Wish List 2020: Gift Ideas for Your Social Bubble and Beyond

The trouble with wireless chargers is you often need to place your phone in just the right spot to initiate the power flow. Nomad's pad eliminates that pain. Eighteen charging coils inside the pad provide enough coverage to wirelessly rejuice imperfectly aligned phones. There's room for three devices—charge two phones and a set of AirPods simultaneously.

The lack of floppy cables makes wirefree earbuds less troublesome to wear on runs, and their charging cases mean it's easy to stow them for a quick, on-the-go power-up. But let's be honest: Most of these tiny nubs don't fit well. If your auditory meatus is particularly picky, try these buds from 1More, which slip easily into even the oddest ears. The battery lasts six hours, they sound great for the money, and as the name implies, they come in four fancy colors.

The tubelike NASA logo lovingly known as the “worm” was born in 1975 and initially retired in 1992, only to make its triumphant return in May on a SpaceX rocket. This coffee-table-worthy collection of some 200 images from indie publisher Standards Manual shows an eclectic mix of photographs from NASA's archive that celebrates the launch, flight, and reentry of the most famous logo in the galaxy.

The folding M40 pocket knife is based on an original design by the legendary frontiersman Kit Carson. Rather than fiddling with a frame lock—where you squeeze the knife frame to open and close it—you push a button on the hinge to rotate the blade on a simple ball-bearing pivot. The nylon and aluminum handle is strong, light, and textured for a sure grip.

Makers of great-sounding (and great-looking) turntables, Pro-Ject knows that when a record player vibrates, even your most meticulously maintained discs will sound like trash. The company's latest turntable is packed with clever schemes for keeping sound-degrading intrusions at bay: a rumble-negating carbon-fiber tonearm, a vibration-quelling plastic ring inside the platter, and a motor that's suspended above the deck.

Sure, your ancient GoPro still “works,” but you should really upgrade to the Hero9 Black. Why? GoPro's latest action cam adds a front screen, making it easier to grab the perfect selfie while hanging off the side of El Capitan. Frame your shot on the 1.4-inch front display, then start recording with a tap on the 2.27-inch rear touchscreen or a barked voice command. Your results will look better too; the Hero9 can capture 20-megapixel stills and stabilized 5K video at 30 frames per second.

Carve on nature's winter splendor while also being kinder to it. The cores of these backcountry skis are made from layered strips of aspen and polyurethane synthesized from algae, making them gentler on the environment than the solid wood cores of traditional skis. Bio-based epoxy holds it all together.

Your partner doesn't have the heart to tell you, but they're dog-tired of those bland chicken skewers you serve every other weeknight. Reinvigorate your lockdown menu by dosing that bird with this “barbecue-ish” sauce from Japanese American chef Justin Gill. Made in small batches, the blend of sweet teriyaki and smoky tomato flavors works great as a glaze, marinade, or drizzle. Vegan? So's the sauce, and it performs miracles on veggies and cubed tofu.

A wave of the hand opens the lid of this sensor-laden 58-liter trash can. And if your arms are full of messy takeout containers? Just say “Open can” and up pops the lid—all without Alexa, Siri, or even an internet connection. It does require power, but don't worry if you don't have an electrical outlet nearby; six AA batteries will power it for up to two months.

At 35 pounds, the Turbo Vado SL is light for an ebike. It's also slender enough to swing over a shoulder, with the 320-watt-hour battery, powerful motor, and pothole-eating shock absorber all hidden in the frame. Still, the bike's range is a whopping 80 miles, and it tops out at a brisk 28 mph. Connect to Specialized's Mission Control app and the algorithm will crunch your ride data to provide just enough assistance to make it feel as if your pedaling is doing something.

Staff Pick: “I love being able to pass spandex-sheathed road bikers while I'm wearing jorts.” —Adrienne So

Houdini's light fleece embodies a concept called circular design: It's made from recycled fabric that is also recyclable. Wear it as a mid layer while climbing misty mountains or as an outer layer on chilly dog walks. In the washer, the Houdi sheds 80 percent fewer microfibers into the water than regular fleece. When the jacket falls apart, mail it back to Houdini to be upcycled into a new one.

Timbuk2's pleated, washable, two-layered cotton jersey masks fit comfortably on any face—they come in two sizes, and they're kept in place with straps that tie behind your head instead of elastic that pinches your ears. The front panel has a filter pocket as well as a slot to hold a bendable wire (or pipe cleaner) over the bridge of your nose.

