The global chip shortage posed a unique challenge for our annual list of the most gift-worthy tech products—especially when it came to offbeat items. We still managed to find, in addition to our usual smartphone, speaker and gear recommendations, a useful UV-enabled, app-connected water pitcher and a sassy talking animatronic cat. We included a few splurges, too, like a colorful auto-following cargo robot that—for $1,850—will make you the talk of your Trader Joe’s.

As...

The global chip shortage posed a unique challenge for our annual list of the most gift-worthy tech products—especially when it came to offbeat items. We still managed to find, in addition to our usual smartphone, speaker and gear recommendations, a useful UV-enabled, app-connected water pitcher and a sassy talking animatronic cat. We included a few splurges, too, like a colorful auto-following cargo robot that—for $1,850—will make you the talk of your Trader Joe’s.

As of now, the gifts in this guide are in stock and ready to ship, but things change and we’ll keep you updated as they do. Our advice? Shop early, if you can. And let us know if you snap up the last of any of these.

The Wall Street Journal isn’t compensated by the brands or retailers for being listed in this guide.

Photo: Belkin

Belkin Wemo Wi-Fi Smart Outdoor Plug

With all due respect to Clark Griswold, the easiest way to manage your holiday lights—even if you’re out of town during the holidays—is with a smart outdoor plug. The new two-socket Wemo model was easy to set up in a few minutes, and was instantly compatible with the major smart-home interfaces from Apple, Amazon and Google, plus its own Wemo app. Belkin says it’s splash-proof and weather-resistant, and we were able verify that claim during some pretty nasty fall storms. $40; belkin.com

Photo: WRISTCAM

Wristcam for Apple Watch

If you begrudgingly carry your phone on runs or hikes just so you can capture the views, consider a Wristcam. This souped-up Apple Watch band has two built-in photo/video cameras. The 8-megapixel “world-facing” camera even snaps underwater up to 1 meter deep. There’s also a selfie camera, and you can do live video messaging, though that gets a bit complicated. The image quality isn’t iPhone grade (see samples on Instagram), but it’ll do for getting quick shots when a phone would be too cumbersome or risky. $299; wristcam.com

Photo: Sonos

Sonos Roam Portable Speaker

Most portable speakers stay in a closet until needed, along with other just-for-outdoors gear. The water- and drop-resistant Sonos Roam is different: It can play audio over Bluetooth and work seamlessly with your at-home AirPlay 2 or Wi-Fi-enabled Sonos setup too. It might take a while to get used to the speaker’s multiple button controls and status lights. Still, the burrito-size device produces clear, well-balanced audio and makes for an ideal Alexa-powered shower companion. $179; sonos.com

Photo: LOCKLY

Lockly Flex Touch Smart Deadbolt

Simplicity is key with this new deadbolt from Lockly. It doesn’t have a keypad or facial recognition, like some of the company’s fanciest models. This Home Depot exclusive is just a key lock with a fingerprint scanner, so you can unlock a door the way you unlock the other digital devices in your life. (Or the way you used to unlock them, anyway.) Installation and setup are easy with the app, and if you have other Lockly locks, you can transfer your settings over. $149; homedepot.com

VIDEO

In a world full of smartphones, tablets and laptops, the new iMac—powered by Apple’s M1 chip—proves desktops still have a future. WSJ’s Joanna Stern looked to the past, the original iMac G3, to understand Apple’s fun and colorful 2021 desktop strategy. Photo illustration: Kenny Wassus for The Wall Street Journal The Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition

Apple M1 24-inch iMac

A desktop computer for the whole family! What is this, 1994? Powered by Apple’s M1 chip, this all-in-one is kin to iPad and iPhone. With a body as thick as three slices of American cheese, the M1 stays cool and quiet no matter what you do on the beautiful 4.5K display. The toughest decision? Which of the seven colors to pick. Matching mouse and keyboard included, but if you buy the base model, spend the extra $50 for a Touch ID keyboard. $1,299 and up; apple.com

