• We put a dozen travel mugs to the test for temperature retention, leak resistance, and general ease of use.
• The Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug kept coffee hot and ice frozen for the longest of any mug we tested.
• Plus, its locking lid ensures its contents stay safe inside.

If you're frequently on the go, and you need your caffeine fix close at hand, a good travel mug likely features prominently in your daily routine.

Any mug with a lid that you can carry from place to place is technically a travel mug, but a poorly performing one will likely leave you with tepid coffee, spill stains on your clothes, and, in some cases, a moldy uncleanable lid that could make you sick.

With so many on the market, it can be difficult to distinguish the bad from the good. We put a dozen travel mugs to the test, evaluating each for how well it retained temperature, how easy it was to clean, and most importantly, how nice it was to drink from.

After more than five months of testing, the Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug stood out as the clear winner, but there were other mugs that excelled in specific areas that we think you'll like as well. For our full testing methodology and quantitative temperature test results, scroll to the bottom of this guide.

These are the best travel mugs

• Best overall: Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug
• Best with a carry loop: Hydro Flask Coffee with Flex Sip Lid
• Best flip-top travel mug: S'well Commuter
• Best spill-proof travel mug: Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug
• Best large-capacity travel mug: Yeti Rambler Bottle with HotShot Cap

Prices and links are current as of 12/10/20. We overhauled this guide with new testing metrics and determined all new picks based on our testing. Les Shu contributed to this story.

SEE ALSO: The best water bottles you can buy

The best overall

The Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug keeps both hot and cold drinks at enjoyable temperatures for hours longer than the competition, and its lockable lid ensures it's truly leak-proof.

Pros: Best temperature retention by far, lid is easy to clean, leak-proof locking lid, one-handed operation, five-year warranty on the vacuum insulation

Cons: Not dishwasher safe, won't fit large ice cubes, will rattle around in cupholders

It's rare that we at Insider Reviews come across a product that is so head and shoulders above the competition that it's without a doubt the best overall pick; there's almost always a shortcoming or a caveat. But the Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug is, hands down, the best travel mug you can buy, and we've got the data to back it up.

According to our test, the Zojirushi kept coffee hot for 14 hours — five hours longer than the next-best mug — and kept ice frozen for seven hours — an hour and a half longer than second place. Les Shu, Insider Reviews senior guides editor who helped me with secondary testing, found that it kept liquids hotter far longer if you don't open the lid as often.

Its spring-loaded push-button lid flips open to reveal a sizeable drinking spout that regulates liquid well, whether you're pouring it into a cup or your mouth. When closed, it's properly leak-proof, and it's got a switch at the base of the lid that locks it shut so you can confidently toss it in your bag.

The lid disassembles into two plastic pieces and two rubber gaskets, so you can get into all the nooks and crannies as you clean it. Unfortunately, you'll have to clean all the parts by hand as it's not dishwasher safe. It's a skinny mug too, so you'll want to invest in a good bottle brush. Because it's so skinny, you may have trouble fitting large ice cubes into it. It may also rattle around in your car's cupholder. But we're being nitpicky here.

If you want the mug that's going to keep your coffee hot the longest and provide the best drinking experience, this is your pick. Zojirushi also offers a five-year warranty on the vacuum insulation, so if your mug loses its ability to retain temperature, Zojirushi will replace it.

The best with a carry loop

The Hydro Flask Coffee is comfortable to drink from and easy to tote around on your next adventure thanks to its strong rubber carry loop.

Pros: Rubber carry loop, comfortable to drink from, lid disassembles easily, dishwasher safe, lifetime warranty

Cons: Retained coffee smell, rubber loop may not be durable enough for attaching to packs

As much as I love the Zojirushi mug, it can get annoying to carry it around if you're roaming around bag-free or just don't have anywhere to stow it. The Hydro Flask Coffee helps mitigate this problem with the addition of a sturdy rubber carry loop. While walking around with it, I primarily held onto the loop with one or two fingers.

The Hydro Flask also provided one of the nicest drinking experiences of all the mugs we tested. The lid simply twists open, the liquid flows well, and there's no large lid mechanism to get in the way while you're drinking. When closed, the lid reveals a red square so you can quickly see that your mug is sealed. The lid disassembles into three plastic pieces and one rubber gasket, and all parts are dishwasher safe on the top rack.

In our temperature tests, it kept coffee hot for five hours and ice frozen for four and a half. We did find that the stainless steel retained some coffee smell after repeated use, so you may want to dedicate this mug to one type of beverage.

While the lid system does a good job of keeping it sealed, it's not as convenient to use as a trigger button if you primarily use your mug while driving. If you hit a bump and the lid is open, you might encounter a small spill. This was a rare occurrence, but drivers may want to keep this in mind.

The best flip-top travel mug

With its one-piece flip-top lid, the S'well Commuter is easy to clean and leak-proof, and it manages heat retention reasonably well.

Pros: Simple lid is easy to clean, stays leak-proof even after repeated use

Cons: Too large for some cupholders, handwash only, won't keep ice frozen for very long

We disqualified more than one travel mug simply due to their exceedingly complicated lid mechanisms. A lid that's too hard to disassemble and clean will discourage you from washing it properly which can lead to mold growth. Flip-top lids are often one piece and the most simple, so mold has nowhere to hide.

The best flip-top travel mug we tried was the S'well Commuter. It kept coffee hot for five hours, though admittedly it performed the worst in our ice test, keeping ice frozen for a mere two and a half hours. But it made up for it in its ease of use. The flip-top protrudes slightly from the lid, giving your thumb something to push up against and open the lid. It also folds back and locks in place so it doesn't droop and hit you in the nose while you drink.

Its wide base does mean that it may not fit in some cupholders — it's just slightly too fat for my Toyota Corolla — so if you're a car commuter, you may need to look elsewhere. We suggest you check out the Miir Travel Tumbler— it's thinner and retains the temperature just as well as the S'well, but its flip-top was stiffer and slightly harder to open, so it just barely lost out.

The best spill-proof travel mug

The Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug opens with the press of a button and automatically seals itself shut so you won't have to worry about whether you remembered to close it.

Pros: Automatically seals when not in use, dishwasher-safe, lifetime warranty

Cons: Hand may get in the way while drinking, middling temperature retention

Even the most leak-proof mug is going to spill if you knock it over while the lid is open. If you know you're prone to spills or simply have too many important papers on your desk at any given time, do yourself a favor and invest in a mug that's totally klutz-proof.

The Stanley Classic Trigger Action Mug automatically seals when not in use, helping to retain temperature as well as ensure all your coffee stays where it's supposed to. To drink, you simply press and hold down the button on the lid which depresses the stopper in the spout and lets liquid flow. Upon releasing the button, the stopper raises back up to seal the spout. 

The Stanley performed admirably in our temperature tests, keeping coffee hot for six hours and ice frozen for four — firmly middle of the pack. The lid mechanism is a bit complicated, with buttons and springs, so you'll want to regularly disassemble it and get into the nooks and crannies with a brush to ensure it doesn't harbor mold, especially around the metal spring. It disassembles into two pieces with a simple twist.

The main disadvantage to this mug is also its main draw — you have to press the button to drink. The button is positioned on the back of the lid, so you may find your own hand gets in the way of drinking, especially if your hand is larger. The button is also why this is one of Les Shu's favorites, who has been using it nonstop since early 2019.

The best large-capacity travel mug

If a single cup of coffee simply won't cut it, the Yeti Rambler 26-oz. Bottle has more than enough room to keep you fueled up, and the HotShot Cap makes it go down easy.

Pros: Offered in larger sizes than any other mug we tested, retains heat very well, dishwasher safe, very sturdy build

Cons: Retains cold poorly, HotShot lid sold separately, HotShot lid gives no visual indication that it's open, definitely won't fit in cupholders

Most of the travel mugs we recommend come in multiple sizes, but they all max out at 20 ounces. If you're used to guzzling large amounts of your beverage of choice, and you can't be bothered with a refill, you'll want a travel mug to match your habits.

The Yeti Rambler Bottle comes in smaller 12-oz. and 18-oz. offerings, but the unique 26-oz. model is what caught our eye, and it performed well in our heat-retention test putting up a second-place score of nine hours. It performed rather poorly in our cold test, keeping ice frozen for just three hours.

The Rambler Bottle comes with what Yeti calls its Chug Cap — think classic soda bottle top with a large-handled lid that twists all the way off. It's great for water, iced coffee, and other cold drinks, but if hot beverages are your main priority, you'll want to buy the HotShot Cap which is sold separately.

Senior Guides Editor Les Shu and I were split in our feelings on the HotShot. He appreciates the inner wall and the tight lock that keep spills at bay, while I was disappointed that it gave no visual indication that it was open or closed.

If by some chance, 26 ounces isn't enough coffee to get you going in the morning, Yeti also offers a huge 36-oz. Rambler Bottle.

Yeti HotShot Cap

Yeti 26-oz. Rambler Bottle

What else we recommend

These travel mugs are also terrific options and were only just edged out by our top picks.

• Miir Travel Tumbler: This flip-top mug was neck in neck with the S'well Commuter for our best flip-top pick. It was competitive in both temperature tests, and it fit nicely in cupholders which the S'well did not. But it lost out in the ease of use department. Its flip-top lies almost flush with the rest of the cap, so it's hard to get your thumb under it to open it, and it's so stiff that it requires quite a bit of force.
• Klean Kanteen Insulated TKWide: This was another tough call in our best with a carry loop category. The Klean Kanteen actually beat out the Hydro Flask in both temperature tests, albeit by small margins, and we like the metal carry loop for durability. But the Klean Kanteen lid is difficult to disassemble for proper cleaning, and the metal carry loop is uncomfortable if you're carrying it by hand. The Hydro Flask just offered a nicer drinking experience. With that said, Senior Guides Editor Les Shu has been using an older Klean Kanteen for more than 10 years and can attest to the quality of the products.

What else we considered

These containers are good products — in fact, they are made by reputable companies we like. But we encountered enough issues that stopped them from making our final list. Some didn't perform as well as our top picks, while others are a bit niche or too pricey for us to recommend to everyone. We plan to revisit these for our next update, to see if our opinion has changed since we last tested them.

• Thermos Stainless King: The Thermos name is synonymous with travel mugs, so we wanted to test one. It performed well in the heat test but rather poorly in the cold test. Senior Editor Les Shu liked how easy it was to lock and unlock the lid. I found it difficult to disassemble and reassemble, while he didn't. Ultimately, it was edged out by stronger performers. 
• Contigo Luxe Autoseal: We had high hopes for the Contigo since its predecessor, the Autoseal West Loop was our previous best overall pick. But it was the only mug that grew mold during my testing period. Shu, who uses this often as an everyday mug, said extra attention is needed when cleaning the inner spring mechanism, which is difficult to reach, but this should keep mold away.
  For me, the metal lid also got hot when full of coffee, which made the button on the lid uncomfortable to press to drink. Shu does not find this to be an issue, and he appreciates the easy button press to unlock. Despite our difference of opinion on the Contigo, we concurred that for most people, the difficulty in cleaning was a dealbreaker. Contigo mugs are popular and can be found in many retailers, so if you do pick one up, we recommend getting a good set of cleaning brushes, like these from the company,
• Stanley Stay-Hot Titanium Travel Mug: I received this mug from Stanley in an unsolicited press mailer, so I decided to throw it on the testing pile. It performed decently, but with a $100 price tag, it's simply out of reach for most people. Much cheaper mugs on our list can do exactly what the Stanley Stay-Hot can do. Its titanium build makes it very lightweight, but the Zojirushi actually clocks in at a few grams lighter. (Not shown in the photo above.)
• Snow Peak Kanpai Bottle: This Snow Peak mug is another that falls under the premium category. It comes with three separate lids — a freezable cold lid, a sealed hot lid, and a drink-through lid. It's a sleek-looking mug, and the Snow Peak brand is a favorite among outdoors people. But the drink-through lid wasn't leak-proof, and at $80 for the whole kit, it just didn't follow through on performance.
• Otterbox Elevation Tumbler: A tumbler isn't quite a travel mug. It's more of a cup with a lid, but Otterbox has a good reputation, so we decided to give it a shot. It performed poorly in the heat test, but it surprised us by posting a mid-range score in the cold test. If you're an iced coffee lover, you might not want to discount this one. But be aware, it's not leak-proof. Editor's note: During our first round of testing, we didn't try the Thermal Lid (shown above), an optional lid that turns the Elevation Tumbler into a proper travel mug. It's a pricey accessory, but we are putting it to the test to see if it's worth considering.

Our temperature retention test results

Our testing methodology

In order to test travel mugs, we established several criteria we hoped each of our top picks would meet. Our three testers analyzed general ease of use, how they felt to drink from, and how easy they were to clean. We also tested for more technical aspects of each mug like temperature retention and how leak-proof each mug was. Our initial testing period lasted one month, but we are still testing long-term durability in case issues arise. Below are each of our tests.

Temperature retention: To test heat retention, we filled each mug with water heated to 136 degrees Fahrenheit, the optimal temperature for hot beverages according to a study by the University of Texas. We then tested the temperature hourly and noted change. Once the temperature dropped 25 degrees, we deemed the beverage too cold to drink and ended the test. To test cold retention, we filled each mug with 45-degree water straight from the refrigerator. We added three ice cubes and timed how long the ice remained frozen.

Leak test: We filled each travel mug with water and turned it upside down and shook it for a total of 30 seconds. We performed this test once at the beginning of our testing period and again at the end to ensure each mug stayed leak-proof even after repeated use.

Ease of use and cleaning: We wanted to test how easy each mug was to drink from while on the go. We noted how easy each mug was to operate with one hand. We also noted how well the liquid flowed out of each and whether or not they fit in standard car cupholders. We took into account how easy each mug was to clean. Many of these mugs have complex lids that can harbor mold if not properly sanitized. If lids were too complicated, difficult to disassemble or reassemble, or began to show signs of mold even after what we thought was a thorough cleaning, the mug lost major points.

Long-term testing: Though our initial testing period lasted roughly five months, we acknowledge that other issues could crop up with long-term use. We are continuing to test each of our top picks and we will update this guide with any issues we encounter.

• We rounded up the most unique and thoughtful gifts for dog lovers and their dogs.
• Show your favorite dog lover you care by having socks, cufflinks, a dog treat maker, and other tokens customized with their dog's image.
• Find the perfect dog gift from this list of exceptional toys, treats, and beds.
• You can check out all of our 2020 holiday gift guides here to shop for everyone on your list.

To a dog lover, the best gift of all is, well, a dog. But second best? Anything made for or reminiscent of the canine companion that stole their heart.

Whether you're looking for an affordable yet meaningful token of appreciation like custom dog stickers, a sweatshirt they both can share, or a mind-blowing gift they'll never forget like a GPS dog tracker, custom pet portrait cufflinks, or a matching bandana and face mask set, you'll find what you're looking for with this list of unique gifts for dogs and their humans.

Shop the 41 best gifts for dogs and dog owners below:

A food puzzle to work the canine brain

Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Twister Dog Puzzle, available at Chewy and Amazon, $17.27

For smarty pants dogs that need a job to do, these food puzzles are a great way to both entertain and work the brain. Pop treats or kibble into the compartments and tap into their dog's under-utilized scavenging instincts. 

A book that takes them inside the inner workings of their dog's brain

"How Dogs Love Us" Hardcover, available at Barnes & Noble, $26

Ever wondered what your dog is thinking? If they dream of you? If they miss you? In this fascinating read, neuroscientist Gregory Berns shares the science behind the human-canine relationship.

A pet camera that lets them interact with their pup

Furbo Treat-Tossing Dog Camera, available at Chewy, Furbo, and Amazon, $133.99

For those who can't stand to be away from their dog, it's the Furbo dog camera to the rescue. With the free Furbo app, they can monitor their pet from afar with a 160-degree wide-angle view, speak to them through voice chat, and toss them a treat anytime they want. 

A way to finally remember if the dog actually got fed

The Original "Did You Feed The Dog?" available at Chewy and Amazon, $9.95

Did you feed the dog? Can't quite remember, can you? But this simple little device, it knows. Just move the button at feeding time and they'll never get taken by their pup's second-dinner-desiring hungry eyes again.

Sweet long johns for a winter full of pajama parties

Pet Johns in Organic Cotton, available at Hanna Andersson, $13.99

Dress up their pup for the world's cutest pajama party in this festive holiday top by Hanna Andersson. Made from a soft organic cotton rib knit, the outfit comes in eight patterns and six sizes so that even the big boys can let their snuggle flag fly.

A homemade dog treat maker

Dash Express Dog Treat Maker, available at Amazon, Target, and Kohl's, $24.99

Treat your favorite chef to a pup-approved kitchen addition. Fill the waffle iron-like Dash with one of the recipes from the included cookbook (think: peanut butter pumpkin or cheddar bacon) for fresh bone-shaped treats hot out of the oven. 

A squeezable dog water bottle for instant hydration

Dog Bowl Water Bottle, available at Chewy and Uncommon Goods, from $15

Offer the dog a drink single-handedly with this unique dog water bottle. Just squeeze the leak-proof canister to fill the attached dish with water. When they've had their fill, the leftover liquid drains back into the bottle for the next time they're thirsty.

A hoodie with a kangaroo pouch to keep their pup close

Roodie Pet Pouch Hoodie, available at Amazon, $99

Cuddly pups and the humans who love them never have to be apart with this soft cotton-polyester hoodie. The zip-up 14-inch by 9-inch by 4-inch pocket supports pets up to 15 pounds and comes in six colors.

A ball launcher for supercharged games of fetch

Chuckit! Launcher, available at Chewy, $7.95

It's almost impossible to tire out a fetch-loving high-energy dog before tiring out your throwing arm, that is, unless you have the Chuckit! With just a flick of the wrist, this simple plastic launcher sends the ball farther than puny human muscles alone and is guaranteed not to quit halfway through the game.

A matching bandana and face mask for twinning with their dog

Goodboy x Sock Fancy Bandana & Mask, available at Goodboy, $33

Social distance in style with this dog bandana and face mask duo. The pair comes in four machine-washable custom cotton prints and the triple-layer mask has adjustable ear loops and a 3D chin design.

A pair of fur-sonalized silver cufflinks

Custom Pet Portrait Cufflinks, available at Uncommon Goods, $260

They'll wear their heart on their sleeve with these pet portrait cufflinks by designer Erin Harris. The engraved sterling silver accessories arrive with a bonus gift, too: a rubber stamp of their dog to use on anything that needs a bit of puppy love.

A collar for tracking their dog's location and activity

Fi Series 2 GPS Tracker Smart Dog Collar, available at Chewy, $149

Like a FitBit for the canine set, this smart collar will not only help them keep tabs on their dog's daily activity (and compare it to other pups in the neighborhood) but on their location, too. Using GPS tracking technology, this little device sends alerts anytime a door-dashing escape artist is on the move.

Their dog in sock form

Tribe Socks Personalized Pet Face Socks, available at Chewy, $20

Wrap their barking dogs in puppy love with a pair of customizable socks. Chewy will pattern a pair with the face of their furry friend using just a photo. Choose from four styles: holiday, tie-dye, mosaic, and dog paw.

The one toy every dog needs

Kong Classic, available at Chewy, from $7.99

Whether they've got a puppy who's learning the ropes, an adult dog who loves a good game, or a slow-moving senior, the Kong Classic is a must for busting boredom and tapping into a dog's scavenging instincts. Just pack the heavy-duty rubber cone with treats, kibble, or peanut butter (among other things) and that big, slobbery tongue will do the rest.

An elevated bed to keep their dog cool in the heat

K&H Mocha Self Warming Crate Pad, available at Chewy, from $33.74

Make the dog days of summer a little more bearable for their pooch with this elevated cot. Made from waterproof nylon with a mesh center, the raised design promotes airflow that helps keep dogs from overheating when the mercury rises.

A sleepy puppy hamper to snuggle their dirty clothes

Fankang Dog Hamper, available at Amazon, $10.99

Add a dose of cute to laundry day with this dog hamper. The folding, pop-up basket made of waterproof-coated cotton fabric with handles for ears also makes a great storage bin for toys, whether they belong to a dog or to a dog-loving kid.

A dog sticker that's (almost) as cute as the real thing

Premier Pups Custom Dog Stickers, available at Etsy, $16

Give the gift of sticky immortality with these customizable pet stickers. Just send in a photo of their dog and they will create a spot-on illustrated version made from premium waterproof paper they can affix to anything that needs a puppy pick-me-up.

A dog DNA test

Embark Breed Identification Dog DNA Kit, available at Chewy and Embark, $115

Embark Breed and Health Dog DNA Kit, available at Chewy and Embark, $149

The Embark Dog DNA test is for any rescue parent who's ever struggled to answer the question "What kind of dog is that?" From a simple cheek swab, this kit designed in partnership with Cornell University scientists can identify a dog's breed heritage and even locate their living relatives. The breed and health kit also provides information about genetic health conditions and traits. 

A fresh meal delivery service to fill their dog's belly

The Farmer's Dog meal service, available at The Farmer's Dog, from $2/day

Forget canned food and kibble. The Farmer's Dog uses fresh whole meat and veggies to produce nutritious canine meals just like grandma used to. The preportioned, customizable food is delivered right to their door ready to serve. 

A bucket list activity journal for dog lovers and their canine compatriots

"Chew This Journal" by Sassafras Lowrey, available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, $16.95

Drawing from 20 years of experience, certified trick dog trainer and doggy writer extraordinaire Sassafras Lowrey's "Chew This Journal" is jam-packed with fun activities for both dog and human. From urban agility and tips on setting training goals to dog-friendly crafts like DIY treat puzzles and tug-toy-making, this book will encourage them to never stop seeking out new adventures.

A bag of delicious treats with a minimal carbon paw print

Jiminy's Chewy Cricket Treats, available at Chewy and Amazon, $9.95

Maybe dog treats can't save the world, but Jiminy's cricket treats are doing their part to help our pups live more sustainably. These tasty morsels are hypoallergenic, probiotic, and produce 740% fewer greenhouse gasses than those made with beef. Choose from two chewy flavors, sweet potato and peas or pumpkin and carrot, or crunchy peanut butter and blueberry cookies.

A people-approved mattress made just for dogs

Dog Mattress, available at Casper, from $113

Mattress company Casper takes dog bed comfort next level with a memory foam model that rivals those they make for humans. The result of 110 prototypes and 460 hours of lab testing, with this dog bed they'll rest assured their best friend will be getting a good night's sleep. 

A dog-splattered dish towel that really sees them

Dogs Tea Towel, available at Blue Q, $12.95

Anyone who's ever loved a dog knows the best people are the fluffy, four-legged kind. And this canine-covered tea towel, it's not afraid to speak the truth. Short-haired, curly-haired, little-legged, and big, they'll be ready to go anytime a dish needs drying. 

A custom cookie cutter for making edible puppy portraits

Custom Pet Portrait Cookie Cutter, available at Etsy, from $12.05

If they think their dog couldn't get any sweeter, Bakers Street Cutters begs to differ. Send in a photo and they'll 3D print a custom cookie cutter that makes a perfect impression of their pup every time.

A blueprint of their favorite breed's best qualities

Dog Blueprints, available at Etsy, $44.99

These vintage-inspired blueprints by canine architects Wet Nose Wiggly Butts break down the characteristics that make different dog breeds unique. Each 16-by-20-inch print features picture-perfect representations of 54 of the most popular pups, from chihuahuas to Newfoundlands. Choose to add their dog's name to the drawing for a personalized touch.

A yoga mat covered in stretching Frenchies

Huebucket Frenchie Yoga Mat, available at Society6, $34.30

Flexible Frenchies show off their yoga skills on this adorable yoga mat. Their favorite pose? Downward-facing dog, of course.

An honest mug that works as hard as they do

"I work hard so my dog can have a better life" mug, available at Etsy, from $17

For anyone with lingering doubts about where a dog parent's disposable income goes, this fully customizable mug spells it out in plain English. No one needs to know that dogs work hard to keep us happy, too. Sloppy kisses and dog hair may not pay the bills but they're worth their weight in gold.

A lickable mat for anxiety-reducing enrichment

Hyper Pet IQ Treat Mat 2-pack, available at Amazon, $14.95

Licking a flavor-filled surface doesn't just release calming endorphins in a dog's brain, it gives them something to focus on when their stress levels become elevated. Spread these dishwasher-safe rubber mats with a soft-and-creamy favorite like yogurt, pumpkin, or peanut butter for a snack that will last and last.

A flirt pole for tough tugging thrills

Outward Hound Tail Teaser, available at Chewy and Amazon, $14.89

Release the hounds — or their energy, at least — with a doggy flirt pole. Like a beefed-up cat wand, this canine version features a squeaking, rattling faux-fur tail strung with durable nylon cord to a long, flexible pole that can be swung around for a high-speed game of chase, jump, and tug. 

A collar from a company that supports and empowers Kenyan artisans

Triangle Dog Collar in lavender, pink, teal, or cobalt blue, available at Ubuntu Life,  $59

Yes, this fashion-forward collar produced by Maasai women in Kenya's Ngong Hills looks good, but it does good, too. Ubuntu Life is a public benefit corporation that provides sustainable employment, education, and healthcare to its workers and artisans, as well as pediatric health and special needs education throughout the region. The carefully crafted, highly resilient collar is made from leather and glass beads and comes in three sizes and four colors.

A playful seat cover to brighten up the car

Molly Mutt Multi-Use Seat Cover, available at Chewy and Amazon, $59

Protect their car from doggy dirt and slobber with a fun toile-like dog patterned seat cover. The versatile cotton canvas can be draped over the back seat (the design features seatbelt slots, nonskid backing and adjustable headrest straps), converted into a car hammock or layered over the cargo hold.

A 2-in-1 tool to make bath time less stressful

Aquapaw Pet Bathing Tool, available at Chewy and Uncommon Goods, $25

Speed up bath time with this flexible water sprayer and massaging scrubber. The tool slips over the palm, leaving their fingers free to reassure their pup or toggle the built-in on-and-off switch.

A smiling bouncy ball that doubles as a puzzle toy

Rogz Grinz Treat Ball, available at Chewy, from $9.55

This durable ball will put a maniacal grin on their pup's face. Bounce it on the ground, float it in the water, or fill it with treats or kibble for extended play. It comes in four bright, impossible to lose colors and three sizes.

Classy barware featuring classic canines

Plymouth Dog Double Old-Fashioned Glasses, available at Williams Sonoma, $29.99

Cocktails get the canine treatment with this set of four old-fashioned glasses, each with a different portrait of a handsome hunting dog and a hand-painted gold rim. At 9.75 oz., they're the perfect size for their next Salty Dog, Greyhound, or Regal Beagle.

A vet play set to inspire young animal lovers

Melissa & Doug Pet Vet Play Set, available at Amazon, $24.99

Encourage the little animal lover in your life with a play set that lets them practice pet care and the empathy and compassion that comes along with it. This kit comes packed with all they'll need to make a house call, including a stethoscope, syringe, bandages, and a cone of shame, as well as two plush pets to practice on.

A gallery-worthy portrait of their beloved pet

Custom Pet Portrait, available at West & Willow, from $59.95

Immortalize their fur baby with a custom portrait they'll cherish for years to come. Choose from a handful of backgrounds and hardwood frames. Each gallery-quality image can include up to three pets.

A cashmere turtleneck for cold weather walks

Fido Turtleneck, available at The Barkers, $89

The beatnik vibes are on point with this cable-knit turtleneck from The Barkers. Made from 100% cashmere, this luxurious dog sweater will have them wishing for a human-sized version all their own.

A pack of dogs who love a relaxing bath

Dog Shower Curtain, available at Etsy, $55.20

Add a touch of canine couture to their bathroom with a dog print shower curtain patterned in artistically arranged black-and-white pups. The polyester, water-repellent coated 71-by-74-inch curtain comes with 12 buttonholes for easy hanging.

A combination backpack and airline approved carrier for versatile adventures

Sherpa 2-in-1 Travel Backpack, available at Petco, $52.99

Up in the air or on the trail, their dog can go anywhere they do with Sherpa's 2-in-1 travel backpack. The cozy, well-ventilated go bag has removable straps that convert it from a backpack to a traditional airline approved pet carrier that fits under the seat in the cabin.

A boho bed cover to rest their weary head

Amani Sea Dog Bed, available at The Foggy Dog, from $65

Upgrade their naps with a mud-cloth inspired, upholstery-grade cotton bed cover. The durable, zip-up doggy duvet can be fitted over an old bed, pillow, or pile of blankets, or you can purchase a new memory foam or "Sustainafill" insert for maximum comfort. It's machine washable and sold in three colors.

A book for youngsters about a dog's most valuable superpower

"What the Dog Knows Young Readers Edition" by Cat Warren, available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, $7.99

In the young readers edition of the New York Times bestseller "What the Dog Knows," Cat Warren uncovers the science behind the amazing canine nose. If you know a kiddo with a love of dogs, this book full of photos and illustrations is sure to intrigue, surprise, and delight.

• We found 25 accessories and compatible gadgets for Android phone owners— like phone cases, earbuds, and even phone sanitizers.
• If you're looking for more gift ideas, we've got you covered with all of our holiday gift guides.
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals

The world of mobile accessories often seems catered towards iPhone owners, but there are more gadgets and accessories for Android phones than ever, and they can make great gifts. The trick is sifting through all the chaff and finding those that are actually worth it. 

We're here to help you find some cool Android accessories that friends and relatives will be sure to appreciate. Some are specially optimized for Android devices, while others are just handy accessory gifts for all types of phones. 

The top 5 best tech gifts for Android users:

1. A Razer gaming controller that looks like a Nintendo Switch
2. Inexpensive wireless earbuds with amazingly good sound
3. A PopSockets phone grip and stand
4. A phone sanitizer
5. A 5-foot long USB-C braided charging cable from Anker

See all 25 phone accessories and compatible gadgets that prove gifting an Android user isn't actually as difficult as you might think. 

Comfortable, high-quality wireless earbuds

Sony WF-1000XM3 wireless noise cancelling earbuds, $168, available on Amazon

These true wireless earbuds from Sony are among our top choice for high-end wireless noise cancelling earbuds. They have an in-ear fit that have a better chance of fitting ears compared to earbuds that merely rest in ears, like Apple's AirPods. 

The sound these produce is incredible for little wireless earbuds. Noise cancelling is also surprisingly effective combined with the in-ear design that acts a little like ear plugs.  

A less expensive pair of wireless earbuds

Cambridge Audio Melomania 1, $79.95, available on Amazon

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 are hard to beat when it comes to sound quality and value, and make for a great gift to Android phone users. The Melomania earbuds have a fantastic sound that suits all music types, long battery life, and they are really easy to use for a great price.

They're small and look premium and sleek, too. The charging case is about the same size as the AirPods charging case and charges over microUSB — no wireless charging at this price point. Battery life is 45 hours with the Melomania earbuds, which is pretty incredible compared to other headphones that have around 20 or so hours of battery life. 

A camera lens kit for enthusiastic phone photographers

Xenvo Camera Lens Kit Pro, $44.99, available on Amazon

Take breathtaking landscape photos and detailed close-ups with the 140-degree, wide-angle lens and the 10x macro lens in this kit. Simply clip it to the phone and align it with its camera to start snapping high-quality pictures. 

A flexible car mount

iOttie Easy One Touch Qi Wireless Fast Charge Car Mount, $44.95, available at Amazon

This accessory pulls double duty by charging their phone while holding it securely on their dash. The telescopic arm extends up to eight inches and pivots on a wide arc for easy readability and access. 

A smart home assistant

Google Nest Mini, $24.98, available at Walmart

Owners of Android devices like the Google Pixel will be happiest staying within the Google ecosystem and using the Google Assistant housed in the Nest Mini smart speaker. There's a huge variety of things you can do with Google Assistant.

The Nest Mini can play music and podcasts, which you can start and control with your voice. Google Assistant can also tell you what you have going on in your calendar on a given day, answer a lot of questions like weather and sports scores, and controls smart home devices. It's a neat gift that's inexpensive and a good entry-level start into smart devices with smart speakers and smart assistants.

A portable photo printer

HP Sprocket 2nd Edition Instant Photo Printer, $89.99, available at Amazon

The HP Sprocket lets you print photos onto 2x3 photo paper straight from phones quickly and easily to print. The newest model can connect to multiple devices at once over Bluetooth, allowing for group printing, and features a sleep mode that keeps it connected without draining battery. 

The HP Sprocket uses HP's Zink photo paper, which peel-and-stick backing that turns photos into stickers, if wanted. It's a wireless system that uses Bluetooth to transfer photos from phones to the printer itself. 

