Indholdsfortegnelse for Christmas 2025 i Stuff UK

Hello, and welcome to our awards issue! At the end of each year we like to kick back with a mince pie and chill in front of the fire, mostly because we’ve spent weeks agonising over who should feature in our annual roundup of winners. It’s always a bit of a trial deciding who should win, and this year even more so – because there’s just been so much great tech. As always, all the products have to have been reviewed – either here in the magazine or at Stuff.tv (where, incidentally, you can also find plenty of gift guides for Christmas if you missed our epic roundup last issue). What will win our coveted Gadget of the Year award? You’ll soon find out… and you can play a little…

from £1350 / go.stuff.tv/E5 Tag Heuer’s latest offering takes its smartwatches in a bold post-Google direction Nothing but smart takes As breakups go it certainly lacks the drama of Kim and Kanye or Brad and Angelina, but the conscious uncoupling between Tag Heuer and Google could just be the making of the Connected Calibre E5. Rather than Wear OS, it runs Tag Heuer OS, which the Swiss brand has developed in-house. Swiping up shows notifications, swiping down reveals widgets, and holding the screen changes the watch face. A pair of chronograph-style pushers on the side offer easy access to tracking and settings. Swap in the name of love The watch comes in two case sizes – 40mm and 45mm – with AMOLED touchscreens: 1.2in (390x390) on the former and 1.39in…

£1099 / go.stuff.tv/FindX9Pro ■ They look almost identical but the Find X9 Pro is a sliver thicker than the OnePlus 15, with a more pronounced camera bump. And while they share software, with strikingly similar customisation options and preinstalled apps, the two differ on chipset choice, battery size and cameras. You get a zoom lens with a colossal pixel count here, along with a clever colour calibration sensor. ■ The 200MP telephoto snapper delivers simply superb definition at its native 3x zoom, with nicely nuanced colours and controlled exposure. Dimly lit scenes aren’t a problem either. The other cameras don’t let the side down, with the 50MP primary lens capturing bags of dynamic range. Oppo’s processing does a fine job in all conditions, and has the edge for overall clarity.…

PHONE OF THE YEAR APPLE iPHONE 17 PRO MAX The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the best powerhouse phone of 2025, and a better buy than any other offering in the latest Apple lineup. Due to a new aluminium frame opening up brighter colour finishes, it’s been given a glow-up – quite literally. But more importantly than that, performance sees a major leap, with the all-new ‘vapour chamber’ heatsink successfully keeping the beefy A19 Pro chip cool. This results in higher performance for longer periods during demanding tasks like 4K video capture and gaming, and nicely complements the upgraded graphic capabilities. The display is exceptionally impressive, capable of reaching 3000 nits for clear visibility in direct sunlight. While the aluminium frame might raise durability concerns, the screen is protected by…

The Dyson is the best investment for your hair, but the Shark is still a great buy…

ON SALE 19 DEC DON’T MISS OUT! Pay the normal shop price* and get the next issue delivered direct to your door ORDER ONLINE AT SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK OR CALL NOW ON 01959 543747 *Terms and conditions apply. UK delivery costs £2.75. Order by 5 Dec; you should receive your copy around 19 Dec. Front cover is for illustration purposes only and is subject to change. Lines are open Mon-Fri 8:30am–5pm. Calls are charged at your standard network rate.…

1 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 from £1599 / go.stuff.tv/ZFold7 Cutting a few features has turned the Z Fold7 into the best of the current foldable breed. The lack of stylus support might sting a little for the small minority who used an S Pen on older Folds, and battery life is becoming a bit of a lead weight for Samsung phones in general. But the Z Fold7’s svelte form, expansive screens and capable rear cameras otherwise bring it up to par. Feature-packed software and swift performance then make it very easy to live with indeed. Stuff says Slim, speedy, and with superior snappers: Samsung has finally got a foldable right 2 Honor Magic V5 £1700 / go.stuff.tv/MV5 This is a genuine rival to the Z Fold7 in terms of its…

