The AU Review is back with its annual Christmas gift guide to help guide you to the gadgets, gifts and products that anyone would love to find under the Christmas tree.
There’s no denying that everyone needs Christmas this year, or at least the family and friend aspect that comes out of the day. Of course, there are better ways to say you care than gift-giving, but no one’s going to say no to a cheeky pressie or two on the big day. Show your loved one that you put in the hard yards and did your research by getting across our tightly curated annual gift guide.
We’ve included some of our favourite products throughout the year, as well as a few from tried and tested oldies that are still giving us life all these years later. From new smartphones like the Google Pixel 8 Pro and a powerful new air purifier from Dyson to some stocking stuffers and one of the best pizza ovens in the game. For those last-minute gift needs, there’s always a flower delivery from B&M Florist.
We’ve cast the net a bit wider this year after reader feedback from our previous guides. There are more options but we’ve still kept it tight enough that you’re not flooded with choice anxiety when it comes time to pick things out. We’ve included a great range of expensive and affordable products so you can take care of all budgets, and all relationships, plus sleep well on Christmas Eve knowing you put some effort in this year.
Technology
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Google has emerged as the Android manufacturer to beat over the past few years. The seventh generation Pixel phones were routinely regarded as some of the best ever made, and it’s clear the tech giant wanted to continue all that good will for its 2023 flagship smartphones.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is the ultimate Android phone. It’s affordable, wickedly fast, feels premium with a beautiful, bright display, and has one of the best camera systems to date. Portrait mode has always been a big strength for Google so there’s no surprise that you get really vivid, crispy results here. The AI-editing tools like Magic Erasure are also very fun to play around with.
If you know someone in need of a new Android phone, this is your best choice in 2023.
From $1,699 at google.com
iPhone 15 Pro
Apple has finally given us one of its best updates in years with the iPhone 15 Pro models. The Pro and Pro Max are easily the most valuable phones the behemoth has presented in years, representing innovation with new features like a programmable Action Button and a design making use of lightweight titanium.
You can actually feel the difference. The iPhone 15 Pro is not only lighter, but is stronger and more durable. Then you’ve got a significantly improved max brightness for better legibility, better integration of the Dynamic Island notch, and improved cameras with more optical zoom than ever before. If you get the Pro Max, you’ll even get a whopping 5x optical zoom.
It looks like the technological gap between iOS and Android is finally started to close.
From $1,849 at apple.com
DreameBot L20 Ultra
One of the biggest appliances of the past few years has been the humble robot vacuum. Now that more interest is starting to come into the market, you’ll find that technological advancements are vast and ongoing. The DreameBot L20 Ultra is the perfect example of what the technology is at right now, offering a comprehensive hands-off cleaning experience that’s now complemented by an industry-first AI-powered MopExtend Technology.
Yes, this robot vacuum can actually make easy work of the typical difficult of edge cleaning by now using Positive Sensitive Detectors to extend its mop to wall edges as closely as possible. The result, combined with all the other jam-packed features including advanced object avoidance and a Duo-Scrub mopping system with built-in dirt detection, is as seamless as you could ask for.
If you know someone who is sick of their old robot vacuum breaking down and wants something more definitive, you can’t go past this beast.
$2,399 at dreame.com.au
Dyson Big+Quiet
Owning a Dyson air purifier is a serious flex. Given the market for really strong, cutting-edge air purifiers has grown immensely over the past few years (for obvious reasons), you might as well go for the most powerful and stylish one. Dyson has thrown an incredible amount of knowhow at its most high-end air purifier. Considerable effort has been taken to make sure this thing runs incredibly quiet as well as picks up even the smallest particles with advanced HEPA and carbon filters. It’s so strong that it can capture 99.95% of ultrafine particles as small as 0.1 microns and also destroy formaldehyde.
Whether it’s to get rid of smells or slurping up dust, this Big+Quiet air purifier will be one of the most useful things in house as concern around air quality only continues to skyrocket. Make sure your loved one is ahead of the curb with one of Dyson’s best inventions yet.
$1,599 from dyson.com.au.