Long and durable charging cables

Anker Six-Foot PowerLine Charging Cable, $14.99, available at Walmart

Braided cables are more durable and don't tangle as easily as the regular ones, plus they're simply more aesthetically pleasing. Anker's are specially designed to charge phones with USB-C ports efficiently. 

A transparent phone case with cool print designs for Samsung phones

Casetify cases for Samsung phones, $49, available at Casetify

Phone cases often only satisfy two out of the following three criteria: durable, non-bulky, and beautiful. Casetify's are all three and I never feel like I'm settling while shopping its site. The entire Casetify company and website is a hub for unique case designs made by artists, and it's well worth checking out for a case that's a little different. 

(Yes, we know the photo has iPhones instead of Android phones, but that's what Casetify has on their site to show off their designs.)

A tough phone storage box

OtterBox DRYBOX 3250 Series, $39.99, available at OtterBox

This rugged case is basically like a tiny storage box, protecting not only their phone but also their keys, wallet, and other small essentials. It's even waterproof up to 90 feet for 30 minutes, making it perfect for outdoor adventures. 

A mini projector

Nebula Capsule II mini projector, $492.99, available at Amazon

After downloading the Nebula app, phones becomes the TV remote for this mini projector. The projector itself is about the size of a soda can and projects video up to 100 inches at 720p resolution with 200 lumen brightness. 

It runs on the Android 9.0 operating system that's features on certain TVs and Google's own Chromecast streaming devices, and hosts streaming apps like YouTube and Netflix. It has 8-watt built-in speakers, too, and has a battery life of two and a half hours of video playtime. It also auto-focuses the video image so you don't have to fiddle with focusing. 

A crossbody to hold just the essentials

Long Crossbody Phone Pocket, $40, available at Leatherology

Travel light with a stylish, full-grain pebbled leather bag that holds their phone with a little room to spare. Choose from more than 10 different leather colors and add a monogram for just $10. 

A running armband to hold your phone

Tribe Water Resistant Cell Phone Armband Case, $14.98, available at Amazon

Compatible with most phones, this best-selling case has a plush, elastic band for non-obtrusive comfort, reflective borders for safety, and a small pocket to hold their key as they run. 

A gaming controller

Razer Kishi game controller and dock for Android phones, $79.99, available at Best Buy

The Razer Kishi is a game controller for Android phones, and gives it a Nintendo Switch-style design and playing style with the controllers on either side of the phone screen. If you know the giftee plays games on their smartphone, this will be the gift to give.  

The Razer Kishi has a universal fit, so it supports pretty much any Android phone, as long as the phone has a USB port on the bottom. Most recent Android phones these days use USB-C, so it shouldn't be a problem unless the phone is from before 2016. If the phone runs low on battery while playing games, you can plug a charging cable to the Kishi's own USB-C port to charge the phone. 

A portable speaker

Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Portable Bluetooth Wireless Speaker (Waterproof), $124.79, available from Amazon

The newest version of the popular UE Boom series is waterproof and can even float on top of water (a feature that we put to the test). This "virtually indestructible" Bluetooth speaker sounds incredible for its size and price, and it comes highly recommended. 

A high-end selfie stick with a built-in tripod

Cliquefie selfie stick, $49.99, available at Best Buy

Cheap selfie sticks are a dime a dozen, but a "high-end" selfie stick is a little ... different. This high-end selfie stick made by Cliquefie is so premium that even Apple sells it. It's made of polished aluminum and the wireless remote connects to phones with a Bluetooth connection to press the shutter button. 

Like most selfie sticks, it folds down to become compact, but unlike most selfie sticks, the Cliquefie can turn into a tripod with its retractable tripod legs, giving you extra stability and the ability to take selfies from distances than your arms allow. 

A Wear OS smartwatch

Fossil 5e smartwatch, starting at $249.99, available from Best Buy

While iPhone users have Apple Watches, Android users can choose from a number of WearOS smartwatches. Fossil's sleek 5e watch includes heart rate tracking, smartphone notifications, NFC payments, GPS, microphone and Google Assistant, music storage and controls, and customizable watch faces. Fossil smartwatches are among the most stylish for Android users, both for men and women, and come highly recommended. 

A wireless charging stand

Samsung Qi Certified Fast Charge Wireless Charger Stand, $59.99, available at Samsung

Get a wireless charger stand to reduce cord clutter and use their phone as it's charging. Three neutral colors (black, white, navy) maintain minimalist style. 

A PopSockets phone grip and stand

PopSockets Grip, from $10, available at PopSockets

iPhone and Android users can at least agree on one thing: PopSockets are great. Other than their smart and useful design, they're worthy gifts because there's a different style for every personality. 

A powerful external battery pack

RAVPower USB-C Power Bank 20100 Portable Charger, $46.99, available at Amazon

This power bank has a USB-C port and can fully charge up their Samsung Galaxy S9 an impressive four times. It can also quickly and simultaneously charge multiple devices so they're never stuck with a dead phone or laptop.  

A precise stylus pen

Bargains Depot 2-in-1 Universal Touch Screen Pen, $13.92, available at Walmart

They might want or need a stylus if they have a phone with an especially large screen. These affordable pens are precise and include 20 replacement tips. It also doesn't hurt that the colors are vibrant and eye-catching. 

Sleek leather wallet cases for Samsung phones

FYY leather wallet cases for Samsung  phones, $29.99, available on Amazon

These leather wallet cases have built-in protection for credit cards to prevent thieves from wirelessly stealing credit card information. 

FYY has a wide variety of wallet cases you can check out for Samsung phones, with different designs and functionality. There are models that come with entirely separate cases that fit into a leather sleeve,  or versions where the phone fits into the leather sleeve itself. Either way, these FYY cases are a great, inexpensive gift that combines a wallet and a phone case into one. 

A car charger

Belkin Boostcharge 24W dual USB-A port with USB-A to USB-C cable, $19.94, available at Walmart

The Belkin Boostcharge can charge two devices at the same time in the car, and it comes with a USB-C to USB-A cable for recent and newer devices with USB-C charging ports. Each port delivers 12W of charging power for relatively quick and consistent charging.

Its small and sleek design won't take up much space at all in a car, and Belkin has long made an excellent reputation for itself in the mobile device accessories business, especially with charging devices.  

A portable Bluetooth keyboard

Logitech K480 multi-device Bluetooth keyboard, $34.99, available on Amazon 

The K480 wireless keyboard from Logitech has a slot where you can fit and prop up tablets and smartphones while you type. The built-in slot stand itself is a great feature that lets you type up an email, document, or text messages from anywhere. It's extremely versatile. 

It also has the ability to quickly switch the keyboard's Bluetooth connection between three different devices should you want to switch between a laptop, tablet, and/or smartphone on the fly. It's a battery-powered keyboard with a long battery life. As far as portable and versatile keyboards go, this is as good as it gets. 

A phone sanitizer that kills 99.99% of germs on their phone

PhoneSoap 3 UV Cell Phone Sanitizer and Dual Universal Cell Phone Charger, $79.95, available at PhoneSoap

For better or for worse, we bring our phones with us everywhere. PhoneSoap uses UV light to kill the many bacteria they pick up along the way. It also charges their phone at the same time.

Read our full PhoneSoap review right here

A headset to make it easy to take calls

Plantronics M95 Bluetooth Headset, $82.95, available at Walmart

Calls come through this headset with impressive clarity. They can rely on it for uninterrupted calls as they juggle tasks like driving, grocery shopping, and dealing with kids. 

Looking for more gift ideas? We've got you covered.

• Our master list of every gift guide you'll ever need
• Creative gift ideas under $25
• Thoughtful gift ideas under $50
• Clever gift ideas under $100
• Cool stocking stuffers on Amazon
• Affordable tech gifts under $25
• Thoughtful gifts for her, all under $50
• Cool gifts for him on Amazon

• The best gift ideas for college students are useful, but fun — like comfortable sneakers, a new pair of headphones, or a candle that smells like home.
• As a recent college graduate myself, I can confidently say that this list of college gifts is a really good place to start and finish your holiday shopping.
• It covers tech gifts, gifts for studying, beauty gifts, and much more for college boys and college girls.
• Need more Christmas gift ideas for the younger people in your life? Check out our gift guides for toddlers, teens, and all ages in between.
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals

This gift guide includes a Sponsored Product that has been suggested by Gravity Blankets. It also meets our editorial criteria in terms of quality and value.*

An Amazon Echo Dot for hands-free calls, alarms, music, updates on the weather, recipes, and more

Echo Dot (3rd Generation), available at Best Buy, $29.99

The Amazon Echo Dot is the most popular Amazon device for a reason — it's compact and has all the capabilities of Alexa (weather updates, recipes, music, news), which is the main reason most people buy an Echo device. A newer version of the Echo Dot was recently released, but the 3rd generation is a bit more affordable for comparable quality.

The world's most comfortable shoes

Wool Runners, Men, available at Allbirds, $95

Wool Runners, Women, available at Allbirds, $95

Startup Allbirds makes wildly popular shoes out of soft, sustainable materials. Their Runners made out of super-soft merino wool have been nicknamed "the world's most comfortable shoes." You can find a full review here. 

A weighted blanket

Gravity Blanket, $189, available at Gravity Blankets

Similar to the comfort created by swaddling babies, weighted blankets utilize deep-touch therapy to help users get deeper, more restful sleep, while also helping to reduce anxiety and stress — something they'll thank you for during finals week. In addition to its classic weighted blanket, we'd recommend Gravity's Cooling Weighted Blanket for hot sleepers, stuffy dorms, or those who attend warm-weather schools. 

*Sponsored by Gravity Blankets

A gift card for some new glasses

Gift Card, available at Warby Parker, from $50

As someone who transitioned from contacts to glasses because of increased screen time in college, I can attest that having a good pair of blue-light reflective glasses is crucial. Warby Parker is practically legendary when it comes to eyewear because of its relative affordability, size flexibility, and wide range of styles. 

The most comfortable socks college students will own

Women's Ankle Sock 4-Pack Gift Box, available at Bombas, $56

Men's Snowflake Calf Sock Gift Box, available at Bombas, $65

Bombas makes the best socks on the market. They benefit from upgrades like a supportive honeycomb stitch, blister tabs built into ankle-height styles, and a Y-stitched heel and "invisitoe" that minimizes annoying bumps. Even if it seems like socks aren't an exciting gift, comfort is pretty much always a hit in college. 

It was also founded to address that socks are the number one most requested item in homeless shelters. Every time customers buy a pair, they give a thoughtfully designed pair to someone in need. The company has donated more than 41 million pairs of socks to homeless shelters since 2013.

Bombas' Big Holiday Sale offers 20% off its entire site through December 2. The code "CHEER20" will be automatically applied at checkout.

Colorful reusable straws that can go through the dishwasher

Reusable Silicone Drinking Straws, available at Target, $10.97

Trying to adopt more eco-friendly habits is one of the great characteristics of younger generations. These reusable straws are colorful, bendable, and convenient. They're also dishwasher-safe. 

A portable projector that's the size of a soda can

Anker Nebula Capsule Smart Mini Projector, available at Walmart, $299.99

Anker's Nebula Capsule is a powerful and versatile mini projector, and its portability makes it a great option for college students who may be moving in and out of dorms and off-campus housing. It's 1 pound and the size of a soda can, but it has surprisingly crisp image quality and 360-degree sound. It's also quiet and has a continuous playtime of four hours. Find a full review here.

A personalized passport cover and luggage tag set

Passport Cover and Luggage Tag Set, available at Leatherology, $65 

Beautiful passport sets are a great gift for plenty of reasons. They're useful, likely something they won't have already bought themselves, and are often associated with the joy and excitement of travel. Sometimes, you want to own one thing for a long time — and luggage tags and the memories that accompany them are one of those items.

A smartphone-sized travel photo printer

Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Bluetooth Photo Printer, available at Staples, $99.99

Mini portable Bluetooth printers make turning iPhone photos into tangible memories quick and easy — which is especially convenient for decorating a dorm. All they'll have to do is download the app (which also has internal PhotoShop elements and features like themed stickers and collages) and connect via Bluetooth. 

Trendy and convenient Apple AirPods

Apple AirPods with Wireless Charging Case, available at Best Buy, $159.99

If you're after the title of their favorite relative of the year, here's a good place to start. AirPods are both easy to use and functional as well as trendy. The newer generation of AirPods can be purchased on Amazon for $200, but we also liked the earlier generation (which is slightly cheaper).

The most popular Fitbit

Fitbit Charge 3 Fitness Activity Tracker, available at Macy's, from $119.95

Fitbits track the wearer's health and fitness to offer insights into their sleep and physical activity. They can set personal goals and get real-time updates during workouts. This one is water-resistant up to 50 meters, and its battery life can last up to seven days. 

A great game for a night in with friends

Cards Against Humanity, available at Walmart, $25

Grab a fun card game they'll inevitably end up pulling out to play with friends on the weekend nights and snow days. Check out What Do You Meme, too.

A professional, compact backpack that can go from school to internship

ICON Backpack, available at Incase, $199.95

A backpack is the most versatile bag for a college student that's transitioning from internship or job to classes — but they probably don't want to bring their banged-up JanSport into the office. This model has adjustable padded shoulder straps and a sternum strap, a pocket for everything (including a side-access iPad pocket), and the exterior is professional, sleek, and slim enough to be work- and public transportation-friendly. 

A splashproof portable Bluetooth speaker for messy college events that call for music

JBL FLIP5 Bluetooth Speaker, available at B&H Photo, $89.95

Beach days, tailgates, outdoor parties of any kind (once it's safe enough for them to return)— grab this under-$100 Bluetooth speaker for the many occasions when loud music and a spill-friendly speaker are going to come in handy. 

Popular wireless over-ear headphones for quality noise-canceling during studying, traveling, and working out

Beats Solo Pro Wireless Noise Cancelling On-Ear Headphones, available at Amazon, $179.99

If there's one thing every college student needs, it's good wireless headphones. They'll use them at the gym, at the library, and commuting to class and internships. This brand-new Beats pair has rich sound, active noise canceling, and up to 22 hours of listening time. And if they let the battery run out, a 10-minute charge converts to three hours of playback. You can also find steep discounts on other Beats headphones now that a new model has launched. 

If they like to study in public spaces, you can't go wrong with Bose's pricey but unbeatable QuietComfort II headphones either. If they're a runner and need something lightweight and in-ear, you should opt for Jaybird Vista.

A savvy suitcase for traveling on holiday breaks

Carry-On, available at Away, $225

Away's hyper-popular suitcases deserve their hype. Their hard shell is lightweight but durable, their 360-degree spinner wheels make for seamless traveling, and the external (and ejectable and TSA-compliant) battery pack included can charge a smartphone five times over so they never have to sit behind a trash can at the airport for access to an outlet again. It's also guaranteed for life by Away. Find our full review here.

We also recommend Calpak. 

A book about capitalizing on the huge choices to make in your 20s

The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter — And How to Make the Most of Them Now, available at Amazon and Target, $11.89

The decisions you make in your 20s can greatly impact the rest of your life. The best defense is a good offense and your grad should know now, before any life-altering events crop up, how to get the most out of their "defining decade."

College merchandise for game days, tailgates, and spirit events

Shop American Eagle's Tailgate Apparel

Particularly if they're going to a school with a big sports team, you can be sure they'll both need and appreciate all the fan gear. 

One of the all-time best facial cleansers for a clean and effective routine

Luna 2 Facial Cleansing Device, Men, available at Skinstore, $169

Luna 2 Facial Cleansing Device, Women, available at FOREO, $199

FOREO's cult-favorite Luna 2 cleansing device gently and effectively cleans with thin, antimicrobial silicone touch points, and it removes 98.5% of dirt and makeup residue without irritating the skin. Plus, it's 100% waterproof and the battery life lasts for a few months per charge. Find a full review from a female reporter and a male reporter here.

A candle to remind college students of their favorite place or hometown while they're away at school

Homesick Scented Candle, available at Amazon and Uncommon Goods, from $28.93

If they're away from family and friends while at school, a reminder of home is a wonderful thing to have around. 

A wireless charging case for their Bluetooth devices

mophie Power Capsule External Battery Charger, available at Walmart, $18.95

This travel-friendly case charges wireless devices on the go — perfect for students with packed schedules and a lot of tech that they love using.

An iPad for Netflix-binging in their dorm, as well as for quick trips home that don't warrant a laptop

Apple iPad 128 GB, Latest Model, with Wi-Fi, $329.00

Budget-friendly: Fire HD 10 Tablet, available at Amazon, $149.99

They won't want to lug their laptop everywhere, and they may either already have a TV in their college house or not have the room for one. A tablet is small enough to be travel-friendly but large enough for convenient Netflix binging or note-taking. If you want more iPad options, find them here.

A monthly subscription of personalized new makeup, haircare, and skincare samples delivered to their door

Birchbox Three Month Subscription Gift Card, Men, available at Birchbox, $30

Birchbox Three Month Subscription, Women, available at Birchbox, $45

College students like to look and feel good, but tight budgets aren't conducive to trying a lot of new, often expensive grooming products. Birchbox sends samples of new and beloved products once a month, so they can test out new finds and discover products they may want to buy a full size of in the future. It's also just fun to get a monthly gift that's all about them. 

The best electric toothbrush

Oral-B White Pro 1000, available at Best Buy, $29.99

We rated this the best electronic toothbrush you can buy overall. If you're looking for something a little trendier, you should pick up a Quip toothbrush.

A Brooklinen gift card for really nice sheets

Gift Card, available at Brooklinen, from $50

Few things sound so nice as comfortable, beautiful sheets that you don't need to buy for yourself. Brooklinen is one of our favorite startups to shop at, and we ranked their sateen cotton sheets (from $139) the best luxury sheets you can buy.

A funny but useful book full of expert and student advice on everything from finances to relationships and dorm life

The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College, available at Barnes & Noble, $15.99

For everything from sharing a bathroom with 40 strangers to social network do's and don'ts, this funny but useful New York Times bestseller runs the gamut. 

Childlike cereal for adults

Four Flavors, available at Magic Spoon, $39

Magic Spoon is a new "childlike cereal for adults" that's high in protein and low in sugar — and all four flavors are delicious. Here's one way to show college kids it's completely possible to transition to adulthood without losing all the joy of being a kid. You can read more in a personal review here. 

Framed memories

Gift Card or Frame a Memory, available at Framebridge, from $25

Help them bring some of their best memories to their college home — whether it's from friends now studying across the country, family, or best-loved locales. Framebridge is relatively affordable, but decor is one of the luxuries plenty of college students shirk to save elsewhere — even though it can make their home a much more inviting, happy place.

An inexpensive way for college students to get the iced coffee they love at home

Takeya 2-Quart Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, $34.99

The Takeya Cold Brew Maker is an inexpensive, easy way to make cold brew from home — something that can save them hundreds of dollars per year. Find a full review here.

A monogrammed leather shave bag so students can keep all their things in one place that isn't a plastic shower caddy

Leatherology Small Shave Bag, available at Leatherology, from $90 (available for monogram for $10)

The dreaded truth of college is that you'll most likely need to schlep your shower belongings to a communal area if you live in the dorms. No one wants to rely on a plastic shower caddy to do that. Grab them a leather shave bag that they'll use for years to come — they probably wouldn't justify the expense on their own, and they'll be grateful to have it. 

If you're looking for a chic aesthetic, Dagne Dover also makes a great neoprene toiletry bag named the Hunter (from $35) that's built to accommodate makeup. If they have a lot of toiletries, you'll probably want to get the large size for $55.

A really nice blazer they can wear to an internship or interview

The Oversized Blazer, available at Everlane, from $170

Bonobos Jetsetter Slim Fit Stretch Wool Blazer, available at Bonobos and Nordstrom, from $350

Most college students probably don't have a wealth of professional clothing to pull from for high-pressure situations like interviews and a big internship. Help them make a good impression, and see your money go to good use, with a blazer they can use repeatedly and for years to come. We've also created a list of our personal favorite workwear stores— plus the best styles to buy from each one. 

A battery pack that charges an iPhone twice as fast as the original iPhone charger

Elecjet PowerPie, available at Amazon, $49

I said before that college students primarily need a good pair of wireless headphones. They also need a portable external charger. This gift is extremely convenient — whether for traveling, stalled subway rides, or nights out trying to connect with friends. It will also give you peace of mind to know the odds of them getting stuck somewhere unfamiliar with a dead phone are lessened. 

A nice watch they can wear to internships from a popular startup

Gunmetal Sandstone, Men, available at MVMT, $110.70

Lexington, Women, available at MVMT, $95

MVMT makes beautiful watches for men and women at great prices, and they feel more contemporary to wear than most on the market. It's a versatile, sentimental gift you can feel good about giving because you know they'll feel good — and perhaps more put-together — wearing it. 

A cult-favorite tumbler to keep their drinks just the right temperature for hours spent in the library

Hydro Flask 40 oz.Water Bottle, available at Hyrdo Flask, $49.95

This HydroFlask will keep cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours with the lid on. 

A laundry hamper with adjustable straps so they don't need to drag laundry blocks or flights of stairs

Cuddly Nest Oxford Laundry Bag 2 in 1, available at Amazon, $16.99

Not all dorms have elevators, and if they have to travel downstairs or across the street to do their laundry, they're not going to want to drag a hamper. 

An Amazon Prime membership

Gift an Amazon Prime membership, $119

An Amazon Prime membership is one of those things that immediately makes life easier and ultimately better. If you decide to gift one, the recipient will enjoy free two-day shipping; access to the Prime Now app, which provides free two-hour delivery on tens of thousands of items; Prime Video, Amazon's streaming video service; Prime Music; the Kindle Lending Library; Prime Reading; Prime Audible Channels; unlimited photo storage, and more.

If you want to see how Amazon Prime ($119 for the year) actually gives you a lot more than free shipping, you can read about the benefits of the service here.

A cookbook made for mornings where food is necessary but complicated recipes are absolutely not

The Hungover Cookbook, available at Target, $7.99

This cookbook is filled with everything they need to know to assess and improve a hangover, including dozens of comforting recipes. 

The most comfortable lounge pants we've ever tried for lazy weekend mornings

The Lounge Pant, Men, available at MeUndies, $68

The Lounge Pant, Women, available at MeUndies $68

MeUndies is a popular LA startup that makes some of the most comfortable underwear we've ever tried. Their lounge pants, however, are the real hidden gem — perfect for lounging around on weekend mornings or heading to the dining hall, and they're sleek enough to avoid looking too unkempt for the comfort. 

A key-, wallet-, and iPhone-finder

Tile Mate with Replaceable Battery, 4-Pack, available at B&H Photo, $59.95

You can't go wrong with a tracker for their keys, wallet, or phone. The Tile Mate is compact, thoughtful, and useful for everyone — especially an oft-frazzled college student. 

Tools they will undoubtedly need and be grateful to own, but likely won't buy themselves

Stalwart 130-Piece Tool Set, available at The Home Depot, $25.97

They're going to need tools at some point, and they're probably going to be underwhelmed by the prospect of spending money on such an unexciting purchase. You could also send them off with a First Aid Kit.

The best pillow you can buy

Premium Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow, available at Coop Home Goods and Amazon, from $59.99

Make sure they're optimizing their sleep with the best pillow you can buy. Thanks to the shredded memory foam, they'll get the support and comfortable "sinking in" sensation of a traditional memory foam pillow, but none of the excessive heat or firmness that can be a problem with solid foam. Read more in our Buying Guide here.

A lightweight, business casual laptop bag

Ryan Laptop Bag, available at Dagne Dover, from $135

Weston Laptop Bag, available at Dagne Dover, from $135

They can take this laptop bag everywhere from class to the library to their office internship without batting an eyelash. Which, considering how much college students juggle, is a big convenience. Find a full review of the laptop bags here. 

An undated planner that uses efficiency hacks to break down a 10-year plan into daily stepping stones

BestSelf Co. Undated Daily Habit Planner, available at Amazon, $31.99

The Best Self Co. Journal breaks down daunting long-term plans into bite-size steps that make forming good habits easy, efficient, and stress-free. College invites you to plan for the rest of your life — and decide all of a sudden what you want to be — and the question can feel ambiguous and daunting. This should help. Plus, it has no dates so you can give it for any occasion — not just the New Year.

Gift a customized Grafomap poster, from $49

Commemorate their college town, hometown, or favorite place in the world with this customizable graphic map so they can keep it with them wherever life takes them.

A ten-minute breakfast that will save them money and time

Dash Rapid Egg Cooker, available at Target, $17.39

The Dash Rapid Egg Cooker looks gimmicky but is actually deceptively useful. It's compact, and it makes virtually every kind of egg (hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or omelets) perfectly, and in under 10 minutes. 

A hyper-useful extra-long, reinforced phone charger

Native Union 10-Foot Extra-Long Charging Cable with Leather Strap, available at Amazon $34.99

If they're going to be tethered to devices, you may as well make it a long leash. Dorms often have sparse or inconvenient outlets, and everything is pushed up against and covering any would-be useful outlets anyway. This long charging cable means no matter where one is, they'll have power — and they won't have to sit at the foot of their bed to reach it. 

A gift card to a popular wine subscription club

Gift Card, available at Winc, from $60

Winc is a personalized wine club — and we think the best one you can belong to overall. Members take a wine palate profile quiz and then choose from the personalized wine suggestions. Each bottle has extensive tasting notes and serving recommendations online, and makes it easy to discover similar bottles.

However, it's worth noting that this works best for students living off-campus. It may not be convenient for students who live in dorms and have to walk far to a campus post office. 

An instant coffee maker for busy mornings

Keurig K50/K-Classic Coffee Maker, available at Best Buy, $79.99

Keurig K55/K-Classic Coffee Maker, available at Amazon, $79

If they drink coffee, they're going to appreciate having easy, fast access to it for the many rushed mornings ahead. A Keurig is intuitive and ubiquitous. If you'd rather steer them away from single-use plastic K-Cups, grab these reusable and compatible cups as an accompanying gift.

A comfy Patagonia pullover they'll rely on a lot

Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Pullover, Men, available at Patagonia, $119

Women's Better Sweater 1/4-Zip Fleece, available at Patagonia, $82.99

It's a good bet that many of their peers will also have this Snap-T pullover from Patagonia. It and the Better Sweater are long-held favorites, and both are comfortable classics that they'll no doubt come to rely upon. 

A Patagonia sweater is also a particularly good gift for students who are invested in sustainability. The company has been turning plastic bottles into polyester for its clothing since 1993, and continues to do so today.

A gym bag that can transition to a professional setting

Herschel Supply Co. Novel Duffel Bag, available at Nordstrom, $90

Just like bringing a beat-up JanSport into an office, lugging a multi-colored nylon gym bag in isn't ideal for anyone looking to prove their gravitas despite being the youngest person there. Herschel Supply Co. makes reliable, versatile bags, and this one has a separate compartment for gym or dress shoes. 

A NutriBullet blender for fast, easy smoothies

NutriBullet Pro 13-Piece Set, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, $67.99

Whether they're moving in with roommates or finally moving in alone, they need a NutriBullet. It's convenient, doesn't require a ton of space, and makes fruit smoothies in under 30 seconds. This is particularly great for the health-conscious, or anyone who can't finish fruit or veggies fast enough; if it gets a little too ripe to eat, throw it in a smoothie to avoid waste.

A microwave-safe ramen cooker for the most stressful or time-crunched nights

Rapid Ramen Cooker, available at Walmart, $9.07

There will be plenty of late nights filled with cheap and tasty ramen. If they're going to eat it anyway, at least let them make it quickly and perfectly every time.

A media streamer that transforms a normal TV into a smart one — so it plays shows and movies from Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and other streaming services

Roku Ultra 4K/HDR/HD Streaming Player, available at Kohl's, $79.99

Most college students aren't forking over a monthly payment to cable. This streaming player is the best one you can buy overall, and it transforms an otherwise 'dumb' TV into a smart one that can stream shows and movies from their Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Prime Video, and others all in one spot.  

A super soft throw blanket they'll find themselves cocooned in many times

BEDSURE Sherpa Fleece Blanket, available at Amazon, from $15.99

Grab their favorite candy, this sherpa-lined fleece blanket with over 4,400 five-star reviews on Amazon, and a Hulu gift card to make sure they spend at least a few nights in, relaxing and watching movies with friends. 

Gift cards — perhaps the best gift you can give a cash-strapped college student

What a stressed, broke college student needs most is money and probably a hug. If you're looking for a way to gift maximum convenience, gift cards are a surprisingly thoughtful way to do that — either for their favorite restaurant, transportation, school books, or music to keep them occupied during long library hours. Check out more gift card gifts here. 

Everything: Visa Gift Card / Amazon Gift Card / Gift Amazon Prime Membership

Coffee: Starbucks Gift Card

School books: Amazon Gift Card 

Entertainment: Netflix Gift Card / Hulu Gift Card / Sling Gift Card / StubHub gift card

Transportation: Uber Gift Card

Decoration: Framebridge Gift Card

Furniture: Amazon Gift Card / Wayfair Gift Card

Music: Spotify Gift Card

Sheets: Brooklinen Gift Card

Groceries and food: Whole Foods Gift Card / Chipotle Gift Card

Clothes: Nordstrom Gift Card / Everlane Gift Card

Tech: Best Buy Gift Card

Travel: Delta Gift Card

A gift card to ClassPass so they can go to tons of boutique fitness classes without the expense

Gift Card, available at ClassPass, choose your amount

Boutique fitness classes are expensive. ClassPass makes them less so. Once in-person fitness is safe again, college students can drop into diverse exercise classes at tons of different specialized studios for $15 or less per class (about half their traditional cost). If they like to be active, are looking for a newfound favorite class, or like yoga as much as boxing classes, this is a great gift they'll actually use.

Concert tickets to enjoy with friends

Live concert and game tickets, available at StubHub, from $15 per person

Life doesn't stop just because you're studying. When it's safe to do so, encourage your loved one to take time to enjoy activities outside of campus with friends by giving them a solely-for-fun allowance (ie a gift card) to spend on concerts, games, and plays. 

• If you're looking for gifts for tech enthusiasts, but don't want to break the bank, we've rounded up some affordable options for under $50.
• Our picks include big-name devices, like the Google Nest Mini and Roku Streaming Stick+, as well as some specialty products, like a 5-meal automatic pet feeder.
• Check out all of our 2020 gift guides for even more inspiration. 
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and deals

Shopping for tech gifts can be a stressful experience — there's so much out there that it's hard to know where to start. 

But, don't worry: If you're having trouble finding quality tech gifts that are also affordable, we've got some ideas for you. Whether you're shopping for a friend, parent, child, cousin, colleague, or even a pet, you'll be able to find a tech gift here that suits your needs.

The 5 best tech gifts under $50:

1. Lectrofan White Noise Machine
2. Roku Streaming Stick+
3. Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker
4. Tile Pro Bluetooth tracker
5. Wyze Cam home security camera

Scribd Subscription

Scribd Subscription, available at Scribd, $50-$100

For any friend who loves to read, a Scribd subscription is the perfect gift. Scribd has a massive library of electronic books, magazines, audiobooks, and documents, from classics to the newest releases. Scribd is available for iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, Nook, and all web browsers, so your friend can read on the go, wherever they are. 

Super Sonic Scrubber

Super Sonic Scrubber, available at Amazon, $25.75

This is one of our reviewers' favorite cleaning gadgets. It can quickly and comprehensively clean any surface, from your bathroom sink to the roof of your car. It comes with five different brush heads to conquer all types of grime.

Wyze Cam

Wyze Cam, available at Amazon, $25.98

If your friend or relative is looking for a security camera, this is one of the best (and cheapest) gifts you can buy them. It captures excellent HD video, sends phone notifications when it detects movement, and is tiny enough to blend into its surroundings.

Our reviewer called this device "a shockingly great home security camera." 

Mpow Selfie Stick

Mpow Selfie Stick, available at Amazon, $11.99

For a friend or relative who loves to take selfies, a selfie stick is a must-gift. This is our reviewers' favorite budget option. It can extend up to 31.9 inches, features a 270-degree adjustable head, and can accommodate many smartphone sizes with its adjustable holder.

Bagsmart Electronic Organizer

Bagsmart Electronic Organizer, available at Amazon, $18.39

If you have a friend or relative who likes to bring a lot of tech on their travels, this gift will make their life a lot easier. It's just the size of a book, but it has handy pockets and pouches for all tech accessories you need, including cables, cords, adapters, SD cards, flash drives, and more.

