Don’t create needless landfill. We’ve scoured the shops for the very best gifts for the geek, or geeks, in your family. From designer smart speakers to iMac aquariums and Ultra HD projectors to sleek air purifiers, our expert edit of Christmas gifts has a little bit of everything.
Looking for something a little different? Check out our guide to the best toys gifts for kids big and small. Shopping for the jet-setter in your life? We’ve got that covered with our pick of the best travel gifts for added style and comfort.
Black Friday has arrived and discounts on a wide range of tech and gadgetry are now live. The WIRED team has sought out the top true savings on quality products. Here’s the best Black Friday deals.
Gifts for gadget and gaming geeks
Aimed squarely at iPhone and iPad users, Belkin's 10,000mAh capacity Boost is the world's first power bank that connects using a Lightning, instead of USB cable. WIRED is staggered nobody has done it sooner, but this Apple-certified super-slim design has been worth the wait, can be bought with a Lightning dock for cable-free charging and has two other USB ports for headphone and peripheral charging. £55 from Amazon.co.uk
The Beoplay P6 Bluetooth speaker is another piece of exceptional design from long-time Bang & Olufsen collaborator Cecilie Manz and boasts the usual high-water mark for both Scandinavia style and B&O signature sound. Apparently taking inspiration from the Bang & Olufsen Beomaster 6000 sound system (you have to look hard), the Beoplay P6 – with an ever-changing selection of colours and limited edition shades – features milled aluminium buttons that take it beyond the usual one-box speaker package. Despite the retro design references, the 16-hour battery and USB-C charging is anything but old-school. Inside there's three amplifier channels delivering as much as 1 x 36W Class D for woofer, 2 x 30W Class D for full tones for a total of 215W peak power, meaning it should sound great at any volume. £349 from Amazon.co.uk
Some traditional gamers have been pretty quick to scoff, but WIRED applauds Blade Shadow's attempt to provide super-fast GTX 1080-equivalent cloud-based PC-style gaming, via a powerful data centre, instead of constantly having to upgrade your home components. You're guaranteed eight threads on a Xeon processor, 12GB of DDR4 RAM, a high-end Nvidia card capable of 144Hz 1080p or 60Hz 4K graphics, and 256GB of storage. You'll need speeds of 15Mbps to get started, but the system is compatible with Fibre, DSL, 4G, Ethernet and Wi-Fi, meaning you can transfer games from PC to tablet. £26.95 per month shadow.tech
Minimalist, monochromatic and hugely effective, Blloc has been designed to minimize distractions and help you be more productive through the use of a simple black and white UI. And before you ask, yes there's more to it than just taking our colour screens away. The main screen lists your most used items – Google Maps, Instagram, WhatsApp, Gmail, Spotify etc - and when you click on the tile you'll see all of your updates rolled into a single timeline. The octa-core ARM processor with 4GB of Ram keeps things speedy, there's 64GB storage and the pictures from its 13-megapixel 4K 30fps shooting Sony camera can even be viewed in colour. €359 blloc.com
Domio transforms any full-face helmet into a super-safe surround-sound system. It attaches to the outside of your helmet and, by using proprietary Vibro-Audio technology, sends tiny micro-vibration pulses into the shell of the helmet, creating a dome of audio on the inside – think bone-conduction headphones for helmets. It enables the rider to listen to music without blocking out external traffic noise, and there's also a wireless Bluetooth noise-cancelling Air Mic that sticks to the helmet for clean voice calls. $199 domiosports.com
Given the pocket-change price, you'd expect corners cut on this customisable RGB PC keyboard, but at 22mm thick with 3mm of travel and 45g of operating force it's easily the slimmest mechanical keyboard available. Requiring a lighter touch than your typical mechanical keyboard, your typing is almost guaranteed to quicken. And with a traditional well-spaced layout, despite the lack of travel, you won’t have an issue with accidental keypresses. £54.99 from Amazon.co.uk
Specifically designed for the powerhouse that is the Apple MacBook Pro 2018 (and 2016/2017 editions), this slender adapter adds six extremely useful and often sorely missed ports: 4K HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, Thunderbolt 3 USB-C supporting 5K video and 40Gbps data, USB-C supporting 5Gbps data, twin USB-A 3.0 and power delivery. It's made of the same precision-milled aluminium as your MacBook – colour-matched, of course – and is just small enough to stay plugged in at all times. £78.99 from Amazon.co.uk
