October 3, 2023

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Breakaway from the pack

Best tech gifts and gadgets 2023: Fitbit, Google, Samsung

To ensure our recommendations are top-notch, we’ve personally reviewed many of the items on this list. Our team has spent hands-on time with robots, drones, chargers, phones, and more. So you can trust that our suggestions are based on real experiences and expert insights.

Plus, if you’re looking for more present ideas, why not head over to our new LEGO sets guide? Or check out our expert coverage of the best PS5 games and best LEGO games you can buy today.

Best tech gifts at a glance:

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Best tech gifts to buy in 2023

Best last-minute gifts

Disney Plus gift subscription

Loki on Disney Plus Disney

This is a fantastic option for those of you that have left gifting until the last possible moment. Disney Plus is currently offering a giftable version of a Disney Plus subscription.

As you purchase the subscription online, you can buy this gift as last-minute as you want without rushing out to the shops and finding that the item you’re looking for is out of stock!

The one-year giftable subscription costs £79.90 and the recipient will bag access to a whole range of top shows, including The Mandalorian, Loki and WandaVision. Plus, you might even benefit from this TV subscription…

Buy Disney Plus Gift Subscription for £79.90 at Disney Plus

Take a look at the best Disney Plus offers for this month.

Best gifts for tech lovers

Google Pixel 7

Pixel 7 display

The Google Pixel 7 is probably the best mid-range smartphone going. It’s got a fantastic camera, a sleek design and it’s jam-packed with features. Plus, we’ve had extensive hands-on time with this smartphone, and you can see what we thought of it in our full Google Pixel 7 review.

Anker PowerCore Slim 1000 power bank

Anker powerbank

This rechargeable power bank from Anker is a perfect gift for a device-crazy friend or relative who’s always working their phone battery too hard.

It can charge any phone or tablet via its USBC input, and it is tough enough to stand up to drops and knocks. Check out buying links below.

Buy Anker PowerCore Slim Power Bank for £17.99 at Amazon

If you have a Nintendo Switch, be sure to take a look at the best Nintendo Switch power banks.

LG home cinema projector

LG Projector

Perfect for the cinephile in your life, this projector from LG will help bring a cinema experience into your living room. The LG CineBeam PF50KS Projector displays films and TV in full HD and sits conveniently on a table, so there’s no need for fiddly wall or ceiling mounting.

More like this

Buy LG CineBeam PF50KS Projector for £499 at Amazon

Take a look at the best outdoor projectors and the best outdoor projector screens.

Belkin Boost Charge Stand

Belkin Boost

This wireless charger from Belkin is a fantastic all-round performer, combining a circular pad with a desk stand. Take a look at our round-up of the best wireless chargers for more information.

Buy Belkin wireless charger for £19.99 at Amazon

ASUS Vivobook with Microsoft Office

ASUS

If you’re looking for a present for a student, this discounted laptop could be perfect. With 4GB of RAM and 64GB of memory, and the full Microsoft Office suite, this is ideal for word processing, research and video streaming.

ASUS Vivobook with Microsoft Office for £268.55 at Amazon

LG OLED65C1 4K HDR TV

LG 65-inch OLED

We loved the LG OLED65C1 4K HDR TV during testing. It’s a big, expensive, impressive top of the line unit, but if you’re looking for a present for your whole family – this might be just the thing!

In our full LG OLED65C1 4K HDR TV review, we gave this LG unit a four-star rating, commending its crisp 4K picture and remarkable 4k 120FPS high frame rate support. It’s got loads of handy options for streaming too.

Buy LG OLED65C1 4K HDR TV from £1,665.53 at Amazon

Looking for a QLED TV instead? Take a look at the best Samsung QLED TV deals.

Best gadget gifts

LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor 5-in-1 remote controlled building toy

LEGO Mindstorms

This techy LEGO kit is ideal for engineers-to-be. It’s got all the usual appeal of LEGO building sets, with the added bonus that it becomes a remote-controlled toy when you’ve finished building. It’s a great gift for young ones with a budding interest in electronics and engineering.