Rocketbook Smart Notebook

Rocketbook Smart Notebook, available at Amazon, $27.72

The Rocketbook Smart Notebook looks like a standard notebook, but it's actually a high-tech device. Write or draw on its 36 pages with the included FriXion pen, and you can easily save your work as a PDF or JPEG with your phone. The pages are also re-usable; just wipe them down with a wet cloth to start again. 

Editor's note: This gift will arrive after Christmas.

Lay-N-Go Wired Tech Bag

Lay-n-Go Wired Tech Bag, available at Walmart, $31.46

This is similar to the BagSmart organizer, but it's a bit larger and a bit more expensive. The bag has mesh pockets and straps to hold your headphones, dongles, cords, chargers, phones, e-readers, and whatever other tech you may need to carry around. It's also easy to fold into a compact shape, and you can hang it from the seat in front of you with an attached strap.

Cyxus Blue Light-Blocking Glasses

Cyxus Blue Light Blocking Glasses, available at Amazon, $19.99

Blue light-blocking glasses make a great gift for anyone who spends a lot of time looking at screens. Cyxus sells affordable full-rim, half-rim, and clip-on frames. The company also offers a one-year warranty, so your friend can get them repaired or replaced if necessary. 

Digits Touchscreen Gloves

Digits Touchscreen Gloves, available at Moshi, $29.95

Winter can be a rough time for tech enthusiasts, because gloves make it difficult to use a touchscreen. Never fear: the Moshi Digits Touchscreen Gloves are here to help. The fingertips are made with "conductive fibers" customized for use with a phone or tablet, and the palms include rubberized grips to keep you from dropping your gadgets. 

Anker PowerWave Fast Wireless Charging Stand

Anker PowerWave Fast Wireless Charging Stand, available at Amazon, $29.99

If you're not sure what gift to give a tech lover, you can't go wrong with a wireless charger. This one is just $30, and it can charge any phone that supports wireless charging, even through a thick phone case. As a bonus, it's got a futuristic, modern design that will look quite nice on your desk. 

Ytonet Laptop Bag

Ytonet Laptop Bag, available at Amazon, $29.99

Gift this sleek, professional laptop bag for just under $30. Not only does it look great, but it also has extra compartments for a phone, tablet, passport, pens, umbrella, water bottle, and anything else your friend or family member might need to carry around. 

Nomad USB-C Universal Cable

USB-C Universal Cable, available at Nomad, $34.95

This cable includes USB-A, Micro USB, and USB-C endings, so it's a perfect gift for a friend or relative who needs to charge many different devices. It's 1.5 meters long, and has a braided nylon covering to prevent fraying. Nomad says the cable will last at least five years, so it'll be a gift that keeps on giving. 

Pure Enrichment PureRelief XL King-Size Heating Pad

Pure Enrichment PureRelief XL King Size Heating Pad, available at Amazon, $34.99

This heating pad is designed to alleviate full-body pain. Drape it over your shoulders and fasten it around your neck, or place on your arms or legs to help relieve muscle tension and pain. It has six temperature settings, from 105 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tile Pro

Tile Pro, available at Amazon, $29.99

For any friend who's disorganized or worried about losing their keys, the Tile Pro will be a godsend. They can stick this tiny battery-powered device on their key ring and, if they lose their keys, they can remotely activate an alarm, or locate it if it's out of range of their phone using a crowd-finding network. 

Monoprice Recessed Wall Tap

Monoprice Recessed Wall Tap, available at Amazon, $29.24 

This probably sounds like a boring gift, but hear me out. You can stick this gadget into any regular outlet to make that outlet into an advanced smart outlet. Any device you plug in, be it a lamp, fan, air conditioner, or anything else, becomes a smart device that you can turn on and off using Alexa and Google Assistant. The wall tap includes two outlets and two USB ports, all of which can be controlled separately. 

Kasa Smart Bulb

Kasa Smart Light Bulb, Multicolor, available at Amazon, $16.99

TP Link's Kasa smart bulbs are some of the best cheap smart devices you can get. They work with Alexa and Google Assistant, and can create all sorts of cool effects. You can also incorporate them into scenes and routines, and set them to timers and schedules. 

Elecjet PowerPie Power Bank

Elecjet PowerPie Power Bank, available at Amazon, $49

A power bank is an excellent gift for anyone who travels or spends a lot of time out and about. The Elecjet PowerPie is our current pick for the best power bank overall, and it's available for just under $50. It supports the Power Delivery 3.0 standard via its USB-C port and the Quick Charge 3.0 standard via its USB-A port, so it can accommodate a variety of smartphones and laptops. And thanks to its massive 20,000mAh of capacity, it can provide plenty of juice.

Editor's note: This gift arrives after Christmas.

Amazon Fire TV Stick

Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote, available at Amazon, $29.99

If you're not sure what to buy someone, a streaming stick is usually a safe bet. The Fire TV Stick is one of the cheapest ones out there, and it will allow your friend to search for content with their voice (using the included voice remote) and access hundreds of streaming services, including Hulu, Netflix, Disney Plus, and (of course) Amazon Prime Video. This model supports up to 1080p playback with HDR. On the downside, the device is currently missing support for Peacock. 

FosPower Emergency Solar Hand Crank Portable Radio, LED Flashlight, USB Charger and SOS Alarm

FosPower Emergency Solar Hand Crank Portable Radio, LED Flashlight, USB Charger and SOS Alarm, available at Amazon, $34.99

Yes, you read that correctly: This is a radio, flashlight, charger, and SOS alarm in one. Anyone who enjoys hiking or other outdoor activities will love this device, which can be powered by solar power, a hand crank, AAA batteries, or a rechargeable power bank. Oh, and it has a USB port to charge other devices as well. 

Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard

Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard, available at Best Buy, $29.99

This is our favorite Bluetooth keyboard and with good reason: it can remember up to three device connections at a time, it works with both Windows and Mac operating systems, and at just 10.9 x 4.9 inches, it's compact enough to easily carry in your purse or backpack. Your friend can whip this out and type whenever inspiration strikes, whether they're in bed, at a coffee shop, on the bus, or anywhere else.  

Soundcore Spirit X Sports Headphones

Soundcore Spirit X Sports Headphones, available at Amazon, $25.99

Many people think you can't buy good sports headphones under $50, but this pair is a perfect counterexample. They sound great, they're good at blocking out the noise around you, and thanks to their hook-like design and a cable management clip in the back, they won't come out of your ears while you exercise. Our reviewer Brandt Ranj said "they sound as good as pairs that cost double the price." 

Logitech M557 Bluetooth Mouse

Logitech M557 Bluetooth Mouse, available at Amazon, $34.99

A Bluetooth mouse makes a great gift, and this tiny one is our favorite. It's completely wireless — there's no receiver — so your friend can just whip it out and start clicking without fiddling with their computer's USB port. They can also customize the device's six buttons to map to the tasks they value the most. Our reviewer Brandt Ranj liked the M557 so much that he bought a second one to use at work. 

Doss Soundbox Touch Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

Doss Soundbox Touch Wireless Bluetooth Speaker, available at Amazon, $27.95

You might not expect a small, portable speaker to sound very good. But the Doss SoundBox Touch, one of the top-selling speakers on Amazon weighs just 1.4 pounds and still delivers excellent audio with very full bass. It also features up to 20 hours of battery life, and a Bluetooth range of 33 feet so you're unlikely to lose connection.

Long Crossbody Phone Pocket

Long Crossbody Phone Pocket, available at Leatherology, $40

As smartphones increase in size, it's becoming more of a pain to carry them around, especially for folks who often wear clothing without pockets. That's why our reviewers recommend Leatherology's Long Crossbody Phone Pocket, a stylish carrying case for your phone. It has an exterior front pocket to hold other stuff as well.

Note: Make sure that your recipient's phone will fit, as this pocket is only guaranteed to hold iPhones and a few Samsung models. 

Kopack Lightweight Laptop Backpack

Kopack Lightweight Laptop Backpack, available at Amazon, $33.99

This is the best backpack to give a tech enthusiast — full stop. It has a laptop pouch, a lockable compartment for valuables, a USB port to charge devices, and a whopping 17 interior pockets for cords, chargers, and other accessories. It's also water-resistant, so your stuff won't get ruined in the rain.

Sonic Bomb Extra-Loud Dual Alarm Clock

Sonic Bomb Extra-Loud Dual Alarm Clock, available at Amazon, $29.90

This is a perfect gift for the many, many people you probably know who have trouble getting out of bed in the morning. This device will use pulsating lights, extra-loud noises, and a 12-volt bed shaker to make sure they're out the door on time.

PetSafe 5-Meal Pet Feeder

PetSafe 5-Meal Pet Feeder, available at Amazon, $33.71

This is a great gift for a pet owner (or for your pet). It's a battery-powered feeder that automatically dispenses up to five pet meals on a schedule that you set. If you're out of the house for a few days, you'll know your pet is taken care of.

8Bitdo SN30 Pro Wireless Bluetooth Controller

8Bitdo SN30 Pro Wireless Bluetooth Controller, available at Amazon, $44.99 [Save an extra 6% with a coupon]

8Bitdo controllers are light and easy to hold, and the buttons are easy for smaller fingers to maneuver. They make a great, affordable gift for any game-loving friend or relative, but especially those who enjoy retro gaming. While the wireless Sn30 looks old-fashioned, it has all the buttons you need for most modern games, including dual analog sticks. 

Etip Gloves

Etip Gloves, available at The North Face, $45

I'm a big of The North Face's eTip gloves, which are more expensive and higher quality than the Digits gloves I mentioned earlier in this guide. Not only are they made of grippy and fully conductive material, but they're super stretchy and come in a variety of fun designs. 

JBL Clip 3

JBL Clip 3 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker, available at Best Buy, $39.99

This tiny portable Bluetooth speaker will allow your friend or relative to take their tunes on the go. It's waterproof, so you can bring it to the beach or out in the rain, and plays up to 10 hours on a charge. You can also use it to make calls, with the help of its noise-cancelling speaker technology.

PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Water Fountain

PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Water Fountain, available at Amazon, $44.95

Here's another one for pets — specifically, cats. It's a mini fountain that constantly filters and dispenses clean running water. It'll ensure that your cat has access to a fresh drink at all times, even when you're not home to refill their bowl. 

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, available at Amazon, $49.00

These are our reviewers' favorite cheap headphones for their excellent sound quality, comfortable design, and effective noise-isolation. Note that as studio headphones, these are best suited for use with a computer, TV, or home-entertainment system, rather than a smartphone. They're attached to a sturdy 3.5mm cable, and come with a 6.3mm adapter for larger audio equipment. 

Editor's note: This gift may arrive after Christmas.

Google Home Mini

Google Nest Mini, available at Walmart, $24.98

A Google Nest Mini is a great gift for a friend looking to get started on a smart home, or anyone who just wants a nice smart speaker. It sounds decent for its small size, and it's got a very cute futuristic design for a modern home. If your friend hasn't used a voice AI before, they'll love playing around with Google Assistant and discovering everything it can do. 

Corsair K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard

Corsair K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard, available at Amazon, $49.88

Any gamer or aspiring-gamer friends will appreciate the gift of a good gaming keyboard. This is our reviewers' favorite budget option for its full RGB lighting and solid, well-built keys. It also has six programmable buttons which they can customize to their gaming style. Though the K55 is only $49, it has the look and feel of a much more expensive RGB device.

LectroFan White Noise Machine

LectroFan White Noise Machine, available at Amazon, $35.84

If you have a friend or relative who has trouble sleeping, you need to buy them this white noise machine, which plays ten different types of fan sounds. You might be skeptical, but trust me: The LectroFan's fan sounds are actually the most calming ambient noise I have ever heard. (For more traditional users, it plays 10 levels of white noise as well). I gave this device to an insomniac friend this summer, and he still uses it every night.

Amazon Echo Dot

Echo Dot, available at Amazon, $29.99

Don't let the price fool you: The Echo Dot is a great gift not just because it has Amazon Alexa built in, but also because for such a small speaker, it sounds incredible. You can also ask Alexa to adjust the equalizer settings on the Dot (for example, "Alexa, turn up the bass"). 

Like the Google Nest Mini, this gift is a great way to introduce a friend to smart home and voice assistants. The new fourth-generation model features an updated spherical design, but the puck-shaped third-generation version is still available if you're looking for an even more affordable gift option. 

Logitech Z313 Speaker System

Logitech Z313 Speaker System, available at Amazon, $34.99

For any friend who is looking to replace their computer speakers (or buy their first set), Logitech's Z313 is the best budget option. The system includes two stereo speakers and a subwoofer, and while they won't deliver premium sound, they're head and shoulders above any monitor's built-in speakers. 

Editor's note: This gift arrives after Christmas.

Roku Streaming Stick+

Roku Streaming Stick+, available at Amazon, $47.99

The Roku Streaming Stick+ is a bit more expensive than the Fire TV Stick, but if you've got a larger budget, it has a simpler interface and a few apps that are missing from Amazon's platform, like Vudu and Peacock. This model also steps things up from HD to 4K streaming support. The included remote has dedicated buttons for a few popular streaming apps, along with a microphone for voice search. On the downside, it's still missing HBO Max.

Satechi 7-Port USB Charging Station Dock

Satechi 7-Port USB Charging Station Dock, available at Amazon, $49.99

Gift this device to any tech enthusiast, and they'll wonder where it's been their whole life. It can charge seven devices at once, and all seven USB ports have surge protection. You also don't have to worry about tangled cables — the dock has seven slots with anti-scratch silicone pads to hold each device upright while it juices. 

Anker Soundcore 2

Anker Soundcore 2, available at Amazon, $39.99

Anker makes a lot of great Bluetooth speakers, but this is one of the best-value ones. It's portable and water-proof, boasts 24 hours of play time on a single battery charge, and produces a big, booming sound. 

Plantronics M95 Bluetooth Headset

Plantronics M95 Bluetooth Headset, available at Best Buy, $49.99

Gift this to business-y friends or relatives who are always on the phone. It allows you to make phone calls hands-free, and features noise-reduction so your conversation is loud and clear. 

• The best tech gifts for Mom are those that upgrade her life in simple ways.
• We've found some of the best tech gifts for moms that are both useful and fun.
• You can also check out all our Gift Guides to find something for everyone on your list.
• Also, if tech won't do the trick, we've got lots of great gift ideas for Mom. 

A good tech device can help make life more convenient and entertaining, which is why gadgets make such great gifts for just about everyone, including moms.

Whether she's a huge bookworm, a fitness buff, or a new mother who wants the best for her kid, we've got a great tech gift for Mom in our guide. Our list includes tech gifts that fit a variety of budgets, so there should be something for everyone. 

A fun grip for her phone

Shop all PopSockets grips for $6 and up

Tech products can look and feel generic until we put our stamp on them, and PopSocket grips are a great way to add personality to a boring phone or case. PopSockets has hundreds, if not thousands, of fun phone grips in all kinds of materials, colors, and patterns. No matter what your mom likes, you're sure to find a style that will match her taste and personality.

In addition to looking super cute, PopSocket grips make it easier to hold a large phone comfortably, give a better grip, and also double as a kickstand for watching video or sharing photos with others. These grips are among the best iPhone accessories I've tried.

A piece of smart jewelry

Bellabeat Leaf Urban and Leaf Chakra, available at Amazon, from $103.33

If your mom cares more about style than high-tech features, but she still wants a piece of tech to track her activity, she may love a piece of smart jewelry. Bellabeat makes our favorite smart jewelry— hands down. Both the Leaf Urban and the Chakra are lovely pieces of smart jewelry that can be worn as pendants on a necklace or as a clip on clothing. If your mom prefers bracelets, the Leaf Urban can also be worn as a bracelet.

For moms who like a bit of sparkle, Bellabeat also has a version of the Leaf with Swarovski crystals on it for $119 (pictured above).

Both models track activity and sleep quality. Your mom can also use the app to keep tabs on how much water she drinks, her period, and her mindfulness minutes. The app even has a cool meditation feature to give your mom a few minutes of tranquility each day.

A Tile Bluetooth tracker for everything

Tile Mate and Tile Slim Bundle, available at Tile, $59.99

Moms have lots of things to keep track of in their lives, and it can be easy to, you know, lose track. This is when Tile Bluetooth trackers are handy. Mom can throw one of these on her keys or in her wallet, so that she never has to go scrambling for one of those things when it's time for work or an appointment. 

A good tablet for reading, checking email, and watching Netflix on a bigger screen

Apple iPad, available from Apple for $329

Even though most of us are attached to our phones, scrolling through email, reading the news, and watching YouTube on a screen that's five or six inches is less than ideal. Apple's entry-level $329 iPad is a great choice for anyone in search of a general-purpose tablet. It has a great screen, long battery life, and solid performance for those who want something that's more portable than a laptop but bigger than a phone. 

A keyboard case to make her iPad feel more like a laptop

Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case for $149.99

If your mom already has an iPad, or perhaps maybe she's getting one as a gift from someone a keyboard case is a great addition that will enable her to get much more use out of it. Logitech has a wide variety of keyboard accessories and cases, including the Logitech Combo Touch, which is compatible with the 7th and 8th generation iPad. This model includes a spacious keyboard and trackpad and connects through Apple's smart connector, which means no fiddling with Bluetooth.

A beautiful wireless charger

Courant wireless chargers, available at Courant, $32 to $123

Courant has a wide range of leather-clad wireless chargers and wireless charging battery packs that are as beautiful as they are useful. Mom can charge her phone, AirPods, and other gadgets with wireless charging on these pads quickly and easily. We really love the catch-all that also has a space for her wallet, keys, jewelry, and other small items. We've used Courant's chargers in our own homes and office, and they are reliable, easy to use, and super attractive to look at.

A streaming stick to make her TV smart

Roku Premiere 4K Streaming Media Player, available at Best Buy, $27.99

Roku's streaming stick can make mom's TV smart so she can watch all her favorite shows on Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services. The Premiere is affordable, too, so it makes a nice budget friendly tech gift for mom.

A hydroponic garden

AeroGarden Harvest, available at AeroGarden, $99.95

Who doesn't love fresh herbs, tomatoes, and produce? AeroGraden's easy-to-use hydroponic gardens make a great gift for moms who want to grow some fresh food indoors. The Harvest has LED lights that turn on and off each day automatically to ensure that the included seed pods get all the light they need to grow. The device also alerts you when it's time to add fresh water or plant food, making it super easy to grow herbs or produce at home. Moms can grow fresh herbs, tomatoes, lettuce, and more. We've tried it to great success!

A pair of blue-light-blocking glasses

Shop all glasses at Felix Gray for $95 and up

These days, we all spend a lot of time looking at screens that display harsh blue light, which can lead to eye strain and disrupted sleep patterns. Luckily, Felix Gray makes incredible blue-light-blocking glasses for people who don't need glasses at all, as well as those who need reading or prescription glasses.

The company uses special lenses that filter out blue light. Its regular pairs look like normal glasses without any visible yellow tint, but the special sleep glasses have a yellow cast to their lenses. However, they block even more blue light, making them ideal for nighttime reading. We've tried Felix Gray's glasses and we love them— we think Mom will, too.

A mobile printer for her phone

Fujifilm SP-3 Mobile Printer, available at Amazon, $95

Most moms today are shutterbugs who love to take photos, and most shutterbugs also want to print their photos. In the age of smartphone photography, a mobile printer that prints photos directly from a phone is a great gift. Fujifilm's SP-3 is the best one you can buy, because it's easy to use, not too expensive, and produces nice prints.

A cool device to turn old photo negatives and slides into digital photos

Kodak Mobile Film Scanner, available at B&H Photo and Amazon, $35

If your mom is anything like mine, she's got tons of old photos, negatives, and slides lying around from the days of physical photography. You can help her digitize her old negatives and slides with this nifty device from Kodak. Using her phone's camera and an app, she can capture the images stored on negatives and slides and get them onto her phone as normal digital pictures.

A customizable phone case

Casetify Custom Case, available at Casetify, from $50

Casetify's easy to use tool lets you turn your mom's favorite photos into a custom iPhone case. Talk about a customizable gift with practical use.

A smart picture frame

Aura Smart Picture Frame, available at Kohl's, from $179.99

Moms love nothing more than looking at pictures of their children. The Aura smart picture frame lets you send Mom new photos to look at all the time.

An Amazon Echo Show for video calls

Amazon Echo Show 5, available on Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, from $44.99

If your mom or mother-in-law doesn't own a smartphone, that makes getting "face time" with her grandkids rather difficult. Luckily, Amazon's smart displays offer a video calling function, bringing that function into their home cheaply and easily.

One of the best smartwatches to date

Apple Watch SE, available at Best Buy, $259

Some moms are total tech geeks, and there's nothing more appealing to a geek than a nice looking smartwatch. If Mom is an iPhone user, get her an Apple Watch SE. It's the new more affordable smartwatch from Apple, and it has all the features she'll need.

A watch that looks like a traditional timepiece, but has a lot of smarts

Withings Steel HR, available at Amazon and Withings for $179.95

If your mom isn't crazy about smartwatches with screens, but she still wants a watch that has some smart features, she'll love the Withings Steel HR. It looks like a normal watch, but it has a heart rate monitor and other sensors to track activity and sleep. The Steel HR also buzzes with notifications from select apps. The watch has a tiny screen at 12 o'clock, so when she presses the button on the side, she can see the date, time, her metrics, and incoming notifications.

A smart mug that keeps her drink the perfect temperature

Ember Mug 2, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, $129.99

Not all tech has to be super techy. Ember's smart mug is a great gift for moms who love to drink piping hot tea, coffee, or other hot drinks. The ceramic mug syncs with an app on her phone to show how much she has drunk from the mug and also the preferred temperature of her drinks. The mug comes with a coaster that can reheat her drink and keep it at the optimal temperature. We tried this mug and we loved it.

A smart speaker with a screen that will show her favorite photos

Google Nest Hub, available at Walmart, $70

Although a smart speaker may sound like a super techy gift, it's actually a very intuitive and easy-to-use product. The Google Nest Hub doubles as a smart speaker and a smart display to show Mom the weather, her calendar, her commute, her favorite photos, or any number of videos on YouTube with a simple voice command. She can also ask the Google assistant any questions that pop into her head. It's one of our favorite smart displays.

A long charging cable for her phone

Lightning Native Union Night Cable, available at Amazon, $39.99

USB-C Native Union Night Cable, available at Amazon, $36.74

One of the most frustrating things is losing your only charging cable for your phone. Everyone can use an extra charging cable, and having a long one like Native Union's Night Cable is a great idea. The cable is 10-feet long, so Mom won't have to struggle with a short cable anymore. It also has a weighted knot that can be moved up and down the cable to provide enough ballast to keep the cable and the phone it's charging in place.

A simple security camera

Logitech Circle 2 (wired version), available at Logitech and Amazon, $180 to $400

Logitech Circle 2 (wireless version), available at Logitech and Amazon, $104 to $200

Although we may joke that Mom's got eyes in the back of her head, she can't very well see her home if she's not inside it. That's where a security camera comes into play. Logitech's Circle 2 is easy to use and it monitors all activity that happens in Mom's house when she's out and about. She'll get alerts when motion is detected, she can check in on things to see a live feed in the app on her phone, and she can even talk to whoever is in the house be it the family dog, cat, a known person, or an intruder. You can get it in either a wired or wireless version.

An excellent ebook reader

Kindle Paperwhite, available at Best Buy and Amazon, $99.99

Although some people swear they'll never love an ebook reader because they're die-hard print fans, no one should knock the ebook until they've tried it. If Mom loves reading, but hates holding heavy hardcovers or travels a lot, an ebook reader is a great gift for her. The Kindle Paperwhite is the best ebook reader for most people's needs and budgets. It can hold thousands of ebooks, it's waterproof, and it's fairly affordable. In our review of this ebook reader, we found that the Paperwhite is one of the best ones you can buy.

A robot vacuum cleaner

Eufy Robovac 15c Max, available at Eufy, $259.99

Although everyone will tell you not to buy your mom an appliance for any holiday, a robot vacuum cleaner is one she'll love because it'll do the cleaning for her. We've tested a lot of robot vacuums, and this one from Eufy is a great, affordable option. It can clean rooms on its own, it avoids obstacles, and it goes back to its charging base when it's done. You can also check out more options in our buying guide to robot vacuums. Cleaning without any effort on Mom's part is priceless.

A smart baby monitor

Nanit Plus Smart Baby Monitor, available at Buy Buy Baby and Amazon, $290.99

If you're shopping for a new mom, there is an endless selection of baby products you can get her and her baby. One of the most high-tech and pricey purchases for new parents is a nice video baby monitor.

The Nanit Plus Smart Baby Monitor is one of our favorites because it's a system that learns a baby's movement patterns and sleep trends and lets the parents know when things seem off. It gives Mom and Dad a nice birds-eye view of the baby in its crib, so both parents can see the baby clearly in the app.

A hybrid smartwatch

Fossil Charter HR, available at Fossil, $195

If Mom doesn't like smartwatches, but she still wants to feel connected to her phone, a smart hybrid watch is a great gift to give.

The Fossil Charter HR looks like a normal analog watch, but it has a black and white screen that shows you notifications and stats as well as the time. The watch can buzz with notifications, adjust to different time zones, control music, track fitness, and wake her up with a vibrating alarm. It also has a heart rate monitor to better track her workouts.

A slim fitness tracker

Fitbit Inspire 2, available at Fitbit, $69.95

If she wants to stay fit or get fit, the Fitbit Inspire 2 tracker is a great option. It's a simple fitness-focused tracker with an easy-to-use app that makes it fun for Mom to see her activity goals and workout metrics.

A pair of wireless earbuds that just work

Apple Airpods, available at Walmart and Amazon, $130

The problem with most wireless headphones is that they're hard to use: Bluetooth pairing is a pain, they disconnect from the phone, or they have too many controls. Apple's AirPods are the easiest wireless earbuds to use, making them perfect for moms (and their tech support staff — i.e. their kids) everywhere.

A nifty handbag light

Wasserstein Handbag Light 1-pack, available at Amazon, $13

Mom's purse is a cluttered abyss that's piled with receipts, tchotchkes, keys — you name it. Make her search easier with this motion-activated light, which can be conveniently clipped on the inside of her bag.

A bluetooth shower speaker

SoundBot Water Proof Bluetooth Speaker, available at Amazon, from $14

To the family, she's super-mom — but behind the scenes, she's an enterprising singer who belts out show tunes in the shower (even with a meager vocal range). It's a fruitful endeavor that assuages her day-to-day stress.

The least you can do is get her this hassle-free, waterproof speaker that's compatible with all Bluetooth devices. Post-shower, she'll feel zen enough to opt for McDonald's drive-thru over last night's leftovers; and the entire household will feel grateful. 

• We love watching "Shark Tank" because it gives us a preview of the startups and products that have the most potential to make it big.
• As these nine products underscore, the show's contestants don't necessarily need to secure a deal from the investors in order to go on to succeed. 
• Notable examples of "Shark Tank" rejects that became very successful include home security company DoorBot (now known as Ring) and protein breakfast brand Kodiak Cakes. 
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.

Throughout its 12 seasons, the show "Shark Tank" has averaged two to nine million viewers. It's the biggest public platform that an entrepreneur could hope for, and a 10-minute pitch on the show can translate to huge sales.

Household names like the Scrub Daddy and Tipsy Elves all got their start after successfully striking deals on the show, but even companies that walked away without securing an investment have done as well as — if not better than — companies that did. 

The founders of these companies took their "Shark Tank" rejections in stride, using them as learning lessons to make millions in sales. Money from the judges would've been nice, but it turns out the national exposure can be just as valuable. 

Check out the 9 companies that you'll be surprised didn't get deals on "Shark Tank": 

The Bouqs Co.

Shop flower bouquets at The Bouqs Co.

Online flower delivery service The Bouqs Co. left the Tank in 2014 without an investment, but Robert Herjavec kept them in mind three years later when he was planning the flowers for his wedding. Herjavec eventually ended up investing after getting a firsthand glimpse into the process behind creating beautiful arrangements. Co-founder and CEO John Tabis said that there were several days in 2017 when the company sold $1 million in flowers in a day. It has since raised more than $88 million in funding, including a $30 million round at the beginning of 2020. 

Check out our guide to the best flower delivery services.

Ring

Ring Video Doorbell 3

This smart video doorbell gives homeowners peace of mind about who's at their door, whether they're at home or not. When Ring founder Jamie Siminoff appeared on the show, he valued his company, then called DoorBot, at $7 million.

Since then, it's counted prominent investors like Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers, Qualcomm Ventures, Goldman Sachs, and Richard Branson among its supporters. Amazon bought Ring in a deal worth over $1 billion, a testament to its versatile capabilities beyond home security.

Ring has evolved beyond video doorbells since. Most recently at an Amazon devices event, Ring introduced a new drone surveillance cam, car alarm, and car cam. 

Check out our buying guide to the best home security systems.

Kodiak Cakes

Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes Protein Pancake Flapjack and Waffle Mix (3-Pack)

The co-founder and COO of Kodiak Cakes, a natural food brand that makes whole grain, protein-rich breakfast options, went on the show seeking a $500,000 investment for 10% of the business. Though the Sharks all liked the taste and nutritional benefits of these pancake mixes, none of them agreed with the valuation. 

Now, it boasts $160 million in annual sales and has a whole lineup of products, including oats, granola bars, graham crackers, protein balls, and microwavable flapjack cups. 

Nerdwax

Nerdwax

Glasses that are always sliding off your nose are an annoying distraction, but according to the "Shark Tank" judges, not annoying enough to justify the cost of $10 per tube of Nerdwax. The natural, non-irritating wax can be applied directly to the nose pads of your glasses to help them stay up and now has thousands of mostly favorable reviews on Amazon. 

Before appearing on the show, the founders say their sales were $136,000, but glasses-wearers across the country who watched the show loved the concept and helped bring sales to $1 million. 

The Lip Bar

The Lip Bar lipsticks

Former Wall Street executive Melissa Butler sought to create an affordable, vegan-friendly, and cruelty-free makeup brand that showcased more diverse imagery than the rest of the current beauty industry. In an interview with Rolling Out, she said she saw the harsh "Shark Tank" rejection more like a "spring forward" because it made her realize that she needed to focus more on an audience that understood the problem she was solving.

Actress Taraji P. Henson wore The Lip Bar lipstick to the 2018 Oscars ceremony, and the products — which now also include eyeshadow, lip liner, brow gel — are now available in Target stores nationwide.

Xero Shoes

Xero Shoes

After constantly getting injured while running, cofounder Steven Sashen switched to barefoot running and loved the effects, so he created a thin running sandal. He and his wife Lena Phoenix ultimately turned down the $400,000 for a 50% equity offer from Kevin O'Leary for Xero Shoes.

Though they didn't find a celebrity investor, they did find plenty of other supporters among the public and have raised $1 million through crowdfunding. In July 2020, USA Artistic Swimming announced Xero Shoes as its official footwear partner. 

MealEnders

MealEnders Signaling Lozenges

The idea of MealEnders, a two-layered candy lozenge meant to prevent overeating, intrigued the judges, but some did not like the taste. Others doubted its expensive marketing strategy. However, it still caught the attention of plenty of viewers who wanted a little help with their willpower. 

When the episode aired in early 2017, the company had sales of a modest $1.2 million. One short year later, sales were at $5 million. 

Eco Nuts

Eco Nuts Organic Laundry Detergent

Eco Nuts are dried berries that act as a natural laundry detergent, making them a great option for people sensitive to traditional detergents. Though the judges didn't like the pitch, the company has since grown to $1 million in annual sales. Beyond the original soap nuts, Eco Nuts now also sells other natural home cleaning products like surface sprays and floor cleaners. 

Copa Di Vino

Shop wine at Copa Di Vino

Copa Di Vino founder James Martin walked away from Sharks' offers not just once, but twice, and he's now notoriously known as one of the most disliked entrepreneurs on the show. Despite his arrogant attitude, you have to admit that his patented, single-serving wine containers are a fun idea. The appearances on the show led sales to skyrocket from $500,000 to more than $14 million. 

This year, investors poured more than $4 billion into EdTech startups by August, according to Crunchbase, rising to $9.7 billion by November, Wired reports.

When the pandemic forced many students into full-time remote learning last spring, people begun reconsidering the value of a traditional college education in its present form. This helped spur the growth of online education options across the educational ecosystem, not just to replace classrooms but to deliver virtual alternatives to every part of college life. 

CB Insights referred to the phenomenon as the "Unbundling of Harvard."

The 64 startups on this list that aim to replace or amend the traditional college or graduate school experience have raised at least $1.2 billion in funding this year, according to our calculations by public funding records in Crunchbase.  

Among this list there are enough digital offerings for students to get an education, and all that it entails, without ever needing to step foot on a campus.

