Boutayna Chokrane GearFeb 4, 2025 9:41 AM
Best Gifts for Women Who’ve Checked Out of Planet Earth
She’s seen enough. She’s had enough. She can’t book a one-way ticket to the stars (yet), but these gifts will help her transcend this world.FacebookXEmailSave StoryFacebookXEmailSave Story
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A Hair Dryer That Will Survive the Apocalypse
L’Oreal Professionnel AirLight ProRead more$475 at Ulta Beauty
Plot Your Intergalactic Exit Strategy
Celestron StarSense Dobsonian TelescopeRead more$1,288 at Amazon (10-Inch Model)
A Wellness Gadget That’s Out of This World
Therabody TheraFace MaskRead more$599 at Therabody
Slip Into a Simulation
Meta Quest 3Read more$500 at AmazonShow more4 / 10
Considering the current state of affairs, thoughtful gifts for the women in our lives are the least we can do. The world is on fire—literally and figuratively. Human rights are being stripped away, the climate is in freefall, and some days, I’ll catch myself staring at the sky and think, I wish I could hitch a ride to space, but of course, Elon Musk has ruined that for women, too. If the special woman in your life is exhausted—by the headlines, by the slow-motion collapse of democracy, by the sheer audacity of men in power, or perhaps just the overall state of humanity—she deserves a unique gift that offers more than just distraction. She frankly needs a portal to another reality, but since that’s not possible just yet (to my knowledge), a temporary escape will have to do.
Skip the gift cards and scented candles, I’ve rounded up the best gifts for women surviving the dystopian quest that is 2025. You can’t buy her a ticket to an exoplanet (yet), but you can offer her a great gift that makes life on Earth slightly more bearable. Oh, and if she does find a way off this rock, tell her to take us with her.
Be sure to check out our other gift guides, too, like Best Housewarming Gifts, Mother’s Day Gift Ideas, and Best Travel Gifts.
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Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane
A Hair Dryer That Will Survive the Apocalypse
L’Oreal Professionnel AirLight Pro
If we must remain on this planet, we might as well have perfect hair while we do it. The AirLight Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) uses near-infrared light, high wind speed, and controlled heat to dry hair faster, more quietly, and with less damage than most traditional hair dryers. It leaves strands 33 percent more hydrated and 59 percent smoother, all while using 31 percent less energy—which is more than we can say for most people in power.
It’s not cheap, but it’s only slightly pricier than a Dyson SuperSonic and unlike the Dyson, it’s repairable if something breaks. Bonus: It works abroad, so whether she’s escaping to a tropical vacation or an underground bunker, at least her hair will be fabulous.
$475 at Ulta BeautyPhotograph: Amazon
Plot Your Intergalactic Exit Strategy
Celestron StarSense Dobsonian Telescope
If she needs a break from reality (or perhaps is scouting for new planets), the Celestron StarSense Dobsonian Telescope (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the perfect gift. It offers some of the best optics you can get for under $1,000, and its Celestron StarSense app makes celestial navigation easy, even for first-time stargazers. WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson says this Newtonian telescope, with its two-axis altazimuth mount, is not too heavy or difficult to operate. This means she can use it in her backyard or haul it to a remote desert where she can pretend humanity doesn’t exist for a while.
$1,288 at Amazon (10-Inch Model)$799 at Amazon (8-Inch Model)Photograph: Dermstore
A Wellness Gadget That’s Out of This World
Therabody TheraFace Mask
The future of self-care is here, and it looks like a sci-fi horror movie. The TheraFace LED mask is on every woman’s wish list, using red and blue light therapy to reduce breakouts, stimulate collagen, and smooth out fine lines—all while making her look like a Transformer. It’s FDA-cleared and has built-in vibration therapy for an extra dose of zen. It’s also wireless, so she can do her skincare routine while doomscrolling, meditating, or plotting revenge. See more mask options in our guide to the Best LED Face Masks.
$599 at Therabody$599 $549 at Amazon$599 $549 at DermstorePhotograph: Meta
Slip Into a Simulation
Meta Quest 3
Reality is overrated. Why not log off this timeline and into another? The Meta Quest 3 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our favorite VR headset, offering pure escapism in an untethered PC-free package. It’s lighter and comfier than its predecessor, with better visuals, improved object detection, and hand tracking. According to WIRED contributor Matt Kamen, the metaverse is pretty much a ghost town … which is great for us; the fewer dudes, the better. Come to think of it, how cool would it be if we did take over the metaverse? We could call it the FemmeVerse. (All right, I’ll keep brainstorming.)
$500 at Amazon$499 at Walmart$500 at MetaPhotograph: She’s Birdie; Amazon
A Personal Alarm to Feel Safer in This Hellscape
She’s Birdie Original Birdie
Walking home alone at night on this planet is an absolute nightmare. If she can’t teleport away from creeps, she can at least blast a 130-decibel siren and flashing strobe light in their direction. The Birdie is a small but mighty alarm that will (hopefully) deter attackers and alert anyone nearby for help.
I’ve used the original model for over a year (see my thoughts in my guide to the Best Personal Safety Alarms), and it’s given me peace of mind whenever I’m walking solo. The Birdie+, which I have yet to test, adds some useful features like location sharing, emergency support, and even a fake call function for a quick exit strategy. Plus, they come in the cutest patterns. My one caveat is that this wouldn’t be my first choice as a birthday gift, as it’s kind of a downer.