Buy LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor for £314.99 at LEGO

If you or someone you love is a LEGO fan, then check out the best LEGO deals for this month and best Easter LEGO sets 2023.

LEGO D11 CAT Bulldozer (app-controlled)

D11 Dozer LEGO

For those with a penchant for engineering, construction, science and machinery, this LEGO D11 CAT bulldozer set is the ideal gift. It’s a little on the expensive side, but it’s high on detail and — once constructed — the model works as a remote control vehicle, complete with movable blade and more eye-catching features.

It’s made up of an amazing 3854 pieces, so building this will take time and any would-be builder will have to apply themselves! It’s one of LEGO’s most sophisticated sets.

Buy LEGO D11 CAT Bulldozer for £429.99 at LEGO

Looking for more LEGO? Head over to our guides on best football LEGO sets and best LEGO gifts for adults.

DJI FPV Drone

DJI FPV Drone

Looking for a gift for someone that loves an ‘out there’ gadget? This drone could be the perfect present. It beams images back to the pilot during flight via a headset and can reach a max speed of 87mph. The max range is 10km, but the battery does only last for 25 minutes. All the same, it’s a pretty exciting gizmo.

Buy DJI FPV Drone for £859 at Argos

Honor X8

Honor 8X back

The Honor X8 is a great value smartphone — at just £219.99 it offers a smooth user experience and a slim, pocketable design.

We loved the X8’s solid battery life and 90Hz display. It’s ranked among our best budget smartphones of the year, and for even more information, take a look at our full Honor X8 review.

Buy Honor X8 for £219.99 at Amazon

For more affordable tech gifts, check out our best budget smartwatch guide.

Best tech gifts for gamers

Returnal (PS5)

Jane Perry as Selene in Returnal.

Sony/Housemarque

Having won the 2022 BAFTA for Best Game, Returnal is a hot topic. This ‘rogue-like’ shooter is fast, frenetic and challenging and has been a hit with gamers.

Buy Returnal on PS5 for £36.99 at Amazon

Check out our dedicated Gaming section on the RadioTimes.com technology site.

Elden Ring

Elden Ring

Photo: Bandai Namco

Elden Ring is the most talked-about games of 2022. Set in a rich fantasy world that Game of Thrones writer George R.R. Martin helped to shape, Elden Ring has received rave reviews, including from our own team; our experts gave it a rare five star rating in our full Elden Ring review.

Battlefield 2042 (PS5)

There are vehicles aplenty in the Battlefield Portal.

EA DICE

Battlefield 2042 is one of the hottest new releases right now. It’s the latest addition to the hugely popular online shooter franchise, Battlefield. Splitting 128 players into two teams and pitting them against each other is the perfect recipe for frantic FPS chaos.

There is some bad news though, if you were a fan of the WWII campaign offered up in Battlefield V, then you’ll be disappointed to learn there is no campaign offering in this game. However, EA and Dice have attempted to make up for that by creating one of the most exciting and chaotic multiplayer experiences of recent years.

Buy Battlefield 2042 (PS5) for £27.99 at Very

Deathloop

Colt and Julianna are the heart of Deathloop.

Arkane

Available on PS5 and PC, Deathloop is one of the most talked-about games of the moment. Players are caught in a Groundhog Day style looping day, and – when they die – the day starts all over again. It’s up to the player to solve the puzzles, beat the bad guys and find a way out of the loop.

During testing, our reviewer loved Deathloop so much that it bagged a rare five-star rating in our full Deathloop review.

Buy Deathloop (PS5) with steel poster for £28.96 at Amazon

Xbox Series S

Xbox Series S

Many gift-getters have been doing their best to track down consoles over the last few months, but thanks to the global semi-conductor shortage, it’s very, very hard to get hold of either the Sony PlayStation 5 or the Xbox Series X – but there is a solution!

