Counting down to Christmas 2022

T’was the night before Christmas,
And all through the house,
Cursing was heard because somebody didn’t get their Christmas shopping organised early enough…

Yup, just like that, we are on the count down to Christmas. It is mind boggling to think we are almost done with another year!

Thankfully, however, the DRN Christmas Gift Guide may provide you some inspiration nice and early on what to get as either a stocking filler or as something special. Below are some suggestions from some of our favourite brands and go-to offerings. Have a poke through and you might find just the thing you’re looking for! If you use one of our links, there’s a chance that it might throw a few bob our way, too.

Audio

Jabra Elite 5 | AUD $169 (RRP $219) | Available starting 1 December 2022
We have had the pleasure of reviewing these a few months ago, and they are definitely great bang for bucks. Put the world on pause and get lost in music this festive season.

Jabra Elite 3 | AUD $77 (RRP $119) | Available starting 1 December 2022
These might be a year old, but the value for money sold it for Lis who reviewed it.

Jabra Elite 4 Active | AUD $129 (RRP $179) | Available starting 5 December 2022

Water and sweat proof, ergonomic, and incredibly durable, the Jabra Elite 4 Active are designed to stay comfortably and securely in place.

Jabra Elite 7 Active | AUD $179 (RRP $279) | Available starting 5 December 2022

Get a grip and lose yourself in the music while you work out. The Jabra Elite 7 Active is the flagship sports earbuds from Jabra.

Jabra Elite 7 Pro | AUD $199 (RRP $299) | Available starting 5 December 2022

The Jabra Multisensor Voice technology is created to revolutionise calls and redefine what is possible. Kevin reviewed these when these launched, and whilst they are brilliant, there are some caveats.

SoundBoks Go | $1,099 | Available from online or JB Hi-Fi
SOUNDBOKS GO is designed for easy transport without compromising the quality sound. Created to bring people and families together, amplify community gatherings at concert level sound both indoor and outdoor, SOUNDBOKS Go will be your GO-to speaker to amplify all of your favourite Christmas carols this year.

Skullcandy Mod | AUD $99 | Available from online or JB Hi-Fi
The Skullcandy Mod True Wireless earbuds premium features are what makes them stand out as the perfect work-or play-from-anywhere audio companion. Small enough to hide under the tree, but mighty enough to deliver a truly memorable listening experience – with 34 hours of battery life, that’s ‘All I Want For Christmas’ 510 times!

Skullcandy SLYR | AUD $149.99 | Available from online
Re-emerging into the gaming sphere, Skullcandy’s SLYR Multi-Platform Wired Gaming Headsets provide all-day comfort (for the long Fortnite sessions), with rich sound and crystal-clear communication. These versatile headsets offer compatibility across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and mobile.

Skullcandy Sesh ANC | AUD $149.95 | Available from online or JB Hi-Fi
The ‘Supreme Sound’ Sesh ANC earbuds are where innovative tech meets sleek style. With 4-mic hybrid active noise cancelling and adjustable Stay-Aware Mode, you can turn up or tune out the Christmas carols without being disturbed. Packed with other features including Finding Technology, IP55 water resistance, 46 hours of battery life with ANC off and 32 hours with ANC on – it’s the perfect gift for those that want sensational sound on the go.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II | AUD $429.95 | Available from Bose and select resellers
The next gen truly wireless noise cancelling earbuds are equipped with CustomTune sound calibration technology that intelligently personalises audio and noise cancellation performance to the unique of every ear.

Bose Sports Earbuds | AUD $299.95 | Available from Bose and select resellers
Perfect for an avid athlete or a new fitness fan, these IPX4-rated sweat resistant earbuds will power anyone through their toughest workout. Lis certainly loves her pair. Available in Baltic Blue, Glacier White and Triple Black

Bose QuietComfort 45 | AUD $499.95 | Available from Bose and select retailers
Perfect for all-day video calls or tuning out distractions to meet a deadline, the QuietComfort 45 feature 24-hour battery life, improved voice pick-up, easier conversations, amazing audio quality and rock-solid connectivity. Available in Black, Midnight Blue, Eclipse Gray and White Smoke

Bose SoundLink Flex | RRP $249.95 | Available from bose.com.au and select retailers
Bring the music wherever your holidays takes you. The SoundLink Flex is a rugged, grabbable, portable Bluetooth speaker with best-in-class audio supported by proprietary Bose PositionIQ technology to automatically detect the speaker’s orientation to delivery rich, lifelike sound – no matter the scenario. Available in Black, White Smoke and Stone Blue.

