We, the unfeeling and tech-obsessed robots of Ars Technica, are not ones for romance. We’re usually more concerned with the inner workings of operating systems, gaming consoles, and Internet regulation than those of the human heart. But we realize that love is a powerful drug and that Valentine’s Day is a time for many Ars readers to show appreciation for their partners. It’s also, for better or worse, a time to buy things.

So to help you nerdy romantics, we’ve compiled a few Ars-y recommendations that should do right by your significant other. To be clear: Gadgets and love aren’t always a natural fit. Don’t just buy one of these things and call it a day; take your partner out to dinner, buy them chocolate, do something you both enjoy. Or mutually decide that Valentine’s Day is a commerce-manufactured, stereotype-reinforcing holiday and do nothing.

Whatever the case, here are a few suggestions for treating your dorky lover.

Note: Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.

Jaybird X3

There never seems to be a shortage of people who could use a headphone upgrade, particular when it comes to pairs that’ll survive the gym. And with every phone company under the sun going insane and erasing the headphone jack, jumping on the Bluetooth bandwagon suddenly looks wise. If your partner is facing this predicament, the Jaybird X3 should have them covered.

We tested the X3 against a couple dozen wireless workout headphones late last year and found it to be the best all-around choice. It has a deeper, more dynamic sound than most of its peers; it comes with an array of eartips and stays snugly in place throughout workouts once you have the right fit; and it can withstand a sweat drenching without worry.

But the X3 is not without flaws: its battery system requires you to keep track of a tiny proprietary clip-on charger, which is a pain in the neck, and on its own the headphone gets a just-okay seven hours of juice. Taken together, though, the X3 should make your partner’s workout a little more enjoyable.

Jaybird X3 Buy Now (Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs .)

Anker PowerCore+ 10050

Nobody looks at a portable battery and thinks “everlasting love.” But nobody wants to be left with a dead phone, either, and that’s what a good power bank like Anker’s PowerCore+ 10050 prevents. It’s one of what seems like a trillion variants of these things, but it’s reliable, it holds a decent amount of juice (rated at 10,500mAh), and, crucially, it’s small enough to fit comfortably into any backpack or pocketbook.

This model supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 standard, and it is indeed, uh, quick to charge newer Android phones in particular. Anker is likely the most popular of the hordes of Chinese accessory makers on Amazon, but you do get an 18-month warranty if things ever go bad. Again, please don’t buy this as your only V-Day present. But as one piece of a larger goodie bag, your partner should appreciate the practicality. Grab an extra-long cable while you’re at it to turn this into a little themed set.

Anker PowerCore+ 10050 with Quick Charge 3.0 Buy Now (Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs .)

Jaipur

Jaipur is a fun and fast-paced card game designed for two players. In the latest update to our ultimate board game buyer’s guide, we called it an “excellent tug-of-war that provides a surprising amount of tense moments within a small decision space.” The idea is to take or sell goods from a central market and build up a repository of tokens along the way. But there’s a constant friction between selling items as fast as possible and trying to sell particular items in chunks for bonus rewards. The resulting mix of skill and luck makes for a playful time for board game-loving couples. Each game takes about a half hour, so it’s not a major time sink, either.

Jaipur Buy Now (Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs .)

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is one of the few games we’d recommend to people with any semblance of a relationship to gaming. It starts off with the feel of a “baby’s first XCOM” but gradually compounds and twists that concept into something thrillingly kinetic and tense. It teaches honest-to-goodness tactics without losing a simplicity that keeps everything in newbie players’ reach. Plus it’s adorable, in that fuzzy Nintendo way. Even the manic Rabbids characters could get a few laughs if you and your partner have kids.

Anyone with a Switch already knows to buy Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey by now; while Kingdom Battle looks far more niche, it’s just as easy to love. It’s worth a shot if your sweetheart could use a new game.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Buy Now (Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs .)

Borne

Really, you can pretend this says “any book you think your beloved will like.” If you need a nudge for your avid reader, though, we found Jeff VanderMeer’s Borne to be one of the better fantasy novels of 2017. It’s an oddly touching fairy tale that manages to say something about bioscience, being a parent, and finding meaning in a mad, corrupted world. It also involves a flying bear the size of a Walmart wreaking havoc in a post-apocalypse. Borne is at points weird, challenging, and a bit disturbing, but ultimately grounded in love. Sounds about right.