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Stockings may be commonly associated with candy canes and small, inexpensive gifts, but they’re also a great place to hide some unexpected tech items. Small tech gifts like Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Apple AirTags can take your family’s stockings to the next level.
Top products in this article
Apple AirPods Pro 2, $239 (reduced from $249)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, $280
Apple AirTags (4 pack), $95 (reduced from $99)
Adding a tech gift or two to a stocking can help make it more exciting. Many people expect to receive relatively small and cheap items in their stockings, so a hidden tech item can be a special surprise. Stockings are a great place to hide earbuds, smartwatches and other compact tech items. You can even create cohesive stockings with a tech item and relevant accessories.
Here are the best tech stocking stuffers from top brands like Apple, Samsung, Bose and more. You can even score deals on some of these stocking-sized items ahead of Black Friday 2022.
(Looking for more traditional stocking stuffers? Check out our 2022 Holiday Gift Guide: The best stocking stuffers to give this Christmas.)
The best earbud stocking stuffers
Check out these top-rated headphones and earbuds for a compact stocking stuffing that is sure to impress any music enthusiast.
AirPods Pro 2
Apple
The latest Apple AirPods Pro 2 earbuds offer 30 hours of listening time with the included charging case. They have an upgraded wireless chip for improved audio functionality, a new low distortion driver for clearer audio and improved active noise cancellation. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 provide truly custom sound: You can use your iPhone’s camera to analyze your unique ear anatomy and find the perfect audio settings for you.
The design of the AirPods Pro 2 is fairly similar to the previous generation, but Apple has introduced touch control to the AirPods Pro 2 to help users more seamlessly control their AirPods.
Apple AirPods Pro 2, $239 (reduced from $249)
Apple AirPods Pro
Apple
Looking to save money this holiday season? You can save $80 on the older generation of the Apple AirPods Pro.
Compared to older models, these AirPods fit active noise cancelation technology, water resistance and hearing health tracking in a more-compact, better-fitting design. They’re also lauded for their great sound quality.
Apple AirPods Pro, $170 (reduced from $249)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Bose
Bose products are known for their excellent sound quality, and the new Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are no exception. They claim to offer the world’s best active noise cancellation and have a new CustomTune technology that auto-adjusts music to your ears’ liking. They also have an “aware mode” that pauses noise cancellation for when you need to hear your surroundings.
If you disliked how bulky the original Bose QuietComfort Earbuds felt, there’s good news: The QuietComfort Earbuds II are one-third smaller than their predecessor. They’re water- and sweat-resistant, too, so you can wear them to the gym. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II offer six hours of battery life in a single charge and come with a charging case that holds three additional charges (24 hours of battery life in total).
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, $299
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple
The Apple Watch Ultra is designed to be a more rugged and durable option for athletes and adventurers. It provides up to 36 hours of life on a single charge with standard use or 60 hours of battery life with the soon-to-be-released battery optimization setting. It is made with a stronger titanium alloy material for improved impact resistance. It also offers a larger (49mm), brighter display and a second speaker for better sound and display visibility during outdoor use. Apple says it’s also optimized for diving and water sports.
The Apple Watch Ultra provides enhanced GPS functionality to trace your steps and improve navigation for outdoor expeditions. There is also an action button that can be used to more accurately track your workouts by marking segments of your workout.
Apple Watch Ultra, $799
Samsung Galaxy Buds2
Samsung
Samsung’s highly coveted Galaxy Buds2 earbuds are an excellent gift for fitness enthusiasts or music lovers. Featuring active noise cancelation and ambient sound passthrough, the lightweight Galaxy Buds2 are built for users with an active lifestyle.
Samsung Galaxy Buds2, $98 (reduced from $150)
Samsung Galaxy Live
Samsung
Not to be beaten by the Samsung Galaxy Buds, the Samsung Galaxy Live earbuds are available at an even deeper discount. Samsung designed these earbuds with 12mm speakers and a form factor that allows them to deliver spacious sound quality, resulting in an immersive, concert-like experience. Fans of live shows may want a pair.
Samsung Galaxy Live, $90 (reduced from $170)
Best smartwatch stocking stuffers
A smartwatch can make a fun, unexpected stocking stuffer. Two of the top brands, Apple and Samsung, also have brand new smartwatches available now.