Poly Sync 10 / Sync 20+ | AUD $199 / $268.95 | Available from authorised Poly Australian resellers and Poly Australia eBay store
The Poly Sync Family USB/Bluetooth smart speakerphones hits all the right notes.  With sleek modern design and enterprise-grade audio, the Poly sync speakerphones deliver remarkable sound for meetings and music.

With the all-in-one Poly Sync 10 and Sync 20 USB speakerphone, your loved ones will be impressed with its premium audio for calls, webinars, podcasts, music, and more. Its two-microphone steerable array reduces surrounding noise, and its easy-to-use touch-sensitive controls ensure smooth collaboration experiences.

Poly Voyager 4300 UC Series | AUD $329.95 | Available from authorised Poly Australian resellers and Poly Australia eBay store
The perfect entry-level Bluetooth wireless headset ticking all the boxes. With up to 24 hours of talk time and all-day comfort, make those long travel and catch-up calls with family and friends a little easier. The Poly Voyager 4300 UC Series produces outstanding audio and eliminates background noise with its dual-mic Acoustic Fence technology.

Logitech G Astro A30 Wireless Gaming Headset | AUD $399.95 | Available online
With advanced LIGHTSPEED 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, Bluetooth and a 3.5 mm aux cable, the Logitech G ASTRO A30 allows the gamer in your life to play anything, anywhere, in style. With a Christmas gift this good, you should probably be prepared not to see them till the new year.

Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM | AUD $599.95 (white) | Available online
For the rager in your life who can’t live without music play-listing their life, gift the Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM in a gorgeous new White colourway. Perfect to set the mood for Christmas day backyard cricket or New Year’s Eve celebrations, Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM truly sets the mood with its big, bassy sound. Plus, HYPERBOOM is splash-proof so even if the soirée gets a little sloshy, you know the music won’t stop.

Logitech Zone Vibe Wireless Headset | AUD $179.95 | Available online
Bring the vibes to your Christmas stocking with Logitech new Zone Vibe Wireless – the first wireless headset in the market to combine business-grade performance with comfort, style, and affordability. Available in graphite, off-white and rose colourways, this headset is designed for all day use from absolutely anywhere.

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 | AUD $149.95 | Available online
It’s no wonder this speaker is a crowd pleaser – Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is ultraportable with ultra-crisp sound, making it the absolute best present for music lovers this Christmas. With 360° sound and its signature Outdoor Boost feature, be prepared for a loud and vibey Summer.

EPOS ADAPT 660 AMC | RRP $885 | Available from EPOS and authorised retailers

Off the back of EPOS’ ongoing partnership with Aston Martin, the EPOS ADAPT 660 AMC is the first co-branded headset offering uncompromised audio and all-day comfort whether you are trackside, on the go or in the office.

With iconic Aston Martin British Racing Green accents, the ADAPT 660 AMC features

• Superb call clarity powered by EPOS AI to deliver a natural auditory experience
• Four adaptive ANC microphones to monitor a user’s environment and adjust noise reduction in open workspaces, on-the-go, and outdoors
• Dedicated Microsoft Teams function which ensures an intuitive and streamlined user experience, optimising collaborative working
• Tap and hold to activate Alexa Voice Assistant to stay on top of your day-to-day business
• Exceptional battery performance that lasts up to 30-hours, optimising the ADAPT 660 AMC for all-day usage

Visual

Poly Studio P5 Webcam | AUD $129.95 | Available from authorised Poly Australian resellers and Poly Australia eBay store
With exceptional camera optics and automatic low-light compensation, the Poly Studio P5 webcam is perfect for that loved one who could talk for hours and craves connection with family and friends. This professional webcam delivers excellent video quality, 1080p resolution with a 4x digital zoom camera, which will make your favourite social butterfly look their best.