1 Sony WH-1000XM6 £385 / go.stuff.tv/XM6 Sony’s noise-cancellers only needed subtle upgrades to stay ahead of the pack for this generation – these are the most complete headphones the company has ever delivered. The combination of exceptional comfort, class-leading ANC and versatile sound profiles results in a pair of cans that will adapt to anything you care to throw at them. For those who spend hours each day immersed in music or media, they’re worth every penny. Stuff says Superb sound, jaw-dropping ANC and the return of foldability keep Sony out in front NOW ADD THIS  TwelveSouth AirFly SE This adapter lets you use your XM6s wirelessly with the headphone port on a plane, with 20hrs of battery life. £40 / twelvesouth.com TIPS & TRICKS ● Enable spatial audio and…

1 Apple MacBook Air (M4) from £879 / go.stuff.tv/AirM4 The M4-powered Air clearly takes things on a step, thanks to various improvements combined with a lower starting price. While Windows ultraportables are improving all the time, they can’t match the performance and battery life on show here. This is not Apple’s biggest ever forward leap, but it’s enough to keep it clear out in front. Stuff says Oh-so-predictably, the MacBook Air is still the everyday laptop to beat NOW ADD THIS Anker Prime Charging Docking Station This clever dock offers 14 different functions, including mega-fast charging and dual display support. £200 / anker.com TIPS & TRICKS • You can use two screens plus the Air’s own. Arrange them in System Settings > Displays. • Turn on Show Percentage and you’ll…

1 Sky Stream from £15/m / go.stuff.tv/SkyStream It’s hard to find fault with this little puck. The basic package includes the ad version of Netflix as well as Discovery+ with Eurosport – and while Sky Sports and Sky Cinema are a pricey upgrade, Sky’s Entertainment OS makes the Stream a bit of a doozy if you want to have a monthly sub rather than using Now (which is more of a dip-in job for when you just fancy the football or films for a brief period). Sky Q remains excellent, but if you can’t/won’t have a dish, this is the ideal solution. Stuff says Making it more affordable and accessible than ever, this is the best way to watch Sky TV 2 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K £60 / go.stuff.tv/TVStick4K The…

1 Renault 5 from £21,495 / go.stuff.tv/Renault5 Renault has taken the best bits of its 1970s hatchback and reimagined them for the electric era, with phenomenal success. The new 5 dazzles from every angle and the interior is every bit as good, with room to comfortably seat four and just the right amount of tech. It’s a compact car made with cities in mind, but when you get out on a twisting rural trail there’s lots of fun to be had. A lot of electric cars are somewhat bland and uninspiring; this one is just the opposite. Stuff says This brilliant bundle of fun offers everything a small EV should, at a fair price 2 Tesla Model 3 from £39,990 / go.stuff.tv/Tesla3 This is much more than a simple mid-cycle refresh…

1 GoPro Hero13 Black £307 / go.stuff.tv/Hero13 GoPro diehards might be disappointed that the Hero13 doesn’t have the 8K video or bigger sensor that many were hoping for. Instead it has the same core specs as the Hero12… but there are some enticing new bits. A bigger battery with improved efficiency means you’ll get 1.5hrs of continuous recording in 4K, and also new is the addition of magnetic mounting (finally!). Just be aware that, based on the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro review on p62, we may well have a new No1 next month… Stuff says The basics are unchanged from the last model, but numerous refinements make for a worthy new Hero 2 DJI Neo £169 / go.stuff.tv/DJINeo Youngsters looking to earn their wings will adore the simplicity of DJI’s smallest,…

1 Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) £55 / 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 NOW ADD THIS Wall Mount for Echo Dot This mount for the Dot (and other small speakers) will keep it clear from wet kitchen surfaces. £14 / amazon.co.uk TIPS & TRICKS • Alexa’s voice can work like an intercom with connected Echo devices. • Alexa Voice Shopping…

