Mechanical keyboard
That satisfying click every techy loves.
See it on Amazon (opens in new tab)As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Budget bands are a rough guide — check the latest price on Amazon.
Raspberry Pi starter kit
A tiny computer for endless projects.
See it on Amazon (opens in new tab)Smart plug pack
Start his smart home cheaply.
See it on Amazon (opens in new tab)Portable power bank
Never runs out of charge again.
See it on Amazon (opens in new tab)Precision screwdriver set
For opening every gadget he owns.
See it on Amazon (opens in new tab)Smart LED light strip
Gives his desk that glowing setup.
See it on Amazon (opens in new tab)Wireless earbuds
Music and calls without the cables.
See it on Amazon (opens in new tab)Electronics soldering kit
For the tinkerer who builds things.
See it on Amazon (opens in new tab)Large desk mat
Smart, smooth and big enough for everything.
See it on Amazon (opens in new tab)Monitor light bar
Lights his desk without screen glare.
See it on Amazon (opens in new tab)Smartwatch
Notifications and fitness on his wrist.
See it on Amazon (opens in new tab)Coding humour mug
A laugh with his morning coffee.
See it on Amazon (opens in new tab)USB-C hub
More ports for his laptop.
See it on Amazon (opens in new tab)About the Techy Nerd
He’s the family’s unofficial IT department. He’s got opinions on phones, a drawer full of cables and probably a Raspberry Pi doing something mysterious under the telly. He loves gadgets, but he also loves researching them, which makes buying for him tricky.
What to look for
Steer towards things he’s unlikely to have already researched to death: clever accessories, smart home bits, or kits he can build. Always check compatibility, such as iPhone or Android, USB-C or not, and which smart assistant he uses. Practical upgrades like a fast multi-port charger or a tidy cable organiser get used every day. If he’s a tinkerer, a soldering or electronics kit gives him a weekend project.
Budget tips
Under £20: cable organisers, smart plugs, a phone stand. £20–£50: a decent power bank, a mechanical keyboard switch tester or a build kit. £50–£100 and up: earbuds, smart speakers or a quality webcam. If he’s very particular, a gift card plus a small fun gadget is a perfectly good answer.
Still stuck? Use the budget buttons above to narrow things down, then tap through to read the reviews and check the latest price before you buy. Every idea here is hand-picked, and we refresh the list regularly.