The Xbox Series S delivers the same next-gen gaming experience of the Xbox Series X with a few minor compromises. They’re more readily available and can be picked up for a much more reasonable price than their hard-to-find counterparts.

For more on Microsoft’s consoles, take a look at our Xbox Series X review.

Nintendo Switch OLED

Read our Nintendo Switch OLED review.

Nintendo

The new Nintendo Switch OLED is one of the most talked-about games consoles going right now. While it’s more of an upgrade to the original Switch than a complete overhaul, there’s still lots to like, and the Switch formula is a tried, tested and well-loved one.

Take a look at our full Nintendo Switch OLED console review for more information on this fantastic console. Plus, for a limited time only, you can bag either Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit or The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD for absolutely free with these Nintendo Switch OLED bundle deals.

Buy Nintendo Switch OLED for £309.99 at Very

Gran Turismo 7

gran-turismo-7

If you do manage to bag yourself a PS5 using the links above, Gran Turismo 7 is one of the very best games available right now to show off the console’s capabilities.

Widely regarded as the ultimate racing simulator, Gran Turismo 7 wowed our reviewers, who said: “There’s no denying that Gran Turismo 7 delivers the goods where it counts — racing has never looked or felt quite this good on a PlayStation console, for our money, and that’s not something to be sniffed at.”

It’s available on both PS5 and PS4.

Buy Gran Turismo 7 (PS5) for £57.99 at Amazon

Spider-Man Miles Morales

spider man miles ps5

This title made our list of the best PS5 games to play right now. It’s a painstaking remaster of a hugely entertaining game, and Spideys antics look better than ever following a huge graphical revamp. This is a well-loved game that’s perfect for superhero fans on PS5.

Buy now Spider-Man Miles Morales for £54.47 at Amazon

Ghost of Tsushima (PS4/PS5)

ghosts of tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima remains one of the most interesting titles on PS4 and PS5 right now. The player embarks on a samurai adventure across the beautifully rendered Japanese island of Tsushima, which is being invaded by the Mongol hordes.

Perhaps the game didn’t do everything it could have to make the most of its open-world setting, but it contains stunning visuals, interesting combat mechanics and a gripping story. It’s still well worth playing for our money.

Buy Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut (PS5) for £39.90 at Amazon

FIFA 22

FIFA 22 Black Friday

Routinely one of the most popular games out there, the latest iteration of FIFA is no exception. Visuals and in-game physics are better than ever in FIFA 22, and it’s available across a wide range of platforms.

Our experts loved the game, giving it a four-star rating in our full FIFA 22 review. The latest title uses HyperMotion technology, which was crafted using motion capture with real players. This makes in-game movements more realistic than ever.

Take a look at our what is Amazon Luna? explainer.

Best tech gifts for music lovers

Sennheiser Momentum 4

Sennheiser

Sennheiser is a brand beloved by audiophiles. The latest over-ear headphones hook up to your phone seamlessly using Bluetooth and are a joy to listen to.

We’ve had hands-on time with this offering from Sennheiser and were deeply impressed. The bass is deep and impactful and the headphones offer a fantastically rounded sound.

If you’ve got the budget to pick these up as a gift, the recipient is sure to love them!

For more audio gifts, be sure to take a look at our picks of the best DAB radio.

Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds

Sony WF-1000XM4

The Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds might be the best wireless earbuds we’ve ever tested at RadioTimes.com. However, all that quality will set you back. The RRP of the catchily named WF-1000XM4 buds is £250, though there are occasional chances to pick them up for less.

For more information on their performance, check out our full Sony WF-1000XM4 review.

Buy Sony WF-1000XM4 for £199 at John Lewis

If you’d love a pair of similar Sony earbuds but can’t quite stretch to the price of the Sony WF-1000XM4 buds, then try their predecessor, the Sony WF-1000XM3 pair.