Imagine this: You're sunbathing on a beach halfway around the world when Arlo's combination floodlight and motion-sensitive camera notifies you of a potential nighttime intruder back home. Open the app to remotely trigger an alarm and illuminate the suspect in 3,000 lumens of white light; the 2K video resolution will provide a good look at who's lurking. Subscribe for $3 a month to save your recordings to Arlo's cloud. Without a subscription, you'll need an Arlo Smart Hub ($100) to store footage locally.

This powder-coated, 22-ounce water bottle looks like a simple but rugged bevvie vessel. But unscrew the bottom half, then open the compartment in the screw cap, and a 16-ounce travel coffee cup with a clever roll-and-fold silicone lid reveals itself. Both the bottle and the mug are vacuum-insulated to keep a morning pick-me-up (or afternoon wind-me-down) exactly the right temperature.

Cameras with full-frame sensors deliver photos that capture the subtlety and detail of a scene far surpassing shots taken with lesser equipment. But while full-frame guts once fit only inside big, bulky bodies, the Alpha 7C extends Sony 's tradition of squeezing big image sensors into impossibly small cameras. Its tiny, retro-charming body also packs a powerful 693-point phase-detection autofocus system that can lock onto and track your moving subject like a falcon, even in low light.

Staff Pick: “The huge sensor has 24.2 megapixels—way more than I'll ever need, but just think of the cat pics.” —Michael Calore

Prized for being light and durable, anodized aluminum skateboards were super popular in the 1970s. You can still taste the thrill of a metal street sled with this limited-edition throwback. The iconic Banzai brand has been revived with a board that uses the same shape and materials as yesteryear, but with modern maneuverability. One essential upgrade: The new Speed Seal wheels probably grip the concrete way better than they did back during the Carter administration.

The front-pocket panels of this eco-conscious shoulder bag are cut from old cargo-truck tarps, so each handmade bag features a singular look. The rest of the bag is constructed out of rugged nylon derived from recycled water bottles, making you the smuggest scholar in the socially distanced study group. Sorry, pack addicts: students only. (Seriously, you need a student ID to buy one.)

A budding engineer can create a myriad of mechas with Lego's most open-ended Mindstorms set yet. The kit packages together all the servos, motors, and smart hubs kids need to build and program moving robots. The kit includes 949 pieces and instructions to construct five bots, from an AT-AT-style walker to a wheeled droid that gives high fives. And whatever else your bot-curious kid happens to come up with, they can make that too.

If you're Slacking more than ever in this new WFH reality, your fingers will appreciate a better keyboard. The G915 is technically a gaming keyboard, with customizable lighting and ultrafast wireless connectivity fit for even the most competitive first-person shooters. But don't underestimate its ability as an everyday driver. Logitech's custom line of mechanical switches makes typing feel snappy and responsive, turning spreadsheet drudgery into a more palpably satisfying spreadsheet drudgery.

This anodized aluminum keep-safe is a satisfyingly weighty and tactile piece of desk candy. It can be used to store lots of things: your precious paperclips, your collection of ethically sourced diamonds, or—heck, we'll just say it—your weed. The 2-inch container includes a lid with a rubber ring on the inside that forms an airtight seal, keeping the contents (and any telltale odors) trapped inside.

Your audiophile friends will be impressed by this all-in-one rig's appointments: tube preamp, hi-res audio support, and the ability to self-adjust its frequencies to sound good in whatever room it's in. Everyone else will just marvel at its striking looks. When dreaming up the Aurora's 2-foot-wide facade, French industrial designer Julien Haziza was clearly influenced by the record consoles of old, with a slatted bamboo enclosure suspended within a triangle of metal. Stream audio to its eight drivers (two tweeters, four mids, two woofers) from your phone, a USB drive, or Spotify and Apple Music.

That quarantine cooking show you're livestreaming to YouTube and Twitch looks bland, and it doesn't sound like much either. Plug your phone into this little mixer for an A/V upgrade. Connect a high-quality mic or use the one built in. Hook up a second camera for pro-level cutaways and close-ups. You can even splice in videos and titles that you've prepped ahead of time in the companion mobile app.

