When you're trying to buy the perfect gift for a friend or family member this Christmas, you're probably going to think about something digital. With smartphones, tablets, TVs, headphones, home theater soundbars, gaming consoles, robots, cameras, cases, video games and more in stores, the options are endless.
Before you spend your hard-earned money, take a second to read the following list. These tech no-nos are either on the way out, not quite ready for prime time or something you just shouldn't buy for someone else.
So, without further ado, here are the tech gifts to avoid this holiday.
1. Cutting-edge technology
This first category is a bit broad and includes smart watches, Amazon Echo, Vessyl and other cutting-edge tech products. Not only are these expensive – $100 to $3,000 – they're so new that no one really knows how useful they'll actually be in day-to-day use.
Both Vessyl and Amazon Echo are so cutting-edge that you can only pre-order them now. Amazon Echo even requires an invitation.
Vessyl is a $100 cup that knows exactly what's in your drink and keeps track of calories, hydration and other information for you. It's beautifully designed and executed, but I'm not sure the novelty will last long for most users.
Amazon Echo looks interesting as a personal assistant for your home, but it's not clear how useful it will be for the average person, or basically how well it works. Even as a family gift, you'll probably want to wait a year until the next version comes out. It might also come down from its $200 price by then.
There's another consideration. Even if you know the person on your list is an early-adopter who would love something like a smart watch, they may have a very specific model they're already interested in. People are particular when it comes to tech. Or they might be waiting for the Apple Watch, which doesn't even arrive until next year. You don't want to spend hundreds of dollars getting them the wrong thing.
2. High-end TVs
You'll see fantastic deals on TVs this holiday. However, if you look closely you'll notice the deals are on low-end TVs – screens less than 48 inches, off-brand manufacturers and lower specs like 60Hz refresh rate or no Internet connection.
The TVs from major manufacturers like Sony, LG and Samsung with 48+ inch screens, 120Hz or 240Hz refresh rates, 4K resolution, Internet apps and other advances are just as expensive as ever. Expect to pay north of $1,500.
Most stores wait until just before the Super Bowl to drop the prices on the high-end models.
If you're after a cheap second TV, this is a good time to buy. To replace your main living room TV, however, it's a better idea to wait until late January.
Don't forget that 4K TV prices are still dropping rapidly – some 40-inch screens are dipping below $1,000 – so every month you wait to buy gets you closer to affording the latest and greatest TV technology.
Buyer beware: Most stores will sell you a cheap TV and then try to make the money back with expensive cables and other accessories. Don't fall for it; cheaper cables work just as well as the expensive versions.
3. Streaming media gadgets
Sticking with home entertainment for a minute, I'd also avoid streaming-media gadgets like the Roku, Google Nexus Player, AppleTV, Amazon's Fire TV and similar streaming boxes.
Not that there is anything wrong with these units, but they're just not something I would buy for someone else – unless it is specifically stated on their Christmas list.
Even if the person could use a streaming box, not every streaming box supports every online service. AppleTV, for example, is the only one that supports streaming and downloading from iTunes. If you buy a Roku for an iTunes user, it does them no good.
Like a smart watch, a streaming box is a tech item that you can only really buy for yourself. If you want to help your friend or relative with the purchase, get them a gift card to an electronics store or online shop. Streaming gadgets cost $50 to $100.
4. Standalone gadgets
This is another broad category, and it covers any low-cost gadget that does just one thing, such as a point-and-shoot camera or a media player, like an iPod.
Odds are that the person you're buying for already has a smartphone or tablet that takes decent pictures and holds plenty of music and movies. A smartphone or tablet also has a calendar, address book, video chat, video recording, games and tons more that used to require separate products.
Unless someone specifically asks for a standalone gadget, steer clear. If they do ask for one, then they probably mean a gadget that's better than what's in their smartphone like a mirrorless hybrid camera – these start around $500 – or a GoPro video camera, which starts at $130.
5. Laptops
A laptop is a good gift for a college student or someone on the go. However, the holidays aren't the best time to buy. Laptops generally see the best deals after the Consumer Electronics Show in January or during back-to-school sales in July and August.
Plus, if your gift recipient is looking for a bargain laptop – say less than $400 – to surf the Web, watch movies, listen to music, read books, play casual games and perform other light computing tasks, they might just want a tablet instead. A tablet is more portable, has a better battery life and you don't have to worry as much about viruses.
Bonus: For the person who has everything
Every year, you get that one person whose gift wish list is a shrug and an "I don't need anything."
Every year, you get that one person whose gift wish list is a shrug and an "I don't know." Instead of knocking yourself out trying to find the perfect gift anyway, get them a gift card. That way, they can buy what they want. Check out CardCash, Cardpool andGiftCardRescue to save up to 35% on the face value of gift cards.
For the kid who already has enough stuff, look at a 529 college-savings plan through a site like Upromise. Sign up for a free account and then make purchases on Upromise-linked sites or stores. Up to 8% of the purchase goes into the child's account. You can get other relatives to sign up to the account and their purchases will contribute as well. With the average cost of college starting at $19,000 a year, the kid's parents will love this gift – and the kid will too, eventually.