Updated on November 28, 2024
Parents are so used to dedicating everything they have to their kids. It doesn’t matter how old the “kids” are. They could still be babies, emerging teens, or have already gone off to college. Heck, even when they have started a family of their own, parents still see their kids as, well, their kids. Parents of all ages deserve to be treated by their kids (and others) with a high-tech gift they can enjoy.
TCL Portable Projector A1
TCL has a reputation for its affordable yet great big-screen TVs. Now, the company is hoping to extend that reputation to portable projectors. Its first model, the Projector A1, is a compact projector that features 360 ISO lumen brightness and Full HD 1080p resolution, with an auto-adjustable focus to deliver an immersive experience to screen sizes from 45-inches to 120-inches. Its advanced screen adaptation technology ensures that focus and keystone are automatically adjusted for optimal viewing, transforming any space into a theatre. The advanced audio system houses two independent 8W speakers while integrated Dolby Audio processing ensures you’re hearing exactly what the content creators intended. It can also be used as a premium Bluetooth speaker by switching modes and can create an atmosphere for any occasion with an accompanying light show. Built-in Google TV affords access to various apps and subscriptions. With Google Assistant, you can use your voice to find shows, play music, control smart home devices, and more. Ask Google Assistant to quickly search across all your apps to find the show you’re looking for, including live TV and YouTube, give them personalized recommendations for what to watch next, and share the latest sports scores or control smart home devices. It has a VersaGrip handle that doubles as a stand to provide easy transport and versatile placement: pull it up for easy carrying or push it down to adjust the projector angle for optimal viewing. This makes the A1 perfect for both indoor and outdoor viewing. It sells for US$499.
Amazon Echo Show 21 Smart Display
A follow up to the Echo Show 15, the bigger Amazon Echo Show 21 is perfect for families. And if you still want a smaller display, all the upgrades are found in the newer version of the Echo Show 15 as well. It’s a wall-mounted electronic personal calendar for families. You can glance at items as you walk by, from appointments to reminders, news stories, photos, and more. Measuring 21 inches, this bigger model offers nearly double the viewing area, perfect for larger walls and/or homes. You’ll enjoy audio improvements over the previous-gen model with double the bass and room adaption technology. Additionally, auto-framing has been upgraded for improved video calls, with more than double the field-of-view and 65% more zoom. You can easily move around the kitchen, for example, while remaining in frame on a video call. There’s also noise reduction technology as a new feature. It has a built-in smart home hub and is compatible with Matter as controllers and can directly connect with Wi-Fi-, Thread, and Zigbee devices. They can also control a range of devices locally, such as lights, switches, and plugs. Plus, these are the first Echo devices with Wi-Fi 6E, making experiences like Fire TV video and music streaming smoother. Choose top widgets you want to persistently display on the screen, showcasing the most important information for your family. This might be dates and times for sports practices for the kids, for example, pertinent appointments, shopping lists, and to-do chores. You can create and manage calendar events with Alexa. Access Fire TV apps to stream movies and TV shows from sources like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube. You might want to watch the evening news while making dinner, for example, or follow a YouTube cooking video while experimenting with a new recipe. You can see personalized video recommendations and quickly access favourite streaming apps right from the home screen. The refreshed audio hub displays music, podcast, and radio content from providers, all in one place. Tap to group and play audio across Echo speakers, so you could start a song in the kitchen, for example, then addyour living room and bedroom Echo devices on the fly. When mounted on the wall, the Echo Show looks like a picture frame and can be used to display a rotating slideshow of images as well. Say “Alexa, start photo frame” to turn your home screen into a digital slideshow. Prime members get unlimited, full-resolution photo storage with Amazon Photos. It sells for $550 and the newer Amazon Echo Show 15 is $400. Both come with an Alexa Voice Remote and wall mounting equipment.
Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 Smart Laser Projector
The new Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 Portable Smart Laser Projector ($1,300) can project an image up to 150 inches in full HD HDR picture quality, with stereo speakers with Dolby audio. It’s portable so you can easily set it up in any room of your house or bring it with you on the road. The 360-degree swivel-stand with tilt ability maximizes viewing options so you can always get the best picture. With built-in HDMI and Google TV, it’s easy to stream content a well, with a Wi-Fi or cable connection.
ATGames Legends 4K Pinball Machines
There are so many pinball machines to choose from at ATGames, including ones with themes like Jurassic Park, The Addams Family, Peanuts, and Star Trek. Choose the one your family (and kids) will like best and get this for the games room. Each one has a 32-inch screen and offers smooth gameplay. They have built-in speakers and multi-display set-up so you feel like you’re at an old-school arcade. (Don’t worry, you don’t need to break the piggy bank for quarters!) Join online leaderboards and play in tournaments from the comfort of your home. With a Pinball Net subscription, you can get access to more than 140 additional games, and the first two months are free with purchase. It’s easy to set up as well, music to any parents’ ears: just plug it in and go. So dad can set this up once the kids go to bed on Christmas Eve and they’ll be delighted to find it with a big red bow in the morning. Pricing starts at $1,200. Except to be playing yourself, too. This isn’t just for the kids!
Bluetti Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station
Great for emergencies at home and RV and camping trips, the Bluetti Elite 200 V2 portable power station is designed for back-up at home as well as use during outdoor adventures. It comes equipped with LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries with a 6,000+ charge cycle lifespan, ensuring 17 years of use, which the company says is 12 times longer than typical lithium-ion batteries. It is also the first power station to pass 33 rigorous CNAS battery tests, providing reliability for both home and outdoor applications. With 2,600W output and a 2,073.6Wh capacity, the Elite 200 V2 can power essential household appliances like refrigerators, lights, and routers during power outages. It can run a 100W refrigerator for up to 16.8 hours, preventing food spoilage in emergencies. For camping, RVing, and off-grid living, it powers devices such as microwaves, coffee makers, and water heaters. Additionally, Power Lifting mode boosts output to 3,900W for high-demand devices like hot plates and hair dryers. Measuring 13.7 x 9.8 x 12.6 inches, the Elite 200 V2 packs 2kWh of power and charges to 80% in just 50 minutes with a dual AC and solar setup. The optional 560W car charger provides a full charge in under four hours, while the 1,000W solar input and built-in solar tracking allow for off-grid charging. Get it for $1,599.
Elipson Planet M 4-inch Spherical Sealed Speaker
Forget traditional boxy speakers: the Elipson Player M speakers, available in Canada through Gemsen for $450, are stunning eyepieces that will become the central focus of whichever room you decide to place them in. Spherical in design, they are trendy and elegant, especially the stunning gold finish. Each speaker measures 7.9 inches in diameter and is a two-way coaxial speaker housed in a rigid resin shell. Get bass up to 90Hz, and pair them with a subwoofer like the Planet Sub for even more booming sound. Set the speaker up using a wall mount, ceiling mount, or speaker stand. Then, get ready to “wow” the other neighbouring parents when they catch a glimpse of this beauty during the next kids’ play date.
JBL PartyBox On-The-Go Essential
Why let kids have all the fun? Get the JBL PartyBox On-the-Go Essential speaker for parents who love to belt out tunes on karaoke night. Now, they can do it at home during date nights or when they have friends or family over. And sure, why not even bring the kids in and have sing alongs with them, too. It’s a boombox-like portable Bluetooth speaker to which you can stream tunes just like any other speaker. But add the mic, tune the bass, treble, and echo just right, and it becomes a powerful karaoke party enabler. Since it’s IPX4 splashproof, you can bring it for a camping trip or use it by the pool, as long as your neighbours are good sports (or maybe even invited!) With up to six hours of play time, it’s great for events indoors and out. Cut your parents some slack if they decide to be “cool” and belt out some Olivia Rodrigo, Post Malone, or Bad Bunny lyrics.
