TOP TENS
BUDGET BUYS
TIPS & TRICKS
Alexa’s voice can work like an intercom with connected Echo devices.
Alexa Voice Shopping lets you order from Amazon; add a ‘voice code’ to keep the kids off.
Dot at your bedside? Saying “Alexa, turn on whisper mode” will stop it waking up sleepyheads.
1 Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
£55
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go.stuff.tv/EchoDot5
The latest Dot offers improved sound quality over the 4th Gen model. Not surprisingly given its size, it still doesn’t have the heft of a full-scale Echo, but this Dot is more than good enough for bedside table or kitchen listening. The only pity is that Amazon has discontinued the better ‘with Clock’ variant in favour of the Echo Spot.
Stuff says ★★★★★
The 5th Gen brings a nice upgrade to an already excellent little gadget
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NOW ADD THISWall Mount for Echo DotThis mount for the Dot (and other small speakers) will keep it clear from wet kitchen surfaces.£15/amazon.co.uk
2 Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset (2024)
£85 /go.stuff.tv/XboxWireless
Now with the added bonus of Dolby Atmos, the sound of these gaming cans is impressive for the price: the low-end response is so impactful we had to turn down the bass in the Xbox’s EQ app. You might find yourself wishing for some sort of multifunction button for non-gaming use (and there’s no case, suggesting Microsoft expects you to keep it at home); but if you like the sound of keeping your Xbox headset outlay capped at £100, look no further.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Yes, you really can bag a decent gaming headset for £100
3 CMF Phone 1
£179 /go.stuff.tv/CMF1
With respectable performance, a long-lasting battery and an OLED screen from a class above, the CMF Phone 1 nails the basics of a budget smartphone. It takes impressively nuanced photos too. That it then adds in support for modular accessories and cases, while keeping the price as low as it has, shows how far Nothing’s sub-brand has come. If you’re on a modest budget but don’t want a sub-par user experience, this should absolutely be your first port of call.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Clever accessories set this budget Android phone apart from its rivals
4 SanDisk Extreme 1TB
★★★★★ £90 /go.stuff.tv/SDExtreme A rugged little SSD for those who don’t just need a drive to dump next to their desktop.
5 Razer Kishi V2
★★★★★ from £60 /go.stuff.tv/RazerV2 This compact device is a sleek way to turn your phone into a games console.
6 CRKD Nitro Deck+
★★★★★ £60 /go.stuff.tv/NitroDeckPlus With high-quality controls, this is a premium deck and dock for your Switch.
7 Fujifilm Instax Mini 12
★★★★✩ £72 /go.stuff.tv/InstaxMini12 Charmingly simple, this affordable instant camera ejects a print in just five seconds.
8 Ultimate Ears Miniroll
★★★★✩ £53 /go.stuff.tv/Miniroll This pocketable puck-shaped Bluetooth speaker is louder than it looks.
9 Beurer TL 50
★★★★✩ £70 /go.stuff.tv/BTL50 A beautifully designed anti-SAD lamp that doesn’t cost the earth.
10 Retro Games Ltd The Spectrum
★★★★✩ £90 /go.stuff.tv/TheSpectrum A blast of nostalgia that will delight children of the ’80s and any younger retro-head.