Why a savvy scrooge can beat a big-spending Santa: As our guide to top brand gadgets and their cheaper rivals proves
- Alice Smellie gave her verdict on a selection of gadgets for Christmas gifts
- She chose Letscom Smart Band over Samsung’s Galaxy Smart Watch
- She says the budget fitness tracker is ideal for a stocking filler
- Alice was torn between Bosch Tassimo Vivy 2 and Nespresso Vertuo
Every year the boys ask for a smartphone and I say no because of the cost. The Alcatel has a camera and 16GB storage. I give it to 13-year-old Archie without naming the brand. ‘Wow,’ he says. ‘Can I have one?
tescomobile.com
My 12 and 13-year-old sons think the iPhone XS is the most desirable thing ever. It has the largest screen on any iPhone and a staggeringly good camera. It’s also pretty much the cost of a family holiday.
apple.com/uk
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A basic pink band with an activity monitor, calorie counter, sleep tracker. It is also waterproof. Charges at my laptop via a USB attachment. Straightforward once connected with the Letscom app, with a tracker for heart rate, activities and sleep. I set it to buzz every 15 minutes to remind me to move around, and take it on a run. A great stocking filler.
amazon.co.uk
This is a superior, but pricey, piece of kit for the serious health enthusiast. It looks great and connects easily and you can track workouts, take calls and listen to music. It’s also waterproof and works with all phones, but you need to be connected to EE to receive calls and messages.
samsung.com/uk
Far lighter than its Smeg counterpart, the Vonshef is still a beautiful and expensive-looking machine, with the same attachments and six mixing speeds as well as a 3.5 litre capacity. I’d prefer the Smeg, no question, but honestly, this is a good-looking alternative.
domu.co.uk
I have such a soft spot for the charmingly retro shape of anything by Smeg. This lovely stand mixer is staggeringly heavy, with the sumptuous rounded curves of a Fifties pin-up. It has a 4.8 litre capacity and a dough hook, whisk, beater and plastic bowl cover for Bake Off style creations.
johnlewis.com
These black padded headphones aren’t as pretty as the Beats, right, and they don’t come in a swanky case. Neither do they sit quite as snugly to my ears. However, once on, I find the sound quality impressive.
amazon.co.uk
The soft grey headphones are removed from their compact black case by my 12-year-old son with hushed reverence. I am less excited, but admit they are good looking and the sound quality is incredible.
beatsbydre.com/uk
The sweetest little blush-gold portable speaker, which sits next to my laptop, is like a new pet. It connects via Bluetooth to my iPhone and my rap-loving children are less than enchanted to hear Schubert blasting from my study. Excellent for a one-room disco, and for price and prettiness, I’m going with this.
amazon.co.uk
British designed, this easy to connect wireless bamboo speaker has Airsound — which produces a balanced sound throughout a room. You could turn it up for a house party, although the days are long gone when the sign of a good night was the neighbours banging on the door at 3am.
orbitsound.com
A fairly standard-looking set of curling tongs. They heat up swiftly and there’s a stand, too. Wrap a section of hair around the barrel, hold it down and then release. A curl is created within seconds, but it’s hard to style the ends of my hair.
asda.com
Initially, I think this looks like a swizz. You have to hold your hair firm with your fingers as you use the iron and I am worried about the risk of burns (though there is a heat resistant glove provided). However, when I twirl a lock of hair around the barrel, it curls to the end within seconds.
t3haircare.co.uk
Just look at the price. It’s heavier than the Kobo, but still well designed. As well as reading, you can watch films, surf the internet and take photos.
argos.co.uk
This slim eReader is light to hold and clear to read. Fonts and backlighting can be switched easily. Plus it’s waterproof.
kobo.com
A soft silicone brush which delivers thousands of pulses per minute to gently remove impurities. Features three different bristle types. Really lovely, though less effective-feeling than the Foreo Luna.
senssebeauty.com
Foreo’s ‘sonic cleansing’ brushes are tailored to your skin types and are adored by beauty insiders for great exfolitating. Feels pleasant and my face is glowing after use. Rather expensive, though.
foreo.com
Can be used with pods from brands such as Cadbury, Carte Noir and Twinings. Straightforward and compact. It also cleans itself automatically.
very.co.uk
Slot a pod into this sleek machine, fill with water and press the button for a wonderful cup of coffee. As you lift the lid, the empty pod rolls neatly into a dispensing tray.
nespresso.co.uk
Compatible with smartphones, so you can share on social media. I am in love with this — enormously good fun and easy to use. The prints aren’t high quality, but I’d be happy taking this on a night out.
currys.co.uk
This is the first Polaroid option from quality camera brand Leica. The pictures are virtually works of art. Has several presets or you can control focus, flash and exposure yourself, though I’d be terrified of doing it!
selfridges.com
Light, but feels a little clanky. Has three jugs — make soup in the litre one, or chop nuts, coffee beans or herbs in the smallest. Basic, but blends beautifully. However, I’d be wary of giving a cheap blender as a Christmas present.
currys.co.uk
Does the work of multiple kitchen appliances — making soups, kneading dough, even grinding spices. Easy to use with five pre-set programmes. I love the touch screen and I make carrot soup in no time at all.
vitamix.com
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