Kitchen-curious kids benefit from easy instructions. This America's Test Kitchen cookbook appeals to preteen chefs with simple but delicious recipes for staples like ketchup, smoothies, and even pop tarts. Its “Try it this way” sidebars offer more options, like fortifying cheddar Goldfish with oregano, tomato paste, and garlic powder to turn them into pizza crackers.

Almost every headphone uses a piston-like driver to reproduce sound. It's time to give more esoteric tech a listen. These cans have a planar magnetic design; sound is generated by a set of magnets that vibrate a tiny sheet of metal inside each ear cup. Planars are lauded for their spacious, speaker-like experience, but they tend to be heavy and require headphone amps. The LCD-1s are lighter than most over-ears, and you can plug them straight into your iPad. With live shows off the calendar for a while, these might just be the next best thing.

Your TV's built-in speakers sound worse than you think. You need a soundbar, and this is where we recommend you start. The 45-inch-long Sonos Arc can fill nearly any living room with Dolby Atmos surround sound. As you might expect, the bar projects audio directly at you, but it also aims soundwaves upward and sideways, bouncing them off your ceiling and walls, engulfing you in the kind of movie-theater experience of the Before Times.

Staff Pick: “I was playing Luigi's Mansion 3 and heard a creepy ghost noise behind me. But it was coming from the Arc.” —Jeffrey Van Camp

Boldr, a brand known for durable adventure gear, designed this watch for medical first responders. With prominent markings for measuring pulse and respiratory rate right on the watch face, it's meant to aid in checking patient vitals in the field. It's also water-resistant, so it'll stand up to endless handwashings. Bonus: A portion of the proceeds from sales go to charities fighting the spread of Covid-19.

Danner is known for footwear built to withstand muddy trails and greasy factory floors. The new Logger 917 boots can handle any terrain or environment, but they're most at home on city streets. The Gore-Tex liner keeps your socks dry on crosstown winter trudges, and the cushioned sole (made by athletic shoe giant Vibram) is grippy and supportive, even on slick concrete. Each pair comes with two lace colors, so you can switch up to match your outfit.

Most calendars adhere to a systematized accounting of time. Bo-ring. The Every Day Calendar, created by YouTuber (and January 2020 WIRED cover star) Simone Giertz, is a touch-sensitive device that encourages you to keep up with a daily routine. Each day you follow through on a promise to yourself, tap the corresponding number on the circuit-board face and an LED lights it up. You don't have to use it every day—it's there when you need it and functions as glorious wall art when you don't.

Who doesn't need to escape the real world now and then? The Oculus Quest 2 has a totally wirefree design—there's no gaming PC required, though you can plug it in to go ultra-high-end. That mobile-mindedness makes the whole setup smaller, less complicated, and, at just over a pound, lighter than other VR rigs. Previous-gen headsets relied on sensors hanging all over the room to track your movements, but the Quest 2 keeps tabs on your direction and position without any outside help. The Oculus Quest Store has over 170 games, including standouts like Moss and Beat Saber.

Staff Pick: “You'll need a Facebook account to use it, but the Quest 2 is a great way to take a break from our current reality.” —Jess Grey

Lumenus' pill-shaped bike light smartly helps cyclists see and be seen in the dark. Pair it with the companion app and it taps into your phone's GPS for some location-aware tricks. It starts pulsing to increase visibility at intersections and blinks red when you slow your roll. The 30-hour battery is good for weeks of commutes.

If you haven't tasted a professionally made cocktail since Groundhog Day, treat yourself to a premixed artisanal amalgamation in a bottle. SoulBoxer's take on the old-fashioned swaps the standard whiskey for brandy, giving the tipple a more delicate taste. It comes blended with pure cane sugar, Angostura bitters, cherries, and orange peel. All you have to do is decide: straight up or on the rocks?

What fun is a pulsing electronic soundscape without a dazzling backdrop to complete the vibe? The Eyesy video synthesizer is exactly what it sounds like: a tool for creating and manipulating digital visuals the same way a musical synthesizer creates and manipulates sound. Plug any instrument or audio source into Eyesy, and it will respond by dynamically generating colorful geometric blobs that bounce and undulate to the music. It plugs into a TV's HDMI port for indoor antics or connects to a projector to turn a backyard into a socially distanced rave.

