Welcome to The WantList, our regular list of the things we have see recently that we simply have to recommend. It could be anything - a fantastic dram of whisky, the latest gadget or something that has simply changed our life for the better.
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All sorted? Good - here are all the things you should buy this week, this month and this year...
LEGO Super Mario NES
£179.99 - Was £209
OPPO Find X 3 Pro 5G
From £51/month
Fender Mustang Micro
£89.99
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
From £999
Hasbro Marvel Legends Thanos
£34.99
Previously on The WantList
Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2
From £229
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is the latest smart home 'must have' from Ring. There are two versions of the doorbell, one you can wire in or one that can be plugged in. We've been playing with the plugged-in version and it is an essential purchase. The two-way talk works well, the 1536p HD footage is crystal clear and the 3D Motion Detection and Bird's Eye View features mean you can pinpoint when and where a motion event begins. Combine it with Chime and this is a fantastic setup.
Audio Pro T3+ Lemon
£160 (Was £180)
This limited edition of the already brilliant Audio Pro T3+ gives this Bluetooth speaker a brilliant lemon finish. Couple this with a solid aluminium details, leather strap and up to 30 hours' battery life and this is a really fun portable speaker. Audio Pro hasn't scrimped on the audio either, adding an acoustic design that benefits from deep bass and expansive sound.
White Heather 21-year-old whisky
£120
We were given a special taste test of this whisky earlier in the month and it is stunning. White Heather is a brand that's back, with master blender Billy Walker creating a blend that's high on the single malt content and rich in a heather honey taste. There are only 2,000 bottles of this one available so you better be quick if you want to snap one up.
It Takes Two
£34.99 (PS4/PS5)
Given many of us have felt a little bit alone throughout lockdown, It Takes Two is the perfect game to play to bring back the idea of togetherness. This is a co-op that centres on two divorcing parents who are shrunk and sent on an adventure where they have to help each other get through things. It's a neat idea and one that makes this game a real one-off.
Vans Trek Slip-On
£37
Vans reckons it has made the world's first rinsible slip-on with the Vans Trek Slip-On. They certainly look great and are durable, lightweight and breathable. Perfect then for those who want to catch some surf then walk the beach looking for a bar afterwards. There are four colours available - but we are fond of the Grape Leaf version.
Cambridge Audio Evo
From £1,700
The Cambridge Audio Evo is the ultimate all-in-one audio box, allowing you to get the most from your favourite streaming services while packing a high-quality digital-to-analogue convertor. Add to this a 6.8in high resolution display, so you can see sleeve images of the albums you are listening to, and a design that is, well, beautiful and what you have is a Great British sound system that you will want in your home.
Innocent Super Smoothies Light
£1.90 (normally £3.80)
Innocent is back with one of its best smoothie ranges yet. We've tried both the Berry and Tropical flavours in this range and it's hard to tell that these smoothies now have 30% lower natural sugar. The reason: the fruits that have been blended - including strawberries, raspberries and watermelon - don't have as much sugar in them. Bonus!
Previously on The WantList
Star Wars Galactic Snackin’ Grogu
Compass Box - Magic Cask
£145
OnePlus 9 Pro
£829
First Class Hendrick’s Air Travel Kit
From £55
MyZone MZ-Switch
£139.99
Microsoft Surface Duo
From £77/month | £1,349
- Head to EE to find out more or buy from the Microsoft Store
Captain America Folio Society
£84.95
Fender American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster
£1,879
The Hesed Chair
£595
Quarter Arcades Bubble Bobble
£129.99
JBL Charge 5
£159.95
Sailor's Home - The Haven
£43.95
Timex M79 Automatic
£255
Huawei FreeBuds 4i
£79.99
Previously on the WantList
Sonos Roam
£159
The latest speaker from Sonos may well be its best yet. It's certainly its most affordable and definitely the smallest one it has ever released. It's built for outdoors, with a 10-hour battery life, has both Bluetooth and Sonos smarts and will seamlessly link what you are listening to outdoors to what you are listening to indoors, thanks to something called Sound Swap. It's available 20 April but you can pre-order now.
