Gifts for Moms, Dads, and Grads
Life
Gadgets

43 cool gadgets that make great gifts

Solve a problem they didn't even know they had.
By Miller Kern and Leah Stodart  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.
An assortment of gadget gifts.
You don't have to be a Virgo to hate gifts that aren't actually useful. Credit: click & Grow / dash / oxo / pow audio / skin gym

The term “gadget” covers a wide range of devices. There are gadgets for the kitchen, entertainment, self-care, and so much more.

We like to think of a gadget as an item that simply makes life easier — a solution to a daily struggle for which society has surpassed the need. (Giving up on chips and salsa because you couldn't open the jar? In 2022?)

But let's not equate "gadget" with "dinky last-minute gift that'll get lost in a junk drawer." The good ones typically achieve a nice balance of coolness and utility. And, when purchased with a specific person's needs in mind, gadgets make great gifts.

Here are 43 of our favorite gift-worthy gadgets in 2022:

purple plants in white planter on countertop
Credit: CLICK & GROW

Self-watering planter (opens in a new tab)

Best For The (not So) Green Thumb

The Click & Grow 3 planter can help anyone keep their plants alive, including herbs and veggies that typically require an outdoor garden. It features a built-in reservoir that stores a month's worth of water, a sunlight-mimicking lamp, and soil mixture that releases nutrients in sync with the plant's life cycle. You just have to plant the seeds.
White cube with silver band in the middle on desk next to mouse and keyboard
Credit: ODISTAR

Desktop vacuum (opens in a new tab)

Best For Snacking During Work

Desks are where crumbs go to die, whether you regularly pop Cheetos while working or ate a bagel on Zoom once and are still seeing seeds in your keyboard. Your giftee will wonder how they ever worked without this mini desktop vacuum within arm's reach. Be sure to include two AA batteries.

Dog treat maker (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Pet Parent

Dash, the brand known for its mini countertop appliances and cute colors, makes a dog treat maker. What looks like a quesadilla maker on the outside features eight bone-shaped, nonstick molds inside. It's a great gift for a dog parent who'd prefer to pick their own ingredients, or someone who's looking for a side hustle.
Black pizza scissors picking up pizza slice from wooden board
Credit: DREAMFARM

Pizza scissors (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Pizza Fanatic

Society has surpassed the need to touch everyone else's slice of 'za with your own fingers. The Scizza is just what it sounds like: scissors specifically for pizza that use a curved blade to slice without tugging at cheese and toppings. It doubles as a serving device.
Brown bag hanging from hook attached to blue magnet stuck to table
Credit: BAGNET

Instant purse magnet (opens in a new tab)

Best For Someone Who Always Has A Bag

There are few things more disheartening than realizing your bathroom stall doesn't have a hook for your bag. This bag magnet — the Bagnet — instantly creates a hook on almost any surface, including bathroom walls, tables or benches, or the back of a chair. Bagnets come in a ton of fun designs, from leather to a vinyl pop Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Hand using white pet hair remover on wooden surface
Credit: CHOMCHOM

ChomChom pet hair remover (opens in a new tab)

Best For Anyone With A Pet Who Sheds

A furry friend can be the pet itself or a human friend who's constantly covered in pet hair. The ChomChom tackles pet hair and lint on surfaces like furniture and carpet without wasting adhesive strips like a traditional lint roller. Its super satisfying manual operation and serious effectiveness has blown the minds of TikTok users.
people looking at each other in car with tools hanging from mirror and seat
Credit: RESQME

Car emergency tool (opens in a new tab)

Best For Anyone With A Car

This emergency tool is the rare gift that you hope they won't have to use, but it's a thoughtful add-on for anyone who has a car. The well-reviewed Resqme tool is a seatbelt cutter and window breaker, housed in a palm-sized keychain that comes in a bunch of colors.
hand holing red jar to white under-cabinet opener
Credit: THE GRIP JAR OPENER

Under-cabinet can opener (opens in a new tab)

Best For Pasta And Salsa Fiends

We've all pushed that expensive organic salsa to the back of the pantry because of a stubborn lid. This space-saving solution doesn't add to drawer or countertop clutter — it attaches to the underside of a cabinet like a really strong sticker.
hand using silver facial roller on jaw
Credit: SKIN GYM

Face sculptor (opens in a new tab)

Best For Beauty Fans

Skincare TikTok is big on at-home face sculpting with devices like this one Skin Gym. The two-headed massager doesn't require batteries and can be tossed in a toiletries bag for a makeshift spa treatment on the go, like de-puffing after a flight or kneading after sitting in jaw-clenching traffic.

