07 December 2023

Gift Guide 2023: Ideas For The Tech Savvy Homeowner

Our Gift Ideas For The Tech Savvy Homeowner

Moving into a new home is a big deal. So it’s time to celebrate this new chapter. Whether you're struggling to find the right present for the techie in your life – or just need some home tech inspiration – you’re in the right place.
 

The Smart Speaker

The best smart speakers are an integral part of any home. Nowadays they do much more than simply play music, since these speakers include one or more voice assistants, you can also ask about the weather, measurements for a recipe, or todays celebrity gossip headlines.
 
Best All Rounder: Sonos One (2nd Gen) £149

If money is no object, then look no further than this Sonos One Speaker, it delivers the perfect mix of features and sound quality. With a rich sound, strong mic capabilities that pick-up commands from a good distance away and also compatibility with both Alexa and Google Assistant it certainly ticks all the boxes.
 
Best Budget Option: Amazon Echo (4th Gen or Dot) £79.99
 
 

Smart Thermostats

Adding a smart thermostat to your home is a no brainer when it comes to saving money. Not only do many of them offer suggestions on how to lower your electricity usage, but they can adapt to your schedule and automatically change the temperature based on your preferences.
 
Best Smart Thermostat: Nest Learning Thermostat £186
With a beautifully sleek and stylish design the Nest Learning Thermostat learns your routines and adjusts itself accordingly, meaning that over time your heating system can actually adapt to suit your needs without you having to do anything. 
 
Alternatively: Hive Active Heating £179
 
 

Video Doorbell

The best video doorbells are just as useful as they are clever. They're not just there to show you who's at the door; they can be used to communicate with unexpected guests, couriers, food delivery people, and unwanted visitors as well. More importantly, they will serve as your first line of defence by recording crucial events and alerting you of any malicious individuals who could be trying to get into your home.
 
Best Smart Doorbell: Arlo Video Doorbell £179.99
It has a slim and stylish design and extremely detailed footage. Thanks to the camera's 180-degree field of view and 1:1 aspect ratio, you can view the entire length of the person at your door, including any packages on the ground by their feet.
 
Best Budget Option: Ring Doorbell £59.99
 
 

Digital Photo Frame

The best digital photo frame options make it easy to showcase your cherished memories. Nowadays they come in a huge array of styles, from affordable frames for your desk to premium screens for your wall.
 
Best if money is no object: Aura Mason Luxe £249
This may be on the expensive side for a digital photo frame but with its high pixel density it delivers sharp, detailed images and your memories are displayed in their crystal-clear high definition. The frame itself is also sleek and modern in its design.
 
Budget Friendly Option: FamBrow Digital Photo Frame £63.99
 
 

Home Cinema Projector

The best 4K projectors are still the ultimate way for you to get an immersive cinema experience at home. Perfect for the film buffs in your life or for snuggling down with your popcorn, home cinema projectors are capable of beaming a larger image than any regular TVs, with 100 inches being a standard image size.
 
Best All-round Projector: OPTOMA H185X HD Ready Home Cinema Projector £469
This lightweight portable projector is a must for any live sporting event or home movie night. It projects a clear image up to 300” away and works just as well in natural light. With speakers already built in you can simply plug in and away you go.
 
Budget Option: Phillips NeoPix 120 NPX120 HD Ready Home Cinema Projector £139
 
 

Mug Warmer

Working from home, you’ve made the perfect brew, then get sidetracked and your tea has gone cold. Not anymore! These handy little mug warmers come in the form of heated coasters. Some devices are plugged into the mains, while others can be kept on your desk and plugged into your computer while you work as they’re powered by USB.
 
Best Overall: Welltop Coffee Mug Warmer £26
With 5 temperature modes you can be sure of the perfect temperature for your beverage. The mug warmer uses a gravity sensor, so it will immediately stop heating when the cup is taken away and will automatically power off 5 minutes later. And when there is a cup on it, it will automatically power off after 8 hours. No worry of forgetting to turn it off.
 
Best Budget: Garmee Electric Mug Warmer £16.99
 
 

Robotic Vacuum Cleaner

The best robot vacuum cleaners do the dirty work for you. That means you can spend your time doing more important, more interesting, or more fun things. Some of the very best robot vacuum cleaners can empty themselves too, so they're maintenance-free for months. 
 
Best Overall: iRobot Roomba £899
This clever little robot is a 2-in-1 vacuum and mop with advanced technology to map your rooms for future reference. With a sleek design, the iRobot is super quiet, has very effective obstacle detection and avoidance and is self-emptying.
 
Best Budget Option: Eufy Robovac £179