Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: for her

She loves tech toys -- hey, who doesn't? -- but that doesn't make her easy to shop for. You have to make sure to strike a balance of usability, design, and cachet, otherwise your expensive present is just going to collect dust. We think we've got a few good places to start here, so click on for Engadget's gadgety shopping list for her.

See also: for him.

$0 - $100

Engraved iPod shuffle - You might know how we feel about iPods here at Engadget, namely that they're a bit overhyped, but it's hard to think of a better stocking stuffer for your lady. The most minuscule audio device around, the lack of a screen is actually an interface bonus for the gadget-fearful. Plus you can get it engraved with her pet name or your anniversary date or a little love note, which is sure to flip the swoon switch.
$80 - Buy from Apple

The Ex knife holder - You're all hers now, why not encourage some of that brooding resentment towards the exes that came before you. As far as we know the Ex knife holder isn't imbued with any voodoo powers, but in the off chance you should become an ex too, make sure you un-gift this one.
~$60 - Shop for the Ex knife holder

$101 - $250

Samsung M610 (Sprint) - Face it: she's bored with the RAZR. We all are. Enter Samsung's M610, aka the lux-sounding Ultra Edition, a phone that out-classes and out-styles the ubiquitous Moto device with EV-DO, a QVGA display, 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, microSD, and is even tetherable. Hell, if she's fool enough not to want it, this is going to be fine to keep for yourself.
$180 (after contract, rebates, etc.) - Buy from Sprint

Nabaztag / Nabaztag/tag - This isn't the first time we've recommended the excessively cute Nabaztag as a gift for the woman in your life, but there are few gadgets with as broad an appeal as this WiFi-enabled information-sharing rabbit. While it may have been tough to score one for Valentine's Day, getting one this holiday season should be an easier task, what with it actually having a US distributor this time around. Those really looking to impress, however, may want to hold off a bit, with ThinkGeek saying that it'll have the new and improved Nabaztag/tag in stock by December 8th.
$149.99-$179.99 - Buy from ThinkGeek

Nintendo Wii - Slightly harder to get your hands on but no less likely to impress is Nintendo's latest much-anticipated console, which should appeal to both gamers and non-gamers alike -- just don't blow it with your choice of game to go along with it (Zelda's probably a safer bet than Excite Truck). Those looking for a more romantic gaming evening may also want to take advantage of the Wii's candlelight compatibility. Seriously, if there's one surefire chance to get your lady into gaming, this could be it.
$250 (retail) - Any local retailer (if you're hella lucky), eBay if you're ready to go above budget

Casio Exilim EX-Z70 - When it comes to digital cameras that are feature-packed, stylish, and affordable, it's tough to beat Casio's various Exilim offerings. Introduced for $425 earlier this year, the 7.2 megapixel EX-Z70 compact can now easily be found for well under $250, and while it may not be available in quite the range of colors of some other Exilim camaras, the black and silver options work -- remember, black goes with everything.
$250 or less - Shop for Exilim EX-Z70

$251 - $500

DigitalSpectrum's MF8104 Premium - Consider this an early recommendation on a belated Christmas gift. Since it isn't due until January 15th, if you somehow forget a gift for a certain someone, just do what we do and blame Microsoft. That's right, Microsoft. Sure this 10.4-inch 800 x 600 LCD digital picture frame can pluck photos from other devices via WiFi, memory card or USB, but you were just waiting for the much delayed consumer release of Windows Vista and the Vista pictures folder feature to go live, weren't you?
$379 - Pre-order from Amazon

Shure E4c Sound Isolating Headphones - Just 'cause you want to listen to Gary Jules' Mad World remake again doesn't mean she has to. Let her escape with Shure's E4c headphones, designed specifically to adjust to any ear, working as an earplug and blocking out background sounds naturally. This passive approach means there's no artifacts introduced to the audio as with active noise cancellation technology. Diamonds are forever, but these come with a two year warranty. The parallels will be immediately apparent.
$299 - Shop for Shure E4c headphones

iRobot Scooba - You two really need to stop fighting over who's going to mop the floor. Just buy an iRobot Scooba and not only will you save yourself the arguments and effort, it's also almost like you got a pet together too. Ok, maybe that was a stretch, but it's a seriously worthwhile investment if hardwood floors are what you walk on, and if you buy now you get a free $100 accessory kit to sweeten the deal.
$400 - Buy from iRobot