Buy Sony WF-1000XM3 for £53.11 at Amazon

Nothing ear (1) and Nothing Ear Stick

Nothing Ear Stick

The slightly odd-named Nothing ear (1) impressed us during testing. They’re a pair of earbuds with active noise cancellation, a great fit and an interesting design. Take a look at our Nothing ear 1 review to get the lowdown.

Or, if you like the style of these earbuds but don’t like the in-ear style, then Nothing’s new product might be right up your street. The Nothing Ear Stick earbuds take similar design queues with a less ear-invasive design. Right now, they’re £99 on Amazon.

JBL GO 3

JBL GO 3

The JBL GO 3 is a compact and affordable Bluetooth speaker. It’s a good price for gifting and an easy size to wrap and put under the tree — plus JBL is a well-known and reliable audio brand. This little speaker is a great option.

Buy JBL GO 3 for £39.99 at Amazon

JLab Go Air Pop

JLab Go Air Pop

One of a selection of affordable, giftable earbuds, we recently tested the JLab Go Air Pop buds and we were very impressed.

They’re just £19.99 but performed well in testing and were enjoyable to use. Unfortunately, there’s no active noise cancellation, but you just can’t expect that in this price range.

For more information, take a look at our full JLab Go Air Pop review.

Buy JLab Go Air Pop earbuds for £19.99 at Amazon

Amazon Prime Music

woman headphones apple music vs spotify

Getty / Eugenio Marongiu

Amazon Prime subscribers get Amazon Prime Music included with their membership, but if you know a music fan that wants to take their listening experience a step further then Amazon Prime Music Unlimited is a great gift. It’s £8.99 a month and gives users access to 90 million ad-free songs.

Plus, there’s a three month free trial so the recipient can check that Amazon Prime Music Unlimited delivers everything they want.

Buy Amazon Prime Music Unlimited for £8.99 per month at Amazon

Looking at switching music streaming services? Head over to our Amazon Music vs Spotify and Apple Music vs Spotify guides.

Skullcandy Dime earbuds

Skullcandy Dime

If you want to find a techy present without breaking the bank, then the Skullcandy Dime earbuds are a fantastic option. With an RRP of £29.99 – and they’re often available for less now – they are an affordable gift with a great in-ear fit.

Buy Skullcandy Dime earbuds for £29.99 at Amazon

JLab Jbuds Pro

JLAB IMAGE2

If you want an even cheaper option than the Skullcandy Dime earbuds, the JLab Jbuds Pro available for just £19.99. They could be a perfect solution to an office Secret Santa or similar.

They come with multiple silicon tips and the option to add in-ear fins, too, to help the buds stay in place during exercise.

Buy JLab Jbuds Pro for £19.99 at Argos

Audio Technica turntable and Edifier speaker set

turntable

The audiophile in your life will love this turntable and speaker set. Audio Technica is known as a reliable producer of good audio equipment, and this AT-LP60 turntable is another good offering from the brand. It’s paired with a set of Edifier speakers so you can enjoy your record collection to the full.

Buy Audio-Technica AT-LP60 Turntable and Edifier R1010BT Active Bluetooth speaker package for £229.99 at Amazon

GravaStar Mars Pro Bluetooth speaker

GravaStar speaker

The Mars Pro Bluetooth speakers is a stylish sci-fi themed speaker from GravaStar. It’s both decorative and functional, with dual speakers and Bluetooth 5.0.

But — at £247.46 — it is quite expensive. If you’re looking for a cheaper option but like the sci-fi theme, the smaller Venus is a great option, and it starts from just £59.95.

If you’re a fan of live music as much as listening to much, then stay up to date with our Going Out section for the latest concert tickets.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

AirPods 3

If there’s an iPhone-owning Apple fan in your life, these could be the perfect gift. They’re a little pricey, but the new AirPods impressed our reviewers with their sound and call quality. When used in conjunction with other Apple tech, they offer a seamless connection and lots of quality of life features.

We gave them a four-star rating, and you can read our full Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) review here.

Buy Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) for £189 at Currys

Take a look at the best AirPods alternatives and the best iPhone accessories.