GoPro Hero 12
Have you got an adventure seeker in your life? Or maybe just a keen traveller who’s planning to see more of the world next year. They’ll need a beastly action camera to make memories with so take a look at the latest from GoPro. The Hero12 Black continues the brand’s solid legacy when it comes to building durable, highly versatile cameras that can be used to create all kinds of content and practice a wide range of angles and styles.
With some clever upgrades, GoPro has delivered its most rugged camera to date. With longer runtime, users are now able to shoot for over 1.5 hours at 5.3K30 with HyperSmooth 6.0 video stabilisation and a large image sensor that can capture an ultra-wide 156-degree FoV in 8:7. For content creators, being able to up the standard of content to dial in vivid, crispy memories is invaluable.
Other features include the ability to take 27MP photos with 24.7MP stills from videos, a case that’s waterproof up to 33 feet, and advanced Bluetooth support for users can use AirPods or other audio devices for wireless sound recording and voice control.
$649.95 from gopro.com
Dyson Zone
Dyson decided to go avant-garde for its first-ever pair of headphones. Yes, Dyson makes audio tech now because why not? And it wouldn’t be Dyson if it didn’t have some sort of high-tech cleaning option. The Dyson Zone’s eccentric aesthetic is such because it’s constantly cleaning the air around you and helping you breathe better.
As you’re well aware, air quality is getting worse around the world. Having a pair of headphones that can also purify the immediate air around you may seem like a bit of a gimmick but it’s more pertinent than first appears.
If you know someone who likes to be three steps ahead of the game and doesn’t mind looking like a Mortal Kombat fighter on the daily commute, these high-end noise-cancelling headphones just may be the best gift idea of the year.
$999 from dyson.com.au.
Logitech Pebble Combo
Highly personalised tech has become a massive flex in recent years. Being able to style your accessories is becoming more popular with bigger companies so it’s great to see Logitech getting a bit of the action with its new Pebble 2 Collection.
If you know someone in need of a new keyboard and mouse for the new year, help them bring a little self-expression to their workspace. With a minimalist design, the K380s keyboard and MS50s mouse have arrived in Australia with five new colourways, all made with recycled plastic. Choose from Tonal Graphite, Tonal White, Tonal Rose, Tonal Sand, or Tonal Blue. As long as you know what colour your loved one is vibing, this should be a great affordable stocking stuffer if you’re looking for some last-minute ideas.
$129.95 from jbhifi.com.au.
Jabra Earbuds
Jabra has been firing on all cylinders this year as one of the most reliable audio brands releases three new earbuds. The Jabra Elite 10 is more lifestyle-focused with exceptional noise cancelling and physical buttons so there’s no accidental presses. While the Jabra Elite 8 Active is, as you can tell from the name, for those sportier music fans who are out running and cycling.
Jabra has always had this really neat dichotomy of lifestyle and exercises focused earbuds, and the sound coming from both models re-positions the brand as one of the front-runners when it comes to personal audio tech.
That’s not all. The Jabra Evolve2 takes the brand’s popular enterprise headphones and shrinks them to a more manageable format. These earbuds are designed for the office, specially calibrated to work with platforms like Microsoft Teams so users can move through their day easier while still having a great pair of lifestyle earbuds.
Jabra Elite 10 for $329 from jbhifi.com.au.
Jabra Elite 8 Active for $279 from jbhifi.com.au.
Jabra Evolve2 for $504 from jbhifi.com.au.
Swann AllSecure650 2K Wireless Security Kit
Building a smart home from scratch can be daunting, and security cameras are an essential addition to any comprehensive fit out. Buying all these separate products to try and put together an air-tight smart security system is annoying for many home owners, so why not help them out with an all-in-one package.
Swann has fast become one of the most reliable names in the category and they’ve just packed up an epic AllSecure650 2K package with all wireless cameras that can be set up in minutes. Not only do all cameras have a whopping 2 years of recording to the central Power Hub, but all of them feature long-lasting rechargeable batteries, spotlights, sirens, 2-way talk, and other helpful features. Best of all, no fees. It’s a modern evolution of the smart security trend and we’re all here for it.
