GIFT GUIDE

SACK TO THE FUTURE

Christmas is coming, and Stuff’s playing Santa again: our 2025 Gift Guide is packed with techy kit that’ll light up faces faster than fairylights on a frosty night. Which is not to say you can’t keep the best things for yourself, of course…

Words Esat Dedezade

If you need even more ideas than this, you’ll find extra Gift Guide entries online at Stuff.tv

TECH NOMAD

For digital wanderers who demand worldwide connectivity, these tools are for trains, planes, coffee shops and more

RODE VIDEOMIC ME-C+

Some creators might opt for the convenience of their smartphone for spontaneous shoots. Trouble is, phone mics are hardly going to do your musings justice, especially with the hustle and bustle of life going on around you. Enter Rode’s directional USB-Cmicrophone. £69/go.stuff.tv/VideoMic

MAONO WIRELESS LAVALIER MIC

Wireless lav mics (no, not that kind of lav) are perfect for any traveller, content creator or remote worker. Weighing next to nothing, with intelligent ANC, this one packs 30hr battery life while multiple preset voice filters eliminate post-production tweakage hassle. £119/go.stuff.tv/MaonoMic

YETI ROADIE 15

This compact cool box is built for adventure, with wine-friendly dimensions that accommodate standard bottles and 2L containers sideways. The virtually indestructible build, featuring PermaFrost insulation and a ColdLock gasket, maintains temperature for extended periods, while non-slip feet prevent sliding in vehicles. There’s a handle and shoulder strap for manual transport. £175/go.stuff.tv/Roadie15

YALE LINUS L2 SMART LOCK

The last thing you want to worry about while you’re off on your travels is missing deliveries or forgetting you invited your nan round to borrow your nunchucks. This smart lock can transform any door into a phone-controlled entry point without replacing cylinder or keys. £220/go.stuff.tv/LinusL2

FINAL UX3000 SV

These low-key headphones have got aptx HD for quality wireless streaming, 40mm drivers for clear sound, hybrid ANC, and 35hr battery life. What sets them apart from most rivals, though, is the Noise Can Only mode, which provides pure silence with a dedicated button. £129/go.stuff.tv/UX3000

KEYCHRON K3 MAX

This ultra-slim mechanical keyboard offers the holy trinity of connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz and USB-C. Its 75% compact layout saves precious bag and desk space without sacrificing functionality, letting you type away in cramped travel conditions. £100 / go.stuff.tv/K3Max

ESR MAGMOUSE

This clever compact setup includes a magnetic base attachment that lets you dock the mouse to your laptop, ensuring they’re never separated again. There’s a built-in USB-C cable, while a single minute of charging provides 4hrs of use. Six adjustable DPI levels provide precision control, with support for both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.0 across Windows, macOS, Android and more. £40/go.stuff.tv/MagMouse

AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-CKS50TW2

Tongue-twisting name aside, these wireless buds deliver a crushing 65hrs of playback time (25 from the buds plus 40 from the case). Inside, 9mm high-definition drivers provide detailed audio with ample low end, while hybrid noise-cancelling blocks distractions during flights or in shared working spaces. And a 5min quick charge provides 90mins of listening time. £125/go.stuff.tv/CKS50

LEXAR GO PORTABLE SSD WITH HUB (1TB)

Lexar’s little SSD makes roving content creators’ storage dreams come true with up to 1050MB/s read speeds and a four-port USB-C hub.

It offers IP65 resistance and drop protection up (or should that be down?) to 1m. £180/go.stuff.tv/LexarGo

LIFESAVER WAYFARER

We don’t want to think too much about how they came up with the figures, but this water purifier claims to remove 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, parasites and microplastics from any water source to ensure worry-free hydration when you’re properly out in the wild. £105/go.stuff.tv/Wayfarer

ANKER LAPTOP POWER BANK

Anker’s seriously capable mobile power solution features three 100W USB-Cports that can simultaneously charge laptops and other devices at zippy speeds. The 25,000mAh capacity means it supports multiple recharges, and it refuels itself at 100W too. £66/go.stuff.tv/AnkerLaptop

Close to view The T1 Pro can project a 100in picture from just 2.4m away – perfect for cramped hotel rooms and tiny apartments where space is tight.

Mood, glorious mood A built-in mood light offers warm and cool modes for ambience between movies. It also doubles as a standalone nightlight.

