Last Minute Christmas Gift Guide: Unbeatable tech presents
On the hunt for some last minute tech gifts before Christmas arrives? We’ve got you covered with our top picks.
Let it be known that if you’re in the midst of a last minute flurry to get gifts for all of your loved ones before the holidays – this is a judgement free zone. We’ve all been there at some time or another, and even with the best intentions at play, life and work can often get in the way and then before you know it, there’s only a handful of days left to buy something.
Well, let us be your guide this Christmas as we’ve put together this quick and simple gift guide, utilising our tech expertise to pair you with great gifts that everyone is sure to love. Without further delay, let’s dive in.
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
Ultimate Ears’ Wonderboom speakers have been a long-time favourite in the Trusted Reviews office for how they’re able to bring about room-filling sound in a compact form factor. Now in its fourth iteration, the newest Wonderboom speaker is better than ever.
For the first time in the series, the Wonderboom 4 boasts USB-C charging which is just a huge boon, and that’s complemented by its rugged, waterproof design that makes it safe to use outdoors, not to mention its bombastic sound that can really get the party going.
ShiftCam SnapGrip
Let’s face it, smartphone photography will always be so much more convenient than carrying around a dedicated camera, but there’s still something to be said about the steadiness offered by a proper camera grip.
The folks at ShiftCam seem to agree, as the company has put together the ingenious SnapGrip which, as its name implies, attaches seamlessly to the back of your iPhone (via MagSafe) and lets you take pictures via the physical shutter button. This is a game changer for mobile photography and a low-cost gift for all the Instagrammers out there.
Astro Bot
The Game of the Year winner at the Game Awards 2024, Astro Bot is nothing short of a marvel. This PS5 exclusive title reminds us all of of the pure joy of gaming with classic platforming gameplay that shares plenty of DNA with titles like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie.
While the gameplay is accessible for all ages, Astro Bot celebrates PlayStation’s history in a way that will be best appreciated by long-time gamers who grew up in the PS1 and PS2 era. Throw in the game’s gorgeous graphics and ingenious use of the DualSense controller and you’re looking at one of the PS5’s best games to date.
Sony WH-1000XM4
If you’re already clued in on the latest headphones then you’ll know that the Sony WH-1000XM4 are hardly the most new and exciting pair on the market, having been out for a few years now, but the reason why they’re included here is that for the most part, and particularly as they’re now cheaper than ever, they’ve yet to be bested.
The XM4 represented a huge leap over their predecessors, bringing about greatly improved active noise cancelling and audio quality to the point where they really are the essential companion for long journeys or when working in a loud environment.
Insta360 Flow Pro
For the content creator in your life, one of the best tools they can add to their arsenal is a smartphone gimbal, so if they don’t have one yet then we cannot recommend the Insta360 Flow Pro enough.
This particular gimbal has incredible AI tracking capabilities that can find your subject even if they leave the frame, and its 3-axis stabilisation allows you to shoot smooth, cinema-like footage all from your phone. Thanks to NFC compatibility, the pairing process with iPhones is almost instantaneous.
Huawei Watch Fit 3
A lot of smartwatches can end up costing you well over £200 which, for most people, just isn’t viable for a Christmastime budget. If you do want a wearable that provides plenty of smart features at a budget price however then the search starts and ends with the Huawei Watch Fit 3.
Even though it looks near identical to an Apple Watch, the Huawei Watch Fit 3 actually boasts a handful of features not found on Apple’s device including iPhone and Android compatibility, plus a battery life of up to 10-days on a single charge. Huawei’s fitness tracking software is worth a shout out too, which could make this gift perfectly timed for any fitness-related New Year’s resolutions.
Twelve South ButterFly 2 in 1 charger
This one is strictly for the iPhone user in your life who already has everything, as there’s a good chance that they don’t have this. The Twelve South ButterFly is a compact (even pocketable) 2 in 1 charger for your iPhone and Apple Watch, making it a must-have accessory when traveling.
When it’s not in use, the two halves of the ButterFly snap together magnetically, and its aluminium finish is designed to keep the apparatus protected whilst on the go. It’s also worth mentioning that if you have a pair of MagSafe compatible AirPods then it can charge them too.