Check out our annual tech Xmas gift guide including the likes of the HomePod mini, GoPro HERO9 Black, LG CX 4K TV and plenty more!
While there is plenty of joy to be felt by the act of giving during Christmas, we all know that receiving is just as satisfying. So we’ve compiled a list of goodies for our annual tech Xmas gift guide like Apple’s HomePod mini and GoPro’s HERO9 that’d be welcome under a loved one’s Xmas tree… or your own.
HomePod mini
Where you can buy it: Apple
Thanks to the likes of Amazon and Google there is certainly no shortage of smart speakers on the market, but Apple is making one hell of a splash with its new HomePod mini. A much smaller, substantially cheaper alternative to its bigger HomePod sibiling, the mini packs a surprising amount of punch for its small size, and we’ve been thoroughly impressed during our time with it.
Music at low levels delivers bass that is silky smooth, while at higher volumes there’s almost zero noticeable distortion. Plus, if you’re an iPhone user this nifty wonder is a no brainer, packing the ability to sync up with your smart home (like controlling lights) and the ability to hand off music from your phone simply by hovering it near the speaker. You can even use it as a pseudo walkie talkie via the new Intercom feature, which allows you to pass along audio messages either from a different room or while out and about.
Our advice: save up for two, because either synced up as a stereo pair for extra oomph or split across different areas of the house, you’re bound to fall in love with this thing.
GoPro HERO9 Black
Where you can buy it: JB Hi-Fi
Over the years we’ve gotten our hands on plenty of action cams, be that DJI’s Osmo and GoPro’s own HERO8. Now the market leader has combined the best of both worlds with its HERO9 Black and the results are naturally outstanding. By taking a leaf out of the Osmo’s book, the camera now has an in-built front display that allows for easier framing and the perfect sneaky selfie. We wanted that feature last year, so its addition here is great. That’s in addition to the regular world-class feature set of the GoPro that has made it the number one choice in the first place.
Yep, the HERO9 ticks all the right boxes: it’s got 30% better battery life, 23.6MP sensor and the ability to shoot video in 5K just in case you’ve really been wanting to do that. Most importantly though is the HyperSmooth 3.0, which allowed for some top-notch results as we attempted to put it through its paces. The touchscreen can still be a bit hit or miss, but it’s a minor gripe in what is otherwise arguably the best action cam on the market.
Philips Hue Play Light Bar
Where you can buy it: Amazon
Remember when everybody was rushing out to fill their homes with LED filament light bulbs? Well now smart lights are all the rage, and if you want to get in on the action, you can’t look past the Philips Hue Play Light Bars. These slim wonders are sleek, easy on the eye and do an admirable job of lighting up any space. Installation is a breeze via your phone and allows you to choose whether you’d prefer them upright or flat, but the real winner here is the flexibility of colours. Not only can you choose pretty much anything from the rainbow, but each light can project its own individual hue, allowing for some truly stunning combos.
While most of you would place the Light Bars behind or around your television set, we actually enjoyed setting ours up in the kitchen. Neatly hidden atop of a cupboard, it helped transform the area into feeling like a casual underground bar – a stark difference when compared to the typical harsh fluorescents. It’s worth noting though that you’ll need to shell out for the Hue Bridge to get everything working, but if you’re a savvy shopper both the Bridge and the lights themselves are no stranger to a cheeky discount.
Blue Yeti USB Microphone – Blackout Edition
Where you can buy it: EB Games
So, with Cyberpunk 2077 now upon us, interested in some Twitch streaming? How about jumping on the podcast bandwagon? Before any of that you’re going to need yourself a top-tier microphone, so may we suggest none other than the Blue Yeti Blackout. Yeti is well known within the microphone business, and for good reason – their products are of supreme quality, as is their audio.
The Blackout is no exception to that and delivers truly exceptional sound while still being completely plug and play, meaning you can get going in mere minutes. Seriously, we were truly impressed by how easy it was to get going – zero fuss. Be warned though, this is not a small unit and it’s packing some decent weight, so make sure you’ve got the desk space to ensure you get the most out of it. We were never disappointed with any of the results during our testing – audio was crystal clear, echo-free and rich in quality, making it excellent bang for your buck. Highly recommended.
LG CX 4K Smart Self-Lit OLED TV
Where you can buy it: Bing Lee
Okay let’s be honest, this is an incredibly expensive piece of kit, so if you’re somehow convincing your friend or loved one to pony up the cash, you’ve got more than Santa Claus to thank. But there is simply no denying that for all the tech lovers out there, this is THE television to buy.
The LG CX is a thing of absolute beauty to behold, from its amazingly thin design to its stunning OLED screen that just makes everything pop. We’ve been utterly flawed during our testing, from watching episodes of The Mandalorian with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos or enjoying new video games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Cyberpunk 2077. No matter what we throw at it, it looks buttery smooth. Even the bloody screensaver that replicates framed art looks amazing!
For hardcore gamers there is a wealth of flexibility (like 120hz support) that simply smokes the competition. Oh, and WebOS is still a treat to use, with support for pretty much every streaming platform you’ll ever need. What’s not to love?
ECOVACS DEEBOT U2 PRO
Where you can buy it: Amazon
We’re going to go right ahead and say it: When the ECOVACS DEEBOT U2 PRO first arrived on our doorstep, we were bloody sceptical. Not in fear that it signalled the eventual rise of Skynet, but whether or not it would actually clean as effectively as advertised. A week later we saw the light because it easily passed with flying colours. The compact cleaner is able to zip around from carpet to floorboards with ease, as well as navigate around some admittedly cramped spaces and areas difficult for the human hand to reach.
There’s also a mopping mode, which is an absolute dream, although it is a bit of a bummer that you can only use water – not even ECOVACS has its own compatible solution. The DEEBOT is extra handy for pet owners, with an included pet care kit adding in a larger dustbin and tangle-free brush that can be swapped out as you need it. We never want to pick up our Dyson again.
Suunto 7 GPS Sports Watch
Where you can buy it: JB Hi-Fi
If you’re an Android user, the choice of which smartwatch to buy can become a complicated decision, but we’re here to tell you that the Suunto 7 is a strong contender. The first thing you’ll notice is that it’s incredibly pretty to look at. Between the various colour combos and sturdy build quality, combined with a display that is both big and bright, all eyes will understandably be on your wrist. We also appreciate the more conventional circular design, even though it’s admittedly pretty thick – especially if you have a quite dainty wrist.
But this one’s more designed for the wannabe athlete, with 70+ sports modes to select when you work out, heatmaps that show overly populated areas for activities like running or cycling, and free offline maps to help you go exploring. It also uses Google’s Wear OS for your more everyday requirements. It might not be for everyone, but the Suunto 7 is certainly worth a good look.
IOGEAR KeyMander 2 Keyboard/Mouse Adapter
Where you can buy it: PC Case Gear
Keyboard and mouse vs. controller is one of the great technology debates. But worry not, friend because the KeyMander 2 is here to avoid those arguments entirely by allowing you to hook up your PC peripherals to your modern consoles. Want to play Call of Duty with the precision of a mouse on PlayStation? You can do that. How about with Breath of the Wild on Switch. You’d be an absolute madman, but you can do that too.
The KeyMander 2 is a nifty little device that’s compact and lightweight meaning it won’t be getting in your way. The not-so-great news is that actually getting it up and running can be something of a complicated process. Our advice: don’t trust your instincts and read the manual to save yourself a lot of time.
