Kanto Ren

Valentine’s Day Tech Gift Guide 2025

February is the month of love. Not everyone celebrates Valentine’s Day, but if you do, or you have a loved one who would appreciate a gift, consider something high-tech they’ll use instead of flowers that will die (we have an alternative suggestions if you want to get flowers!) or an impersonal gift card. Whether it’s for a romantic partner, child, parent, grandparent, or platonic friend, here are some great gift ideas for Valentine’s Day 2025.

Fiio Snowsky Retro Nano Music Player

Fiio Snowsky Nano

A fun gift for someone who grew up in the ‘90s, the Fiio Snowsky Retro Nano music player is designed to look like a cassette tape, complete with physical controls and an animated screen. But what’s most important about it is that it can play back high-res music, thanks to its built-in DAC and high-power amplification for driving in-ear or over-ear headphones via 3.5mm headphone jack or balanced 4.4mm connector. Use it wirelessly or with a USB-C cable connected to a laptop or tablet. It combines nostalgia with 21st Century tech, including a built-in mic for taking calls along with Android or iOS app control. Charge the removable battery via USB-C. It sells for US$60.

Fujifilm Instax Wide Evo Hybrid Instant Camera

Fuji Instax Wide Evo

A cute Valentine’s Day gift for your teen, the Fujifilm Instax Wide Evo hybrid instant camera combines instant camera functionality with digital technology for sharing, selecting, editing, and storing captured images. Capture wide-format images that can be printed on instax Wide instant film (sold separately) directly from the camera itself, or print images from a connected iOS or Android smartphone using the free instax Wide Evo smartphone app. With the app, you can also use remote shooting and additional image enhancement options. It has 10 lens effects and 10 film effect options, offering 100 different combinations, along with five film styles, like a cinematic look with black bars across the top and bottom of the image or a classic film strip look. Use the 3.5-inch LCD on the back for selecting images, adding effects, editing, printing, and adjusting image settings. The built-in Lithium-Ion battery enables the camera to print up to 100 images per charge, depending on the specific use case. Add a microSD card slot to store more (internal memory can hold up to 45 images). Use the Selfie Mirror to get the best selfies. Get it for $480 and don’t forget a few packs of instax Wide Brushed Metallic instant film pack for $18 ea. There’s also a case for $70.

Casetify BioVeg Phone Cases and Accessories

Casetify BioVeg accessories

The Casetify BioVeg collection of smartphone cases and other accessories are made of synthetic leather that the company says is stronger than traditional leather alternatives, and also eco-friendly. The bio-based material enhances durability and reduces Co2 emissions. The cases come in Black, Tan, Lilac, and Mint finishes and can be personalized with typography, making them perfect for gifting on Valentine’s Day. Go with your loved one’s name or a special message. The collection also includes matching AirPods cases and MagSafe wallets, which will be available starting February 5, 2025. There’s the BioVeg Heart Cross-body Strap, the Snappy BioVeg Heart Wallet, which is MagSafe compatible, and the BioVeg Case for AirPods 4. Also available starting February 5, 2025 are phone charms that are perfect for Valentine’s Day. These include the BioVeg Phone Charm in the colour “Lucky Love,” the Cupid Phone Charm in “Lovestruck Blue,” and the Heart Phone Charm in “Twinkle Heart.”

DJI Flip All-in-One Vlog Camera Drone

DJI Flip

Ideal for starter dronies, the DJI Flip all-in-one vlog camera drone has foldable, full-coverage propeller guards for flight safety. Weighing less than 249 grams, with one tap of a button, you can capture 48MP photos and 4K videos. It can capture aerial photography and close-up portraits using creative tools like AI subject tracking and intelligent shooting modes, along with additional safety features like automatic braking. The lightweight and compact palm-sized drone is ideal for travel, easily brought along on a hike, climb, or bike ride. Tap the mode button to select from six intelligent shooting modes: Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix, and Boomerang. From slow-motion recording to Hyperlapse, Panaroma, and MasterShots that cut together footage for you, there are tons of shooting options. It has a 31-minute max flight time and can be operated with the DJI RC-N3 or RC 2 remote controllers, the DJI Fly app, or Voice Control. When connected to your phone, it can capture audio and intelligently filter out propeller noise. It’s US$439 or you can get it with the DJI RC 2 remote controller for US$639.

Renpho Reach Massage Gun

Renpho Reach massage gun

There’s a new model coming that I saw at CES, but the Renpho Reach massage gun, available in Canada through Erikson Consumer, is still a great buy for $150. For someone who works out or just experiences frequent aches and pains, it can be used for all parts of the body. It has a detachable, non-slip extension handle that makes it easy to target hard-to-reach areas like your mid-back. With a silent brushless motor and PD fast charging via USB-C, you can pack it in your bag to take it with you to the office or even the gym. It’s equipped with an LED screen and five speed levels and comes with four massage heads.

