want automated summaries

Early AI hardware products such as the Rabbit R1 and Humane Pin have struggled to deliver on their promise. However, a new generation of AI devices is beginning to look more interesting and useful.

Pocket is one of WIRED’s top recommendations in the emerging AI note-taking category. The device can dictate, record, summarize, and translate using large language models.

Pocket attaches magnetically to the back of a phone, allowing users to record calls without putting the phone on speaker. While many AI note-taking devices require a paid subscription, Pocket offers a nearly free option, with Pocket Pro available as an upgrade for unlimited history.

Best AirPods: AirPods Pro 3

Best for: Apple users, commuters, travelers, and anyone who wants premium noise cancellation

After nearly three years without an update to its noise-canceling earbuds, Apple has delivered a significant upgrade with the AirPods Pro 3.

The new model features a redesigned ear tip, real-time translation, improved noise cancellation, and longer battery life. According to testing, the earbuds can last up to eight hours with noise cancellation enabled—enough for a full workday or longer.

These improvements make the AirPods Pro 3 the best AirPods Apple has released so far.

Best Premium Action Camera: GoPro Mission 1 Pro

Best for: Outdoor adventurers, action sports fans, and serious video creators

The GoPro Mission 1 Pro is one of the most expensive action cameras available, but its upgrades make it worth considering for outdoor enthusiasts and creators who want better image quality in a compact camera.

Unlike the Hero model, it uses a larger 1-inch sensor and can record video at up to 8K and 60 frames per second. That resolution can be useful for cropping and zooming into adventure footage without significantly reducing image quality, especially for people with an 8K TV.

The camera also adds a slow-motion mode that can record up to 4K at 240 frames per second, even when zoomed in. The older GoPro Hero 13 Black remains a good choice for shoppers who want to spend less, but the Mission 1 Pro offers notable image-quality improvements for a camera this small.

Best Espresso Machine Gift: Breville Bambino

Best for: Coffee lovers who want café-style espresso without a large machine

The best espresso machines can cost well over $1,000 and take up significant counter space, which doesn’t always make them ideal gifts. The $300 Breville Bambino challenges that assumption by offering many features found on more expensive machines in a compact design.

It includes a thermoblock for fast heating, although it does not offer features such as automatic milk frothing. According to coffee expert Matthew Kolfuge, pairing the Bambino with a high-quality grinder can produce a beautiful cup while preserving valuable counter space.