You know that drawer in your maintenance office or breakroom—the one full of outdated USB drives, promo earbuds, and clunky gadgets from trade shows three years ago? That’s where most “tech gifts” end up. Forgotten. Useless. Cluttering space next to an old caliper battery and that broken barcode scanner someone never threw away.
This year, give something your people will actually use. Whether it's your engineers, shift leads, or even a key client at another machine shop, here are practical, work-ready tech gifts that solve real problems on the shop floor or in the office—not just become another dust collector.
For Remote or Hybrid Workers in Your Manufacturing Operation
High-Quality Webcam ($100–$150)
Built-in laptop cameras are garbage. They make people look like they're stuck in 1998, even when they're reviewing CAD drawings or talking through ERP dashboards.
Our pick: Logitech Brio 4K – Works without drama, excellent in low-light (great for windowless conference rooms), and includes a privacy shutter.
Why they’ll love it: Every virtual meeting with your CNC software vendor or compliance consultant suddenly feels more professional. Better image, better lighting, better impression.
Pro tip for Salt Lake manufacturers: Consider bundling it with a $40 ring light—the difference is night and day on video calls, especially during winter months.
Desktop Monitor Light Bar ($50–$90)
If you’ve got engineers pulling long hours doing SolidWorks drawings or quality teams reviewing data late into the night, a monitor light bar is a game-changer.
Our pick: BenQ ScreenBar – Zero desk clutter, perfect asymmetric lighting, simple install.
Why they’ll love it: Clear lighting on their workspace without eye strain from overheads or desk lamps. Helps reduce fatigue when checking dimensional drawings after shift.
Wireless Keyboard ($120–$180)
Typing on those cheap bundled keyboards is like pressing bricks. Invest in something they’ll appreciate every day.
Our pick: Logitech MX Mechanical – Quiet mechanical keys, multi-device connectivity, long battery life, and built like a lathe.
Why they’ll love it: Typing out quotes, entering parts into ERP, writing SOPs—all suddenly feel smoother and faster. It's the kind of thing you never go back from.
For Frequent Shop Travelers & Field Service Techs
Compact Power Bank With Built-In Cables ($90–$120)
Techs traveling between sites or managers bouncing between the Draper plant and West Valley warehouse need one less thing to worry about.
Our pick: Anker Laptop Power Bank – Built-in USB-C, Lightning, and Micro-USB. TSA-compliant.
Why they’ll love it: No more dead tablets during audits or vendor calls. Keeps phones, scanners, and barcode readers running all day.
Noise-Canceling Earbuds ($200–$350)
Try reviewing quarterly numbers in a noisy facility or catching up on a training webinar in the airport without them.
Our pick: Sony WF-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Pro 3 – Clear audio, multiple device sync, long battery life.
Why they’ll love it: Drowns out compressor noise, forklift backup beeps, or just the chaos of the morning shift. Helps them stay focused in loud environments.
Bonus: Also a classy gift for a client you want to impress without being too flashy.
Portable Laptop Stand ($40–$90)
Site visits often mean working from a workbench or borrowed desk. Give the gift of neck pain prevention.
Our pick: Roost Laptop Stand – Collapsible, lightweight, and surprisingly sturdy.
Why they’ll love it: Better ergonomics anywhere they go—from client visits to the quality lab.
For Your "Hard To Impress" Clients
High-End Tech Organizer ($50–$100)
Help them ditch the ziplock bag full of cables.
Our pick: Bellroy Tech Kit – Rugged exterior, smart internal compartments, compact for carry-ons.
Why they’ll love it: Their next trip to meet with Boeing or a DoD contractor is smoother. No cable spaghetti. Everything has a place.
Smart Notebook System ($35–$40)
For the plant manager who loves handwritten notes but always loses them.
Our pick: Rocketbook Fusion – Scan, upload to the cloud, wipe, reuse.
Why they’ll love it: Combines the old-school feel of writing with modern efficiency. Excellent for recording notes during floor walks or customer calls.
For Your Whole Team (Budget-Friendly)
Portable Phone Sanitizer ($60–$90 Each)
Manufacturing floors aren’t clean, and neither are phones.
Our pick: PhoneSoap 3 – UV sanitization + wireless charging.
Why they’ll love it: Quick and easy. Throw it in at the end of a shift. Cleaner phone, fewer germs, less worry.
What to Skip This Year
- Cheap USB drives: You’re not fooling anyone.
- Bluetooth speakers: Unless you’re buying high-end, they’ll stay boxed.
- Fitness trackers: Feels more like a judgment than a gift.
- Smart home gadgets: Too personal, too complicated.
- Wireless charging pads: Compatibility is a pain, and most folks forget to use them.
Walt’s Simple Rule
Give practical over pretty. A $50 tool that saves headaches every day beats a $200 gadget used twice and then shelved.
Look, here’s the thing: If you want to actually help your team and impress your clients, give them tech that works as hard as they do.
Need help upgrading your tech stack beyond stocking stuffers? Click here to book your free network assessment with Qual IT. We’ll help you get the right systems in place for your shop—not just this December, but all year long.
Because the best tech gift is peace of mind.
Looking for more IT support for Salt Lake City manufacturers? Stay tuned to the blog or schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call to see what real industrial-focused managed IT services look like.