Sidestepping traditional projector design in favour of an elongated cuboid, LGs 4K UHD/HDR Wi-Fi streaming laser projector has a tiny 15cm x 15cm footprint and can be placed casually on a desk, wall-mounted or laid flat. There's even a tote-style handle for carrying, but no matter where you put it you'll be astounded by the image quality, especially considering the bargain (for a 4K laser projector) asking price. It can manage a 150in screen from 4m, and if you're feeling more horizontal you can watch a 70in screen on the ceiling. £1,950 from Amazon.co.uk
Frustrated by the lack of design-led Apple Watch accessories, London based brand consultancy Brogue collaborated with bespoke furniture designer Gavin Coyle to produce the ANDEN Watch Valet, a refreshingly simple, flawlessly finished charging valet that elegantly follows the curves of the watch, while also providing four practical slots for alternative straps. Available in sustainably sourced walnut, rippled maple and cherry wood or a limited-edition design using Glacier white Corian, each is hand made to order and finished with natural oils. From £89 madebyanden.com
According to Molekule, your average air purifier is only doing half a job, but thanks to their patented Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO) process, they can now add a second stage to the filtration process that works at the molecular level, utililising free radicals to oxidize pollutants. According to their research, this nanotechnology is able to destroy air-borne nasties 1,000 times smaller than traditional HEPA filters (0.1 nanometers versus 300 nanometers), which could make all the difference between a streaming nose and a good night's sleep. $799 molekule.com
DJI’s new smallest vlogging camera is build on a three-axis handheld base that can stabilise your shots without having to carry any extra heavy gear around. The high-definition camera records at 4K and up to 60 fps, and can be easily connected to your smartphone to activate intelligent functions such as Motionlapse, which smooths camera movements for Timelapses, or ActiveTrack, which follows the subject you are filming to consistently keep it at the center of the shot. All of which is stacked in a 116g device – that’s about the weight of an orange. With many more specs. £329 from Amazon.co.uk
With its wood-veneer finish and mid-century design, Klipsch’s “The Three” wireless speaker fits on a bookshelf, but it does a lot more than decoratively blend in. It is small in size but powerful, pumping out sound at a maximum of 106dB, with high resolution of audio tracks and deep bass. The Three, however, is not only than a high-quality speaker; with Chromecast built in, it also connects to your other devices and lets you stream music, movies, podcasts and news. “Hey, Google” finally meets the finest acoustics. £445 klipsch.com
Boozy gifts for geeks
Biodegr(edible) may be one of the most ham-fisted phrases ever conceived, but WIRED can forgive LOLIWARE for its creation as they've just developed the world’s first edible, ultra-compostable, marine-degradable straw. Made from a patent-pending, seaweed-based material, the straw is 100 per cent plastic free, can be eaten once you've finished sipping or it will fully biodegrade in compost in just 60 days. £TBC Loliware.com
A serious challenger to SodaStream's fizzy crown, Aarke is a premium sparkling water maker available in polished steel or powder-coated matte black. Unlike the competition it has a stainless-steel enclosure, work-top friendly dimensions and three safety valves. To carbonate, just pull down the lever and the mechanism injects C02 then automatically releases the pressure in one simple movement. Saving plastic has rarely looked so good. From £169 Aarke.com
Something you can use with the Aarke, above, and you'll have to navigate SodaStream's German website, but this 200ml bottle of concentrated "gold" will give you 12 glasses of 10 per cent (by volume) sparkling wine that has been described as tasting like "a fruity Riesling wine". Novelty aside, this limited-edition alcoholic concentrate can keep your guests well-oiled for a fraction of the financial cost of buying actual bottles, and you'll have none of the shame when it comes to taking the recycling out. €5 Sodastream.de
Something of a watershed moment for WIRED's tea-swilling gear editor, Ember is a proper ceramic mug with a hidden rechargeable heating element and app control that can keep your cuppa at the perfect temperature for as long as you need. Choose your preferred temperature - between 49°C - 63°C – via the companion app and the convection-based elements built into the wall of the cup keep things consistent to avoid hot spots for up to two hours. £79.95 ember.com
Bringing draft beer into your home without the need for a kegerator, Waytap is a battery-powered beer booster that gives your 330ml cans and bottles a blast of "Fizzics Micro-Foam" technology, supposedly restoring it to just-poured pub-like quality. Using a process called “sonication”, sound waves are used to control the beer's natural carbonation, creating a dense foam with uniform sized bubbles that should enhance the flavour and give your brew a pub-worthy mouthfeel. £95 from Amazon.co.uk