$699 from swann.com.
Arlo Cameras
Especially when the holiday season comes creeping up, homeowners tend to start thinking about make sure their security system is tight. The rise of smart home technology has meant some incredibly useful cameras and doorbells on the market, all allowing owners to monitor their home or belongings from their smartphone.
Arlo has always been one of the most recognisable and reliable brands on the market. And the company has just brought its latest Essential series devices to Australia, delivering superior performance at a more affordable price point. That’s exactly what this new trio is. The indoor and outdoor cameras are $159 each and are designed with a 130-degree viewing angle, integrated spotlights, night vision, night-cancelling audio and wire-free set-up. While the doorbell
Smart home security company, Arlo has released its second-generation Essential cameras and doorbell range to level up indoor and outdoor security. has a similar suite of features at only $229 with full head-to-toe, 180-degree field of view.
Starting at $129 from arlo.com.
Ring Indoor Camera 2nd Gen
Keep an eye on anything inside or at the office with the Ring Indoor Camera. Now with its second iteration out, Amazon’s smart security devices keep getting more affordable while improvements are made to field-of-view, clarity and function. The plug-and-play camera is the ideal way to monitor anything you want, whether it’s a lonely dog or to keep an eye on your valuable while you’re out travelling.
Capable of capturing 1080p HD video with two-way voice talk, colour night vision, and immediate motion alerts, this indoor camera is ideal for anyone who has a bunch of travel planned for next year. Or, you know, a dog owner who is sick of always worrying about what their furry friend gets up to when they’re out.
$99 from ring.com
Kindle Scribe
The Kindle has become synonymous with e-readers and has sat at the front of the market for quite a few years now. The ability to digitally store and scroll books on a bright, high-definition display with just the right amount of life – invaluable. Now imagine if there was a Kindle you could also use to quickly annotate, take notes, and purge your thoughts. That’s the Kindle Scribe, the most high-end Kindle there is and a great push forward from Amazon.
The 10.2″ Kindle Scribe has an adjustable Paperwhite display and comes with a beautifully designed pen that can be used to seamlessly take notes whenever and wherever you wish. If you know an avid book reader who needs to upgrade their e-reader, there’ll be no better gift this year.
$464 from amazon.com.au.
Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless Headphones
After dominating the higher-end of the market with the excellent Momentum 3 series, Sennheiser has now brought a value-driven pair of wireless headphones to Australia. The new ACCENTUM headphones keep prices reasonable while also keeping the pristine soundstage and superior noise cancelling that the German audio brand has become known for.
With a comfortable design, these wireless headphones would be perfect for anyone after a mid-range set of cans that sound premium and keep the focus on solid, expressive sound.
$299 from amazon.com.au.
Bellroy iPhone 15 Mod Phone Case + Wallet
Bellroy has come up with a genius design for its popular iPhone case. And over the past few years the reliable brand, best known for their backpacks and carry solutions, has become widely known for its phone cases. Whether you know someone with a Pixel 8 Pro or an iPhone 15 Pro, these minimalistic leather cases will always be a good gift.
But it’s the iPhone that gets Bellroy’s best work. Its Mod Phone Case + Wallet comes with a MagSafe three-card wallet that can be detached from the case itself and can fit three average sized cards with a snap-lock mechanism that keeps everything safe and secure.
Starts at $95 from bellroy.com
Kitchen
Ooni Volt 12 Electric Pizza Oven
While you probably know at least ten people with a gas-powered pizza oven sitting in their backyard, it’s less common to find someone with one of these handy devices sitting indoors. The Ooni Volt 12 fixes that, offering a pizza oven that can be used both indoors and outdoors because it runs purely on electricity.
The convenience and easy set-up is just the start for this impressive appliance, which can reach an optimal 450-degrees in just 20 minutes and can pump out crispy, stone-baked pizza in just 90 seconds. The triple-paned borosilicate glass door and built-in haul handles help with safety, while the adjustable dials that can control dual heating elements (one up top, one on the bottom) means users can experiment with all styles of pizza.