Noteworthy mention: Bose Wave Music system

$501 - $1000

TiVo Series3 - As any man, woman, or child who's seen the face of a woman who missed the last ep of (pick: America's Next Top Model, Project Runway, Sex and the City, etc.) knows, it is a less than welcome sight. Make sure she has a DVR that treats her right this holiday season. The Series3 sure took long enough to come out, but there are few other devices we can guarantee are both usable and will record your programs in high def. We can't guarantee you'll be able to deal with Dancing with the Stars, but at least it'll look great.
~$700 (plus service) - Shop for TiVo Series3

Sanyo Xacti CG6: Is your special lady a budding moviemaker? Well, even if she's not now, after using one of the Sanyo Xacti CG6, she may want to be. It's loaded up with a 6 megapixel CCD, SDHC support, optical image stabilization, improved low-light capabilities, and a bigger 2.5-inch LCD -- best of all, it'll fit nicely in her hand or her handbag.
$550 - Shop for Sanyo Xacti CG6 (importers only) / Shop for Sanyo VPC C6 (slight downgrade from the CG6)

Noteworthy mention: OSIM iGoGo

$1001+

Sony Vaio C190 - If he's going to get the Vaio TX on his wishlist, don't you think she should get the one on hers, too? The Vaio VGN-C190 from Sony is available in a variety of limited-edition lid designs that are sure to be the talk of the town (or more likely café), ranging from the understated "Sea Shell White" to the more in-your-face "Red Storm." Configurations start at a grand, offering the buyer a choice of a Celeron M or several Core 2 Duos, 1-2GB RAM, and several hard drive capacities, among other options.
$1000+ - Buy from Sony

Vertu Constellation - If she just can't put a price on making the right technologically-advanced fashion statement, Vertu's latest -- the Constellation series -- fills the bill. Make no mistake, the Constellation is not for gadget freaks; it runs a modified version of Nokia's lowly S40 OS and sports just EDGE for data. And at prices north of $4000, it's not for the faint of wallet, either. But let's be honest: nothing says "I care about the way you telecommunicate" quite like a pink leather and stainless steel handset that comes with concierge service.
$4000+ - Find a Vertu retailer

Tulip Ego - Bad news, fellas: "They don't sell them in the US" is no longer a valid response when the missus asks for the crème de la crème of fashion laptops, Tulip's Ego. With an AMD Turion 64, 12-inch WXGA screen, Bluetooth, and WiFi, it's readily apparently that the Ego's $5000 barrier of entry cannot be explained by its spec sheet, but rather by the lovely interchangeable skins that grace its surface (along with the fact that it's hand-built, yada yada).
$5,000 - Buy from Barney's New York

[Said Soueidan @ Nov 28th 2006 2:00PM]

I wouldn't mind having some of those things for myself.. and I'm a guy!

[Noam @ Nov 28th 2006 2:09PM]

You're not alone.

[Zach @ Nov 28th 2006 2:17PM]

I bet you do, the hand bag?

[Wardell Latham @ Nov 29th 2006 1:24AM]

lmao

[james @ Nov 28th 2006 2:21PM]

maybe u2 should get together sometime...

[Cameron @ Nov 28th 2006 2:23PM]

Umm.. the "hand bag" is a computer, no?

[Mauricio @ Nov 28th 2006 2:44PM]

You guys should add some GPS Navigation into this list. My girlfriend really wants one for X-mas after she found out how easy they are to use.

[Petar Smilajkov @ Nov 28th 2006 3:33PM]

Engadget, wthell? This is bunch of Crap for girls ... Guide for Him - you nailed well, but this sucks :) My girl looked at this and she said she would be happier with a nice dinner than any of the things here. She only liked the matching skirt/laptop since it was really original looking...

