13 best last-minute tech gifts you can still get by Christmas, according to experts: Fitbit, PS5 & more
We asked five tech experts to share their picks for the best last-minute gifts of 2023.
With Christmas just over a week away, the crunch is on if you're still looking for a last-minute gift idea. And while there are tons of tech items to wrap up the year, knowing what's trending (and where to get it) can be easier said than done. In this fast-paced digital age, the week before Christmas is no ordinary countdown. That's why Yahoo Canada asked five retail experts to run down this year's popular tech, from the latest in gaming like the new Meta Quest 3 to fitness tech like the Fitbit Charge 6.
ASUS Vivobook 15 15.6" OLED Laptop
$800$1,000Save $200PlayStation®5 Console
$650$740Save $90ASUS Vibe CX55 Flip 15.6" Touchscreen Chromebook
$500$850Save $350Nintendo Switch (OLED model)
$450Fitbit Charge 6
$170$220Save $50Echo Show 5
$80$120Save $40Google Pixel 8 128GB
$750$950Save $200Apple Watch Series 9
$589Beats Studio Buds
$190Roku Ultra 4K HDR Streaming Player
$124Oura Ring Gen3
$470Meta Quest 3
$650Skylight Digital Photo Frame
$200
ASUS Vivobook 15 OLED Laptop
This laptop provides fast, responsive performance in every task.
In a world where streaming platforms and binge-worthy content dominate our digital landscape, the search for the best laptop can be daunting. But that's where Best Buy Experts come in handy.
Best Buy Experts are specialists available at Best Buy who can provide expert advice and guidance on a wide range of products, including technology, appliances, home improvement and more. When asked which laptop would be the best for streaming TV, the Best Buy Experts chose the ASUS Vivobook 15 OLED Laptop.
"We see customers looking for the highest quality screens to watch content and connect via video call. Laptops with OLED panels like the ASUS Vivobook 15, are popular as they’re able to produce brighter and more lifelike colours, with superior black levels and contrast," the Best Buy Experts told Yahoo Canada.
PlayStation5 Console
PlayStation®5 Console – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Bundle includes: PlayStation®5 console, DualSense™ wireless controller, Base, HDMI® cable, AC power cord, USB cable, Printed materials, ASTRO’s PLAYROOM and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 full game voucher.
Mallory Craigmile, Senior Director of Merchandising at Walmart Canada, told Yahoo Canada that although the sold out Playstation Portal has been the most sought-after item of the season, the PlayStation5 Console —Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Bundle with Bonus Game — is the next best thing.
With the Playstation Portal being sold out until January, you can give the gift of gaming with this bundle pack and receive it before Christmas Day.
ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip
This laptop comes with an anti-ghosting keyboard to make sure every keystroke registers — especially while you're gaming.
Whether shopping for the gamer or techy in your life, you can give the gift of a fast, secure laptop with all the AI-driven smarts of Google built right in.
Luiza Staniec, Head of Consumer & AI Communications at Google Canada, told Yahoo Canada that all Chromebooks come with built-in virus protection to ensure a safe and secure experience.
"The ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip is the perfect lightweight cloud gaming laptop. It features ultra-fast Wi-Fi 6 technology, allowing you a full HD gaming experience with access to more than 1,000 games through cloud gaming platforms like NVIDIA and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Its flexible design allows you to quickly go from finalizing a report to playing your favourite games in an instant," Staniec said.
Nintendo Switch OLED Model
The Nintendo Switch OLED model is the newest member of the Nintendo Switch family and arrives before Christmas.
Tech expert Marc Saltzman told Yahoo Canada that there are several highly-rated gadgets, gear and games to gift a loved one — or yourself — over the holidays.
"Video game consoles are fun for the entire family.Game consoles are hot this holiday season, including the new PS5 Slim, Nintendo Switch OLED Model, and sales on Xbox Series S/X," he said.
Fitbit Charge 6
Reach your health goals with the Fitbit Charge 6.
