The Best of 2022. Our Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide for everyone
The Netatmo Smart Outdoor Security Camera is a neat looking outdoor camera to keep an eye on those naughty & nice, which has a compelling bundle of useful features that actually work really well, including a security light and alarm, is easy to install and we find works very well used either via its own App or within the Apple HomeKit system. It is just the thing to keep you alert for both wanted and unwanted naughty & nice.
Sonos Move Speaker (£399)
Sonos speakers have continually impressed the many ears here at the studio. But that signature sound style and ease of use couldn’t be taken on the go, until now. The Sonos Move allows anyone to get into their festive groove anywhere. Featuring a rich and utterly not compromised sound and impressive 6-7hrs of audio playback in our testing. Furthermore it’s one of the finest examples of a wireless and truly portable speaker design in it’s price category.
The JOBY Swing delivered on its strict agenda of being a well made motorised electronic slider, and with the inclusion of the GorillaPod tripod (can additionally be used by itself) we have a setup for capturing steady videos and movement driven time-lapses both with our wide & ultra wide smartphone lenses. Whether it be a sunset from the perspective of a tree branch, or a panorama of an expansive view from ground level, the JOBY Swing makes these things possible with relative ease due to it being controlled by the App through which it takes in the content. It’s not perfect, though; when using our telephoto lens it exhibits that the Swing does vibrate ever so slightly, and this is more notable when the kit is taken outdoors onto more varied terrains. It would also be nice to have faster pan speed options in future.
STM MagLoop for iPhone (£15.49)
This little widget will make a perfect stocking filler for any iPhone owner. It’s a finger loop, kickstand, and bottle opener. Utilising MagSafe, so it just works.
Without more ado, we’d recommend you save yourself the £129 and get the Logitech Combo Touch over the Apple Magic Keyboard Case for the holiday season when focusing on the key attributes that make a case like this a tablet/notebook fusion: namely, the keyboard and trackpad. Logitech have got both right. The larger trackpad makes the whole experience more pleasurable and more like a MacBook, and it’s a smidgen easier to type on thanks to greater key travel. The function keys we found indispensable. It’s a case that can be used both on desks and laps with its fold out stand. It’s not as ostentatious as the Apple Magic Keyboard Case or as rigid in concept. The Logitech choice also provides more flexibility when it comes to viewing angles with or without the keyboard attached magnetically. The only obvious drawbacks are the added bulk to the iPad and the slightly lessened touch screen experience due to it being pushed further back and lower down in this design.
Sage Barista Express Impress (£729)
It’s a very good air fryer in its own right and is impressive for the fact that it’s a device that adds only a few centimetres to its dimensions to accommodate an extra 2 litres of capacity over a typical single basket air fryer, thus giving a total of 7.6 litres to take on some of the Christmas cooking workload. There will be cases where people are using two separate air fryers, and this neatly homogenises them into one, with added functions such as dehydration included too. The touch interface together with the turn dial is the best control input we’ve used on any air fryer to date. End cooking results from chips to cakes has been consistently excellent and importantly the Instant Vortex Plus Dual Drawer Air Fryer is a well made kitchen gadget and worktop friendly.
These Origin OB-49 Bi-fold doors have surpassed our expectations. They are truly outstanding, featuring such incredible slimness of framing whilst remaining extremely strong and robust. The powder coated finish is excellent and they look amazing, opening in various configurations smoothly and easily. Our studio gable end has been transformed with a truly seamless inside-out transition and a continually amazing amount of light.
Firstly, it has to be said that the Envirobuild Hyperion Explorer decking board path looks amazing and laying the path using their fittings was truly simple. The embossed wood grain of the Silver Birch finish is very effective and the look is set off by the 6mm gaps. The surface is flat and matt, and completely firm to the step even in the wettest of conditions; something that can definitely not be said of wood decked walkways. Because both the joists and the boards are made of composite material the pathway is very comfortable to walk on, with just a little springiness to the material - it is also very quiet. The great thing is that by using the 90% recycled Envirobuild materials, not only are we helping the environment and saving trees, but we have produced a pathway that needs no maintenance; no staining, oiling or future rotting - truly a path for life!
The WORX PowerShare Sonicrafter Multi Tool Is efficient at doing all those jobs that previously seemed difficult. it is compact but powerful and quickly becomes the tool you wouldn’t be without due to its ability to saw, scrape, sand and rasp - and most importantly for a tool of this type: No wire - no hassle. We can’t wait to try other tools in the PowerShare range.
