Getting a look at my holiday gift guide for 2020
Charging and power
Linearflux Hypercharger MAX, $79: High-capacity charger with USB- C connections that can even be used to power a laptop. linearflux.myshopify.com
Anker PowerCore Fusion 5000, $25: This wall charger has a built-in battery so it can charge your devices even when it is not plugged in to an outlet. anker.com
Earphones and headphones
ZVOX AV50 headphones, $59 (reduced from $149): ZVOX is reducing the price of their popular AV50 headphones by a whopping 60% for the holidays. The combination of active noise reduction and AccuVoice makes them perfect for flying and watching programming with dialogue. zvox.com
Soundcore Life headphones, $29-79: These budget Beats alternatives combine comfort, good looks and good sound. The Life Q10 is a standout value for $29, and the top Q20 and Q30 models includes active noise cancellation. soundcore.com
Bluetooth and wi-fi speakers
Soundcore Flare series, $39$99: There are several models of the Flare Bluetooth speakers and all are winners, creating pure, clean sound with good bass and combining it with an LED lightshow that is pleasing and fun. The Flare Mini for $39.99 is a particular standout. soundcore.com AxiomAir N2 Freedom, $529: This advanced, customizable speaker from highend manufacturer Axiom Audio is based on a Raspberry Pi minicomputer, allowing it to be updated with new features easily. axiomaudio.com
Hi-fi
Technics OTTAVA-f SC- C70 Mk.II, $999: This small all-in- one sound system with CD player is a technological tour de force, providing big, highly accurate sound that seems like it is coming from a high-end component system with large speakers. technics. co
Acoustics 3020i Speakers. Smallish bookshelf speakers with clear, rich sound and deep bass that belies their size. They have won many awards and continue to lead their class. qacoustics.com
Polk Audio Legend L100 Speakers, $1,199: These speakers provide a taste the very best you can expect from high-end audio. Readers who purchased them on my recommendation describe the sound as “breathtaking” and they are one of the best speakers I have ever heard, independent of price. polkaudio.com
Audio-Technica AT-LP60X Turntable, $99: This automatic budget turntable is where good vinyl playback quality begins, and its moving magnet cartridge will not damage your records, unlike many other sub$100 turntables. Also available with a USB connection for $129. audio-technica.com
LP Gear The Vessel A3SE Phono Cartridge, $99: By far the best phono cartridge available for under $100, the Vessel A3SE sounds much more expensive than it is and is easy to upgrade by changing the stylus. It also comes in premounted versions for $148 that make it extremely easy to mount on compatible turntables. lpgear.com
Emotiva T-Zero Speakers, Television
ZVOX AV157 SuperVoice TV Speaker, $199: One of my most popular recommendations in 2020, nothing else on the market makes it easier to understand television dialogue. Reduced from $299 to $199 for the holidays. zvox.com
LG SK1 Soundbar, $99: This compact, low profile soundbar will greatly improve over the sound of your television’s speakers. Frequently on sale for $69.99. lg.com
Roku Streaming boxes, $29.99-$99.99: Quality hardware, the biggest selection of channels (many of them free) and the best user interface still makes Roku the best choice for streaming entertainment. If you have a 4K TV, be sure to get one of the 4K models. roku.com
Nebula Solar Portable Projector, $599: Nebula’s portable, battery-powered 1080p HDR projector allows you to take the show on the road almost anywhere. LED light source means no lamps to replace, and it includes Wi-Fi and Android TV so you can stream from sources like Hulu and Disney+. It has an HDMI input for use with a disc player and a built-in speaker that can produce respectable volume levels. seenebula.com
Kitchen
Panasonic Home Chef 4-in-1, $399: A microwave with a builtin air fryer, plus more? Count me in! shop.panasonic.com
MEATER wireless thermometer, $99 and up: This popular wireless thermometer comes in multiple configurations, ensuring there is a perfect one for any need. meater.com
Pelican Elite 20QT cooler, $149: Compared to the more expensive Yeti competitor this cooler has a superior latching system, better insulation performance, is available in a variety of color combinations, includes a lifetime warranty and is made in the U.S. pelican.com
Smart home
Panasonic HomeHawk Window, $149: This innovative camera system mounts to the window and monitors what is going on outside. It is triggered by human activity, not passing cars and does not require a subscription. shop.panasonic.com
Wyze Cam v3, $20: This highly regarded budget home security camera is your entry into the ever-expanding Wyze system. It can operate subscriptionfree, but full-featured monitoring plans are available for only $1.25 per camera, per month. wyze.com
Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat, $99: This sleeper of a smart thermostat is not well known, but competes with the boutique brands for under $100. honeywellhome.com
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation,) $48: Currently on sale for $28, the latest version of the useful dot has gone three- dimensional with its spherical shape. amazon.com
Philips Hue Starter Kit, $99: Get a start on adding smart, wireless- controlled lighting to your home with the industry leader for under $100. The kit includes a hub and four white bulbs, and more bulbs and color options can be added later. meethue.com
Eufy RoboVac 11S Max, $169: The 11S Max is an excellent robovac that most anyone can afford. eufylife.com
Other useful items
Austere Clean and Protect, $30: Beautifully packaged, this premium quality spray cleaner and soft cloth is safe for all your devices from TV screens to smartphones. austere.com
Vibes Hi-Fi Earplugs, $24: Vibes earplugs preserve sound quality while lowering the volume. They should be considered a must at loud rock concerts and can be used when operating power equipment, too. discovervibes.com