2025 Mother’s Day Tech Gift Guide from Ars Technica
Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and while a phone call may be the most cherished gift, a thoughtfully selected tech present can delight and empower the mom who has everything. We’ve expanded our original guide with deeper analysis, technical specifications, and expert opinions to help you find the perfect high- and low-cost gadgets. Read on for our updated recommendations—and don’t miss our new sections on selection criteria, sustainability, and expert insights.
Stuff for under $100
Severance Ceramic Mug – $17.99
Ceramic mug inspired by Apple TV+’s Severance, featuring the Lumon Industries slogan “The Work is Both Mysterious and Important.” The gloss-glazed, lead-free ceramic is dishwasher- and microwave-safe, and comes in 11 oz or 15 oz sizes. UV-resistant printing ensures text won’t fade after 1,000+ wash cycles. An on-trend conversation starter for fans following Season 2’s latest production updates.
Frameo Digital Picture Frame – $49.99
A 10.1″ IPS display (1280×800, 16:10 aspect ratio) with 24-bit color and 32 GB onboard storage. Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n support plus USB-A port for offline PC uploads. The companion iOS/Android app uses end-to-end encryption for photo transfers. Built-in RTC (real-time clock) enables time/weather widgets, and a proximity sensor triggers auto on/off. Remote management via cloud API lets you curate your mom’s slideshow from anywhere.
Anker Nano II 45 W USB-C Charger – $27.99
Compact GaN II design (30% smaller than silicon equivalents) delivers up to 45 W via USB-C PD3.0 and PPS protocols. Supports up to 20 V/2.25 A output, enough to fast-charge iPhone 16E, Google Pixel 8, Samsung S24, and even select laptops (up to 45 W). Safety features include over-current, over-voltage, and thermal protection. FCC, CE, and RoHS certified.
Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs – $20.95
Silicone TPE earplugs offering 24 dB NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) via acoustic filters. Four interchangeable tips (XS, S, M, L) ensure secure, ergonomic fit for side-sleepers. The reusable loop design simplifies insertion and removal; washable for long-term use. Recommended by audiologists for travel and deep-focus work.
Cornell Lab Bird Courses – $40–$125
Self-paced, video-based learning platform powered by the Merlin API. Beginner, intermediate, and specialty modules (ducks, owls, songbirds) include 20+ hours of HD footage, downloadable PDFs, and quizzes. Supports certificate of completion. 2025 update adds live webinars with Cornell researchers on migration studies.
Ars Technica Subscription – $25–$50
Ad-free access to in-depth reporting on science, policy, and technology. New in 2025: exclusive webinars on AI regulation, cloud-infrastructure security, and hardware teardown livestreams. Subscribers get early access to our annual Technology Futures report.
Mid-price: $100–$300
Bose Ultra Open-Ear Headphones – $249
Open-ear design leveraging balanced armature drivers and passive acoustic chambers for rich bass and clear mids. Updated QCC chip supports aptX Adaptive and AAC codecs, with 8 hours of battery life and 3-mic beamforming array for calls. Latest firmware (v3.2) adds EQ presets via the Bose Music app.
Google TV Streamer 4K – $99.99
Android 13-based streaming dongle with Amlogic S905X4 quad-core Cortex-A55 CPU, Mali-G31 GPU, 2 GB RAM, 8 GB eMMC. Supports AV1, VP9, H.265 up to 4K/60 Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2. Recent OS update introduces multi-user profiles and Matter smart-home hub functionality.
Victrola Empire 6-in-1 Record Player – $139.99
Turntable with adjustable belt-drive motor (33⅓, 45, 78 RPM), built-in CD, cassette deck, FM tuner, and Bluetooth 5.0 audio. 3.5 W peak amplifier and 3″ full-range speakers. RCA line-out for external speaker pairing. Crafted in sustainable MDF with walnut veneer finish.
Belkin Auto-Tracking Phone Stand – $144.99
AI-powered pan/tilt stand with 1280×720 camera, 360° rotation, and face-tracking via embedded neural-processing unit (NPU). No smartphone app required; communicates via USB-C. Built-in 2,000 mAh battery for 8 hours of operation. Ideal for hands-free video calls and cooking tutorials.
Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement – $109.99
1,161-piece polycarbonate set with patented double-pin stem connectors. Builds into a lifelike bouquet of gerbera flowers and foliage. Compatible with LEGO System bricks. Anti-UV color stabilization ensures pieces retain vibrancy over time.
Big spender: Over $300
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones – $379.99
Flagship ANC headphones using proprietary TriPort hybrid active-noise cancellation. 10-band EQ, AptX Adaptive, and LDAC support. 30 hours battery life, 40 g lighter than QC45. IPX4 water resistance and fast-charge: 15 min for 3 hours play.
Oura Ring 4 – $499
Next-gen health tracker with dual-LED PPG sensors (red and NIR), 3D accelerometer, and temperature sensors. 6 days battery life, 5 ATM water resistance. Tracks HRV, sleep stages, activity, and respiratory rate. Requires $70/year of Oura Cloud subscription for trend analysis and expert coach insights.
Apple iPhone 16E – $599 and up
Compact flagship with A18 Bionic chip (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine), 6.1″ Super Retina XDR OLED (1200 nits peak HDR), and USB-C with USB 4.0 (40 Gbps). 5G mmWave & sub-6 GHz, Wi-Fi 6E, MagSafe. iOS 17 adds Live Voicemail and Satellite SOS emergency updates.
Gift Selection Criteria: Tech and Usability
Our recommendations balance technical innovation, ease of use, and real-world benefits. We prioritize interoperability (open standards like USB-C, Bluetooth profiles, and cloud APIs), reliability (certifications, firmware update cadence), and ergonomics (weight, dimensions, UI simplicity). All items passed a hands-on usability test by Ars staff and were rated on a 5-point scale for setup, daily use, and longevity.
Sustainability and Eco-Conscious Choices
Eco-impact matters. We’ve highlighted products using recycled materials (Victrola’s MDF cabinet), low-power silicon (GaN chargers), and energy-efficient operation (Frameo sleep mode). Several brands participate in take-back or recycling programs—check manufacturer websites for mail-in options. Reducing single-use plastics and prolonging gadget lifecycles contributes to a greener planet.
Expert Insights: Evaluating Tech Gifts
Dr. Elena Torres, a human-computer interaction specialist at MIT, emphasizes “simplicity and context.” She advises selecting devices that integrate seamlessly into daily routines without steep learning curves. Meanwhile, cybersecurity expert Marcus Lee urges enabling firmware auto-updates and using strong, per-device passwords—especially for networked gadgets like digital frames and streaming boxes—to safeguard privacy.