Poly Studio P15 Video Bar | AUD $823.99 | Available from authorised Poly Australian resellers
The Poly Studio P15 personal video bar has all things every technophile needs. It delivers exceptional optics, a high-performance 4K image sensor, powerful audio, automatic camera framing, and cutting-edge noise-blocking technology in one sleek device to look and sound your best on video calls.

Logitech Litra Glow | AUD $99.95 | Available online
Light up your loved ones’ holiday season with the Logitech Litra Glow. Litra Glow is the fastest way to bring a premium lighting experience to any desktop or laptop. Featuring Logitech’s TrueSoft technology and innovative edgeless diffuser, Litra Glow gives them a radiant glow.

Logitech Brio 500 Webcam | AUD $199.95 | Available online
Help take working from home to the next level with the all new Brio 500 webcam from Logitech. With auto light correction and a noise-reducing mic, the Brio 500 ensures the lucky gift receiver will be turning up to all their meetings looking and sounding their absolute best.

Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080p V2 | AUD $44.95 (RRP $89.95) | Available online
A full HD webcam, the Live! Cam Sync 1080p V2 does more than making users look sharp while on a Christmas video conference. They can also sound better thanks to the SmartComms Kit, a suite of smart communication features including two-way noise cancellation, automatic muting and automatic voice detection.

Nikon Z 30 | RRP $1,349.00 | Available from all good camera stores
The brand-new Z 30 is made for photographers to get in the creative zone and seize the moment with the lightest and most compact Z series camera to date. Future influencers can hit the record button whenever inspiration strikes albeit on a holiday, doing their favourite things like cooking/skateboarding/make up tutorials, or on a solo adventure. Use the SnapBridge feature to download the content straight to your smartphone device, ready to upload on all the social channels.

Nikon Z fc | RRP $1,449.00 – $1,949.00 | Available from all good camera stores and Amazon

The Z fc is designed with personal style in mind, with customisable leather texture materials in seven different colours including black, white, sand beige, amber brown, natural grey, coral pink, and mint green. This lightweight and user-friendly camera is the ultimate Christmas gift to support passionate photographers and match their style!

Nikon Content Creator Kit | RRP $149 | Available from all good camera stores and Amazon

Complete your ultimate setup with the Content Creator Kit. Whether you’re vlogging handheld or streaming hands-free, the Joby Gorilla pod gives you the freedom to capture content from any angle. Capture high-quality audio with the RØDE VideoMicro microphone, an on-camera microphone that’s ideal for vlogging and filmmaking with a camera. Ultra-compact and lightweight, it’s the perfect microphone for capturing incredible audio to accompany inspiring vision.

• Ultra-high-definition video
• Exceptional voice pickup
• Instant picture control
• Quick and easy setup

Home

Philips Hue Starter Kit | from $289.95 | Available online, JB Hi-Fi, Amazon and Officeworks
Expand your entertainment set-up with the Starter Kit E27 and B22, customise your colour ambience with the colour picker, set your desired lighting scenes created by lighting designers and adjust your lights to fit your mood whether that’s focus or wind down. Sync the beat of your music to your smart lights, using the included Hue Bridge, with the Spotify integration. Utilise your Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit voice-control too.

Play Gradient Lightstrip for PC | from $299.95 | Available online, JB Hi-Fi and Amazon
Get a full immersive lighting experience and enhance your gaming setup. Attach the Play gradient lightstrip to the back of your monitor with the included mounts. Start syncing with the Hue Sync desktop app to see the action on your screen reflected in the light.

Play Gradient Lightstrip | from $399.95 | Available online, JB Hi-Fi and Amazon
Take the excitement of surround lighting to the next level with the Philips Hue Play gradient lightstrip. The LED strip flawlessly blends multiple colours of light at the same time, mimicking the content on the entire screen for an immersive full-room entertainment experience unlike any other.

