Mother's Day Gift Guide: 25 Great Tech Gift Ideas For Mom

By Kathy Kim, CRN 12:00 PM EST Mon. May. 06, 2013

For Mother's Day this year, skip the flowers and pamper the extraordinary maternal figure in your life with modern-day tech gifts and gadgets. Here at CRN, we compiled a list of 25 great tech gift ideas, ranging from iPad cases to a wine chiller to a trusty key finder just for mom.

Read on and take a look at some of the favorites we'll definitely be sharing with our moms.

If your mom is always on the go, she's probably never without her smartphone. When it comes to checking email and scheduling appointments, it's important her smartphone doesn't die out. But, if it does, this handy compact backup battery will save her when she's out and about.

J.Crew's Printed Backup Battery is a perfect for her iPhone 3G/4/4S and will enable mom to recharge in no time. This small square charger is available in Camel Brown, navy and Scuba Blue and comes with a small USB cord that connects the charger to a computer or phone base for easy charging on the go.

This might just be "the one" for mom when it comes to managing her health and fitness. Fitbit's One is a wireless activity and sleep tracker.

While she is awake, this petite tracker (only 1.89 inches tall) will track her steps, distance, calories burned, stairs climbed and miles traveled. The results are then added, and the device presents an "active score." While asleep, it measures her sleep cycle and how well she sleeps, and it even allows her to set alarms.

The statistics are then synced wirelessly to computers and smartphones, and real-time charts and graphs will display the activities being done. Fitbit One will help mom jumpstart, build and achieve fitness goals while keeping track.

Fitbit One is available for $89.99 and comes in black or burgundy. It includes the One tracker, a silicone and metal clip, a wireless sync USB dongle, a charging cord, a sleep wristband and a free Fitbit.com membership to log and track activity.

If your mom is an avid reader, the Amazon Kindle 3G can breathe fresh life into her dusty paper-based reading world. While she may like the feeling of holding a book and turning pages, the Kindle offers more. This e-reader can hold it all, including romance, mystery, non-fiction books, magazines and newspapers, which can all be easily downloaded.

The Kindle is sleek and extremely lightweight, weighing less than 6 ounces, so mom can easily carry all her reading materials without the back and shoulder pains that come from lugging bulky books. It will also allow her to read in the sun without any glare, and brightness controls make certain it's easy on her eyes when indoors.

This Kindle Touch case is perfect for mom's everyday use. This vegan, custom-fit polycarbonate case from FitFolio opens up like a book to hold and protect mom's e-reader. Even when the cover is folded back, it will stay in place and won't slip or slide. To keep it closed when not in use, the two-way bungee cord is used. This Kindle Touch case fits like a glove and is available in Peacock (blue), black or Pomodoro (red). It is priced at $29.95.

When mom is bringing her own device, her precious iPad deserves a luxury iPad case to protect it, and this gorgeous Hermes leather iPad (pictured) case is it. Although it costs more than the iPad itself, $351 more to be exact, this quality cover is worth the indulgence. Available for the iPad 2, these leather covers are made from calfskin and come in gold, taupe, black and orange. It is currently available for $880.00

For a less pricey iPad case that is still a luxury brand, Salvatore Ferragamo's iPad case is available for $495. This calfskin case features Ferragamo's signature, magnetic lock closure and wrist strap and is available in black and navy.

And if $495 still seems like a bit much, DBXL's sleek and edgy cowhide iPad case is available for $98. With only 45 of its kind, this chic iPad case is handmade by a one-man production team in San Francisco and features an asymmetrical flap and an elastic band.

Protect mom's iPhone from wear and tear with these stylish iPhone 5 covers. The M-Edge Trina Turk collection showcases Trina Turk's bold and colorful prints and patterns. These two-layer cases have tough exteriors and soft silicone interiors to absorb shock and protect the screen while being fashionable. It is available for $39.99.

The perfect way for mom to end a long arduous day is with a perfectly chilled glass of wine. Brookstone's Iceless Wine Chiller uses advanced Peltier thermoelectric technology to either cool or warm wine to the ideal temperature. By choosing a specific wine from a database of 40 different wines -- including different types of red, white, champagne and sake -- this chiller instinctively brings the bottle to the perfect temperature. So toast to your mom this Mother's Day with Brookstone's Iceless Wine Chiller, priced at $74.99.

The harsh beeping sound of a dreaded alarm clock is not what your mom should be waking up to. Instead, this pleasant alternative will wake her up to a gradually glowing light that mimics the rising sun.