[Ryan Block @ Nov 28th 2006 4:33PM]

You hit the nail on the head -- she wants a nice dinner, not gadgets. It doesn't sound like any technology gift guide will probably work for her -- this is a guide to help shop for ladies who are looking for some gear. So enjoy your dinner and happy holidays!

[William C Bonner @ Nov 28th 2006 3:58PM]

I'm pretty sure that Costco has been carrying the Casio Exilim EX-Z70 for a while now in a range of colors for $199. I've been staring at it as a possible gift for my sister for Christmas.

[dk @ Nov 28th 2006 5:01PM]

"this is a guide for ladies who are looking for some gear"?? No, it's not. This is a collection of pink things, useless "cute" things, and a "fashion laptop"?? I'm sorry, but "nothing says "I care about the way you telecommunicate" quite like a pink leather and stainless steel handset that comes with concierge service."?? Maybe it'd be good for some women, but certainly not women who like technology. Do you actually know women who read engadget or are you just picking out phones, and gadgets that involve cleaning or cooking utensils?

I mean, come on; "As any man, woman, or child who's seen the face of a woman who missed the last ep of (pick: America's Next Top Model, Project Runway, Sex and the City, etc.) knows, it is a less than welcome sight."

[Ladderless @ Nov 28th 2006 4:43PM]

My wife asked me for a Bluetooth Keyboard for her PDA... She's tired of using the screen to write emails.

She's my kinda Gadget Gal!

(She already uses a BT GPS antenna hooked up to the PDA)

[Fabienne Serriere @ Nov 28th 2006 4:57PM]

too bad i already have a shuffle and an xacti and i just bought myself an unlocked nokia e70 (a girl can't live without her 3g and full keyboard on her cell). i already have my favorite lappy: a fujitsu subcompact rocking freebsd. i guess i'll have to put pressure on him to fina a wii and get a roomba or scooba. nice guide ryan, i wish there were more gadgets in the world for all of us, not just the guys or girls.

[Rynth @ Dec 6th 2006 9:08AM]

Uhhm, are you really a Girl? nasty wuestion, but Zomgz0r... where did you appear from, when I say BSD to my girlfreind, she just looks at me funny, and thinks ive sneezed or something...

If your really female.. dayyyym..

[Pirateinmymind @ Nov 28th 2006 5:12PM]

Did anyone notice these three things

1- Both lists are brought to us by Verizon Wireless

2- Both lists include a couple of cell phones

3- None of the phones are compatible with Verizon

I Just thought that was kinda ironic and funny

[Ryan Block @ Nov 28th 2006 5:50PM]

What's there to notice? Our advertising doesn't have anything to do with our editorial. They're totally separate, and if I was ever asked to write something because of an advertiser, I'd quit then and there.

[finnyknits @ Nov 28th 2006 5:16PM]

Heads up: Pink does not = Girl.

Gadget-wise, I'd suggest a Ming or Q from Motorola over this pink thing - way more gadget-y.

Also, the Canon SD700 is a way better buy in the digital cam market - great in low light and has image stabilization to keep the blur down. And don't cheap out, get the 2G card to go with it.

I have the Scooba - keep the box, you'll need it when you have to send it back for repairs. And, you'll have repairs. Don't get me wrong though, anyone else mopping the floors is AOK by me. It works fairly well.

[happy joy @ Nov 28th 2006 5:18PM]

Wife already asked me to buy a Nintendo Wii ... "it's for you honey, I don't like games ..." yeah right, I haven't been able to touch it the past 3 nights thanks to that bitch Link and his girlfriend, Epona.

What's up with the Tivo Series3 piece of crap? Thanks for smacking my wallet for another $379+ on that digital picture frame though =/ Now, I just have to deal with her dad trying to out do my gifts ... again ...

[Mark Deab @ Nov 28th 2006 5:59PM]

What if some thing costs $100.50?

What category does that fit into?