Kanto REN Speakers

Kanto Ren

Announced at CES 2024, the Kanto REN speakers finally became available in November 2024, and fans were excited to get their hands on them. If you haven’t yet, they make a perfect gift for someone who would use them on their desk or even the living room. Available through Canadian distributor Gemsen, the Kanto REN is the Canadian brand’s first active speaker with HDMI ARC. The high-performance 200W active speaker includes Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, optical inputs, analogue line-in, and a dedicated sub-out. Connect everything from your smartphone to a PC or Mac, digital audio player, or even traditional analogue audio sources like record players. They come in Matte Grey, Matte Orange, Matte Blue, or Matte White, for $700/pr. Read John Thomson’s review for more insight.

Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 True Wireless Earbuds

Technics EAH-AZ100s

When I say these are the best-sounding earbuds I have tried in the last year, probably in the last long while, I really mean it. The Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100s are fantastic in their design, audio quality, battery life, and even features like multi-point connectivity that lets you seamlessly switch among up to three devices, not just two. It’s a game-changer even when just swapping audio from my laptop to my smartphone as the ‘phones intelligently play back what’s playing, not just audio from the last connected device. Learn more about them in my review, but the highlights include a proprietary magnetic fluid driver, concha fit, one-touch conversation mode, Voice Focus AI for clearer conversations, multi-point connectivity, AI noise reduction, and adaptive noise cancelling. You’ll get crisp, clear, balanced sound that’s indicative of the Technics name. For someone who loves Technics and doesn’t realize that the brand is back and making wireless earbuds alongside its speakers and DJ equipment, they are worth every penny of the $400 price tag.

OnePlus 13 Smartphone

OnePlus 13

For the Android user who has been hanging onto the phone they got five-plus years ago, surprise them with this upgrade. They won’t be disappointed even if they have never tried a OnePlus phone and have been used to the same brand for several generations. What sets the OnePlus 13 apart is that is boasts both an IP68 and IP69 rating, which means it can withstand not only dust and water submersion, but also close-range high pressure, high temperature water jets, and steam cleaning. You could literally put this phone in the top rack of your dishwasher and it will come out just fine. Successor to the OnePlus 12, which I reviewed last year, it has a 6.82-inch OLED screen with an impressive 4,500 nits brightness. Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, it comes with up to 24GB RAM and is loaded with the ColorOS 15, which is based on Android 15. Storage is up to 1TB and the cameras include a 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, and 32MP front. The battery is 6,000mAh and supports super-fast 100W wired charging (80W with the charger in the box) and 50W fast wireless charging. It starts at $1,400 but if you sign up for a contract or upgrade with a carrier, or look for deals on the OnePlus website (they have them often), you can save a bundle. Read my review for more details and to see some fantastic photos I took with the phone, leveraging many of its cool AI features.

Victrola Century Bluetooth Record Player

Victrola Century

While there are new turntables coming in the Spring from this brand, as shown at CES 2025, you can grab the Victrola Century Bluetooth Record Player, available in Canada through Erikson Consumer, right now. The mid-century modern designed Bluetooth record player is made of elegant wood and serves as an all-in-one music centre that combines nostalgic with today’s tech. It’s a three-speed, belt driver turntable that can play vinyl through its built-in stereo speakers. But wait, there’s more! It can also play back CDs and cassette tapes if you still have some gathering dust in your cabinet, perhaps even in one of those zippered folders in your trunk. With Bluetooth, you can also stream tunes to it wirelessly. Use the central control knob to switch among the various functions. It also has RCA and headphone outputs, aux inputs, and a soft fabric speaker grill to complete the look. At just $210, it’s the perfect gift for a spouse, partner, or even a teen child or grandchild who loves retro tech. Get it for your romantic partner and grab a smooth jazz album to play while you enjoy a dinner date at home. Check out a short video demo on the WiFi HiFi Instagram page.

Apple Fitness+ Subscription

Apple Fitness+ Pickleball training

If they have other Apple products, especially an Apple Watch, a subscription to Apple Fitness+ would be a great gift, especially with all the new content that has been added this year. This includes new strength, yoga, and even pickleball conditioning workouts, a new collaboration with Strava, and new Time to Walk subjects, including Adam Scott from the hit series Severance. There are also new Artist Spotlight series with stars like Janet Jackson, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, and Kendrick Lamar. If you want to go all out and get them a new Apple Watch, too, check out my review of the Apple Watch Series 10. Otherwise, an Apple Fitness+ subscription on its own is $13 per month or $100 a year and can be shared with up to five other family members (read: if you’re getting this for your spouse, maybe you can use it, too!) Note that a three-month subscription is included with the purchase of a new Apple Watch (iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV as well).

Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. Wireless Headphones

Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.

I recently reviewed the Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. wireless headphones, available through Erikson Consumer, for $500, and they’re a solid choice for those who love to rock out. You’ll enjoy excellent noise cancelling, wonderful spatial audio, and easy operation via physical buttons on the earcup. With Auracast, you can share audio as well. Get up to 70 hours of listening with ANC on and up to 100 hours without. The cool headphone earcup-shaped case comes with red velvet inside to resemble a guitar case. You can adjust sound to your liking in the comprehensive app.

