Tech gifts for people who really, really like watching TV
Chances are you know someone who enjoys watching television. Just about everyone has a TV in their home, but the people we're talking about make it a central part of their existence. When a new season of Stranger Things drops, they've somehow finished it an hour later. You don't understand where they find the time, but hey, you're just glad they're enjoying themselves.
We have great news: There are plenty of gifts you can get these people to enrich their TV-watching experiences. It's a hobby that requires a decent amount of hardware, after all.
You can't go wrong with 4K
One of the biggest stories in TV is the rise of 4K. At the risk of sounding reductive, this is similar to the jump from standard definition to high definition about 15 years ago, though the increase in quality is going to be less noticeable to the layman.
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Still, TV shows and movies look really nice in 4K. Like, really nice. More and more streaming services are offering 4K content, though Netflix rather rudely makes you pay more for the luxury. It should go without saying, of course, that you need the right hardware before you can even think about enjoying TV in 4K.
As far as TVs go, it's hard to find any TV bigger than 40 inches or so that isn't 4K-compatible in 2019. Only you can judge what will be the best fit for your gift recipient in terms of budget and price, but TCL makes crisp 4K sets that won't destroy your bank account. If you're feeling a little more spendy, Vizio's M-Series TVs are excellent, too.
For people who already have 4K sets, consider a 4K-ready streaming device. The Roku Streaming Stick+, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, and Google Chromecast Ultra all cost less than $100. If you're willing to go above $100, the Apple TV 4K, Fire TV Cube, and Roku Ultra can also stream in 4K, but with additional features and better hardware.
Even if the person you're buying for doesn't have a 4K TV yet, it's smart to get them a 4K streaming box. Think of it as future-proofing.
For when TV speakers don't cut it
Have you ever noticed while watching TV that things don't sound quite right? Maybe you find yourself with a finger constantly on the volume button because certain elements are either too loud or too quiet, often varying from scene to scene. Audio mixing is a delicate art form and most modern TV speakers aren't up to the challenge.
This is where soundbars come in. These horizontal miracle-makers can be plugged into a TV and placed underneath it, and if used correctly, they'll enhance a TV's auditory output without taking up much space at all.
There are a ton of options in the soundbar space and it can be a little intimidating if you're not an audiophile. Luckily, we have a handy list of affordable options here. One good budget-and-beginner-friendly fit is this Samsung soundbar that comes with a subwoofer for around $200. Subwoofers are nice if you want extra bass, but certainly not necessary.
One of the more intriguing options is Roku's upcoming soundbar. You can actually kill two birds with one stone because, for $180, it's both a soundbar and a 4K streaming box. There's also an accompanying wireless subwoofer you can buy separately for the same price. Both are shipping around Oct. 13.
One thing to note: Roku is releasing Walmart-exclusive versions of the soundbar and subwoofer for $130 each. The cheaper subwoofer lacks a voice remote and the subwoofer has 150 watts of output instead of 250, but otherwise, they're the same products.
A good remote goes a long way
One thing that really stinks about the modern TV experience is having to juggle between two or three remotes just to make everything work. Seriously, it's a drag. Who enjoys this?
Thankfully, there are companies dedicated to the cause of cleaning up clicker clutter. Logitech, for instance, has a range of universal remote and hub options in its Harmony product line. For just $70, the Harmony 665 can be used to control all of your loved one's devices at once and it has a handy little screen on it, to boot.
If the person you have in mind is really hardcore about this and you have money to burn, Logitech's $350 Harmony Elite setup can control everything through a remote, a smartphone app, and even Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Caavo's Universal Remote is another option for just $60, but it requires a small monthly service fee, so keep that in mind.
Alex Perry is a tech reporter at Mashable who primarily covers video games and consumer tech. Alex has spent most of the last decade reviewing games, smartphones, headphones, and laptops, and he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. He is also a Pisces, a cat lover, and a Kansas City sports fan. Alex can be found on Bluesky at yelix.bsky.social.