Best tech gifts for book lovers

Audible subscription

Best Audible deals

Getty

Have you got a friend or family member who would read their favourite books all the time if they could? An Audible subscription allows them to listen to audiobooks wherever they want and could be an ideal gift. To get the full lowdown on Audible, take a look at our in-depth guide to 40 of the best audiobooks to listen to on Audible now or try our how does Audible work guide.

The cost for an Audible membership depends on the plan you sign up for. Plans range from £7.99 per month to £109.99 per year. Paying £7.99 a month, you’ll receive one book credit per month, whereas the top yearly membership at £109.99 would see you receive 24 book credits for the year. If you want to test Audible out before you commit, you can trial the service for free for 30 days.

Sign up for Audible’s free 30-day trial at Amazon

If you’re after a saving, take a look at the best Audible deals for this month.

Kindle

What is Kindle Unlimited?

Amazon’s e-reader is a fantastic travel companion. Bookworms can take a whole library with them in one small portable package.

Shop all Kindles from £69.99 at Amazon

For the latest discounts on Kindles, take a look at the best Kindle deals for this month. For even more savings, check out the most useful Amazon Spring Sale offers.

Best tech gifts for fitness fanatics

Fitbit Charge 5

Fitbit Charge 5

We loved the Fitbit Charge 5 during testing. Its comfort, accurate GPS and easy-to-use display bagged it a four-star rating. Take a look at our full Fitbit Charge 5 review for more information.

Buy Fitbit Charge 5 for £129.99 at John Lewis

Before you commit to the Fitbit Charge 5, take a gander at the best Fitbit offers for this month.

Huawei Band 6

Huawei Band 6 review

If you’re looking for a slightly more affordable fitness-tracking gift, why not try the Huawei Band 6? It shone during testing, and our reviewers gave it a four-star rating. Better still, the smartwatch starts from just £48 depending on your preferred colourway.

The band is great value for money and carries an impressive breadth of workout modes for users. Take a look at our full Huawei Band 6 review for more information.

Buy Huawei Band 6 from £48 at Amazon

Beats Powerbeats Pro

Powerbeats Pro Summary

The Beats Powerbeats Pro wireless earbuds were deemed the best buds for workouts in our best wireless earbuds round-up. They’re a little costly, but they’re a good quality set of earbuds, and the over-ear arm means they stay in place well, so they won’t fall out while you’re running or in the gym.

Take a look at our full best wireless earbuds round-up here, or check out the buying links below.

Buy Beats Powerbeats Pro for £199 at Amazon

Corner boxing trackers

corner tracker

If you need a gift for a gym-goer who’s into boxing – or is thinking about trying it out – these punch trackers from Corner could be the perfect gym accessory. Simply slide the trackers into your hand-wraps, glove up and then the punch trackers will feedback real-time data on how many punches you’ve thrown and the force of each one using the Corner app.

Buy Corner punch trackers for £229.99 at Amazon

Fitbit Versa 2

Fitbit Versa 2

The Fitbit Versa 2 is another great option for keeping track of your exercise day-to-day. It lacks GPS but has great battery life and an appealing lightweight design.

As a slightly older model, it’s also cheaper than a lot of other Fitbit and smartwatch options out there at the moment but still stands up well as a fitness tracker.

Buy Fitbit Versa 2 for £99 at Amazon

Best kitchen tech gifts

Salter 3-in-1 snack maker

Swan 3-in-1 snack maker

Rated as the best multi-purpose waffle maker by BBC Good Food, this is a hugely versatile kitchen snack-maker that doesn’t take up much room. It’s an ideal gift for students or home-movers thanks to its compact format – and lovers of sweet treats thanks to the fantastic waffles it can produce.

Buy Salter 3-in-1 snack maker for £37.89 at Amazon

Swan SK22110 retro pump espresso coffee machine

Swan SK

This stylish espresso machine from Swan was rated the best for beginners by BBC Good Food. It’s an ideal addition to any kitchen thanks to its clean-cut design, and it makes espresso making simple. Find buying links below.