$1,499 from ooni.com.
Cozze Gas Pizza Oven
Affordable, reliable and able to pump out some delicious, authentic pizza in less than 2 minutes. The Cozze Gas Pizza oven is a perfect option for anyone who doesn’t want to hurt the wallet too much but still values having a solid outdoor oven that’s specifically designed to reach those blistering temperatures required to produce a proper pizza.
If you know someone who loves hosting, there’s no way they aren’t going to be immensely satisfied with this excellent pizza oven. The 17″ is our top pick here as it allows for greater flexibility. Reaching the optimal pizza temperature in just 20 minutes, it uses an LGGB-approved cordierite pizza stone and can bake up to a 42cm pizza. You can also make various other things inside as well, like flatbreads and tortillas. After all, the best gifts are the ones that makes someone elses life much, much easier.
$699 from bunnings.com.au.
Philips 7000 Series Combi XXXL Airfryer
Philips has decked out its latest airfryer to be the ultimate one-stop shop for quick, convenient and healthy cooking. Using new NutriU connectivity, the device offers up to 22 different cooking functions so any cook can easily dial in all sorts of recipes. Users can fry, grill, roast, bake, braise, sous-vide, slow-cook, toast, dehydrate, defrost, and dial in other functions.
And the airfryer is smart enough to adapt to any of them, using the integrated thermometer to sustain optimal temperature at all times for perfect temperature. With a larger capacity, intuitive controls and quiet operation, this high-end airfryer will easily get plenty of mileage in any kitchen. Especially for anyone who’s quite short on time who doesn’t want to compromise on nutrition or taste.
$749 from philips.com.au.
Ninja Foodi Max XXXL Smart Dual Zone Airfryer
Ninja’s impressive reputation in Australia is only set to get stronger now that the brand has brought the highly-praised Ninja Foodi Max XXXL Smart Dual Zone Airfryer down under. This versatile 9.5L air fryer can cook multiple meals at once with two separate baskets that are both monitored by the Foodi Smart Probe. And keeping it simple is why Ninja is able to provide so much value to time-poor cooks, streamlining the process and making it as intuitive as possible.
Food temperature is kept consistent with the device adjusting itself in real time to ensure users get the best results whatever they choose to cook. That means meats and vegetables are equally well taken care of inside these baskets, ensuring users can meal prep with both convenience and health in mind.
$499.99 from “ninjakitchen.com.au.
Lenoxx Ceramic Hibachi Japanese Tabletop BBQ Grill
Pizza ovens and airfryers are both still having their moments, but the humble (and very affordable) hibachi grill is slowly creeping as one of the must-have items for anyone who likes to experiment with flavour. The beauty about a Japanese tabletop BBQ grill is that they are so reliable and simple, that it’s virtually pointless to go for those super premium, high-end ones.
That’s why it makes such a good affordable (and thoughtful) gift for anyone who likes to cook but “doesn’t want anything expensive”. If your loved one will appreciate this exacting and traditional method of cooking then head on over to Catch and pick up this sturdy, high-performance Lenoxx Ceramic Hibachi grill.
$69 from catch.com.au
Ninja Blast
Blenders are cool, but what about fully wireless blenders that can also be used as cups? Yep, Ninja has just changed the game with the very affordable Ninja Blast. Available in several different colours, this portable blender charges using USB-C and is smart enough to automatically switch itself off after the ideal blending time.
Just scoop whatever you want into the vessel and the blade will chop its way to your perfect smoothie. The designers have also been quite clever with a pop-top lid that lets anyone just sip their creation straight away. After it’s all done, the whole thing is very easy to clean with three separate parts. The base can’t be put through the dishwasher, of course, but the cup and lid can.
$79.99 from ninjakitchen.com.au.
Homewares & Design
Koala Beauty Sofa Bed
After owning the bedroom, Koala moved into the living room some years ago and since then the Australian brand has been going strength-to-strength. From sustainable couches made entirely of cork to big, beautiful sofa beds that balance affordability and quality so well, Koala’s now known as the country’s most reliable furniture brand.
