Christmas is fast approaching as we enter Q4 of 2022. However, despite the distance left until December, people must begin thinking about those larger, more important Christmas presents. Perhaps a sibling or relative needs a whole new laptop or a new cooking appliance, like a microwave or bread maker. These expensive, powerful tech items are worth picking up early while they’re on sale and make great collaborative gifts. Here are the best substantial pieces of tech that are on sale right now.

Kitchen Technology

• Smart Mixers

For the bakers (or potential bakers) among us, the idea of having our standing mixer also act as scales, a timer, a no-stick surface, and more is incredibly appealing. A smart mixer, like this one, is guaranteed to improve the time and effort it takes to bake. Also, it is simply encouraging. It’s much easier to get the motivation to whip something up when all you need is this one device. They also aren’t as integral to a kitchen as an oven or refrigerator, so your gift won’t destabilize and ruin the recipient’s kitchen design, while still being a huge benefit to the productivity and style of the kitchen.

• Rice Cookers

An invention that has been seeing an increased amount of press: The rice cooker. Far more now, with modern technology, than the name implies. The modern rice cooker is a multi-purpose hotbox with steaming functionality, the ability to stir rice in with its sauce or proteins, and more. Higher-end, digital rice cookers are on sale across the web as part of this recent buzz around them. Similarly to the standing smart mixers, rice cookers can be small and are all self-contained devices with no dependencies. This makes them perfect gifts as a piece of practical tech for the kitchen.

Computing Technology

• Portable Monitors

Portable monitors are a great way to dip your toes into tech without breaking the bank. Since portable monitors are, as they imply, just monitors with no computing power themselves, they are much cheaper than a full laptop. If you know someone who works on a proprietary work PC or who uses a laptop out and about a lot, a portable monitor might be something they need but haven’t thought of.

Portable monitors let you extend any device (phone, laptop, tablet, PC, etc) onto the portable monitor itself. This means you can have a full two-monitor set-up, no matter where you are. They’re also touchscreen, meaning you can have extreme flexibility over your screens and organize them like you would a home PC set-up. Lenovo is having a sale on all their portable monitors and getting one now will ensure the tech is with you for Christmas.

• An External SSD

SSD storage is almost the standard at this point, with HDD storage still accounting for the largest drives but SSDs creeping into the Terabytes. Someone with a laptop or desktop that games a lot or moves files from one system to another will benefit hugely from an external USB SSD. Utilizing USB means the SSD can still be fast, despite not being seated inside the computer, and makes for the easiest way to quickly move files around computers (as well as simply providing that extra space). Western Digital is having a clearance sale, and any external drives on there are a good bet.

Home Technology

• Phillips Hue Lighting

While it may be unrealistic to completely rearrange someone’s lighting solution as a Christmas gift, smart lights are more than that now. With options for “ambience” lights that can be freely placed and standing lamps or table lamps too, smart lights can make a nice technological gift. With control through your phone via the app, the free-standing lights are a great introduction to the tech without having to change every bulb in the house. Phillips is running a bundle-builder which has 25 percent off for those who can organize this as a collaborative gift for perhaps a new homeowner.

• Portable Speakers

Home speakers are another avenue for home technology gifts. Richer Sounds have branded products cheaper than anywhere else, like SONOS tech, that’s reduced right now. By making sure the speakers are a solid brand and geared for portability, you ensure that the recipient can find the space and use them. A SONOS speaker is a huge improvement to a sound environment and the portable ones are cheaper, versatile, and can be moved from room to room as needed.