The 12 best tech stocking stuffers people will actually want

The best type of stocking stuffer gift is one that you actually can use, and not one that ends up sitting in a junk drawer, or worse, the trash. That's what makes these retractable USB-C charging cords so great. They're uber handy, they keep cords untangled and organized, and they are great for traveling or for storing in cars, purses, and more. 

Also: This retractable USB-C charger is my new favorite travel accessory (and it's on sale)

I tested the 60W and 100W versions in October, and was really impressed with how simple yet ingenious these things are. They retract similarly to a tape measure, and you can lock them at a desired length for a custom cord length every time. The reach up to 3.3 feet, though the 100W is also available in a longer length. Plus, they come in four fun colors, so you can buy a different color for the members of your family and never have to worry about your charging cord being stolen in your own house again. 

As an editor who frequently tests MagSafe battery packs, wireless chargers, and other battery-boosting options, I firmly believe in always carrying some type of backup battery booster. There's nothing worse than being without a functional phone than when you need it most, and as a chronically online Gen Zer, my iPhone 14 Pro is under 50% battery as early as midday. 

Also: This Anker power bank solved my big problem with portable chargers

This ZDNET-favorite Anker Nano Power Bank is the size of a lipstick tube, and is just enough to juice your phone up in case of an emergency or unexpected situation. I keep one in my purse at all times (yes, it even fits in the tiniest of micro bags). Plus, if you have a Lightning charger on your phone, you can nab that version, too. It's the perfect size for a handy stocking stuffer and is certainly a gift that I can guarantee will get used. 

If you know an avid reader or will be gifting a Kindle or Kobo to a loved one this holiday season, consider adding a set of Strapsicle hand straps. I purchased these in October after dropping my own Kindle Paperwhite on my face one too many times, and have never been more impressed with an e-reader accessory. 

Also: This simple Kindle accessory made the reading experience so much better for me

These straps simply pop over the corners of Kindle and other e-reader devices, are made of silicone, come in lots of fun colors, and bonus, only cost $21. They're super comfortable, and allow me to grip my Kindle from nearly any angle I want, which is a much better deal than being limited to the placement of one PopSocket, another popular way to add a grip to e-readers. Not only is this an excellent stocking stuffer, but it's also a great gift to yourself if you're a voracious reader looking to upgrade your experience. 

OK, these earbuds are admittedly pricey for a stocking stuffer, but they're such a great gift (that happens to physically fit into a stocking) that I couldn't pass over including them. Ozlo's new sleep earbuds are made by ex-Bose engineers, and they use a lot of the same technology as Bose's retired sleep earbuds. 

Also: I tested sleep earbuds made by ex-Bose engineers, and they worked like a charm

In fact, they're ZDNET's pick for the best overall sleep earbuds after being rigorously evaluated by our earbud expert Nina Raemont. Raemont said they beat out other sleep earbud options from brands like Anker and that they blocked out noise more than anticipated. 

"These earbuds dissolved in my ears during sleep, and, as I shuffled from one side to the other, I found myself absolutely unirritated with these buds in my ears. The Ozlo Sleepbuds masked noises properly and efficiently, dulling down the outside hubbub on one of the busiest weeks of the year in my neighborhood," she says. 

Moft's popular tripod stand makes watching your favorite shows or shooting content on the go easy. The MagSafe accessory has several adjustable, ergonomic positions to maximize your phone's capabilities, and the newest iteration can hold credit or debit cards. This 3-1 wallet, stand, and tripod is the perfect nifty buy for any tech lover, and can be used with iPhones and Androids outfitted for MagSafe accessories, too. 

Also: The best MagSafe accessories you can buy: Expert tested

I love using this tripod on vacations and trips for photo and video opportunities, and at home for a plethora of things from watching TV on my phone at the gym to following a recipe while cooking. It's truly multifunctional and one of my favorite accessories I've tested this year, and the upgraded wallet model makes it that much better. This is a great holiday buy for any age, really, and I know because nearly everyone in my immediate family has purchased their own after seeing mine. 

Do you have a loved one who constantly throws their charging devices to the floor because they accidentally trip over the cable? This USB-C accessory might be the perfect stocking stuffer for them, and ZDNET reviewer Adrian Kinglsey-Hughes says it's one of the best USB-C accessories he's ever purchased. "Although simple and straightforward, it has protected my USB-C ports from damage numerous times and prevented laptops from being pulled to the floor by people (usually me) tripping over the charging cable," he says. 

Also: My favorite USB-C accessory of all time just got a magnetic upgrade (and it's 30% off)

The magnetic breakaway USB-C connector is similar to Apple's MagSafe connector, compatible with all your devices, from smartphones and tablets to power banks, docks and laptops (including MacBooks that lack MagSafe). 

A large part of my job involves testing MagSafe battery packs for ZDNET, and as someone who's tried over a dozen in this year alone, I'd recommend gifting most people the Torras MiniMag over any other battery pack this season. 

Also: This ultra-thin battery pack I tested is a must-have travel gadget (and it works with MagSafe)

This 5,000mAh battery pack is a great, typical battery capacity for everyday power-ups as well as a backup boost during concerts, outings, day trips, commutes, and more. The big difference between this pack and other 5,000mAh options on the market is the size. The Torras MiniMag is ultra-thin (thinner than an iPhone 15 itself), which is not typical of MagSafe battery packs. 

