The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (2024)

The Ekster Parliament is a smart bifold wallet with RFID coating (to protect against identity theft) and a patented mechanism that ejects cards from its aluminum storage pocket with the press of a button. It has space for at least ten cards, as well as a strap for carrying cash and receipts.

Ekster has crafted the wallet from high-quality leather that comes in a multitude of colors. An optional Bluetooth tracker for the wallet is also available — this ultra-thin gadget has a maximum range of 200 feet, and it is powered by light, so it never needs a battery.

More: The Best iPhone Wallet Cases

I’ve been swearing by this tiny laptop accessory by OXO to keep my laptop spotless since I impulsively bought one more than a year ago. The affordable gadget packs a microfiber pad and a retractable soft brush.

The microfiber pad mentioned above is handy for removing smudges from the screen of a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, or any other gadget. On the other hand, the brush makes cleaning a keyboard fast and effortless.

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The all-new Beats Pill Bluetooth speaker is a follow-up to a bona fide legend and an instant challenger for the best products in its class. In addition to the compulsory sound upgrades over the past iteration, the new Pill brings a water- and dustproof build with an IP67 rating and longer battery life (up to 20 hours).

Like the brand's excellent Studio Buds + wireless earbuds, the Beats Pill speaker is equally great for iPhone and Android users. Remarkably, the gadget is compatible with both Apple and Google object tracking services, so you or the giftee can always keep tabs on its whereabouts.

The Google Pixel Tablet — the tech giant’s first Android slate in years — sets a new standard for versatility in this product category. The device’s unique, fabric-covered charging dock packs a powerful speaker, allowing it to transform into a big-screen smart display that’s a legit replacement for Google’s own Nest Hub Max.

Of course, the Pixel Tablet also packs a sharp touchscreen, the same Tensor G2 chip that powers the Pixel 7 Pro and the Pixel Fold, a duo of high-quality cameras, and abundant onboard storage.

The Peak Design Tech Pouch is a stylish and exceptionally made accessory that's a must-have for frequent travelers. It has enough pockets and compartments for small gadgets, charging cables, memory cards, and any other accessories you might own.

Peak Design crafted the exterior of this tech pouch using recycled nylon with a weatherproof finish. Every tech pouch has a sturdy zipper closure for its main storage compartment and a couple of additional pockets.

The Beats Studio Buds + true wireless earbuds are our new favorite in this crowded product category, thanks to their timelessly cool design, comfy fit with clicky button controls, great sound quality, strong noise cancellation, and long battery life, all at a reasonable price. The Buds + are also equally easy to link with Apple or Android devices and, therefore, super giftable.

The earphones’ 9-hour battery life is longer than their predecessor, which is another reason to upgrade. You can order the Studio Buds + in black, ivory, and transparent finishes.

More: Our Review of the Beats Studio Buds +

The Marine Holder by Pelican is the most rugged and dependable AirTag accessory worth your attention. The accessory has a shock-resistant exterior with Dupont Kevlar — an impossibly lightweight and tough material — used in its making. It’s also water- and dustproof with an IP68 rating, guaranteeing that your tracker will become practically impervious to damage.

We like that the fully sealed Pelican case is as discreet as it is tough. The product is compatible with keychains, and it comes bundled with a carabiner for attaching it to items.

The Soundcore Motion X600 Bluetooth speaker is the brand's finest and one of the best in its product category. Its multi-driver audio setup delivers a sonic experience that's nothing short of excellent. Unlike many rivals, the X600 is capable of Hi-Res and spatial audio playback.

In addition to captivating sound, the X600 has a striking design with an aluminum handle, a mesh grille, and backlit button controls. The waterproof speaker is available in black, blue, and green.

The PerL Pro true wireless earbuds by Denon set themselves apart from top-shelf rivals by Sony, Bose, and Apple by providing a listening experience that's precisely tailored to your hearing. The functionality utilizes tech by Masimo — a well-known maker of medical-grade monitoring devices. It's vastly more sophisticated than its rivals in terms of efficiency and user-friendliness.