Play HDMI Sync Box | AUD $499.95 | Available online, JB Hi-Fi and Amazon
Seamlessly synchronise your media devices to the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box for a fast, seamless display of colourful smart light that responds to and reflects the content – no matter what you’re watching, playing or listening to.

Play Light Bar (double pack) | AUD $239.95 | Available online, JB Hi-Fi, Amazon and Officeworks
Play Light Bars offer twice the fun in a single box. Place your two Play light bars anywhere to give you beautiful ambient lighting, instant wireless dimming, white and colour light, enhancing your entertainment set-up. Easily personalise your playtime, get ultimate control with the app, and get hands-free with voice.

Signe Floor Lamp | AUD $469.95 | Available online and JB Hi-Fi
Complement your home’s décor with the slim, stylish black design of the gradient Signe Floor Lamp, which blends multiple colours together to paint the walls with a unique gradient of light. With the Hue Bluetooth app, you can amp up the ambience of special moments with living lights, using dynamic scenes to create the perfect mood in any situation.

Ultra-Efficient LED lightbulb | from $15 | Available online and Bunnings
Keep on looking fresh for 50,000 hrs so you can save energy and help save the planet. Ultra-Efficient light sources last longer, sparing you the hassle of frequently changing light bulbs. This significantly reduces  waste and saves money in the long term. This sustainable gift is the perfect stocking stuffer for friends and family this Christmas.

Bose Smart Soundbar 600 | AUD $799.95 | Available from Bose and selected resellers
Elevate the sound when you relax on the couch over the holidays and re-watch your favourite Christmas movies for the umpteenth million time. It features Dolby Atmos and Bose TrueSpace technology to ensure you can experience immersive audio for everything you watch.

Sound BlasterX Katana | AUD $314.95 (RRP $499.95) | Available online from Creative
The world’s first bona fide gaming soundbar, it sounds as cool as it looks. Powered by the unbeatable combo of a premium 24-bit high resolution DAC, the heralded Sound Blaster audio processing technology and complemented by a tri-amplified design for cutting-edge audio quality, the Katana is truly in a league of its own.

Amazon Echo Show 8 with Alexa | AUD $89 (RRP $199) | Available from Optus Smart Spaces until 31 December 2022
The all-new Amazon Echo Show 8 has a larger smart display with Alexa and a camera to make video calls to friends and family. Welcoming Alexa into your home makes everything that little bit easier.

Gaming

Logitech G502 X PLUS Gaming Mouse | AUD $279.95 | Available from Logitech
Looking for a gift that will seriously impress your gaming-obsessed loved one? The Logitech G502 X PLUS is the answer. Reimagining the form of its iconic predecessor and featuring the latest advancements in gaming technology, the G502 X PLUS delivers an unrivalled gaming experience. With the all-new LIGHTFORCE hybrid optical-mechanical switches, as well as a HERO 25K high-precision gaming sensor, this mouse is a true game changer.

Logitech Aurora Collection | from AUD $149.95 | Available from Logitech
Make their Christmas all the merrier with this stunning suite of products from the highly customisable Logitech G Aurora collection. Featuring the G735 Wireless Gaming Headset, G715 Wireless Gaming Keyboard with cloud palm rest, G705 Wireless Gaming Mouse and eight custom accessories, the Aurora Collection is the dreamiest high performance gaming set up on the market – and a guaranteed jaw-dropper.

• Logitech G735 Wireless Gaming Headset, RRP $399.95
• Logitech G715 Wireless Gaming Keyboard, RRP $349.95
• Logitech G713 Gaming Keyboard, RRP $269.95
• Logitech G705 Wireless Gaming Mouse, RRP $149.95

Blue Microphones Gaming Kit | AUD $239.95 | Available from JB Hi-Fi
What’s better than one present? Three. The Blue Microphones gaming kit comes with the iconic Blue Yeti Mic, Pop Filter and three Streamlabs themes, this kit is perfect for any budding or seasoned streamers in your life. Ladies, Peter reviewed the WoW edition and does his dulcet tones sound so good.

