Gadget lovers can be hard to please when it comes to gifts. For those of you in a gifting rut, we've sorted through the countless options out there to bring you a quick list of some unique products. From a coffee machine that produces the perfect cup of java to sleek speakers built to give you the most from your iPod and iPhone, there's definitely something here that will stand out as a great present.
Bodum BISTRO Coffee Machine
Everyone knows at least one coffee fanatic and now there's the ultimate gift you have to buy them this Christmas. The Bodum BISTRO coffee machine ($250) works on the calculation that the perfect cup is developed by heating water and slowly pouring it over freshly ground coffee at a temperature of around 92C. Using its powerful spiral heating element, it detects when the water is at the ideal heat and transports it through a toughened glass pipe so no heat is lost. It then drips into the stainless steel thermos jug - producing a perfect drink any coffee snob would be proud of. It also comes in funky colors to brighten up your kitchen. (Photo Courtesy of Bodum)
Musical Fidelity EB-50 In-Ear Headphones
Ideal as a gift for the music buff in your life, renowned company Musical Fidelity has launched the high-end EB-50 headphones (£149 or around $240). Encased in military-grade aluminium, not only do they look like a funky fashion statement, but the design - in particular the streamlined silver barrels of the earpieces - offer peerless sound quality. Boasting an inline mic/mute control, smartphone users can take calls while listing to top tunes. This will put a smile on any music-lover’s face this Christmas. (Photo Courtesy of Music Fidelity)
Bodum BISTRO Stand Mixer
Bodum is renowned for its stylish designs and the BISTRO Stand Mixer ($400) is no exception. Curvaceous and sleek, it will soon become a staple of your kitchen counter - with the body available in various bold colors to suit all decors. With different functions (like mix, whisk, knead and stir) any kind of batter, cookie dough, cake mix, egg white or cream can be used to create the perfect dish. This must-have is a firm favorite, with style and functionality - the perfect gift for budding chefs this Christmas. (Photo Courtesy of Bodum)
Quarkie Headphones
Looking for a quirky Christmas gift? Look no further. British brand Quarkie has produced a headphone collection boasting seven out-of-this-world designs, including snake heads, cat eyes and rusty bolts. Our favorite are the vibrant viper heads in green ($109). In terms of sound quality, they’re simply amazing, with external noise isolation, which means you won’t disturb others on the Tube. (Photo Courtesy of Quarkie)
GEAR 4 StreetParty Size Zero
Get the Christmas party started in style with the StreetParty Size Zero GEAR4 iPod and iPhone speaker (£69 or around $111). This sleek, stylish accessory boasts fantastic audio, with four drivers, and comes in a range of fun colors, including a gorgeous baby blue and soft pink. The GEAR4 speaker is also ultra-slim: at just 16mm, it's portable - meaning you can take the party wherever you are this festive season. (Photo Courtesy of GEAR4)
Seth Aaron iPad Cases
Add a touch of class to your iPad with these stylish, luxury cases designed by fashion clothing designer Seth Aaron (the season seven winner of Project Runway). Each case with a bold and edgy design, this new range adds high-end runway style to his line of modern and functional Maroo products. They also boast a patent-pending ingredient, which protects the iPad from damage even if dropped when open. Our favorite is the Dotty ($99.99), a bright yellow leather case that features black and white dotted design - an ideal way to dress up the iPad 2. A stylish exterior is mirrored by an equally beautiful faux-leather and felt checked interior. (Photo Courtesy of Seth Aaron)
Mikey Digital by Blue Microphones
Mikey Digital ($99.99) is a plug-and-play stereo microphone that directly connects to iPhone and iPad and is instantly recognized for use with any audio or video application. Whether catching a concert, shooting video, or recording guitar, Mikey Digital captures truly professional recordings on-the-go with two of Blue’s premium condenser capsules and built-in sensitivity control. (Photo Courtesy of Blue Microphones)
Pioneer SE-MJ751 Headphones
Not only do these headphones boast a sleek, classy design, but the sound quality is immense. The Pioneer SE-MJ751 headphones (around $129) deliver superlative sound, boasting powerful beat reproduction as well as a bass control, which means you can make your favorite tune even better. The 104db headphones are funky and street, with a glossy black finish. (Photo Courtesy of Pioneer)
Olympus TG-620
The new 12-Megapixel Olympus TG-620 ($249.99) maintains its tough qualities, but features a brand new look. The contrasting color palettes of the updated range are sure to attract attention whether on the slopes or riding the waves, and with their shockproof, waterproof and freeze-proof exterior, you’ll never miss a shot. The TG-620 is available in pink, blue, green, black and white, and is waterproof to a depth of 5m, shockproof to a height of 1.5m, and freeze-proof to a temperature of -10°c. (Photo Courtesy of Olympus)
Parrot AR.Drone 2.0
The flying Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 quadricopter ($299.99) that features a full HD camera to stream and record footage and take pictures is pretty darn cool. Controlled by an iPod touch, iPhone, iPad or Android device through its self-created wifi network, it's the ultimate boy’s (or man's) toy. (Photo Courtesy of Parrot)
Kobo Mini eReader
Proving that great things come in small packages, the 5” Kobo Mini ($79.99) easily fits in a bagor pocket and is loaded with all the amazing features Kobo customers have come to know and love. Just like reading print on paper, the no-glare 5” E Ink screen is easy on the eyes – even in bright sunlight. The Kobo Mini comes in black or white and offers a selection of three stylish Kobo SnapBacks in Teal, Ruby Red, and Purple. Perfect for people on-the-go, young adults, and easy for first-time readers to hold and read, the highly portable Kobo Mini holds up to 1,000 eBooks. (Photo Courtesy of Kobo)
Pioneer SMA-3 Speakers
How nice would this look in your bedroom? The high-performance Pioneer SMA-3 audio speakers (around $484) connect to a laptop, iPod and iPads through a wireless router – and it’s the only product on the market to communicate with Wireless Direct which allows your device to communicate directly with the speaker without the use of a router – meaning you can enjoy sounds even in your garden. (Photo Courtesy of Pioneer)
Carol Driver
Carol Driver is a journalist with more than 20 years' experience - most recently as Femail Editor at MailOnline. Carol is currently a freelance journalist, writing for national newspapers and magazines in the UK. She also offers PR services to business. Carol also writes travel reviews - including hotels and resorts. ...(Read More)