Silhouette Sun Light sunglasses
£260
We swear we saw the sun just the other day. It's gone for now but when it's back, these super-stylish sunglasses from Austrian eyewear maker Silhouette are exactly what you need. Excellent design and high-quality materials make these a gift for the face. The Sun Light range offer a modern full-rim design and look amazing.
Star Wars First Order Stormtrooper helmet
£99.99
Just when we thought we were all done with buying up Star Wars kit, Hasbro brings us back in with this fantastic First Order Stormtrooper helmet. It's not officially available till June but you can pre-order now. Part of the The Black Series line-up of toys, the helmet features a strap for comfort and a voice-distortion device built into it. Impressive. Most impressive.
Amazon Echo Show 10
£239.99
We are still in the midst of testing this one, but the new Amazon Echo Show 10 is fast becoming our favourite Echo device. Its screen moves with you which is a bit disconcerting at first but makes it fantastic for video calls and following recipes in the kitchen. It's got a sleek new look, too, and thanks to its decent 10-inch screen size this video star has become the beating heart of our smart home. It's out in April and you can pre-order now.
Marshall Mode II
£159
If this brilliant picture of Iggy Pop wearing the Marshall Mode II True Wireless ear buds doesn't tempt you, then maybe the technology inside them will. They have that all-important Marshall look, 25 hours of playback (with the case), voice assistant functionality and some brilliant audio grunt. Unfortunately it's unlikely you'll be as cool as Iggy wearing them but they are still a cracking buy.
Spirited Euphoria
£39.99
A non-alcoholic spirit with a twist, Spirited Euphoria, by Edi, is a new drink that offers up an endorphin hit instead of a booze one, thanks to it using natural hemp terpenes and CBD in its spirit mix. Taste wise, there's a nice dollop of citrus and pepper, and it has been blended by the person behind Seedlip. We've been taste testing, with soda, and it's a lovely alcohol alternative.
The TAG Heuer Connected Golf Edition
£2,100
Golf courses the country over will soon be back up and running, so make sure you are 'wrist ready' with this great Golf edition of the TAG Heuer Connected. Design wise, the watch has a a white golf pattern strap with green stitching and an 18 hole bezel indicator. Pair it with the golf app and you get club recommendations, shot tracking, statistics and scorecards, and more.
Star on Disney+
£7.99/month
Disney Plus really has been the saviour of lockdown. Arriving nearly a year ago, the streaming service has given us hours of viewing pleasure while we've been stuck at home. And now it has expanded. A lot. A new section, called Star, has arrived which brings with it hundreds of TV shows and movies from Fox and other places. Whether you are into Desperate Housewives or Deadpool, it's got the lot.
Mous MagSafe Charger Stand
£24.99
Mous always makes amazing phone accessories and now it has taken on the might of the iPhone 12's MagSafe functionality and created this fantastic-looking charger stand. Not only does it allow for an optimal viewing and charging experience, it keeps your MagSafe Charger securely mounted and your MagSafe enabled phone suspended. Bonus! Couple this with a price that's more than reasonable and we highly recommend this one.
Moth Canned Cocktails
£3.99 each
New to the canned cocktail market, Moth's range of cocktails are available from Waitrose and are extremely tasty. We were lucky enough to have sampled them before launch and they really do taste like you are in an expensive bar - we just wish they came with a posh bar snack. There are a number of flavours to choose from - our pick, though, is the Moth Old Fashioned.
Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2
£219 (pre-order now)
This one is hot off the press, just announced today the new Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is a technical wonder, using radar technology, 3D Motion Detection and Bird's Eye View it allow homeowners to pinpoint when and where a motion event begins outside their home, thanks to a new aerial map view. This means that you have much more awareness of just what the delivery driver is up to before he gets to your doorstep.
Master & Dynamic and Paris Saint-Germain headphones
£279
Master & Dynamic is famed for its audio goodies, so it's great to see them team up with PSG to offer a fashion-focused makeover of two of its line-up. The collection includes Master & Dynamic’s signature MH40 Wireless Headphones and its MW07 PLUS True Wireless Earphones. Design-wise they are as loud as the sound that comes out of them.