The companies are listed in order of total funding raised, according to Crunchbase.

Coursera: online learning from top universities

Total funding raised: $443.1 million (latest a $130 million Series F round in July 2020)

What it does: Founded by Daphne Koller and Andrew Ng, Coursera's online learning platform for higher education boasts 73 million learners from around the world. With a partnership base of more than 200 of the world's top universities and industry educators, Coursera offers courses, specializations, certificates, and degree programs. Includes Coursera for Business for corporate training and Coursera for Government to train government employees.

Udemy: 130,000 online video courses

Total funding raised: $273 million (latest a $50 million Series F round in November 2020)

What it does: Online learning platform with more than 130,000 online video courses, including a range of topics such as Python, Excel, web development, JavaScript, data science, AWS certification, and drawing. Site also offers Udemy for Business, with more than 5,000 courses aimed at corporate training purposes. Marketplace also connects students to instructors, with experts having a way to share their knowledge with the world.

Chegg: study assistant platform

Total funding raised: $252.3 million pre-IPO; now listed on NYSE: CHGG

What it does: Student-first connected learning platform providing books, study guides, writing assistance, flashcards, math solvers, tutors, and internships.

Everfi: building crucial workplace skills

Total funding raised: $251 million (latest a $190 million Series D round in April 2017)

What it does: Digital education platforms and networks with programs for workplace training, financial education, higher education, and community engagement. Company seeks to bring together the public and private sectors to change how education is delivered and also equips learners with the skills they need to become tomorrow's leaders.

Udacity: online tech training

Total funding raised: $235 million (latest a $75 million debt financing round in November 2020)

What it does: Online learning platform with a variety of programs, including data science, programming, business, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and cloud computing, among others. Services offered for individuals, enterprises, and government employees. Curriculum is designed with industry partners, and includes project-based, active learning modules.

MPower Financing: funding and supporting international students

Total funding raised: $229.5 million (latest a $9 million venture round in June 2020)

What it does: Student loans and funding for international students, through a partnership with investors and universities. System includes loans, scholarships, immigration support, and job search preparation services. Works with leading universities and schools in the US and Canada.

Grammarly: AI writing assistant

Total funding raised: $200 million (latest a $90 million round in October 2019)

What it does: AI-powered writing assistant that helps people with their writing, corrects mistakes, and helps writers find the perfect words in their text messages, emails, and apps.

ApplyBoard: pairs international students with ideal programs

Total funding raised: 242.6 million Canadian ($186.7 million)

What it does: Connects international students and recruitment partners to educational opportunities at institutions around the world. Students get matched and apply to programs and schools that align with their background, skills, and interests; schools diversify their campuses by attracting qualified students from countries around the world.

Duolingo: language learning through games

Total funding raised: $183.3 million (latest a $35 million Series H round in November 2020)

What it does: Language-learning app and platform that utilizes gamification to personalize lessons. The company provides a version specifically for schools and includes English proficiency testing for English language learners.

Handshake: job search tool for students

Total funding raised: $154 million (latest an $80 million Series D round in October 2020)

What it does: College career network that helps students and recent graduates find their next opportunity. Includes personalized job recommendations, virtual recruiting events, and a list of companies hiring. Students can sign up via an .edu email address.

Lambda School: ISA tech bootcamp

Total funding raised: $122.1 million (latest a $74 million Series C round in August 2020)

What it does: Online learning platform for data science and fullstack web development that uses an income share agreement (ISA) approach. Students pay no tuition upfront and agree to pay back 17% of their income post-graduation for two years, but only once they're making $50,000 or more. If they don't find a high-paying job after 60 months of deferred payments, they pay nothing.

Examity: secure and fair online exam proctoring

Total funding raised: $122 million (latest a $90 million private equity round in April 2019)

What it does: Online exam proctoring company. The learning validation system works with colleges, universities, employers, and certification providers to create secure, high-quality educational experiences — and to ensure that learners who "play by the rules" are honored for their work.

General Assembly: in-person and online coding bootcamps

Total funding raised: $119.5 million

What it does: Founded in 2011, General Assembly uses experiential education for in-demand skills, including web development, data, design, and business topics. Full-time, part-time, short-form, and on-demand courses are included, as well as free "learn to code" programs. Includes locations around the world, although at the moment all courses are conducted online due to COVID-19.

Top Hat: virtual classroom assistant for teachers

Total funding raised: $104.4 million (latest a $55 million Series D round in February 2020)

What it does: The Top Hat platform provides easy-to-use tools that let instructors engage a classroom, adopt, and autor next-generation interactive textbooks and create assignments on the fly with securely administered testing. Tools include virtual classroom streaming, lecture recordings, attendance, polls and quizzes, live chat and discussions, and labs, among others.

Course Hero: subscription to 40 million tutoring and study materials

Total funding raised: $97.4 million (latest a $70 million Series B round in August 2020)

What it does: For-profit online learning platform that enables students to subscribe or contribute their own resources to earn a Netflix-like subscription to more than 40 million course materials, tutoring, and support resources. More than 50,000 faculty have joined the educator community to share resources, collaborate with faculty in other fields, and develop new strategies for instruction.

ResearchGate: network for sharing and discovering research papers

Total funding raised: $87.6 million (latest a $52.6 million Series D round in February 2017)

What it does: A professional network for scientists and researchers, ResearchGate claims more than 19 million members from around the world who share, discover, and discuss research.

Graduway: virtual community of alumni, students, and prospects

Total funding raised: $75.8 million (latest a $60 million venture round in July 2019)

What it does: Graduway offers a virtual community that enrolls prospects, mentors students, engages alumni, and cultivates donors for colleges and universities.

zSpace: VR learning for sciences and tech

Total funding raised: $76.6 million (latest was $10 million in May 2019)

What it does: Learning system that teaches through augmented and virtual-reality experiences. The company supports a number of applications, including STEM, advanced sciences, conceptual physical science, K-12, career technical education, and post-secondary education. This includes certificate, undergraduate, graduate, and professional school levels.

OpenClassrooms: employment services and career coaching

Total funding raised: $69.7 million (latest a $60 million Series B round in May 2018)

What it does: OpenClassrooms is an online platform that offers top quality, education-to-employment programs and career coaching services for students around the world. The platform's Career Paths include weekly, one-on-one mentorship sessions with a dedicated professional in each field, supporting students through their studies.

Brainly: collaborative study community

Total funding raised: $68.5 million (latest a $30 million Series C round in July 2019)

What it does: Students and others combine their strengths and talents to tackle problems together through Brainly. The site includes 200 million unique users monthly and more than 2,000 moderators that help students answer questions and give explanations for the answers. 

Everspring: powering online university programs

Total funding raised: $63.5 million (latest a $3 million venture round in November 2020)

What it does: Platform builds online and hybrid courses that deliver engagement free from traditional constraints. Includes CourseBuilder for the Canvas learning management system and Atlas Publisher, a proprietary, mobile-first, online content platform.

Quizlet: quiz-based study materials

Total funding raised: $62 million (latest a $30 million Series C round in May 2020)

What it does: Free and subscription-based online learning platform that uses activities and games to help students practice and master what they're learning. With a variety of different quizlets and subjects, students can use Quizlet to enhance what they're learning in classes.

Pearson/Smart Sparrow: digital learning platform for educators

Total funding raised: $23.5 million prior to $25 million acquisition by Pearson in January 2020

What it does: Digital learning platform that lets educators deliver digital learning experiences that lead to better learner outcomes. Also includes studio services that help educational institutions with their digital-learning initiatives. With the acquisition, Pearson will use Sparrow to accelerate the rollout of its Global Learning Platform.

Codecademy: hands-on coding bootcamp

URL: https://www.codecademy.com/

Total funding raised: $47.5 million (latest $30 million in July 2016)

What it does: Free and subscription-based platform that aims to teach people how to learn to code. From programming languages to subjects like web development, data science, machine learning, and even game development, Codecademy offers a complete catalog of offerings.

RedShelf: digital textbook provider

Total funding raised: $43.1 million (latest a $10 million venture round in October 2020)

What it does: With almost one million digital titles, RedShelf aims to provide textbooks at a fraction of the cost of physical copies. Books can be accessed from any device and includes built-in study tools, such as highlighting, notetaking, and creating flash cards.

Noodle: college or graduate school matching

Total funding raised: $36.3 million (latest an $8 million Series A round in January 2017)

What it does: Organization that helps students find the right school, college, or graduate program, along with the best path to get in and pay for it. The group partners with dozens of top universities, helping them use technology to lower tuition and improve access to their programs. The site brings together expert counselors, schools, real-time information, and helpful tools to manage the process from the first web search to the first day of class.

Academia.edu: free academic papers

Total funding raised: $33.8 million (latest a $16 million Series C round in March 2019)

What it does: Online platform that lets academics share papers with millions of people across the world for free. Users have uploaded 22 million papers, and more than 102 million academics, professionals, and students have read papers on the platform every month.

Babbel: language learning app

Total funding raised: $33.3 million (latest a $22 million Series C round in July 2015)

What it does: Language learning app, with millions of active subscribers. The courses are geared to teach language skills you can use right away, with a short path to real-life conversations. Offers lessons in 13 different languages.

Simplilearn: 400 online tech bootcamps and certifications

Total funding raised: $31 million (latest was $3 million in debt financing in September 2016)

What it does: Online bootcamp and certification training providers, with more than 400 courses and 2,000-plus qualified trainers. Topics include data science and business analytics, AI and machine learning, DevOps, cybersecurity, and IT service and architecture, among others.

mmhmm: virtual classroom app

Total funding raised: $30.5 million (latest a $21 million Series A in October 2020)

What it does: This app is a virtual camera application used to create virtual rooms, backdrops, and presentations during video-conferencing calls. From an educator's standpoint, teachers can use this to create more interesting virtual classrooms. Premium services ($9.99 per month or $99.99 per year) are being offered free to students and educators for one year via verified school email addresses.

Fullbridge: bootcamps, online modules, and courses

Total funding raised: $27.9 million (latest $15.4 million in June 2015)

What it does: Aims to bridge the knowledge and skills gap between educational institutions and employers. Online platform includes short, powerful, and affordable learning experiences through bootcamps, online modules, and full-on courses.

irl: online college social events

Total funding raised: $27 million (latest at $16 million Series B round in September 2020)

What it does: Social planning application that keeps users connected with each other. The On Campus section lets you view and discover online college events (enabled via student email address). Follow friends, favorite TV shows, livestreamers, podcasters, and more while you're stuck at home.

Jolt: subscription-based live classes

Total funding raised: $23.3 million (two seed rounds, Series A in January 2020)

What it does: Subscription-based business program with live, interactive classes taught by world-class experts. Classes are tailored to allow for discussions and group collaboration with up to 18 other professionals. 

Hivebrite: alumni community management platform

Total funding raised: $23.1 million (latest a $20 million Series A round in January 2020)

What it does: An all-in-one software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution to help businesses build and manage their own community website. Education version allows universities to boost alumni placement statistics, facilitate fundraising, foster a sense of belonging, and offer real-time analytics about the alumni community.

InterviewBit: tech interview prep

Total funding raised: $21.5 million (latest a $20 million Series round in January 2020)

What it does: The platform assists programmers or recent graduates with a series of coding interview questions for different technologies or companies (including Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook, and Google), as well as connects graduates to companies.

Busuu: language learning with personalized study plans

Total funding raised: €14 million ($16.7 million)

What it does: Language learning app with more than 1,000 lessons created by expert linguists, enhanced with machine learning technology such as personalized study plans and speech recognition. Connecting with native speakers gives instant feedback on written and  spoken lessons. Offers lessons in 12 different languages

BibliU: eTextbook platform

Total funding raised: $16.2 million ($10.6 million Series A in April and August 2020)

What it does: Originally spun out of the University of Oxford Innovation Fund, London-based BibliU has developed a modern eTextbook platform that integrates fully with library and university systems to fill the gap in e-reading and e-distribution markets. With support from more than 130,000 universities in the UK and US, the system aims to give students easy tools for studying, including instantaneous search in content and images.

Class for Zoom (ClassEDU): virtual classroom software

Total funding raised: $16 million (seed round in September 2020)

What it does: Virtual classroom software developer that helps teachers initiate live assignments, quizzes, and tests for students. System aims to fill in the gaps between what teachers can do in live classrooms in a virtual environment, such as take attendance, host group presentations and one-on-one discussions, watch videos, and more. Currently in early access.

Osso VR: virtual reality training for healthcare professionals

Total funding raised: $16 million (latest $14 million Series A in September 2020)

What it does: Virtual-reality training platform that lets surgeons and other healthcare professionals learn and review medical procedures. The company says the platform is used by more than 20 teaching hospitals and 11 medical device companies across 20 countries. Johnson & Johnson Institute recently launched a partnership with Osso VR to provide headsets and systems to doctors around the world.

ABA English: 1,500 live English classes

Total funding raised: $15.4 million (latest a $12 million venture round in May 2016)

What it does: Online platform that teaches English with more than 1,500 live classes around the world for a flat rate. Founded in 2006, the company aims to reinvent how people learn English through the use of video. The platform combines technology with a unique natural method and human interactions with certified teachers and tutors.

Engageli: boosts and tracks student engagement online

Total funding raised: $14.5 million (seed round in October 2020)

What it does: Digital learning platform that enables higher education institutions to provide students with an inclusive and engaging learning experience while also integrating with existing learning management and student information systems. Built-in engagement drivers includes quizzes, polls, and content sharing. System tracks student activity both individually and as a group, providing instructors with insights in real time and after the class ends.

AstrumU: predictive career pathing

Total funding raised: $13.2 million (latest was $7.7 million Series A round in July 2020)

What it does: Aims to close the gap between education and industry by helping students, colleges, universities, and employers identify the most predictable pathways to take from education to high-impact employment. The company provides a predictive individual learning score for every lifelong learner so they can invest in educational experiences to maximize outcomes while opening up opportunities for everyone via a level playing field.

Teachable: 100,000 teachers and coaches

Total funding raised: $12.5 million (latest a $4 million Series A round in April 2018)

What it does: More than 100,000 creators use Teachable to share their knowledge. Teachable allows anyone to create an online course or coaching business with a powerful, yet simple, all-in-one platform. Learners can pay for courses or take free courses through the platform.

Podium Education: skills training in partnership with universities

Total funding raised: $12 million (Series A in October 2020)

What it does: Online learning platform that partners with colleges and universities to deliver online programs that provide soft-skilled students with in-demand hard skills for better employment opportunities. Offerings can be packaged as individual courses, summer bootcamps, full minors, or an online semester.

EduPristine: India-based online training and certification

Total funding raised: $11.5 million

What it does: Founded in 2008, EduPristine offers online training and international certifications in finance, accounting, analytics, marketing, and healthcare. Includes an online platform and network of classrooms across India and caters to self-paced learning, online learning, and classroom modes.

SV Academy: tech sales training

Total funding raised: $11.5 million

What it does: Looking to help empower underrepresented job seekers to forge a path into tech, SV Academy provides online tech sales training and fellowship opportunities.

AdmitHub: admissions chatbot

Total funding raised: $11.3 million (latest a $7.5 million Series A round in January 2020)

What it does: Student communication platform powered by artificial intelligence, the AdmitHub chatbots use natural language processing to help answer student questions for admissions departments at colleges and universities.

AMOpportunities: connecting medical students with clinical opportunities

Total funding raised: $10.2 million (latest a $4.4 million venture round in November 2020)

What it does: Connects medical students, graduates, and professionals with US clinical experiences. The platform gives opportunities to explore and apply for clinical experiences at more than 200 clinical sites across 70-plus medical specialties and subspecialties, and also provides support services, such as visa and housing assistance. Site also includes virtual rotations to train students in telehealth scenarios.

Kira Talent: standardized admissions tool

Total funding raised: $8.2 million

What it does: Holistics admissions platform for higher education that assesses applicants for program fit and key traits like leadership, critical thinking, and communication skills. Aims to give every applicant equal opportunity by building a standardized assessment that reduces bias in the admissions process.

Studyportals: international study platform

Total funding raised: €5.3 million ($6.3 million)

What it does: International study research platform that lets students find and choose university degree programs from anywhere in the world. Began as a spin-off from large international study associations and grew from there. Includes other portals, such as Bachelorsportal, Mastersportal, and PhDportal, among others.

Uwill: online counseling for students and university staff

Total funding raised: $3.3 million (September 2020)

What it does: Teletherapy for students and employees of colleges and universities. The service incorporates technologies that facilitate best-in-class video and message-based counseling within a secure environment. The goal is to create a two-sided platform that connects students with experienced mental health professionals for when the need arises.

Studapart: seamless student housing

Total funding raised: €2.3 million ($2.75 million); latest round in June 2018

What it does: Student housing rentals platform, with bookings from one to 24 months with certified lessors. Platform connects students with landlords to make the house and apartment rental process more seamless.

Iris.AI: artificial intelligence assistant for research papers

Total funding raised: $2.5 million

What it does: Via an artificial intelligence science assistant, Iris.ai uses natural language processing to review massive collections of research papers or patents for academia or research and development groups.

iPleaders: legal training

Total funding raised: Undisclosed funding in January 2019 and equity crowdfunding round in October 2019

What it does: Based in New Delhi, India, iPleaders offers more than 60 in-depth online courses through LawSikho.com and top universities. Legal courses for corporations are also offered to fulfill internal training requirements, as well as colleges that want to train students for the emerging needs of the legal industry.

Oxford Medical Simulation: VR medical training

Total funding raised: Two rounds of undisclosed seed funding (latest by Qventures in May 2019)

What it does: Virtual-reality medical training for students, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals with headsets. Learners can practice in immersive, fully interactive clinical scenarios as if in real life, and receive personalized feedback. The NHS England diabetes team has partnered with the company to train doctors to practice VR medical emergencies to improve care for diabetes patients in the real world.

Reculta: campus recruiting tool

Total funding raised: Undisclosed seed round in June 2018

What it does: Digitizes campus placements for educational institutions and recruiters through a SaaS and controlled marketplace model. Through technology and data analytics, the platform seeks to connect multiple stakeholders with one platform, minimize recruiting costs, and record, track, and benchmark data to gain further insights.

Omegafi: creating efficient and effective Greek organizations

Total funding raised: Undisclosed private equity round (December 2015).

What it does: Tools for fraternities and sororities that help them optimize operational efficiency in order to build thriving, fiscally sound communities across generations of their memberships. The company strives to make fraternity and sorority chapters as well as national and international headquarters run efficiently and effectively.

Fullstack Academy: full-time and part-time coding bootcamps

Total funding raised: Undisclosed seed round funding in 2012

What it does: Offers full-time and part-time coding bootcamps in New York and Chicago. With COVID-19, the academy has moved to its online platform, with live instruction and project-based curriculum. The company aims to teach cutting-edge software development in 17 to 28 weeks to give users the skills to get hired as a software engineer.

Law Dojo: study games for law students

Total funding raised: No apparent funding raised other than revenue from the apps.

What it does: A family of legal game apps for law students and "legal aficionados" that let you learn about law in a fun way. Free, limited versions available, with full versions available via Google Play or Apple App Store. Began as a side project for Margaret Hagan when she was a second-year law student at Stanford Law School. Hagan learned how to code and wrote thousands of questions so she could play multiple-choice games to prep her for exams.

Congregate Communications: online networking and classroom tool

Total funding raised: Privately funded

What it does: Dynamic platform for online gatherings with the ability to host networking or breakout sessions and presentations through a single platform. Also includes end-to-end encrypted video calling, scalable to hundreds of event attendees. Also includes social app (Congregate Social) and virtual classroom (Congregate Classroom) versions.

OverDrive: digital library for schools

Total funding raised: Acquired from Rakuten Inc. by private equity firm KKR

What it does: Digital reading platform for libraries and schools worldwide. Aims to deliver the industry's largest catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, and other digital media to more than 50,000 libraries and schools in 78 countries.

Meta ULC: research discovery tool for scientific papers

Total funding raised: Backed by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

What it does: A biomedical research discovery tool that provides a faster way to understand, organize, and explore science. Through machine learning, the tool can analyze, map, and cluster tens of millions of scientific papers and preprints, allowing researchers to follow developments or find emerging trends.

Facebook Campus: campus-specific social community

Total funding raised: n/a, part of Facebook

What it does: Launched as a college-only space designed to help students connect with fellow classmates over shared interests. Campus profile is separate from a student's main Facebook profile, and students can discover Groups and Events unique to their school and connect with classmates who share similar interests. Content shared on Campus is only seen by other Campus members. Accounts verified by college email addresses.

Proctorio: automated software for ensuring academic integrity

Total funding raised: Privately held and funded

What it does: Learning integrity platform that utilizes facial detection (not recognition) and other automated software to ensure academic integrity for online courses and test takers. Includes ID verification, automated proctoring, content protection, secure browser settings, computer lockdown, originality authentication, and instant analytics.

• Not everyone asks for tech gifts around the holidays, but tech products can certainly bring your friends and loved ones a much-needed life upgrade.
• Even on a budget of under $100, there are plenty of exciting and useful tech gift ideas to choose from.
• If you're on an even tighter budget, here are the best tech gifts under $50.
• For more gift ideas and deals this holiday season, check out all of our gift guides for 2020 here.

Technology doesn't have to cost a fortune.

There's a surprising amount of excellent tech gifts out there — accessories, fitness trackers, tablets, and smart speakers — for less than $100. That is, if you know where to dig.

Fret not, however: there's no need to trudge through the pages of Amazon, Target, and Best Buy to find the best affordable tech. We've done that hard work for you.

Through tough research and direct testing we've uncovered the very best tech gifts under $100. We included a number of gifts in every price range, so you're bound to find the right gifts for your loved ones.

A smart speaker with Alexa

Amazon Echo, $69.99, available at Amazon

The new Echo is the best smart speaker you can give as a gift this holiday season. Alexa can answer all your giftee's questions, play music, and control many smart home devices. The brand-new fourth-generation model also features an updated design with a spherical shape that fits nicely in any decor.

Read our full Echo review here

A pair of wireless earbuds

1MORE Stylish True Wireless Earbuds, from $50.39, available at Amazon

These wireless earbuds are cheaper than AirPods, but they sound even better. They also last for 24 hours of total playtime and 6.5 hours of continuous use. 

A fitness tracker

Fitbit Inspire 2, $68.95, available at Amazon

Fitbit's affordable Inspire 2 tracker has no shortage of useful features to track your giftee's fitness metrics. The tracker has a heart rate monitor that helps improve the accuracy of tracking calorie burn, resting heart rate, and heart rate zones. As an added bonus, buyers can currently receive a free one-year trial of Fitbit Premium.

A Philips Hut smart lighting starter kit

Philips Hue White LED Smart Bulb Starter Kit, $69.97, available at Home Depot

Philips Hue smart light bulbs can be controlled remotely, set to go on at specific times, and controlled by voice commands if you have a smart speaker.

A swim-proof Bluetooth speaker

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom Speaker, from $69.99, available at Amazon

The small-yet-mighty Bluetooth speaker can go swimming in the pool or ocean. It's also dustproof and therefore suitable for hikes and other outdoor adventures. 

A PopSocket grip

PopSocket Grip, $8 and up, available at PopSocket

PopSocket Grips stick to the back of your phone and can expand whenever you need a grip or a stand. Use one to take photos, text, hold a large device, watch movies, and video chat with ease and comfort. Many cost less than $10 and they come in a variety of colors and patterns to fit your personality.

An earbud organizer

Bluelounge Cableyoyo (2-pack), $16.94, available at Amazon

The Cableyoyo is an affordable rubber and metal spool, around which you wrap your earphones (or any other smallish cable) for safekeeping.

A 4K streaming stick

Roku Streaming Stick+, $49.99, available at Best Buy

Anyone who likes to stream video in 4K on their TV needs a Roku Streaming Stick+. Roku's media streamers are the best in the business, and the Stick+ can stream TV shows and movies from all the major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and many more. On the downside, fans of HBO Max will have to look elsewhere for the time being.

The ultimate console for old-school Sega fans

Sega Genesis Mini, $79.98, available at Amazon

Finally joining the mini retro game console craze is Sega, and it brought the big guns. This console packs 40 games inside pulling both from storied classics to games that were never released in the US. For the retro gamer in your life, this could be a no-brainer.

The best game machine for retro arcade fans

Neo Geo Mini International, $45.97, available at Walmart

If the gamer in your life was more of an arcade nut, then consider this console that doesn't even need a display. This contains 4o of the most popular Neo Geo arcade games ever, including the entire Metal Slug shooter series.

An ebook reader

Amazon Kindle, $89.99, available at Amazon

The entry-level Kindle is a great gift for book worms who want to have a digital library of ebooks to take with them on the go. This version includes advertisements and lasts for weeks of reading on a single charge.

A smart herb garden

Click and Grow Smart Garden 3, $99.95, available at Amazon

With the Click and Grow Smart Garden, your loved one can grow fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, or thyme in a matter of weeks.

A phone case that's built to last

Otterbox case, $40 and up, available at Otterbox

Otterbox cases are built to protect phones and withstand a lot of drops, but that doesn't mean the brand's cases are ugly. In fact, Otterbox has tons of super fun cases with Star Wars, Disney, Pixar, and Marvel characters on them as well as some stylish designs.

A smart display

Amazon Echo Show 5, $44.99, available at Amazon

The Echo Show 5 is an affordable smart display that has Alexa built-in. Your giftee can watch recipes and videos on it, see the time at a glance, and ask Alexa questions. It can also play music and control smart home devices.

The Echo Show 5 will be in stock on December 20.

A fun case for the Echo Show

Otterbox Echo Show 5 Den, $19.96, available at Otterbox

If you are getting your loved one the Echo Show 5 mentioned above, you may also want to get them this hilarious Toy Story case.

A cleaning kit for your phone

Whoosh! Cleaning Kit, $13.99, available at Amazon

Phones are breeding grounds for germs, so a good cleaning kit is both a thoughtful and practical gift. This one from Whoosh! leaves your phone clean without leaving any streaks behind.

An excellent pair of wireless headphones

Sennheiser HD 4.40 Bluetooth Wireless Headphones, $79.99, available at Best Buy

Sennheiser makes some of the best over-ear headphones. Though not one of its flagship models, the HD 4.40 are still strong performers. They're comfortable, deliver outstanding sound quality, and have a long battery life of up to 25 hours.

A waterproof phone case

LifeProof Fré Case, starting at $42.26, available at Amazon

The LifeProof Fré iPhone case is perfect for people who love to be in or near the water all the time, and for those who always drop their phone in some kind of liquid. This case is fully submersible in water that's up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) deep for 1 hour. It's also fully sealed with its built-in screen protector and port covers, so it's safe from the elements.

Tech-friendly gloves

L.L.Bean Touchscreen Gloves, $24.99 and up, available at L.L.Bean

Protect your loved ones' fingers when it's cold outside and they still want to text their friends and family. These touchscreen gloves are super warm and work well on screens.

A custom-designed iPhone case

Casetify Custom iPhone 12 Case, $45 and up, available at Casetify

Casetify's easy to use tool lets you turn your favorite photos into a custom iPhone case. There are three case styles and dozens of templates, so you can turn your friend's best Instagram photos into a unique way to protect their phone.

A durable, weighted iPhone charging cable

Native Union Night Cable, $39.99, available at Amazon

Native Union makes some of the most attractive phone accessories around. The Night Cable is the best long lightning charging cable for the iPhone. It has a 10-foot cord and a handy weight to hold it in place while your phone charges.

A desk lamp with a wireless charger

TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp with Wireless Charger, $49.99, available at Bed, Bath, and Beyond

If your giftee has a phone with wireless charging built in, the TaoTronics Desk Lamp is a great gift. It has a built-in wireless charger and a USB port so you can charge your devices wirelessly or with a cable. The lamp is also well made and fully adjustable. It has multiple brightness and color temperature settings so you can make it your own.

A sleek leather iPhone case

Nomad Leather iPhone Cases, $49.95 and up, available at Nomad

Nomad uses genuine Horween leather to craft gorgeous, durable iPhone cases that age beautifully. We can't recommend the brand's cases enough. Nomad also makes a few Samsung and Google Pixel cases.

A set of screen protectors

InvisibleShield Screen Protectors, $8.99 and up, available at Zagg

Smartphone and tablet screens are fairly fragile and often shatter or get scratched, so it's a good idea to gift the klutz you love a screen protector from InvisibleShield. The brand makes excellent screen protectors that offer special features like blue light blocking and privacy shielding in addition to protecting your screen.

An Echo Dot

Echo Dot, $29.99, available at Amazon

The all-new Echo Dot is a great way to incorporate a smart assistant into any home without spending a ton of money. Alexa can do everything from answer questions, play games, play music, and control smart home devices. The fourth-generation model features an updated design with a spherical shape rather than the traditional puck shape. 

A Google Home Mini

Google Nest Mini, $24.98, available at Walmart

If your giftee isn't into Amazon's products but still wants a smart speaker, the Google Nest Mini is a great alternative. The smart speaker is reliable at answering queries, can control smart home gadgets, and play music with good sound.

Read our full Nest Mini review here

A beautiful wireless charger

Native Union Drop Wireless Charger, from $49.99 and up, available at Amazon

Native Union always impresses with its stylish tech accessories. If your giftee hates boring black and white tech, get them Native Union's attractive wireless chargers, which come in multiple colors, including rose, sage, indigo, and more.

An instant camera

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11, $69.99, available at Best Buy

Instant cameras are the perfect gift for shutterbugs who wish they'd lived during the age of the Polaroid. Fujifilm's Intax Mini 11 comes in cute colors and takes fun, retro pictures that are printed right after they're taken.

A light for better smartphone photography

Lume Cube 2.0, $89.85, available from B&H

Any smartphone shutterbug will love having the Lume Cube 2.0 in their mobile photography kit. The little light helps illuminate the subject of a photo when the lighting is subpar.

An iPhone USB memory stick

SanDisk iXpand and Flash Drive 128GB for iPhone, $45.99, available at Amazon

Even though iPhones now come with more storage built in, it's still easy to run out of space. For people who take too many photos, download tons of music, shows, and games on their phones; the SanDisk iXpand is the perfect gift.

An iPhone dock

Twelve South HiRise 2 Deluxe, $19.99, available at Amazon

An iPhone dock looks nice on any desk, nightstand, or table, and it gives your giftee a good place to charge their phone. The Twelve South HiRise 2 Deluxe comes with lightning and Micro USB cables. The device also features a handy design that holds your iPhone up off the base. This prevents your phone's speakers and home button from getting blocked. 

A pair of blue-light blocking glasses

Felix Gray Glasses, $95 and up, available at Felix Gray

Blue light can interfere with sleep patterns and cause eye strain, so your giftee is sure to love these blue-light-blocking glasses.

A set of Tile trackers

One Tile Mate Tracker, one Tile Slim Tracker, and two Tile Stickers, $68.04, available at Amazon

Tile trackers are one of the most practical tech gifts you can give. This pack comes with one Tile Slim, which is thin enough to slip into a wallet, one Tile Mate, which has loops so it can fit onto key rings, and two Tile Stickers, which can be attached to a remote or other electronic. Once they're paired with your giftee's phone, the trackers will send them a notification when it's lost contact with the tracker, and show them its last known location on a map.

Basically, you're giving someone in your life the gift of being able to digitally retrace their steps.

A temperature-controlled mug

Ember Temperature Control Ceramic Mug, $99.95, available at Amazon

It seems like everything is high-tech these days and a lot of it seems pointless, but this is not one of those things. Ember's smart mug can keep your loved one's drink at the perfect temperature so that they never burn their tongue again. It uses a smart heating coaster and an app to help you decide how hot you want your drink to be every time.

The Fire HD tablet

Fire HD 8, $64.99, available at Amazon

You don't have to spend a lot to get a great tablet, and the all-new Fire HD 8 proves that. This 8-inch tablet has a 1,280 x 800-pixel screen, 32GB of storage built in, and room for expansion via a Micro SD card slot.

A light-up alarm clock

iHome Zenergy Light Alarm Clock, $59.99, available at Bed, Bath, and Beyond

No one likes waking up to a blaring alarm, so a light therapy alarm clock that tries to awaken you with a gradual, sunrise-like increase of light is a nice gift. The iHome Zenergy offers a number of great light alarm features, but it also has a pretty great Bluetooth speaker built into it, so your giftee can play music, too.

A waterproof Bluetooth speaker

JBL Flip 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker, $89.95, available at Walmart

If you're shopping for someone who's planning on a warm vacation — or lives someplace nice all the time — this speaker will let them rock out without worrying about dropping it into the pool or ocean.

