The best gadgets of 2023 - fantastic tech treats from the last year

Where has the year gone? It seems like yesterday we were striding into 2023 full of hope for what the next 12 months had in store for us gadget-wise. Thankfully, we’ve not been disappointed even if it has passed in a flash.

From portable gaming machines and cut-price iPad competitors, to deluxe coffee machines, military-grade headphones and VR headsets pushing us to experience mixed reality in our homes, 2023 has delivered enticing tech throughout.

It’s not been easy narrowing down all of the year’s biggest releases into our best gadgets rundown, but we managed it… just. From must-have tech to seriously cool gadgets, there’s something in our rundown for everyone.

These, then, are our favourite gadgets of 2023. And please, remember to vote for your top pick to see it climb up the list.

Best gadgets of 2023

at CurrysIf you’re after a premium laptop which not only packs plenty of power, but does so in a frame thinner and lighter than a MacBook Air, the LG Gram SuperSlim is the machine for you. At just 10.9mm thick, and weighing only 990g, this highly-portable laptop packs a 15.6-inch OLED display, 13th gen Intel Core processor and Dolby Atmos sound. Battery life is good too - especially given how slender it is - making it great for those who travel frequently.

View Deal

at ArgosThe PlayStation 5 is a great console, but it’s also a huge monolith in your living room. Thankfully, Sony has now slimmed-down its next-gen console keeping the same power and performance and squeezing it into a slender frame. If you’re considering a PS5 but have been concerned about the amount of space it’ll take up, the arrival of the Slim will be good news. Plus you can buy the digital only version and purchase the Blu-ray disc drive separately later on and attach it to the console yourself, which is a pretty neat trick.

View Deal

at ArgosIf you’re fortunate enough to own a PS5 you may be aware you don't always need to be sitting in front of the TV to get your game on, thanks to Remote Play. Sony now has an official accessory to let you seamlessly play PS5 games anywhere in the world. It sliced a DualSense controller in half and squeezed a screen between them to create the Portal - a dedicated game streaming device that allows you to get your PS5 fill from bed, the kitchen and even when you’re on the toilet…

View Deal

at AmazonThis is Amazon’s answer to the iPad. The Fire Max 11 moves away from the budget-friendly finishes of its previous tablets, instead opting for a premium metal design which is sturdy yet light, with a large 11-inch display and up to 14 hours of battery life. It’s also been given a power-boost under the hood making it 50% faster than the next fastest tablet in Amazon’s range. Then consider the RRP is just £249.99 and here’s an iPad rival at almost half the price.

View Deal

at AmazonRobosen Elite Optimus Prime has more going for it than just the transforming though with smartphone remote app control, over 150 original sounds and actions, it can be controlled with voice commands, and it can be programmed by you. It’s seriously impressive and a perfect gift for any Transformers fan.

View Deal

at store.steampowered.comThe original Steam Deck was something of a revelation, putting PC games in the palm of your hand and allowing you to play them pretty much anywhere. Well, there’s a new sheriff in town, and it has a brighter, slicker, and larger OLED display, a longer lasting and faster charging battery, lighter frame, improved controls and slightly enhanced performance. The Steam Deck OLED doesn’t just give you a better screen, it’s a comprehensive upgrade across the board.

View Deal

at AmazonThese are among the toughest wireless earbuds on the market, so if you need your earbuds to endure everything life can throw at them you’re in the right place. Tested to meet the US military standard for ruggedised electronics they’re dust-, sweat- and waterproof, making them great for workouts and fitness. The Jabra Elite 8 Active don't skimp on sound quality either, with adaptive hybrid active noise cancellation and Dolby audio support built in.

View Deal

at UrbanistaThe Urbanista Malibu is the first speaker to use this new funky solar charging tech called Powerfoyle, whose panels look way more subtle than what we're used to. It's also highly portable and waterproof, making it perfect for summer holidays round the pool. It comes with an app which allows you to customise sound profiles, and also monitor the solar charging status - with both outdoor and indoor light capable of topping this Bluetooth speaker up. Urbanista also claims the Malibu has a full day battery reserve as well as the solar power capability, to keep the tunes going all day.

View Deal

at OnePlusThe OnePlus Open is the standout foldable phone of 2023. OnePlus has almost eradicated the screen crease on the large internal display, both screens are bright and colourful, and the study yet slim body makes it feel better in the hand than its Google and Samsung rivals. And if that wasn’t enough, the Open boasts possibly the best camera OnePlus has ever put in one of its phones. For a first attempt at a foldable, OnePlus has made an impressive debut.

View Deal

at AmazonThis stylish portable Bluetooth speaker may be compact, but it packs a powerful punch allowing you to get the party started no matter where you are. The Motion X500 even has a carry handle making it super easy to pick up and move, and there’s an illuminated disc on the top of the speaker which gives it a cool look in darker locations. Plus, the battery lasts long enough to keep you partying for several solid hours at full volume.

View Deal

at ArgosFancy yourself a coffee connoisseur, but want a hassle-free way to make an excellent brew at home? De’Longhi has the answer with the super-premium, high-tech Rivelia coffee machine. It’s been made specifically for the UK, as the brand dialled into the needs of the population to give you the ultimate bean-to-cup coffee machine experience. It’s easy to use, with a screen giving you visuals of types of coffee, and it comes with two hoppers, allowing you to easily switch between different beans - plus the milk frother reservoir can be stored in the fridge. Those Italian coffee boffins have thought of everything.

View Deal

at SkySky Glass TV, you can now turn the set into a personalised workout companion thanks to Sky Live. It’s an interactive camera that attaches to the top of your Glass television and unlocks a range of entertainment options including motion controlled games, video calls and workouts. Sky Live also lets you watch the same show with people in different locations - making it perfect for remote watch-alongs. As we said in our review, “if you already have Sky Glass then Sky Live is a no-brainer.”

View Deal

at ArgosMeta Quest 3 is a significant upgrade over the Quest 2. The screens inside have also been upgraded, making visuals much sharper and smaller text easier to read. On the front of the headset you’ll find three cameras which can turn your virtual reality experience into a mixed reality one - where digital objects are projected on the physical world around you. It’s also handy if you want to move around your home without taking the headset off and avoid tripping over the dog.

View Deal