$30 at Amazon$30 at She’s BirdiePhotograph: Simon Hill
The Government Wishes It Knew You This Well
Oura Ring 4
If she’s training for a marathon, tracking her stress cycles, or just wants hard data to justify why she feels like garbage, the Oura Ring 4 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the most stylish health tracker out there. Packed with advanced sensors, it monitors health rate, skin temperature, sleep quality, and stress levels. WIRED editor Adrienne So has worn one for years, and it remains one of the only wearables that can reliably predict her menstrual cycle. Plus, it works with both Android and iOS, so she’s not locked into a single tech ecosystem.
$349 at Oura$399 at AmazonPhotograph: Hyperice
For the Pain in Her Back
Hyperice Venom 2 Back
She’s been carrying the weight of the world for far too long. The Hyperice Venom 2 Back melts away tension with targeted heat and vibration therapy. With three heat levels (up to 131 degrees Fahrenheit) and three vibration settings, it stimulates circulation, loosens tight muscles in the lower back, and offers relief when you’re sitting at your desk for eight hours trying not to scream. It also doubles as a soothing heat pad for period cramps. Best of all, it automatically shuts off, so she can zone out without worrying about turning it off. Check out some other options in our guide to the Best Massagers.
$249 at Amazon$249 at HypericePhotograph: Larq
Because Our Water Supply Is Another Thing You Can’t Trust
Larq Bottle PureVis
Yes, you read that right. The LARQ Bottle PureVis (as seen in our guide to the Best Reusable Water Bottles) is a self-cleaning, reusable water bottle that uses UV-C light to sterilize itself every two hours. No more moldy smells, biofilm buildup, or questionable aftertastes. It’s double-insulated, BPA-free stainless steel, and the charge lasts three weeks—so she doesn’t have to worry about germs while she’s fighting the patriarchy. The PureVis 2 also includes a filter, but it tends to slip off inside the bottle, so I can go without it.
$118 at LarqPhotograph: Therabody
Sleep Through Another News Cycle
Therabody SleepMask
The Therabody SleepMask is my best friend during travel; where else would I have to block out every live being than the airport? I can confirm it is 99.9 percent (is anything ever 100?) effective at blocking light. The standout feature, though, is that it uses three vibration patterns designed to lull you into a deeper sleep. The contoured padding feels like pillows on my eyelids, and the adjustable strap keeps it in place without tugging at my hair. I tend to wake up multiple times at night, but with the SleepMask, I can just turn on another session of the vibration, and it usually puts me back to sleep.
$99 at TherabodyPhotograph: Lego
Build-a-Galaxy
Lego The Milky Way Galaxy
She may not be able to move to another planet, but she can build a 3D model of the Milky Way from the comfort of her home. This 3,000-ish piece LEGO set recreates the spiral galaxy, turning our jumbled universe into galactic home decor. The finished piece can be mounted on the wall as a daily reminder that Earth is just one of billions of planets we believe exist—surely, at least one of them has better men.
Note this bestseller gift set is on back-order, so if you’re shopping for a Valentine’s Day gift, this will be a late present unless you can find it in-store.
$199 at Lego$200 at AmazonBoutayna Chokrane is a product writer and reviewer at WIRED. Before joining the Gear team, she was a music editorial fellow at Pitchfork. She also worked as a freelance journalist, covering fashion, art, and culture for Vogue, Rolling Stone, the Cut, and others. She graduated from Northwestern University with a … Read moreProduct Writer & ReviewerTopicsgiftsbuying guidesShoppingwomenspaceBeyond the BeyondRead MoreThe Best Leggings for Gym Rats, Runners, and Professional Couch PotatoesWhether you’re doing reps or pushing Play on the next episode, these leggings are built for every kind of marathon.Boutayna Chokrane The Best Posture Correctors to Straighten You UpYou’re hunched over your desk and phone for hours. We rounded up gadgets, a DIY trick, and even some yoga advice to help you straighten up. Boutayna Chokrane The Best Electric Kettles to Get the Water GoingWe made tons of coffee, tea, and ramen to test these electric kettles—and boiled it down to these top picks.Brenda StolyarThe Best Running Underwear to Beat Burn on Your BitsRunning outside your comfort zone doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. Here are the best WIRED-tested underwear, balms and anti-chafe solutions.Kieran AlgerThe Best Coffee Subscriptions to Keep You WiredThese services deliver freshly roasted, delicious coffee picks right to your door—each with its own twist.Scott GilbertsonThe Best Sex Toys for Every BodyThese are our favorite gender-inclusive vibrators, wand massagers, and sleeves to give you and your partner(s) a helping hand.Amanda ChatelThe Best Massagers for People Who Don’t Have Time to RelaxDon’t cancel therapy just yet, but these portable, at-home massagers might be the hack you need after stressful days.Boutayna Chokrane The Best Wireless Chargers to Refuel Your Phone (or Watch)Stop fumbling for cables in the dark. These WIRED-tested stands and pads will take the hassle out of refueling your phone, wireless earbuds, and watch.Julian ChokkattuOur 15 Favorite Valentine’s Day Gifts and Date IdeasFrom editor-tested chocolates and flowers to at-home date night ideas, here’s everything we recommend gifting for the most romantic holiday of the year. Nena Farrell The Best USB MicrophonesLooking to boost your audio quality on Zoom, YouTube, TikTok, or while gaming? We’ve got you covered.Parker HallOur Favorite Linen Sheets to Upgrade Your SleepLinen might not be your first choice for bedsheets, but it’s got enough benefits that it’s worth a try. Here’s the linen we love sleeping on. Nena Farrell The Best Kindles to Take Your Library AnywhereHere’s how Amazon’s ebook readers stack up—and which one might be right for you.Brenda Stolyar