Avocado slicer (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Avocado Toast Obsessive

Sometimes the hardest part of eating fruits and veggies is actually getting past the skin. This nifty gadget helps you cut into avocados with ease, remove the pit with the twist of the wrist, and separate the flesh into thin slices. This slicer may actually be all you need to prepare an avocado in one convenient tool.
person with legs raised holding kettlebell
Credit: BOWFLEX

Adjustable kettlebell (opens in a new tab)

Best For Working Out At Home

A home workout can be just as versatile as a gym one if you have the right tools. An adjustable kettlebell, like this favorite from Bowflex, can target different muscle groups (or make weighted squats more comfortable) than dumbbells without a huge storage footprint. Turn the dial to adjust between six settings, ranging from eight to 40 pounds.
black watch-like device next to guitar
Credit: STAN SCHROEDER/MASHABLE

Soundbrenner Core (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Musician

This sick wearable helps guitar players complete multiple set-up steps without fishing out separate devices. The hyped Kickstarter success works as a tuner, decibel meter, and vibrating metronome, as well as a typical smartwatch that can receive phone notifications.
purple metallic lighter next to laptop
Credit: SIPOE

Flameless lighter (opens in a new tab)

Best For People With Too Many Candles

This iridescent lighter works in even the windiest conditions because its plasma surface replaces a traditional flame. From cigars to candles, this flameless gadget provides a ton of lights on one charge. When the juice runs out, it can be plugged in rather than thrown away.
hand holding phone to which black speaker is attached
Credit: POW AUDIO

Collapsible Bluetooth speaker (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Music Buff

A phone speaker just doesn't cut it when playing tunes for a group of people. This collapsible one is perfect for bumping The Weeknd's new album on the go, attaching to just about any surface via built-in magnets or an included universal wall mount. One charge offers up eight hours of wireless playback.
pink, white, and grey humidifier in a row
Credit: CROSKY

Portable humidifier (opens in a new tab)

Best For Anyone In A Cold, Dry Climate

Cold, dry hands feel extra stiff when attempting to grip a steering wheel in the winter. This portable USB humidifier can fit in a cup holder and add moisture on demand or continuously for a few hours at time. The minimalist design also features color-changing LED lights.
two slabs of salmon on black tray
Credit: CUISINART

Defrosting tray (opens in a new tab)

Best For Last-minute Cooking

Waiting for frozen items to thaw is an agonizing part of cooking — one that you could solve for a friend with this defrosting tray. The highly-conductive aluminum material comes to room temperature quickly and brings frozen food along with it. No running under hot water or microwaving is required.
hand putting phone into black and silver sanitizing case
Credit: PHONESOAP

PhoneSoap UV sanitizer (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Germaphobe

We regret to inform you that your phone is probably dirtier than a public toilet seat. The UV rays inside the PhoneSoap 3 kill 99.99 percent of germs and bacteria, offering better sanitation than just using a wipe. PhoneSoap can also clean keys and AirPods, and it doubles as a phone charger.
person using black typewriter and holding white mug in other hand
Credit: QWERKYTOYS, INC

Typewriter keyboard (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Writer

Living in a high-tech world doesn't mean you have to give up old technology. This keyboard gives the look and feel of a typewriter but connects to digital devices wirelessly (or through USB) to nail the mechanical feel of a typewriter with the modern blessing of a backspace key.
bottle and glass of wine next to blue and silver bottle opener
Credit: SECURA

Electric corkscrew (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Big Wine Drinker

Any self-respecting wine enthusiast can probably operate a manual corkscrew in their sleep, but that's unnecessary elbow grease after a long day. Instead, an electric corkscrew can open even the most stubborn bottles at the push of a button. This well-reviewed one by Secura goes perfectly in a stainless steel kitchen.
red utensils in pots of pasta, sauce, and meatball ingredients
Credit: RACHAEL RAY

Lazy utensils (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Anti-spoon Rest Crowd

What may look like your average colorful cooking utensils are actually a game changer for messy countertops. This "lazy" set of a spatula, solid, and slotted spoon feature a notch in the handle to safely rest the utensil on a pot or pan rim. Spoon rests? Suddenly obsolete.
hands using 3d printing pen to draw black lines on clear frame
Credit: MYNT3D

3D printing pen (opens in a new tab)

Best For The (Bored) Artist

Has your creative friend been in a rut with their current mediums? With a 3D printing pen, they can create a hyper-tangible version of the ideas floating in their head. Adjustable plastic filament flow and temperature settings can be managed on the MYNT3D pen's OLED display.
one blue tooth whitener in box with white fluid and one attached to phone
Credit: SMILE DIRECT CLUB

