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Editors' top holiday picks

Check out CNET editors' favorite tech available this holiday.

Laura K. Cucullu
Hailing from New Orleans, Laura K. Cucullu was the senior features and special packages editor. Prior to joining CNET, she was a magazine copy chief, a technical writer, a tech support specialist, and a buyer, meaning someone once actually paid her to shop.
Laura K. Cucullu
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1 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Amazon Echo

For anyone who wants a little extra help around the house, consider the Amazon Echo. The voice-activated speaker comes with digital companion Alexa, which can order paper towels from Amazon, turn up the music or tell you the capital of Indonesia, hands-free.

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2 of 34 James Martin/CNET

iPad Mini 2

Though it's not the newest petite iPad -- that would be the iPad Mini 4 -- the Mini 2 is our top pick for its lower cost. Save some dough and stick with the older model as a gift this year.

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3 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Chromecast Audio

Playing music on your home speaker from your phone is much easier with a Chromecast Audio. This tiny, $35 record-shaped stocking stuffer streams music from Spotify or Pandora to your non-Bluetooth-enabled speakers. Rock on!

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4 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

The 2015 upgrade of Amazon's widely popular Kindle Paperwhite e-reader has a sharper screen for better reading anyplace, anytime.

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5 of 34 Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Oxo Barista Brain

Consider this the Cadillac of drip-coffee makers: It's pricey yet luxurious, and has the features coffee fanatics want. The two-in-one model includes a coffee maker and electric kettle for tea and cocoa.

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6 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Apple Watch

Apple's first smartwatch is one of the top gadgets this year. It puts all the iPhone's alerts and notifications right on your wrist, and lets you connect without constantly reaching for your phone. Anyone with an Apple smartphone would be happy to get one. $100 off at Best Buy.

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7 of 34 James Martin/CNET

Apple Watch Hermès edition

No doubt, the Hermès edition Apple Watch, created in collaboration with the Paris fashion house, is a status symbol. This is the gift you get to impress, if you're willing to fork over the cost. Hermès edition Apple Watch IN STORES ONLY.

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8 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Jawbone Up2

Tracking activity and sleep is still a big deal this year, and the Jawbone Up2 is one of the best fitness bands for the job. Redesigned to stay on your wrist without fail, the Jawbone Up2 keeps you conscious of your movements all day.

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9 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Fitbit Charge HR

The Fitbit Charge HR's features and heart rate monitor make it a fantastic activity tracker, perfect for any fitness enthusiast or anyone on your list who wants to get moving.

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10 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Garmin Forerunner 225

A bit more advanced than other fitness trackers, this running watch has GPS for mapping runs and a heart rate sensor. It's water resistant for pool workouts too.

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11 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

DJI Phantom 3 Professional

Drones are the hottest tech toys right now, and they can produce video from never-before-seen angles. The DJI Phantom 3 Professional shoots in 4K, and is easy to maneuver for novice pilots.

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12 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Nikon D550

Looking for a workhorse camera for shooting vacations with the family? This is it. The Nikon D550 is compact enough to tote on a trip while taking fantastic photos that you'd expect from a DSLR.

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13 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Sony Alpha 6000

Sony's top interchangeable lens camera is more compact than a DSLR, making it a great gift for budding photographers who want something ultra-portable. It's our best all-around pick in its class.

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14 of 34 Joshua Goldman/CNET

GoPro Hero4 Silver

GoPro is the gold standard for action cameras and the Hero4 Silver is the best of the bunch. A touchscreen makes for easier shooting and the video quality is first-rate.

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15 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Roku 2

This year's upgraded Roku 2 is our favorite video streaming box. It's cheaper than the Roku 3, and an overall better value with a fabulous search feature. Great for Netflix and Hulu fans.

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16 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Sony PlayStation 4

This top gaming console is still a fantastic present for any video game enthusiast in your life. It's also a great addition to any living room, with plenty of ways to watch video and stream music.

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17 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Microsoft Xbox One

Microsoft's Xbox One console keeps getting better, and is a must-have for serious gamers. New for 2015, you can now play Xbox 360 games on it too, making it a perfect upgrade.

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18 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

iPhone 6S

How could the iPhone not make the cut? The 6S model isn't a major upgrade from 2014's 6, but extras like Live Photos and 3D Touch keep it fresh and cool.

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19 of 34 Josh Miller/CNET

Samsung Galaxy S6

Samsung's Galaxy S6 is a great all-around Android smartphone with a slick design, improved fingerprint scanner and top-notch camera.

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20 of 34

Google Nexus 6P

Google's Nexus 6P smartphone is the best Android experience you can buy. Since the phone is sold unlocked, it works on almost any carrier.

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21 of 34 Josh Miller/CNET

Alcatel One Touch Idol 3

Alcatel's One Touch Idol 3 proves that budget doesn't mean cheap. This low-cost unlocked smartphone is thin, sturdy, has a solid camera and includes a few design quirks that make it fun and unique.

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22 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Plantronics BackBeat Sense

Plantronics' Bluetooth headphones offer plenty of style and features. They're lightweight and use memory foam to cushion your ears while you rock out.

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23 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

UE Boom 2

Completely waterproof, this superb-sounding wireless speaker can be anywhere from the beach and backyard to the living or dorm room. It comes in four bright colors, plus black or white.

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24 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display

The 13-inch 2015 edition of Apple's popular laptop is fast on the inside with a thin and sleek outside. It's an all-around powerhouse Mac machine that would please anyone.

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25 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Dell XPS 13 (2015)

Dell's XPS laptop is compact, yet has a wide 13-inch touchscreen and packs peak performance. It starts at around $799 and is easy to tote around.

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26 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

HP Stream 11

Bright, colorful and budget-friendly, the HP Stream is a no-frills 11-inch laptop perfect for writing papers or browsing the Internet. It's just under $200, so it won't break the bank.

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27 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Roku TV

Put away the streaming box, this smart TV might be all you need. TCL's Roku TV has Roku's streaming services built-in, and is easy enough for anyone to use. Oh, and it's inexpensive (for an HDTV) to boot.

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28 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Vizio E Series

If picture quality is more important than smart TV features, go for the Vizio E series. It has some premium features you'd normally fine in high-end TVs, but at a budget-friendly price.

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29 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Vizio M Series

Ready for 4K? Grab the Vizio M series, which delivers superb image quality and yet still manages to be one of the cheapest 4K models you can buy.

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30 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

LG EF9500

For the best of the best in picture quality, look no further than this TV. LG's EF9500 OLED is ultra-thin, and delivers superior image quality that rivals every other television CNET has tested recently. It's not cheap, but it's worth every penny.

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31 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Sony BDP-S5500

A great accompaniment to any living room, Sony's BDP-S5500 Blu-ray player not only plays movies and streams TV, it can also stream Playstation Plus games through it.

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32 of 34 David Carnoy/CNET

Sonos Play:5

Sonos' Play:5 may be the only tabletop speaker you ever need. Upgraded for 2015, the new model is bigger, sleeker and delivers superior sound. Spring for a pair to get surround-stereo sound, or use one on its own.

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33 of 34 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Tylt Vu

For road warriors with long commutes in the car, the Tylt Vu wireless charger and dashboard mount can keep their phone handy and juiced up.

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34 of 34 Sarah Tew/CNET

Epson Expression Home XP-420

Compact, yet powerful, the Epson Expression Home XP-420 can handle any print, copy or scanning job you throw at it. Buy this only if your friend or family member explicitly asks for a printer this holiday season. Otherwise, please consider something more fun.

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