Tired of giving a different version of the same old vase or bowl to your loved ones, as a gift? Whether you're attending a Christmas party, a wedding, a housewarming or something else, the struggle to get a great gift is real. Have you considered a tech gift instead? Nowadays, new technological devices have top-of-the-range features and an uncanny ability to get life more organised, or efficient. With the rise of smart homes, wearable tech and work-from-home options, every part of our lives is linked to technology, and there’s no sign that’s going to change any time soon.
Here is a handpicked list of our favourite gadgets to give as gifts for any occasion! And by the way, if you or your loved one are looking to repair a broken phone screen or a tablet, book this service on Amazon to let the pros do it for you, at home. Make sure to order through Amazon Prime to enjoy free one-day delivery for your new gadget.
1. Best Smartphone: New Apple iPhone 14 (256 GB), Starlight
Pros
- Excellent cameras
- Super Retina XDR display
- Fast A15 Bionic performance
- Impressive Action Mode video
- Emergency SOS via satellite and Crash Detection features
Cons
- Expensive
- Comes with charging cable but without power adapter
The newest iteration of the iPhone is a great gift for a loved one in the holiday season. With improved cameras, a faster A15 Bionic chip and fun Action mode for video capture, there's a lot to love about this iPhone. Despite not much of a design overhaul when compared to its predecessor, the phone remains sleek and elegant, packed with excellent features, likes its safety offerings - an Emergency SOS button, car crash and fall detection. With a new camera system that delivers better low-light performance, the smartphone also has 5G capabilities, wireless charging and Apple’s MagSafe technology, which uses in-built magnets to attach accessories to the phone. It’s the perfect gift for a loved one! View other iPhone options.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh306.58 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers 1-year extended warranty for Dh227, 1-year accidental damage protection for Dh380, and 2-year damage protection with 1-year extended warranty for Dh484.
2. Best Smart Speaker: Echo Dot (5th generation)
Pros
- Excellent audio quality
- Four microphones for distant voice commands
- Compatible with smart home devices
- Understands both English and Arabic
Cons
- Wired
- Plays music from Spotify on subscription
Give the gift of organisation – the Echo Dot is a smart speaker, which sets alarms and timers, reads out the news, answers questions, plays music, controls compatible smart home devices, and lots more. Keep the household connected through its intercom facility and enjoy using both its English and Arabic voice services. It’s a great gift for any home! See other smart speakers and Alexa devices.
3. Best Smartwatch: Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS, 45mm), Midnight
Pros
- Always On retina display
- Swimproof - survives in 50 metres of depth
- Health insights, from ECG to sleep monitoring
- Car crash and fall detection, along with temperature tracking
- Excellent performance
Cons
- Battery life is not much improved
The Series 8 has the most advanced Apple Watch display ever, with a bigger screen, and softer corners that blend together seamlessly. With four new aluminium case finishes and three stainless-steel options, you can customise it to suit the style of your gift recipient. Be secure in the Apple Watch 8’s new safety features - from car crash and fall detection to an Emergency SOS button. Like its predecessor, it features crack-resistant front crystal and is both dust- and water-resistant. See older Apple Watch 7 options. Or check out the Fire-Boltt smartwatch series.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh137.42 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers 1-year extended warranty for Dh97, and 2-year extended warranty for Dh160.
4. Best Robot Vacuum: Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid Robot Vacuum Cleaner with Mop
Pros
- Twin-Turbine technology, each with 2,000 Pa of suction power
- Runtime of three hours per charge
- Vacuums and mops simultaneously
- Mop tank of 250ml that lasts 140 minutes
- Google Assistant and Alexa compatible
Cons
- Doesn't work with 5GHz frequency band
- Mopping is subpar
Give your loved one the gift of a clean home without them having to lift a finger. The eufy RoboVac X8 has excellent suction power, a slim design, and goes about cleaning the house with minimal noise. It even syncs to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant so it can be powered with just a voice command. With up to 180 minutes of vacuuming capability at a time, and a large, upgraded dustbin and a 250ml water reservoir, it gets the vacuuming and mopping done for you in a jiffy. It’s a great gift for families with kids, and pets, or the busy worker bee who never has enough time to clean. See other robot vacuum options.