The Phillips Wake-Up Light works with an iPhone and steadily increases light between 20 and 40 minutes before the set alarm rings. The alarm and sounds are controlled by a free iPhone app. There are varied sunrise simulation including color, eight different nature sounds and 20 different brightness settings. Your mom can even wake up to her favorite songs. A light responsive dimming feature is also great for easing into deep sleep. So improve her mood and energy level with this gentle wake-up light, priced at $179.99.

If your mom is constantly in front of a computer screen, give her wrist a break. This GoSmart Restpad is more than comfortable and soothing. The mouse pad has a soft and breathable sheepskin wrist rest, which can be easily removed and cleaned. It relieves twice as much pressure when compared to memory foam and gel. The mouse pad area is large and wide -- great for widescreen displays. GoSmart Restpad is perfect for those with wrist injuries and carpal tunnel. The GoSmart Restpad is available in tan microfiber, pink microfiber, or brown polyester and priced at $34.95.



Designed for the household chef, the Belkin Chef Stand + Stylus is perfect for moms who love to whip recipes into delicious dishes, and thanks to Belkin the iPad can now be kitchen-safe and ready to use with muddled hands.

This kitchen stand and wand give mom the freedom to utilize a tablet while cooking without having to worry about touching it with messy hands. With the wand, recipes and the Internet can be easily browsed. The stand has a non-slip rubber base and dual viewing angles. The tablet accessory kit comes with the stand, stylus and stylus holder, which is hand washable. It is also compatible with the iPad, iPad 2, third-generation iPad and the iPad mini. It is priced at $24.95.

For the mom who often mistakenly misplace her keys, make her life easier with Brookstone's Key Finder. With just the press of a color-coded paging button, this small wireless transmitter will sound a loud alarm attached to a chosen key and reveal its hidden location. Keys can even be found up to 60 feet away. Priced at $49.99, the Brookstone Key Finder includes two color-coded key fobs in red and green and requires triple AAA batteries (not included).

For music loving mothers, tune in and drop out with Frends' "Taylor" Headphones. These lavish headphones not only deliver quality sound from a premium 40mm driver but also make a great accessory. The headphones have comfortable memory foam ear cushions, wrapped in leather, with a soft-touch fabric cord. The three-button mic controls volume, music and phone. Available in gold/white, rose/white or silver/black and equipped with a zippered carrying case, the Frends Earbuds is priced at $99.99.

Although these speakers are tiny, they are mighty in sound. These sleekly designed mini wooden speakers from UncommonGoods are made from grained, natural zebrawood and bamboo. Inside of the speaker is a volume-enhancing amplifier that is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery. The audio cord fits any standard headphone jack, so mom can plug in her tablet, smartphone or iPod. These speakers are portable and perfect for listening to music beside the pool, in the garden or even in the kitchen. A USB cable is also included to easily recharge via computer.

Why not charge in style? This modern home decor from UncommonGoods is more than a piece of driftwood; it also doubles as an iPhone and iPod charger. It's handcrafted from natural driftwood and polished by the sand and sea. Found on the shores of Maine, no piece is the same; each distinctive driftwood charger varies in size between approximately 8 and 9 inches in length.

The iPhone 4 dock is compatible with iPhone 5, 4S, 4, 3GS and 3G; second-, third- and fourth-generation iPod classic and iPod touch devices, as well as fifth-generation iPods.



A mom can never have enough photos of her family and their precious moments. Now she can easily and inexpensively print them out with this iPhoto printer from Sharper Image.

By using the free iPhone app, this small and compact device prints 4-by-6-inch prints, at up to 300 dpi in under a minute. Not only does this printer print, it also charges while it's printing. For $159.99, the iPhoto printer is instantly gratifying.

While it's compatible with the iPhone 3G, 4 and 4s, it can be used with the iPhone 5, iPad with Retina Display, iPad mini and Android smartphones by plugging it into the USB outlet with a USB cable.

She's your mother, not your maid. However, this is one cleaning gift that she would definitely appreciate. The DC35 Digital Slim Multi-Form Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is a product of Dyson, often known as the "Apple" brand of cleaning appliances.

Available for $263.99, the DC35 uses Dyson's patented technology that doesn't lose suction power when vacuuming. The motorized floor tool has two different types of carbon fiber brushes for different floor surfaces, from wood to carpet. The vacuum's detachable wand is lightweight and can extend to clean up high, or it can turn into a handheld vacuum, perfect for cleaning up nooks and crannies. There are also two power options for either 15 minutes of high, continuous suction or 6 minutes of maximum power for more difficult messes.