Google's Warsaw campus sits on the site of an old Vodka factory, so what better way to woo visitors than with a bottle of home-brewed algorithmic potato juice. Limited to a run of 200 bottles – each given away to celebrate the campus's first anniversary – it was the packaging, not the booze that caught WIRED's attention. Designed by Warsaw-based Redkroft, the Silk-screen design in Google's signature colours was printed on high-quality paper and hand assembled. Rare as Polish hens' teeth, you will have to scour the online auction sites to find a bottle (or get someone at the design agency three sheets to the wind). Redkroft.com
Seedlip Grove 42 is all set to become a dry-January favourite. The citrus-heavy blend is a self-proclaimed “distilled non-alcoholic spirit”, which nonetheless feels like a most sophisticated cocktail when mixed, as advised, with tonic and a twist of orange peel. It is based exclusively on plant extracts; in this case, bitter and blood orange, as well as mandarin, lemon, ginger and lemongrass. Something for those who enjoy a sharp drink, then, and sure to benefit healthy New Year resolutions. £28 from Amazon.co.uk
Pour your favourite vintage into the centre of these stemless goblets, and watch as it cascades into the glass, instantly releasing the wine's full flavour. It's a decanter within a tumbler and works surprisingly well, mixing the maximum amount of air with wine in the shortest amount of time. $50 uncommongoods.com
Ditch trying to delicately pour booze over the back of a spoon, now creating a layered cocktail is thankfully made considerably easier with this simple gadget from Vacu Vin. The design slows down the fluids as they are being poured, helping to create beautiful layers depending on the density of whatever you're pouring. The measurements in the funnel are based on the most frequently made cocktails, and at less than £6 it's an essential addition to any bartender's box of tricks. £6 from Amazon.co.uk
When, in 2013, Ian Puddick bought a couple of century-old, run-down properties in Palmers Green, north London, he was just looking for a new office to run his management consulting firm. Except he found out that one of the buildings he purchased, the Old Bakery, had in its time doubled as an illegal gin-making factory. Puddick decided to restore the Old Bakery to its original function, this time on the right side of the law, and thus the Old Bakery Gin rose from the ashes. And thus the drink is served with an added slice of history. From £38 oldbakerygin.com
Gifts for design geeks
Air quality has become quite the concern recently. So if you are going to get a humidifier and improve your personal environment, make sure it is a first-class design. This is where you opt for Dyson's option, naturally. To halt bacteria spreading around the room, using "Ultraviolet Cleanse" technology, the AM10 kills 99.9 per cent of bacteria in the water. It also brings into play the company's bladeless Air Multiplier knowhow to throw an even mist throughout the room. Temperature and humidity sensors should make sure you are always in the most comfortable zone. Need more? The machine doubles as a fan when humidification isn't required. £500 dyson.co.uk
Grovemade has elevated the humble ruler, protractor and triangle into something considerably more desirable than double maths. By machining each item from a solid block of metal, instead of simply punching shapes out of a sheet allowed the designers to create something a little more sculptural. Precision-etched marks, meanwhile, ensure they're as functional as they are beautiful. $59 grovemade.com
Too busy to tie your own shoelaces? Then bask in the brilliance of Hickies 2.0. Designed for sports shoes, the high-performance, one-size-fits-all upgrade is made from the same elastomer blend used in Apple Watch bands that contracts and expands independently, while supporting your foot securely. £14 from Amazon.co.uk
Hand-built from discarded Apple G3 iMacs, these LED-lit aquariums have a 13-litre acrylic tank with a perfectly curved front to fit in the contour of the front bezel. The coloured casing simply lifts off for access, while the Apple logo on top of the case can be removed to feed the fish. $349 jakeharms.com
Nike's highly anticipated see-through sneaker, first spotted in Jun Takahashi’s Undercover show in Paris, effortlessly blends nostalgia with innovation through the use of the vintage Internationalist-style upper and materials including a translucent 100 per cent thermoplastic elastomer yarn shell and extra-cushioned foam sole that was developed through the use of a hand drill and advanced mapping software to determine the best balance of pressure and comfort. Start hunting eBay, they sold out instantly. £tbc nike.com