A phone sanitizer

PhoneSoap Smartphone Sanitizer, $79.95, available at PhoneSoap

If your loved one hates germs, they'll love this phone sanitizer. PhoneSoap kills 99.9% of common household germs, including bacteria that lead to E.Coli, Salmonella, Staph, the flu, and the common cold — without harming their phone.

A high-end, clip-on smartphone lens kit

Olloclip Lens Kit, $24.99 and up, available at Olloclip

Olloclip makes great lenses that you can attach to many different phones so that you can get a wide-angle, fish-eye, or macro effect on your photos. 

A 4K media streamer with HDR

Roku Ultra, $99.99, available at Target

The Roku Ultra is the best media streaming device we've tested, thanks to its easy-to-use interface, 4K playback, Dolby Vision support, voice control, and simple remote. It can transform your so-called dumb TV into a smart one that plays shows and movies from Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and other streaming services. The only notable downside is that it doesn't currently support HBO Max.

Read our full Roku Ultra review here

A record player

Audio Technica Turntable, $99.99, available at Best Buy

Whether you're shopping for someone who's getting into vinyl for the first time, or wants to resurrect a collection they haven't touched in years, they'll need a turntable. Audio Technica's has an RCA output, so you can plug it into any pair of powered speakers or stereo receiver, drop the needle, and enjoy.

A kid-friendly Fire tablet

Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet, $69.99, available at Amazon

Kids love tablets, but they can also be destructive fiends when it comes to tech. Luckily, Amazon's Kids Edition of the Fire 7 tablet is here to save the day with its protective case, warranty against damage, and tons of kid-friendly content.

Republicans watching the nascent field of possible 2024 White House hopefuls promised over the past few months that this year's election would be the first — and most important — event to set the playing field for the next cycle.

Either President Donald Trump would squeak out a win, cementing his hold on the Republican Party, or Joe Biden would oust him and end the experiment in Trumpism, dozens of GOP strategists told Insider before Election Day.

In hindsight, that estimate had a glaring blind spot: Trump wanting to run again in 2024 if he lost. 

Six months ago, when Insider reported that Trump could be a "wild card" pick for 2024, it seemed, well, wild — even by the president's standards. Now it's apparent even among Republican campaign strategists, staffers, and Trump advisors who spoke with Insider that he could be the man to beat in four years from now.

More than half of Republican voters surveyed by Politico and Morning Consult just before Thanksgiving said they would pick Trump if the 2024 GOP primary were held immediately.

No Republican has officially declared a 2024 presidential run yet, though Trump hinted at a recent White House party that he's already in.

But many have been sending all the obvious signals: courting high-dollar donors, taking trips to critical early-nominating states like Iowa and New Hampshire, and delivering rousing speeches on the state of the Republican Party.

The only other potential candidate who party strategists say appears poised to control a good swath of the 2024 field is Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland. Old establishment and centrist Republicans adore him, and he could help the party win back the suburbs if he were to survive a primary against Trump.

Should Trump step aside, there's a large group of people waiting to jump in. Donald Trump Jr., Vice President Mike Pence, the former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, about a half-dozen US senators, and at least three Republican governors could all crowd the next GOP presidential primary.

"It's going to be like old-school roller derby," said the longtime Republican strategist Dave Carney. "A lot of checks across, a lot of elbowing, and a lot of trying to get in front by an inch." 

Interviews with more than 30 GOP strategists, veteran campaign staffers, and people working close to the would-be candidates over the past few months and recent days helped Insider build its first, second, and third rankings of 2024 hopefuls. But most had one big caveat.

"Who knows what's going to happen in four years?" one Republican strategist Insider. "In 2013, it was Chris Christie at the front of the pack."

14. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (New to the list)

Texas' two-term governor has not been as forward as some other possible 2024 contenders, but Republican strategists still talk him up. 

Like other GOP governors, Abbott has had the benefit of largely avoiding having to answer for Trump week in and week out. But he also hasn't carved out a slice of the national spotlight for himself the way Hogan has.

One of his political advisors said Abbott had no plans to run for president in 2024. 

"He's totally focused on getting the job done in Texas," said Carney, the longtime Republican strategist, who is also one of Abbott's top political advisors.

But he still garners attention. The latest was an invitation to perhaps the first big cattle call of the 2024 cycle, the Republican National Committee meeting in January. He also chaired the Republican Governors Association through the 2020 cycle, giving him a top perch for connecting with Republican donors and touting victories for the party.

13. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (Previous rank: 7)

The Florida senator has the stature and organization to launch a second try for the White House, if he wants. But for now he does not sound much like someone angling for the job. 

"If the president says he's going to run in 2024, he'll probably clear the field, he'll be the Republican nominee, and he'll spend the next four years running,"Rubio told NBC6 in Miami on Monday. "I still have work to do in the US Senate."

Shortly after Trump took office, the Sunshine State's senior senator flirted with taking firm stances against his 2016 primary rival, particularly on the special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in that election.

But Rubio has since come more into the fold with Trump. 

"Rubio's message has gone from a globalist, free-trading, big-business Republican to more of a populist Republican," a GOP strategist said.

12. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (Previous rank: 5)

Pompeo has joined the Republicans making the pilgrimage to Georgia to campaign for incumbent Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue in their January 5 runoff races, which will determine control of the Senate. The Georgia campaign stops have helped Pompeo and other possible 2024 candidates stay in the limelight without having to cross Trump.

But unlike most of his other prospective competitors, Pompeo will lose his powerful perch after Trump leaves office in January. He would have to find creative ways to keep his name in the limelight.

In the meantime, he has been actively courting Christian-right voters, who form a critical voting bloc, including with a stop in Iowa this summer.

Support for Israel is important to right-wing Christian voters, many of whom believe that repopulating Jerusalem solely with Jewish residents will hasten Jesus' return in the flesh and usher in the prophetic end of the world.

In August, Pompeo delivered his Republican convention speech from Israel. A few months later, the White House Office of Special Counsel announced it was investigating whether Pompeo broke the law by campaigning for Trump with official government resources.

11. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (Previous rank: 6)

If Trump had won reelection, the Florida governor would be in a much stronger position than he is now. DeSantis spent the past two years cultivating his ties to Trump and the president's top advisors.

But he now faces a crowded field of Trump loyalists all lined up behind the outgoing president.

DeSantis also has the added distraction of having to win his own reelection in 2022, which got just a little more complicated this fall.

For months, Trump advisors had been saying they expected Trump's former 2020 campaign manager Brad Parscale to run DeSantis' reelection and a possible White House run. That connection helped DeSantis hold a line into the White House.

But Parscale was sidelined by the Trump campaign in July and two months later had a public meltdown that landed him temporarily in police custody.

One strategist described DeSantis as great at political strategy and seeing where to move but ineffective as a chief executive of one of the largest states in the union. Republicans also say the 42-year-old DeSantis still looks green despite serving three terms in Congress and almost two years as governor.

10. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (Previous rank: Not ranked)

South Dakota's governor may be the only potential contender to truly feed Trump's monumental ego, and that's helped put her on the map for 2024. It started with what she thought was a joke during her first meeting in 2017 with Trump in the Oval Office.

"'Do you know it's my dream to have my face on Mount Rushmore?'" Noem said Trump told her, according to a report in the Argus Leader. Noem, then a representative in the House, soon realized the president wasn't just saying that in jest.

Three years later, Noem hosted the president for a Fourth of July speech at the base of Mount Rushmore in the midst of the pandemic. And then she presented Trump with a 4-foot replica of Mount Rushmore, with his visage chiseled into it, according to The New York Times.

Noem has since become a favorite among Trump and his allies. She even brought on Trump's first campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, as one of her top advisors. Lewandowski and Noem campaigned through New Hampshire for Trump in October, drumming up more buzz about Noem's plans.

Noem has regularly aired economic development ads for South Dakota on Fox News, which have the distinct feel of campaign ads.

But her handling of the coronavirus pandemic in her state remains a sore spot. It is home to one of the country's worst outbreaks, partly tied to a large motorcycle rally in the city of Sturgis.

Noem argued in a Wall Street Journal op-ed article published Monday that states led by Democrats had fared much worse than her state. But South Dakota at the time had suffered the highest per capita death rate in the country from COVID-19.

9. Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton (Previous rank: 4)

Cotton coasted to reelection in November, defeating his Libertarian Party opponent by an almost 2-to-1 margin and with no Democrat on the ballot. 

His lock on a second term in the Senate left Cotton with plenty of time to build goodwill with other Republicans who could help him in 2024.

Cotton bought ads in 2020 battleground states like Michigan. He drew attention to his likely presidential ambitions with a high-profile jaunt to New Hampshire at the end of July, where he helped Republicans raise money.

"The campaigning I've been doing this year across the country is laying the groundwork for a Republican majority in the Senate,"Cotton told the Associated Press in October. 

The 43-year-old senator had a breakout moment in June with an inflammatory New York Times op-ed article calling for military troops to descend on racial-justice protests. The ensuing firestorm forced The Times' opinion editor to resign after acknowledging he had not read the piece before publication.

When he came to Washington in 2015, Cotton retained Brett O'Donnell, who helped lead Sarah Palin's media operation before and after her 2008 vice-presidential run.

But Republican strategists warned that Cotton still had trouble with the type of personal, one-on-one glad-handing and retail campaigning that wins over voters in New Hampshire and Iowa.

"A very good candidate on paper, but I can't see him lighting up Iowa," one GOP strategist said.

8. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley (Previous rank: 8)

One GOP operative called Hawley the "intellectual future of Trump-ism."

In his brief time in the Senate, the freshman from Missouri has worked on some surprising issues for a Republican including pushing for a guaranteed income during the pandemic.

But Hawley has also stuck close to Trump, tearing into former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in June for his role in appointing Mueller for the Russia investigation.

While Hawley hasn't sent the same kinds of overt signals as other prospective 2024 candidates, his name comes up regularly among GOP political strategists.

Should Hawley enter the 2024 field, he'd most likely be among the youngest names in the GOP pack, occupying space that Rubio and Cruz dominated four years ago. If he won, Hawley would be 45 on Inauguration Day 2025, making him the third-youngest president behind only Theodore Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy.

7. Florida Sen. Rick Scott (Previous rank: 10)

Florida's junior senator would enter the 2024 race with one of the strongest hands after taking the reins of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Republican strategists also noted that the role would give Scott inroads to the top donors in the party, ostensibly to raise money for Senate GOP candidates. But those relationships could easily carry forward to a 2024 bid.

"We are not thinking about '24," said Curt Anderson, one of Scott's top advisors. "He will be the NRSC chair after the Georgia runoffs, so that's where the focus will be: 2022 Senate races."

The former Florida governor and Sunshine State senator drew attention during the Iowa caucuses this year by buying airtime in the state. Pundits noticed.

"I'm Rick Scott, and I'm running for president,"the longtime CNN analyst Gloria Borger quipped after watching the ad.

Through the beginning of 2020, Scott held regular meetings with his top political advisors, including the GOP consultants Anderson and his brother Wes Anderson and other strategists who Republicans expect would form the core of a 2024 run.

But Scott has not had some of the viral moments or the consistent exposure that has fueled other nascent bids.

He could also face a crowded Florida lane, competing against Rubio and DeSantis.

6. Donald Trump Jr. (Previous rank: 11)

Trump's oldest and most outspoken son is first in line to grab the mantle if his father doesn't run. The younger Trump's advisors have routinely pushed back on speculation about a White House or Senate run, but his name and actions have kept strategists buzzing about his ambitions. 

Several GOP insiders have said the younger Trump was recently eyeing a takeover of the National Rifle Association, which would give him an influential perch among conservatives and Republicans. He denied he was interested in challenging the NRA's CEO and executive vice president, Wayne LaPierre, following Insider's reporting.

But Republican strategists keeping tabs on the blooming 2024 field say they're not sure the 42-year-old Trump can capture the conservative base quite the same way his father did. 

"Boomers loved that Trump was a successful businessman, he was a peer," one GOP strategist said. "Jr. is not."

5. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (Previous rank: 3)

Cruz sparred bitterly with his opponent Trump during the 2016 campaign. But he has since managed to keep a high profile by publicly supporting the president while keeping his own name in the news.

The two-term Texas senator has been acting like someone running for president. In August, he hosted a fundraising retreat with Republican candidates in Aspen, Colorado. His work fundraising for new House members and Republican candidates is viewed as a classic move to build support before a White House bid.

And he has maintained perhaps the strongest political organization of any prospective 2024 candidate. He still has his core team from his 2016 White House run, led by the strategists Jeff Roe, Jason Johnson, and David Polyansky.

But holding on to conservative voters in 2024 could prove a lot more challenging for Cruz because he'd have to beat Pence, another darling of American evangelicals, GOP strategists told Insider.

4. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley (Previous rank: 2)

The former US ambassador to the United Nations who served as governor of South Carolina before that has been a prolific campaigner in support of Republicans across the country. She campaigned earlier this year in Georgia for Loeffler against fellow GOP Rep. Doug Collins, giving her a foothold in the state months before other Republicans flocked there. 

And when Haley returned to Georgia last month, she was part of a blockbuster team of Republican operatives led by the informal Trump-campaign advisor Karl Rove. 

Haley has been courting attention since leaving the Trump administration more than two years ago. Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump even considered pulling her in last summer to replace Pence on the 2020 ticket to help with the president's weak polling among women — a plan the husband-wife duo denied ever making.

Haley has been careful to tamp down chatter about her plans. When she left her job as the country's top diplomat at the UN, she said she wanted to help her son look at colleges and to care for her aging parents.

"Leaving the job was hard, but putting family first was more important. And I think now it's about taking it a year at a time," she said earlier this year during a meeting of The Federalist Society.

3. Vice President Mike Pence (Previous rank: 1)

Pence has been careful not to publicly contradicted his boss' repeated assertions that he won the 2020 election.

Instead, he has been traveling to Georgia to campaign for Loeffler and Perdue. It's become a favorite destination for Republicans looking for visibility as they eye the next presidential election cycle.

Behind the scenes, the vice president and Second Lady Karen Pence, have been mulling who will stay on their tight-knit team.

"He is of the conservative movement," said one Republican strategist who would support Pence for president in 2024. "Activists feel like they know him. And he has walked the tightrope with Trump." 

The same social conservatives and tea partiers who backed Cruz in 2016 may also be more prone to support Pence, the strategist supporting Pence said.

Pence topped a July poll of prospective 2024 candidates. About 31% of people surveyed said they'd pick him, beating his nearest competitor, Donald Trump Jr. But Republican strategists have viewed Pence's strong performance in early polling as a function of name recognition and exposure rather than real excitement.

2. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (Previous rank: 9)

Maryland's two-term Republican governor has taken the most consistent steps to distance himself from Trump without outright joining the Never Trump movement. 

In a field dominated by Trump, that makes him the only other option, at least for now. 

As other would-be 2024 contenders walk the tightrope of publicly backing Trump's baseless rejection of Biden's victory while also positioning themselves for the next presidential campaign, Hogan has already been mapping out a post-Trump vision for the GOP.

Two weeks after the election, Hogan delivered a speech arguing it was time for Republicans to return to the vision of Ronald Reagan.

"He's center-right, he sounds good on paper," said Sarah Chamberlain, the president of the Republican Mainstreet Partnership, which supports moderate Republicans. "He's a crossover Republican."

Regular appearances on national television built his image as one of the more competent state executives handling the coronavirus pandemic.

Hogan, though, has brushed back any formal talk of running for president. "It's not something I've really given that much thought to,"Hogan told The Baltimore Sun over the summer.

Earlier this year, he launched an advocacy group called An America United, which says it "rejects the extremes of both political parties." He also released a new book, "Still Standing," in July.

It's unclear whether a Republican Party that embraced Trump would accept Hogan. One longtime Republican strategist called Hogan "liberal," a term more damning than any four-letter word among the party's far-right base.

1. President Donald Trump (Previous rank: Wild card)

Trump was defeated handily in his 2020 reelection bid, but he remains popular within Republican Party's conservative base. His supporters will decide who the 2024 Republican nominee will be.

Trump has not publicly acknowledged his loss to Biden, but he's privately plotting his return in four years, according to advisors who have spoken with him over the past few weeks. 

He could start attacking Biden shortly after state electors formally cast their votes for the incoming president on December 14, one Trump campaign advisor told Insider.

Trump has established a leadership PAC for fundraising, which will keep him in the public eye after he leaves office. He is also fighting hard to keep control of the GOP, starting with his endorsement of the Republican National Committee's chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel, to lead the party for another two years.

Almost every strategist who talked to Insider said Trump's likely 2024 bid effectively froze out all other challengers, with the distinct exception of Hogan.

Wild Card: Tucker Carlson (Previous rank: Wild Card)

Republican insiders have been buzzing for more than a year about Fox News' top-rated host as a contender. They cite his maverick streak on the far right, sometimes supporting Trump's efforts but other times breaking from him.

In the run-up to the 2020 election, Carlson aired a two-part exclusive interview with a former business partner of Hunter Biden's who alleged Joe Biden had been involved in his son's business dealings in China.

But after the election, Carlson chastised Trump campaign lawyer Sidney Powell for failing to provide evidence to back up her wild claims that communists and the deceased Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez had secretly infiltrated the US voting system.

"No, I'm not running,"Carlson told Mediaite over the summer.

Of course, he wouldn't be answering that question if there weren't plenty of other people talking him up for a 2024 bid, as first reported by Insider. And a July poll found Carlson winning the support of 7% of Republicans should he run.

• Everyone should keep a stocked emergency kit on-hand so they're prepared in the event of an unexpected natural disaster, power outage, or big storm. 
• There are generally two emergency kit options, as you're able to either purchase a pre-assembled kit or piece together a custom one of your own.
• Many pre-assembled kits are designed for specific use cases such as those for handling natural disasters or others compiled in order to be the most portable. 
• Our top pick, the Sustain Supply Co. Comfort4 72-Hour Emergency Survival Kit, not only covers critical needs like water, warmth, sustenance, and first aid, but it also has plenty of redundancies which is a critical part of any kit. 

Editor's note: With inventories in constant flux, we're keeping up with providing links to products and goods that are in stock and priced appropriately as best we can. Some recommendations may link to products that are currently out of stock, available via a third party, or aren't able to ship for several weeks. 

Statistically speaking, it's unlikely you'll find yourself in a situation calling for an emergency preparedness kit, but preparedness is the operative word. Should a disaster strike in the form of an earthquake, tornado, civil unrest, a major storm, or something similar, you might find yourself cut off from outside help, relying on your wits and whatever rations and supplies you have on hand.

If this does happen, rations with a multi-year shelf life and any supplies included in a first aid kit like light sources, fire-starting tools, and other such essentials could be literal lifesavers. But remember, buying an emergency preparedness kit is only the first step in readying yourself and your household to respond to a crisis properly.

How to make the most of your emergency kit

To get some insight into how to best use your kit, we spoke to Brent Stern, founder of the emergency kit company, Sustain Supply Co.

"When you're in a stressful situation, your ability to problem-solve is diminished," Stern told Insider.

He advises people to not only procure supplies but to study what they have, too. "Take at least a half-hour to go through your kit and know what's in there and where things are in the bag. Put some cash in, too, and any prescription drugs or specific first aid needs you or a family member might require."

Ultimately, according to Stern, "a good survival kit gives you the ability to be self-sufficient." The emergency prep kits on our list below allow you and a small group to do just that, fend for yourselves for a few days as you wait for the restoration of civil support systems in your area or anything other help and support.

Here are the best emergency kits:

• Best emergency kit overall: Sustain Supply Co. Comfort4 72-Hour Emergency Survival Kit
• Best for natural disasters: Rescue Guard First Aid Kit
• Best for severe weather: Complete Earthquake Bag
• Best budget: Ready America 2-Person 3-Day Emergency Kit
• Best multi-use: Black Hawk Survival 2-Person Deluxe Survival Kit
• Best portable: Monoki First Aid Survival Kit

Updated on 12/11/2020 by Rick Stella: Updated the section on how to make the most out of your emergency kit, added the Black Hawk Survival 2-Person Deluxe Survival Kit as our pick for the best multi-use, checked the availability of each recommended kit, and updated the prices and links where necessary.

Best overall

The carefully curated Sustain Supply Co. Comfort4 72-Hour Emergency Survival Kit overs basic needs and offers redundancies in critical areas such as hydration and warmth.

Pros: Thoughtful and comprehensive curation, included rations actually taste good, comes with plenty of water and its own filtration system

Cons: Quite expensive compared to other options

I chose the Sustain Supply Co. Comfort4 72-Hour Emergency Survival Kit as my family's emergency preparedness kit because after looking at many different options, it seemed to be the most thoughtfully curated option. There is simply nothing in this kit that feels superfluous, and there's no glaring omission, either.

Many survival kits have items like toothbrushes and hair combs that may make mornings more pleasant but aren't entirely imperative for survival during an emergency. In other words, that means they're just extra weight. The Comfort4 kit is stocked almost exactly as I'd have built a kit from scratch.

When I got the founder of Sustain Supply Co. on the phone, I learned how they pulled that off. Brent Stern explained that they used Amazon analytics to determine which prep/survival products people tended to buy at the same time and then made the leading choices of discerning shoppers the products they included in the kit.

Thus, the Comfort4 comes stocked with foods that may have a 30-year shelf life and that actually taste good once rehydrated and cooked. It includes more emergency drinking water than you'll find in almost any other emergency kit, too. The kit also has all the basics, like first aid supplies, fire starters, emergency blankets, a razor-sharp knife, and more.

But there's another reason I chose the Sustain Supply Co. Four-72 Emergency Survival Kit both for my own home as well as for the top pick on this list: redundancy. The kit comes with two lanterns, two flashlights, and multiple chemical snap lights (AKA glow sticks). As noted, it comes with a lot of drinking water, but it also has a water filter included. It has enough fire starting supplies to make more than enough fires for the three days for which the kit is designed to sustain four adults.

Yes, it's expensive but your safety is priceless. And though it's on the heavy side, if you're with other adults, you can spread the weight around or pass the backpack from person to person as needed.

Best for natural disasters

This Rescue Guard First Aid Kit packs plenty of supplies to support families up to 72 hours in the event of an evacuation or quarantine, including safety shelters, a fully-stocked first aid kit, and food and water.

Pros: Has enough supplies to support a four-person family for 72 hours, everything comes packed in an easy-to-carry backpack

Cons: May want to pack more water and food

It's important to stay prepared in the event of an evacuation or quarantine, and this includes having an emergency kit on-hand stocked with everything from first aid supplies and water to tents and fire starters. Rescue Guard's First Aid Kit not only comes standard with these valuable items but offers enough supplies to support a family of four up to 72 hours.

Packed entirely into an easily transportable backpack, this kit comes with a pair of two-person survival shelters, four rain ponchos, and an easy-to-use fire starter. There are even thermal blankets included, as well. The backpack also has a fully-stocked first aid kit with gauze pads, tweezers, first aid ointment, ibuprofen, and several sizes of bandages.

Purified drinking water and Coast Guard-approved food rations are included should food or water become scarce. Other useful items include a roll of duct tape, a small flashlight, and four safety respirators. Though you'd ideally not break into much of what's included, it's far better to have access to more than you need than to be searching for something in a time of crisis. 

Best for severe weather

The Complete Earthquake Bag is designed to keep you safe and prepared during natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, or tornadoes, and features enough supplies to support at least four people. 

Pros: Packed in a roller bag-style duffle, has enough capacity to support up to four people for several days, contains a large first aid kit, comes with mylar sleeping bags, food and water included is good for up to five years

Cons: Bag isn't waterproof which would make it susceptible to damage in the event of a flood

If the natural disaster most likely to ravage your hometown is an earthquake, hurricane, or flood, this is the kit for you. Featuring enough supplies for up to four people (variations of the kit can serve up to six, too), the Complete Earthquake Bag is a literal life-saver. 
The kit packs all of its supplies into a portable duffle bag that features an extending handle and roller wheels, making it easy to grab and go (and using it like a roller bag is preferred when the bag is full of contents, too). 

Along with a standard 107-piece first aid kit, it also features hygiene kits, a water carrier, 40 purification tablets, several high-calorie food bars, a 30-hour candle, and a hand-crank flashlight that also acts as a phone charger and radio. There are even hand warmers and emergency ponchos, as well as waterproof matches and four mylar sleeping bags. 

Auxillary items like goggles, a sewing kit, nylon rope, and leather-palmed gloves are also included, allowing the kit to offer respite in a variety of environments and emergencies. Though the bag comes packed full with the included contents, there's still some room to include a few extras of your own. This could include personal medication, additional food, or extra pairs of socks, and the like. 

Don't let the price tag scare you away either. For everything that's included, and how important it is to be this prepared in the event of a natural disaster, the Complete Earthquake Bag is an incredible value. 

Best budget

The Ready America 2-Person 3-Day Emergency Kit has the basics you'll need to shelter in place or cover some ground for a few days.

Pros: Great low price, high visibility backpack, covers basic needs

Cons: Lacking several key items, the backpack itself is low quality

There are some notable items missing from the Ready America 2-Person 3-Day Emergency Kit. It lacks a flashlight or lantern, with the only light source being two chemical light sticks. There's also no blade or tool of any sort and it lacks fire-starting gear — not even a lighter or a pack of matches.

But here's the thing: The basic necessities needed for survival don't actually include a light source, a cutting tool, or even fire. They amount to hydration, nutrition, and protection from the elements, and this low-cost emergency prep kit has you and one other adult covered on those fronts.

The pair of emergency blankets and ponchos keep you relatively warm and dry even in harsh environs, the food and water rations keep you sufficiently nourished, and the first aid kit helps with most minor medical issues. 

Although it's basic, the Ready America 2-Person 3-Day Emergency Kit is sufficient to check the "Prepared" box off your household to-do list. I recommend you go ahead and add a light, a pocketknife, and some storm matches, though.

Best multi-use

Black Hawk Survival's 2-Person Deluxe Survival Kit offers a versatile collection of emergency essentials like food and water but also comes stocked with crucial extras like waterproof matches, emergency sleeping bags, and N95 safety masks. 

Pros: Enough supplies to support two people for up to 72 hours, everything comes packaged into seal top bags, can come in a roller bag-style kit or a waterproof dry bag

Cons: Seal top bags don't come pre-labeled, so you'll have to dig through the kit when you first get it to see where everything is 

Fully stocked emergency kits aren't exactly inexpensive, so the one you buy should not only have enough contents to support multiple people, but it should hold-up across multiple use cases, too. Black Hawk Survival's aptly named 2-Person Deluxe Survival Kit does exactly this, and even comes packed in an easy-to-haul, easy-to-store wheel bag. 

The kit is split into seven basic categories: Food and water, light and communication, shelter and warmth, hygiene and sanitation, first aid, tools, and other (think notepads, small pencils, infectious waste bags, etc.). Doing it in this way not only assures that you can quickly glance at the list to make sure you're covered for literally anything, but if you keep a running checklist, you're able to replenish contents more easily.

Black Hawk Survival sends the bag with everything mostly separated into seal top bags and grouped together accordingly; the water is in its own bag, as are the food bars and utensils, toothbrush and toothpaste, and so on. However, the bags aren't labeled, so you may want to take a Sharpie to each one when you first open the kit.

As mentioned above, this kit excels in terms of versatility. It functions well as a quick go-bag but also can support two people over the course of 72 hours in the event of a natural disaster, massive power outage, or anything in between. There's even a deck of playing cards that depict various survival skills intended to educate you but also give you something to do during any downtime. 

At $205, it's certainly not cheap but few comprehensively stocked emergency kits like this are (and you don't want to skimp on something intended to save your life). It's worth the investment and has more use cases than you'll (hopefully) know what to do with it. -- Rick Stella

Best portable

A first aid kit that's portable makes it much easier to grab and go in times of need, and the 241-piece Monoki First Aid Survival Kit is easily stored in a backpack, large bag, or can even be carried with little trouble.

Pros: Features 241 pieces of first aid kit supplies, comes in an easy-to-transport waterproof case, a great companion to a larger emergency kit

Cons: Doesn't feature long-term emergency support supplies like food or water

A cumbersome first aid kit can sometimes make it hard to easily take it while on-the-go. With the Monoki First Aid Survival Kit, not only is it a highly portable emergency kit but it doesn't sacrifice any of the gear you'd need to rely on it in times of an emergency.

At 241 total pieces, this kit includes everything from medical gloves and bandages to a small pocketknife and multi-tool. There's even a pocket-sized flashlight, a compass, and a fire starter kit. Extra items like cotton swabs, fishing line, tweezers, safety pins, and a first aid blanket are also included.

The kit manages to stay small enough to fit into a roughly 8-inch by 5-inch waterproof container that easily fits into backpacks, bags, or gloveboxes (it's small enough to carry, too). This does mean it won't feature any extended support gear like emergency shelters, sleeping bags, or food and water.

Monoki's First Aid Survival Kit is inexpensive, too, costing just $36. So, not only does it pack the first aid supplies you'd need in the event of an emergency but it's a great value, as well. -- Rick Stella

Check out more Insider Reviews preparedness coverage

The best first aid kits

While you never want to need a first aid kit, should that need arise, you'll be glad you planned ahead and kept some high-quality medical supplies on hand. Here are the best you can buy.

The best backpacking food 

Fortunately, enjoying a great "real" meal while you camp, trek, or climb isn't all that hard to do provided you planned ahead. None of the meals on this list require anything fancier than a pot, some water, and a stove (or fire) to prepare, and some don't even require the pot. Find our top picks.

The best survival knives

If you're in the wilderness and can only take a single item with you, then a good survival blade is the one you need. Here are our top picks.

• As members of the Insider Reviews team, we spend most of our time researching, testing, and writing about products.
• We asked our colleagues to share the things that have been making life at home more comfortable these last nine months — from enabling new hobbies to solving unexpected annoyances. You can find 50 of our favorites below.
• Read more: We've tested several cloth face masks over the past 5 months — here are the 9 best ones

It's a strange and uncertain time, and finding the little things that bring us comfort and help us in some way shouldn't be underestimated right now.

The Insider Reviews team put together a list of our favorite products (old and new) that have helped us exercise, cook, clean, garden, sleep, groom our pets, and much more while staying home these last nine months. From a weighted Gravity blanket and Riley bedsheets to an Instant Pot and Barry's online fitness classes, here are the products we're finding the most useful right now.

