The best tech gadgets to give this Christmas: GoPro, Samsung, ebikes, earbuds, iPads and more
Jingle bells, technology sells — and makes for good presents. Here are the top 17 smart gift ideas.
Tech is everywhere and is in everything. And to keep up with the best tech products, you’d need to spend a fortune constantly upgrading your devices. This year The Australian has brought about a bit of a theme to its annual gift guide, one that looks to modernise and electrify your old devices. The list also includes new tech to suit every budget from snap-on power supplies which double as a wallet to portable projectors to earpods that can sanitise themselves.
mophie snap+ juice mini wallet
$79.95
Range anxiety isn’t limited to electric vehicles. Ever felt a little anxious because you’re low on battery?
Having portable power on the go is almost essential nowadays as mobile phones become even more powerful. Thankfully, powerbanks have evolved into snap-on (magnetic) models which can attach to the back of your phone and even hold a card or too. This mophie has a 5000mAh internal battery and provides up to 7.5W wireless charging, and 12W via a USB-C.
Swytch e-bike conversion kit
$1994
The e-Bike market has grown tenfold and it seems every man and his dog have jumped on the space – with eBikes that race in downhill competitions, to beach cruisers and even models for cyclists.
The market typically starts around $1000 for a not-so-good looking model on sale and goes as high as $11,599 for the better-looking Merida eOne Sixty 9000. Swytch has entered the market with a slightly different approach, by electrifying your old pushie. The company’s kit includes a motorised wheel, a battery and a pedal sensor (to activate). The motor is 250W in size and the battery options come in 16km or 32km (10 or 20 mile) variations.
GoPro HERO11 Mini
$649.95
The GoPro HERO11 Mini is pocked-sized action camera for those who want the real thing but are limited on space and weight. The Mini packs the same stabilisation technology with the ability to record in 5.3K at 60 frames per second, 4K at 120FPS and 2.7K at 240FPS.
This model also has a night-effect time lapse mode allowing for clear video at night.
Samsung Freestyle Portable Projector
$999
If you hadn’t noticed, portable projectors are in vogue. Devices with in-built speakers, access to multiple streaming services and a run-time of several hours are flying off the shelf with prices ranging from $50 through to $6495.
Of course, in line with the pricing, many of these aren't exactly cinema quality. Samsung does, however, come close at a price point that shouldn’t hurt too much. This device can project up to a 100 inch screen, offers 360* sound (depending on the angle) and allow users to stream from their mobile. Just don’t let the name fool you – it is a plug-in but can run off a powerbank.
Belkin 3-in-1 Charger
$229.95
The world is moving away from multiple charging cables — and even different cable types for that matter. With wireless chargers coming in fast and (hopefully not) hot, Belkin has designed a 3-in-1 to charge your mobile phone, earpods and smart watch. The device is easy on the eye and provides up to 15W. Simple, but effective.
Lovebox
$209.99
This is the device for long-distance lovers. Missing a parent or partner while they’re away? The Lovebox allows a user to send their loved one a 264-character message, photo or sticker via a mobile app. The receiver will see the box’s dial spin to notify them the message is there.
The backstory to this began in 2015 when founder Jean Gregoire moved to Boston and his fiancee stayed in France. After commercialising his design two years later, 130,000 units have been sold and more than 400,000 love notes are sent each month.
Nikon Z30
$999
For those looking to take better pictures without breaking the budget. The Z30 is Nikon’s latest mirrorless camera that’s aimed at an influencer audience.
The device does miss out on a few classic items such as a viewfinder, instead opting for a fold-out screen allowing for selfies and recording. For a novice it’s ace and allows for interchangeable lenses.
Kindle Scribe
$549
Like to read and write? Amazon’s first play in the market, in which e-readers became digital notepads, was pretty impressive.
Kindle Scribe, a 10.2 inch device, sports a 300 pixel per inch (PPI) screen and is 5.8mm thick. It holds 16GB of storage and has access to more than 13 million ebook titles via the Amazon store. The digital pen is great and, unlike some competitors, doesn’t require charging because it utilises electromagnetic resistance.