I’m from a fairly blue-collar background. One of my grandfathers was a house painter and the other was a butcher. I started working when I was in 7th or 8th grade, babysitting, and the goal was to save money. The first thing I bought was stereo equipment – I was into music, lots of Boston bands. I had a reel-to-reel player and those speakers that are about 4ft tall in my basement. I’ve always been into trying to save money to buy stuff. I have everything on an app at home. I have a Vantage system for lights and sound, but I do use different apps for most devices as the makers know how to develop the best ones. Sonos, heating, garage doors, the alarm system… and all my iRobot…

OnePlus Buds 4 What’s the story? With adaptive noise-cancelling, spatial sound and a familiar flip-top case, the Buds 4 offer most of what made the last-gen Buds Pro 3 a five-star product, only for a lot less cash. They’ve got the same dual-driver arrangement but lose the wireless charging abilities and have a mostly plastic build rather than fancy vegan leather. Are they any good? The stem-style buds might have finicky touch controls, but they fit comfortably enough and stay secure when on the move. Hi-res listening saps an hour of listening time (which otherwise stretches to 6hrs with ANC enabled), but it’s worth using for lossless Spotify streaming: the soundstage is more forward than the competition, with nicely crisp treble. Price £86 / go.stuff.tv/OPBuds4 Stuff says The nuanced sound…

NEW Straight outta testing and into our rankings.  BARGAIN BUY A proper steal, worth owning regardless of cashflow. UPDATE Time changes everything, including Stuff Top Ten entries. ABOUT RATINGS Always fair and accurate, our reviews are scored from 1 to 5 and might get one of these awards too: For selected products that are rated with four stars but stand out from the pack. A step up in approval, this can only be awarded to five-star products. Our highest accolade is given out just a few times a year in each key category. FOR FULL REVIEWS OF ALL THE PRODUCTS IN OUR TOP TEN LISTINGS, VISIT STUFF.TV/TOP-10…

1 Google Pixel 9a  from £449 / go.stuff.tv/Pixel9a This might be Google’s affordable model, but it looks and feels very grown-up. In no way does the Pixel 9a come across like a cut-price option, and a scan of the spec sheet shows there’s not a lot of breathing room between it and the Pixel 9: same Tensor G4 chipset, same Gemini-infused Android 15, same 6.3in size for the OLED display. The cameras are excellent for the cash, as usual, while the battery and performance punch above their weight. Stuff says Improved in all the ways that matter – a classy phone experience for less cash 2 Nothing Phone 3a from £329 / go.stuff.tv/Phone3a One of the most comprehensive affordable phones out there, with stand-out styling, unique features and slick software.…

1 OnePlus Watch 3 £319 / go.stuff.tv/OPWatch3 This is a simply superb wearable, with the best battery life of any Wear OS watch – thanks to silicon-carbon cell technology borrowed from OnePlus’s smartphones – and subtle yet meaningfully improved styling. Health tracking has taken a big step forward, even if we’d still give the edge to a top-tier Garmin for more serious stattery; but with pricing on its side, the OnePlus Watch 3 should be right at the top of any Android smartwatch shopper’s list. Stuff says A more refined take on an already fantastic watch that lasts longer and is even more fitness-friendly NEW 2 Apple Watch SE 3 from £219 / go.stuff.tv/WatchSE3 This has to be Apple’s most value-packed product ever. The Series 11 is worth the extra…

1 LG OLED42C5 £1049 / go.stuff.tv/LGC5 LG’s mid-range OLED TVs have long been Stuff favourites, and the 42in C5 is a fantastic performer with a bump in HDR brightness that nudges it comfortably ahead of the outgoing C4. The company’s webOS is more cluttered than it used to be and the speakers are pretty basic, but if you want the best all-round OLED for your cash then the C5 is the one for you – not least because it’s a good £350 cheaper now than at launch. Stuff says LG delivers another excellent OLED all-rounder with engaging HDR images NOW ADD THIS LG S95TR Up-firing rear satellites and a wireless sub create 9.1.5 Dolby Atmos surround sound. £1499 / currys.co.uk TIPS & TRICKS • Got a modern LG soundbar? WOW Orchestra…

