By Sarah Knieff

Holiday shopping season is here, and tech gifts are hotter than ever. From VR headsets for epic gaming and smart treadmills for New Year’s fitness goals, to smartwatches that track your health and keep you connected — this year’s gadgets are powerful, connected, and, let’s face it, bandwidth-hungry.

That’s why having a fast, reliable home internet connection — like fiber from Empire Access — isn’t just a luxury anymore. For many of these devices, it’s practically essential.

Mark Lamendola, Director of Marketing at Empire Access, puts it well: “These days, almost everything you buy has a tech component — whether it’s tracking activity, connecting online, or powering a smart home. If you have kids gaming at home, work remotely, or are adding smart devices, you want a connection that won’t slow you down.”

To help you shop (and power) wisely this season, here’s a look at some top tech gifts — and why fiber internet makes them work even better.

For Gamers & VR Fans

Meta Quest 3 VR Headset – A standalone VR headset that delivers immersive gaming, movies, and social experiences. With 4K visuals and spatial audio, it’s perfect for anyone wanting to dive into virtual worlds. Fiber internet ensures smooth downloads, stable multiplayer sessions, and minimal lag. $499.99.

Meta Quest 3S All-in-One Headset – A more budget-friendly option that still delivers great VR experiences. Ideal for VR beginners or those looking for a fun, affordable gift — and fiber keeps updates fast and gameplay smooth. $299.99.

Sony PlayStation VR2 Horizon Bundle – For console gamers, this headset brings AAA VR titles like Horizon: Call of the Mountain right into your living room. Fiber internet prevents latency and ensures stable streaming of VR content. $299.99.

Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16″ Gaming Laptop — A powerful, modern gaming laptop with 16 GB RAM and plenty of storage, ideal for AAA games, content creation, or streaming. Great if the recipient wants a serious performance machine that can handle games, editing, and multitasking. Using fiber internet, this laptop is truly a gamer’s dream. $1,299+.

For fitness & wellness enthusiasts

NordicTrack T 6.5 S Smart Treadmill – Connect to live or on-demand iFIT classes with this smart treadmill. With fiber internet, live workout streams are seamless, so you never miss a beat. $799.99.

NordicTrack T Series 5 Treadmill – A more budget-friendly treadmill that still supports digital workouts. Even if you’re streaming guided sessions or using apps, fiber keeps your workouts running smoothly alongside other household devices. $599.99.

Echelon EX‑5 Smart Connect Bike — A connected indoor bike that pairs with an app to give live and on‑demand instructor-led cycling classes, track stats, and provide an immersive workout experience. With fiber, streaming classes load quickly and run smoothly — even if other devices are online. $1,249.99.

Garmin Index S2 Smart Scale — A smart scale that tracks weight, body composition (muscle, fat, water, bone mass) and syncs data to health apps – which fiber internet can help with. A thoughtful wellness gift for someone focused on health. $299.99.

As Lamendola points out, the holidays often bring New Year’s resolutions, and connected fitness gear really shines when your internet can keep up.

For everyday tech & smart-home lovers

Apple Watch Series 9 GPS + Cellular – Smartwatches remain a practical and appreciated gift. Track your activity, sleep, health metrics, or stay connected without constantly reaching for your phone. Fiber internet ensures all your apps sync reliably and quickly. $480.00.

eero 6 Dual‑Band Mesh Wi‑Fi 6 Router – Not exactly a stocking stuffer, but a strong home network is almost as important as the devices themselves. As you add smartwatches, fitness gear, streaming devices, and smart-home tech, fiber ensures everything runs smoothly. $89.99.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K – A handy streaming media player that turns any TV into a smart TV with access to streaming apps, movies, and shows. Fiber internet helps deliver 4K/HDR content smoothly — perfect for chill nights or family movie time. $49.99.

Enbrighten Wi‑Fi Plug‑in Smart Outlet 4‑Pack — A simple but powerful way to start or expand a smart home. Great for automating lights or appliances and controlling them remotely — especially useful when connected devices are running seamlessly with fiber internet. $46.48.

Blink Outdoor 4 Wireless Smart Security Camera — A practical option for home security and peace of mind, with HD video, motion detection, and two‑way audio. Nice for someone who travels or wants to keep an eye on things remotely. $79.99.

Why fiber internet from Empire Access matters

Modern homes are filling up with connected devices, and a robust internet connection is no longer optional — it’s essential. Fiber internet offers:

●      Speed & bandwidth: Download large games, stream 4K VR content, join live fitness classes, or host multiple HD video calls simultaneously — all without slowdowns.

●      Stability for multiple users: Everyone in the household can work, game, or stream at the same time without interruptions.

●      Room to grow: Add more smart devices — from fitness gear to cameras to TVs — without overwhelming your network.

Tis’ the season

This holiday season, the best tech gifts are more than just gadgets — they open doors to immersive experiences, better health, smarter living, and stronger connectivity. But to truly enjoy them, you need a home internet connection that can keep up.

If your gift list includes a VR headset, smart treadmill, smartwatch, or streaming device — or if you just want your household connected without hiccups — upgrading to fiber internet with Empire Access might just be the most underrated gift of all.

For more information about Empire Access, visit empireaccess.com.