Because of its slim design, it's a lot more comfortable to carry around in bags or purses, as well as comfortable to use while holding your phone. If you're going to gift a MagSafe battery this season, I highly recommend choosing this slim option due to the versatility it really gives you. So many times people buy battery packs only to realize they're really too bulky for their daily needs, so I encourage both buyers and gifters to start small. 

Looking for a stocking stuffer that's under $50? Amazon's smallest speaker, the Echo Pop, is a great option for bulking up an existing smart home system, or for starting out yours or a loved one's collection. Thanks to it's size, it's great for kids rooms, smaller spaces, dorms, apartments, and more, and it also comes in four colors. 

Review: Amazon Echo Pop: A portable smart speaker for small spaces

ZDNET's Maria Diaz loves her family's Echo Pop, which they fondly named "Ziggy." "It's the perfect starter smart speaker for anyone looking to get to know Amazon Alexa and dive deeper into a smart home ecosystem. At just over half the size of an Echo Dot, the Echo Pop doesn't disappoint; it's no Sonos speaker but packs a mean punch in a small package," Diaz says. 

Plus, the Echo Pop speaker frequently sees discounts during peak sale periods like October Prime Day, and we fully expect this tiny speaker to offer even more savings to you as we get closer to the holiday season. We've seen it as low as $18. 

Also: Echo Pop vs Echo Dot: Which Amazon Alexa smart speaker should you choose?

AirTags are great tracking accessories, but they're not the slimmest or most practical option for wallets. This is where Bluetooth tracking cards come in. 

Also: One of the best wallet AirTags I've tested isn't made by Apple or Tile

Bluetooth tracking cards, like this one from KeySmart, mean you're not chucking away handfuls of CR2032s every year because this one's rechargeable (even via MagSafe). Plus, because there are no battery compartment covers, this key tag is robust and has an IPX7 rating for dust proofing and water resistance. It can survive up to 30 minutes of immersion in 3 feet of water. 

ZDNET's Adrian Kingsely-Hughes says the KeySmart Card is the best option for wallets right now. "AirTags are great, but they have those first-generation limitations that I'm sure that Apple will one day solve with a next-gen wave of AirTags. But for now, the KeySmart SmartCard is the best AirTag for those who want a thin solution for their wallet or as a luggage tag," he says. You can grab a KeySmart card individually or in a three pack, making them great for gifting (so much so that I gifted these to my dad and brothers last year).

There's a few stocking stuffer ideas that I think remain constant, and as a Gen-Z, portable speakers certainly fell on my own Christmas wishlists back in the day and are an item I still use now, years after initially receiving them. Portable speakers are extra great for on the go sound, and for activities like camping, hiking, the beach, and more. Sony, JBL, and Beats have long held the market for popular portable options, in my humble opinion, and the Clip 5 is the newest iteration of JBL's classic clippable portable speaker. 

Not only is this a great gift idea for teens and college students, but it's great for any music lover, too. Plus, we've already seen it on sale ahead of Black Friday and anticipate it to drop to around $50 again, too. It's also available in several colors to match everyone's preferences. 

Also: One of the best portable speakers I've tested projects booming sound

ZDNET expert Jack Wallen tested the Clip 5 speaker in November, and was thoroughly impressed. "When it comes to Bluetooth speakers, small size usually means small sound -- unless it's the JBL Clip 5, which produces surprisingly powerful audio," Wallen says. "I really appreciate the JBL sound." 

Nomad's ChargeKey is the perfect keychain USB-C accessory, especially for a loved one that travels frequently or is always on the go. It features a durable braided cable and zinc cable tips that connect magnetically, olus it looks sleek and minimal on your keychain while powering all your Lightning or USB-C devices.

Also: Nomad just brought back my favorite USB accessory, and it's better than ever

ZDNET's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes has been a loyal ChargeKey user for over 10 years, when he praised the functionality of the first generation model. He's since tested this upgraded design, and what's remaind the same is the ultra portability and function. 

"I remember the first ChargeKey fondly. It brought an end to having to stuff full-length charging cables into my pocket when I was out and about. Now, I always have a ChargeKey ready for that inevitable point in the day when my iPhone's battery icon turns red," he says. Not only is ChargeKey the perfect size for a stocking stuffer, it's also so useful and nice to have on hand when you need it most, so you can rest assured you're not gifting something entirely useless. 

Nomad also makes some of ZDNET's favorite iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands that would make great gifts, too. 

You can't really go wrong with opting for everyday essentials for the holidays, especially in a loved one's stocking. I use AirTags to track my keys, wallet, suitcases, totes, and more, so their usefulness is certainly not understated. They're also easy options for tracking pets and children, as well as other incidentals like TV remotes and more.

Also:Apple's AirTag 4-Pack is $20 off with this deal ahead of Black Friday

Plus, this 4-pack isn't likely to drop any lower than $70 throughout the holiday season based on last year's sale trends and my daily deal experience, so you don't have to worry about shopping too early and missing out on a ton of extra savings. The best thing about this AirTag 4-Pack is you can break it up to gift to multiple people, or keep the pack intact. It's a smart, shareable, and useful stocking stuffer idea.