We’re less than two weeks away from Christmas, and December 25 will be here before you know it. That means time is running out to find the perfect Christmas gifts for your loved ones, but TechRadar’s Australian team has put their heads together to come up with this Christmas gift guide.
We’ve got gift ideas to suit every budget, with gifts under AU$100, gifts under AU$300 and gifts under AU$500 all available in our list. Most of them can still be bought online and delivered in time for Christmas, but you’ll have to get cracking.
If you’re looking for a gift idea this Christmas, we’ve dug deep and found a range of options for you, whether it’s affordable smart light bulbs, the best set of headphones on the market or a one-cup coffee machine for those that are short on time. So there’s no need to stress if you’re stuck for ideas, we’ve got 20 for you right here.
Gifts under AU$100
Board games
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Get your family and friends ready for game night by gifting them a board game or two for Christmas this year. If you want to go for classic nostalgia, you could pick up the latest editions of Monopoly and Scrabble, while games such as Guess Who? and Jenga are fantastic for kids.
For something aside from the classics that’s a bit more mature, we recommend one of the best board games for adults, which includes picks such as the beautifully illustrated Wingspan and Dixit, along with party games like Wavelength and The Quacks of Quedlinburg, which is surprisingly not about ducks but a crew of charlatans.
Amazon Echo Pop
The Echo Pop is a simple smart speaker from Amazon, which makes it a great first step for someone who’s new to the world of smart home gadgets. The Alexa voice assistant is front and centre, so you can use your voice to control any compatible smart lights or sensors around your home. Plus, you can ask Alexa to set timers and shopping lists, give you the latest news and weather updates, or answer any question that comes to mind.
Its small size means it doesn’t have the same sound quality of more powerful speakers, but you can still stream music, podcasts and audiobooks from the smart speaker.
Read our full Amazon Echo Pop review
TP-Link Tapo Smart Colour bulbs
Smart lights such as the Philips Hue can be quite expensive, but TP-Link now offers smart light bulbs that are much more affordable and well under AU$100 / NZ$100. You can fine-tune the brightness and temperature of these smart lights, and TP-Link says they can emit up to 16 millions colours. That kind of control will help you create any mood at home, whether you’re settling in for a movie night, immersing yourself in a game or hosting a party. TP Link’s smart light bulbs also play nicely with the Amazon Echo Pop, mentioned at the top of this list.
Lego Tiny Plants
We absolutely love Lego’s Botanical Collection for its gorgeous bouquets, bonsai and orchid arrangements, and now a new set is available – Tiny Plants. The 758-piece set includes nine different tiny pot plants, filled with carnivorous species like the Venus flytrap and pitcher plant, to desert succulents like the prickly pear and pincushion cactus. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a green thumb, Lego’s Tiny Plants will live forever.
Lego’s Tiny Plants set is currently available to pre-order, and will start shipping from December 1. If you’d prefer a different set, others available now in Lego’s Botanical Collection include the Bonsai Tree, Orchid, Wildflower Bouquet, Dried Flower Centrepiece and Succulents.
Chromecast with Google TV
The Chromecast with Google TV is a streaming device that can turn a not-so-smart TV into a hub for Netflix, Stan, Disney Plus, Prime Video, YouTube and so much more. All that’s required to use it is an internet connection and an HDMI port on the back of your telly. This Chromecast comes with a dedicated remote so you can easily navigate around the interface, or you can use the Google Assistant button to search for something to watch with your voice.
There are two versions of the Chromecast available – you can get HD video quality for AU$59 / NZ$69, or you can upgrade to 4K HDR quality for AU$99 / NZ$110. Just note you’ll need a TV which can support 4K content to actually make use of the more expensive device.
Read our full Chromecast with Google TV review
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a new platformer for the Nintendo Switch, packed with gorgeous visuals and levels full of secrets to discover. Our five-star review said playing Wonder, “feels like walking into a side-scrolling version of The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and thankfully it’s not just the vivid scenery that makes this game an absolute joy to play.
The Wonder Effects which give the game its name can alter the way a level is played, and make each one a truly memorable experience. It can be played single or multiplayer with up to four players, making it a fun choice for the family to play together.
Read our full Super Mario Bros. Wonder review
Ninja Blast portable blender
The Ninja Blast is an all-in-one portable blender designed for drinking on the go. Unlike some portable blenders which require you to pour your drink into a separate glass after blending, you can drink your smoothie straight out of the Ninja Blast, with a handle and sip cup lid all designed for easy drinking. You can use the Ninja Blast for smoothies, protein shakes and frozen drinks, and we can see it being a great companion for weekend trips, gym sessions or lunch breaks.
Gifts under AU$300
iDoo Hydroponics Growing System
If your loved one is a serial plant-killer, then something like the iDoo Hydroponics Growing System will help give them a green thumb with minimal effort. There are various kits available, but the one we’ve chosen here has 12 pod planters to help you grow herbs such as basil, chives, mint and dare we say it, coriander.
This is just one indoor hydroponic system that’ll make it easy to grow herbs throughout the year, with overhead LED lights to mimic sunlight, and a water circulation system to give your plants just the right amount of water. We haven’t reviewed this growing kit, but it’s got loads of positive user feedback online, so if this can’t help keep your herbs alive, we don’t know what will.
Cuisinart The Soft Serve
Summer’s here, and besides a swim at the beach or a dip in the pool, we can’t think of a better way to cool off than ice cream. For a gift that’s a little different, Cuisinart’s The Soft Serve machine can create delicious soft serve ice cream at home, and it has three dispensers that lets you add sprinkles, chocolate chips or cookie crumbs to your sweet treat. Recipes are included with the machine, so you’ll be making soft serve ice cream at home in no time at all.
