While AI tools dominate tech headlines, The Verge is betting on a different kind of tinkering this holiday season. The publication's 2025 gift guide for makers deliberately champions physical tools that don't need updates or prompts - from cast-iron skillets to precision screwdrivers - suggesting a growing appetite for tangible, reliable craftsmanship in an increasingly digital world.
The Verge just dropped its most non-digital gift guide yet, and it's telling a bigger story about where tech culture might be heading. Commerce writer Brandon Russell's 2025 holiday tool roundup deliberately positions physical instruments as relief from our AI-saturated moment, opening with a pointed observation: 'As AI tools continue to rise in popularity, it's easy to forget the satisfaction of using something that doesn't need an update or a prompt to help you get things done.' The guide spans 35 carefully curated items, from a $15 OXO laptop cleaner to an $849 Anker EverFrost electric cooler, targeting what Russell calls people 'who would rather read a repair manual than scroll through a social media feed.' The timing feels intentional. While competitors chase the latest AI integrations, The Verge is doubling down on analog reliability. Featured tools include iFixit's 112-piece Manta Driver Kit, Leatherman's 25-year warranty Skeletool CX, and a Lodge cast-iron skillet that 'gets better the more you use it' - a direct counter-narrative to planned obsolescence. The guide's philosophy extends beyond simple nostalgia. Russell champions tools that embrace tinkering, like the Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit Pro for building custom media servers and the Keychron V1 Max mechanical keyboard with hot-swappable switches. Even higher-end picks like the $679 Remarkable Paper Pro get pitched as 'the rare device that doesn't distract you with apps or algorithms.' This focus on physical craftsmanship aligns with broader industry signals. Framework's modular laptops have gained traction among developers, while repair right-to-repair movements push against Big Tech's sealed ecosystems. The Verge's emphasis on durability and repairability seems to acknowledge growing consumer fatigue with constant software updates and feature creep. The guide's structure also tells a story. Rather than categorizing by use case, tools are presented by price point - democratizing access across budgets while maintaining the 'tinkerer' ethos throughout. A $14 gets the same thoughtful treatment as . What's notable is what's missing. No smart home integrations, no app connectivity requirements, minimal Bluetooth except for truly wireless applications like . Even tech-adjacent picks like the are framed as 'productivity consoles' rather than streaming accessories. The timing coincides with broader maker movement momentum. are recovering post-pandemic, while platforms like see steady growth. The Verge's bet on physical tools suggests tech media recognizes an audience hungry for tangible creation over digital consumption.