Staniec also chose the Fitbit Charge 6 as one of the most popular tech items this holiday season.
"The Fitbit Charge 6 is our most advanced tracker yet. It combines advanced health sensors with new machine learning to bring you our most accurate heart rate tracking, helping you stay on top of your goals. It’s even compatible with gym equipment and other fitness apps," Staniec said.
Amazon Echo Show 5
Get this Amazon Echo delivered to your front door before December 25th by ordering this week.
Saltzman said that smart speakers and smart displays like Amazon's Echo Show 5 deliver a lot of bang for your buck, especially since they are so versatile.
"You can make free phone calls, play music and podcasts, ask it for news and weather, control your smart home with your voice, play adventure games and trivia, and much more. Smart displays let you also see content, like song lyrics, recipes, YouTube videos, people you’re video calling for free, a 7-day weather forecast, and more," he said.
Google Pixel 8
You can currently save $200 on the Google Pixel 8 and have it delivered as early as tomorrow.
If someone special in your life has been asking for a smartphone upgrade, Staniec suggests the Google Pixel 8.
"The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are our newest premium smartphones, built with AI at the centre. Both include significant hardware updates like our fully upgraded Tensor G3 chip and Pixel camera system," Staniec added.
The Pixel 8 has upgraded rear cameras, powerful security and an all-day battery.
Apple Watch Series 9
Apple Watch Series 9 helps you stay connected and will arrive before December 25th.
Craigmile also suggested that Apple's new Series 9 watch is a great gifting option as it's available in two sizes and an assortment of colours.
For health enthusiasts, the Series 9 takes monitoring to a whole new level. Advanced health sensors now provide more accurate readings, allowing for more in-depth insights into your well-being.
Beats Studio Buds
Beats Studio Buds are engineered to deliver powerful and balanced sound.
Beats Studio Buds combine style, functionality, and advanced features, making them an excellent gift choice for anyone who appreciates high-quality audio and Craigmile agrees.
"They are true wireless noise cancelling earbuds, with powerful sound and one-touch pairing for Apple and Android devices," Cragmile said.
Roku Ultra
The Rokua Ultra is the fastest and most powerful Roku player yet.
The Roku Ultra is small, compact and easily portable and can be used wherever you like to stream, making it the perfect holiday gift for someone who likes to take their favourite TV shows everywhere.
"Other home entertainment accessories include a soundbar to amplify the audio coming out of your television and a streaming stick or box such as Roku to make your older and 'dumb' TV a smarter one," Saltzman said.
The Roku Ultra makes a great gift for people that are difficult to shop for and it would be a huge hit with university and college students with free content, parents who aren't as tech-savvy, or grandparents, who are looking to reduce all those cords.
ŌURA Ring
For the latest trends in wearables and fitness tech, the Best Buy Experts suggest the ŌURA Ring.
"One hot new piece of tech is the ŌURA Ring. This smart ring delivers personalized health data, insights, and daily guidance," they said.
Monitor your sleep, activity levels, temperature trends, stress, heart rate, and more.
Meta Quest 3
The Meta Quest 3 blends the physical and virtual worlds like never before.
According to the Best Buy Experts, the new Meta Quest 3 is extremely popular this year, and they're still seeing popularity for the Meta Quest 2.
"VR headsets offer the ultimate immersive experience and the new Meta Quest 3 mixes AR and Mixed Reality together for a completely different gaming experience," they explained.
The Skylight Frame
Email photos to the frame's address and they will appear instantly.
Digital frames have made a comeback as popular tech gifts this year. Michael Segal, Founder and CEO of Skylight, told Yahoo Canada that they are the perfect gift to bring families together.
“Families want tech gifts that actually make their lives easier and bring them closer together. The Skylight Frame and Skylight Calendar are the perfect last-minute gifts to do exactly that. With Skylight Frame, you can send them a frame full of personalized photos that might just make them shed a tear," Segal said.
Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
