The 20 best gifts of 2019

Let’s be honest: Holiday shopping is hard. You have to shop for your parents, your siblings, your best friend, and your coworkers—but actually picking something out for them that they’ll actually like will leave you in a ball of stress and probably some last-minute shopping.

But don’t fret. As shopping experts, we’ve rounded out the most popular items that are on everyone’s wishlist. From Apple AirPods to Instant Pots, these are the 20 best gift that anyone will love in 2019.

1. Apple AirPods

You’ve seen them everywhere. Those wireless Apple earbuds that are on the ears of every commuter and jogger alike. Though we were initially skeptical of how well AirPods actually worked, they turned out to be our favorite true wireless headphones.

They’re really easy to use with any Apple product, they sound great, and the included carrying case charges them when you’re not wearing them. Anyone who has mastered their playlist or is addicted to podcasts will enjoy unwrapping these.

We recommend both the original version now under $150 and the latest model with the wireless charging case for $169, depending on your giftee’s needs.

2. Instant Pot

Yes, we know: The Instant Pot has been featured in many gift guides—but that’s because it really makes a great gift! Whether your recipient loves cooking or hates it, they’ll love an Instant Pot. With all the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and more, this magic kitchen gadget makes it easy to whip together a meal. Plus, you can now get it in fun colors like red, teal, and white, so you can customize it for your giftees (literal) taste.

3. Eufy RoboVac 11s

We all hate vacuuming, right? Anyone with floors would appreciate getting a robot vacuum to do the dirty work for them before deep cleaning, especially right after the stress and mess of the holidays. The Eufy RoboVac 11s is our favorite affordable robot vacuum because of its impressive dirt pickup and quiet operation. The slim profile also makes it easier to reach every nook and cranny, and since its reasonably priced, you can splurge a little on your loved one.

4. Away Large Suitcase

Whether you’re buying it for a world traveler or a college student who goes to school far away, the Away Suitcase is an amazing choice. In fact, it’s the best hard-sided suitcase we’ve ever tested. Not only is its colorful polycarbonate shell completely Instagramable for all your trips, but it will protect everything inside no matter how much it gets jostled on the way to its destination.

5. Gravity Blanket

Weighted blankets have become increasingly popular because not only are they comfortable, but the extra weight has a calming effect. When we tested some of the best weighted blankets, we found we liked snuggling up with the Gravity Blanket the most. This would be a great gift for anyone who loves cozying up with a warm cup of tea or needs an extra stress reliever in their life.

6. Kindle Paperwhite

Even if your giftee prefers the feel of a “real” book, they’ll still appreciate an e-reader to easily access books while traveling. The Kindle Paperwhite is the best e-reader we’ve ever tested and makes an amazing gift, especially for that special bookworm in your life. Pro tip: You can get sweet Kindle book deals every Sunday, so your recipient can start off with a mini library for cheap, too.

7. Staub Cast Iron 5.5-Quart Round Cocotte

If you didn’t already know, a Staub Dutch oven is superior to a Le Creuset. After testing the best Dutch ovens, we found that while both did a great job cooking all sorts of food, Staub’s size and shape make it much more versatile. It’s honestly making it the best choice for cooking just about anything. It will make the perfect gift for any aspirational home chef or future food blogger.

8. Fitbit Charge 3

Whether your recipient is as avid runner or wants to kick off their fitness journey, they’ll love getting a fitness tracker. With their ability to track your steps, sleep, heart rate, and various activities, Fitbits are one of the most popular gifts. We recommend the Fitbit Charge 3, which is the best fitness tracker we’ve ever tested. It’s waterproof and has an insane battery life, making it even suitable for an active lifestyle. Plus, it’s something they’ll wear every day, so they’ll think of you when they put it on.

9. Sonos One

Anyone who loves entertaining or listening to their latest playlist aloud needs the Sonos One in their home. It’s fully compatible with Alexa, but packed with the high speaker quality we’ve come to expect from Sonos. Plus, it can interface with other Sonos speakers, which means you can gift multiple to create seamless music throughout their home.

