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Top tech gift cards for the gadget lovers in your life
For many people, shopping for every holiday often comes down to the last minute, especially if they cannot make up their minds about what to buy. I am that person in my family. However, sometimes a gift card is all that is needed for a purchase. Recipients can use these tech gift cards to buy a new game for their gaming console, a new lens for their camera, or an upgraded part for their PC.
ZDNET Recommends
With numerous stores offering gift cards in today's world, here are the best options for those who love tech and gadgets.
Must read:
- The best cheap tech gifts for under $100
- The best cheap tech gifts under $75
- The best cheap tech gifts under $50
- The best cheap tech gifts under $25
The best gift card ideas for tech enthusiasts
Here are a few of the best gift card ideas for birthdays, anniversaries, or just because.
Features:
- Versatile selection: Can be used to buy anything from electronics, books, music, and more
- Flexible pricing: Available in a wide range of denominations from $1 to $2,000
- Convenient and hassle-free: Can be purchased and delivered electronically without expiration date.
Amazon is a dominant force in the world of online shopping, recognized by its signature smile on the side of seemingly every cardboard box. Although this eGift card won't arrive in a physical box, the recipient will undoubtedly feel the excitement when they receive it.
The Amazon gift card provides access to an extensive collection of items that can be purchased on the platform, making it the ideal gift card for any occasion, year-round. With such a vast selection, the recipient is sure to find something they will love.
Features:
- Flexible pricing: Available in a range of denominations from $25 to $500.
- Stress-free shopping: Let the recipient choose what they want or need, and take the stress out of finding the perfect gift for them.
- Wide selection: Best Buy offers a broad range of technology products, including appliances, laptops, air fryers, and cameras, making it an ideal destination for tech enthusiasts.
In the world of technology, many parts are labeled with a combination of numbers and letters, and let's be honest - it's hard to remember some of the tricky names when shopping for the special person in your life. By allowing the recipient of this gift card to choose what they want, you can save yourself some stress when looking for the perfect gift.
Best Buy offers a wide range of technology products, from appliances and air fryers to laptops and cameras. Tech enthusiasts are sure to find what they want or need at this store.
Features:
- Safe and efficient ride home: Provides a convenient and comfortable ride experience.
- Various ride options: Can be used to get a ride in an SUV, a Tesla, or the cheapest available option.
- Versatile use: Can be used for rides home, airport trips, or a night out.
- Flexible spending: $25 to $200 options
The era of standing on street corners shouting at yellow cars is over. Now, a safe ride home is just a few taps away on your mobile device.
An Uber gift card provides the option to travel in comfort in an SUV, eco-friendly ride in a Tesla, or an affordable economy ride. Whether it's for a ride home after a late night, a trip to and from the airport, or a night out on the town, Uber can take you where you want to go, whenever you need it.
Features:
- Access to high-quality online classes taught by celebrity instructors
- Variety of classes available across 11 different categories
- Flexible pricing with a one-year subscription option ($180)
Not every day do you get to learn how to cook from Gordon Ramsay, understand science from Bill Nye, or receive advice from Lewis Hamilton. With a MasterClass subscription, you can gain access to all of those and more.
MasterClass offers over 150 classes in 11 categories, including food, writing, sports, and photography. Whether you are a seasoned expert looking to expand your knowledge or a novice seeking to learn the basics, these A-list celebrities can help you achieve success in your area of interest.
Features:
- Access to over 100 high-quality games
- Includes Xbox Live Gold and EA Play
- Special discounts for members
- Price: $45
The future of gaming has arrived, and with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can play your favorite games on both your console and PC without actually owning them.
The perks of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate include Xbox Live Gold, EA Play, special discounts, and access to over 100 high-quality games. With the availability of so many games, you can be sure to be engaged at all times while gaming on your preferred console.
Features:
- Offers three tiers of subscriptions
- Offers a lot more than Game Pass, but the titles offered on PlayStation fall short of those offered by Xbox
- Access to monthly games, Playstation Plus Collection, and exclusive discounts
- Price: $30-$110
After the launch of the Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation introduced its own subscription service, PlayStation Plus, which provides access to monthly games, the Playstation Plus Collection, and exclusive discounts.
PlayStation Plus has three tiers, compared to Game Pass's two tiers. The second tier, called "Extra," provides access to the Playstation Plus game catalog, and the "Premium" tier grants access to the catalog, classic catalog, game trials, and cloud streaming.