50 useful items making quarantine easier:

A Tile Mate to find your phone in the couch cushions

Tile Mate (2020), $17.99, available at Amazon

Now that I spend my days just roaming from room to room like a ghost in my own home, I find that I misplace my phone far more often. Supposing I know where my keys are (which I usually do since I'm not driving anywhere anyway), I can ping my phone with a double-tap of my Tile keychain and follow the ensuing beep until I find my once-missing iPhone. These sweet little Bluetooth trackers are good for more purposes too, like tracking your cat or locating the exact address of a lost item, but I find I use them most when figuring out which couch cushions my phone slipped through. — Sarah Saril, deals reporter

The free "Netflix Party" extension for watching shows with others

Netflix Party extension, free

From new shows like "Never Have I Ever" to nostalgic favorites like "Avatar: The Last Airbender," I've been watching a lot of TV lately. The extension makes it easy to watch a show or movie at the same time with a partner and also has a chat room to let you type out your live reactions and commentary as events on the screen unfold. With my boyfriend, we'll also start a Houseparty session to see each other's faces and add further to the "live" entertainment experience. Note: This extension only works for Netflix. I've tried other sites and extensions that supposedly work for additional services like Hulu and Amazon Prime, but I've had no luck. Netflix Party is by far the easiest to get up and running in just a few minutes. — Connie Chen, senior home & kitchen reporter

An Apple Pencil for maximizing your iPad

Apple Pencil, $94.88, available at Amazon

If you've got an iPad that is Apple-Pencil-friendly, I can't recommend getting one enough. I happened to pick one up right before quarantine hit, and between drawing in Procreate, jotting something in Notes, or dropping colors in some stress-relief coloring pages, I've put countless hours of use into it. I previously would use my second-hand iPad just for reading and light internet browsing, but now its utility has vastly increased with the addition of an Apple Pencil. — Sarah Saril, deals reporter

An inexpensive bike rack for outside excursions

Swagman Upright Roof Mount Bike Rack, $41.82, available on Amazon

I've had a car roof rack for many years, but I never had the proper accessories to mount my bike on top. Since I'm riding my bike a lot more now, I decided it was finally time to get one. When I started doing research on bike mounts, I realized that they can be rather expensive, especially if you go to popular name brands. I got a great deal and paid $119 for my mountain bike during eBay's Prime Day-adjacent sale a few years ago, so paying a couple hundred for a single bike mount didn't sit well with me. I went with the Swagman Upright mount simply because it's cheap (I got two of them for less than one mount from a name brand) and it turned out to be great. It was easy to install, it keeps my bike secure, and it's lockable. I did a bungee cord for extra security, but I would've done that even with a more expensive mount. — Amir Ismael, style and grooming reporter

A cocktail making set for better drinks while bars and restaurants are closed

Boston Shaker Cocktail Making Set, $23.95, available on Amazon

With many bars and restaurants closed right now, I've been upping my at-home cocktail game. My simple shaker and cocktail making set has been great for mixing classics like margaritas and daiquiris, and for trying out new and more impressive concoctions. — Hannah Freedman, associate travel editor

An Instant Pot for quick and easy meals

Instant Pot Duo, 6 quarts, $79, available at Amazon

Pre-pandemic, I always said if I had more time to cook, I'd take on bigger cooking and baking projects on the regular. I'd fancied myself something of an at-home chef. Well, now that I am spending a lot more time at home and dining out at restaurants isn't an option, I'm actually finding that my desire to tackle new and laborious recipes is waning. I'm really tired of cooking all the time … it's not as fun for me right now. That's why my Instant Pot is currently my go-to kitchen appliance for quick and easy meals, like The Kitchn's chicken burrito bowls. As a bonus, since all the cooking happens in just one pot, cleanup is easier too.  — Ellen Hoffman, executive editor

An air fryer to infinitely improve the food you'd otherwise throw in the microwave

Bella 2.6-Quart Air Fryer, $39.99, available on Amazon

I got the Bella Air Fryer months ago, but it sat brand new in the box until recently. I decided to finally give it a try since I'm home more than ever before and I'm so glad I did. It's literally become my savior for quickly making things that I'd usually put in the oven, from french fries and hash browns to chicken wings. We named it the best easy-to-use air fryer in our air fryer buying guide and I couldn't agree more. It's kept simple with two dials — one for the temperature and the other for the timer — and that's really all you need. Although I haven't used other more intricate or advanced air fryers, I can definitely say that spending big bucks on one is not completely necessary. — Amir Ismael, style and grooming reporter

A huge water bottle to encourage hydration

Nalgene Wide-Mouth Water Bottle, 32 fl. oz., $11.95, available at REI

I ordered a giant liter-sized water bottle as soon as I realized I'd be working remotely for awhile. I fill it up in the morning and keep it by me throughout the day, so I drink water routinely. Not only am I drinking more water than I have in years (which has really helped my complexion), but it's cut down on the dishes I need to do every day. And it's made me feel really good about introducing a healthy habit into my life without much money or effort — especially now, when most of our problems are far bigger and more complicated. — Mara Leighton, senior style & beauty reporter

A powerful cordless vacuum for easy cleaning

Dyson V11 Outsize Vacuum, $699.99, available at Target

My return home has resulted in larger grocery bills, a little bit more noise around the house, and quite obviously, hair scattered in every room possible. I try to help with chores like weekly vacuuming, and Dyson's newest cordless vacuum has been an essential tool for that task. It has a larger bin and cleaner head than previous models, making it ideal for full-house cleaning. With its long run time (up to 120 minutes) and convenient cordless design, I can collect all the dust, debris, and hair in one go. It's weirdly satisfying to empty the bin after a session and see a week's worth of house-living tumble out. — Connie Chen, senior home & kitchen reporter

Now that both my husband and I are home all the time, there's been much more hair, dust, bits of random packaging, and small food scraps on the floor. We have a Dyson V10 and it's great, but we have to change out the canister every week or so. The V11 has a bigger canister so we can vacuum and dump out the contents more like every two or three weeks instead. It's more convenient and efficient for us, though it makes me worry how lazy we truly are.— Jada Wong, senior home & kitchen editor

Tough virtual workout classes

Barry's online classes, $20, available at Barrys.com

I find it hard to stay motivated without a fitness instructor standing and yelling at the top of their lungs in front of me, so I decided to give online Barry's classes a try (free credits were provided to me for review), having done only one in-person Barry's class in my life. 

I loved them, even though I was initially doubtful of the virtual class design, because they were tough, there were many class options every day, and I could involve my friends to sweat together and stay together despite physical distance. They take place over Zoom and are 35-50 minutes long, with options that require weights and bands, as well as bodyweight-only classes. And seeing fellow class-goers struggling or pushing themselves on their little Zoom thumbnails as an energetic instructor shouted out names and played upbeat music made the whole experience feel more personal. — Connie Chen, senior home & kitchen reporter

The Nintendo Switch Lite for gaming

Nintendo Switch Lite, $199, available at Walmart

I was a pretty avid gamer as a kid, but adult life got in the way, and I found myself too tight on time to keep up with the hobby. Quarantine has proven the perfect time to pick it up again, and the Switch Lite has been a great re-entry point with a pretty shallow learning curve so I could get into it right away. I've been engrossed in Animal Crossing: New Horizons and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in particular. — Jen Gushue, associate guides editor

A milk frother to make a nice cup of coffee in the morning

Zulay Handheld Milk Frother, $18.95, available on Amazon

I've been making nice cups of coffee in the morning. Using this small handheld frother, I warm and froth a little oat milk into a pillowy layer of foam to pour on top of my regularly brewed cup. It's a tiny upgrade that feels indulgent but only takes about one extra minute. The one downside of this frother is that it eats up batteries pretty quickly, though I haven't tried another one so I can't tell if that's an inefficiency of this model or just a general issue with any of these little handheld guys. — Sally Kaplan, senior style & beauty editor

An air purifier for better air quality indoors

Blueair Blue Pure 411, $119.99, available from Blueair

After spending so much unexpected time indoors for months now, I began to wonder if all the air I was breathing was clean and safe, especially as allergy season approached. An air purifier felt like a necessary solution for that and made me feel a bit better about experiencing less fresh air. I chose this model for a few reasons, namely, it's the smaller version of Insider Reviews' best overall air purifier, is well-reviewed, and affordably priced. Living in a small apartment, I didn't have a need for a large unit and this one has a slim profile that can be tucked into corners and easily moved from room-to-room. Plus, when it's set to low, it's completely silent. — Emily Hochberg, travel editor

A dutch oven for baking bread

Lodge 5-Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven, $39.99, available at Target

I've gotten really into baking bread (like everyone else) over the last few months. I've never enjoyed baking or cooking, but this has been the perfect entry-level experience: simple instructions, minimal ingredients and tools, and delicious outcomes — even if the ratios are a bit off in the beginning. After a few months of trial and error, I now make about three loaves per week.

And let me tell you, a dutch oven makes better bread. You don't need to spend a lot — this $40 version gets the job done perfectly for me. Pro tip: line it with parchment paper to save time on cleaning. If you're up for a splurge, your money may be best invested in really nice flour. — Mara Leighton, senior style & beauty reporter

A Roku for watching whatever you want — even without cable

Roku Express HD, $21.99, available at Target

At the start of the stay-at-home order, my boyfriend and I picked up a Roku for his apartment, which has been life-changing. It makes it so much easier to watch whatever we want, especially since he doesn't have cable. I watch a lot of YouTube so one of my favorite things is that I can now watch whatever YouTube videos I want on the TV, rather than watch them on my small computer screen. — Victoria Gracie, associate distribution producer

A big, relatively inexpensive monitor

27-inch Dell FreeSync Monitor, $199.99, available at Best Buy

In our office, we have nice big computer monitors to work with and now I can't do my job without one. Since I've been working from home, this affordable Dell monitor has become indispensable. It has a 27-inch Full HD screen that's more than enough for most people's needs, and it's much more affordable than fancy gaming or 4K displays. I also use it occasionally when I'm not working. It makes for a great mini TV screen and is fun to use on video calls because I can see the person (or people) I'm talking to very well. — Malarie Gokey, deputy editor 

A subscription to access all of Hulu's original programming with no ads

Hulu (No Ads), $11.99 a month

— Ellen Hoffman, executive editor

A Kindle for convenient reading

Kindle Oasis, $249.99, available at Best Buy and on Amazon

I always read a lot, and being inside my apartment all the time means I read even more. I'm so glad to have my Kindle Oasis by my side as I trek through other times and places, living vicariously through the characters whose fictional lives I'm following. It's the best top-of-the-line ebook reader you can get, though the Paperwhite will also serve you just fine, and it's much cheaper! — Malarie Gokey, deputy editor 

A comfortable and supportive pillow

Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow, $59.99 for queen or $64.99 for king, available at Amazon

I don't just edit our buying guides; I'm a loyal reader and shop from them too. So when I needed to buy new pillows for my bed a couple months ago, my first stop was Lauren Savoie's guide to the best pillows. The Coop Original Pillow didn't disappoint my partner or me; it comes with detailed instructions and extra shredded foam filling to help you customize the pillow for your preferred sleeping position. — Ellen Hoffman, executive editor

A fancy espresso machine for delicious pick-me-ups

Breville Barista Express, $599.95, available from Breville

Breville Barista Pro, $699.95, available from Breville

I use this machine about three times a day, and it is what gets me out of bed in the morning. It is my true pride and joy (I really hope my girlfriend doesn't read this).

In all seriousness, I can't stress a good espresso machine enough, and now, while you're home more than ever, is when you need one most. It's also a great time to learn and get into the habit of making your own coffee and preparing to save hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars a year when the world reopens and the allure of Starbucks threatens to seep you dry of your pocket change. — Owen Burke, senior home & kitchen reporter

The Express has been an overwhelming presence in my small Brooklyn kitchen for two and a half years. I mean that literally and figuratively. But it's well-deserving of the space. Lately, my partner and I are pulling seven shots a day: two double cappuccinos and three Americanos. I'm no connoisseur, but the shots are consistent — and consistency is what so many of us need right now. It's easy to use and fast, which is great if I'm about to head into a Google Meeting and realize I need a quick pick-me-up a few minutes before. — Les Shu, guides editor

Post-It Notes for keeping track of tasks and shopping lists

Post-It Notes, $14.15, available on Amazon

I survived a few weeks without Post-It Notes at home, but it was a trying experience (#firstworldproblems). I use them for everything — jotting down notes, writing shopping lists, drawing smiley faces to stick around the apartment, and on and on. It helps if you get the brightly colored multipack — trust me. — Malarie Gokey, deputy editor 

A silk pillowcase to reduce hair damage and frizz

Yanibest Silk Pillowcase, $23.99, available on Amazon

I thought I was low-maintenance until it took me just two weeks back home to order a silk pillowcase. My hair is naturally voluminous, wavy, and prone to frizziness — and sleeping on a silky surface, which reduces the friction that causes hair damage and frizz, makes all the difference in my hair's texture and manageability. I'm not wearing makeup or changing out of sweats too often, so it's been really nice to feel like my hair looks alright without any effort. — Mara Leighton, senior style & beauty reporter

Supportive, breathable sneakers for neighborhood runs

Allbirds Dasher, $125, available on Allbirds

Allbirds' new sneakers are a great pair for the 3-5 mile runs around my neighborhood. They have more cushioning than I'm used to in neutral sneakers, a breathable knit upper that flexes with my foot as I run, and a flared heel that lends a little bit of welcome stability to my stride. They're a little less breathable than my Saucony Kinvara 10s, but the spring-in-your-step buoyancy is worth it. I wear them for weekly runs, but I've also started favoring them for anything that requires leaving the house; they're just so comfortable. — Mara Leighton, senior style & beauty reporter

A great electric kettle for tea

Krups Savoy Automatic Electric Kettle, $74.99, available on Amazon [currently out of stock] or Macys

Quarantine just seems to be amplifying my habits. I always drink a lot of tea, and now I drink even more because my Krups electric kettle is right there. It heats up water to boiling in just a few minutes to make pot after pot of tea. I also use it to boil water for pasta, cooking vegetables, and anything else that needs boiling water. — Malarie Gokey, deputy editor 

A tough HIIT workout class

Rumble TV, $15/class

I never shut up about Rumble— the HIIT, boxing-inspired workout has completely changed the way I view exercise. Rumble has tried as hard as possible to replicate the in-class experience from your living room, including graphics that walk you through each exercise, and making many classes bodyweight only so all can participate. I won't lie: Virtual workout classes make me feel pretty awkward, and Rumble TV is not exempt from this. It's hard not to feel strange as I flail around my room on my own, especially without an actual bag to punch. Ultimately, though, turning the lights off and pretending that I'm at an in-person Rumble Boxing class is the closest I feel to normalcy.— Emily Hein, story producer

An indoor garden for fresh herbs and reduced grocery store trips

AeroGarden Harvest, $99.99, available from The Home Depot and Amazon

When I realized I may not be able to go to the grocery store to buy produce as frequently as I usually do, I decided to get an indoor countertop garden. I planted cherry tomatoes and herbs in my AeroGarden Harvest, and I've been enjoying fresh herbs ever since. My cherry tomatoes are finally growing, though they're not quite ready yet! They're small green globes right now. — Malarie Gokey, deputy editor 

I've grown small tomatoes in my AeroGarden these past few months and even though they're on the smaller side (most won't be much bigger than a gumball), they're sweet and delicious. The AeroGarden's a fun way to grow your own produce and herbs, but it does take more time than you'd expect for a batch of veggies. It took me around three months before the tomatoes were ready for harvesting. — Jada Wong, senior home & kitchen editor

A soft, breathable weighted blanket

Gravity Blanket, $189, available on Gravity Blankets

If there's only one creature comfort I could buy, it would be a great weighted blanket. This one from Gravity has a soft, compact micro-fleece cover and an evenly distributed weight throughout the inside. And, with it, I get noticeably deeper and more restful sleep — the kind that makes me feel more energized and motivated throughout the day. 

It's also nice for simply relaxing. Like many people, I've been feeling far more anxiety these days. A weighted blanket doesn't take it away, but it does seem to mellow me out. If this one isn't in your price range right now, I also really like this version from YnM. — Mara Leighton, senior style & beauty reporter

An eyemask for better sleep

Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Eyemask, $29, available at Brooklinen

A nice eye mask is a cheaper and easier upgrade to any sleeping environment than blackout curtains, and this one helps me somewhat control the quality of my sleep no matter where I go. I've also started using ear plugs so my family members' different schedules can overlap in peace in our small house. — Mara Leighton, senior style & beauty reporter

A french press for great cups of coffee at home

Bodum Chambord French Press, $35, available at Walmart

For the first 27 years of my life, I had never learned how to use a French press. It looked too overwhelming. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. My roommate Isaac took the time to show me how to work this fine Bodum french press, and I haven't looked back. It can make two beautiful, fresh coffee cups that leaves me productive enough to clank away at my computer screen for the remainder of the work day. This Bodum one is affordable and just works so efficiently. Oh, it's also Insider Reviews best overall French press. Shout out to my buddy and colleague Owen Burke for this How to make a French press masterpiece. — Shalom Goodman, SEO strategist 

Comfy lounge pants that are nice enough for a run to the mailbox

Meundies Women Lounge Pant, $68, available at MeUndies

The MeUndies Loungers are one of our team's favorite lounge pants of all time— and one of the first recommendations I bought when I started working at Insider in 2017. They've been the pair of pants I pull on after work and for weekend errands ever since, and they're the heroes of my quarantine wardrobe now. The micromodal/elastane blend is silky soft and weighty, and the cut is simultaneously sleek and loose — making them slim and polished enough to keep me from feeling too gross even after (many) days in them. — Mara Leighton, senior style & beauty reporter

A comfortable, low-maintenance shirt that replaces work clothes

Nike Element Long Sleeve Running Shirt, $55, available at Dick's Sporting Goods

When it became clear that I was about to be spending a lot more time at home, I picked up a few things from Nike to replace my normal work clothes. I grabbed this long-sleeve top at the last minute because I liked the color (Game Royal) and it was on sale, and I haven't stopped wearing it since! The Dri-Fit material is really comfortable and low maintenance, and all I have to do is slip on some sneakers to go for a walk after work. I'm planning to get it in a few more colors. — Ashley Phillips, style & beauty editor

Crisp percale sheets that feel like a luxury hotel set

Riley Percale Sheets (Queen), $129, available from Riley Home

Due to travel restrictions, my husband and I have had to cancel several trips. These percale sheets from Riley feel like luxury hotel sheets, so we've been sleeping on these exclusively for the past month as our way of pretending we're on vacation instead of a perma-staycation. They're crisp yet soft, and they stay cool to the touch. We've washed it at least three times already and they seem to be softer and more lived-in with every wash. — Jada Wong, senior home & kitchen editor

Food storage containers for the basics

Zeppoli Air-Tight Food Storage Container Set, $29.99, available on Amazon

Due to the scarcity of flour right now, my partner decided to order us 50 pounds of bulk flour because it was all she could find online. When it showed up on our doorstep, it truly hit us how much flour that was. It's a lot. So much, in fact, that it filled up nearly every container we have in our apartment. Needless to say, these airtight containers with locking lids have come in clutch. — Jen Gushue, associate guides editor

An interactive toy for dogs

OurPets IQ Treat Ball Interactive Dog Toys, $12.45, available on Amazon

Since my partner and I began working from home, our dog Homer's routine has been thrown a bit out of whack. This is most apparent in the afternoon when he tries to will us out for an extra walk with his long, penetrating stares. He needs some extra stimulation, but it can't be a three-hour Brooklyn adventure. 

I already had the Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball Interactive Dog Toy but hadn't used it much; it gets lost under the bed and sofa too often. But it's a great food dispenser that keeps dogs busy longer than the Kong Wobbler. The plastic ball can hold up to a quarter cup of kibble or treats and be adjusted to make it more difficult for dogs who need a challenge. Now Homer spends a half-hour every afternoon nosing the ball around the apartment. After he's hoovered up all of the kibble, he settles in for an afternoon snooze. — Lisa Sabatini, pets & parenting editor

Iced coffee that comes close to the real, normal thing

Starbucks Unsweetened Dark Roast Iced Coffee, $5.99, available on Instacart

I'm currently living with my parents who don't drink coffee (gasp!), so I've had to get creative when it comes to my daily cup. I'm not picky when it comes to coffee, and the Starbucks Iced Coffee sold in grocery stores is close enough to the in-store version that it satisfies. I prefer unsweetened dark roast, but Starbucks also sells blonde roast, medium roast, and sweetened versions of the same 48-ounce bottle. While it's not as cost-effective as owning a coffee maker (an idea I'm still trying to turn my parents on to), the bottle is relatively cheap when compared to Starbucks storefront purchases. — Emily Hein, story producer

Comfortable lounge joggers that don't look like pajamas

Brooklinen Boerum Jogger, $75, available from Brooklinen

I'm living in these super comfy joggers from Brooklinen while working from home. They're ideal for lounging on the couch, but don't look like pajamas if I decide to wear them out on grocery runs too. I've also washed them a ton and, unlike many of my other sweatpants, they haven't gotten any less soft and haven't pilled. — Hannah Freedman, associate travel editor

A weighted comforter that feels like a "nice hug"

Brooklinen Weighted Comforter, $211.65, available on Brooklinen

I love the idea of a weighted blanket but I never liked how they were a second blanket on top of our comforter and would constantly slip sideways so my husband and I could never get the right level of comfort. This solves that issue entirely because it's a weighted comforter you'd use in place of your usual one. We have the 30-pound King comforter and we both enjoy the even distribution.

Since we're not commuting to the office, we've had more hours to sleep so this has been getting a lot of use recently. I'm constantly surprised how heavy the blanket feels as I pull it towards my body, but once I'm under it, it feels like a nice hug. The cotton sateen fabric is breathable and there are convenient loops so you can attach it to a duvet cover easily. We have a duvet cover from Brooklinen but we've used the comforter with covers from Gryphon and Riley, and it works just as well. — Jada Wong, senior home & kitchen editor

A cozy comforter that's breathable enough for warm sleepers

Buffy the Breeze comforter (full/queen), $179, available on Buffy

Ever since switching to this comforter, all I can think is, what took me so long. I've always been a warm sleeper but settled on a stuffy duvet because I figured that would always be my fluffiest, most comfortable option. Wrong. I love Buffy's the Breeze blanket, which is designed specifically for warm sleepers but still feels cozy and cocoon-like. I don't feel like I've compromised on anything and am sleeping easier due to the cool-to-the-touch shell made from 100% eucalyptus. I made the shift in early spring, but expect I'll still be using it come winter too. — Emily Hochberg, travel editor

A sous vide that makes better meals without requiring more time in the kitchen

Anova Precision Cooker Nano, $99, available at Anova

I may be home more than usual these days, but that doesn't mean I have all the time in the world to stand at a stove nor do I want to constantly heat up my apartment with the oven. My Anova has been seeing a lot of action, beautifully cooking steaks, chicken, and even fish — I'm making up for lost time since buying it more than a year ago. And with sous vide, I can just set it aside and not worry about it — even if I cook foods longer than the recommended time, it's difficult to overcook. — Les Shu, guides editor

An electronic water pump

Primo Electronic Water Pump, $24.88, available at Home Depot

Since my sink's built-in filter is broken, we've been filling up jugs at water refill stations. I'm constantly drinking water, so instead of stealing my parents' water supply in their home office, I have two five-gallon jugs all to myself and this water pump. Full water dispensers cost around $70-$100 and take up a lot of space, while this electronic one simply attaches to the bottle opening and is a fraction of the price. It's really easy to use: just press the button to dispense water, and press it again to stop the flow. It recharges by USB cable and the battery lasts around 25 gallons at a time. — Connie Chen, senior home & kitchen reporter

A GoPro for better-quality footage of the Great Outdoors

GoPro Max, $449, available at B&H

As an avid photographer I use my camera every opportunity I have to go outside, even if the time is limited. One camera I've been using is the GoPro Max 360-degree camera. It has the ability to record everything around you, and you can then use the footage to create fun videos. I love the ease of use and how well it works with the GoPro smartphone app. While I may not be able to venture out as much as before, I can at least capture it when I can. — Les Shu, guides editor

Another indoor garden for on-demand fresh herbs

Click and Grow Smart Garden 3, $99.95, available on Click and Grow

While my AeroGarden Harvest is growing tomatoes, my Click and Grow is producing basil right alongside it. I love fresh herbs and basil is one of my favorites so it's fun to turn to the grower and pluck a few leaves to top our meals. I just have to remind myself to not take too many at once or risk waiting a few days for the basil to grow back in. — Jada Wong, senior home & kitchen editor

An extra-large desk for working at home with a partner

Autonomous SmartDesk 2 Premium, $449, available from Autonomous

My husband and I sit next to each other when we're working and this extended-length standing desk has been a game-changer for our sanities. We have the XL top which means it's 70.5 inches and can accommodate two people comfortably. Our previous desk was meant for one person with enough room for an external monitor and all the usual suspects for a home office desk, so imagine that times two — you can imagine how fast that got old. There's a regular standard tabletop length too, but I couldn't recommend the XL version enough for anyone who's working at home with a partner. 

Regardless of the tabletop length, I like how stable the desk is and how smooth it transitions from standing to sitting. There's a pad on the right side of the desk to adjust heights easily. The sleek profile is also unobtrusive and there are a few different tabletop materials to choose from so it'll fit in any home office setting. — Jada Wong, senior home & kitchen editor

A small, surprisingly useful pizza cutter wheel

Kitchy Pizza Cutter Wheel, $13.95, available on Amazon

We use this more often than we care to admit. It's an easy-to-use pizza wheel cutter that makes our frozen pizzas feel much more gourmet, and the small size fits in our crowded kitchen drawers well. The large handle is slightly grippy and feels sturdy, and there's a plastic protective guard over the blade for safety. — Jada Wong, senior home & kitchen editor

Scrunchies that are more comfortable to wear and gentle on the hair

Assorted Scrunchies:

Kitsch Velvet Scrunchies, $9, available at Ulta Beauty

SLIP Small Slipsilk Scrunchies (6-pack), $39, available at Sephora

While working from home, I've been trying to take better care of my hair since most days I don't have to leave the house. I also haven't been able to get a haircut so my hair is longer than it has been in a while. I've been relying on my scrunchie collection to tame my hair and have loved using them to put my hair in low ponytails, low buns, half-up half-down, and top knot buns. Scrunchies make it more fun to do your hair and I find them much more comfortable than your average hair tie. They look cute while they're on your wrist, too. — Victoria Gracie, associate distribution producer

Good gardening shears for maintaining all the indoor houseplants

Vivosun Gardening Shears, $6.99, available on Amazon

I have a ton of indoor houseplants and I've been spending more time maintaining them. I've started to propagate my philodendron and pothos plants, so I use these gardening shears to snip them. They're sharper than regular scissors and have a good grip that's easy on the hands. — Jada Wong, senior home & kitchen editor

A diffuser to help you calm down at night

HoMedics Diffuser, from $14.99, available from HoMedics

Everspring Lavender Essential Oil, $7.99, available at Target

While stuck at home, I've been trying to find anything to help myself relax. One of my favorite things to do when winding down at night is put on my diffuser. I've been especially loving my lavender essential oil  — the scent is calming and relaxing, which is much needed during this time. By the time I go to bed my bedroom is filled with a blissful lavender scent! — Victoria Gracie, associate distribution producer 

Comfortable house slippers

Ugg Scuffette II Slippers, $90, available at UGG

Since the start of quarantine, I've been living in my Ugg slippers. Instead of putting on shoes to go to work in the morning like I used to, I slip on my Ugg slippers and head to my computer. These slippers are so comfortable and do an amazing job at keeping my feet warm. I'm honestly not sure what I would do if I didn't have these slippers in my wardrobe right now! — Victoria Gracie, associate distribution producer

A budget-friendly candle that smells like a more expensive classic

Threshold Milky Glass Lidded Jar Candle Red Mandarin & Guava, $5, available at Target [currently out of stock]

Since quarantine began, I've been burning a lot more candles than I normally would, so I'm always on the hunt for new, affordable candles. Believe it or not, I first discovered this candle while scrolling through TikTok. The TikTok I saw claimed that this $5 candle from Target smells just like Capri Blue's cult-favorite volcano candle, so I had to try it. The TikTok wasn't wrong — this candle smells so similar to the volcano candle at a fraction of the price.

I was pleasantly surprised at how it filled the room with its scent like a more expensive candle would, and for $5, the candle itself was much larger than I had expected. This candle seems to be popular and is often sold out, but it also comes back in stock often. I'm excited to try other candles from this line and I have a Vanilla scented one on the way! — Victoria Gracie, associate distribution producer

Sneakers with good arch support for flat feet

Brooks Levitate 3, $97.50, available from Brooks Running [currently out of stock]

I have an older colorway of these sneakers and they're one of the most comfortable I've worn. I try to run a few times a week and I always reach for them. They give me enough bounce-back and arch support that my flat feet need. — Jada Wong, senior home & kitchen editor

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, but retailers are still offering great discounts all month for the holiday season. Though they won't be as good as the ones we saw during Cyber Week, there are still tons of deals from major players like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy alongside retail startups we love, like Bonobos and Brooklyn Bedding.

We're keeping track of all the holiday sales, so you don't have to. We've listed the best sales going on now below, and we'll make updates as more go live. 

Best big-box retailer sales

• Amazon: Save with new deals added every day. 
• Bed Bath & Beyond: Save on home goods and appliances with new deals added every week.
• Best Buy: Save on computers, TVs, gaming gear, and much more, with limited-time sales added every day.
• JCPenney: Get an extra 30% off with promo code GOSHOP30.
• Kohl's: Save daily with deals on apparel, home goods, appliances, and more.
• Lowe's: Save with new deals released regularly on home decor, smart home tech, tools, and more.
• Macy's: Get 15% off beauty and an extra 25% off with code FRIEND.
• Overstock: Save up to 70% sitewide with free shipping.
• Petco: Save daily on pet essentials with new deals released regularly.
• Staples: Save on gaming chairs, office chairs, computers, ink, toner, and more with new deals added regularly.
• Target: Save big on tech, home goods, TVs, and more through with new deals added regularly. 
• Walmart: Save on tech, home goods, and more with new deals added regularly.

Best tech sales

• Adorama: Save big on cameras, computers, and more.
• B&H Photo: Save big on cameras, accessories, and other accessories.
• Bose: Save on headphones, speakers, and more with new deals added regularly.
• Dell: Save on Dell computers, TVs, gaming gear, and more with more new doorbusters being released daily at 8 a.m. ET. 
• GoPro: Save $220 when you buy the Hero9 Black with a 1-year GoPro subscription.
• HP: Save on HP laptops, PCs, and monitors with new deals added regularly.
• LG: Save up to $500 on select sound bar and TV bundles through December 13. 
• Microsoft: Select Surface devices are on sale now. 
• PopSockets: Save during the 12 Days of Deals with a new sale every day.
• Samsung: Save on Galaxy phones, Galaxy smartwatches, Galaxy Buds Live, TVs, gaming monitors, and more.
• Speck: Take 25% off sitewide through December 13 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

Best home and kitchen sales

• 1-800-Flowers: Save 20% on select items with the code XMAS20.
• Allswell: Take 15% off mattresses and 25% off everything else with code HOME4HOLIDAYS through December 22.
• AJ Madison: Up to 50% off on appliances and more.
• Anthropologie: Get 40% off all clothing.
• Branch: Save up to 20% on home office furniture. 
• Brooklinen: Get 20% off sitewide.
• CB2: Save 50% off clearance.
• The Company Store: Buy one, get one pillow free with code X20FREE.
• Coop Home Goods: Save 10% sitewide with code JOLLY.
• Copper Cow Coffee: Get 20% off pour-over advent calendars with code GIFT20.
• Crowd Cow: Save up to 20% on different cuts of proteins. New members can also get free ground beef forever. 
• Equal Parts: Take 20% off sitewide.
• Favor: Save 25% with code FESTIVE.
• Field Company: Save up to 40% off skillets. Buy one, get one half off with code BOGOHO. Buy two, get one free with code B2G1. Buy three, get two free with code B3G2.
• Firstleaf: Get 50% off your first box.
• Gravity Blankets: Save 30% sitewide with code HOLIDAY2020. 
• Hedley & Bennett: Get 20% off Hedley classic styles through December 14.
• Horchow: Get up to 30% off decor, rugs, and more.
• Houzz: Get up to 75% off on select home decor products.
• Industry West: Take 30% off sitewide with code HOLIDAY.
• The Inside: Take 20% off sitewide.
• Keurig: Get 25% off sitewide with promo code GIFTREADY.
• Magnolia: Get 25% off select holiday items.
• Mark & Graham: Get up to 50% off bestselling gifts.
• Michaels: Save 20% on all regular price shopping with code 20MADEBYYOU through December 26, and take up to 70% off select items.
• Miku: Save $50 on a Miku Smart Baby Monitor with promo code HOLIDAY50— 3-day shipping is also free.
• Minted: Get 25% off orders $200+; 20% off everything plus FREE shipping with promo code CM25.
• Nutribullet: Get 20% off all blenders and juicers with promo code HOLIDAYCHEER.
• Pottery Barn: Save up to 30% on gifts including candles, personalized frames, and more.
• Pottery Barn Kids: Save up to 60%  with the promo code COZY.
• Pottery Barn Teen: Save up to 50% and get free shipping with promo code MERRY.
• Raymour & Flanigan: Save up to 20% in-store and online.
• Rejuvenation: Get up to 50% off decor, hardware, furniture, and more.
• Shark: Get up to $150 off select products through December 14.
• Society6: Save up to 40% with flash deals added daily. 
• Sur la Table: Get 25% off one item with promo code COOKIE20 through December 14.
• Treatlife: Save 20% on smart lighting products.
• Veestro: Take 40% off with promo code CYBER.
• Vitamix: Get 20% off full-size containers with promo code SAVE20.
• Wayfair: Get up to 80% off home decor, furniture, bedding, kitchen appliances, and more— new deals are added every day. 
• WestElm: Get up to 50% off everything with free shipping when you use promo code SHOPEARLY.
• Williams Sonoma: Get an extra 20% off clearance with promo code EXTRA and free shipping on orders $79+ with promo code SHIP4FREE. 