So the new Beauty Sofa Bed is a must have for any design lovers in your life looking for a bit of a glow-up. Seamlessly transforming to reveal a Kloudcell topper, this sofa bed has been designed to offer the same comfort as one of Koala’s award-winning mattresses.
$2,090 from koala.com.
Deep Dream by Lifely Mattress
Just about everyone knows someone who is in need desperate need of a new mattress. But good quality ones often charge a premium. They didn’t use to, and with the cost of living crisis, it’s looking like there’s dire need in the market for a mattress in the box that’s both affordable and supremely comfortable.
That’s Deep Dream by Lifely to a tee. The popular mattress brand has managed to keep costs incredibly low while still offering a premium sleeping experience with cooling support, edge support, and a medium-firmness.
Starts at $399 from lifely.com.au.
Nanoleaf Elements Starter Kit 7-Pack
Is your loved one always thinking of new ways to bring some colour into their home? Nanoleaf is one of the most unique lighting solutions we’ve come across over the past few years, presenting smart lighting that can be configured in different shapes using these hexagonal panels that easily connect to one another.
Grab them this 7-panel starter kit and watch them go nuts with creativity as they creates their own lighting pattern that can be controlled using a smartphone app and can also be set up on the IFTTT network. Just be warned; they’ll probably want some extenders (that is, more panels) too.
You can either go for the RGB version or hook them up with Nanoleaf Elements, which is a more sophisticated take on the product with woodgrain panels that glow with an arresting white light.
$429 from nanoleaf.me.
Loop Home
Simple, affordable, and effective. Things like towels and linen are always a pro choice for when you need an affordable Christmas present but don’t know exactly what to get. It pays to think simply here, and people are always in need of new ways to liven up their home.
That’s where Loop Home is so valuable. The range might be small, but it’s focused on offering quality and luxurious touches at a good price point. All of the brand’s towels are made in Türkiye from organic cotton, designed with some truly head-turning colours influenced by the Ottoman Empire.
If you know someone who’s looking for some earthy designs, get them the terracotta/stone bath towels #2 and complement that with a bath sheet in butter/stone and a bath mat in sage/sand. As you’ll see, design makes all the difference.
Starts at $69 from loophome.com.au
Koala Sandy Rug
There’s no better way to completely transform a space than by adding a rug. It’s simple, unobtrusive, comfortable and easy on the eyes. You’ve just got to choose right. And there are endless options out there for home designers to choose from.
It pays to be decisive, and that’s essentially why gift guides are so valuable. They do the hard thinking for you and pull out suggestions like this beautiful, simple and sturdy rug from beloved Australian brand Koala.
It’s affordable, adaptable enough to fit with various designs without compromising on personality and can be used in any room. That’s the kind of gift design lovers would go for so if you know someone who needs an aesthetic lift, get them this.
$280 from Koala.
Koala Breeze Pillow
We spend a big chunk of our life in bed, but people generally disregard putting much thought or money into their bedroom set-up. If you know someone like that, give them a bit of help but thinking straightforward and simple. Pillows. We know, not the most exciting gift, but it’s the one that’ll last the longest and get the most use.
In which case, you need to think smarter when it comes to pillows. Not all of them are made the same, and Koala’s award-winning Breeze Pillow is proof of that. With Phase Changing technology, temperature is kept consistent so those hotter days don’t need to mean sleepless nights.
$185 from koala.com.
Fashion
Under Armour HOVR Phantom 3 Storm Running Shoes
Under Armour’s wrapping up its year by reminding us just how wide-reaching its range has become. Over the past year, the iconic sports brand has curated what we feel is one of the most comprehensive and stylish collections of athlesiure available in Australia.
A pair of runners will never go astray for the sporty person in your life. Especially when you know at least 10 people who are going to make “run more” their New Year’s resolution. Stick with the ultra reliable styles that no one would be disappointed by, like the Unisex UA HOVR Phantom 3 SE Storm Running Shoe.
Sink-in comfort is caked into the design language, offering a supremely comfortable pair of runners that are as supportive and adaptable as they are stylish and instantly eye-catching.