Tiny Traveler Ai Classic Video Baby Monitor
For new parents, the Tiny Traveler Ai Classic video baby monitor is a thoughtful gift. Available for US$250, it has dual cameras to watch two kids at once and two-way talk. Set up a virtual fence to customize it for travel, like hotels and rentals, notifying you when the child moves out of a specified area. It has laugh, cry, and stand detection and serves as an illuminating night light for babies and toddlers and an audio device to play custom lullabies. Long-range transmission reaches as far away as 1,000 feet. The 1,080p HD resolution includes night vision as well.
Along with using it at home, you can use it in the car, too, effectively replacing an in-car baby mirror. That’s perfect for parents who drive long distances with their baby on their own and want to be able to see what’s going on in the backseat. Mount the monitor on the AC vent, dashboard, or windshield (check local laws first) and the camera on a headrest, facing the baby, and you’re good to go.
Sharp Countertop Microwave
Sharp has a new line of countertop microwaves, ideal for parents who need to heat up baby food, milk, or quick meals for toddlers and young kids. They’re all made of stainless steel and include convenient preset buttons, including a 30-second button, auto defrost, express cook, and more. The top models use Inverter Technology and have sensor cook and even a melt/soften function for things like butter and cheese. Go all out for the largest model, the SMC2264KSC, which has a 2.2 cubic-foot capacity, 1,200W power, Inverter technology, and Sensor Cook menu, selling for $380.
Kalorik Vivid Touch Air Fryer
Every parent will love having an air fryer, a must-have for making kids quick, hot school lunches, snacks, or rushed dinners before soccer, hockey, or softball practice. Available for about US$100, the Kalorik Vivid Touch air fryer has a full-colour high-resolution display, 1,500W power, and comes in a stainless-steel finish. Choose cooking options via the intuitive touch controls which include 20 presets, 12 food categories, and colourful recipe guides. It automatically adjusts settings based on the selected food type, cut, and quantity to ensure precise results. The temperature can reach as high as 400°F and you get a fast, even cook with a crispy texture for everything from pizza to chicken wings and fingers, French fries, meat, poultry, fish, and more. There’s a Shake Reminder and Ready Alert to help prevent food from burning. It comes with a seven-quart cooking basket that can fit up to 2 lbs. of frozen fries, six servings of wings, three pork chops, three burgers, or three salmon fillets. Parents can feed the troops, even their teammates, in a jiffy before heading out the door.
Airthings Wave Enhance Smart Indoor Air Quality Monitor
Parents are always concerned about the health of their kids, and the Airthings Wave Enhance smart indoor air quality monitor provides peace-of-mind. Wave Enhance is ideal to place in your child’s room, or even your own. It integrates directly with the Airthings app, an “air quality coach” that offers insight into how factors like carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature, humidity and light affect sleep. The unit has five indoor air quality sensors, including a high-precision NDIR CO2 sensor, sensors for airborne chemicals (VOCs), temperature, humidity, and air pressure, as well as ambient noise and light. The Airthings app also offers a “Sleep Disruptors” report that tells you if the room’s air quality might be the reason your kids were tossing and turning all night and losing out on quality sleep. Compact, silent, and battery-operated, Wave Enhance can easily be mounted on a wall, laid flat, or sit upright on a surface using the built-in table stand. It sells for US$150.
Sunbrite Solio Smart Outdoor TV
Bring the fun outside for the spring, summer, and fall months with the Sunbrite Solio Smart outdoor TV, which features 1,500 nits of brightness for crystal-clear images even in direct sunlight. Key features also include advanced glare reduction, voice-enabled control, built-in speakers, a redesigned media bay for easier access and connectivity, and seamless integration with OvrC, Snap One’s remote management platform. Engineered for durability, the IP55-rated SunBrite Solis offers 4K resolution and HDR10+ support. SunBrite says the Solis outdoor TV works well for both commercial and residential applications. It comes in 49, 55-, 65-, and 75-inch sizes.