Best mattress sales

• Allswell: Get 25% off bedding, bath, decor, and Littles, and 15% off mattresses (excluding the Allswell Mattress) through December 22.
• Amerisleep: Save 30% on mattresses and get free pillows with the code CM30.
• Bear: Get 20% off mattresses and a free gift set worth $250 with purchase.
• Brooklyn Bedding: Get 20% off mattresses and 50% off sheets with code GIFT20 through December 15.
• Casper: Get 10% off everything.
• DreamCloud: Get a free set including two pillows, a mattress protector, and a luxury sheet set with any mattress purchase.
• Eight Sleep: Get an extra $150 off  at checkout with code AFF150.
• Helix: Get $200 off plus 2 Dream Pillows.
• Layla: Save up to $200 on mattresses and get $300 worth of free accessories through November 30.
• Leesa: Save up to $500 on Leesa mattresses and get two free pillows with purchase. 
• Nectar: Get $399 worth of sleep accessories including a mattress protector, sheets set, and premium pillows with every mattress purchase.
• Purple: Save up to $400 on a mattress + sleep bundle.
• Saatva: Save $200 on any purchase of $1,000 or more through December 14.
• Serta: Save up to $400 on an iComfort Mattress.
• Tuft & Needle: Save $25 on orders $150+, $100 on orders $650+, and $175 on orders $1,050+ through December 27.

Best fashion and beauty sales

• Adidas: Save up to 30% with code CELEBRATE.
• Aldo: Get 30% off regular-priced boots and bags.
• Allen Edmonds: Get 30% off boots.
• Alleyoop: Get 15% off items orders of 3 items or more and a free cosmetic bag with code BYOB.
• Andrew Marc: Get an extra 30% off sitewide with code MERRY.
• Banana Republic: Get up to 50% off sitewide with an extra 50% off sale styles.
• BareMinerals: Get 25% off everything with code GIFTNOW.
• BeautyBio: Save during the 12 days of Blushmas starting December 4 with one-day-only deals.
• Birchbox: Purchase a box and get a second one free plus $5 off with code EXTRAPLUS5. 
• Bloomingdale's: Get 25% off select items through December 14.
• Blue Nile: Save up to 50% on gifts with code CYBER2020. 
• Bonobos: Get 20% off sitewide with promo code HOLIYAY20.
• Candid: Save $600 on treatment when you pre-purchase aligners.
• Clarks: Save 50% on your entire purchase with code CYBER. 
• Cubcoats: Save up to 50% on certain designs. 
• Dagne Dover: Get 25% off luxury gifts with promo code YOUFANCY.
• DevaCurl: Save 30% sitewide plus a free full-size Melt Into Moisture treatment when you spend $65.
• Express: Get 50% off everything in-store and online.
• EyeBuyDirect: Buy one get one free plus 25% off your order with promo code CYBERSAVE.
• GlassesUSA: Get 30% off lenses and 20% off frames with promo code SEE2IT.
• M.M.LaFleur: Save during the Unprecedented Times sale.
• Nordstrom: Find deep discounts up to 50% on women's, men's, and kids' clothing, beauty and fragrance, and home goods. Read our roundup of the best deals here.
• Nike: Get up to 40% off sale styles.
• Old Navy: Get up to 60% off select styles.
• Outerknown: Get up to 60% on past-season favorites.
• Pact: Get up to 40% off sitewide.
• Parade: Take 30% off sitewide and get a free tiny scarf with purchase.
• Pipette: Get 25% off sitewide with code CHEER with daily deals changing every day.
• Primary: Get up to 40% off family pajamas.
• Richer Poorer: Take 30% off sitewide and an additional 30% off sale items.
• Ritani: Get $100 off a $3,000 diamond with code SAVE100.
• Roots: Save 25% on almost everything now through November 30.
• Sephora: Save during the month-long Sephorathon sale.
• Senreve: Get 15% off with code GIVE15.
• SmileDirectClub: Get an impression kit for $9 (normally $59) with code HOLIDAYGRINS. Return the kit for a full rebate and six months of free teeth whitening.
• Soludos: Save 20% sitewide.
• Sterling Forever: Save 35% sitewide, plus get free shipping with code CM35.
• Stone and Strand: Get 10% off your order with code GIFT10, online only.
• The Children's Place: Save 60 to 70% off sitewide.
• Toms: Save 35% sitewide.
• Ulta: Get up to 50% off with Ulta's Weekly Deals.
• Uniqlo: Save on sweaters, Heattech innerwear, and more with select deals online only. 
• United by Blue: Save an extra 50% on sale items with the code VERYMERRY.
• Urban Outfitters: Get up to 40% off sweaters, hats, scarves, and women's jackets.
• Uniqlo: Save on apparel with the Uniqlo Cyber Week Deals.
• Universal Standard: Buy one, get one for $1 loungewear.
• Vida: Take 15% off sitewide with code JOYOFSMALL.
• Yoox: Get up to 90% off.

Best outdoor and fitness sales

• Arctic Cool: Save 25% sitewide with code CYBERSAVINGS25.
• Gaiam: Get 30% off the Ultimate Balance Ball Chair with code DOTDCHAIR. Save with Gaiam Daily Deals.
• Hydro Flask: Get 25% off sitewide.
• Hyperice: Get $70 off select massage guns, $450 off Normatec recovery systems, and 30% off other recovery tech through November 30.
• Mirror: Get $100 off a Mirror Package, free shipping, and installation with code HOLIDAY20.
• REI: Save up to 40% during the Holiday Warm Up Sale through December 17.
• Theragun: Save up to $150 on Theragun massagers. 

Best travel gear sales

• Away: Get $125 the Weekend Set.
• Herschel: Get up to 50% off sale styles.
• Lo & Sons: Save up to 70% sitewide.
• Monos: Get 30% off on all luggage and bags and 10% off everything else through December 25 with code HOLIDAY2020.
• Tortuga: Save 20% when you spend $200 or more, 25% when you spend $300 or more, or 30% when you spend $500 or more through December 21.
• Travelpro: Get 20% off sitewide during the Friends & Family sale.

Best toys, games, and collectible sales

• Buy Buy Baby: Save with Holiday Daily deals.
• Crayola: Buy one get one 30% off all toys.
• The Dough Project: Save 30% sitewide.
• Fat Brain Toys: Save up to 70%.
• GameStop: Take up to 50% off select Nintendo Switch games, and new deals are added every day.
• HearthSong: Save 25% sitewide when you spend $75 with code CYBER, 15% when you spend $50 with code MONDAY, and 10% when you spend $35 with code SAVINGS.
• KiwiCo: Get 50% off your first month with code JOYFUL.

Best e-learning sales

• Babbel: Save 35% off a three-month subscription, 45% off six months, and 55% off a year.
• Codecademy: Get 25% off one year of Codecademy Pro with code CYBER25.
• Coursera: Get a select course for free or the first month of a Coursera Plus subscription for free.
• MasterClass: Get one annual membership, get a second one for free to give to someone else.
• Rosetta Stone: You can get an annual subscription for $7.99 a month (one payment of $95.88) or a lifetime membership for $179 (usually $199).
• Udemy: Get courses starting as low as $9.99.

Best sex toy sales

• Adam & Eve: Get 80% off on sale items across the site.
• Babeland: Save during the 10 Days of Deals event.
• Bellesa Boutique: Save 25% sitewide with code CYBERMONDAY. 
• Ella Paradis: Save up to 80% with code CYBER.
• Fun Factory: Save 25% sitewide and get a free mini vibrator with any Stronic purchase.
• MysteryVibe: Save 30% off the Crescendo, Tenuto, or Poco. 
• We-Vibe: Take 20% off bestsellers with code BF20.

Accelerators are bountiful opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to scale their business, connect with mentors, and score potential funding. 

That's especially true now as venture capital investments for early-stage startups have slowed down since the pandemic, presenting a challenge for burgeoning companies, according to a newly-released report from Pitchbook. 

Below is a living list of accelerators that we will update as deadlines pass. If you think there's an accelerator we should include, please get in touch via email. 

Last updated: Dec. 11

SEE ALSO: CONTEST ROUNDUP: The best startup competitions of 2020 for first-time founders to win up to $1 million to grow their business

DON'T MISS: The first-time founder's ultimate guide to pitching a VC and getting funding in 2020

January 15: Lunar Startups Accelerator

Website: https://www.lunarstartups.org/apply

Deadline: January 15, 2021

Emphasis: Startups with an in-market product or service with existing customers, clients, or users. 

Eligibility: Founders must retain majority ownership in the company and must identify as Black, Indigenous, a person of color (BIPOC), female, LGBTQ+, or non-binary. 

Investment: None 

Time commitment: 9 months

Notable alumni: Bamboo toilet paper startup Bim Bam Boo, vegan baking mix company Coconut Whisk, mobile wallet startup CheqrPay. 

Mentors: Bliss Pierce, global consumer insights expert at General Mills, and Shradha Oza, senior buyer of home decorative accessories at Target.

February 28: Techstars Sports Accelerator

Website: https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/indy-sports

Deadline: Feb. 28, 2021

Emphasis: Sports tech startups that are focused on aspects such as new technologies and business models.

Eligibility: Sports-related startups.

Investment: Techstars typically offers up to $120,000 for 6% equity in a company.

Time commitment: Three months

Notable alumni: Workout schedule platform ZoneIn, Bluetooth-connected sneaker Reza, swimmer metrics tracker SensSwim.

Mentors: Vasu Kulkarni, managing partner at Courtside Ventures, and Chevonae Walcott, analyst at Relay Ventures

Rolling: 500 Startups' Flagship San Francisco Accelerator

Website: https://500.co/accelerators/san-francisco

Deadline: Rolling 

Emphasis: Startups located anywhere in the world that aim to scale. 

Eligibility: None listed. 

Investment: Companies receive an investment of $150,000, which is structured as a convertible security, for about 6% of the business. 

Time commitment: 4 months 

Notable alumni: Cloud-based contact center Talkdesk, affordable jewelry seller Mejuri, and software shipping company Shippo. 

Mentors: Not listed on the website.

Rolling: Dreamit Ventures On Demand Accelerator

Website: https://www.dreamit.com/

Deadline: Rolling 

Emphasis: Startups that are ready to scale and have early revenue or pilots. Dreamit Ventures has three programs designed for healthcare tech, urban tech, and security tech. 

Eligibility: Startups should also have at least six months of runway when entering the Dreamit program. 

Investment: Dreamit has the right to invest up to $500,000 for a small amount of equity. 

Time commitment: 3.5 months

Notable alumni: Ticket startup SeatGeek, social networking service Houseparty, and AI-powered investment platform Cherre. 

Mentors: Depending on the emphasis, founders can work with serial entrepreneur Adam Dakin or founder and angel investor Andrew Ackerman.

• From cars and audio to fitness and games, we've rounded up 33 gift ideas for men who love tech.
• If you're after more ideas and inspiration, check out all of our gift guides for 2020 here.
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and deals

Finding the right gift for the tech-loving men on your shopping list is no easy task — the constant stream of new products, upgrades, and essential features can get a bit overwhelming, but we're here to help!

We've rounded up 33 tech gift ideas for men that range from everyday picks, like noise-cancelling headphones, to a drone with two miles of flight range.

The best part: Nearly two dozen of our gift ideas cost less than $100, and some are less than $50. Most of these products come from our own personal experience; though some have been chosen for their rarity, cool factor, or overall value.

Whether it's car tech, toys, fitness gear, or computing peripherals, there is sure to be a gift idea to satisfy the techie dude in your life.

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of our gift guides in one place.

A sleeve to protect AirPods

Incase Metallic Case for AirPods, available at Amazon, $29.95 [Save an extra 10% with coupon]

This sheath protects an AirPods case from accidental scratches and drops while adding some color for individuality.

A Bluetooth keyboard that folds up

Plu gable Compact Bluetooth Folding Keyboard, available at Amazon, $44.95

This portable keyboard makes typing-on-the-go more comfortable, yet it folds up and doesn't take up much room in your bag.

A drone you can fly nearly anywhere

DJI Mavic Mini, available at Best Buy, $399.99

Thanks to its light weight and form factor, you can pilot this easy-to-fly drone for cool aerial shots. (While it's exempt from FAA rules for consumer drone flying, do follow local regulations.)

A bike bell that drivers can actually hear

Priority High Power Horn, available from Priority Bicycles, $29.99

Born out of a research project between Priority Bicycles and Toyota, this bike horn can get as loud as the one in a car. This is an excellent safety accessory for bike commuters.

A jacket that controls your phone

Levi's Trucker Jacket with Jacquard by Google, available from Levi's, $139.98

What if you could take a photo, skip songs, receive notifications, or call up a voice assistant, just by swiping or tapping on your clothing? Using Google's Jacquard technology and your smartphone, you can with this Levi's jacket.

A tough laptop sleeve

Thule Gauntlet 3.0, available at Amazon, $59.95

From the company whose cargo boxes you entrust your skis to, this MacBook Pro sleeve has a hardened exterior, and you can even use your laptop without taking it out.

A remake of a beloved retro game console that isn't Nintendo

Sega Genesis Mini, available at Target, $79.99

Back in the day, you were either Team Nintendo or Team Sega. For the latter, this miniaturized version of the old-school Genesis console comes preloaded with 40 of the best-known titles, like "Sonic the Hedgehog,""Golden Axe," and, uh, "Ecco the Dolphin"— don't judge!

A powerful handheld vacuum

Black & Decker Cordless Lithium Hand Vacuum, available at Amazon, $49

A vacuum might not seem like the coolest gift at first glance, but Black & Decker's affordable hand vacuum packs ton of convenience for quick cleaning jobs at home, or in the car.

An action camera that is the best one yet

GoPro Hero9 Black, available from GoPro, $349.98

Of all the cameras we've tried in 2020, the Hero9 Black is easily one of the best. Fun features and great image quality make it a pocket marvel. You can read our full GoPro Hero9 Black review here.

A digital camera that feels retro

Fujifilm X-Pro3, available at Adorama, $1,799.00

With this camera, you'd think you're shooting on film. The images it can produce are so beautiful, you'll fall in love with photography all over again.

A backpack for travel or commute

Outbreaker Daypack, available from Tortuga, $99

This backpack stays flat for storage, but it has room for a 15-inch laptop, water bottle, and other gear. It's made with waterproof fabric for durability — all from one of our favorite bag makers.

The best game machine for retro arcade fans

Neo Geo Mini International, $45.97, available at GameStop

If the gamer in your life was more of an arcade nut, then consider this console that doesn't even need a display. This contains 4o of the most popular Neo Geo arcade games ever, including the entire Metal Slug shooter series.

A construction vehicle LEGO anyone can operate

LEGO Technic Liebherr R 9800 Excavator, available from LEGO, $449.99

Most guys fantasize about operating construction machinery. This LEGO masterpiece lets them live out those dreams, after they manage to assemble together the 4,108 (!!!) pieces. Motorized parts and a smartphone app-based controller bring it to life.

A military-grade case with a removable portable battery

Pelican Protector Case with Easy Mount System Rechargeable Battery Pack, available at Amazon, $22.99

Designed to protect an iPhone 11, Pelican backs its Protector case for life. The battery attaches magnetically to the case when it's needed. We're still waiting on Pelican to release their iPhone 12 lineup of cases.

A projector that fits in your pocket

ViewSonic M1 Mini, available at Amazon, $149.99

Take your big screen on the road, whether it's for an office presentation or entertainment in your in-laws' guest room. Measuring around 4 x 4 inches, it fits into a coat pocket.

A powerful pen-sized flashlight

Coast HP3R, available at Amazon, from $57.13

This flashlight is the size of a pen, yet its 245-lumen LED can project a powerful beam of bright light — up to 101 feet. You can recharge it via USB or use a AAA battery when in a pinch.

A portable power station to keep your gear charged

Goal Zero Yeti 200X, available from Goal Zero, $299.95

Goal Zero calls this device its lightest power station. With a variety of power ports, you can charge small USB devices and even larger equipment, like laptops. Ideal for those venturing into the outdoors.

A tough portable speaker that can take a dip

Braven BRV-MINI, available from Zagg, $39.99

This small, portable Bluetooth speaker is not only waterproof, but it can also float on water. You can take calls using the built-in mic. We recommend you buy two: When paired, you can create a two-channel stereo setup for more pleasing audio.

A scale that measures more than just weight

Eufy Smart Scale C1, available at Amazon, $29.99

This smart scale is inexpensive, yet it can do the same things as costlier options. When paired with a phone, you can track your weight, body fat, bone mass, water intake, and more.

A good pair of noise-cancelling headphones that aren't pricey — you heard that right

Anker Soundcore Life Q20, available at Amazon, $59.99 [Save an extra $10 with coupon]

No, noise-cancelling headphones don't have to cost $300 or more. This pair from Anker's Soundcore division uses active noise cancellation tech to block out the world, so you can focus on the tunes. Memory foam earcups provide long-wearing comfort.

A sci-fi board game that will have you playing for hours

Scythe, available at Amazon, $72.95

Robot mechs, an alternate reality, and land-conquering tactics — all the makings for a turn-based strategy video game, except this one is a tabletop board game, and one of the best ever created.

A portable battery for jumping your car

Halo Bolt Wireless, available from Zagg, $109.99

This is the ultimate portable battery. It has enough power to jump a car battery, but it can also recharge phones, laptops, or a small appliance.

A pair of headphones that don't mind your gross sweat

Powerbeats Pro, available at Best Buy, $249.99

When you hit the gym or go for an outdoor run, bring these sweatproof and waterproof Bluetooth headphones along. A built-in mic lets you take calls, too.

A mouse that helps you work faster

Logitech MX Master 3, available from Logitech, $99.99

The MX Master 3 is a customizable mouse for anybody who needs to scroll through pages quickly or if they need precise control in applications like video editing.

An indoor camera to keep an eye on your abode

Samsung SmartThings Cam, available at Amazon, $67.49

Tired of roommates, a significant other, or kids taking your stuff and not fessing up to it? Monitor your things and catch the culprit with this camera.

A beautiful speaker in looks and sound

Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex Wireless Speaker, available at Best Buy, $449.98

The Formation Flex is one of the best-sounding wireless speakers we've experienced — naturally since it's from the audio experts at B&W.

A tool to tackle fine hairs

Panasonic Men's Body Trimmer, available at Amazon, $49.99

Manscaping is made easier and comfortable with this body trimmer from Panasonic, one of the top makers of men's grooming products. It can also be used in the shower.

A tool for diagnosing your car's ills

FIXD Diagnostic Sensor, available at Amazon, $59.99

When the dreaded "check engine" light comes on, there's no easy way to determine what's actually wrong with your car — unless you use this diagnostic scanner. Once you have the answer, you'll know what to tell your mechanic (or know if he is lying to you).

A stadium to play robot soccer

Hexbug Robotic Soccer Arena, available at Target, $69.99

The rules of the game are the same, but the players are not. Score goals with remote-controlled robots.

A desk pad that rolls up

Grovemade Wool Felt Desk Pad, available from Grovemade, starting at $50

Elevate any table you're working on with this stylish wool felt desk pad. It provides a working surface for your keyboard and mouse and rolls up for storage.

A subscription to all-you-can-watch Star Wars and Marvel content

Disney Plus bundle, available from Disney, $6.99 per month (includes Hulu and ESPN)

Don't think of Disney Plus as just a subscription service for kids' cartoons. Instead, it's where you'll find great movies and shows from Marvel, "Star Wars," and "The Simpsons." This bundle also includes ESPN+ and Hulu to satisfy your sports and network TV watching needs.

A gorgeous coffee table book about low-tech design

Lo-TEK, available from Taschen, $40

In today's mind-numbing digital world, author Julia Watson takes a look at low-tech, sustainable architecture and how human ingenuity adapts to nature. As with all Taschen books, this one is filled with gorgeous photography.

A movie trivia game you don't have to be kind and rewind

Blockbuster Party Game, available at Target, $14.89

Blockbuster, the video rental shop, is gone, but the party game lives on. Test your trivia knowledge on 200 movies without worrying about late fees — hashtag nostalgia and dead media.

• The music lover in your life can likely always be found listening to or playing music. 
• Here are 21 gift ideas to fuel their passion for songs, bands, instruments, and genres of all types. 
• For more gift ideas, check out all of our gift guides over here.
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals

Most of us listen to music in some capacity and can say we like it.

But there are the people who just listen casually to whatever happens to be on the radio, and then there are the people who spend hours carefully curating playlists, filling their calendars with concerts to attend, and even playing music themselves.

This gift guide is for the latter group, who argue that they don't just like music, they love it. 

To fuel their passion, you can gift something that elevates the listening experience, teaches them something new about music, or puts them right in front of their favorite singer. Due to the impact of COVID-19 on the music industry, we also suggest looking at their favorite local music store or live event venue for merch and gift cards. Or, you can make a donation to local musician funds and venues in your recipient's name.

The top 5 gifts for music lovers:

1. A cocktail recipe book that pairs good music with good drinks, $22.49
2. A turntable-turned cheese serving board, $75
3. A vintage band tee, $39
4. Pencils they won't be able to stop drumming on their desk, $7.23
5. A cool custom plaque of a song they love, $23.99

The 21 best gifts for music lovers:

A cool custom plaque of a song they love

Custom Music Album Cover, $23.99, available at Etsy

Submit your recipient's favorite song to make this eye-catching acrylic plaque. You can even submit a custom photo instead of the album cover so the gift feels extra personal. 

A turntable-turned cheese serving board

Turntable Cheese Board, $75, available at Uncommon Goods

So this vinyl player can't play music, but it can serve up cheese and appetizers in a fun way. Even cooler, the needle lifts up to reveal a cheese slicer. 

Pasta shaped like music notes

Pastabilities Music Pasta (2-Pack), $19.99, available at Amazon

If they like playing music as much as they like playing with their food, here's a fun, edible gift they can cook right away. 

A vintage band tee

The Rolling Stones Tie-Dye Tee, $39, available at Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters offers tons of graphic T-shirts featuring the logos and designs of classic artists and bands like Def Leppard, Nirvana, Prince, and Snoop Dogg. 

A poster of famous guitars

A Visual Compendium of Guitars 18"x 24" Print, $30, available at Pop Chart

Can they identify all the guitars held by famous rockers in this eye-catching print? They'll find the musical companions of  Jimi Hendrix, Tom Petty, Kurt Cobain, and Joan Jett, among many other iconic musicians. 

A vinyl record membership

Three-month Gift Membership, $149, available at Vinyl Me, Please

Record owners experience no greater joy than when they get to add to their collection and play a new vinyl for the first time. Your recipient will choose from three different types of tracks each month and will also receive extra goodies in each package. The three-month membership includes one bonus record. 

A cocktail recipe book that pairs good music with good drinks

Booze & Vinyl: A Spirited Guide to Great Music and Mixed Drinks, $22.49, available at Amazon

Combining two great pastimes, the fun guide features 70 albums from the '50s through the '00s and an A-side and B-side cocktail for each one. They're organized by mood, so your recipient will know just what pairing to use for the night.  

A cool music mixing game

DropMix Music Gaming System, $31.88, available at Amazon

DropMix is a fast-paced game that challenges them to make new and unexpected mixes with popular tracks we already know and love. It'll be a hit among competitive music lovers and experts.

A pair of stylish over-ear headphones

Bowers & Wilkins PX Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones, $297, available at Amazon

A music lover wouldn't be caught dead without a pair of headphones, whether they're just running a quick errand across the street or settling into a long-haul flight. These Bowers & Wilkins ones not only bring out the best of each song and have three noise-cancelling modes, but also simply look great. 

High-fidelity earplugs to protect their ears during concerts

Vibes High Fidelity Concert Earplugs, $23.98, available at Amazon

Once concerts are safe to attend again, they'll want to protect their eardrums. Wearing these comfortable earplugs can reduce decibel levels by up to 22 decibels, but they don't cancel out noise completely. Instead, they only filter out certain frequencies, so your recipient will still be able to enjoy the crisp vocals and instrumentation of their favorite band.

A pair of wireless earbuds

AirPods with Charging Case, $129.99, available at Best Buy

Apple AirPods are far from perfect, but we have to admit they're really convenient. They're the easiest earbuds to pop into their ears since they're light and pair automatically with their phone, and they'll stay in surprisingly well. 

A high-end visual speaker

Cotodama Canvas Lyric Speaker, $1,900, available at Amazon 

This sleek WiFi-enabled speaker, which integrates seamlessly into their living room or bedroom, recognizes and artistically displays the lyrics of the song as it plays (see how it works here). The sound quality is also top-notch, which isn't a surprise since the company behind it is part of an incubator run by the famous Abbey Road Studios.

Pencils they won't be able to stop drumming on their desk

Suck UK Drumstick Pencils, $7.23, available at Amazon

These clever pencils are an easy stocking stuffer for budding and experienced drummers alike. 

An online class taught by a film-scoring legend

Hans Zimmer Film Scoring Class, $90, available at MasterClass

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've heard the work of film score composer Hans Zimmer. Through lessons on tempo, character themes, sound palettes, and more, the composer of over 150 movies including "Inception" and "The Lion King" shows students how he makes movie score magic. 

A waterproof portable speaker

Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker, $135, available at Amazon

The loud and powerful UE Boom 3 delivers 360-degree sound and has a long battery life, perfect for outdoor hangouts. They can even continue being DJ at the beach or in the tub because the speaker is waterproof. 

A book about why humans love music

This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession, $15.30, available at Amazon

This fascinating book delves into why music is so important to us and is written by someone with a firm grasp on both the artistic and scientific sides of it: a neuroscientist who previously worked as a session musician, sound engineer, and record producer.

A smart speaker

Amazon Echo (4th Generation), $69.99, available at Target

They'll be able to stream music from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM, and more, without even lifting a finger. The newest version of the popular Echo device has even better audio features than before: 360° Dolby-powered audio, dynamic bass response, and personalized equalizer settings. 

Wine glasses they can play songs with

Major Scale Musical Wine Glasses (Set of 2), $68, available at UncommonGoods

These special wine glasses have lines labeling different notes of the scale, so they can play a tune with their finger while enjoying their favorite red or white. 

A way to organize their concert ticket stubs

Just the Ticket: Ticket Stub Organizer, $10.45, available at Amazon

Videos and photos aside, a way to remember their concerts, down to the exact seat in the venue, is this ticket stub diary. There's also space on each page to jot down notes and memories to look fondly back on later. 

Cufflinks shaped like a sixteenth note and treble clef

Cufflinks, Inc. Music Notes Cufflinks, $55, available at Cufflinks.com

These small accessories are the perfect finishing note on his ensemble, whether he's heading to work or the symphony. 

Tickets to see their favorite singer or band

Gift Card, $25-$500, available at Ticketmaster

Singing along in the car or shower is fun, but singing along with the band live and in concert is another experience entirely. Once it's safe to attend concerts again, they'll hopefully invite you to whichever concert they buy with this gift card. 

• Online wine clubs deliver cases of wine right to your door, and they can help you learn more about wine and develop your palate. 
• The best online wine subscriptions offer user-friendly ordering experiences, safe and reliable shipping, well-curated selections, and resources to make you a more informed wine drinker.
• Winc is the best online wine subscription we've tried over the years because it offers all of the above, and it's always in tune with the latest wine trends. 
• Read more: The best wine glasses
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.

This content is intended for readers 21+. Please drink responsibly. If you or anyone you know is dealing with alcohol abuse, get help. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) provides a free, confidential, 24/7, treatment referral, and information service.

To an outsider, the world of wine — with all its varietals, regions, tasting techniques, and pairing rules — can seem intimidating and difficult to navigate. Online wine clubs, however, aim to bring these barriers crashing down and make the process so easy you don't even need to leave your house. 

These wine clubs are typically subscription-based and send you monthly or quarterly shipments of wine that fit your existing tastes while helping you expand your horizons and discover new favorites. 

"No one is born with a great palate," said Vanessa Price, a sommelier, wine writer for New York Magazine, and author of Big Macs & Burgundy: Wine Pairings for the Real World, "they develop it over time. The more you expand your experiences with different types of wine, the more evolved your palate will become." 

Online wine subscriptions can fast-track that evolution if you don't necessarily have the time or energy to do all the work. 

"Generally, wine clubs are great for those who want to be introduced to new things, but who may not be confident enough yet to select new things for themselves," said David Hamburger, director of special events at Acker, the oldest wine shop in America. "A good wine club should be somewhat instructive, sharing with members enough information about each wine to provide background, but also allow members the flexibility to enjoy it their own way — with a recipe, or food pairing suggestions." And if you need extra guidance on how to taste or store your wine, head over to our FAQs here.

In our tests of some of the most popular online wine subscriptions, we found that safe and reliable shipping standards, subscription flexibility and customization, and unique, high-quality offerings are also important factors to keep in mind. 

With every service below, our bottles arrived on time and securely packaged. Member experience was also great across the board. You can easily skip shipments or cancel your subscription directly from your online account. 

Remember, an adult 21+ years old must be present to sign for the wine shipment. 

Here are the best wine subscriptions

• Best wine subscription overall: Winc
• Best for sampling: Vinebox
• Best for natural and organic wine: Plonk
• Best for sparkling wine: Mumm Napa
• Best for value: Firstleaf
• Best curation: Parcelle Wine Drop

Prices and details are accurate as of 12/11/20. Following testing, we've added Mumm Napa as our best sparkling wine pick. We're continuing to test other subscription services, such as Eater's new Wine Club. 

SEE ALSO: The best wine openers and corkscrews you can buy

The best subscription overall

The modern wine club model is nearly perfect in Winc's hands, from its large and on-trend bottle variety to its streamlined browsing and customer rating system.

Pros: Wines are all based on consumer interests and trends, easy-to-navigate interface, many varietals

Cons: Wine info and notes are only online, a la carte stock goes quickly

Subscription frequency: Every month

Shipping fee: $9 for orders of three bottles or fewer; free for orders of four bottles or more

A la carte shop: Yes

As a new member at Winc, you start by taking a quick quiz that asks about your tastes and preferences. Then you're matched up with wines that align with your "Palate Profile," and from there you can create your own cart of wine selections. In addition to the suggestions presented to you, you can browse by category. The shop features clear ratings from other members and easy-to-digest descriptions of each wine.

This design provides a good balance of guidance and personalization — you get suggestions but you also have the freedom to pick out other wines that catch your eye. 

Winc works directly with vineyards and makes all the wines it sells, producing over 664 wines from 78 grape varieties and 97 regions across 12 different countries since launch. You may see some of these wines also sold at Whole Foods, Vons, and Kroger stores. Since Winc uses subscriber data and ratings to inform new wine production, most of the wine you see will line right up with emerging trends. 

On the downside, this rapid production model means it can be difficult to re-purchase some of your favorites, so it's best not to get too attached to a particular bottle. 

I've tried Winc a few times over the last couple of years and always found something I liked while further developing my tastes and preferences. It's through Winc that I've grown to appreciate Chenin Blanc from South Africa and how I realized Touriga Nacional, a dry red wine popular in Portugal, is not so popular with my taste buds. 

You can only see each wine's tasting notes and descriptions online, which is slightly inconvenient as you try out your monthly shipment. However, the online-first system ultimately works in your favor because you'll have your entire order history and personal notes all in one place to reference later.   

Since the wines are based on your preferences, there aren't any seasonal or holiday offerings.

Read our full review of Winc here.

The best subscription for sampling

Vinebox packages European wines in sleek and distinctive single-serving glasses so you can try nine different kinds without committing to whole bottles.

Pros: Good sampling size, memorable packaging, useful info cards

Cons: Can't always find or buy the full bottle in the shop

Subscription frequency: Every 3 months 

Shipping fee: Free 

A la carte shop: Yes 

It's easy to distinguish Vinebox from the pack: you get no less than nine wines, neatly packed into individual glass tubes and accompanied by a well-designed informational booklet, all stored in sturdy yet gift-worthy packaging. 

Each quarter's box is pre-curated so you can't customize it to your tastes, but you'll have plenty of fun sipping and sampling each wine. The best part is that you won't feel bad opening and finishing a whole "bottle" because it's only a single serving. Vinebox's design is great for casual wine drinkers who hate commitment, plus it's convenient and practical because you don't even need a bottle opener or corkscrew to enjoy your drink. 

If you do happen to fall in love with one of the samples, you can make use of the $15 credit given to you each quarter. This can be used towards a purchase of the full-sized version. You may also want to gift this unique and beautiful box to a friend whose wine preferences are eclectic or unclear — with so many varietals packed into every shipment, they're bound to enjoy at least one.

The particular box I received featured all light and medium-bodied wines, which I just so happen to enjoy. But it would've been even better to see some full-bodied wines represented, for additional variety and range. 

Vinebox has seasonal offerings, including an advent calendar called 12 Nights of Wine. The limited-quantity box costs $129 and contains 12 glasses of wine to enjoy during the holiday season. 

Read our full review of Vinebox here.

The best subscription for natural wine

For natural, organic, and biodynamic wines, you can rely on Plonk to take care of the expert vetting, thoughtful curation, and spot-on food pairing recommendations.

