Popular Tech Gifts Topping Wedding Registries

Try scrolling through a wedding registry these days and not bumping into three ridiculous gadgets. Five years ago, nobody put these next to wine glasses. My sister’s mother-in-law tried to talk her out of a robot vacuum, muttering about “the soul of marriage.” Meanwhile, couples solve more household problems with apps than actual conversations.

Trending Gadgets and Smart Devices

I keep seeing couples argue about Wi-Fi mesh routers before they even move in. Ask a Google engineer and they’ll call it “crucial infrastructure.” Mesh networks like Eero or Google Nest WiFi are all over tech gift wedding registries. Add in smart speakers—Amazon Echo wins, unless someone insists on a HomePod Mini for “the warmth.”

Smart lighting is now “romantic.” Philips Hue kits, LIFX bulbs, Nanoleaf panels—all show up as “couple’s mood lighting.” The Knot points out air purifiers with child locks headline registry lists. Someone’s allergic or just wants the house to not smell weird. Grandma still glares at the Roomba like it’s going to steal her soul.

High-Tech Kitchen Appliances

Blenders with more settings than my car. Instant Pots aren’t new, but still dominate kitchen registry ideas. My cousin, who can’t cook, begged for a WiFi sous vide. They’ve never heard a chef curse at a Bluetooth dropout mid-steak, but whatever. The air fryer is the real star—Ninja’s dual baskets, touchscreen, the works—showing up almost as much as mixers, but with more drama.

WiFi coffee makers: somewhere between “must-have” and “marriage saver,” depending on caffeine needs. “Hey Alexa, brew coffee!” at 3 a.m. is a vibe I never expected from my neighbor. One couple got a smart toaster that photographed every slice (I swear this is real). Brides’ editors say every registry needs a smart kitchen display, but does anyone use those recipe apps twice? Doubtful.

Travel and Adventure Gear

My packing list exploded after someone gave me noise-cancelling headphones via my registry—romantic? Maybe? Couples are adding GoPro HERO cams, dreaming of YouTube stardom. Statistically (see GearBrain’s high tech wedding gift ideas), half won’t unbox their drone or luggage tracker. I’m still waiting for someone to livestream their honeymoon so we can all see if “Cancun” is code for “Vegas.”

Power banks, Bluetooth speakers, translation earbuds—registry staples now. Luggage with USB charging sells out faster than cookware. If you forget a travel adapter, someone will blame you forever. Tracking tags (Tile, AirTag, whatever) save at least one airport argument per trip. Not that anyone thanks you for that.

Kitchen Essentials: From Air Fryers to High-Powered Blenders

Why does my countertop look like a tech graveyard? It’s just this endless jumble of gadgets—stuff that whirs, chirps, or pulverizes things I barely eat. I don’t even know how half of it got here. Registry fever, maybe? Or just me falling for “must-have” lists on some blog at 2 a.m.? Could be both.

All About Air Fryers

Let’s talk air fryers. I know, everyone and their cousin swears it’s “crispy without guilt.” Mine? It’s the only reason dinner happens before 9 p.m. most nights. Philips, Instant Vortex, whatever—pick your poison. Every time I cram too much in that basket, soggy fries. Every. Time. But hey, at least it cooks fast, and I can mostly guess the settings because, let’s be honest, who reads those tiny manuals? Not me.

Supposedly, air fryers “replace” ovens. Sure. If your dream is batch-cooking potato wedges until you die of boredom. The best part is the racks and liners come out, so when I inevitably spill cheese everywhere, I don’t have to scrape for hours. Why can’t they just invent a self-cleaning one already? I’d pay extra.

Blenders and Food Processors

I bought a Vitamix because my chef friend said, “Nothing else liquifies celery.” He was right, but man, that price tag still hurts. It does pulverize carrots and almonds into oblivion, so maybe I’m just soft now. The 5200 model pops up in every best-of list (here’s one), and I’ll admit, the jar shape is actually useful—no more pretending I know how to use a tamper.

Food processors? I have a love-hate thing. The lid never lines up, so I end up cursing at it while onion juice leaks everywhere. If you’ve ever tried to slice onions and got weird onion paste instead, you get it. They’re lifesavers for big batches, though. Chopping nuts by hand? Absolutely not. I keep losing attachments. Why don’t these things beep when you misplace a blade? Someone should make that. But nope, just more parts to lose.