[Dave Pevsner @ Nov 28th 2006 6:08PM]

the samsung glint (AKA M610) is on every sprint user's wishlist. not just females(i'm a male who has wanted the M610 since I first found out it existed, which was before I owned either a slim phone or a samsung). Not just those sick of the RAZR(I've thought the RAZR was ugly since day one, so I never grew sick of it). And most certainly not just for the holiday season(although it did come out on thanksgiving, lol).

as an A900 user who wants expandable memory, there's everything for me in the M610 and I can see something it it for everyone.

[stitifier @ Nov 28th 2006 6:25PM]

Ahem.

"Cachet."

/nitpick

[Minifig @ Nov 28th 2006 7:06PM]

Hrm, I'm a girl who likes Tech and I think most of these are pretty good suggestions. I'd love to get most of them as gifts...

Though some of them don't really say "specifically female" to me. Like the shuffle, or the cell phones (I suppose minus the pink one)...

I suppose it depends on whether the girl is a tech-oriented pereson or not!

[Ryan Block @ Nov 29th 2006 11:26AM]

I think that's ok though! How lame would this list be if it was just a bunch of pink gadgets? Pretty lame.

[KiwiNick @ Nov 28th 2006 7:25PM]

Pink DS Lite?

[Josh @ Nov 29th 2006 1:40AM]

I'll take almost anything for free. Count me in.

[Lee Gibson @ Nov 29th 2006 2:07AM]

OK, just so you know? DO NOT give a vaccum cleaner as a gift, even if it is a robot, unless it's specifically listed on a wish list.

Just don't do it.

[Asaf @ Nov 29th 2006 7:06AM]

Xm radios - i bought one for my fiance last year and she loved it. Also, ipod nano red could be a good gift as well. but of course, nothing says i love you like a nice dinner and flowers, remember, theres a reason why engadget parties are also known as sausagefests. women and technology mostly dont mix

[kevin @ Nov 29th 2006 1:47PM]

don't be so sure about ExciteTruck.

My housemate's girlfriend is a little more than obsessed with that game, and she had earlier this year refused to play any video game that was not released for the NES, SNES, or Genesis.

Until MarioKart comes out, racing is all about ExciteTruck

[Ross @ Nov 29th 2006 2:27PM]

I think that if you are going to give your wife/girlfriend a tech gift for Christmas, you would be wise to supplement it with something more romantic and thoughtful....like a dinner or weekend away. Something thoughtful, it doesn't need to be expensive.

"Tech" girls are the exception, not the rule. Also, if you give a tech gift that you will use as much as her.....or more often than her, that probably won't go over well either. A Wii isn't solely for her....let's be honest. Pick one up for the household, and buy her a gift that is for her alone too.

Also, a vacuum is NEVER a good gift...robotic or not. Treat it like a normal household purchase, and get her something she will appreciate.

[Lily @ Nov 30th 2006 3:10PM]

That is not true, about women and technology not mixing. Maybe I'm an exception, but I love technology, much more than my current bf, and I have to teach him how to use things. I guess I just don't understand why most girls don't know crap about gadgets or like them. What is there not to like? The best part is getting a new toy and figuring out all the features that are hidden and tweaking it. But girls that love tech don't need to be stereotypical either. I'm extremely feminine, I model part time and also love fashion and the usual girl stuff so. The list here is fine, pink is ok to a degree but "tech" girls will not pick gadgets based on its look, more specifically color. We would appreciate the range of features, and of course style, which is important to guys too, bc nobody likes a chunky block. But I must admit, I do like sleek and small gadgets,the smaller the better, for example the ps3 is way too big for my liking, no offense. My must have device right now is the Samsung Blackjack, since I got tired of waiting for a GSM Q. Love to hear thoughts from fellow "tech" girls.
Btw, I hate how shows like Beauty and the Geek make attractive girls look so dumb, it makes me sick.
We can be beautiful and intellegent!