While PlayStation Plus offers more features than Game Pass, the titles available on Playstation are not as extensive as those offered by Xbox. Nonetheless, a PS Plus gift card would make a great gift for the Playstation gamer in your life.
Features:
- Can be used to purchase a wide variety of Apple products, including iPhones, AirPods, MacBooks, and iPads
- Offers a range of denominations from $25 to $500
- Makes a big purchase less stressful
Whether it's a birthday, Christmas, or a surprise Easter gift, receiving an iTunes gift card used to be an exciting moment. However, nowadays, an Apple gift card offers much more than just a few songs or games on the App Store. Apple's latest products, such as the newest iPhones, AirPods, MacBooks, and iPads, come with a hefty price tag, making it a challenging purchase for many people.
With an Apple gift card, you can make the big purchase a little less stressful. The gift card can be used for a variety of Apple products and services, including the Apple Store, the App Store, iTunes, and Apple Music. You can use the gift card to buy a new phone, a laptop, or a pair of wireless earbuds, or even to subscribe to one of Apple's services. This gift card can be a practical present for anyone, whether they are a tech-savvy individual or someone looking to upgrade their current devices.
Features:
- Offers cloud gaming with a variety of membership options and prices
- Includes Free, Priority, and RTX 3080 membership tiers
- Provides up to 6-hour session length, priority access to premium servers, and up to 1080p resolution for Priority membership
The wide variety of games you can play on PC is what makes it the most unique "gaming system" out there. Now, NVIDIA, known for its gaming hardware and equipment, offers a cloud gaming system similar to Xbox Game Pass, but with more benefits.
NVIDIA GeForce NOW offers various membership options, including Free, Priority, and RTX 3080. Prices range from $0 to $20 per month. With a priority membership, users can access up to a 6-hour session length, priority to premium servers, up to 1080p resolution, and up to 60 fps.
Features:
- Provides access to audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible original content
- Includes one credit for each month, plus access to their Plus catalog with no credits necessary
- Price: $15-$150
An Audible subscription allows users to listen to their favorite books, podcasts, or Audible original content without ever having to read a single word.
Audible offers several subscription tiers, ranging from one month to one year. Each subscription package includes one credit per month and access to their Plus catalog, which provides users with the ability to listen to thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and more without the need for credits.
Features:
- Can be used to purchase games, subscriptions, consoles, and accessories
- Available in a range of denominations from $50 to $1,000
- Makes a great gift for gamers
Gaming can be an expensive hobby, with many PS5 and Xbox Series X games selling for $70. That being said, gift cards can help keep a gamer's passion alive. A GameStop gift card is a versatile option that not only allows for game purchases, but can also be used towards subscriptions, consoles, and accessories that enhance the overall gaming experience.
Additionally, GameStop gift cards can be a great gift idea for gamers of all ages and skill levels, whether they are a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast. With a wide range of games, consoles, and accessories available, GameStop is a one-stop-shop for all things gaming. Plus, with the growing popularity of online gaming and e-sports, the need for gift cards to purchase in-game items and virtual currency is greater than ever.
Features:
- Can be used to purchase a wide range of photography and videography equipment
- Available in denominations from $20 to $1,000
- Offers the option of physical or email delivery
As an experienced photographer, it's always important to have the latest gear, lenses, or cameras to take your photography to the next level. With a B&H Photo Video gift card, the possibilities are endless when it comes to expanding your collection of equipment.
B&H offers a vast selection of high-quality items, from cameras and laptops to drones and tripods, catering to both amateur and professional photographers. Their gift cards come in a variety of denominations, ranging from $20 to $1,000, making it easy to find the perfect gift for any occasion. Plus, the option to receive the gift card via email or physical delivery adds to the convenience of their service.
Whether you're a seasoned professional or a passionate amateur, a B&H Photo Video gift card is the perfect way to upgrade your gear and take your photography to new heights.
Features:
- Can be used to purchase apps and games from the Meta Quest online store
- Provides access to popular VR games such as BeatSaber, NFL Pro Era, and VRCHAT
- Offers various denominations ranging from $15 to $50.
Virtual reality devices were a popular item during the holiday season, and with that came the need for games to enhance the user experience. Fortunately, with a Meta Quest gift card, you can purchase apps and games from the Meta Quest online store, including popular games like Beat Saber, NFL Pro Era, and VRChat.
Also: The best VR headsets of 2023
The Meta Quest gift card is a great option for gamers who enjoy the immersive experience of virtual reality, as it allows for the purchase of games for the Meta Quest device, which has seen a surge in popularity. The gift cards come in a variety of denominations, ranging from $10 to $100, providing flexibility to choose the amount that best suits your needs. With new VR games being released regularly, the Meta Quest gift card is a valuable asset to any VR gamer's collection.