LG FP9A Wireless Earbuds
$249
Can your earphones clean themselves? OK, neither can these but they can self-sanitise using UV nano technology which LG promises will kill 99.99 per cent of e.coli and S. aureus bacteria after five minutes in the case.
These earphones can also connect to older devices without Bluetooth thanks to a USB-C to Aux cable, which turns the case into a Bluetooth transmitter. Now that’s convenient.
iPad
$749
The iPad has been given a slight makeover in its 10th iteration, and now provides its user-facing camera on the side to allow for convenient Zoom calls.
The 10.9 inch device is the best known tablet in the market, and one that’s used widely from the workplace to schools and the home office. For those with a busy lifestyle who need to get a little done on the go, the iPad is a great gift.
Google Pixel Pro 7
$1299
For those wanting to move on from the iPhone, the Google Pixel 7 Pro gives you a pretty good reason. The Australian found the device to have the best mobile camera its ever used when reviewed earlier this year.
The device has a number of impressive features – from 12GB of RAM to the Tensor G2 processor – and will from this month have its own in-built VPN. Better yet, Google promises five years of updates so, hopefully come 2027, you’ll still have access to the newest software and applications.
Kobo Clara 2e
$229.95
For those who want a simple e-reader with audiobook functionality. Kobo’s second edition of the Clara is worth a second take. The device has access to audiobook and unlimited e-book subscriptions, which cost $12.99 or $13.99 per month respectively. The eco-conscious among us will be happy to know the device was made with 85 per cent recycled materials.
An impressive feature we enjoy is a partnership with Get Pocket, formerly known as Read it Later, which allows the user to save websites and news articles onto the device to be read the old-fashion way.
Sublue Paddleboard Power Conversion Kit
$699
If you’ve ever caught yourself drifting off with the current despite your best attempts at paddling, this might be for you. Similarly it might do you some good when you find yourself accidentally paddling toward a creature you’d rather not.
The Sublue conversion kits can get you travelling at speeds of between 4.5km/h (single motor) and 7km/h (double motor) for up to 45 minutes. The device sits in the same market as underwater seascooters and kickboards, both of which are making waves in the ocean sports tech industry. And best of all, it works on a clamp system meaning you can remove and paddle manually as you wish.
Nextbase 622GW
$549
If you’re after a little insurance on the roads but have an older vehicle, then this might be the one for you. This smart dashcam can film in 4K and has an in-built intelligent mode that can turn on when somebody bumps your vehicle and it record for 30 seconds.
The device also works with Alexa and allows the user to activate record mode and take pictures via voice prompts.
BlueAnt X1i
$99
Is this the best portable speaker on the market? The Australian has tested several this year and can confirm this one is rather impressive. It has a 10-hour battery life and duo mode which allows two of the X1is to connect at a distance of 40m.
BlueAnt has also promised connectivity with the newer X2i model set to launch later this year. It has auxiliary capability as well as an in-built microphone allowing the user to make Siri, Google and Alexa requests from the speaker directly. The device is IP56 splashproof and supports Bluetooth 5.3 so there’s connectivity issues with new mobile phones.
La Marzocco Linea Micrea
$5999
At this price mark, you’re going to need to love coffee and really love the person you’re gifting it too.
Admittedly, this is the best coffee machine we’ve ever reviewed and the brew it was able to make did, in our opinion, even put to shame a couple of Sydney cafes. Why is this in the tech section? The device can basically self clean with a little help of its mobile app. Users can also program the device to turn on and heat up in the mornings while they’re still getting out of bed.
FORM Smart Swim Goggles
$300
Why would anyone ever need smart goggles? Motivation, that’s why. Sometimes it’s hard to maintain motivation to exercise or commit to goals. Other times it’s hard to even get started.
The Australian found these goggles to be quite entertaining underwater with a lap-by-lap analysis of how many calories we’d burned, how much time we spent resting and how long it took us to swim from one side of the pool to another. For the professional swimmers, the data post-swim is crucial.
Not quite what you're after? Take a look at least year’s picks below.
