The Best Tech Gifts and Gadgets for Seniors
Whether you're shopping for grandma and grandpa, a dear friend, or for yourself, you're sure to find holiday inspiration with our favorite tech gifts for seniors. Need something sentimental? Load up a digital picture frame with photos of grandkids. Prefer a practical gift? Consider a pair of budget over-the-counter hearing aids. Whoever you're shopping for, these gift ideas for seniors have you covered for the holiday season and beyond.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
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$80 from Amazon
Everyone hates losing stuff. But with this collection of four Tile Mate trackers, keys, remote controls, wallets, and other belongings will at least be easier to find.
$120 from Walmart
Kindle isn't the only game in town when it comes to e-readers. This Kobo has a high-def display with a glare-free surface so you can read outdoors in sunny weather, and its 8 GB of memory can store a whopping 6,000 texts, which ought to keep even the most determined of bookworms satisfied.
$370 from Amazon
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The Bartesian Keurig-like machine for your home bar was one of Oprah’s favorite things last year, and this year it has another reason to be the favorite of many: The pandemic has kept many people away from bars and restaurants.
$119 from Amazon
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The ultimate gift for your favorite morning grump, the Philips SmartSleep helps make waking up easier with a simulated sunrise. There's also a sunset mode for relaxing, plenty of soothing nature sounds, and music options.
$112 from Best Buy
Jitterbug phones are designed expressly for older people who want their phones to be smart, yet simple to use. Their latest model comes with optional urgent-care monitoring that can help summon assistance in the event of a personal emergency.
$50/month from MedMinder
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Seniors with medications to manage every day will appreciate MedMinder's reminders of when to open a pill compartment. The device's built-in cell service connects to a monitoring station, so no phone or wireless network is needed. You can also buy refill trays that can be swapped in and out as needed.
Price varies from Amazon
If you can't travel to your dream destination, why not travel there virtually instead? Amazon Explore connects you with travel guides the world over, cooking instructors, even local creatives and business owners for journeys of discovery — all from the comfort of your home.
$6 and up from Amazon
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Especially for people who live in colder climates, touchscreen gloves can lend a helping hand, and with these you can get one or two pairs of these highly rated bestsellers. These have thumb and index finger functionality, come in 13 color combos, and, with a wool exterior and fleece lining, provide warmth as well as easy device handling. A perfect stocking stuffer for under $15.
Related: Christmas Gifts Under $25 for Grandma and Grandpa
$30 from Amazon
Nothing promotes self-care more than a sound night's sleep, and this well-rated sound machine can help make that happen. It includes six sounds: rain, brook, thunder, white noise, ocean, and summer night. The device can be powered by an included AC adapter or batteries and also features an auto-off timer function. Snag this if it goes below $30, as prices fluctuate often.
$150 from Best Buy
Speaking of fitness goals, a wearable monitor like this can help keep track of your workouts, monitor vital signs, and sync with a smartphone so you can share your data with trainers, doctors, or family.
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$107 from Best Buy
Who doesn't love petting something soft? Robotic pet companions like this one are designed to help soothe adults with emotional or memory issues when they're feeling anxious or lonely. This furry cat (a dog is also available) is super-soft and responds to touch and sound.
$3/month and up from LastPass
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One big challenge for seniors (and the rest of us, honestly) is keeping track of passwords. With LastPass, there's only one master password to remember. LastPass takes care of the rest — password generation as well as automatically logging in. LastPass is available for smartphones and tablets as well as PCs, for protection regardless of the device being used.
$200 from Amazon
Let's face it: Not everyone wants to fuss with a smartphone while driving. Enter the Garmin, a dedicated GPS navigator that can be controlled with your voice so you can keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
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$30 from Amazon
Sometimes muscle aches come along with age, and this soft heating pad will help ease some of that discomfort. This unit offers six heat setting, a machine-washable cover, and an extra large size.
$75 from Amazon
This cordless handheld massager helps those with pain in their back, shoulders, neck, and more. Comes with six different massage heads and a lifetime warranty. Offers two hours of massage time on a single charge and can be recharged in around 60 minutes.
$16 from Amazon
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Sometimes the most popular gifts are the ones that are actually useful, and this coffee warmer will keep any work-from-homer fueled throughout the day.
Related: Perk 'Em Up with These Great Gifts for Coffee Lovers
$50 and up from Amazon
An electric blanket makes a great gift for anyone who gets cold easily or likes to snuggle in a warm, toasty bed. This blanket does that and more, with two thermostats so no one has to argue over the temperature setting. Available in four colors and four sizes
$100 and up from Amazon
Fresh greens are a simple pleasure at mealtime, but hard to come by in colder months. The AeroGarden would make a great gift for any salad-loving senior who doesn't have the space or the desire to garden outside.
Related: Gardening Gifts for Anyone With a Green Thumb
$150 from Amazon
A mini fridge like this one would make a great addition to the bedroom or bath, where it can be used to store everything from late-night beverages to perishable medications and delicate cosmetics.
$20/month from MobileHelp
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Seniors can send an alert for help with the press of a button from a base station, wrist button, or neck pendant with MobileHelp. The base station includes a speaker and mic to communicate with company professionals when needed. No landline, network, or cell contract is required. An optional fall detection system is $10 per month.
$170 and up from Amazon
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This slender robotic vacuum cleans for up to 100 minutes and is equipped with technology that automatically boosts suction in particularly grimy areas. It includes infrared obstacle and drop sensors, too.
$40 from Amazon
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Video chatting is a convenient way to catch up with the grandkids, or far-flung friends. This super cheap webcam has high-definition video quality and is easy to use. It works easily with a number of applications, including Skype.
$100 from Amazon
Preload this high-definition digital picture frame with photos and video of your loved ones, and you'll have a heartwarming gift that keeps on giving. Unlike old-school picture frames, you can update this one wirelessly with an app.
$100 from Amazon
This Alexa-enabled smart device is easy-to-use thanks to its intuitive voice controls. With just a few words, you can get the Echo to play the news, put on a song, or give you the weather forecast. Plus, it's compatible with other smart devices.
$80 from Amazon
In the wake of a new federal regulation, retailers like Amazon can now sell FDA-certified over-the-counter hearing aids without going to the doctor. While these Hoyesch-brand devices certainly can't compete with hearing aids that cost thousands, they're among the best budget-friendly options available on Amazon, according to reviewers.
Find more great ideas on Cheapism's interactive gift guide for 2022.