Photo: Mila

Mila Smart Air Purifier

Between Covid-19, wildfires and seasonal allergies, there are many reasons to get an air cleaner. A Wi-Fi enabled one isn’t a must-have, but it is more convenient than an analog, manual-control one. Mila pairs a HEPA filter for trapping airborne particles and viruses with activated carbon for removing odors and chemical fumes. It automatically adjusts fan speed based on readings from its on-device sensors. Burned toast? You’ll hear Mila start whirring in the background. A “Housekeeping Service” deep cleans while you’re away, so your home is fresher upon your return. $349; milacares.com

Photo: Platin

Platin Monaco 5.1 Wireless Speaker System

Soundbars are popular in home theaters because they’re so simple and compact. Having real movie sound requires speakers all around you, but turning your home into a web of wires...well, no. Platin’s Monaco 5.1 system—that’s five speakers and a subwoofer—uses a wireless technology that can transmit high-resolution audio with essentially no latency. Essentially no setup, either: You plug them in, connect your TV to the transmitter via HDMI cable, and everything just works. $999; platin.com

Photo: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G

For the first time since its introduction two years ago, Samsung’s folding phone won’t ruin your holiday. In fact, you’ll be the life of the holiday party. First, show everyone how your phone opens like a book to become a 7.6-inch Android tablet. Then wow them by running apps side by side on the screen. Then stick the device under some running water, because it’s now water resistant. Finally, grab your S Pen ($50 extra) and play some Tic-Tac-Toe. $1,800 and up; samsung.com

Photo: Biolite

BioLite AlpenGlow 250 Portable Light

For camping or the occasional power outage, this rechargeable, water-resistant, mug-sized lamp has three basic controls: press, press-and-hold and shake. Once you learn the combos, you can enable eight different dimmable lighting modes from multicolor to warm white. Our favorite? Two button presses and a shake produce a warm candle flicker. The big built-in battery can run for up to 200 hours on low, or top up your phone battery or other devices. $60; bioliteenergy.com

Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft Surface Pro 8

Upgrading your current computer to Windows 11 may be a roll of the dice, but starting fresh with a Surface Pro 8 is a sure thing. This year’s version of Microsoft’s tablet-keyboard combo has a thinner, more modern design, an improved high-resolution display and support for the new Surface Slim Pen 2, with a haptic motor to make it feel like you’re writing on paper, not glass. Sadly, the Surface Pro Signature Keyboard and that pen are add-ons that will set you back an extra $280. $1,100 and up; microsoft.com

Photo: LARQ

Larq Pitcher PureVis

Yes, the Larq is on the spendy side for a water pitcher, but if you’ve ever been guilty of growing algae in yours, consider it. In addition to the pollutant-removing filtration, it blasts water with UV-C light, killing bacteria and viruses that might slip through. The company says it’s working on ways to reduce customer costs, including through subscriptions. A new app tracks your water use and can help calculate how long you can go between filter changes. $148; livelarq.com

Photo: SteelSeries

SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Water-Resistant Gaming Keyboard

This keyboard was designed for gamers, but it’s really for anyone who enjoys fun lighting schemes and occasionally spills beverages. The smaller of the new Apex 3 models offers quiet, satisfying typing and customizable multicolored LED lights. (You can get a keyboard with a full number pad for $5 more.) And if you want to set your whole workspace aglow, the Apex goes well with the SteelSeries Rival 5 gaming mouse and QcK Prism extra-large light-up mousepad. $45; steelseries.com

Photo: handout/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Google Pixel 6

Google’s Pixel Android phones are fantastic—especially for those all-in on Google services. The latest, the Pixel 6, has a new camera sensor that captures 150% more light and renders darker skin tones more accurately, as well as a new Google-designed Tensor chip that can transcribe your voice into text faster than we’ve ever seen on a phone. While the Pixel 6 Pro includes a third camera to deliver impressive 4X optical zoom, the basic Pixel 6, with just two cameras, has an unbeatable price. $599 and up; google.com

