Checklist · 10 picks · 4 categories
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Shopping for the friend who leaves the party early and texts you a thank-you from bed? Get them gear for recharging, not a group activity.
Noise-cancelling headphones are the top pick: What Hi-Fi? names the Sony WH-1000XM6 its best overall and the Sony WH-CH720N its best cheap pair. Earplugs help with loud bars and concerts, and Popular Science's best aesthetic concert pick, the Loop Experience Pro, looks like jewelry. An e-reader means a whole library for solo time, and Engadget's best overall is the Kobo Clara Colour. For a quiet night in, NBC Select's puzzle picks and Reviewed's best value weighted blanket round it out. Each card shows the drawback the outlet called out, like headphones with a bulky case.
Who this is not for. Skip this if they mostly want a cozier couch night; Gifts for Homebodies has the heated blanket, popcorn popper and streaming stick.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 30, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | splurge | $300-500 | all-round noise-cancelling headphones | 1 outlet |
| Sony WH-CH720N | budget | $50-100 | noise-cancelling headphones on a budget | 1 outlet |
| JBL Live 780NC | mid | $150-200 | long battery life at a middle price | 1 outlet |
Best noise-cancelling headphonessplurge pick · Foldable
Best for all-round noise-cancelling headphones
What Hi-Fi?'s best noise-cancelling headphones overall: a What Hi-Fi? Awards winner that it calls the best-value pair and its favourite overall.
Heads up. No aptX HD support, and the case is on the large side
1 outlet. What Hi-Fi? best noise-cancelling headphones overall.
$300-500
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budget pick · Over-ear
Best for noise-cancelling headphones on a budget
What Hi-Fi?'s best cheap noise-cancelling headphones: a What Hi-Fi? Awards winner, and the best over-ear ANC headphones it has reviewed at this more affordable level.
Heads up. A little over-enthusiastic in the bass, with no case or foldability
1 outlet. What Hi-Fi? best cheap noise-cancelling headphones.
$50-100
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mid pick · Foldable
Best for long battery life at a middle price
TechRadar's best mid-priced wireless headphones: clear, pleasant sound with an excellent battery life and feature set.
Heads up. A bit bass heavy, and no charging cable in the box
1 outlet. TechRadar best mid-priced wireless headphones.
$150-200
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Best earplugssplurge pick · Pocket-size
Best for earplugs that look like an accessory
Popular Science's best aesthetic concert earplugs: adjustable sound reduction in a jewelry-inspired design you'll actually want to wear.
Heads up. The case doesn't have a keychain attachment
1 outlet. Popular Science best aesthetic concert earplugs.
$25-50
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budget pick · Pack
Best for snoring roommates
Reviewed's best overall earplugs, first in its comfort and noise-blocking tests.
1 outlet. Reviewed best overall earplugs for sleeping.
under $15
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Best e-readermid pick · Gift-box
Best for readers who borrow from the library
Engadget's best e-reader overall: a small color E Ink reader with a warm light, and Kobo readers borrow library books through OverDrive.
Heads up. Kobo's store is smaller than Kindle's
1 outlet. Engadget best ereader overall.
$150-200
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budget pick · Gift-box
Best for a first e-reader on a budget
Engadget's best budget e-reader: the cheapest e-reader from a major maker, for readers who don't need color, waterproofing or a warm light.
Heads up. No warm light, it isn't waterproof, and it can't read third-party ebooks
1 outlet. Engadget best budget ereader.
$100-150
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galison Autumn in the Neighborhood Puzzle | budget | $15-25 | a cozy fall night in | 1 outlet |
| Piecework Puzzles Sugar & Spice Double-Sided Puzzle | splurge | $25-50 | two puzzle nights out of one box | 1 outlet |
| YnM Weighted Blanket (Twin, 12 lb) | budget | $50-100 | trying a weighted blanket | 1 outlet |
Top pickbudget pick · 1000 pieces
Best for a cozy fall night in
NBC Select's best scenic puzzle: a fall neighborhood scene with a warm, cozy theme and thick-cut cardboard pieces.
1 outlet. NBC Select best scenic puzzle.
$15-25
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splurge pick · 1000 pieces
Best for two puzzle nights out of one box
NBC Select's best overall puzzle: two candy-themed designs share one box, one glossy and one matte, with random ribbon-cut pieces.
Heads up. NBC Select notes it has a higher difficulty level
1 outlet. NBC Select best overall puzzle.
$25-50
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budget pick · Twin
Best for trying a weighted blanket
Reviewed's best value weighted blanket: it performed about as well as blankets twice the price.
Heads up. Unclear cleaning instructions, and the cotton feels a bit rough
1 outlet. Reviewed best value weighted blanket.
$50-100
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Something that helps them recharge on their own terms. Noise-cancelling headphones are the classic, and What Hi-Fi? names the Sony WH-1000XM6 its best noise-cancelling headphones overall.
Yes, for anyone who finds bars and concerts draining. The Loop Experience Pro has removable filters for extra noise reduction, and Reviewed's best overall earplugs, the Hearos Xtreme Protection, came first in its comfort and noise-blocking tests.
Engadget's best e-reader overall is the Kobo Clara Colour, which borrows library books through OverDrive. Its best budget pick is the Amazon Kindle (2024), which has no warm light and isn't waterproof.
USPS's recommended last send dates for December 25 in the contiguous US are December 17 for Ground Advantage, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express. Retailers set their own order-by dates, so check at checkout.