1 Apple iPad Pro (M4) from £899 / go.stuff.tv/iPadProM4 The latest iPad Pro gets incredible processing power, while being slimmer than before. The performance gains are quite staggering… and the only question is, why has Apple bothered to upgrade this tablet quite so much? It offers a level of capability that most people won’t ever need – so this is really a powerhouse for the 1% who edit or design with the stylus. And for them, the talented Pencil Pro is also a serious upgrade on the standard Pencil. Stuff says This really takes iPad power to the next level, even if iPadOS still needs more multitasking clout 2 OnePlus Pad 3 from £599 / go.stuff.tv/Pad3 It’s hard to think of anything more you could want from an Android tablet – regardless…

1 Sonos Move 2 £449 / go.stuff.tv/SonosMove2 The ‘2’ means our favourite speaker is now even better. Sonos has upgraded the Move in the areas that matter most: sound quality and battery life, the latter of which has more than doubled. Our only criticisms are about the high price and the weight – and the Sonos app, which has been a pain for years now. Line-in is also a little bit of a faff with the extra adapter… but if you’re in the market for this box, you’re probably beyond cables. Stuff says Beefed-up audio and a longer-lasting battery – a winning combo NOW ADD THIS YouTube Music Premium If you’d like a side of optional visuals with your audio, try the ad-free tier of YouTube Music. £10.99/m / music.youtube.com…

1 Amazon Echo Spot (2nd Gen) £80 / go.stuff.tv/EchoSpot The Spot can do everything Alexa normally can, making it much more than just an alarm clock. Play podcasts, audiobooks and music from various providers, as well as controlling smart home devices from the comfort of your bed. Different animations appear on the display for things like the weather and song titles or calendar events. Stuff says A fully capable Alexa device that also happens to be a pretty good alarm clock NOW ADD THIS Honeywell T6R This Zigbee-enabled thermostat is wireless so you can place it anywhere. £134 / cityplumbing.co.uk TIPS & TRICKS • You can tap the front to skip songs or snooze an alarm. Handy when you’re still half asleep. • Use the Alexa app to customise the display…

A magazine subscription is the perfect gift: • Personal, thoughtful and fuels their passion • Provides enjoyment all year round • And saves you money on the shop price! GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS FROM £22.99 OVER 45 TITLES TO CHOOSE FROM VISIT SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK/XMAS25P OR CALL 01959 543 747 AND QUOTE ‘XMAS25P’ Lines are open Mon-Fri 8.30am to 5pm. Calls are charged at your standard network rate UK customers only. Offers end 31st January 2026…

THE SHOOTING MODE DIAL HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH ONE FOR FILM SIMULATIONS Haven’t I seen that camera somewhere before? This exact one? Probably not, but there’s a good explanation for the familiarity. The X-T30 III’s retro design might make it look like a contemporary of the Olympus OM-1, Canon AE-1 and Nikon F2 from the 1970s, but chances are you’re thinking of its predecessor: the Fujifilm X-T30 II was almost identical. But that’s really no bad thing: the old-school aesthetic never gets, er, old – and the diddy dimensions mean it’s not a chore to carry around on the off-chance that you’ll see something worthy of more than just a phone snap. What’s new, then? The main physical difference is that the shooting mode dial has been replaced with one…

Any pretence of OnePlus being an underdog in the phone world has been thrown out of the window here. The firm’s latest effort takes what made its predecessor stand out – rapid performance, a bigger battery than any of its Western rivals, enough water-resistance to survive a keelhauling – and turns it all up another notch, while still undercutting the competition on price. The styling might feel like a shake-up for many phone fans, but the OnePlus 15’s fully flat frame and offset square camera bump are actually an evolution of the India-only OnePlus 13S. The unique finish of the ‘sand storm’ variant, though? That’s new. A process called Micro Arc Oxidation makes it three times tougher than aluminium and feel almost pebble-like to hold. A slightly more manageable 6.78in…

