Budget buy or pricey present? 9 cheaper alternatives to premium gifts

With the holidays just around the corner, and Covid restrictions making gift-buying harder than ever, our recommendations can help you spot great gifts. Products that have earned our tick have shined in our independent product testing.

Tech gifts

Portable Bluetooth speakers

Summer is time to relax in the backyard or beach and listen to some great sounds, and a good Bluetooth speaker can make the difference between an all-right time and an amazing one. The Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II ($500) is one of the best speakers in our test, has a long battery life and nifty carry handle. But for half the price you could pick up the recommended JBL Charge 4, which performs just as well. If you’re looking for quality sound on the go, check out the light JBL GO 3, which is water-resistant, and costs just $70.

See full test results.

Smartwatches

Smartwatches can be a handy gadget and make a great present, but they often come with a hefty price tag. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 (45mm) is a prime example. It performs well in our tests, is stylish, allows text messaging – you can even make phone calls from it! But it costs an eye-watering $799. If you want smart on a budget, consider the Huawei Watch Fit. It’s water-resistant, has a heart rate monitor, GPS and costs just $229.

See full test results.

Fitness trackers

The most popular fitness tracker brands have long been Fitbit and Garmin, but their best models cost at least $200. If you’re looking to save some money, Huawei has a great tracker – the Band 4 Pro ($99) – which costs a fraction of these big-name brands. It’s a good all-around performer in our testing, is our cheapest recommended model, has a colour touchscreen, and works with iOS and Android.

See full test results.

Headphones

Sony and Sennheiser are well-known audio brands that top our test of over and on-ear headphones, but their products often cost more than $400! In comparison, the AKG N60NC are recommended headphones and will only set you back about $160 or, for a little more money, check out the JBL Live 650BTNC ($299). Though they perform well in our testing, if you’re tempted by the pricey Apple Airpods Max ($987) you’ll be paying a premium for the brand name.

See full test results.

Home appliance and tool gifts

Stick vacuums

If you’re sure your loved one will welcome a vacuum cleaner as a gift, a stick vacuum is a great choice. Their performance is now comparable to cannister and upright vacuums, but they’re more convenient and easier to use. However, you don’t need to be sucked in by the hype of Dyson and fork out more than $1000 for an excellent model. For example, the Ryobi ONE+ 18V Brushless Stick Vacuum R18SV8-KIT is a great performer that’s much cheaper at $439 (even more so if your loved one already has one of Ryobi’s 18V interchangeable batteries).

See full test results.

Espresso machines

An espresso machine is a great gift idea for caffeine addicts. However, beware of being sucked in by a fancy capsule espresso machine like Nespresso. These machines require costly capsules, and the environment also ends up paying a steep price. We suggest considering a semi-auto machine like the Sunbeam Mini Barista Espresso Machine EM4300 ($314). Not only does it cost less than many capsule machines, the coffee tastes better.

See full test results.

Line trimmers and lawn edgers

If you’re looking for a gift for the budding garden landscaper – what about a line trimmer? And you don’t have to fork out big bucks for a great model. The Stihl FS 38 ($195) petrol line trimmer is one of the top performers and is one of the cheapest models we’ve tested. It’s excellent at horizontal and vertical cutting, and at taming long overgrown grass.

See full test results.

Don’t forget your rights

Gifts are covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA). While retailers don’t have to take back an unwanted present, if the product itself isn’t fit for purpose or is faulty, they are obliged to make things right under the CGA.

You just need proof of purchase, such as a receipt or bank statement.

We also advise steering clear of extended warranties. You’ll often find the CGA provides better coverage anyway.

Read more on the CGA and you rights here.