APPLE HOMEPOD MINI

Bigger than a bauble and styled like a sci-fi candle, Apple’s smallest domestic orb doesn’t emit festive fragrances – but it will punch out Christmas playlists in 360 degrees. Equipped with Siri and ready to play nice with your smart home, Homepods can be grouped together for stereo pairing, multiroom audio and pinging intercom voice messages around the house.

£99 / apple.com

Low blow Wrapped in mesh acoustic fabric and available in black or white, the Homepod Mini is pretty squat at 8.4cm tall. Ho-ho-ho Apple’s S5 chip constantly adjusts how your music sounds, while three microphones pick up voice requests. Glow show Just like the full-size Homepod, the ring on top illuminates when you summon a now-speedier Siri or adjust the volume.