GREEN GAUGES The fishes’ friend Picto Ocean Ghost Net Help to stop the clock on marine pollution with this fish-friendly ticker. The strap is made of recycled plastic, while the shell is hewn from discarded fishing nets. All at sea with the minimalist design? You just need to remember that the dot is the hour hand. £99 / go.stuff.tv/PictoNet The sustainable sundial Detomaso D10 Chrono Solar The sun might define how we tell the time, but you can’t really blame a cloudy sky when you’re late for work. Well, you could try, but you won’t have to with this solar-powered saviour: it can keep going for up to five months in darkness. And it’s made from recycled ocean plastics. £160 / go.stuff.tv/D10Solar The scrappy strapper Detrash Cali Stainless steel might…

from £349 / go.stuff.tv/PWatch4 ■ This watch is a masterclass in minimalist design. The 45mm model I reviewed is milled from recycled aluminium, but it feels dense and solid – more like stone than metal. It might be a touch too large for smaller wrists, but there’s also a 41mm version if you don’t mind a smaller screen. ■ The Actua 360 display is one of the best I’ve seen. It’s totally readable in full daylight but dims down to a single nit for viewing at night. Colours are vivid, blacks are inky, and text is pin-sharp. Even the on-screen keyboard is surprisingly usable. ■ The Wear OS 6.0 interface is far more intuitive than earlier versions. Every swipe, scroll and tap feels immediate, helped by the Snapdragon W5 Gen…

THE BASICS ■ Make it personal No single app will magically make you a to-do champ. Sorry. The trick is to find a system that works for you. If what’s baked into your phone does the job, great. If not, go hunting. When you find something that clicks, tailor it – and consider splitting your setup between work and play. No one needs weekend plans mixed up with quarterly reports. ■ Stay sane If your blood pressure spikes at the sight of a 700-item to-do list, you need a dose of context. Use subtasks and labels to focus on what matters right now – and avoid busywork. You need a reminder for that big deadline; you do not need one to check your email 10 times a day. ■ Work…

Japan has long been the spiritual home of video games, all the way back to the early console days. But only recently have culturally Japanese games captured the imagination of gamers around the world. Feudal swordplay and stealth action are hotter than they’ve ever been – and this hasn’t happened in a vacuum. There’s also a newfound appreciation of Japanese media, from award-winning shows like Shogun to Netflix snapping up the entire Studio Ghibli catalogue. But nothing beats virtually donning a kabuto helmet or sharpening your throwing stars for real immersion in the time period. And we have come a long way from the basic side-scrolling adventures of the 8-bit and 16-bit generations. Modern console gamers are spoilt for choice when it comes to open-world stealth-and-slash-’em-ups, with samurai playstyles letting…

NEW 1 Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max from £1199 / go.stuff.tv/17ProMax With a supreme spec sheet including an amazing new 8x zoom cam, there’s little that can be argued against the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Of course, it’s very expensive; but if you’re in the market for a phone that can do anything, it’s a price you’ll be willing to pay: in use, this model sits head and shoulders above anything else in Apple’s range. Stuff says With its upgraded camera system, the biggest iPhone is the ultimate powerhouse NOW ADD THIS Belkin Magnetic Power Bank Qi2 This clever little power bank will attach and charge your iPhone at up to 15W using MagSafe. from £50 / belkin.com TIPS & TRICKS ● Turn on Optimized Battery Charging to reduce battery…

