No longer confined to the office, nearly half of American workers spend time working remotely. Since the holidays have arrived and the city glitters with festive lights, it’s time to find that perfect gift for the telecommuter on your list. Whether your favorite professional clocks in from home or travels the globe, these ten tech gifts are certain to spread holiday smiles.
Outfitting the Home Office
- Belkin WeMo Mini Smart Plug – Turn any device into a smart device. This smart plug allows you to schedule any appliance or turn it on and off remotely. Affordable and easy to use, the WeMo saves you energy and automates the little things so that you can focus on work.
- Amazon Echo Show – Combine the benefits of the Echo with a touchscreen. See the weather forecast, make video calls, and connect with your security cameras, all hands-free. This is the gift you didn’t know you needed and now can’t live without.
- Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation – Save energy and lower your heating bills with this smart thermostat that learns your habits and programs itself to match. For $80 less and many of the same features, opt for the Nest Thermostat E instead.
- Bose QuietComfort 35 – The neighbor’s chainsaw and your son’s music can prove distracting during your workday. Tune it all out with active noise canceling wireless headphones. Bose offers best in class with its QC35 headphones. For a more affordable option, consider the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2.
Tech Gifts for the Traveler
- Optoma Intelli-GO S1 Mobile DLP Projector – Don’t let the small size fool you. The IntelliGo-S1 may fit in your pocket, but it offers a large array of features for your presentations on the road. Project up to 150” diagonal. With a variety of ports, as well as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Ethernet capabilities, connectivity is a cinch.
- Raden A-22 Carryon – With a sleek look and smart technology, Raden returns luxury to travel. Check luggage weight by lifting the bag handle. Charge your phone with the built-in power bank during a long layover. Use the Raden app to view estimated security line wait time at your airport or quickly locate your luggage at baggage claim.
- Anker PowerCore 13000 Portable Charger – High speed, lightweight and compact, this charger fits in your pocket and can charge your iPhone four times or fully charge an iPad Air 2. Anker offers a host of additional models to meet your size and capacity needs. Rest easy. Anker keeps the power on.
Stocking Stuffers
Even the driven professional needs a few tech gifts just for fun. Here are some of our favorite stocking stuffers this year:
- Vicstin Bluetooth Speaker – Admit it, showering is much better when you can sing along with your playlist. Fully waterproof, this Vicstin speaker pairs with any phone or tablet and gives you up to six hours of battery life. You can even take a call while shampooing!
- Apple Watch Series 3 – Now with longer battery life, improved speed and optional LTE connectivity, the Apple Watch just keeps getting better. Leave the phone at home without losing functionality. You can still take calls and check your home security system, all while training for your next triathlon.
- Aukey 3-in-1 Lens Set – You could spend a great deal more on top of the line camera lenses for your smartphone, but it’s hard to beat Aukey for affordability and ease of use. This set includes clip-on wide-angle, macros and fisheye lenses for just $12.
Working out of the office offers flexibility and some creature comforts. But, don’t hesitate to elevate the experience a bit more for your hardworking telecommuter. Tuck a Vicstin speaker or an Anker portable charger into his stocking for Christmas morning. Wow her with Raden luggage or Bose headphones. These tech gifts will keep the holiday spirit strong long after the Christmas lights finally come down.
