When it comes to technology product trends in 2025, Morgan Bell summarizes many of the prevailing themes with aplomb.
“People want useful tech products they can incorporate into their daily lives to make things easier and more efficient,” says Bell, an executive program manager with distributor Whitestone (asi/359741), a Counselor 2024 Best Place to Work. “It’s all about products that are aesthetically pleasing and useful. If they’re name brand items with a twist of sustainability, all the better.”
With that in mind, PPM keys in on nine tech product trends that will be big throughout 2025.
1. Versatile Portable Chargers
Travel for business and leisure has broadly rebounded from the COVID halt. That’s part of why an array of end-buyers want portable chargers. “People are constantly on the go, and these practical items help keep them up and running,” says ASI’s 2022 Salesperson of the Year Peter McCutcheon, a sales executive with distributor Harper + Scott (asi/220052), a Counselor 2024 Best Place to Work.
Suppliers expect interest in portable charging solutions to increase throughout 2025, particularly for multi-use items.
“Versatile products like the Anker 3-in-1 power bank (102491), which functions as a wall charger and a portable power bank, are positioned to be top sellers,” says Saadia Bryant, vice president of marketing, product and design at Counselor Top 40 supplier Gemline (asi/56070).
2. Type-C Connectors
Many of Lorie Stanley’s top clients are in the technology space. And when they buy branded items like charging cords and wall adapters, they often want the products to come with Type-C (USB-C) connector capabilities, says the account executive with Counselor Top 40 distributor HALO Branded Solutions (asi/356000).
Type-Cs are small, reversible connectors used to transfer data and power between devices like laptops, smartphones and tablets, offering a single point for charging and data transfer. They’re designed, in effect, to replace older USB connector types with their greater versatility and speed. The USB-C connector was already common on smartphones and other devices, and Apple adopted the tech as a “universal charger” with its latest iPhone model, making these products even more popular.
“This past year we saw more speakers with Type-C input, as well as power banks,” Stanley says. “We’ll still need older connectors for a while, but I expect those will phase out.”
3. Innovative Earbuds & Noise-Canceling Headphones
New advancements in earpieces/headphones will heat up the already hot category.
Aaron Irvin, a vice president of product development with Counselor Top 40 supplier HPG (asi/61966), points to products like the Ambiampz Open Ear wireless earbuds (98430), which fit over the ear rather than in them while providing high-fidelity sound without blocking ambient noise. “The idea of open earbuds has been around for a while, but it wasn’t until recently that the technology was good enough to bring to market,” Irvin says.
Another example of the trend toward innovation in earbuds is the Showoff LCD Screen Wireless Earbuds (98440), also from Origaudio. The product features an LCD screen in the charging case that enables users to change songs, adjust volume and control screen brightness.
It’s not all about earbuds, though. Advanced noise-cancelling headphones that offer next-generation audio quality also figure to gain in popularity. “Their versatility gives them broad appeal,” Bryant says. “They can help with improving focus and productivity by reducing distractions and promoting relaxation and stress relief.”
4. Magsafe Mania
MagSafe is a magnetic technology that allows iPhones and other Apple devices to attach to accessories and charge wirelessly. Some suppliers believe MagSafe phones are helping to bolster interest in mobile accessories within promo. As such, they’re coming to market with compatible products, like the Volaris MagSafe power bank with card holder (QC0582) from Tomax (asi/91435).
5. Retail Brands Continue to Rise
Suppliers continue to introduce more tech products from retail brands to meet the strong demand for such items from end-buyers. The products are particularly appropriate when end-buyers want a higher-value item to gift.
“Name brands like Courant, JBL and Mophie do really well since clients equate these with quality and safety,” McCutcheon states. “A lot of our clients prefer subtle branding, such as tone-on-tone, with these products.”
6. Sustainable Tech
End-buyers are increasingly keen for technology products with a sustainability story. More suppliers are creating those narratives by seeking to reduce environmental impact in their operations and by using recycled materials in tech products and their packaging.
Rupt (asi/84203), for instance, uses recycled materials in all of the products it creates. Every item is also carbon neutral. Furthermore, the Austin, TX-based firm features Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified materials in all of its packaging and designs the boxes for second-life use; the packages transform, for instance, into useful items like bird feeders and spice racks.
“Clients want promotional items that reflect modern consumer trends, such as sustainability, portability and cutting-edge design,” says Rupt CEO Jason Lucash.
7. Packaging’s Prominence
Packaging is a fundamental part of the branded tech gifting experience, thanks to products coming packaged in sleekly designed boxes and the “unboxing” phenomenon so prevalent with influencers on social media. This is especially true when it comes to providing higher-end items. “First impressions are crucial and that 100% begins with packaging,” says Whitestone’s Bell.
When McCutcheon’s clients buy retail brand tech, they want it to come in the brand’s box. “It signals quality and value,” he says. Meanwhile, creatively executed packaging can elevate the perceived value of non-retail brand tech items, says Jacob Dobsch, national sales manager with Missouri-based supplier The Chest (asi/44830), which specializes in boxes/branded packaging.
One smart approach is to provide packaging that uniquely combines the essence of the end-client’s brand, the goals/theme of the campaign and any design styles that may be appropriate, given the initiative. In 2025, on-trend elements may include clever cutouts, simple scribbles and etches, sunset gradients and illustrations enclosed in frames or shapes rather than full-bleed designs. Also consider a personalization component within the package, such as a personalized card.
“That human touch conveys this is a ‘one-of-one’ gift, and that’s key,” says Dobsch.
8. Products That Promote Wellness
Wellness is certainly in the zeitgeist and it’s helping to spur interest in tech gadgets that promote health. “There’s demand for items that offer value to a person’s well-being,” says Bell.
A variety of products can fit the bill, including white noise/sleep sound machines and massage guns, like Gemline’s iLive portable cordless massage gun (102128). “They’re gaining traction in our space,” says Bryant.
9. Retro Tech
Technology items that invoke a sense of nostalgia are proving to be, at the very least, a niche trend with which some distributors are having success. Bell is among them.
“Retro is truly where it’s at,” she says. “I’m seeing these older-looking styles that are slightly revamped to have modern-day technology or features – and they’re popular. All things Kodak and Polaroid especially.”
Examples can include items like Links Unlimited’s (asi/67617) Polaroid Hi-Print 2 x 3 Pocket Photo Printer Gen 2 (9128), a Bluetooth pocket photo printer that turns a user’s phone shots into prints that can be peeled and stuck to surfaces.
There’s also the Polaroid Now Generation 2 i-Type instant camera (9095), a classic analog instant camera that’s now made from 40% recycled materials, as well as Lexar Global’s (asi/79372) Kodak ZINK digital instant Printomatic camera (RODOMATICYL).
“Additionally,” Bell shares, “Marshall speakers and Crosley turntables have been my go-to’s when needing to pitch higher-end gift items.”
