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20 Best Tech Books to Gift (2023): Biographies, Startup Histories, Exposés

20 Best Tech Books to Gift (2023): Biographies, Startup Histories, Exposés

Technology is exerting an ever-growing influence on our world. Give the gift of knowledge to enlighten the technology-obsessed people in your life and help them learn more about the companies and characters dominating the industry, the news cycle, and, increasingly, our lives.

From painstakingly researched biographies and histories charting the rise and fall of modern business empires to deep dives into the birth of influential gadgets, these are some of the best tech books to gift. You may also be interested in our Best Cookbooks and Best Kindles guides.

Updated November 2023: We have added several new picks to this guide, including A Trip into the Mirror World, Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement, and Sid Meier’s Memoir!: A Life in Computer Games.

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Best Fitting T-Shirts for Men (According to a Savile Row Tailor)

Best Fitting T-Shirts for Men (According to a Savile Row Tailor)

SCORES:

Mott & Bow — M8 / C8 / J7 — TOTAL: 23

Colorful Standard — M8 / C7 / J8 — TOTAL: 23

Asket — M7 / C8 / J7 — TOTAL: 22

Son of a Tailor — M5 / C8 / J7 — TOTAL: 20

Uniqlo — M6 / C7 / J6 — TOTAL: 19

Sunspel — M7 / C5 / J6 — TOTAL: 18

Rapanui — M5 / C6 / J6 — TOTAL: 18

True Classic — M5 / C4 / J7 — TOTAL: 16

Spoke — M4 / C4 / J4 — TOTAL: 12

Both ASKET and Mott & Bow produce high-quality T-shirts off the peg, but ASKET’s extensive choice of sizes, including width and length, should ensure everyone can find something that looks and feels great. Uniqlo seems to have created a superb-value, indestructible design that will last for years, while Colorful Standard proves that prewashed, hipster-approved organic tees can look great on all body shapes.

Of the two bespoke brands, Son of a Tailor was far superior to Spoke. The use of quality (albeit not organic) Supima cotton in a choice of weights, combined with a flattering, premium look and the ability to tweak subsequent designs to suit stands them apart, despite the strange discrepancy in sizing. Spoke failed to impress, although the remake of Chris’ original shirt was a significant improvement.

Taub isn’t surprised that the online algorithm approach isn’t, as yet, foolproof. “Getting people that aren’t experienced inputting their measurements is flawed. You could never get a customer to send their measurements accurately. I’m also surprised none of these brands ask for a simple photograph, as it would really add a dimension.”

But he does concede that “if you understand that the first T-shirt [ordered online] isn’t going to be the best, and instead consider it a journey with a brand you’re willing to trust and support—and that will still be in existence in the future—you will learn what looks good on you. Through trial and error, you will be able to get a custom fit from a factory-made garment. But from what I’ve seen so far, none of them really have been better than you just spending two days going to every single shop, and checking them out for yourself.”

8 Best Baby Monitors (2023): Wi-Fi, Radio (No Internet), and More

8 Best Baby Monitors (2023): Wi-Fi, Radio (No Internet), and More

New parents, here’s a tip: You might not need a baby monitor. A healthy, hungry baby can shriek in tones piercing enough to bend metal, let alone your poor eardrums. Nevertheless, baby monitors can provide high-quality audio and crystal-clear video streams from the camera directly to a separate device like a smartphone or tablet. This means you can move freely around the house while keeping a close eye on the baby as they sleep or play contentedly in their crib. We tested the most intuitive models available online, looking at design, features, and picture and audio quality. These are the best baby monitors that can keep a watchful eye on your bundle of joy.

Be sure to check out our other baby gear guides, including the Best Strollers, Best Breast Pumps, Best Baby Gear, and Best Baby Carriers.

Updated October 2023: We’ve added the Eufy SpaceView Baby Monitor and removed a few discontinued monitors.

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Adrienne So contributed to this guide.

Best Hair Dryers and Diffusers (2023): Blow-Dryers, Brushers, and Diffusers

Best Hair Dryers and Diffusers (2023): Blow-Dryers, Brushers, and Diffusers

From the time the first hair dryer was introduced for home use in the 1920s, every one looked nearly identical until Dyson debuted its Supersonic dryer in 2016, which matched the design of its bladeless fans. Now, several companies are adapting their drying tech into the lightest, thinnest package possible, looking more like a heat gun than a hair dryer (I guess these are a type of heat gun, technically).

I’ve used these three. They’re each less than a pound, relatively quiet, and have self-cleaning functions—you take the filter cover off the back and activate cleaning mode; the dryers shoot air in reverse to push dust and debris out. While each one stands out on its own, I wish I could combine all three for one perfect dryer.

Chi Lava Pro for $337: This one is slightly lighter than the other two. It has an LED screen indicating the exact temperature, which is a nice but rare feature, and there are four heat settings from cool to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. The big flaw, however, is that far too much air comes through the diffuser, blowing hair around more than should happen with that attachment.

Gama IQ2 Perfetto for $430: The Gama dryer is sleek and includes a safety feature to automatically turn off should it overheat (it did not do this in testing, thankfully). There’s a setting lock so you can dry your hair without accidentally changing the speed or heat. Plus, it comes with a silicone mat that puts the dryer into standby mode automatically when you place it down, turning back on when you pick it up. This is really helpful if you’re sectioning off hair for a blowout, and frequently have to put the dryer down. But it’s expensive and the magnetic filter cover constantly falls off.

Bio Ionic Smart-X High-Efficiency Dryer for $329: This Bio Ionic also has a settings lock, which I now believe should be on every styling tool. I prefer the look of this one the best, however, it doesn’t come with a diffuser, which I think should be standard at this price point.

Best Cocktail Gear: Shakers, Strainers, Juicers, and More (2023)

Best Cocktail Gear: Shakers, Strainers, Juicers, and More (2023)

Nothing draws the attention of a party like a bartender, swinging open the doors of a bar cabinet and taking their place among the glistening bottles of brown and clear liquors, colorful spirits with foreign names, and sparkling cut glassware. Beer is a fine drink, as is wine, but they don’t match the spectacle of mixing a cocktail.

I’ve had more bad cocktails in my life than I care to remember, and it often comes down to the maker splashing in too much liquor or not straining their solid ingredients. You need a measure of knowledge, a splash of experience, and the right tools, which we’ve collected below. As we head into the holiday gathering season, the right cocktail tools and some basic bartending skills can make you popular with friends and family.

Be sure to check out our other buying guides and gift guides, like our Boozy Gift Ideas and Gifts for Coffee Lovers roundups.

Updated October 2023: We’ve added new books, glassware, a knife, ice crushers, and mixers.