WIRED recently came across its original – sadly now bricked - iPhone, and was struck by just how solid it still felt. And while Apple never takes a step back, you can give that same sense of solidity to your iPhone X with this nostalgic case, inspired by the first-generation iPhone, that uses Air Cushion Technology – and a 26-drop safety test for each design - to prevent your flagship handset becoming just another tech relic. £15 from Amazon.co.uk
Slightly ironic given Vincent's troubled life and untimely end but, according to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy can help patients explore feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, tackle addictions, develop social skills and reduce anxiety. So what better path to enlightenment than with this poster-sized paint-by-numbers rendering complete with canvas, oil paints and brushes. £15.61 vangopaintings.com
This epic powder-coated steel structure, available in a choice of five cushion colours in woven outdoor-specific fabric and long-lasting spun polyester stuffing, is a welcome change from ubiquity of Ibiza-style day beds and all-weather corner sofas. Hang it from a suitably hefty tree, or use with its own curved tripod stand. It's designed for two and has been tested to hold up to 450kg. $2,800 kodamazomes.com
Gifts for audio geeks
KEF has managed to distil the essence of its award-winning LS50 Wireless music system and created a smaller, more affordable, but no less impressive hi-res stereo streamer. Unlike its big brother, the LSX is a totally wireless stereo system, without the need for a master-slave cable, and is capable of streaming 48kHz/24bit wirelessly while playing nice with NAS drives, Spotify, Tidal, Airplay 2, aptX Bluetooth or via optical and RCA wired inputs. Inside there's four Class D amplifiers, one for each of the drive units and dedicated DACS, while the external grilles are handled beautifully by Danish textile manufacturer Kvadrat. £1,000 kef.com
Hand-built in Shinola’s flagship Detroit store from 130 parts, the Runwell is based around the VPI Industries Classic turntable, a design overseen by founder and iconic audiophile Harry Weisfeld. Set on an American oak base, the belt-drive runs a heavy, precision-milled, well-damped aluminum-alloy platter, riding on an inverted ball-type bearing and finished with a signature Shinola leather mat. Beauty aside, this is no slouch in the sound department, with built-in pre-amplifier and Ortofon 2M Blue phono cartridge. Technophobes will be relieved to hear that the whole thing is plug-and-play straight out the box. £2,000 shinola.co.uk
Traditional vacuum tubes sound sensational, but are cumbersome, unreliable and power-hungry, which is why Korg developed Nutube, the first electronic replacement that sounds every bit as authentic while requiring just 2 per cent of the power and taking up 30 per cent less space. Ibanez has been quick to use this tech, adding it to its hugely successful Tubescreamer range of pedals, giving controlled analogue distortion and improved harmonic richness. £199 ibanez.com
The ultimate all-in-one floor-standing stereo system features prodigious power from four high-end DSP-regulated, room-adapting Pascal amplifiers, all-new 30mm ceramic tweeters and high-resolution ceramic diamond drivers, developed exclusively by Accuton for Lyravox, and all the streaming know-how to make the absolute best of content from TiDal and Qobuz, while complete control comes via remote control with full-colour display and smartphone app. £TBC lyravox.com
Scratching without the scratches, Phase is an ingenious wireless transceiver that sits on top of a turntable platter and lets the DJ to scratch in real time without needing a cartridge. The receiver tracks platter rotation and speed information and sends it direct to your chosen DJ software - Serato Pro etc - enabling you to perform with the reliability (read: nobody knocking your stylus) of digital, but the familiarity of a trusty pair of decks. Plus, your actual record collection remains pristine in the process. €299 phase-project.com
Arguably the best-value speaker brand in the UK just upgraded its core line with a suite of five speakers ranging from the ridiculously priced £199, 3010i standmounts to the £649 3050i floorstanders. The whole range benefits from a new super-rigid point-to-point internal cabinet bracing, a thicker mount for the drivers and new embedded terminal sockets within the cabinet, which all helping to minimise distortion, while increased cabinet sizes on the standmounts and a revised crossover make the most of the cabinet's extra volume. From £199 Qacoustics.co.uk
A beautifully tactile addition to any recording studio, Touché is an highly sensitive wooden trackpad that reacts to the slightest of pressure. Linked to a synthesizer it gives the operator a whole new level of expressive control. From a firm thwack to a the lightest of touches, even the slightest vibration can alter the intensity of the sound. Lié is the companion software for Touché and enables you to map out your preferred movements, trigger key sounds and export recordings via built-in MIDI and CV Ports. €399 expressivee.com
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
