Gifts for tech lovers in the UK

Check their phone and computer first

Most tech gifts go wrong on compatibility, not quality. The AirTag only sets up on an iPhone or iPad. The Apple Pencil Pro only works with certain recent iPads. The Anker Zolo power bank snaps on to a MagSafe iPhone or a magnetic case. Before you buy, find out what phone they carry, what computer they use, and whether they are left-handed.

If you cannot check, pick from the things that work with anything: the iFixit Moray kit, the UGREEN charger, the Audio-Technica headphones or the Anker travel adapter.

Where to spend

Under £20, buy something small that solves a real annoyance. The Raspberry Pi Pico kit and the micro:bit suit someone curious about coding. The Orzly dock keeps Xbox controllers charged. The Luckies headphone stand tidies a desk at a Secret Santa price.

Between roughly £50 and £150 sit the gifts people remember: the MX Master 3S, a Kobo for someone who reads on their phone, the Stream Deck for a streamer, or the Wave mic for someone on calls all day.

Spend more only if you know how they use their gear. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones make sense for someone who commutes on the Tube or flies a lot.

Plugs, projects and missing pieces

For someone who travels between the UK and Europe, the Anker Nano adapter replaces a bag of plug converters. It does not convert voltage, so hair dryers are out.

Project kits are good gifts for the right person. The Science Museum walkie-talkie kit is listed for ages 15 and up and ends in something that works. The micro:bit and Pico both need a computer to program them. Check they have one they can use, and say on the card what else is needed.

The most common mistake is buying the flashy thing over the daily thing. A mouse used eight hours a day beats a gadget that never leaves the box. Look at what they complain about, and buy the fix.

Questions people ask

What do you get a tech lover who has everything?

Skip the big gadgets and look for small fixes to things they already own. A precision repair kit like the iFixit Moray, a tracker for keys or bags, or a travel adapter tend to get used even by people with full drawers. Accessories for gear they love, such as thumb grips for a gamer or a headphone stand, also work because they add to a setup rather than replace it.

What is a good tech gift under $50?

The iFixit Moray driver kit, an Apple AirTag for an iPhone user, the Orbitkey tracker for an Android user, or KontrolFreek thumb grips for a console gamer all sit around or under that line. A compact GaN wall charger is another safe pick. Each one solves a small daily annoyance and needs little or no setup, which matters when you cannot check their setup first.

Is an AirTag a good gift for someone with an Android phone?

No. The AirTag can only be set up with an iPhone or iPad, so an Android user cannot use it. For an Android owner or a household with both kinds of phone, the Orbitkey Universal Tracker is the better choice, since it works with both. It does need recharging every few months with its own magnetic cable.

Which tech gifts need a subscription?

From this list, the reMarkable Paper Pro Move needs a paid Connect subscription for cloud sync and some features. The Garmin Inreach and similar satellite devices need plans too, though we left them off this list. If you buy a subscription-backed device, mention it on the card so the recipient knows a renewal prompt is coming and is not caught off guard.