Completing the personalized sound setup will allow you or the giftee to discover your favorite music in a whole new dimension. When it comes to sound, noise cancellation, and battery life, the PerL Pro earbuds perform in line with the expectations set by their price tag. A cheaper PerL model is also available.

The Pixel 9 Pro is a monumental addition to Google's smartphone lineup—and the entire Android realm—because it's available in two different screen sizes. Unlike past Pixel Pro iterations, which were big screen-only, the latest one is available with a smaller 6.3-inch screen. The smaller panel, in addition to being more pocket-friendly, makes the phone easier to handle with one hand.

Like every Google Pixel, the 9 Pro offers a sleek and durable design, top-tier hardware and performance, an outstanding camera setup, a best-in-class Android experience with AI tools, and many years of guaranteed updates. A Pixel 9 Pro XL with a massive 6.8-inch display is also available.

By offering full-size grips, customizable RGB lighting, customizable buttons and switches with amazing tactility, and optional haptic feedback, the Razer Kishi Ultra controller took my iPhone and Android gameplay to a higher level. It's the best controller of its kind and worth its hefty price tag.

The gaming accessory is compatible with the latest iPhones and Android hardware, as well as compact tablets like the iPad mini. It can even accommodate devices with reasonably bulky protective cases.

The Samsung T7 portable SSD is our favorite in its category, thanks to its compact and rugged design and the ability to reach fast data read and write speeds. The accessory is compatible with Mac, PC, and mobile devices.

If you need more memory, Samsung offers the T9 with up to 4TB of storage. A robust five-year warranty covers every product.

The updated Stand One Max 3-in-1 wireless charger by Nomad is the multi-device MagSafe charger for Apple owners. The accessory can simultaneously charge an iPhone and an Apple Watch at full speed, as well as a set of AirPods. Compatible with the latest Qi2 wireless charging standard, it's futureproof, too.

Available in carbide or white colors, the One Max has a beautiful design and outstanding build quality. It is crafted from metal and glass, so it looks and feels like a bona fide luxury object.

This ballpoint pen by Ridge may be an analog technology, but it's no less useful. Made of brass, the writing instrument will help you take a break from the screen in the coolest possible fashion.

I really like the pen's addictive bolt action for retracting its cartridge. There are many additional metal finishes to pick from — from flashy and high-tech all the way to low-key.

I've always advised upgraders with around $300 to spend on a new set of noise-canceling headphones to consider Bose, Beats, JBL, or Sony offerings, as these brands have consistently delivered stellar products over the years. However, by providing me with elegant design, supreme comfort, exceptional wired and wireless sound, strong noise cancellation, and insane battery life, the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 wireless headphones changed this state of affairs. You should absolutely consider them over sets that cost much more.

Cambridge Audio has been making audiophile-grade speakers and components for over half a century, so you can rest assured that you are spending big on a set of cans from a brand with a sterling reputation among audio nerds. You can order the headphones in black or white with a matching hardshell case and braided cables.

There are many great compact battery packs on the market, but none of them can match this UAG offering in terms of sheer toughness and versatility. Like the brand's excellent phone cases, the essential gadget has a rugged exterior that exceeds military-grade durability standards, USB ports with covers, and an IP6 rating for water resistance.

The accessory can attach magnetically to an iPhone and other phones (via a case) and deliver fast charging speeds. A built-in metal kickstand ensures you can view content in landscape or portrait mode while powering up. Using its USB-C port brings even faster charging.

The Troubadour Apex Backpack 3.0 is a must-have for on-the-go gearheads with a beautiful design and ample storage space with plenty of compartments. With a maximum capacity of 25 liters, the backpack has enough space for a big-screen laptop (there’s a dedicated compartment) alongside a tablet and many other everyday items.

Like all products from Troubadour, the sustainably crafted Troubadour Apex Backpack 3.0 has exceptional craftsmanship and tactility. Choose from two sizes and several colors to best suit your style and needs.