Food, Glorious Food

Traegar Grills | Various | Available from BBQ’s Galore Australia or The Que Club

They had some impressive sales for Black Friday, Traegar Grills is woodfired cooking made easy and convenient. Where technology meets good old-fashioned wood-fired cooking, Traeger pellet smokers will turn ordinary meals into extraordinary food opportunities.

Timberline Pellet Smoke, the latest and greatest emphasises consistency, convenience and versatility with its advanced technology creating a whole new world of wood-fired flavour and outdoor cooking possibilities. RRP $6,999.

The XXL Spatula by Traegar is not for the serious foodies; this BBQ tool is made for only the biggest cuts of meat and fish when moving them between surfaces. RRP $85.

Among Traeger’s collection of BBQ accessories is this handy silicone basting brush. Never find a brush bristle in your grill again. This durable Basting Brush is heat-resistant and will never shed, so you can lay the sauce on thick without a worry. RRP $24.95

Home

Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro | AUD $289 (RRP $379) | Available from Ring and resellers, starting 1 December 2022, Also available from Optus Smart Spaces until 31 December 2022 for AUD $264

The most advanced outdoor camera with next-level security features including 3D Motion Detection, ultra-bright LED floodlights, 110dB Siren and Bird’s Eye View for more precise motion alerts. With camera quality this advanced you might even see Santa arriving.

Ring Stick Up Cam | AUD $149 (RRP $179) | Available from Ring and resellers, starting 1 December 2022
Indoor or outdoor will be the hardest decision with the versatile Stick Up Cam Battery. Its wire-free design means you can put it where you need it and move it when you need to. Place it on the kitchen bench and catch whoever’s been eating all the Christmas treats or by the window to keep an eye on your Christmas tree. With Stick Up Cam Battery, you’ll always be connected to your home so you can see what’s happening at any time.

Video Doorbell + Chime Bundle | AUD $149 (RRP $189) | Available from Ring and resellers, starting 1 December 2022

Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) | AUD $114 (RRP $379) | Available from Optus Smart Spaces until 31 December 2022

Anticipate lots of deliveries this festive season? See, hear and speak to your delivery driver from anywhere with the new and improved Video Doorbell. Get real-time notifications on your phone and tablet, customise your motion settings and conveniently stay connected to home, no matter where you are.

Video Doorbell 4 + Chime | AUD $249 (RRP $359) | Available from Ring and resellers, starting 1 December 2022
Let your Christmas guests in from anywhere with the Video Doorbell 4. Thanks to Colour Pre-Roll video you’ll know exactly which Christmas guests have arrived. The home can get very noisy with lots of guests over, luckily the Ring Chime plugs into your wall, so you can hear notifications anywhere in your home when someone presses your doorbell or motion is detected.

Google Nest Cam (Battery) | AUD $249 (RRP $329) | Available from Optus Smart Spaces until 31 December 2022

Nest Cam is wire-free and easy to install, so it goes almost anywhere that you need it, outside or in. Built-in intelligent alerts tell you when something important happens at home or perhaps it’s a check in to your puppy at home – it’s use is up to you!

Google Nest Doorbell | AUD $249 (RRP $329) | Available from Optus Smart Spaces until 31 December 2022

The Nest Doorbell is the battery-powered video doorbell that works with any home. Built-in intelligent alerts tell you what’s happening at your door from anywhere. And it’s easy to install yourself.

AllSecure650 2K Wireless Security Kit | From RRP $949.95 | Available from Swann, Bunnings Warehouse, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys, Amazon and other authorised retailers

The Swann AllSecure650 2K Wireless Security Kit has it all. With a weather-proof design, 2K HD resolution, colour night vision, and a 100% wire-free setup with a power hub ensuring there is no downtime, this Security Kit is bound to add an additional layer of assurance to any of your loved ones lives while they’re getting into the Christmas spirit. Martin reviewed it recently and his property is pretty secure for Christmas and well, all round.