New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon
£56.95
We had a taste test of this bottle of New Riff recently and were blown away by just how good it is. It's full bodied and spicy so definitely one for those who like their whiskey with a punch. The reason for this is that it's made from 30% Rye, which gives you a much spicier flavour. We are big fans and can't wait to try more of the range.
Huel Banana Ready To Drink
£2.50
Huel has added a brand-new flavour to its ever-popular Ready To Drink line-up. It's all about banana this time around and the new flavour is "sweet and creamy", according to Huel. It is also packed with the nutrients you need for a meal supplement. These include: all 26 essential vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates, protein, fat, fibre and phytonutrients. If you order 24 or more then you will get a free Huel T-shirt. If you fancy just the one bottle, then they are £2.50 a pop. The new flavour joins Chocolate, Vanilla and Berry.
IRIS Flow Headphones
£379
We've been using the IRIS Flow headphones for a week or so now and they really do deliver on their heady promise. Packed with decades of research, the IRIS Flow headphones use an audio technology that heightens the "live" dimension to any music you listen too, which both improves sound quality and increases activity to the brain. The team behind them have been working with Goldsmiths on the tech and RedBull's F1 team currently use them for practice. The headphones are comfy, great-looking and packed with all the audio smarts you would expect from a premium pair of cans.
Menagerie Whisky
£90
We love the idea of Menagerie whisky. Its name is key to the taste. According to Compass Box, which is releasing these bottles, the whisky is a 'menagerie' of malts that have a deeper, wilder taste thanks to more maturation or the distilling process - so this isn't a dram for the faint of heart. Notes wise, we are talking: baking spices, leather, tar and musky fruits. This is a limited edition bottle, with only 7,741 available worldwide (hence the price) and the Lead Whiskymaker for this one is James Saxon. The whisky that's been blended is from the following distilleries: Laphroaig, Mortlach, Glen Elgin and Deanston.
DJI FPV Drone
£1,249 (for the combo pack)
You may already feel like you live a drone-like existence, going from the desk in your study to your couch everyday, but DJI is offering you the chance to feel like a real drone with its latest offering. That's because the DJI FPV beams a 120fps view of what your drone sees into your eyes, offering an immersive experience where you really feel like you are in the cockpit. The drone itself is sleek and aerodynamic and can be personalised thanks to its LEDs. It can go up to 87MPH and you can see everything that's happening, thanks to the accompanying headset. Couple this with a one-handed controller and you have the ultimate racing drone that's, apparently, easy to fly.
HindSight Edge glasses
£174.99 (pre-order price)
At ShortList we love a gadget that is trying to do something different and the Hindsight Edge glasses do just that. Not just a clever name (although the name is bloody clever), the glasses feature patent pending rear view mirror technology that allow a cyclist to see what is behind them and, in turn, know more about their surroundings. There's no setup to the glasses, so you can wear them and start cycling straight away and their True-Mirror feature means objects are exactly as far as they look. There's discounts currently for those who pre-order and a number of styles available.
Previously on the WantList...
Tag Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph SE
£4,850
A chunk of change no doubt, but the Tag Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition is a stunning timepiece and packed with Porsche design flourishes - including the numerals, red inscription and the stitching on the leather strap.
Southern Comfort limited edition Mardi Gras bottle
Southern Comfort has gone all out for Mardi Gras. It had teamed up with MEATLiquor for the creation of a Mardi Gras kit. This included ingredients to make a ‘Southern Passion’ cocktail, plus a New Orleans inspired dish. These kits are all sold out now, but, don’t panic, you can still purchase a limited edition bottle - head to Tesco to find those. If you want to join a party, too, then head to Twitch for some fun on mardi gras night (16 Feb, 8pm).
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Level
£1,400
B&O has excelled itself once more with this fantastic speaker. The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Level is a portable Wi-Fi speaker with up to 16 hours’ battery life, has the high-end design flourishes we’ve come to expect from the audio brand and is packed with audio goodness. The speaker can be wall mounted, stood up or even laid down - whichever position takes your fancy. It’s available both in Dark Grey and Gold Tone.