[Dana @ Dec 1st 2006 12:54PM]

Yay! I'm glad I'm not the only one out there! I don't mean to come off all militant-feminist in my responses. The list itself is actually fine (although yeah, while I admit I'm thinking of getting a roomba for myself, not a good idea for a significant other). Hell, get me a Wii and I'll be smiling for days. I'm just confused as to who this list is for. If it's for women, then yeah it's very good. But if it's for us "tech" gals then it's not so much the items themselves as the descriptions that follow them. I'm with you Lily in saying that if you're buying for a tech-savvy girl, think features before fashion. I'm also with you on the beauty and the geek. The "dumb-beauty" and "awkward nerd" are not images that really need to be reinforced. I have a major desire to act my way onto the show and mess with the producers heads (I also am quite feminine - cheerleading, fashion, and yeah I do watch Project Runway and Sex and the City - doesn't mean I'm gonna nag anyone if I miss an episode though).

[OnyxWolf @ Nov 30th 2006 7:59PM]

This list is better than most out there for women. I am a woman and I don't care anything about going out to eat. We do that all the time! But Tivo? I'm there.
I just wish that the list makers and the tech people would realize that women don't all care about things that are pink and pretty. Nor do they all want photo frames or things to shop with.
Or, heaven forbid, something to help with the cooking.
No thank you. Tivo, a new camera, a new cell phone, all great ideas and nothing pink need apply.

[elizabeth flesher @ Dec 1st 2006 12:41PM]

oh I so want a scooba

[Paul @ Dec 2nd 2006 10:20AM]

If you think this list is crap, then lets see you come up with a better list of GADGETS that would appeal to your sweetheart(s). I dare you.

[Jeremy @ Dec 3rd 2006 10:12AM]

Honestly, women do love pink. I promise.

[slacity1 @ Dec 5th 2006 7:05PM]

http://www.popgadget.net/index.php

Tech website written by women for women. There's stuff in there for non-techy ladies too, like really wacky galoshes. They have many different categories for women's gadges, so if your girl isn't into pictures but loves her iPod, you can find something for her there. Ooh, I'm getting shivers looking at all the nifty gadgets! Remember that as much fun as new toys are, they have to look decent, too. We do care about aesthetics.

BTW, I'm a girl and I hate pink. I tend to "conveniently lose" pink things that are given to me.

[Jay @ Dec 5th 2006 7:33PM]

before u jump to conclusions, im letting everyone know im as strait as they come. i just want to say i looked at both for him and for her lists, and personally id rather have the items on the for her list...the handbag id give to my g/f and the cat wifi thing id probably sell...

[eliza @ Dec 6th 2006 2:57AM]

Haha... I found the Ex-knife holder to be both extremely cynical and utterly hilarious! I wouldnt mind getting that...


Otherwise, the Exilim is the best item for the most reasonable price. Girls love taking photos.

[Olivia @ Dec 6th 2006 10:54PM]

Um, excuse me? A mop? Great, why not an iron too! Nothing impresses the women in your life like buying them CLEANING SUPPLIES. "Getting your girl into gaming?" And where the hell is your gift guide for gadget-loving daughters? Ugh.

[Steve Simitzis @ Dec 6th 2006 10:57PM]

You missed one:

$1,000,000,000+

Time machine - Get back from the 1950s in style! After a hard day vacuuming and cooking hot meals with her new knife set while you toil away at the office, you and your special lady can visit modern society in her new Samsung Time Traveler. Nothing says "I love you" better than a well-earned break from womanly servitude. (available in pink!)

[Diana @ Dec 6th 2006 11:03PM]

i wouldnt mind receiving any of these gifts except for that vacuum thing...thats kinda random
^_^

[Mary @ Dec 13th 2006 7:27PM]

Wow. If there was ever a suckier list that sucked, I haven't seen it. I am not buying a laptop because it matches my skirt. Because I don't own a single skirt.

Good thing my man knows what I like. I think he's buying me the supplies to build the Airsoft turret.

[everrette powell @ Dec 14th 2006 9:46AM]

when looking at all these although it says for her, there is few in there i want for myself and i am as manly as it gets

[ZEE @ Dec 16th 2006 12:45AM]

This is a great list. I love most things on there AND I can't wait to get the Nabaztag/tag for Christmas!!!!!!

[Rich Upjohn @ Nov 27th 2007 1:18PM]

No Asus eee?