Christmas Gadget Gift Guide 2021
The nights are drawing in, the air is getting crisp, and the sparkle of shiny gadgets light up shop windows across the country. It can only be Christmas, the one time of year when we revel in festive cheer and try to offset the mild feeling of panic rising from, once again, not being quite as prepared as we aimed to be. If present-buying is still top of your list, allow the team at Switched On to help with our pick of the best new technology gifts.
From slick wireless chargers to virtual reality glasses especially for the mind, body and soul, there’s a host of new innovations to wow the tech-friendly loved ones in your life. And best of all, they’re becoming more affordable so all budgets can stretch to a top-class gadget or two. Here are our favourite choices to lay under the Christmas tree.
All-New Echo Dot (4th Generation) Kids
Impress young family members – and give their parents a much-needed break at the same time – with this cute animal smart speaker made especially for children. Kids can ask the junior Alexa to read to them, call approved family members, and even get help with their homework. An entire year of Amazon Kids+ is included with every purchase, giving children hours of access to games, educational tools, audio books and more. Parental controls are easy to use, and extra privacy measures are in place to ensure online safety. We love the Tiger design, which costs £59.99 from https://www.amazon.co.uk/echo-dot-kids-4th-generation-tiger/dp/B08W9JJ37B
Not-Another-Bill Leather Wireless Charger
For the style-conscious phone addict in your life, we recommend this convenient and good looking product suitable for all devices that support wireless charging. Do away with multiple wires and plug sockets entirely in favour of this leather-bound disc that charges your mobile simply by placing it on top. It comes in three chic colours and, as an extra bonus, you can get the design personalised too. £70 from www.notanotherbill.com/product/leather-wireless-charger?variant=20089
Sennheiser CX Plus True In-Earbuds
Great for your music-loving friends and family, or the adventurer in need of a soundtrack, Sennheiser’s CX Plus True in-earbuds manage to combine what so few competing models do: superior sound quality and an ergonomic design that is hard to budge, even during vigorous exercise. Plus, the play time is longer than most, at an impressive 24 hours. Pick up a pair for £129.99 at https://en-uk.sennheiser.com/cx-plus-true-wireless
HTC VR Flow Glasses
If you’re feeling particularly flush this season, and know someone who loves a wellness gadget, the VR Flow Glasses could make a life-changing gift. Rather than providing entertainment like many other VR headsets on the market, the HTC model focuses on inner health and mental wellbeing. Controlled by your smartphone, it can do everything from provide ASMR experiences to help you sleep, enhance visualisations and sounds for meditation practices, or even transport you to a virtual rock concert for a hit of serotonin in the middle of a stressful day. The glasses are lightweight and portable, come with adjustable focus, and even feature a cooling mechanism for maximum comfort. Find them for £499 at www.vive.com/uk/product/vive-flow/overview/
Muama Enence
Fumbling around with phrase books could be a thing of the past thanks to the Muama Enence. The Japanese-designed gadget can translate your speech into 36 different languages at the touch of a button, making it ideal for those who travel a lot for business, pleasure, or simply want to learn to speak more fluently. It takes just 1.5 seconds to do it, too, allowing conversations to flow with ease without awkward looks and wild gesticulation. Get it for £178 at https://translatorenence.com/enence/product
Rocketbook Core Smart Reusable Notebook
Students, designers, plotters and planners need never lose notes again with the Rocketbook Reusable Notebook. Paired with an app on your phone, the 32-page book of wipe-clean paper allows you to scan and save each hand-written page, as well as send it to a variety of different locations. AI technology allows the user to search notes by specific words, themes or an icon, and transcribe the information to emails or other documents. It comes in a variety of colours and sizes and, at just £34.99, is one of the more wallet-friendly tech gifts out there. Find it at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rocketbook-Everlast-Reusable-Notebook-Journal/dp/B071Y3MSRK
If you’re lucky to receive gadget in your Christmas stocking this year, get it protected with Switched On Insurance. Immediate cover, flexible payment options, 24/7 online claims and fast repairs and replacements are just a few of the benefits and prices start at just £3.50/month. Plus pay for your policy annually and get two months free! Find out more here.
Please note that all prices correct as of 1 December 2021. Please be aware that Switched On doesn’t receive any commission for the items contained in this article and as these gadgets have been picked independently, Switched On has no control over their availability, pricing or external websites.