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If you have someone in your life that loves music and/or technology, then an audio gift is always a good choice.
With this being a Christmas gift guide, I have tried not to get too carried away with my fondness for expensive gear and recommended some affordable options moving into the mid-range.
Earphones / Headphones
Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ True Wireless Earbuds -... | Buy on Amazon |
I reviewed the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ a little over a year ago when they were priced at around £100, and I thought they were excellent. You can now buy them for as little as £40 if you go for the white pay or £50 for the black model. That’s astonishingly good value for money.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| soundcore by Anker Liberty 3 Pro Noise Cancelling Earbuds,... | Buy on Amazon |
I also reviewed the Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro about a year ago. Thinking over all the TWS earbud reviews I have done in the past year, I would say these are up there with my favourite.
I reviewed them at £140, but you can now pick them up for as low as £90, and I would buy these any day over the Nothing Ear (1) (though they are not a bad buy at £86, currently)
Jabra Elite 5
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| Jabra 100-99181700-98 Elite 5 True Wireless In Ear Bluetooth... |
£74.99 | Buy on Amazon |
I have not personally used the Jabra Elite 5, but I do love the Elite 85t and the 75t. The newer Elite 5 has been universally well-reviewed and is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for something a little more premium
Sony WF-1000XM4 ANC Earbuds
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| Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphone -... |
£126.28 | Buy on Amazon |
If you want noise-cancelling earbuds, the Sony WF-1000XM4 is the gold standard, and they currently have a big discount on Amazon, bringing them down to a relatively affordable £160.
Speakers
Sonos
Sonos One
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos One (Gen 2) - The powerful Smart Speaker with Amazon... | £299.00 | Buy on Amazon |
You can’t really go wrong with Sonos, and I don’t think anyone would be upset if you bought them a Sonos speaker. The Sonos One is an obvious choice, providing a good balance of affordability and performance.
Sonos Roam
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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| Sonos Roam SL. Experience size-defying sound at home and on... | £159.00 | Buy on Amazon |
I prefer a bit more oomph from my speakers, but the Roam has a lot of appeal being both portable and affordable. I’d prefer a Move myself, but I don’t think anyone loves me enough to spend £400 on me.
Audio Pro
Audio Pro C5 MkII or Audio Pro C10 MkII
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Pro Addon C10 MKII Wireless Music System | £280.00 | Buy on Amazon |
I recently reviewed the Audio Pro C5 MKII but I’d be inclined to recommend the C10 MkII as you get more bang for your buck.
Buy the C5 MKII from Audio Pro
I was impressed with this speaker, the overall feature set can compete with Sonos and Audio Pro and have an extensive range of speakers, so this could be extended into a whole home solution.
Audio Pro is a better option than Sonos for anyone that values aesthetics as much as they do sound quality.
Marshal
Marshall Emberton II & others
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| Marshall Emberton II Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Wireless &... |
£134.51 | Buy on Amazon |
Marshall is another brand that’s easy to recommend if you want to buy someone a good-looking speaker. I recently reviewed the diminutive Marshall Emberton II. It’s a beautiful speaker in a tiny package with a surprisingly punchy sound.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall Stanmore II Wireless Bluetooth Speaker - Brown | Buy on Amazon |
Marshall has lots of other attractive options too. If you want to stick to portable speakers, the Kilburn II Portable Speaker is a step up from the Emberton, or the Marshall Stanmore II is a beautiful Bluetooth speaker (that needs plugging in).
Edifier
Edifier MP230 Retro Bluetooth Portable Speaker
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| Edifier MP230 Retro Bluetooth Portable Speaker with Classic... |
£99.99 | Buy on Amazon |
This is the speaker I’d recommend if the Marshall Emberton II is above your budget. It is a beautiful speaker, and it sounds good, considering its size and price. It is not waterproof, though, unlike the Marshall.
Edifier MS50A Smart Speaker
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| Edifier MS50A Wi-Fi Smart Speaker Without Microphone, Works... |
£129.99 | Buy on Amazon |
If you want an affordable WiFi speaker that works with Spotify and Alexa but without the intrusive nature of a microphone-equipped Alexa speaker, then the Edifier MS50A is a solid choice. It sounds good, and it provides a good bang for your buck at around £130.
Edifier R2000DB Active Bookshelf Speaker
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| Edifier R2000DB Bluetooth Active Bookshelf Speaker System... |
£249.99 | Buy on Amazon |
I used to use the Edifier R2000DB as my personal office speaker before I ditched them for the bigger and more expensive Edifier S3000 Pro. The S3000 Pro are perhaps too big and expensive to be casually recommended for a Christmas gift, but the R2000DB is a solid choice. I loved them, and they are universally well-reviewed by others.
A lot of my other recommendations will likely work for anyone, whereas I think active bookshelf speakers are a gift that someone needs to specifically want.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2024-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