Narwal S10 Pro Wet & Dry Vacuum Mop
The Narwal S10 Pro Wet & Dry Vacuum Mop does exactly what it says, both dry vacuuming floors and wet mopping at the same time. The self-propelling, self-cleaning upright appliance can pick up solid dust and debris in a dedicated canister as well as wet mop, with dirty mop water stored in a separate area. Slim in design, the S10 Pro has 14,000 PA with 76AW suction efficiency and 17N downward mopping pressure to tackle stubborn stains. Once done, empty the bins and rinse the brush, then place the vacuum on the charging dock to self-clean and dry. It runs through a 10-part cleaning process, scrubbing, cleaning, disinfecting, and drying the roller brush, pipes, and filters using uses electrolyzed water. There are five cleaning modes and AI DirtSense technology that automatically detects the level of floor dirtiness and displays it on the colour LCD. It’s a bit heavy and the one downside is you can’t do one or the other, you have to both dry vacuum and wet mop at the same time. But it works beautifully for hardwood floors and tiles, and even talks to you through voice prompts and messages as it cleans. It sells for $600 but kills two birds with one stone for busy parents.
Dyson WashG1 Wet Floor Cleaner
Another option in this space is the Dyson WashG1 wet floor cleaner, which tackles both wet and dry debris in one go using highly absorbent microfibre filament rollers that counter-rotate to remove spills, debris, and dried on stains. The combination of hydration, absorption, and extraction technologies remove wet and dry debris in one go, automatically separating debris from dirty water for easy maintenance. Dirty water is extracted from the rollers by durable extraction plates, while secondary nylon- bristled inner brush bars remove dirt and debris from the microfibre rollers, flicking it straight into a removeable debris tray. Both water tanks have been designed with large openings to allow for easy maintenance and cleaning. After use, the self-cleaning mode saturates both rollers with clean water on the highest boost setting, flushing the entire system in preparation for the next clean. It’s available for $900.
KitchenAid Grain and Rice Cooker
Help parents get side dishes on the table quickly and easily with the KitchenAid Grain and Rice cooker, which measures and monitors cooking rice, grains, and beans. It dispenses the correct amount of water and simmers a delicious bowl of oats in the morning or a rice side dish for dinner. The sleek and modern small kitchen appliance has touchscreen controls along with 21 preset options for cooking rice, beans, oats, couscous, quinoa, barley, farro, and other common ingredients. The integrated scale can automatically sense the amount of ingredients you have added to calculate the proper water-to-grain ratio. Alternatively, you can use the Custom Cooking Mode to manually add liquids, including water, broth, or milk, and set the cook time accordingly. You might want to do this if you prefer mushier rice, for example, or only want to cook beans halfway to further simmer in a soup. There’s also a Steam Cooking Mode for steaming vegetables, eggs, fish, and meat. It comes with a steamer basket that fits above the cooking pot so you can steam your protein while making the side dish at the same time. With the Keep Warm function, breakfast, lunch, or dinner can be kept at the proper serving temperature for up to six hours after cooking is done. Conversely, there’s also a Delayed Cook time so you can schedule a cook to begin up to 24 hours in advance, helping with meal prep. The machine has an up to eight cup capacity and the durable, non-stick cooking pot is dishwasher safe. If you have tougher residue or use a liquid other than water, use the cooker’s Steam Cleaning Cycle to loosen cooked-on food residue before placing it in the dishwasher. $340.
Babyark Convertible Car Seat
This baby car seat is the perfect option for high-tech parents. The Premium version comes with smart technology and app connectivity to ensure the seat is installed correctly and the baby is buckled and secured inside. You don’t have to worry about babies being accidentally left in cars either, thanks to forgotten child alerts. SafeCoil and BioArk energy-absorbing technologies are engineered to reduce frontal and side forces. You’ll also get real-time monitoring of movements along with safety notifications. At US$990, it’s more expensive than other car seats you might find on the market. But we got to see this car seat and how it works in action at CES 2023, and we were thoroughly impressed with the high-tech elements and important security features.
