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What are the best smart device gifts?
Heading into the 2022 gift-giving season, your loved ones may be asking for smart devices. These devices sound more advanced than they are, as a smart device is technically anything that can connect to the internet. This means a smart device gift can be the latest and greatest iPhone or just a special extension cord, although the former makes a better gift than the latter. And that’s the hardest part of smart device gift shopping; ferreting out the devices that make better gifts than others.
In this article: Apple iPhone SE 2022, Amazon Echo Studio and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
Smart device gift types
When it comes to gift shopping for smart devices, you can break them down into four categories:
- Smartphone: If you’re the type who likes to give gifts you can use every day, then it’s hard to do better than a new phone. The three big smartphone makers are Apple, Samsung and Google.
- Smart entertainment: This category is the broadest, covering devices such as TVs and TV sticks, tablets and speakers. Get one if you want your gift to be fun.
- Smart appliance: This category covers large devices meant to improve your quality of life, such as washers, dryers and refrigerators.
- Smart accessory: The final category covers small devices that are also meant to improve quality of life, such as smart lights, smart plugs and smartwatches.
Best smartphone gifts
This is Apple’s best phone from last year and a perfect way to upgrade for those who don’t like being on the bleeding edge of new technology. It comes in five colors.
Sold by Amazon
This is Apple’s budget iPhone and a good gift for someone who hasn’t upgraded in years or who doesn’t like the complexity of most modern smartphones. It comes in three colors.
Sold by Amazon
This is Google’s most recent Pixel phone. It has 5G capability and a battery that can last for up to 72 hours when set to extreme battery saver. It comes in three colors.
Sold by Amazon
This is part of Samsung’s latest iterations of their flagship smartphones. It has an 8K camera with a 50-megapixel photo resolution and a tiny, almost imperceptible notch that puts Apple’s notch to shame.
Sold by Amazon
Time is a flat circle and the flip phones that were all the rage a decade-plus ago are back in full force. This is Samsung’s take on the folding smartphone.
Sold by Amazon
Best smart entertainment gifts
This is Amazon’s highest-quality speaker system in the Alexa line of smart devices. It can connect to many music services, including Apple Music and Spotify, so you can play the music you love.
Sold by Amazon
If you want a smart TV, but don’t want to change the TV you already have, this stick can make it happen. You can sign in to all your streaming services through it so all your content is under one banner.
Sold by Amazon
This is Apple’s lone smart speaker and a perfect addition to any Apple fan’s home. It allows guest access, meaning someone you allow outside of your technology circle can play their music from it.
Sold by Staples
This is the latest version of Apple’s entry-level iPad. It has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display for playing high-quality videos and it comes in two storage capacities and four colors.
Sold by Amazon
This is one of Google’s streaming sticks and the one capable of accessing the highest-quality 4K content. The remote has a microphone so you can search using just your voice.
Sold by Home Depot
This budget TV is an excellent gift for those languishing on their small, old, low-quality smart TV. It uses Google’s TV service to bring all your streaming services together.
Sold by Amazon
Best smart accessory gifts
This is Apple’s latest iteration of its smartwatch and features a better fitness tracker, blood oxygen detection and an always-on display. It comes with GPS and GPS-and-cellular connectivity.
Sold by Amazon
GE Lighting GE Cync Indoor Smart Plug
This smart plug lets you turn any device into a smart device by allowing you to control the power to what’s plugged in. Use it with lamps and TVs, for example.
Sold by Amazon
These smart lights are the perfect way to add some atmosphere to any place in your home. They can even be synced up with your TV or computer to display lights similar to what’s on your screen.
Sold by Amazon
These smart bulbs don’t need a hub to work like other smart lights, making them an excellent gift for those without any other smart devices. They’re compatible with Amazon and Google’s AI assistants.
Sold by Amazon
This is Samsung’s latest iteration of its smartwatch, built to connect with phones running android operating systems, not just Samsung Galaxy phones. It comes in two sizes and with a band in one of five colors.
Sold by Amazon
Best smart appliance gifts
This refrigerator has 27.9 cubic feet of space with French doors and two drawers. It’s stainless steel and fingerprint-resistant. Among the smart features is a notification sent to your phone if the door is left open.
Sold by Home Depot
LG Electronics Smart Range With Oven
This range with an oven uses convection cooking and can also function as an air fryer. One of the smart features is sending alerts to your phone if the appliance needs maintenance.
Sold by Home Depot
Maytag Smart Top-Load Washing Machine
The major smart feature of this washing machine is to start, stop and track the progress of your loads from anywhere. It’s Energy Star-compliant, meaning it certifiably uses less energy.
Sold by Home Depot
This smart dryer can also have its loads monitored. It has a sensor dry mode to prevent over-drying and it has a steam sanitize setting to make clothes extra fresh.
Sold by Home Depot
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Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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