Gift guide: TechCrunch’s favorite things

We are professional journalists. We have many ideas. Throughout the year, we’re always trying new things, and trust us – we’re a hard bunch to please. So if we really like something, it’s probably good! That’s why we’ve put together a list of our favorite gadgets, computer accessories, headphones, productivity software, and the odd little gadget.

Sure, we can be strong critics at times. But we’re in this gig because we love technology, and every now and then, we come across a program, tool, or device that we want to talk about. What we recommend is not what you make a gift for – everyone already knows that AirTags are useful! – but we hope we can help you find something different and interesting. Whether you’re looking for the satisfaction of setting up your own media server at home, or trying to stay cool in a crowded subway, we’re sure you’ll find something you like.

Open-ear, bone-drive headphones allow me to listen to music while I run but don’t cover or put in the ears, so I can still hear the environment: bikes that want to pass, cars or people behind me, etc. They work well with sunglasses and a hat, both close together. And they don’t leave me feeling the discomfort of what-is-my-loss from the ears that pipe straight into the ear canal.

A Brain.fm subscription is the perfect gift for the easily distracted. It’s a streaming service that plays scientifically engineered music – without distracting vocals – that helps my scattered mind stop crashing between tasks and stay focused. Additional information about the timer function so I can include it is Pomodoro Technique!

Hank Green’s Focus Friend is The annual Google Play program – and it’s one of my favorite things. It’s a perfect balance of silly and practical to set me up, and the free version is enough to get you started, but as a gift, I’d recommend splurging on the lifetime version.

Omnilux Contour is one of my favorite products. It’s a red light mask that reduces redness, improves skin tone and texture, and is supposed to reduce wrinkles (but I haven’t used it long enough to see if that’s true). It’s wireless so I can walk and do things and the charge lasts a long time. I keep it on my desk and can use it when I check emails in the morning.

If there’s one tool I can’t live without, it’s that Audio Hijackinga Mac app from Rogue Amoeba. Like most people, I spend a lot of time on the phone, and because I’m a journalist, I often take pictures. (With permission, of course!) Audio Hijack makes it possible to record audio from anywhere, and I can limit what appears on the recording to a specific program – no more background reminders. I often send audio from my system to one channel and my output to another. That way if we are talking to each other, I can set aside one way or the other to find out what was said. And with basic recording and local file protection, Audio Hijack has everything I need. Now if Apple could just make Rogue Amoeba an easy iPadOS or iOS version…

Pictures of Ozlo Sleepbuds they’re simple, if a little expensive, headphones designed for bedtime use. (Currently on sale for $274 but on sale for $349, the site says.)

Whether you need to block out outside noise, such as street noise, or serious distractions like a snoring friend or a noisy roommate, headphones can help sleepers easily get through the night without waking up.

Of course, at these prices, Sleepbuds seem like a luxury – especially since there are cheaper solutions. You can just play music in your bedroom or sleep with your AirPods, for example; but nothing is right. The former does not cover all the noise and the latter is unpleasant and painful. Sleepbuds, however, offer soft, comfortable earbuds that can play a variety of sleep sounds or music or audio from your smartphone.

Even if you’re lying on your side or twisting and turning, it doesn’t fall off, I’ve found. You can also set the Sleepbuds to stop moving when you sleep, which is great if your sleep problem is more about falling asleep than falling asleep. (This might be useful for those who love to fall asleep to audiobooks too!)

The product is not perfect, I must warn. Unfortunately, Bluetooth connectivity and filtering can be wonky at times and one or the other earphones won’t charge properly, necessitating a device reset. Additionally, if you’re streaming via Bluetooth, the phone and Sleepbuds need to be placed close to each other for the best connection. The sound of sleep that is provided can be raised on the same pages, which works well. However, everything that happened to me when I finally calmed down – relaxed – and actually fell asleep paid off.

My favorite tool for 2025 is neck lover from Kidee. Priced at $33.99 on Amazon, it’s been a lifesaver for keeping me cool year-round, whether I’m power-walking NYC in the summer or coming home from the gym on a 4-seater train in the winter. It’s fairly quiet, with a slight hum at first. People have been approaching me, thinking they are the latest headphones. It’s a tool I never knew I needed, and now I never leave home without it.

I would not recommend buying your own network attached storage (NAS) box highly enough. If it doesn’t change your life, it will save you money. Synology and Western Digital are good places to start. A NAS box isn’t just an Internet-connected hard drive that sits in your closet; it doubles as its own virtual server that can run your apps, services, and data at home. You can have your own recipe planner, story tracker, photo gallery, to-do list, and more. You can set up an ad blocker to block any device on your Wi-Fi network; set up your own home video viewing platform; Create, edit, and save your documents with other free Google Docs and Microsoft Office solutions. In addition, if you want, you can connect your data anywhere in the world using a secure VPN that you control yourself. NAS devices are designed to make it easy for most users to get started. Of course, things can get a little technical at times and you may need to search forums and Reddit threads for answers, but you’ll learn things along the way, and it’s fun and rewarding.

The BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 isn’t exactly essential – it also makes my monitor a little heavier – but the intuitive touch control and the visuals that look like I’m running a cybersecurity operation from my bedroom make it worth every penny. (In fact, I often use it to feel like a hacker and write articles late into the night.)

When the fear of winter set in last year, I bought I was not proud: an automatic page converter for my Kindlealong with a plush, round pillow with a pop-out stand that holds my Kindle on the bed. I felt like this was a waste of money – it’s the kind of shopping you buy when you want dopamine, not use it. But after a year, I can confidently say that this thing is in control, and it does not work only for Giving. It comes with magnetic rings that allow you to keep any e-reader or tablet on the stand.

My Kindle stand and page turner have become part of my nightly routine (at least, the nights I can summon the will to prioritize sleep hygiene. playing Pokémon on my phone). I put my phone on my nightstand, turn it on for sleep, set my alarm, and then set what I call “Kindle Time,” since Kindle time is like a donut. I crawl into my warm blanket, grab my remote control, and read until I can’t focus. This is a sacred event. Long time Kindle donut.

As someone who didn’t really understand the appeal of candles, I had a gift Spa area this year and ended up really loving it. I love that there is no danger of catching fire with an open flame and that I can enjoy the scent of my candles without any smoke. Also, as someone who hates “tunneling” in candles, I love that the wax melts as the candles heat. I also think there is a stronger and more consistent scent when using a candle burner than using a wick.