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple
Apple Watch Series 8, the latest addition to the Apple Watch lineup, features the new S8 chip for improved performance. It also includes an always-on display and new watch face options. The Apple Watch 8 has a larger battery than previous models: Battery life can be extended to 36 hours when in low-power mode. The Apple Watch 8 features a durable design and is swim-proof, dust-proof and crack-resistant.
The Apple Watch 8 has a number of health-tracking features, including an optical heart sensor, electrical heart sensor for ECG, blood oxygen sensor and a new body temperature sensor.
The Apple Watch 8 is available in 41mm and 45mm sizing options. Shoppers can choose between stainless steel or aluminum casing and several different colors. The GPS model starts at $389, while the cellular model (with new international roaming capabilities) starts at $490.
Apple Watch 8 (41mm), $389
Apple Watch Series 8 (45mm), $419
Apple Watch Series 8, GPS + Cellular (41mm), $490
Apple Watch Series 8, GPS + Cellular (45mm), $490
Apple Watch SE 2nd generation
Apple
Apple Watch SE 2nd generation, the most affordable Apple Watch option, includes core Apple Watch features, such as car crash detection, heart rate monitoring, fall detection and activity tracking. It makes a great gift for younger kids: The updated watch can be paired with a parent’s iPhone but still operate independently for calling and texting.
The new Apple Watch SE is 20 percent faster than the last generation. The display is 30 percent larger than the prior model as well. The back case design now features 100 percent recycled aluminum.
The Apple Watch SE starts at $249 for GPS and $290 for cellular (additional fees from your wireless carrier will apply). It’s available for purchase on Amazon now.
Apple Watch SE 2nd generation (40mm), $249
Apple Watch SE 2nd generation (44mm), $270
Apple Watch SE 2nd generation, GPS + Cellular (40mm), $290
Apple Watch SE 2nd generation, GPS + Cellular (44mm), $320
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
Samsung
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is an upgrade from the popular Samsung Galaxy Watch 4. It features 10W smart-charging capabilities, a notable upgrade from the slower 5W charging offered by the prior model. It also offers an advanced workout algorithm and sleep tracking technology.
The Galaxy Watch 5 has an advanced bioactive sensor that collects more accurate data. This data can be managed and tracked in the Samsung Health app.
This is the first time that Samsung is offering its sapphire glass on its non-premium smartwatch options. (Sapphire glass isn’t actually glass. It is a ceramic that mimics the transparency of glass and offers more durability.)
Like prior Galaxy Watch models, the Galaxy Watch 5 is available in 40mm and 44mm display sizes. It is also available in five colors.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, $280
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
Samsung
The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro offers a bigger and stronger smartwatch option. The watch face and battery are larger in the Pro model. The Pro model features a titanium case and sapphire glass. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro also boasts improved navigation with track-back mode to help you navigate your way to back your starting point.
The Watch 5 Pro is available in two colors. It comes in one size, 45mm.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, $450
Other top tech stocking stuffers
If you don’t want to stuff earbuds or a smartwatch in their stocking, consider these other great options, including some more affordable tech gifts.
Apple AirTags
Apple via Amazon
An Apple AirTag will help the recipient keep track of important items. It’s a great gift for anyone who loves to travel, as many people like to use AirTags to track their checked luggage. Stick one inside a suitcase, within a pocket or encased in a key chain. Then, use your MacBook, Apple Watch or other device to track the location. It’s also a fun stocking stuffer for pet owners as some people like attaching AirTags to their pet’s collars for tracking.
Apple AirTags (4 pack), $95 (reduced from $99)
You’ll get the best per-AirTag price when you buy a four pack. But if you only need one, single Apple AirTags are also available on Amazon.
Apple AirTag, $29
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
Amazon
Streaming fans will enjoy seeing an Amazon Fire TV Stick in their stocking. The device is compatible with Alexa and lets you watch all your favorite streamers (Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, etc.) in 4K resolution.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, $50
Apple MagSafe Battery Pack
Apple via Amazon
This year, give the gift of extended iPhone battery life. The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack magnetically attaches to your iPhone (iPhone 12 models and newer), providing a portable, wireless phone charge. If need be, your MagSafe Battery Pack and iPhone can even be charged at the same time.
Apple MagSafe Battery Pack, $98 (regularly $99)
Iniu portable charger
INIU via Amazon
A portable charger is always a great stocking stuffer. With so many tech items to keep charged, we all occasionally have one die on us when we’re traveling or have a busy day. While many portable chargers are only able to charge one device at a time, this portable charger from Iniu has three output ports for multi-device charging.
Inui portable charger, $21 with coupon