1 Sony WF-1000XM5 £219 / go.stuff.tv/WFXM5 The WF-1000XM5 in-ears are significantly smaller than the XM4s, which were already a lot more compact than their predecessors. And yet Sony has still squeezed even larger drivers inside each earbud, along with the firm’s best noise-cancelling yet. The feature list is as extensive as ever, and they’re priced to compete with Bose’s best. Add in decent battery life and a strong app, and you won’t find anything more well-rounded for less. Stuff says Excellent noise-cancellation, a comfy fit and simply stellar audio NOW ADD THIS Spigen Rugged Armor Case This drop-resistant outer shield comes with a carabiner clip for keeping your buds within reach.  £20 / amazon.co.uk TIPS & TRICKS ● Sony’s eartips are great, as long as you use the right size.…

1 Wahoo Elemnt Ace £490 / go.stuff.tv/WahooAce At first glance the Ace might not seem too far removed from previous Elemnt cycle computers, but Wahoo has changed almost every aspect under the hood – and entirely for the better. Setup and syncing are a breeze, tracking is spot-on, and this is the first to take wind resistance into account when measuring your metrics. If you want to analyse your rides like a pro, no mainstream tracker does it better than this deceptively smart little box. Stuff says This overhauled bike computer is about as comprehensive as they get, but still easy to use 2 Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 £249 / go.stuff.tv/PbP2 The main sell here is heart-rate tracking, which you won’t need if you’ve got an Apple Watch, but beyond…

1 Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max £1599 / go.stuff.tv/AmbeoMax Utterly convincing Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D sound, ample power and lots of inputs mean no other soundbar currently available can perform sonic feats with the solidity and confidence of this Sennheiser. The sheer room-filling scale of its sound is remarkable – and the more affordable (but still hugely powerful) Plus version is also worth a look. Stuff says The Ambeo Soundbar Max is a big unit but the sound it makes is bigger still 2 Sonos Arc Ultra £999 / go.stuff.tv/ArcUltra It’s scarcely believable that such high-quality sound can come from such a diminutive form. The Ultra is about as big as upgrades get, with much more quality on offer than you get from the standard Arc. Stuff says Incredible for movies, music…

1 Meta Quest 3S from £290 / go.stuff.tv/Quest3S On price alone, the Meta Quest 3S looks hard to fault. You’re getting the same internals, same controllers and same colour passthrough cameras as the full Quest 3, just with last-gen optics. The built-in speakers envelop you in positional audio, the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 brings much faster load times than the Quest 2, and the graphics have taken a dramatic step up. Rivals can’t compete with Meta’s range of games, and the level of immersion is up there with the best PC-based VR. Stuff says This is as well-rounded as affordable VR gets, making it a fantastic entry point for the tech 2 Sony PlayStation VR 2 £389 / go.stuff.tv/SonyPSVR2 As long as you have the PS5 needed to use it (or…

1 Fujifilm X-T50 £1299 / go.stuff.tv/XT50 This is a wonderfully compact mirrorless camera with a distinctive top plate covered in control dials – including one dedicated to Fuji’s excellent film simulations. On paper it should deliver identical image quality to the flagship X-T5 (both have the same sensor and image processor), and that is absolutely the case: the 40MP sensor captures amazing detail, noise is well maintained at all ISO levels, and sharpness is on point across the frame. Stuff says A brilliant camera that puts Fuji’s fine film simulations front and centre NOW ADD THIS Fujifilm XF 16-50mm f2.8-4.8 An essential first lens for any Fuji newcomer, the 16-50mm is well suited to most scenarios. £599 / parkcameras.com TIPS & TRICKS • With film simulations on a dedicated dial now,…

That’s no C64! Where’s the rest of it? Does the ‘GS’ stand for ‘Got Suckered’? ‘Games System’, actually. It’s right there on the sticker, though your version is apt. Commodore UK, having spotted the looming threat of consoles, asked its US overlords for permission to make a cut-price C64 for people who only wanted to play games. It then proceeded to do the bare minimum, shoving a C64 motherboard into the world’s least inspiring case and moving the cart slot to the top for console vibes. It didn’t even update the early-1980s specs. But surely the games saved it? The C64 had thousands of the things. Yes, but they were mostly on tape and disk. And Commodore’s genius decision to rip out the keyboard made the GS incompatible even with…