Pros: Only natural wine offerings, pre-curated, easy to skip shipments or cancel your subscription 

Cons: Pricey, cannot be personalized

Subscription frequency: Every month

Shipping fee: Free

A la carte shop: Yes 

Plonk, which is British derogatory slang for cheap, low-quality wine, provides wines that are anything but. The online club focuses exclusively on natural wines that are grown with organic, biodynamic, and sustainable vineyard practices, meaning they don't contain pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or commercial additives (like colorants or artificial sugars). There's also an impressive selection of sulfite-free and unfiltered bottles. 

If you're interested in the specific distinctions among the terms "natural,""organic," and "biodynamic," founder Etty Klein breaks them down here.

Plonk prides itself on selecting and importing wines from small, boutique winemakers and lesser-known wine regions, flouting big industry names to give you a carefully vetted selection. While other online wine subscriptions may offer natural and sustainable options, few can boast both the convenience and range of Plonk's one-stop natural shop. 

When you sign up, you have your choice of an all-red, all-white, or mixed variety box, with either four or 12 bottles per shipment. What the included informational printout lacks in glitzy presentation, at least compared to other services, it makes up for in precise tasting notes and ultra-specific food pairings courtesy of Food52. For example, one of my favorite Plonk discoveries, a 2019 Pinot Noir from Margaret River, Western Australia, should be enjoyed with stuffed peppers with lamb, orzo, and halloumi cheese. 

Plonk has seasonal offerings throughout the year, including a Thanksgiving 6-Pack that will be available in November, and a Holiday Sparkling Wine Sampler in December. 

The best subscription for sparkling wine

If you like celebrating with a bubbly drink, Mumm Napa has more than enough variety with its quarterly wine club. It uses French techniques to make its delicious wines and offers discounts, exclusive events, and free tastings for its members. 

Pros: Great variety and high-quality production of sparkling wine, informative booklet included, many membership perks 

Cons: Total annual price is expensive, may not be suitable if you're seeking sparkling wines made from different producers 

Subscription frequency: Every 3 months

Shipping fee: Varies based on location 

A la carte shop: Yes 

Mumm Napa has roots that go back to the 1800s with the French Champagne house G. H. Mumm & Cie. The parent company of Mumm Napa, Mumm is one of the largest producers of Champagne globally. Its Napa Valley vineyard continues to use traditional Champagne-making techniques to make its sparkling wines, the best of which are showcased in the Club Vivant subscriptions.

There are currently two different clubs, the DVX and the Collector's Edition. The DVX subscription is for passionate Mumm Napa fans and includes six bottles of the winery's signature DVX series of rosés and bruts. This club ranges from $350-$800 per shipment and only ships two times a year.

The Collector's Edition is a little more accessible and meant for people who want to enjoy bubbly more regularly — which is what I tested. The Collector's Edition ships quarterly and costs $200-$275 per shipment, depending on the bottle variety. It contains six full-sized bottles per shipment, including the winery's signature DVX annual release wine and limited production wines. You'll also get a detailed pamphlet of notes for each wine. 

I loved the sparkling Pinot Noir and the Brut Reserve, and the pairing suggestions (like truffle popcorn with the Brut Reserve) were helpful and spot-on. I also appreciated the general variety that the club provided, from the sparkling rosé to the sparkling chardonnay. I have more experience with still wines, but Mumm Napa's carefully produced assortment showed me that sparkling can be just as diverse and fun. It also gave me an excuse to celebrate exciting moments in my life, no matter how big or small. 

In addition to the actual wines, there are perks accessible to both DVX and Collector's Edition members like 20% off Mumm Napa sparkling and still wines, 20% off gift shop purchases, and 30% off club selection re-orders. You'll also get access to exclusive wines and invitations to virtual events. The membership is even more worth it if you live close to Napa — once a month, you can enjoy a complimentary select tasting for up to four people (note: this may be temporarily unavailable due to restrictions from the novel coronavirus pandemic).

The best subscription for value

You'll never have to pay more than $15 a bottle at Firstleaf, where the quality and personalization are top-notch.

Pros: Flexibility to swap out pre-selected bottles in your order, attractive intro offer, good overall value

Cons: May take a few boxes/rounds of ratings for the system to understand more specific preferences

Subscription frequency: Every one, two, or three months 

Shipping fee: $9.95 

A la carte shop: Yes 

Like Winc, Firstleaf has you start out with a quiz so it can better understand your preferences.  When you're finished, it serves up six wines it thinks you'll like, and you can read about each one and decide whether you want to make any swaps. However, you only have six swaps per shipment. So, Firstleaf is that nice "Goldilocks" service where you have a bit of control, but you're still steered in the right direction. 

To draw you in, Firstleaf has a very competitive introductory offer of $39.95 for six wines, including shipping. Afterward, the price goes up to $80, plus $9.95 shipping, but you're still only paying $15 for each bottle, many of which are industry award winners.

After you've tried every wine in your monthly shipment, you can rate them online. This step is important because Firstleaf will use your ratings to become smarter and hone in on an even better curation for you next month. As your wine knowledge and tastes evolve, so too will the service. 

I've had the chance to try Firstleaf a few times in the last couple of years, and it's always been reliable. I appreciate that I don't have to do quite so much work in picking out the bottles and that the main effort only comes afterward, once I've tried everything. 

On top of the existing value of the service, there's a strong referral program: if you share Firstleaf with a friend, they'll get $40 and you'll get $40. 

Firstleaf has seasonal offerings, like the Halloween Bundle, a mix of red and white wine; and the Autumnal Reds bundle, which includes wines that pair well with fall foods. Both cost $150 and contain 12 bottles each. 

Read our full review of Firstleaf here. 

The best subscription curation

Parcelle Wine Drop combines a truly unique selection of bottles with an informative yet unpretentious wine education from Michelin-starred sommeliers.

Pros: Pre-curated, unique variety, beautiful info cards, impressive expertise

Cons: Not personalized, could buy the bottles individually for less

Subscription frequency: Every month

Shipping fee: Free

A la carte shop: Yes

I love Parcelle's Wine Drop because it has the feel of a cool and exclusive local club but it ships nationwide. Parcelle is based in New York City and enlists the curation and expertise of Michelin-starred sommeliers like the former wine directors of Eleven Madison Park and Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare. 

The experience indeed feels like you're asking for wine recs at a restaurant. It's arguably even better because your three wines also come with beautifully illustrated info cards and a copy of Parcelle Press, a mini journal that is, again, visually stunning. 

Founder Grant Reynolds told Insider Reviews, "The Wine Drop is our shortlist of our favorite wines to have around the house at that time of year. Nothing too fancy but always smart, a bit different, and from small producers focusing on making wines unique to the place they are from."

If you prefer more customization, you'll probably enjoy one of our other picks more, but if you want to leave it up to the pros, try Wine Drop. All three wines I received were hits, and they helped me realize a new love for orange wine. 

Depending on the wine, the total cost of the individual bottles could come out to less than $95. The Wine Drop I received during September, for example, was $85. In other months, the total may be more. While fluctuating prices may be a dealbreaker for some, I found Wine Drop's tight curation and immersive experience to be compelling enough reasons to continue my subscription. 

Each month's Wine Drop has a different theme so the selection is curated and intentional. For example, October's trio is neither too light nor heavy since it's a transitional fall month. We expect holiday months like November, December, and January to have more festive wines.

What else we considered

Usual Wines: Usual Wines' single-serving beaker bottles are certainly eye-catching and memorable. However, the company only offers its subscriptions in red, rosé, and brut, and these wines don't change month-to-month. On the plus side, its wines contain no added sugars or sulfites, and the grapes come from sustainable farms. If you're looking for a straightforward subscription you don't really have to think about, Usual Wines is a good candidate. Otherwise, our picks above provide better opportunities for education and discovery. 

Acker Wines: Acker has wine clubs for a variety of budgets and levels of enthusiasm, from the $89/month Access Club to the $999/month JK Club for fine and rare wines. Acker's Access Club seems promising for wine amateurs, but it's geographically limited to New York City residents. The next club level up jumps to $299/quarter for three bottles, which may be inaccessible for many shoppers.  

Elicit Wine Project: Elicit Wine Project helps incubate and launch cool, innovative wine brands, so if you're tired of seeing the same stuffy labels, you'll like shopping here and putting together your own subscription box. The downside is that there aren't many varietals to choose from right now. Perhaps as the service grows, we'll see a better variety. 

What we look forward to testing

Eater Wine Club: We always look to Eater to find local restaurant and bar recs, and now it's making use of its expertise and community connections to curate a monthly wine club. You'll get to know each month's curator and enjoy a unique and memorable selection of wines. November's club featured Greek wines, while December's all about celebration-worthy wines that aren't Champagne. 

The Grand Tour: This club by online and brick-and-mortar shop Verve Wine takes a geographic approach to wine discovery by highlighting four bottles (usually two red and two white) from a different region each month. Why does the region matter? Well, soil, climate, and topography all affect the winemaking process and the final product.  

The Sip: This Black-owned bi-monthly subscription service focuses exclusively on sparkling wines for all your bubbly needs. In addition to three flights of luxury sparkling wine, you'll get priority access to new wine releases. It's the perfect wine club for people who are always looking for an excuse to celebrate. 

Wine FAQs

How to store wine

Do: Lay the bottle on its side in a cool dark place, preferably in a cabinet lower to the floor. 

Don't: Stand it up on the counter or leave it in direct sunlight. 

Do: Store your opened bottle in a wine fridge so it can keep a little longer. 

Don't: Store wine in a regular refrigerator. "The same qualities that keep your food fresh will not have the same effect on your wine," says Price. See our guide to the best wine coolers and fridges. 

How to taste wine

Go slow and use the right techniques. "Tasting wine to learn something about it is different from just knocking a glass back casually with friends," said Price. "Take the time to think about what you are tasting. Make sure you stick your nose in the glass and really smell the wine. When you drink it, coat your entire palate. After you swallow, think about how long the flavors and textures linger in your mouth." 

The sommelier and wine writer also recommended starting a tasting group with your friends or family. "Pick a theme and have everyone bring a bottle within that theme. For example, if you want to understand Syrah, the line-up should include a Northern Rhône (FR), Barossa Valley (AU), Stellenbosch (ZA), Paso Robles (US), and Tuscany (IT) bottling amongst others. Each person should bring their bottle wrapped so you can't see the label (don't forget to take the neck foil off, that one is an easy giveaway!), and put the wines out for everyone to taste and guess which wine is which. It's helpful to write your tasting notes down so you see how you progress over time. The entertainment value goes up even more when afterward you discuss your impressions as a group, enjoying the wines you brought with friends."

How to choose the perfect wine for a gift 

Make it personal. "The best way to gift a bottle of wine is to know a little piece about the recipient. Whether it's a birth year or wedding vintage, a favorite place, or just their personal taste, those small things will make a gifted bottle of wine far more special," says Hamburger. 

What's the difference between Champagne and sparkling wine? 

All Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. Champagne refers specifically to sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France. Because of this geographic distinction, that means there are only certain grapes — like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir — that can be used to make Champagne.

Check out other related guides

• The best wine glasses
• The best wine openers and corkscrews
• The best wine coolers and fridges

• Whatever kind of coffee aficionado they are, we've got you covered — from the espresso fiend to the black-coffee hound.
• If your gift list expands beyond coffee lovers, you can find all of our gift guides here fromcoffee table books to gifts under $10 that won't end up in the junk drawer.

Coffee drinkers are a diverse lot, and if you're going to buy a gift for one of them, you better have their branding down pat.

There's, of course, the quintessential café brooder, who might need a little pick-me-up. Or how about the peppy, workout-obsessed early riser? They could probably stand to have a French press in their on-the-go life. The do-it-yourself artisan might fancy a cold brew kit for the home. And so on.

Whatever the temperament of your oh-so-temperamental coffee lover(s), you'll be sorted out below with these 31 fun and useful gifts for coffee lovers.

Most of these items are available with expedited shipping, and some should arrive within a few days' time, so don't stress too hard about your last-minute shopping — just remember that the sooner you order, the better your chances of a timely arrival.

Here are the 27 best coffee gifts: 

Our favorite milk frother

Harold Import Co. Milk Frother, available at Amazon, starting at $20.49

A no-fuss manual milk frother, and our favorite to boot. Read our full guide to the best milk frothers here.

An old-school hand grinder

Hario Skerton Pro Manual Coffee Grinder, available at Crate & Barrel, $57.50

That noisy old blade grinder doesn't only wake up everyone in your house, but it doesn't really make the best coffee either. A handheld coffee mill makes supremely uniform grounds at a fraction of the cost of a quality burr grinder. As for the noise, you'll finally get to sleep in.  

An Aeropress

Aeropress, available at Amazon, $29.95

For the peripatetic French-press enthusiast or the home barista looking for something new and perhaps not so expensive as espresso, the Aeropress can't be beat.

A pressurizer for their Aeropress

Fellow Prismo, Pressure-Actuated Attachment for Aeropress, available at Amazon, $25

This might not make bonafide espresso per se, but it will certainly get the Aeropress devotee in your life a little closer to what they're after. And if they haven't yet mastered the Aeropress, feel free to send them this way.

A Vietnamese pour-over latte kit

Copper Cow Coffee Vietnamese Pour-Over Kit, available at Amazon, starting at $14.99

If their home-coffee routine is getting a little dull by now, here's something they might not have tried, or might be missing from their local cafe.

A worldly coffee subscription

Atlas Coffee Subscription or Gift Set, available at Atlas Coffee Club, starting at $50

The flavor profile, tasting notes, suggested brewing methods, a little history lesson in origins, and, last but not least, festive packaging make this an all-around pleaser for any time of year.

A chart of espresso drinks

Coffee Guide Print, $6.29, available at Etsy

As self-proclaimed coffee lovers, they should probably know these breakdowns. But just in case they forget, this cool poster reminds them of the difference between a breve and a black eye. This is also an instant digital download, so it's a great last-minute gift — roll it up with ribbon and you don't even need to get an extra frame.

A coffee grounds sifter

Kruve Coffee Sifting Device, available at Kruve, $89.99

Apart from fresh beans, the real trick to making the best humanly possible cup of coffee lies in properly sized and consistent grounds. The Kruve sorts out the odd bits and will help them find the perfect grind setting, and in turn, the perfect cup of coffee every day for the rest of their life.

An espresso leveler

Asso Jack Leveler, available at Amazon, $115.95

Whether they're new to the espresso game or not, they can level up their barista skills big time with a leveler that can pack beans down with just the right amount of pressure.  

A stainless steel mug

Yeti Rambler 10-ounce Stackable Mug, available at Yeti, $24.99

For remote life, wherever that may take them, be it the couch or the cabin.

A mokka espresso pot

Bialetti Mokka Espresso Pot (3-cup), available at Williams Sonoma, $34.95

This should be a staple in every household. Easy, rich, and oh so crema-y when done right. 

Check out our full guide to stovetop espresso makers here.

A porcelain demitasse set

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Sorrento Double-Wall Espresso Glasses, Set of 2, $15.95, available at Sur La Table

If they're going to go through the trouble of making espresso, they may as well drink it right.

A temperature-controlled mug

Ember Generation 2 Mug, available at Bloomingdale's, $99.95

This mug will alert them when their coffee gets to the optimal temperature, and it keeps it from cooling after that. 

Read our full review of the Ember Mug 2 here. 

An airless coffee-bean saver

Evak Fresh Saver Airless Canister, available at Amazon, $19.99 and up (depending on size)

If you know someone who's opening their coffee bags and letting them go stale, this is a quick fix that will blow their mind. These canisters are stackable and great for herbs and other sundries as well.

A sleek, glass pour-over coffee pot

Chemex Classic (6-cup), available at Amazon, $44.95

Stylish and sophisticated, yet simplistic. This is the kind of understated elegance anyone can appreciate.

Read our guide to the best drip coffee makers here.

A manual espresso press

Flair Manual Espresso Maker, available at Amazon, $159

If you have a friend or family member that is constantly in search of the best espresso machine south of $500, this is the ticket. They'll still need a grinder, but they can foot that bill. The Flair is about the price of most espresso pod machines, but there's no arguing as to whether or not it makes real espresso: the crema it produces is priceless. That's why we named it the best manual espresso maker in our guide. 

Reusable K-Cup pods

IParts Plus More Reusable K-Cups, available at Amazon, $10.20

If they love the convenience of the Keurig, but not at the expense of the environment, these reusable K-cup pods are a worthy compromise. 

Check out our full guide to coffee and espresso pods here.

A 100% compostable coffee sampler box

Driftaway Coffee Sampler, starting at $32

If they're forever in search of the perfect roast, here's how they'll find it.

A home espresso machine

Gaggia Classic Pro, available at Amazon, $449

Our top pick for the best espresso machine for most people, the Gaggia Classic Pro has been around for decades, and there's hardly a home machine more classic.

Read our guide to the best espresso machines.

A twisting alphabet game on faux coffee beans

Jabuka Twisting Alphabet Game, available at Uncommon Goods, $20

Because all coffee hounds are bookworms, too, right? And, yes, it would be cool if they were real coffee beans, but we all know they wouldn't last.

A do-it-yourself cold brew kit

Coffee Cold Brew Gift Set, available at Uncommon Goods, $36

Cold brew is an expensive drink compared to other types of coffee because it can take up to 24 hours to brew and requires a large amount of beans. Help a cold brew devotee save a little money with their own DIY kit.

Have a look at our guide to cold brew makers.

A pair of coffee mugs with an open mind

Kissing Couple Mugs, available at Uncommon Goods, $65

Everyone knows a coffee-loving couple in need of these.

A durable stainless steel French Press

Bodum Chambord French Press, available at Bodum, $22.99

This affordable, sleek, and simple to use French press will bring them some joy when reaching for the coffee pot in a blind haze of morning caffeine depletion.

Check out our guide to the best French presses here.

A top-notch coffee grinder

Baratza Sette 270 Conical Burr Grinder, $399

No matter how they make their coffee, it's only ever as good as the grounds. This is the update to their coffee game they might never have known they needed.

A latte-and-cappuccino-capable espresso pod machine

Nespresso Lattissima One, available at Amazon, $265.95

So they don't even have to step outside the house for their precious morning latte or cappuccino.

Check out our full guide to coffee and espresso pod machines here.

A guide to help them make better coffee

How to Make Coffee: The Science Behind the Bean, available at Amazon, $15.69

Because we could all use a few pointers on our morning cuppa. 

A proper espresso machine

Breville Barista Express Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine, available at Amazon, $599.95

You're really going to have to love this person, but if you share a roof with them, the pleasure of our favorite two-in-one espresso machine may well be just as much yours.

Check out our full guide to espresso machines.

• Learning a new skill can help decrease stress — and boredom.
• Photography is a great creative outlet for anyone to pick up, and is easy to practice in your home or backyard.
• Several online platforms offer free or cheap photography-related classes while others have temporarily created free memberships.
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals

If you're interested in developing new skills or looking to do something fun during quarantine, photography can be a great hobby — especially for first-timers.

In addition, there could be health benefits: Research from Harvard suggests that learning a new skill can help reduce stress — and can be even more effective than simply vegging out. Photography is something you can learn indoors or in your backyard, and if you don't have a more advanced camera to learn with, you can even get started (in some cases) by learning with the camera that you likely already have: a smartphone.

As a professional photographer, I've compiled a list of some of my favorite online learning platforms that I've used personally, as well as other outlets with great student reviews. 

Here are 9 online photography classes that you can signup for free:

Learn to use your DSLR or mirrorless camera

Sign up via Nikon School Online

Nikon School Online offers a variety of self-paced video classes for multiple skill levels, from the newest beginners to advanced topics. And this month, the classes are accessible until December 31 as part of a holiday sale.

The classes are lead by Nikon Ambassadors, a list of respected professional photographers and videographers. The current list of 10 classes ranges from quick 15-minute videos to hour-long advanced classes. The classes are, of course, geared toward photographers using Nikon gear, but many of the tips and classes can apply to non-Nikon cameras, too.

Take your photo skills from hobbyist to pro

Sign up via Professional Photographers of America

As part of a paid Professional Photographers of America membership, you get access to all of their online courses. PPA classes are ideal for professional photographers or hobbyists looking to make that leap to becoming professionals. The classes cover a range of topics, from lighting and posing basics to flying a drone. 

Join virtual seminars with pro photographers

Sign up via B&H Event Space

B&H Event Space regularly hosts free online seminars and classes, including a large backlog of previous events. Unlike most YouTube videos, these aren't quick ten-minute clips, but workshops that are typically an hour or more.

Hosted by professional and often well-known photographers, these talks cover intermediate to advanced topics, like wedding photography and lighting techniques, but several classes also offer more insight into the basics. The speakers for these talks rotate, so this is a great place to learn from multiple photographers, who all may have different creative processes and teaching styles.

Learn the essentials and advanced techniques

Sign up via KelbyOne

Created by photographer Scott Kelby, KelbyOne is an online learning platform that has a wide range of classes for different skill levels. Currently, KelbyOne is hosting weekly webinars and a list of the platform's top classes for free. Other classes still require a subscription, though that's currently discounted as well.

Classes on KelbyOne are taught by many different expert photographers, including Kelby himself. Some classes cover broad essentials, while others take a deeper look into a specific type of photograph, look, or technique.

Learn Photoshop, straight from the source

Available via Adobe

What better way to learn Photoshop than from the makers of the program themselves? Adobe's free Photoshop tutorials are like bite-sized classes — you watch a short video, then read a text summary. The format is perfect for spending a few minutes a day learning the program, and most tutorials include sample files you can download if you're on the go.

Adobe's Photoshop tutorials are excellent for beginners, but there are enough tutorials to slowly build up your skills. From editing your first photo, to layer masking and removing objects from a photo, the tutorials cover common edits and help you get acquainted with Photoshop's long list of tools. And don't stop at Photoshop: Check out tutorials for Lightroom and other Adobe software.

For students, gain access to hundreds of classes free for two months

Sign up via Skillshare

Skillshare classes cover a wide range of topics, including photography, for $19 a month (or $8.95 a month/a $99 annual fee). 

Photography classes on Skillshare range from learning how to take better selfies to masterclasses in photo editing. The short video classes are taught by different professional photographers and some classes also have accompanying materials you can download.

Learn how to get off auto mode with a free photography class

Sign up via Udemy

Udemy's online learning platform has a handful of affordable photography classes. Many are ideal for beginners, with topics like getting off auto mode and building an online portfolio. 

Udemy also provides access to a few free photography classes through its Free Resource Center, including an introductory course and photography fundamentals for beginners.

Watch live photography classes from big-name photographers for free

Sign up via CreativeLive

With more than 1,500 classes, CreativeLive is a major online learning portal for creatives. The platform's live classes are always free, on top of their paid photo courses. The company's live schedule includes several classes a day — including re-airing of classes — so there's often a lot to choose from. 

CreativeLive classes are taught by major names in the industry. Spanning beginner to advanced topics, the platform has a wide variety of offerings — you just have to time it right to get a free live class.

Get started in Photoshop and Lightroom with fun video tutorials

Sign up via Phlearn

Whenever I want to brush up on a Photoshop or Lightroom topic, I usually find myself watching a video from Phlearn. Founded by photographer Aaron Nace, Phlearn is an online platform dedicated to learning Photoshop and Lightroom techniques. Phlearn videos tend to be a bit more down to earth and enjoyable to watch than your average YouTube tutorial.

While Phlearn is a paid community, the platform is also a good resource for free tutorials. Unlike other platforms that might let you watch one or two lessons for free, the list of free tutorials on Phlearn is long — and even includes a full 30 Days of Photoshop series to get you started.

More than 99% of all American businesses are small businesses, and they employ more than half of the workforce.

According to US government research, natural disasters typically cause 40% of small businesses to fail, while one in five businesses have already closed permanently due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among those closed businesses are 41% of Black-owned and 35% of Hispanic-owned businesses.

In addition to the immediate public health crisis, the global pandemic kicked off a recession in February that is further impacting the survival of small businesses.

Continue reading to see a list of emergency-funding resources available right now from public and private sources for small businesses suffering economic disruption due to the coronavirus.

This post was last updated on August 21, 2020.

Options available to small business owners 

Two types of federal financing:The SBA just reopened applications for a loan program that offers immediate grants up to $10,000. Here's how business owners can apply, whether or not you received PPP money

How to know if you qualify:Use this guide to check if your company is a 'small business' so you can qualify for crucial funding ahead of a possible recession

Use this plan to avoid getting stuck in the chaos:6 steps entrepreneurs should take right now to keep their business open and stay financially secure instead of waiting for the government to take action

You could be entitled to money from your insurance company:An attorney explains why struggling businesses should apply for money from their insurance companies right now — and how to do it

How to take advantage of tax credits:This overlooked tax credit might be better for your business than a PPP loan — and you could even apply for a cash advance. A CPA explains how to decide

SEE ALSO: What to know about the $300 billion-plus for small businesses in the stimulus bill, and how founders will be able to apply for emergency funds

MUST READ: Use this guide to check if your company is a 'small business' so you can qualify for crucial funding ahead of a possible recession

Small Business Administration

Website: sba.gov/page/disaster-loan-applications

Economic Injury Disaster Loan

Financing type: Emergency loans with 3.75% interest and a maximum period of 30 years.

Funding Limit: $150,000

Who it's for: US small businesses, non-profits, independent contractors, freelancers/self-employed, and limited types of franchise affiliates that have been in business since January 31, 2020.

Express Bridge Loans

Website: sba.gov/LenderMatch

Financing type: Quick turnaround advance on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan

Funding Limit: $25,000

Who it's for: US small businesses and non-profits waiting to receive a Disaster Loan

Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

Website: bringbackbrooklyn.org  

Bring Back Brooklyn Fund

Financing type: Zero-interest loans

Funding limit: Expected to be $30,000; currently raising funds with a goal of $500,000

Who it's for: Small businesses in Brooklyn that have been hurt by the pandemic, shut out of other loan programs, and plan to reopen. The majority of loans are for minority- and women-owned businesses, and funding will only begin after the economy begins to re-open.

San Francisco City Hall

Website: oewd.org 

Business taxes and fees

Financing type: Deferral

Funding limit: Quarterly tax payments deferred nine months, license fees deferred three months

Who it's for: Businesses with less than $10 million in revenue

African American Small Business Revolving Loan Fund

Financing type: Loans

Funding limit: $50,000 with 0% interest; repayments deferred by 12 months, and up to 20% of the loan may be forgiven

Who it's for: Black-owned businesses with annual revenue below $2.5 million

Paid Sick Leave

Financing type: Payroll assistance

Funding limit: 40 hours additional paid sick leave time beyond the city's existing Workers and Families First program

Who it's for: Businesses with 50 or fewer employees

City of Denver

Website:www.denvergov.org

Small Business Emergency Relief Program

Financing type: Cash grants

Funding limit: $7,500

Who it's for: The program prioritizes those industries who are most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, such as the food industry, nail salons, barbershops, home childcare providers, and retail shops.

The program completed its fourth round on July 10 and is currently reviewing applicants. It plans to have additional rounds.

State of Maine

Website: www.famemaine.com/business

Financing type: Loan (WSJ Prime rate, minus 1%)

Funding limit: $50,000; total fund has $5 million in reserves

Who it's for: 12-month term loans for Maine-based businesses who have exhausted other funding sources

City of Irving, Texas

Website: https://www.cityofirving.org/3634/Business-Funding

Irving's Emergency Business Assistance Program

Financing type: Forgivable loans as long as the company stays in business for at least four months. Additionally, the company must retain at least 60% of its full-time payroll.

Funding limit: Up to $50,000.

Who it's for: Irving, Texas-based businesses that were founded by Feb. 1, 2019, have fewer than 100 employees, and have lost at least 25% of income due to the pandemic.

Topeka and Shawnee County

Website: visit.topekapartnership.com/host-relief 

HOST Relief Program

Financing type: Grants

Funding limit: Up to $5,000

Who it's for: Privately held small businesses experiencing economic injury located in Topeka and Shawnee County, Kansas. 

State of California

Website: www.CALoanFund.org

California Rebuilding Fund

Financing type: loans, plus free loan advising

Funding limit: up to $100,000

Who it's for: Small businesses with 50 or fewer employees, in under-banked areas of California. Must have had a gross revenue of less than $2.5 million in 2019.

State of Ohio

Website: businesshelp.ohio.gov

The Small Business Relief Grant 

Financing type: grants

Funding limit: $10,000; total fund has $125 million in reserves

Who it's for: small businesses negatively affected by Covid-19 with no more than 25  employees 

The Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund

Financing type: assistance payments

Funding limit: $2,500; total fund has $38.7 million in reserves

Who it's for: Businesses with on-premise liquor permits including bars, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, wineries, casinos, and private clubs.

MainVest

Website: mainvest.com/main-street-initiative

The Main Street Initiative

Financing type: Zero-interest cash advance

Funding limit: $2,000

Who it's for: Brick-and-mortar businesses seeking future long-term community investment through MainVest's licensed crowdfunding portal for small businesses

JPMorgan Chase

Website: impact.jpmorganchase.com

Entrepreneurs of Color Fund, Ascend, and Community Development Financial Institution partners

Financing type: Loans and interest-rate reductions

Funding limit: TBD, total donation is $8 million

Who it's for: Underserved and underrepresented entrepreneurs and small businesses in the US and globally

• Read more: JPMorgan just pledged $50 million in aid to small businesses and nonprofits as the coronavirus sends the economy into a nosedive
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Uber Eats

Website: www.uber.com/us/en/coronavirus/

Free delivery

Financing type: Waived delivery fees, same-day payouts

Funding limit: N/A

Who it's for: Independent restaurants in US and Canada.

Kiva

Website: kiva.org/borrow

Small business loans

Financing type: Zero-interest loans

Funding limit: $15,000

Who it's for: Small businesses seeking community-based lending, as opposed to traditional financial institutions

GoFundMe

Website: www.gofundme.com/f/smallbusinessrelieffund

Small business relief fund

Financing type: Donation-matching micro-grants

Funding limit: $500, total fund is more than $2.4 million

Who it's for: Independently owned and operated small businesses with GoFundMe campaigns to offset negative impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic

Hello Alice

Website: www.covid19businesscenter.com

COVID-19 Business for All Emergency Grants

Financing type: Grants

Funding limit: $10,000

Who it's for: Applicants must have 50 or fewer employees and have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Website: www.lisc.org/covid-19

Rapid Relief & Resiliency Fund

Financing type: Grants

Funding limit: $5,000 to $20,000

Who it's for: Small businesses and enterprises affected by Covid-19 across the country, especially those in underserved communities, including entrepreneurs of color, women- and veteran-owned businesses that often lack access to flexible, affordable capital.

The fifth round of relief grants is closed, but LISC is launching the sixth round August 31.

The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation

Website: www.globalgiving.org/redbackpackfund/

The Red Backpack Fund

Financing type: Grants

Funding limit: $5,000

Who it's for: Majority-women owned and led businesses and nonprofits in the US.

The next round of applications is Aug. 3-10.

Assistance from these organizations is now ended or on hold until further notice

New York City Hall

Website: nyc.gov/covid19biz

Downtown Alliance New York

Website: downtownny.com/RentAssistGrant 

City of Seattle

Website: seattle.gov/office-of-economic-development

City of Philadelphia

Website: phila-uyims.formstack.com

Salt Lake City

Website:www.slc.gov/ed/elploan/

Facebook

Website: facebook.com/business 

Amazon

Website: smallbusinessrelieffund.com

FedEx

Website: fedex.com/en-us/support-small-business-grants 

Grubhub

Website: blog.grubhub.com/covid-19

Yelp

Website: blog.yelp.com 

Vistaprint and the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Website: savesmallbusiness.com

City of San Francisco

Resiliency Fund

Financing type: Grants

Funding limit: $10,000

Who it's for: Microbusinesses (fewer than 10 employees) able to show recent loss of revenue

Neighborhood Small Business Mini Grants

Financing type: Grants

Funding limit: $1,000 to $10,000

Who it's for: Small independently owned businesses in underserved commercial corridors.

Google

Website: support.google.com

Google Ad credits

Financing type: Advertising credits

Funding Limit: Total fund is $340 million

Who it's for: Small and medium businesses, who advertise directly with Google or its partners around the world with active accounts since the beginning of 2019.

• Read More: Google pledges $340 million in Google Ads credits to small businesses as part of $800 million pandemic relief package

Ball

Website: FreshPreserving.com/MadeforMore

Ball's Made for More

Financing type: Grant

Funding Limit: Total fund is $110,000

Who it's for: 10 US-based small businesses with zero to 99 employees that use Ball products and have gone above and beyond for their communities.

Submissions open December 15, 2020.