LED teeth whitening kit (opens in a new tab)

Best For... Anyone Who Smiles, Really

Smile Direct Club's whitening works three times faster than strips to brighten your smile. The kit listed here lasts for one year, with treatments suggested every three months. To use, apply the whitening gel to your teeth then place the LED mouthpiece in your mouth. The device needs a power source, but can be plugged into an iPhone or a USB, USB-C, or micro USB outlet.
White potato peeler with half-peeled potato in it
Credit: STARFRIT

Potato peeler (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Fruit And Veggie Lover

Skip the tedious step of manually peeling produce for a recipe with this automatic peeler. To use, place a potato in between the sharp holders, push a button, and watch as the machine peels your food in one continuous curl. A paring knife is included to cut out any blemishes. Arguably the best part of this gadget is its name — the Rotato Express. You get it.
Blue water bottle with green center next to phone with bluetooth symbol
Credit: HIDRATESPARK

Smart water bottle (opens in a new tab)

Best For Hydration Beginners

The HidrateSpark 3 is essentially a personal hydration coach — it reminds you to drink water and celebrates when you've met your daily goal. A sensor inside the bottle records the number of ounces or milliliters you drink and records them in the Hidrate app, which also syncs with other health apps. The bottle holds 24 ounces, but the sensor recalibrates with your goal as you sip and refill.
Teal and white ice shaver with clear container next to plate of fruit
Credit: MANBA

Manual ice shaver (opens in a new tab)

Best For Ice Chewers

Not having an ice dispenser means that if you want ice, it's got to be cubed. But this manual shaved ice maker is easy to whip out if they want some crushed ice to snack on — or if they're in the mood for a snow cone. It comes with a free ice cube tray.

Oura Ring (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Health Conscious

As sleek as they've become, wrist wearables like the Apple Watch are still too sporty for some folks. The Oura Ring is a chic alternative for the subtly health-conscious crowd. The third generation Oura ring tracks sleep (more accurately than many competitors), heart rate, and daily activity through sensors on the finger. A $5.99/month subscription is required after six free months.

Bose Frames (opens in a new tab)

Best For People Who Jam 24/7

Bose's audio sunglasses allow their wearer to listen to music, podcasts, and more — without headphones. The frames contain speakers and an integrated microphone, so you're able to listen to audio and make calls, all while protecting your eyes from UV rays. Yes, the audio plays out loud, but the design keeps the sound from reaching others.
eggs in water with red egg-shaped timer
Credit: NORPRO

Egg timer (opens in a new tab)

Best For Creating The Perfect Egg

Boiling eggs can be a tricky game. This timer goes in the pot with your eggs and absorbs heat exactly as an egg does, then changes color to indicate soft, medium, and hard boiled eggs. This gadget adjusts to the number of eggs and level of water to take the guesswork out of boiling eggs. It's a great tool for home cooks, but especially for people who detest runny eggs.
wooden box with red heart-shaped piece and white smooth heart next to it
Credit: LOVEBOX

Lovebox Messenger (opens in a new tab)

Best For Someone You Love

Gift this to someone and you'll be able to send them love notes whenever you want. Compose the messages in the Lovebox mobile app and send them to the digital box in your loved one's home. The heart on the outside of the box notifies the recipient that they have a message, which will display once they open the lid. Corny in the sweetest way.
hands taking platter of food out of oven with orange edge guards
Credit: LAMINAS

Oven rack edge guards (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Baker

These silicone guards attach to oven racks to provide a heat-resistant surface for any accidental slips or bumps that would result in burns. This pack comes with two guards that are heat-resistant up to 400 degrees.
Black mug next to coffee press and toast
Credit: EMBER

Temperature controlled mug (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Hot Coffee Stan

Tired: Yet another super-niche mug that'll just chip and take up cabinet space. Wired: A temperature-controlled smart mug that's probably the last mug they'll ever need. The second iteration of the Ember mug keeps coffee, tea, or soup between 120 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit (as set on the app) for up to 1.5 hours. Its coaster is also its charger.
White projector in blue bag
Credit: KODAK

Mini projector (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Movie Buff

A portable projector gives frequent travelers the option to watch on the big screen anywhere. The Kodak Luma 150 casts movies or TV shows onto whatever surface you choose, with the projection itself measuring up to 150 inches. It's wireless with a built-in speaker, so no outlets or additional devices are required — a huge bonus for camping.
Blue and white crock pot with veggies inside
Credit: CROCK-POT