10. Bean Boots

There are few things in life that are as coveted as L.L.Bean’s Bean Boots. Seriously, around the holidays these things go on backorder and you’ll have to wait months before you can gift a pair, which is why recommend getting them sooner than later. These classic duck boots are hand-crafted in Maine and are incredibly comfortable and completely waterproof. Your giftee will get some serious use out of this present for seasons to come.

11. AncestryDNA

Unless they’re hiding a major family secret, most people would be pretty stoked to get a DNA testing kit during the holidays. I mean, who doesn’t like to learn more about themselves? With more than 15 million users, AncestryDNA is the most popular DNA testing kit on the market, which means your giftee is more likely to pinpoint exactly where their ancestors are from and potentially connect with a long-lost relative or two.

12. Echo Show 5

Some smart assistants take up too much counter space, but the Echo Show 5 provides a compact design with the bonus of a screen. It’s basically a smaller, more affordable affordable version of the Show and the next level up from the Dot. Plus, its small screen makes it easy to see timers, get news updates, and make video calls, so you can chat “face-to-face” with your giftee.

13. InnoGear Upgraded Diffuser

Sweet and calming scents can help your giftee relax after a stressful holiday season—and they might appreciate an essential oil diffuser to do so. This one from InnoGear is our favorite one and can run relaxing scents like lavender and eucalyptus for up to 11 hours. It’s not too expensive, which means you can manage to throw in some essential oils for them as well.

14. Philips Airfryer XXL

If your friend or family member is obsessed with new kitchen gadgets, then they might want to get an air fryer. This trendy cooking device makes their favorite fried food a little healthier and is good for crisping up veggies. The Philips Airfryer XXL is the best air fryer we’ve ever tested and its big enough for family-sized portions. Any home cook or health fanatic would love to test this bad boy out in their own kitchen.

15. Roku Streaming Stick+

If your giftee takes their Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, or HBO subscription seriously, then they shouldn’t be streaming their favorite show from their computer. The Roku Streaming Stick+ is the best affordable streaming device we’ve ever tested. It’s fast and offers full 4K and HDR for the ultimate binge watching experience. It’s the second best thing to getting them a new smart TV with Roku built-in.

16. Sony Noise-Canceling Headphones

When it comes to noise cancelation, the Sony WH-1000XM3 wireless headphones don’t mess around. They have a nifty feature that lets you choose the amount of ambient noise you let in and allow you to pause music by cupping one of the ear cups. Pretty cool, right? That’s why they’re the best noise-canceling headphones on the market, and any music lover or commuter would love these as a gift.

17. Dash Rapid Egg Cooker

For whatever reason, eggs are kind of hard to make perfectly—you either overcook them or under. You really can’t win. This egg cooker from Dash does the hard work for you by soft boiling, hard boiling, scrambling, poaching—all in one machine. It’s the perfect gift for a college student in a dorm or anyone who wants to free up burner space when they’re making Sunday brunch.

18. Technivorm Moccamaster KB

If you have a coffee snob in your life, then they will be blown away by this coffee maker. The Technivorm Moccamaster is the best drip coffee maker on the market because it expertly brews coffee at its desired temperature, between 196 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Users can also choose the temperature of the heating element under the carafe and the Moccamaster will make a pot in a few minutes, which is a necessity for anyone in a morning rush.

19. Disney+ Subscription

Gifting a subscription to new streaming service Disney+ is basically like wrapping up every Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel movie, and putting it all under the tree. Who wouldn’t love that? You can give a one-year subscription for your recipient and Disney+ will email instruction on how to redeem it to your recipient on the day you choose.

20. Polk Audio Signa S2

If your loved one is constantly complaining about the sound on their TV, give them a major upgrade with a new soundbar. Plus, you don’t have to spend too much to get them a great one. The Polk Audio Signa S2 is our favorite soundbar under $200 because it packs improved sound and a sleek look into a reasonable price point. It also has different modes for movies, music, or night audio and three different “clear voice” settings to make TV show and movie-watching experiences more enjoyable.