Noise Luna Ring Smart Ring

Noise Luna Ring

I’m currently reviewing the Noise Luna Ring smart ring, and so far, there’s little I don’t like about it. Backed by Bose as a strategic investor, the Noise Luna Ring provides three core scores for Sleep, Readiness, and Activity. In total, it tracks more than 70 metrics using advanced sensors on the underside. Measuring just 3mm, the ultra-lightweight device is made of fighter jet-grade titanium with a diamond-like coating to resist scratches and corrosion. The inner shell is hypoallergenic, containing the infrared Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors, skin temperature sensors, and three-axis accelerometer sensor. Through the three core scores that are calculated, you are provided with intelligent guidance via Luna AI, like how to optimize your nightly rest patterns, to be in tune with your body and work out when needed while resting when necessary, and getting details about activity levels, inactivity, and recovery. It has a temperature sensor and reads heart rate and SpO2. With no subscription requirement, you get all this data and insights in the free NoiseFit app, which is compatible with iOS 14 and above and Android 6 and above. The ring uses Bluetooth low energy, is water-resistant down to 50 metres, and runs for up to seven days on an hour charge, one of my favourite aspects of it. It comes in seven sizes and Sunlit Gold, Rose Gold, Stardust Silver, Lunar Black, and Midnight Black finish options. Note that a newer version is coming in March 2025, but that means you might be able to save on this one. This one is US$300. Stay tuned for my review, coming in time for Valentine’s Day.

Marantz Horizon Wireless Speaker

Marantz Horizon

Looking to get your love a a stunning speaker for the living room, dining room, or listening room? The Marantz Horizon wireless speaker is a gorgeous choice. But the circular shaped wireless speaker isn’t just for décor: it can fill an entire room with crisp, detailed, full-range sound. Each one is designed around a configuration of high-frequency and mid-range drive units that radiate outwards from a single central subwoofer. Key to the audio experience, says Marantz, is the proprietary Marantz Rise amplification, based on highly responsive and thermally efficient GaN FET technology, which affords 310W output. It has a 6.5-inch subwoofer, a pair of one-inch silk-dome tweeters, and three full-range drive units. With Marantz’s HEOS wireless music platform, you can tap into supported streaming services like Amazon Music, Deezer, Spotify, and Tidal, with more to follow. Apple AirPlay2 and Bluetooth are also supported, along with analog, optical, and HDMI inputs. You can also access music from locally connected USB-C music drives. Onboard Dolby decoding ensures compatibility with Dolby Atmos supplied via HDMI. They work with other HEOS-enabled products to create a whole-home multiroom music system, or pair two for larger spaces. There are 100 concealed LEDs with proximity and ambient light sensors around the perimeter, and you can touch them to adjust volume. The speaker is – brace yourself – $4,500, so it’s not cheap. But an audiophile will appreciate it.

Lego Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet

Lego Pretty Pink flower bouquet

Part of the Lego Botanical Collection, the Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet ($80) is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for a child to get for their mom or grandmother. Not only are they flowers that can be on display forever, the child will have fun piecing it all together before gifting it to their special someone. It comes with 749 pieces and creates 15 flower stems including daisies, cornflowers, eucalyptus, elderflowers, roses, ranunculus, cymbidium, orchids, a waterlily dahlia, and a campanula. Some of those might sound foreign to you, but rest assured, they all look gorgeous. The stems are adjustable so mom or grandma can change up the look from time to time. Get them a new bouquet every year and they can add to it as well. Don’t discount this as a gift from adult to adult as well, perfect for a spouse or loved one who might be allergic to flowers or is notoriously bad at keeping them alive for as long as possible.

Apple iMac Computer

Apple iMac in purple

If you’re going to surprise them with a new computer for Valentine’s Day, at least make it a cheerful one in a lovely pink (or even purple) hue. (Note: this version also comes in blue, orange, yellow, green, or silver if you’re not up to being so bold). With the Apple M4 chip, this powerful iMac computer can support plenty of AI tasks and features, from photo editing to project research and creation. It comes with a 4.5K Retina display, fast CPU, 12MP Center Stage camera, and even a matching keyboard and mouse. Starting at $1,699, they’ll appreciate the upgrade.

Breville the Barista Express Espresso Machine

Breville the Barista Express

Ask any coffee aficionado and they will likely sing the praises of Breville machines. The Breville the Barista Express machine is one of the more affordable options in the extensive line. At $1,000, it’s still not cheap. But amortize that over the cost of a $7 Starbucks latte every morning, five days per week, or even single-use pods at home (and the waste they generate), and it has paid for itself within a year. You have everything you need to make a delicious cup of coffee, espresso, or espresso-based drink, like a cappuccino or latte. Add grounds or grind your own fresh beans in the conical burr grinder, adjust the extraction temperature, froth milk for microfoam, and serve. With nine-bar extraction via a 15-bar Italian pump and a simple operating interface, they’ll be thanking you, and thinking of you, every time they make a fresh brew.