You already know what they’ll say: “Oh, I don’t need anything, honey.” And sure, they probably don’t—but that doesn’t mean we can’t spoil the people who have spent years spoiling us with homemade cookies, toys, and bills tucked inside Christmas cards. A few thoughtful gadgets can make our grandparents’ everyday lives a little easier, more fun, and maybe even a little less stressful.
If you’re searching for the best gifts for your grandparents but don’t want to give them something that requires a 47-step tutorial just to turn it on, you’re in the right place. Here are nine easy-to-use tech gifts that can brighten their days—and yours, too.
Quick gift guide: Which gift is right for your grandparent?
The easiest way to find a good gift is to start with them. Think about what they love doing, what they complain about, and what might make their day a little easier.
| If your grandparent… | Consider… | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Calls just to ask what you had for lunch | Smart display | Video calls, photos, and staying connected |
| Reads every chance they get | eReader | Reading at home or on the go |
| Has more energy than you do | Fitness trackers, smart rings, smartwatches | Tracking activity and wellness metrics |
| Loves a spotless house | Robot vacuum | Automating everyday cleaning |
Gifts that help grandparents stay connected
When grandparents live across town—or across the country—technology can make those miles feel a little shorter.
Amazon Echo Show 11 smart display
I haven’t seen my gung gung (my mom’s dad) in years, but this smart display helps shrink that distance. Its spatial audio makes us feel like we’re in the same room. With Alexa and the big screen, he can start a video chat without any fuss. And when we’re not on a call, it doubles as a digital photo frame, so he can see our pictures all day and feel a bit closer to us.
iLoop digital photo frame
Load the iLoop 15.6-inch digital photo frame with photos they’ll love—from your one-year-old’s first portrait to your son’s fifth birthday—so they open the box to a slideshow of familiar faces and favourite memories, all on a big, easy-to-see screen. And the memories don’t have to stop there: family members can keep adding new photos anytime through the free app or email.
Gifts that help grandparents stay healthy and active
Gadgets that say, you mean the world to me, and I want you to stay strong and safe.
Garmin vivosmart 5 fitness tracker
My 80-year-old gung gung still sprints around like he’s in a race—good for him, slightly terrifying for us, especially when he disappears down the block. This Garmin fitness tracker does more than count steps and monitor his sleep and heart rate. It also sends alerts in case of a fall or emergency, so we will know exactly where he is right away. It keeps him safe without slowing him down.
Google Fitbit Air screenless fitness tracker
A screenless tracker like Google Fitbit Air skips the display altogether, so there’s no tiny screen to squint at or confusing menu of features to navigate. They can simply put it on, go about their day, and check their stats in the app whenever they want. It automatically tracks steps, distance, workouts and cardio load, while features like heart rate, sleep and VO2 max provide a deeper look at their overall activity and recovery.
Oura Ring 4 Ceramic smart ring
My grandma refuses to wear a fitness tracker because it “feels bulky.” This sleek Oura smart ring is the sneaky workaround. It tracks over 50 health metrics, such as heart rate and blood oxygen. She can wear it day and night without a screen, buzzing notifications, or anything else competing for her attention—just a simple ring that quietly does its thing.
Gifts to fuel your grandparents’ favourite hobbies
These gifts say, I see what you love doing, and I want you to enjoy it even more.
Best for the avid reader: Kobo Libra Colour eReader
They want a comfy chair, a cup of tea, and 600 pages of uninterrupted reading time.
My je je (my dad’s dad) loved getting lost in a good story. With this lightweight, easy-to-hold eReader, he could carry an entire library with him, and the glare-free screen made every page comfortable on his eyes.
Not sure whether Kobo or Kindle is the better choice? Ted Kritsonis breaks down the differences in his in-depth comparison, so you can find the right eReader for your book-loving grandparent.
Best for bird-loving grandparents: Bird Buddy Pro solar smart bird feeder
With this smart bird feeder, my maa maa (my dad’s mom) can keep tabs on her favourite chickadees without climbing trees. The built-in camera captures crisp photos and videos, while AI recognizes over 1,000 species. Every little visitor sends an alert straight to her phone, so she never misses a moment.
Practical gifts that make everyday life easier
These gifts say, you don’t have to do all the heavy chores—these tools can help.
Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum & mop
This robot vacuum helps my OCD po po (my mom’s mom) keep every corner of the house perfectly clean. With strong suction, smart navigation, and obstacle avoidance, it does the hard work for her, and she can control everything right from the easy-to-use Roborock app.
Snow Joe Ultra electric snow blower
Luckily my hometown never snows. But if it did, I know my grandpa would insist on shovelling it all by himself, because asking for help is just “not his style”. If your grandparents are just as stubborn, the Snow Joe can save them from lifting heavy shovels and risking an ER visit. Its 15-amp motor clears up to 720 pounds of snow per minute, plowing an 18-inch wide, 10-inch deep path quickly, so he can be back by the fireplace in no time.
I still carry this photo of my je je and me wherever I go. It was taken on his 80th birthday, he passed away just a few days later.
You’d think memories fade over time, but our minds work in mysterious ways. I can’t remember what I had for lunch today, yet I can still describe every detail leading up to this frozen moment in 2007. Early that morning, my dad and I scoured every bakery in town for the biggest cake we could find. We fought over who should pay—and of course I, the eight-year-old, won. After all, who could beat a tear-streaked little girl with fists full of the crumpled bills she’d saved all summer? I’ll never forget the way my grandpa’s face lit up when he saw 50-pound me struggling to hold that ridiculously large cake, as if I were handing him the moon. That moment will always stay with me, both in my head and in my wallet.
I guess what I’m trying to say is always, always make sure your grandparents feel loved. Surprise them with presents. Take them on movie dates. Cook them dinners. Buy them flowers. They might never really need much, but that’s not the point. It’s about showing them, in all the ways, that you love them just as fiercely as they’ve always shown they love you.