Crock-Pot food warmer (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Office Foodie

Waiting in line to use the microwave during the lunch rush at work takes up precious time that could be spent actually eating. This food warmer from Crock-Pot eliminates the need to microwave. Just plug it in and the 20-ounce container begins to heat up and warm your food. It even has a handle for portability.
Scissors casting red laser on blue paper it's cutting
Credit: BITS AND PIECES

Laser scissors (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Precise Person

Cutting crooked lines is a thing of the past with these scissors. They have an attached laser to guide your cut line, making sure you get the straightest cut. The laser is adjustable with two screws, allowing you to aim where you want it. This gadget is great for sewing, crafting, and gift wrapping, though some reviewers noted there is a bit of a learning curve.
Black lid on clear container with onions
Credit: CAMBOM

Manual veggie chopper (opens in a new tab)

Best For Cooking On The Go

This food processor is completely manual — you pull a cord to kickstart the chopping. It effortlessly cuts through vegetables, nuts, and herbs with the pull of a lever rather than electricity. The bowl holds up to five cups and is dishwasher-safe.

The Embr Wave 2 (opens in a new tab)

Best For People Who Are Always Hot

Embr Wave cools or warms the wrist, triggering the body's natural response to temperature change to make you more comfortable. Control your temperature directly on the device or within the mobile app to visually track thermal changes. After three minutes of use, wearers will feel warmer by 4.6 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler by 5.8 degrees.
Black solar panel in four sections
Credit: HILUCKEY

Solar USB charger (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Traveler

Portable chargers are super handy, except when they run out of power. This charger pulls juice from traditional charging methods as well as from its four solar panels. A single charge gives you about nine days of usage. Just make sure the panels are in contact with sunlight and your devices will stay juiced up.
Person putting coffee grounds into coffee press
Credit: BODUM

French press travel mug (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Coffee Connoisseur

Get out the door on time without sacrificing your coffee's flavor with this French press travel mug. Instead of waiting for a brew to finish, this mug can produce freshly-pressed coffee in minutes. Just add coarsely ground beans, add hot water, and seal the lid.
A Kindle for reading and writing.
Credit: Amazon

A Kindle for reading and writing (opens in a new tab)

Best For Bibliophiles

Sure, eReaders are cool — but what if you also want to jot down handwritten notes on the material you're reading? With its easy-read Paperwhite display, the Kindle Scribe is a first-of-its-kind combination of reading and writing that would make the perfect gift for students with digital texts and deep thinkers who love to scribble notes in the margins of their favorite books.
A helmet with turn signals from Lumos.
Credit: Lumos

A helmet with turn signals (opens in a new tab)

Best For The Cyclist

If you worry about them biking in areas with lots of cars, this genius helmet is the perfect gift to help keep them safe and set your mind at ease. It has front and rear LED lights, automatic brake lights, and turn signals that let all the vehicles around them know where they are and what they're doing.
A flattering streaming light from Logitech.
Credit: Logitech

A flattering streaming light (opens in a new tab)

Best For Live Streamers

Whether they work from home or they're an aspiring influencer, they will definitely appreciate this thoughtful monitor-mounting light. Its full-spectrum LED light casts a true-to-life, flattering glow on all skin tones so they look flawless at all times. It also offers adjustable brightness and color temperature, and custom presets so they can easily switch from morning meeting to Twitch streaming.
A mobile game controller from Razer.
Credit: Razer

A mobile game controller (opens in a new tab)

Best For Mobile Gamers

The Nintendo Switch is cool — but if the games they enjoy live on their smartphone instead, this controller will exponentially enhance their gameplay by turning their phone into a handheld gaming system. It's available for both iPhone and Android smartphone models, and it's compatible with hundreds of popular mobile games and cloud gaming services, including Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Steam Link.
A spill-proof couch caddy from CouchConsole.
Credit: CouchConsole

A spill-proof couch caddy (opens in a new tab)

Best For Binge Watchers

If they just don't have room for a table (or they somehow still manage to spill their drink all over their couch or bed), this gyroscopic, self-balancing cup holder is the perfect solution to keep their drink upright on the most uneven surfaces. It also has space for snacks and remote controls, and a notch to hold up their smartphone for easy viewing.

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Miller Kern
Assistant Reviews Editor

Miller Kern is the Assistant Reviews Editor at Mashable, where she's been covering products and shopping since 2019. If there's a hot new product or a trend going viral on TikTok, Miller's ready to put it through the wringer to see if it's worth the hype.


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