Photo: Amazon

Ring Alarm Pro Security System

We’re finally getting to a point where do-it-yourself home-security systems present a real challenge to the established security firms. This new security base station from Amazon-owned Ring doubles as your router, with Eero Wi-Fi 6 built in. It also has a cellular connection and an optional battery backup that can keep you up and running for hours during power and service outages. And it’s easy to add and control cameras, door sensors, panic buttons—even flood and freeze sensors—with a few taps of the app. $250 and up; ring.com

Photo: GameBud

GameBud Talking Tom Animatronic Toy

Talking Tom is a sassy cat with a huge following among kids under 10, who mainly know him from games, videos and related merch. In this incarnation, he’s a cartoon-eyed, jaw-flapping robot, a home version of a Chuck-E-Cheese animatronic but internet connected, so he has nearly limitless things to say. Parents, we’ll warn you now, this might backfire in the future when he still won’t shut up, but if you just want to win at the gift game, this is a good card to play. $100; gamebud.com

Photo: iRobot Corporation

iRobot Roomba j7+ Self-Emptying Vacuum

The Roomba j7+ is one step closer to being a truly hands-off vacuum, capable of avoiding common obstacles and emptying itself in its base station’s waste bin for weeks at a time. Its maker, iRobot, says you only have to change the base’s dust bag six times a year. During test runs, the vacuum intuitively swerved around shoestrings, cords, headphones and other wires left on the floor. The built-in camera and machine-learning software are supposed to help it steer clear of solid pet waste, too. $850; irobot.com

Photo: Photo illustration by WSJ; Images: Netflix, Apple, Amazon

Gift Cards and Subscriptions

Coming soon: “How the Grinch Stole Chip-mas,” how a little green guy shoved the global supply of semiconductors into his enormous bag, leading to gadget delays and higher prices. But don’t cry in your eggnog. Hardware is only part of the tech story—software and services powered by never-ending subscriptions rule our lives. Services including Netflix and Spotify offer simple gift cards that can be applied to a subscription. Amazon lets you give Prime membership as a gift—choose from three months or a full year.

Apple has gift cards that can be applied to everything from iCloud storage to Fitness+.

Photo: Tempo

Tempo Move Home Fitness System

Many people lack the space or budget for high-tech home gym equipment. Enter the Tempo Move, an affordable pared-down workout system tucked inside an inconspicuous end table. It holds 50 pounds of weight plates, and has a smartphone dock so you can stream Tempo’s mobile app on your TV while your iPhone tracks your body movements for feedback on your form. The solid, diverse lineup of fitness classes include yoga, high-intensity interval training, strength and cardio sessions for people at varying skill levels. $495 plus $39 a month; tempo.fit

Photo: Piaggio Fast Forward

Gita Mini by Piaggio Fast Forward

Piaggio Fast Forward’s Gita Mini is the startup’s second cargo-carrying robot, with a lower price and improved ability to follow owners on crowded streets, using machine vision. The two-wheel, 28-pound basket can haul up to 20 pounds of cargo and runs for seven hours on a charge. It can’t go everywhere—especially stairs. Still, it’s a fun gadget for trips to the farmers market—especially if you like being the center of attention. $1,850; piaggiofastforward.com

Photo: Apple

Apple iPad Mini

Apple finally gave its portable tablet a much-needed makeover, with a no-home-button, all-screen design that’s in-and-of-itself worthy of the upgrade. The fingerprint sensor has moved to the power button to make room for a larger 8.3-inch screen, and it comes with the A15 Bionic chip—even better than the processor in the latest iPad Air. With those features also comes a price bump, but no more storage capacity than its predecessor: The baseline starts with a paltry 64 GB. $499 and up; apple.com

