2025 Tech Gift Guide For Apple Users — Personally Tested And Recommended - 9to5Mac

It’s officially time to start checking gifts off your list before it’s too late. For my 2025 tech gift guide, I’m recommending technology products that I’ve actually used all year. Each of these products has been especially useful this year, and they’ll make great gifts for the Apple users in your life.

Nomad Tracking Card

It only took losing my wallet twice for me to invest in a proper tracker with support for Apple Find My. Like Apple AirTags, Find My trackers can help you locate lost items, notify you when you’ve left an item behind, or just keep track of your luggage when traveling.

The first Find My tracker I used with my wallet was a card-shaped tracker from Chipolo. If you ever forget the brand name, it’s just one burrito bowl away from remembering. Anyway, my Chipolo Find My tracking card ultimately didn’t last as long as its battery. A crack in the plastic made it unreliable after a year or so.

I’ve since replaced it with Nomad’s Find My tracking card. Just like an iPhone, it can recharge with MagSafe wireless charging and lasts around five months between top ups. Fortunately, I haven’t lost my wallet since using it, but it’s already been handy for finding under which couch cushion my wallet decided to hide in a pinch. The regular price is $29.99, and Amazon has it for 25% off for Prime members for Cyber Monday. It provides peace of mind when traveling with my wallet too.

BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller

I’m not really a gamer myself, but the BACKBONE One mobile gaming controller comes in clutch when my kids ask me to play Fortnite with them. It works with iPhone 15 and later or any Android phone with USB-C. If I try playing with touch controls, my kids would just rather I not join their team. But with this controller, my iPhone is always one accessory away from being as playable as a console. It retails for $99.99, and Amazon has it for 20% off for all shoppers as a Cyber Monday deal.

Mophie Powerstation Wireless Slim

No amount of battery life seems like enough when you’re actively using your iPhone all day. That’s why Mophie’s Powerstation Wireless Slim goes everywhere with me and my iPhone 17 Pro. It’s a 10,000 mAh power bank with 15W MagSafe wireless charging and 30W USB-C PD fast charging. I love using MagSafe to just stick it on the back of my iPhone as needed. If I have a USB-C cable handy, I also really appreciate faster charging speeds in a pinch with fast wired charging. Doubling as a USB-C power bank is also handy when I need to share a charge with a family iPad. The 10,000 mAh version retails for $79.95. $10 more adds a versatile stand to the battery pack, or you can save $10 and go slimmer with the 5,000 mAh version. The larger pack with no stand is my preference.

Aurzen BOOM Air projector

The portable Aurzen BOOM Air projector is one of my favorite products to test this year. Regularly priced at $299, it currently goes for just $179.99 as a Cyber Monday deal. It features built-in Google TV software so you can watch Apple TV shows and movies right out of the box. If you prefer to connect an Apple TV box, you can over HDMI for an instantly cinematic experience.

The stand is super adjustable, it automatically focuses and adjusts the picture to fit wherever you aim it, and a built-in speaker gives you everything you need in one package. You can even power it from a USB-C power bank for using away from a wall outlet. I really love how it turns a blank wall in my bedroom into a fantastic movie screen.

OWC Ultra Fast External SSD

I’ve upgraded Macs over the years, but until this year I was still using the same old Thunderbolt external hard disk drive. It was hot, noisy, and way slower to work with compared to files on my Mac. I finally upgraded to an OWC SSD with an aluminum heat sink a few months back. It takes advantage of modern Thunderbolt speeds, runs silent, and best of all, has no drop in performance even when working with large files. The 2TB version I use retails for $349.99, and it’s 20% off at $279.99 on Amazon. You can also go for the enclosure-only version from $79.99 on sale, or include up to 8TB SSD for $949.99 on sale. If Apple made and sold an external SSD, this would be it.

Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station

I’m still using the same Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 wireless charging station from four or five years ago, and the newer version with faster 15W wireless charging and Apple Watch fast charge support is even better. If my OG version ever stops working, I’ll absolutely replace it with the latest version of this product. It’s the best-looking 3-in-1 wireless charger for your desk or bedside table to me, and support for wirelessly charging iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods or another iPhone at the same time is just great. The latest version retails for $119.99, and it’s 35% off for $77.75 as a Cyber Monday deal.

OtterBox 2-in-1 Crossbody Strap

Before the fashion-focused Apple Crossbody Strap ever existed, the OtterBox 2-in-1 Crossbody Strap became a must-have accessory in my family. My son is primarily an iPad user, but he has an iPhone that he mostly carries for his parents’ peace-of-mind. Since it isn’t his primary device, I attached the OtterBox 2-in-1 Crossbody Strap to a compatible iPhone case so it’s less prone to be left behind. It’s also compatible with Apple’s iPhone 17 cases with Apple Crossbody Strap support. The OtterBox 2-in-1 Crossbody Strap retails for $54.99, and it’s on sale for $26.39 on Amazon for Cyber Monday. I’m tempted to borrow it from my kid at some point.

Mixx Analog System 5 Hi-Fi Vinyl Record Player

I have a small collection of vinyl records, mostly to support the artists and enjoy the artwork, but vinyl is fun to play from time to time too. The Mixx Analog System 5 vinyl record player has served me well. It has a cool, minimalist Apple-like look and comes bundled with a pair of 50W wireless speakers. It supports both optical connectivity and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and the included remote adds a modern touch. It comes in either black or white for $299.99.