This gift will make a difference for moms who need a glass to wind down after a hard day. The Vinturi wine aerator is perfect for aerating a glass of red wine or white wine. By aerating, the wine's aromas and flavors are released for a grander taste; her wine palette will notice the difference. And, using it is a simple -- just pour the wine through the aerator into a glass. Easy to clean, this wine-enhancing tool is available for $39.99.

For health conscious moms, the Withings Smart Body Analyzer is more than just a scale; it's a Wi-Fi-enabled scale. Set up is easy; once mom downloads the app, all she has to do is step on the Smart Body Analyzer Scale, and the app easily syncs with it. This smart scale tracks weight, body composition (lean mass, fat mass, BMI), heart rate and even air quality. The scale uses air quality detection to measure carbon dioxide and temperature levels to guide sleep and health. This sleek and clean glass scale works with comprehensive Web, Android and iOS app interfaces. Priced at $149.95, the scale also requires four triple AAA batteries (not included).



While your mom may not have Xbox or a PlayStation to stream Netflix, she can now do so with the Roku LT Streaming media player. This tiny purple box delivers all sorts of streaming entertainment in 720p HD from at least 300 entertainment channels including Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO GO, Pandora and Amazon Instant Video. It also includes hundreds of full-length movies and TV series for free from Crackle. This media player is easy to install. It connects virtually with any TV and has built-in Wi-Fi compatibility to immediately connect to a network. The Roku LT costs $49.99.

A caffeine boost will surely help mom get started with her day. Cuisinart's coffeemaker is equipped with a burr grinder, which automatically grinds the coffee beans before brewing. The burr grinder helps to maintain the coffee beans' true flavor. This coffeemaker is programmable, equipped with a strength selector to decipher between strong, medium or mild and the grind control to specify the number of desired cups. To keep the coffee hot and fresh, the 8-ounce bean hopper has a sealed lid to prevent moisture, and the charcoal water filter removes impurities. This coffeemaker is available for $199.

Be one step closer to mom with Logitech's TV Cam HD. Crystal clear and large, Skype, the video conferencing service, is now available to connect through TV. All that's required is plugging TV Cam HD into a big screen TV's HDMI port and a Skype account. With TV Cam HD, there are no more blurry images and broken sounds. The Logitech TV Cam HD offers the ability to zoom, and its wide-angle optical camera is impressive -- an entire room can be seen. All that is required is high-speed Internet and an HDTV. It has a built-in wire connection; however, it is recommended that an Ethernet cable be used for a better connection. Logitech's TV Cam HD is a great way to keep in touch, right from your computer to mom's living room.

When it comes to cooking, mom knows best. That's why iGrill's wireless Bluetooth thermometer is the perfect tool for monitoring food, even when she's 200 feet away. This thermometer monitors the temperature of a smoker, grill or oven, and it can be laid flat, stood up or hung. The free iGrill app can be used to connect to an Android or Apple device and alerts when the food is ready. Its dual-temperature probe can even monitor two different meats at once, and it's perfect for roasts. The iGrill comes in either black or white with two meat probes and 4 AA batteries. It is available for $79.99.

When it comes to capturing a moment, it's a snap with Canon PowerShot A3400 IS. Perfect for any mom, this image stabilized digital camera is compact and makes for a great point and shoot. It has a 3-inch touch screen LCD display with touch shutter and touch auto-focus functionality. Canon's PowerShot touts a 16-megapixel CCD image sensor and 5x optical zoom, and it even shoots 720 HD movies. This user-friendly camera is available in black, gold, red or silver for just $179.99.

When the family's all gathered, this tiny projector will come in handy. Brookstone's HDMI Pocket Projector is a portable projector that provides bright and sharp images, and it connects to a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers, video players and cameras via HDMI cable. Very compact, this projector has a built-in rechargeable battery that delivers up to two hours of battery life, and its LED lamp projects up to 85 lumens. Although it has two built-in 1-watt speakers, there is an auxiliary input to add an optional speaker. It's great for both theater and homemade movies. Included is a HDMI cable, micro HDMI adapter, Mini HDMI adapter and AC adapter. Currently, it is priced at $299.99

A mom needs help staying organized, especially when she's busy. Now she can keep her workplace neat and not have to worry about losing receipts and cluttered paper documents with the perfect solution, NeatDesk. This gadget doubles as a high-speed scanner and Digital Filing System. It scans everything from receipts to business cards while the software identifies, extracts and categorizes important information right onto her computer. NeatDesk is available for both Mac and PC. While it is currently listed at $399.95, there is a 30-day free trial.