Swann CoreCam Wireless Security Camera | From RRP $179.95 | Available from JB Hi-Fi, Amazon and other authorised retailers, as well as Swann online
The CoreCam Wireless Security Camera is 100% Wire-Free with a long battery life of up to 90 days on a single charge. This ready to use, easy to install camera provides HD quality video and a weatherproof design that will withstand the elements for year round security 24/7, making for the perfect gift this Christmas, that not even La Niña can ruin

Swann Buddy Video Doorbell | RRP $199.95 | Available from Bunnings Warehouse, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks and other authorised retailers, as well as Swann online

Interact with visitors at the door in real-time with the Swann Buddy Video Doorbell. Unlike any old doorbell, this is equipped with 2-way audio, heat and motion sensors, night vision video and a 110° wide vertical viewing angle, so you can see who’s at the door at any time. The device is easy to install and has a long battery life, making this an easy set and forget security gadget.

Swann Wi-Fi Window/Door Alert Sensor | RRP $44.95 | Available from Bunnings Warehouse, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks and other authorised retailers, as well as online at www.swann.com/au/

Worrying about the safety and security of your home shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the sunshine and quality family time this festive season. Let your loved ones kick back this Christmas with the Swann Wi-Fi Window/Door Alert Sensor, a smart sensor which can send notifications to their phone whenever a door or window has been opened or left open. This smart sensor is renter friendly to install and easily connects to any smartphone to allow for push notifications to be shared when activity is detected, making this the ideal low-cost gift this Christmas.

Swann Indoor/Outdoor Wireless Security Bundle | AUD $499 (RRP $999.95) | Available from Swann

This bundle contains wire-Free 1080p Security Cameras x 4, Solar Charging Panels & Stands x 2 & Tracker Security Camera.

Swann Doorway Security bundle | AUD $299.95 (RRP $399.95) | Available from Swann

This bundle contains Xtreem Wireless Security Camera & SwannBuddy Video Doorbell & Chime

Swann Enforcer 8 Camera 8 Channel 4K Ultra HD DVR Security System | AUD $999.95 (RRP $1,499.95) | Available from Swann

This bundle gives you peace of mind from every angle, with set and forget multi-camera wired connection.

Tech Necessities

SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD V2 | From RRP $226 | Available from Amazon and resellers

Perfect for travel lovers and those requiring lots of storage in a compact device. We gave these a test and loves just how much storage we could have in such a small package.

Key product features include

• Up to 2000MB/s read and write speeds in a compact portable drive that’s reliable enough to take with you anywhere
• Up to two-meter drop protection
• IP55 water and dust resistance
• Password protection featuring 256 bit AES hardware encryption

WD My Passport | From RRP $79 | Available from Amazon and resellers
My Book has been a staple in the WD line up, they are perfect for those needing to access their digital world at any time and comes in five colour choices.

Key product features include

• Up to 1050MB/s2 read speeds
• Up to 1000MB/s2 write speeds
• Stylishly designed in a range of colours, enclosed in a compact sleek metal design built to withstand whatever comes your way

WD_BLACK SN850 NVMe SSD for PS5 | From RRP $245.62 | Available from Amazon and resellers
Give the gift of better performance for for a PS5 Gamer

Key product features include

• Officially licensed for PlayStation5 consoles, allows you to store and play PS5 games and PS4 games directly from the drive.
• Compatible built-in heatsink that keeps your drive running cool
• With up to 2TB1 capacity, your PlayStation 5 console has the additional space to store up to 50 games

Nintendo-Licensed Memory Cards For Nintendo Switch | From RRP $59.99 | Available from Amazon and resellers
The Nintendo Switch is a great little console, but a little extra memory will keep the entertainment going.

Key product features include

• provides dependable, high-performance storage for your console
• Add up to 512GB of capacity, so you can keep your favourite titles on a single card
• Backed by a lifetime limited warranty
• Transfer rates up to 100MB/s2, so it delivers consistent high performance

Pamper

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