Bonus: Save an extra Dh250 by applying a coupon.
5. Best Console: Nintendo Switch, UAE Version
Pros
- 32GB storage
- Allows two-player gaming
- Up to nine hours of play time
- Play on TV
Cons
- Two-pin charger plug
With built-in motion sensing, and “HD Rumble” technology, the Nintendo Switch makes for a great gift for anyone who loves gaming on the go. With up to nine hours of battery life, it provides a full home console experience any time, anywhere. Its Joy-Con controllers even offer multiplayer gameplay flexibility for double the fun! Check out other handheld video game consoles.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh92.50 for 12 months with select banks.
6. Best Tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
Pros
- Value for money
- 32GB space, accepts up to 11TB microSD card
- Book-sized, portable device
- One-handed user experience
- Front and rear cameras
Cons
- Not built for heavy computing tasks
- Does not support the S Pen
A budget-friendly Android tablet, this Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 ensures powerful performance and plenty of storage. Light and portable, it doesn’t skimp on screen size. The 8.7-inch screen is big enough to enjoy watching favourite TV shows and films, and it’s perfect for on-the-go work or entertainment. There’s up to 11TB of expandable storage, and a long battery life that means you’ll have plenty of power to keep up with content.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh42.80 for 12 months with select banks.
7. Best Streaming Media Player: Roku Express 4K+ 2021
Pros
- 4K, HD, and HDR streaming at a reasonable price
- Smooth performance
- Excellent remote with voice control
- HDMI cable included
- Value for money
Cons
- No headphone jack
- No Dolby support
No more juggling remotes for your loved one – they just have to power up the TV, and enjoy brilliant 4K picture quality with Roku Express. This media player provides smooth wireless streaming, syncing to popular channels like HBO Max, Prime Video, and Netflix. The Roku Channel itself provides over 150 live TV channels and a selection of free content. Sync it up with Alexa or Google Home and control it with voice commands. Check out other smart TV boxes.
8. Best Headphones: JBL Tune 510BT Wireless On-Ear Headphones, Blue
Pros
- Features JBL Pure Bass sound
- Hands-free, wireless calls
- Forty-hour battery life, two hours of play time on five-minute charge
- Google and Apple voice assistants
- Value for money
Cons
- Some reviewers found them too tight a fit
High-quality sound in a wireless headphone set – it’s a gift that can bring a smile to anyone’s face. With JBL Pure Bass technology, this headset is lightweight and has soft ear cushions and a padded headband that makes it extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Its foldable design means it’s convenient to carry, and its 40-hour battery can be recharged within 2 hours. There are four great colours to choose from! Check out other wireless headphones.
Warranty: Amazon offers 1-year extended warranty for Dh12, and 2-year extended warranty for Dh19.
9. Best Speaker: Sony SRS-XB33 Wireless Extra Bass
Pros
- Four colours to choose from
- Protected against dust and one metre of water with IP67 ratings
- Battery life of up to 24 hours
- Google and Apple voice assistants
- Party connect with up to 100 bluetooth speakers for more volume
Cons
- No AUX port
It's a party in a box! Give the gift of deep, punchy sound wherever your loved one goes, with this Extra Bass speaker that’s dustproof, waterproof and even washable! The speaker can work for up to 24 hours without a charge, and it even has a mic function for conference calls, once the party’s over. It supports Google Assistant and other voice assistants, and can connect to other compatible wireless speakers to amplify and spread out its incredible sound. See other bluetooth speakers.
Warranty: Amazon offers 1-year extended warranty for Dh29, and 2-year extended warranty for Dh41.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
