You’ll get lots of inspiration here, but we’d also recommend checking out the best tech deals – especially during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
Smartphones – Our choice: Poco X3 Pro
Who wouldn’t love a new phone for Christmas? Especially now that you can get solid discounts on premium handsets that launched at the beginning of the year or late last year. You don’t have to be Scrooge to be put off by the £500-plus price of some of the flagship phones. The phone shown here is the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro, which is our top budget buy at £229. There are plenty of other incredible mid-range and budget phones that could make anyone envious thanks to top-notch performance and features. (And if your recipient isn’t picky, you can find fabulous discounts on refurbished phones in top condition too!) Follow the links below to find a phone to suit your budget and your recipient:
Best phones Best Android phones Best mid-range phones Best budget phones Best phone deals
If you’re buying a new phone, consider also a power bank, wireless charger or other accessories such as a case.
Tablets – Our choice: iPad Air (4th gen, 2020)
A tablet makes a great Christmas present for your nearest and dearest, as always-on devices that let you work and play. We’ve found that tablets can be a big hit with the over-50s, as well as teenagers and commuters. At the top of our tablets chart right now is the iPad Air (4th gen), which you can buy from £579/$599 from Apple. There are plenty of other excellent options too – click here to see our favourite tablets for Christmas, and the best tablet deals. And if you’re looking for a tablet for a younger users, you can check out our round-up of the best kids tablets here.
Smartwatches – Our choice: Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic
The Apple Watch and Fitbit lines have popularised wearable tech for all, and will feature high up on plenty of Christmas wish lists this year. The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (pictured) tops our list of the best smartwatches of the year with prices starting at £349/ $349.99. See our full review of the Watch 4. If you’re on a strict budget, check out the Amazfit GTS 2 Mini, which offers an AMOLED display and costs just £49.99 at Argos. Click here for the best smartwatches, and the best smartwatch deals.
Activity trackers – Our choice: Fitbit Charge 5
With so many of us pledging to lose weight or get fit for the new year, a fitness- or activity tracker is an ideal Christmas gift. Fitbit is one of the biggest players in this market, but there are plenty of alternatives to choose from too, especially given all the recent releases. We’re comparing all Fitbit models here too to help you decide. Want to see options outside Fitbit? See our favourite activity trackers.
Gifts for kids – Our choice: Osmo Coding
Kids increasingly want – and expect – high-tech presents, but few people can afford to give their children iPads for Christmas. There are many cheaper options when it comes to tablets and other techy gifts for kids, as demonstrated in our round-up, which you can read here, along with our separate guides to the best robot toys and coding games for kids. In addition to being lots of fun, these gifts are often educational too – a lesson in disguise like the Osmo Coding games (£99.99/$129.99, which teach children (ages 5-12) how to code using physical blocks.
Headphones – Our Choice: Sony WH-1000XM4
Our list of the best headphones to gift this Christmas has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for the best audio quality or the best price. If you’ve got cash to splash on the very best, you’ll want to pick up the Sony WH-1000XM4 (£350/$349.99). See our overall round-up of the best headphones for other excellent options. For cheaper headphones that still offer impressive quality for the price click here. These days it’s wireless earbuds such as the new Apple AirPods 3 (£169/$179) which that really impress – however, check out the best Bluetooth earbuds ( as well as some cheaper options).
Bluetooth speaker – Our choice: EarFun Uboom
The best speakers can cost hundreds of pounds, but getting better (or simply louder) audio from your phone, tablet or laptop is easily achievable without spending a fortune. If you’ve got more money to spend on a speaker (perhaps this is a Christmas gift for yourself!) then check out our overall best speakers chart here.
E-Readers – Our Choice: Kindle Paperwhite (2018 model)
The ideal gift for a book worm, an e-reader lets you hundreds of books into a single slim and light digital device. E-readers are cheaper than tablets, optimised for reading, and with much better and battery life.
Drones – Our choice: Ryze Tello
Drones are the new remote control car, and they don’t have to cost the world. Click here to see the absolute best drones that may well cost you a small fortune, but we’ve also got a round-up of the best cheap drones here.
Games consoles – Our choice: Nintendo Switch
A new games console is one of the most exciting gifts you can open on Christmas morning, because the endless entertainment that follows can last all the way until next Christmas (and you’ll know just what to get them next time – a game or two!) Oculus Quest 2 and the new PlayStation 5 seem to be the big-hitters this year, but PS5 at least is also as easy to find as gold dust. The stock situation for the updated Xbox Series X and Series S is better, and don’t forget the Nintendo Switch which is now £20 cheaper thanks to the arrival of the Switch OLED Model. We’re rounding up all the best Nintendo Switch deals and taking a look at how to get the Switch/Switch OLED for for free with a phone contract (two presents for the price of one? Why not!). We also have the best Switch games in this handy round up. See the best games consoles available in our chart here.
Instant cameras – Our choice: Instax Mini 11
You’d think instant cameras would be consigned to the past, but nostalgia has dragged them kicking and screaming into the 21st Century, and surprisingly enough they’re actually a welcome presence. In an age of instant filters and digital backups, there’s something to be said for a camera that doesn’t let you pick the perfect photo out of ten options, and that immediately gives you a physical print to hang onto. We’ve tested a selection for our guide to the best instant cameras, but for gift giving one of our favourites us the affordable Instax mini 11 (£69.99/$69.95).
Gaming keyboards – Our choice: Logitech G915
Another option for gamers, this time the PC-loving variety, is a new gaming keyboard. We’ve picked out 10 of the best gaming keyboards available to buy in the UK, so take a look here. Among the best is the Logitech G915 gaming keyboard (£209.99/$249.99) which is available direct from Logitech.
Gaming mice – Our choice: Razer Naga Trinity
Alternatively, how about a gaming mouse? You’ll find 10 of the best gaming mice to buy for Christmas in our round-up by clicking here.
Laptops – Our choice: Huawei Matebook 14s (2021)
A laptop could make an amazing present this Christmas, and it doesn’t necessarily have to break Santa’s bank. See our favourite laptops to gift this year, and here to go to our favourite budget laptops. You’ll also find some great laptop deals this time of year.
Laptop bags – Our choice: Ogio Alpha Convoy
If your gift’s recipient already has a laptop, how about a laptop bag? We’ve reviewed our favourite cases, rucksacks and messenger bags for style, comfort and practicality. The Ogio Alpha Convoy 525r backpack sits at the top of our best laptop bag list for being strong yet lightleight. See our favouite laptop bags for Christmas. Somrata researches and writes about the best tech deals to help readers make smart, informed buying decisions. She’s an expert on accessories and also reviews laptops, phones, audio and other devices.