This cup's shape is inspired by the crucibles used in early metallurgy, but it's more suited to steeping tea than mixing alloys. Its 9-ounce size means hot drinks can be enjoyed fully before they get too cold. Haand's tableware is handmade (hence the naame) in North Carolina.

The backlit front panel and textured aluminum face of Marantz's latest home audio amp is inarguably beautiful. But it's more than just a showpiece. The two-stage integrated amplifier uses separate power supplies for its preamp and power-amp sections, eliminating buzzes, hums, and other sound-degrading interference. The made-in-Japan Model 30 can handle both digital and analog sources, from lossless hi-res files to rare vinyl.

Don't let its diminutive dimensions fool you. The Trail 125 ABS is a full-fledged, street-legal motorcycle. Inspired by beloved '60s-era Hondas, the dual-sport ripper comes with a 125-cc motor, an antilock brake on the front wheel, knobby off-road tires, and a clutchless four-speed semiautomatic transmission. It's a light, easy-riding bike for the urban grid or the dirt trails of the wild unknown.

Eight million pieces of plastic end up in the oceans every day, so anything you can do to help reverse that trend will be welcomed by fish, birds, turtles, and whales. This laptop sleeve is made of plastic recovered from the ocean—roughly seven water bottles' worth. The tear-resistant sleeve fits 13-inch laptops like a MacBook or Microsoft Surface snugly without being too tight. There's a zipper pocket on the outside for your charger and other accessories.

Looking for a good socially distanced hobby? Try metal detecting. This entry-level detector from Minelab is sensitive enough to tell a quarter from yet another shred of “can slaw” (that's metal-detectorist slang for an aluminum beverage container). Battery life is good enough for a full day of trophy hunting. We also recommend a handheld pinpointer ($79); press it into the ground, and it beeps to tell you where to dig.

Our top pick among this year's midprice TVs is the 6-Series from TCL. It uses tech called Mini-LED backlighting: Thousands of tiny lights illuminate the screen from behind, keeping the black parts of the picture dark but still detailed and limiting the pesky glow you often see around bright objects against inky backgrounds. Couple that with a Roku OS for streaming video and it's far and away the most capable set you'll find for the money. TCL even offers a 75-incher ($1,400) if nothing but a massive screen will cure your quarantine blues.

Traditional curling irons clamp your hair around hot metal rods—a setup for heat damage. Dyson's Airwrap employs the Coanda effect, the same phenomenon that causes an airplane wing to generate lift. It creates an air vortex that gathers and wraps hair around the curling wand, resulting in effortless curls with less thermal destruction. Snap on one of the included brush attachments to create a voluminous blowout with just one hand.

Staff Pick: “It doesn't run as hot as other curling irons—no higher than 302 degrees Fahrenheit—so my hair never ends up fried.” —Medea Giordano

A blend of polyester and spandex keeps this athletic headband comfortable through all your anxiety-blasting workouts. A rubberized strip helps it stay in place to soak up sweat and contain that wild mop of hair, no matter how long it's been since your last trim. Super-shvitzers need the more absorbent, 2.5-inch-wide “all-terrain” version.

Fifty-five years after the first edition of Dune, this elegant showcase properly celebrates Frank Herbert's epic saga of space and sandworms. It's bound in cloth woven with metallic thread and includes nearly two dozen original illustrations by artist Sam Weber. This is peak sci-fi in a beautiful package, and it's sure to ease the frustration of any Dune superfan who now has to wait a whole extra year for Denis Villeneuve's film adaptation.

If a portable PC is on your list, ask for the latest model in Acer's Swift laptop line, a 15-incher with a bright, sharp, antimicrobial touchscreen and eight hours of battery life. At a mere 2.2 pounds, it won't weigh you down, but there's still enough memory and graphics muscle to handle photo editing and light gaming. To keep things cool, a clever hinged mechanism lifts the magnesium alloy body off the table to help fresh air circulate beneath the chassis.

Our favorite thing about this battery-powered, lunch-box-sized amp is the built-in Wi-Fi tech that lets you play without a cable. Plug the rechargeable dongle into your instrument and you're good for five hours of untethered jamming. (You still can use a cord if you want.) Hundreds of onboard effects and tonal options for guitar, keyboards, and bass all sound great through the 30-watt amp. It pulls double duty as a Bluetooth speaker, so you can try to keep up with Eddie Van Halen's two-handed tapping while “Eruption” blasts through the stereo drivers.