Photo: Mophie

Mophie Snap+ Juice Pack Mini Portable Charger

For those with iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models, MagSafe accessories snap on and off, making wireless charging easier. Apple has its own MagSafe battery pack, but this version from Zagg-owned Mophie rings in with about half the price and twice the capacity. Plus, it comes with an adapter to add magnetic compatibility to other smartphones with Qi wireless charging. Unfortunately, it isn’t an ideal fit for the iPhone 13 Pro because of the phone’s larger camera bump—for those phones, go with Belkin’s $40 MagSafe Power Bank instead. $50; bestbuy.com

Photo: /Associated Press

Nest Hub Smart Display

Google’s Nest Hub is a sunrise alarm, Google Photos frame and YouTube viewer all in one. Its best feature is what it doesn’t have—a camera, which means it feels less like a privacy risk than other smart displays. We use it to turn lights off before bed and get a quick view of our calendar before starting the day. The Sleep Sensing feature uses radar to track sleep and potential disturbances, such as snoring. Just remember, for some people, too much sleep data can keep you up at night. $100; google.com

Photo: WHOOP

Whoop Body Smart Apparel

Whoop is a screenless fitness tracker popular with serious athletes—the kind of folks willing to pay an $18-a-month subscription fee for personalized coaching, with training for performance and injury prevention. The new Whoop 4.0 can be worn on the wrist, or embedded in a variety of apparel, from an incredibly comfortable adjustable bra to a pair of lined running shorts. The sensor can detect where it is on the body and track data accordingly. It’s wearable tech you’d actually wear. $54 and up; whoop.com

Photo: Beats Electronics

Beats Fit Pro Noise-Canceling Earbuds

The AirPods Pro are among our favorite earbuds. This Beats pair has the same active noise-canceling, transparency tech for hearing external sound, and an H1 chip for fast-pairing with Apple devices. But its battery life is longer (6 hours) and its wingtip design more secure. It’s also better for Android users: The Android Beats app lets you set up one-touch pairing and custom controls. $200; beatsbydre.com

VIDEO

All of the iPhone 13 models have a new Cinematic mode that’s essentially “portrait mode for video.” WSJ’s Joanna Stern tried to use it to shoot an entire music video. She found it’s a potentially cool feature but it needs work. Video/Photo illustration: Kenny Wassus The Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition

Apple iPhone 13—All Four of Them

“Happy holidays! Here’s the wrong iPhone 13.” Choosing between all four of the new models is tough. Don’t yearn for a phone the size of a spruce tree? Go Mini. Want the same phone but with a bigger screen and bigger battery? iPhone 13. A smoother-scrolling display and a third rear camera for telephoto shots? The iPhone 13 Pro is our sweet spot. However, if you go up to the 13 Pro Max, you’ll get a day-and-a-half of battery life and one ginormous screen—and a price higher than the MacBook Air’s. $699 and up; apple.com

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

What tech gifts do you recommend for others to buy this year? What have you had trouble finding? Join the conversation below.

Photo: Google

Nest Cam

The new indoor and outdoor Nest Cam 1080p security camera saves the most recent three hours of video event recording free; full camera history storage requires a $60 annual subscription. It’s battery-powered—rated for about three months, with typical activity—and you can opt for a wired connection. The camera’s best feature is internal smarts: It can detect people, animals or moving vehicles without sending video to the cloud. $180; google.com

Photo: FORM

Form Smart Swim Goggles

This isn’t the first time we mentioned these augmented-reality swim goggles in a gift guide, but they’ve been updated with a compelling feature: open-water and swim-spa metrics. For pool swimmers, there are new guided workouts that display in-goggle instructions for sets and drills. The app also has video tutorials to improve your stroke. $239, plus $15 a month after the first year; formswim.com

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Write to Nicole Nguyen at nicole.nguyen@wsj.com, Joanna Stern at joanna.stern@wsj.com, Dalvin Brown at dalvin.brown@wsj.com and Wilson Rothman at Wilson.Rothman@wsj.com