Buy Swan SK22110 retro pump espresso coffee machine for £89.98 at Amazon

Tassimo by Bosch Style TAS1102GB pod coffee machine

Currys

If you prefer the pod-based coffee machine system – which is simpler but more expensive in the long run due to the cost of pods – then this is a great option. Heavily discounted at time of writing, this Tassimo by Bosch coffee machine can make over 80 types of coffee and hot drinks.

Buy Tassimo by Bosch Style TAS1102GB pod coffee machine for £39 at Currys

Russell Hobbs mini-fridge RH4CLR1001B 4L/6

Russell Hobbs mini fridge

This portable mini fridge from Russell Hobbs works effectively as a cooler or a warmer – with the ability to heat to 65 degrees, so it’s perfect for picnics and holidays.

Buy Russell Hobbs mini-fridge RH4CLR1001B 4L/6 for £38.25 at Amazon

Best tech gifts for self care

Calmer

Flare

Calmer from Flare Audio is a small in-ear device that reduces stressful frequencies while making sure the user can still hear. It’s ideal for people with sensitive hearing and autism or those who simply get fed up with the noise of their daily commute.

Buy Calmer in-ear device for £19.95 at Amazon

Philips Hue Play

Philips Hue

This smart Philips Hue Play light bar helps you to make your home a more relaxing place. It can change the ambience of a room to fit your mood perfectly with ease, and it’s easy to control too – as it’s compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit.

It’s worth noting that the Play also requires a Philips Hue Bridge for your setup to work as intended, but it’s one of the nicest additions to the Philips Hue line-up.

Buy Philips Hue Play for £57.99 at Amazon

Theragun Pro

Theragun Prime 4th Generation Percussive Therapy Massager

Got aches and pains, or just want the relaxation of a massage? The Theragun Pro is great for muscle therapy and relaxation, with 300 minutes of battery life and a wide range of settings.

It’s on the pricey side but the Pro model is the very best massage gun that Theragun offer. Take a look at buying options below.

Buy Theragun Pro for £469 at John Lewis

Best tech gifts to create a smart home

Google Nest Hub

Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen

Credit: Google

This second-generation Google Nest hub is a perfect core for your smart home set-up. It has a display – unlike the smaller Google Nest Mini – making it simple and intuitive to use. Other smart home tech can be controlled from the Google Nest Hub.

The Nest Hub is responsive to voice commands and can be used hands-free, making it a perfect kitchen companion while cooking or prepping meals.

Buy Google Nest Hub for £89.99 at Currys

Google Nest Doorbell

Google Nest Doorbell

This video doorbell from Google links up with other Google Nest devices in the home and to your phone, allowing you to see any visitors who ring the bell. It’s useful for accepting deliveries, welcoming neighbours and for security.

This battery-powered doorbell also includes motion detection and a two-year warranty. Find buying links below.

Buy Google Nest Doorbell for £139.99 at Currys

Hive Active Heating Thermostat

Hive thermostat

This smart thermostat from Hive helps you to closely monitor the temperature of your home and give you full control. It’s perfect for those trying to be a little greener and cut down on energy use too.

The thermostat is compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant and allows you to control the temperature of your home from your phone.

Buy Hive Active Heating Thermostat for £99 at AO

For more ways to turn your home into a smart one, check out the best Amazon Fire TV Stick deals.

Apple HomePod mini

Apple HomePod Mini Smart Speaker

The Apple HomePod mini delivers fantastic audio and the ever-helpful Apple assistant, Siri.

You can control the speaker using voice commands and ask useful questions like, “Siri, what’s the weather forecast tomorrow?”

Placing multiple speakers around the house, controlled by a central HomePod, can deliver an immersive listening experience throughout your home.

Buy Apple HomePod mini for £99 at AO

If you’re looking for more audio reviews, don’t miss our best soundbar and best wireless earbuds round-ups.

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