Seniors love tech, too, especially since the oldest of the Gen-Xers are in their 60s already: can you believe it? No matter what age they are, however, there’s tech that they’ll love and appreciate. It sures beats another fruit basket, soap set, or box of fancy chocolates, too.
Top Picks (sponsored & Editor’s Picks)
1. Clckr MagSafe Stand & Grip
I can’t imagine using my phone without the Clckr MagSafe Stand & Grip, and I can see how it would provide tremendous value for seniors. When their joints are stiffer or they’re dealing with shaky hands, having a phone grip that makes it easier to hold their phone for navigating, typing, and reading messages would be invaluable.
This grip magnetically attaches to the back of MagSafe iPhones as well as Google Pixel 10 series devices, and Android phones (or older iPhones) with MagSafe phone cases. Slide fingers through the loop for a more secure grip. You can also click the sides into the device to use the grip as a kickstand for hands-free use in both portrait or landscape view.
Available in five colours, it will help seniors maintain their grip and prevent drops. They’ll appreciate it when on video calls with the grandkids, watching videos, and texting about their days. Each one is $40 and they’re available through Erikson Consumer. Read my review.
2. Apple Watch Series 10 Smartwatch
We spend a fortune on things like medical alert devices for aging parents, most of which require an ongoing subscription. But the latest smartwatches boast compelling safety features that are worth considering for the elderly. Go back a generation and opt for the Apple Watch Series 10 model. It has all the same goodies as the Apple Watch Series 11 and it’s more than enough smartwatch for grandma or grandma. Plus, you’ll save a few bucks by opting for the older model.
The most compelling features for the elderly including Check In, where they must notify you when they arrive at a destination, useful if they’re still driving on their own or go for walks. Save their relevant medical ID details in the watch, displayable from the lock screen in the event of an emergency. The side button can be pressed and held to contact emergency services, useful in the event of an accidental fall or other medical issue.
Speaking of which, it has fall detection that can automatically contact emergency services if a fall is detected and there’s no response, and/or notify emergency contacts. There’s also crash detection, a built-in siren, and satellite communications, even if they’re off the grid. Right now, you can find the Apple Watch Series 10 starting at about $550. When you factor in the recurring cost of a subscription for a medical device and consider everything else they can track with the watch, like ECG, sleep, blood oxygen, heart rate, and activity, it’s totally worth it. Read my review.
3. Victrola Journey Glow Record Player
The incredibly affordable Victrola Journey Glow record player will bring grandma and grandpa back to the days of when they sat at home listening to music through vinyl. But it also ensures they can continue listen to tunes through their smartphones or tablets because it also has Bluetooth. Yes, it combines the best of both retro and modern audio worlds.
Available for just $150 through Erikson Consumer, it comes in a lightweight suitcase design. Open it up to reveal the platter, needle, and simple button layout. All they do is adjust the knob to the play mode, including Phono, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Out, and Line In. For records, place it on the platter, select the right speed, move the needle, then enjoy. For Bluetooth, once it’s in Bluetooth mode, they can put their device in pairing mode, search for the record player, connect, then play through its built-in speakers. Bluetooth Out, called Vinylstream, is also useful if they want to listen to their records from separate speakers or even headphones.
It’s so incredibly easy to use that you can give them a five-minute demo and they likely won’t be calling you for help. A fun touch is the GLOWRGB lighting on the front, controlled from a simple button. They can have the unit emit a streaming solid colours, even use cool effects like strobing or pulsing to the music. If this is too distracting, they can simply turn it off. They’ll love being able to pull out their old vinyl from storage and bring the records back to life, hearing that signature crackle as the needle moves along the disc. Stay tuned for my review, coming soon!
Other Gift Ideas
Memoryboard Digital Display
The Memoryboard digital display is a unique way to display not only family photos like with a traditional digital photo frame but also reminders, schedules, and messages for grandma and grandpa. Set it up for them and all they do is look. They’ll see thoughtful messages and photos pop up every day, like pics from their grandson’s baseball game or a simple “I love you” from the grandkids. It helps ease stress, show them constant love even if you can’t see them or call every day, and reminds them that you’re thinking of them. You can also display reminders, like “did you take your blood pressure pills today?” or “don’t forget to water the plants,” great for seniors with memory loss who don’t own smartphones. It’s a thoughtful step up from the basic digital photo frame. The best part is that it doesn’t require a subscription. You can send unlimited messages and photos and set up a Care Circle with an unlimited number of people, including siblings, friends, and more. There’s a 10-inch and 15-inch option for $248 and $389, respectively.
Amazon Prime Membership
An Amazon Prime membership is great for seniors who can’t as easily get out to go shopping for essentials like dry goods, toiletries, even gifts for the grandkids (because they insist on getting something). An Amazon Prime membership helps ease your mind that they aren’t trying to drive or take the bus. Plus, it now comes with a DoorDash DashPass in Canada so they can order take-out on days and nights when they aren’t up for cooking, and won’t have to worry about paying exorbitant delivery fees. They can order right from the already familiar Amazon app as well, so there isn’t yet another app to download, and they can do it from the computer without needing a phone at all. At $10/mo. or $99/yr., the membership is affordable, and gives seniors access to plenty more as well. They can play Amazon Music through the Echo Dot you got them last Christmas, watch movies and shows, including classics, on Amazon Prime Video, and, of course, enjoy free and fast shipping on everyday deliveries.
