It's that time of year again—shop, shop, and more shopping. Instead of buying a random gift for someone, here are some solid ideas.

True wireless earbuds and portable Bluetooth speakers are categories with endless choices. Call them reliable gifts where you can't go wrong.

Sennheiser's ergonomically designed Accentum true wireless earbuds have proprietary 7mm dynamic True Response Transducers, producing Sennheiser's signature sound of engaging bass, natural mids and crisp treble. The Bluetooth 5.3 earbuds have hybrid ANC and transparency modes to block background noise in any environment, including busy city streets and airplanes.

Sennheiser's companion app (iOS or Android) is excellent for controlling several features, including the ANC, and selecting how much background to block. The app can customize your sound with a 5-band equalizer. They will last about eight hours before needing a charge in the self-charging storage case, which charges on your choice of Qi wireless or the included USB-C cable.

https://www.sennheiser-hearing.com/en-US/p/accentum-true-wireless. $199.95 in black, blue, or white

Tribit's XSound Plus 2 Bluetooth speaker has excellent sound, a portable size, and a consumer-friendly price.

Inside the 7.8-by-2.6-by-2.7-inch, the 1.76-pound speaker are a pair of neodymium full-range drivers, producing 30 watts of twilight sound with crisp clarity. The XBass patented algorithm can be turned on to add extra bass. It pairs with Bluetooth 5.3, so it has multi-link support, allowing simultaneous pairing of multiple devices (sold separately) for full stereo sound.

The XSound Plus 2 plays for 24 hours with the volume at 60% and the XBass feature off. It has an IPX7 waterproof rating, enabling the speaker to withstand being dunked in 3 feet of water without harm. Party Mode and full compatibility with the Tribit App allow customization to suit individual preferences with the customized EQ.

https://tribit.com/products/tribit-xsound-plus-2-portable-bluetooth-speaker. $69.99

Catalyst's Dog Collar for AirTag should be a must-have for every family pet, so if you don't have one, why not put one on your shopping list? The adjustable, durable and quick-drying collar is designed with an extra loop on the 1-inch-wide collar to hold the Apple tracking device (sold separately) in a Catalyst Waterproof AirTag Clip-It Case.

The case clips comfortably onto the collar and is designed not to rub or irritate the pet’s fur or body. It seals around the back of the AirTag case and screws shut for security. Apple AirTags are tracking devices that tell you where your pet is on the Find My app.

https://www.catalystcase.com/products/dog-collar-for-airtag. $24.99, available in black or blue in sizes small, medium, large, and extra large

Do you really want to give a vacuum as a gift? Yes, you do!

The Proscenic P11 Lite 6-in-1 multi-function vacuum is a top-of-the-line ergonomically designed cordless vacuum. Just as quickly as food hits the floor, you can have the P11 doing the cleanup. The lightweight (2.9 pounds) and easy-to-handle cordless vacuum includes a floor brush, a 2-in-1 dusting brush, and a crevice tool. Along with the adjustable telescopic pipe, it can be used in six different combinations for floor-to-ceiling cleaning. The P11 Lite converts from a stick vacuum to a handheld unit for off-the-floor cleaning in seconds.

A 2200 mAh detachable battery pack powers the P11 and is rated to run for over 35 minutes of vacuuming on Eco mode and 15 minutes on Max mode. Additional batteries can be purchased separately ($49.99). LED headlights on the front do an amazing job of showing the debris. It has a feature to detangle hair, a 550mL dustbin, and a five-layer filtration system, which traps 99.99% of microscopic dust particles.

https://www.proscenic.com/product/vacuums/p11-lite/. $139.99

Both iPhones and AirPods need protection, and the ESR Waterproof Pouch for iPhone and the Cyber FlickLock provide just that.

The FlickLock Case for AirPods has ESR's new proprietary FlickLock safety lock to keep the earbuds in place and secure in the portable, rugged case. It's made with seven strong magnets and a user-friendly magnetic opening mechanism on the lid, which can be opened with one hand. ESR has tested the system to withstand over 20,000 uses. The FlickLock case is MagSafe compatible with a pass-through system built into the storage case, enabling it to charge the AirPods with Apple Watch, iPhone, and AirPods charging modules. A carabiner clip and a pairing button are built into the case. The case is available in seven colors starting at $18.99.

The waterproof pouch for iPhone allows access to most of the device's features while keeping it sealed in the waterproof pouch. A locking mechanism, including a seal ring with an IPX8 waterproof rating, gives your iPhone 360-degree protection to withstand depths up to 100 feet. And if the pouch gets away while underwater, its buoyant foam design allows it to float when out of reach so it doesn't sink and get lost.

An adjustable strap is included, and the case has a slot for storing small amounts of cash or two credit cards. The ESR Waterproof Pouch for iPhone has six color choices and three sizes, starting at $18.99.

https://www.esrgear.com

Portable power is something that almost everyone needs. Anker's MagGo Power Bank is one of the most versatile, with a travel-friendly size packed with a 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery. An 8.46-inch USB-C cable is attached to the battery, and when it isn't used for charging, it works as a carrying strap. There is also a built-in USB-C port and a foldable 5-watt Apple Watch charger, which is Apple-certified. All can be used simultaneously for multiple devices charging up to 30 watts.

There's also a display showing how much power the MagGo Power Bank has remaining before it needs a power boost. It takes 1.5 hours for a full recharge and can charge other devices while recharging. Recharging can be done from any USB power source, including an open port on a laptop, while also connecting to your devices for a charge simultaneously

https://www.anker.com/products/a1657-maggo-10000mah-power-bank. $79.99, available in black, green, pink, and white

©2024 Gregg Ellman. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.