You auto know You get auto focus, auto keystone correction, intelligent obstacle avoidance and automatic screen alignment.

YABER T1 PRO PORTABLE CINEMA PROJECTOR

Looking sleeker than any portable projector should, the T1 Pro can fire out up to a 120in screen in an instant. The 180° swivelling mechanism unlocks the wondrous world of hassle-free ceiling projection too, which is handy for lazy movie nights and/or nursing a post-travel hangover in bed. Meanwhile, clever acoustic tech transforms what should be tinny portable audio into chunky sound courtesy of a vented design that synchronises forward and rear soundwaves. And at a paltry 1.2kg, this mains-powered unit is a good choice for travellers who’ll be hopping around a lot… though we wouldn’t leave it unattended in a hostel. £170 / go.stuff.tv/YaberT1Pro

Twister radio One of our favourite features is an ambient mode that takes snippets of any radio station and creates a tweakable drone.

Handle with flair The OB-4’s handle is a masterclass in utilitarian design, cleverly housing the FM antenna while doubling up as an angled stand.

Scratch the wind Spinning this wheel can produce authentic record-scratching effects while you navigate through recorded audio.

TEENAGE ENGINEERING OB-4

Part radio, part speaker and part alien artefact, the OB-4 is a portable FM radio and Bluetooth speaker that’s unlike anything else out there. It can record up to 2hrs of whatever’s playing, for a start – letting you relive the mixtape era of yesteryear. It can also rewind live radio or create bizarre ambient soundscapes, if that takes your fancy. The motorised dial and industrial design are an engineer’s dream, and its dual drivers pump out a surprisingly punchy 38W per channel. Utterly mad, completely unnecessary, and absolutely brilliant for music lovers who embrace the unconventional. £549 / go.stuff.tv/ob4

MUSIC LOVER

Whether they’re spinning vintage vinyl or crafting electronic bangers, these sonic specials will satisfy every audiophile

TRIBIT STORMBOX LAVA

Weatherproof Bluetooth speakers don’t always deliver ace sound, but the IP67-rated StormBox Lava smashes those expectations with its beefy 80W output. Dual woofers and silk-dome tweeters pump out tunes for up to 24hrs. £130/go.stuff.tv/TSLava

RUARK MR1 MK3

These desktop speakers are just the job for hard-working audiophiles. Specs include custom 20mm silk-dome tweeters and 85mm natural fibre woofers, while the built-in phono stage makes for easy turntable connections. £399 (pair) /go.stuff.tv/RuarkMR1

ALPHATHETA CHORDCAT

Everyone knows cats are clever… and pocket-sized grooveboxes don’t get much cleverer than the Chordcat, offering 110,000 chord combinations and a Chord Cruiser mode that cycles through compatible progressions automatically. Featuring 145 sounds and 16 drumkits, it’s also packing effects including an arpeggiator, and runs on either USB-C or up to 5hrs of battery power. £239/go.stuff.tv/Chordcat

BOSE SOUNDLINK PLUS

The SoundLink Plus delivers surprisingly powerful sound from its compact frame. An IP67 rating means it’ll survive whatever you throw at it, while the 20hr battery life keeps the tunes flowing freely. Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive delivers wireless quality. £249/go.stuff.tv/SLPlus

SHARP XPARTY SING PARTY SPEAKER

Capable of blasting out 180W of party power (naturally complete with disco lights, strobe effects and a karaoke microphone), this speaker’s 13hr battery will keep the fun going long after tired legs have succumbed to the sofa. Two units can be paired for proper stereo enjoyment, while an IPX4 rating means poolside parties are (relatively) safe. £160/go.stuff.tv/XPartySing

FLEETWOOD MAC 50TH ANNIVERSARY PICTURE DISC

For Fleetwood Mac fans – c’mon now, nothing to be embarrassed about – golden anniversary celebrations don’t get much more special than the multi-platinum 1975 self-titled album on a limited-edition picture disc with unique artwork. £40/go.stuff.tv/FMac

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO MELOMANIA P100 SE

These freshly tweaked noise-cancelling headphones retain the epic 60-100hr battery life of the non-SE model that put most rivals to shame. Their 40mm neodymium drivers now deliver more dynamic sound at higher volumes, while the luxuriously cushioned headband means boundless comfort. They’re available in this fetching deep blue alongside black or white. £249/go.stuff.tv/P100SE