Dyson PencilVac Cordless Stick Vacuum
Want a Dyson upgrade? Perfect for grandparents who might live in a smaller apartment, the Dyson PencilVac is ultra slim and lightweight, but glides easily on floors and carpets, able to move both forwards and backwards as well as sideways. The bin can hold tons of dirt and debris and it’s easy to empty with the no-touch ejection mechanism. The included swappable battery pack provides up to 60 minutes of suction per charge, and the included magnetic charging dock has storage for tools as well. The screen shows the power mode and remaining run time. It’s not available until 2026 with pricing TBA. But if you’re willing to wait, it’s a great option for seniors that won’t take up too much room nor be too big or unwieldly for them. Alternatively, you can consider the already available Dyson V16 Animal, which is $1,100 or $1,300 with the Submarine attachment for wet mopping as well.
Phonak Virto R Infino In-Ear Hearing Aid
The Phonak Virto R Infinio is a compact rechargeable custom in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid powered by advanced Infinio technology. Boasting RightFit customization, you get a precise and comfortable fit. The acoustically optimized receiver selection ensures the best sound quality for each user. Biometric calibration uses modern methods to ensure a perfect fit. The AutoSense OS 7.0 advanced operating system was trained with 18 times more real-world data for 24% more precise environmental detection. SmartSpeech Technology offers better speech understanding in noise. A built-in motion sensor improves better speech understanding for people on the move. RogerDirect direct streaming from Roger microphones improves speech understanding in group conversations by up to 61%, says the company. APD 3.0 ensures 93% first-fit satisfaction for instant comfort and sound quality. Bluetooth compatibility affords seamless connection with any Bluetooth-enabled device. One-step pairing affords a simplified connection process for ease of use. They work with the redesigned myPhonak app, offering intuitive access to key adjustments with user-friendly language. You’ll get intuitive charging with the snap and charge system, with drop-in charging with 360° magnetic retention. It will fully charge in just three hours so you get up to 30 hours of use in calm environments and at least 16 hours of use with eight hours of streaming.
Lego Ideas Minifigure Vending Machine Set
The traditional grandma always has a candy dish on her coffee table or at the front door, urging you to take a hard candy that has probably been there for years. You always oblige, even if it’s the worst thing you’ve ever tasted! This thoughtful gift will show grandma that you appreciate her and she’ll feel proud to show off this adorable Lego Ideas Minifigure Vending Machine set. She can replace her old candy dish with it, or, let’s be honest, she’ll probably place this beside it because she’ll get rid of that vintage dish over your dead body! Then, fill the bulbs with treats for guests instead of minifigures (or buy minifigures so the kids get a new one every time they visit). Originally created by Belgium-based fan designer Rob Vangansewinkel, it has more than 1,300 pieces and is fully functioning with a rotating knob, Lego coin, and 16 colourful capsules. Each capsule contains bricks to build a surprise minifigure inspired by classic Lego themes like Castle, Paradisa, Fabuland, and Classic Space. The set also includes a buildable minifigure of the fan designer himself. It measures 11 inches tall by 6.7 inches wide and 8.3 inches deep and has rounded glass styling to look like vending machines from yesteryear. You can build this for grandma before gifting it, or better yet, spend a weekend with her and build it together. It’s $220.
WS Audiology Widex Allure RIC R D Hearing Aids
The Widex Allure RIC R D hearing aids from WS Audiology boast a new W1 chip and Precision Hearing Technology and are the first to be fitted using the Widex Compass Cloud cloud-based fitting software. Designed to offer a natural hearing experience, they balance clear speech with natural awareness. Along with offering clear and precise sound quality, wearers will enjoy seamless transitions between soundscapes, and an improved experience in noisy situations. They also build on ZeroDelay technology with the new Widex Allure PureSound program. The Allure PureSound processing delivers significantly enhanced speech intelligibility in noise, an improvement of 4.3 dB SNR. Further, the new Dynamic Feedback Controller employs adaptive frequency shifting that activates only when needed, without compromising sound quality. They work with the Widex Allure app, which offers integrated accessibility functions and provides real-time artificial intelligence and machine learning for personalizing their hearing experience.
Samsung Galaxy A36 Smartphone
For a simple and affordable phone upgrade so grandpa can get rid of that old flip phone he’s had since the early 2000s (how in the world is that thing still working?), the Samsung Galaxy A36 has all the basics plus some AI features if grandma or grandpa is somewhat tech-savvy and would use them. There’s also a 50MP camera, 5,000mAh battery with support for fast charging, and IP67 dust and water resistance so it can withstand splashes. Equipped with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, 128GB storage, and a Corning Glass cover for protection against scratches and cracks, Samsung Knox Vault provides an extra layer of security with features like Auto Blocker, Theft Detection, and additional security settings. It’s just $530, a great price of entry for a light user like a senior.
Apple Watch SE 3 Smartwatch
Even though the Apple Watch SE 3 is the affordable, downgraded option in the line, it has premium features that make it another great option for grandma. It has a powerful chip, always-on display, fast charging, sleep apnea notifications, and wrist temperature sensing. With more durable cover glass and an 18-hour battery life, it comes with essential safety features useful for seniors like Fall Detection, Crash Detection, Emergency SOS, and Check In. Of course, it has all the goodies of watchOS 26 as well. Note, however, that it does not have ECG and blood oxygen measurements. If you want those, go with the top pick Apple Watch Series 10 instead. It’s available in 40mm and 44mm sizes in Midnight and Starlight aluminum cases and starts at $329.
Epson FastFoto FF-680W Photo Scanning System
If your parents or grandparents are like my parents, they love taking on various projects in retirement. My mom, for example, loves creating storybooks for her grandkids, even started making ones to celebrate the 40-year friendship with her closest pals. The Epson FastFoto FF-680W has been a staple in these gift guides for years, and that’s for good reason. While it’s $850, they’ll get hours of use from it while scanning and digitizing old photographs quickly and efficiently to organize into digital folders, maybe even re-print for keepsake albums. With the option to re-touch and fix up old photos, then make tons of creations with the digital images once they’re saved, the scanner pays for itself in the joy it will bring to their lives.