$240 from underarmour.com
Vieux Eyewear
When it comes to fashion, branding is a complicated discussion. Those big names don’t necessarily translate to big quality, so for accessories that are notoriously pricey – like sunnies – it’s well worth looking at independent brands you might not have heard of.
Case in point: Vieux Eyewear. The local brand focuses on luxury eyewear at a lower price point, striking the perfect balance between affordability (of huge importance this Christmas – and probably for the next few years as well) and quality. The brand has a huge range of styles and shapes so give the collection a careful browse before you gift a pair of summer stunners.
Starting at around $300 from vieuxeyewear.com.
Under Armour Flow Velociti Elite Running Shoes
If you know the above isn’t going to cut it for your loved one, take a look at this alternative, also from Under Armour. The Velociti Elite Running Shoes are an incredibly versatile and long-lasting pair of shoes built specifically to hit record-breaking speeds.
Under Armour’s design team used a full-length carbon fiber plate to boost propulsion and performance, while also including a rubberless UA Flow cushioning to keep things light and grippy.
$300 from underarmour.com.au.
Converse Unisex Chuck Taylor All Star Low Top Sneakers
Simple, efficient and highly adaptable. Catch have more than a few great deals going on in the lead-up to Christmas, including these popular Converse unisex sneakers. The iconic Chuck Taylor All Star is a silhouette people will immediately recognise so if you know someone whose current pair is giving them grief, help them out a bit with a replacement.
$79.99 from catch.com.au.
Icebreaker
Sometimes, the right gear is all you need if you’re going to be travelling for excitement. Whether it’s hiking or just hitting the hotel gym, having the right type of wear that’s been specifically designed for a purpose is almost always going to make the experience much smoother. In fact, we’d say having the right gear is 90% of the battle.
That’s why an outdoors-minded brand like Icebreaker is so invaluable for travellers. The brand’s attire is affordable, stylish, and functional. So come Christmas time, it’s always worth browsing the label’s newest arrivals for the more adventurous people in your life.
Price varies from icebreaker.com.
Uniqlo
When it comes to those last-minute stocking stuffers, a label like Uniqlo is always a good idea. The range is massive, the clothes are reliable and always comfortable, and the collaborations seem to be getting more exciting as the years go on.
The older people get, it seems the simpler gifts are usually the best. The ones that aren’t exactly one-and-done and can live in a wardrobe as a nice piece of off-rack wear for years. That’s why you’ll want to check out the new arrivals at Uniqlo to see if there’s anything your loved one would appreciate.
Price varies from uniqlo.com.
Beauty & Grooming
The Lawn Mower 5.0
Over the past few years, Manscaped has become synonymous with male grooming and the brand now has the range to prove it. Setting out to revolutionise grooming with great design and highly functional, versatile shavers, the brand has just upped its game with the powerful Lawn Mower 5.0.
And it’s for shaving everything with very little fuss and smooth results. If you know a guy whose current shaver is giving them grief, hit up Manscaped for their various packages. The $244 Platinum Package 5.0 is the top pick, which includes The Lawn Mower 5.0 as well as the brand’s awesome toiletry bag, disposable shaving mats, ball aftershave lotion, anti-chafing ball deodorant, the new Weed Whacker 2.0 ear and nose trimmer, some boxers, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a body scrubber and aluminum-free deodorant.
$244.99 from manscaped.com
Hugo Boss Bottled Night for Men EDT: $67.90
If you have a man in your life who could use a bit of a glow-up, the easiest way to help them find their own style is by encouraging them to work on their signature scent. Hugo Boss make super reliable, versatile men’s perfume and have built a solid reputation for helping men make their presence known without speaking a single word.
There’s a lot of power in having the right perfume for men, so head on over to Catch for an affordable selection. Our pick: Hugo Boss Bottled Night for Men, an EDT that’s both woody and aromatic with a nice dose of lavender on the top to keep him smelling super fresh.
$95 from catch.com.au.
We have gone hands-on with all products on this list and have chosen them based on quality, value and relevance in 2023.