Breville the InFizz Fusion
Breville’s InFizz Fusion is a new alternative to SodaStream, but it can do a lot more than just make sparkling water. You can use this sleek-looking gadget to carbonate any cold drinkable liquid – that includes water, juices, iced teas, wines and cocktails, and it can even recarbonate flat fizzy drinks. It’s the perfect gift for summer, with drinks like sparkling apple juice, lemon, lime and bitters and Aperol spritz all possible with Breville’s beverage maker.
Read our full Breville the InFizz Fusion review
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
In our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers, the UE Wonderboom 3 is our top pick for using outdoors. That’s because it’s portable and built rugged, with its durable design being able to withstand some knocking about. The Wonderboom 3 pumps out loud sound for its deceptively short and stout size, and its design means you’ll get 360° sound. We also love that the Wonderboom 3 comes in a fun range of colours, which is a bit more exciting than a run-of-the-mill Bluetooth speaker.
Read our full Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 review
DJI OM 6
If your loved one is going on a trip soon, or they just love to take photos and videos from their phone, the DJI OM 6 gimbal could make for a nice present. This device is a hybrid between a smartphone stabiliser and a selfie stick of sorts, except you have more creative control. The gimbal has subject tracking abilities, while other modes allow you to shoot time lapses, panoramas and dramatic zoom shots.
Ember Mug 2
The Ember Mug 2 is a smart self-heating mug, so if your loved one is constantly forgetting they’ve got a tea or coffee brewing, it could be just the thing they need. Ember’s app allows you to choose the exact temperature for your hot drinks, and the mug will keep it just how you like it for up to one and half hours. That means slow drinkers will also be able to enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee for longer, with less of it ending up down the sink.
Gifts under AU$500
Eufy Robovac 11S
Keeping your house free of dust can be a real time suck, even for those of us in small apartments. A robot vacuum is a great way to get some of your time back, and it can suck up dust, dirt and debris from your floors without you having to get up off the lounge.
Robot vacuums can be quite an investment, but we think the Eufy Robovac 11S is the best robot vacuum you can get on a budget. It’s got adequate suction on both hard floors and carpets, but our review found it wasn’t always good at moving around objects, and it takes a random path around the room because there’s no app control. Those kinds of features come with a more expensive model, but if you just want an effective robovac for daily upkeep, this is one we recommend.
Read our full Eufy Robovac 11S review
Lavazza A Modo Mio Deséa
We rate the Lavazza A Modo Mio Deséa among the best coffee machines you can buy. It’s a pod machine done a little differently, as it’s a one-cup appliance that brews the coffee and makes the milk all in the same glass mug. This pod coffee machine is fast, efficient and easy to use, not to mention very simple to clean.
There should be enough coffee varieties to please most, and after having countless cups we can say Lavazza’s coffee pods taste pretty good compared to other pod machines. While the flavour can’t compete with manual machines or barista-brewed coffee, it does really well for the price.
Sony WH-1000XM4
We recommend these Sony over-ears as the best headphones for most people, because they sound fantastic, have top active noise cancellation and a very comfortable fit.
You’ll be able to tune out the world with these noise-cancelling headphones, letting you listen to music, podcasts and audiobooks without being disturbed. Because of that, we think they’re a particularly good choice for commuters. While they’re no longer the latest model thanks to the newer Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, the XM4s are still excellent and cost less.
Read our full Sony WH-1000XM4 review
Kobo Libra 2
The Kobo Libra 2 is the best ereader you can currently buy, as it offers a premium reading experience at an affordable price. It has a 7-inch display that’s clear and sharp, and it uses E Ink technology to imitate real paper, all while looking fast and responsive on screen. The Libra 2 is also comfortable to use single-handed in either portrait or landscape mode, with page-turn buttons and a great interface, too. If your loved one is an avid reader, look no further than the Kobo Libra 2.
Read our full Kobo Libra 2 review
Nanoleaf Shapes Ultra Black
Smart light panels look fantastic when they’re switched on, but the blank white shapes can look less than ideal while they’re switched off on your wall. That’s where Nanoleaf comes in, with its new Shapes Ultra Black smart lights which are a slick, matte black.
These light panels look particularly good if you have darker walls, but they could really work on almost any backdrop. Features such as screen mirroring make Nanoleaf Shapes a great gift for gamers, but we can see them being just as enjoyable in a living room or bedroom.
Read our full Nanoleaf Shapes Ultra Black review
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console that gives you the best of both worlds – you can connect to the TV when you want to get immersed in a game or play with mates, or you can play in handheld mode when you’re commuting or away from home. The Switch gets you access to the latest games from Nintendo’s iconic franchises, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. There are third-party titles available too, and even Hogwarts Legacy is coming to the Nintendo Switch this month.
Read our full Nintendo Switch review
Also consider...
Theragun Theraface Pro
You’re probably familiar with massage guns, but did you know you could get a massage gun for your face? It’s called the TheraFace Pro, and it’s a little more advanced than the gua sha routine you might’ve seen on TikTok. The TheraFace Pro comes with four attachments – the percussive head, a LED light therapy attachment, a microcurrent roller and a cleansing ring.
You can use this device to relieve tension of puffiness in your face and neck with a percussion massage, and we’ve found it so nice to use on the temples after a long day. We also love the LED light therapy attachment, which Therabody says can emit red light to help reduce wrinkles or blue light to ease mild to moderate acne.
Read our thoughts on the Theragun Theraface Pro