JBL Conceal C83 Invisible Loudspeaker
For parents who want reduce clutter and appreciate a good DIY project, consider the JBL Conceal C83 8-inch invisible loudspeaker. It installs into the wall like a standard drywall patch with an integrated wooden back box enclosure to help reduce acoustic intrusion into adjacent spaces. It has a paintable surface so once installed, it will become totally invisible to the naked eye. But once you start playing music or turn on the TV, the three-way in-wall/in-ceiling speaker will come to life, bringing audio to the room. It measures 22 x 15-7/8 x 3-7/8 inches and weighs 21.8 lbs., so size up the space and get mom and dad a new project to work on for the winter.
HP Envy 6555e Wireless Colour Inkjet Printer
Instead of waiting until you get to the office to print items, do so at home with the HP Envy 6555e wireless colour inkjet printer, which uses HP’s sustainable EvoMore ink. It has a 2.5-inch colour touchscreen for simple operation, prints at a rate of up to 10 pages-per-minute in black and seven in colour, and features wireless printing, Scan to HP Cloud, and HP Wolf Security. At $210, it’s an affordable option that can print, copy, scan, and even mobile fax. Parents will love using it for work-from-home projects and printing materials for everything from home financing to creative projects.
Vitamix Ascent X5 Blender
Every parent could use a Vitamix, whether it’s mom who wants to make a batch of her famous chicken soup for the kids when they’re home sick or dad who is looking to whip up a protein shake to take with him to the gym. Vitamix is among the most popular brands in this space, and the company just launched its new X series, including the top-of-the-line Ascent X5. Selling for $1,000, it comes with 10 recipe programs built-in, including spice grinding, nut butters, frozen desserts, and more. It has a large BPA-free 1.4-litre container, automatic self-cleaning program, and 10 blending programs, including smoothies, frozen desserts, soups, dips and spreads, nut butters, spices, and more. There’s a digital timer so busy parents don’t have to keep an eye on the blend and a convenient add 15-seconds button. New parents will appreciate it for making homemade baby food as well.
Amazon Prime Video, Hayu, StackTV Bundle
For parents who cut the cord, sign them up for this first-of-its-kind bundle in Canada that includes subscriptions to Hayu and StackTV alongside your Amazon Prime Video subscription (which comes standard with an Amazon Prime membership) for $14.99/mo. The bundle pricing represents a savings of 25% off the price of subscribing to these three services separately and will be in effect until March 2025. StackTV is Corus Entertainment’s premium multi-channel streaming service while Hayu, owned by NBCUniversal, is the source for guilty pleasure reality TV. With StackTV, get access to Global Television, W Network, History Channel, Showcase, National Geographic, Cartoon Network, and more. Hayu shows, meanwhile, range from The Real Housewives to Below Deck and Million Dollar Listing.
Factor Meals
Want to help busy parents who have little time for making nutritious homemade dinners? Sign them up for Factor meals delivery to give them a week or month’s break. Unlike other meal kit delivery services, Factor meals come pre-made, so they’re like fresher, healthier alternatives to frozen microwave dinners. Prepared by chefs and dieticians, there are tons of options, all of which can be reheated in minutes for quick dinners and lunches. There are more than 30 meals to choose from each week, like creamy tomato and herb turkey ragu, garlic herb salmon, spicy peanut grilled chicken, and vegan mushroom marsala. Choose the meals based on the food they like or any dietary restrictions or goals (e.g. improve health, help with portion control, or save time) then set the deliveries. Keep in mind you’ll have to cancel before renewal to avoid getting charged on an ongoing basis, or you can simply gift them a gift card to set up their own delivery. Cost varies, but the most popular plan is an eight-meal box for $83.94/box or about $10.50 per meal. There are plenty of discounts and coupons to be had online so you can double up with a promotion that offers the first box free, then get them a second week as well. They’ll appreciate the short respite from not only having to cook, but also needing to grab groceries and decide what to cook in the first place.