How did we choose these gift card ideas?
Like I mentioned at the beginning, the days of brick-and-mortar store gift cards are slowly declining and the access we have to stores on the device you're reading this on is incredible. With the 11 gift cards on this list, there is a gift card for everyone.
When choosing these gift cards, I considered how many different items you could get with each gift card. For example, with an Amazon gift card, you can purchase theoretically anything, making it a top option. Gift cards to the Meta Quest, Playstation, and Xbox online stores are more predictable with the items you can purchase.
As an avid tech enthusiast and gift-giver, I can attest to the convenience and versatility of tech gift cards. Over the years, I have personally purchased numerous tech gift cards, from online marketplaces like B&H Photo Video to audiobook services like Audible. Each of these gift cards has allowed the recipients to advance their tech inventory and knowledge.
These gift cards make great gifts for any occasion, whether it's for a birthday, holiday, or just to show appreciation. With these gift cards, you're not just giving a gift, but also the opportunity to explore and enjoy the world of technology.
Can you get discounts on gift cards?
Gift cards make for a unique gift as it involves purchasing money with money. However, many stores keep their gift card discounts to a minimum to avoid significant financial loss. Nevertheless, throughout the year, deals on gift cards are available, particularly through wholesalers such as BJ's, Sam's Club, and Costco.
Major tech retailers such as Best Buy, Apple, and Samsung usually offer gift cards when customers buy a phone or any of their significant products.
What gift cards can be sent electronically?
Most gift cards nowadays can be sent either electronically or physically. Each of the gift cards included in this list can be sent in either form, depending on the retailer. For example, digital delivery is a popular option for gift cards from online retailers like Amazon and Meta Quest, while physical cards may be preferred for in-store retailers like GameStop and B&H Photo Video. Many retailers also offer the option to customize the design of the gift card or add a personalized message, making it an even more thoughtful gift.
Can I use a gift card to purchase a subscription service?
Yes, many tech gift cards can be used to purchase subscription services, including Audible, Xbox Game Pass, and PlayStation Plus. In fact, some gift cards, like those for MasterClass, are specifically designed for subscription services.
Can I use a gift card to purchase digital content, like movies or music?
Yes, many tech gift cards can be used to purchase digital content, including Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play gift cards. However, some gift cards, like those for B&H Photo Video or Meta Quest, are specifically designed for hardware or software purchases and cannot be used for digital content.
Where is the best place to buy gift cards?
If I had to narrow it down to one place, but if you're looking to purchase gift cards, Amazon is a great option due to the convenience and variety it offers. With just a few clicks, you can purchase a gift card in any amount and have it delivered to your recipient via email, text message, or by mail. Additionally, Amazon offers a vast selection of gift cards from popular brands such as Starbucks, iTunes, and Netflix, making it easy to find the perfect gift for any occasion. Plus, with Amazon Prime, you can enjoy free and fast shipping on many physical gift cards. Overall, Amazon is a top choice for purchasing gift cards.
What are the best gifts for 2023?
ZDNET experts rounded up the overall best tech gifts of 2023.
But gifts can come in all shapes and sizes, so we also rounded up the best gifts by category, price, and retailer -- plus, the hottest tech toys for kids in 2023.
Gifts by category
- Delight DIYers with these interesting gifts that make and fix things
- What do you get for the gamer who has everything?
- Tech-themed gift cards for gadget lovers
- Odd and interesting gift ideas for the hobbyist hacker in your life
- The best laptops to gift
- The best phones to gift (even on a budget)
- Cooking gift guide: These smart kitchen tools went TikTok viral
- Tablet gift guide: iPads aren't the only option
- Useful smart home gifts, from plugs to thermostats
- Travel gift guide: Luggage, Liquid IV, and more
- TV gift guide: Gorgeous TVs for the binge-watcher in your life
- The best fitness gifts: Workout mirror, Whoop, and more
- Creative gifts for live streamers
- Gift ideas for coffee lovers (besides a Starbucks gift card)
Gifts by price
- The best cheap tech gifts under $100
- The best cheap tech gifts under $75
- The best cheap tech gifts under $50
- The best cheap tech gifts under $25
Gifts by retailer
- Top tech gifts on Amazon
- Best Buy tech gifts, from headphones to smartwatches
- The best tech gifts at Walmart
Gifts for kids