Wrexham AFC Aviation Gin bottle
£32
This is brilliant. Hollywood legends Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have officially taken over Wrexham AFC and to celebrate, Aviation Gin has created a very special limited edition bottle that’s available from the football club’s site. It helps that Ryan Reynolds just happens to be owner of Aviation Gin, too, so this is one, ahem, match made in heaven. The limited-edition bottle has the official Wrexham AFC logo and is presented in a fancy Art Deco clear bevelled glass bottle.
Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR smartwatch
£189
Another watch, this time one that you won’t ring your bank manager about. The Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR smartwatch is a beautiful looking thing and cements Skagen as one of the best brands for smartwatches that don’t look like computers on your wrist. This one comes with a variety of straps and bezel colours and will connect to your phone, offering up step counts and the like.
Little Nightmares 2
From £29.99
Little Nightmares 2 is a fun game out now for the Nintendo Switch, PS4 and Xbox. It’s a puzzle platformer that sees you play Mono, a young boy trapped in a world that has been distorted by the humming transmission of a distant tower. It’s packed with inventive puzzles and is brilliantly atmospheric - not bad for a game where no dialogue is uttered.
UA HOVR Machina 2 Colorshift Running Shoes
£140
Under Armour’s latest running shoes are packed with tech that should see you shave seconds off of your 5K time. While three new trainers have been released (the other shoes are the Infinite 3 and Sonic 4), these are our pick: they come with a Pebax propulsion plate that meshes racing shoe speed with long distance comfort. And they connect to the MapMyRun app, too.
AndaSeat T-Pro 2 Gaming Chair
£349
If you are looking for a gaming chair that offers a smattering of luxury, then this is it. The AndaSeat T-Pro 2 is made from luxurious linen fabric, has lumbar support, moveable armrests and a multi-functional tilt mechanism from 90° to 160°. Perfect, then, for 'resting' your eyes after a long gaming session.
Previously on the WantList...
1. KEF KC62 Subwoofer
£1,400
There is nothing like a bit of bass to drown out the dullness of lockdown and it doesn’t come much bassier than this new subwoofer from KEF. Ever the brand to push the audio envelope, its new sub, the KC62, offers immersive sound that is way bigger than the size of the thing - it’s no bigger than a football.
2. East London Liquor Co London Rye Whisky
£79.95
A recent entry to our best whisky list and one of the few Rye whiskies on there. Taste-wise, there’s spicy pepper but it’s packed with smoothness, too. This is thanks to the myriad casks its been aged in - including sherry, French oak and more.
3. Yakuza remastered collection
£34.95
One of the best video game franchises that’s over 15 years old now! It isn’t showing its age, though, thanks to these brilliant remasters that bring the games up to next-gen standards. While the collection has been on PS4, it is now available on Xbox Game Pass and Windows 10.
4. TFL Face masks
£18
Given face masks are going to be something of a mainstay the world over for years to come, you better stock up. While our best face mask guide is a good start, these new ones from TFL caught our eye. They feature the Tube map and other iconic TFL signage. You can wear them and think back to a time when public transport was something you used to use.
5. Devialet Phantom I
£1,890
Devialet is one of the coolest audio brands. Its speakers look like something out of a Clockwork Orange, so when an update comes along we always sit up and pay attention. The Devialet Phantom I has been given a makeover, with new LEDs on board, a modern matte finish, new signature side panels and it is now available in black and white. Add to this AirPlay 2 functionality and this is a speaker to look out for.
6. Grado GT220
£249
Grado is a cracking audio brand and these true wireless earphones carry over its great design ethos to the in-ear market. Here you get a pair of headphones that have 30 hours’ battery life (if you take into account the case), they are easy to pair and audio wise definitely offer the AirPods Pro a run for their money.
7. Saint Maud
£14.99
One of the scariest movies of 2020 is now out to rent or buy. This is one of those movies that has been hyped for ages, as it got caught up in the lockdown cinema release snafu. The wait is worth it, though, as this British tale of extreme religion and mental health is truly terrifying and has already reached ‘classic’ status.
8. Apple Watch and Time To Walk
From £379
If you haven’t got an Apple Watch, then the addition of the Apple Fitness Plus subscription should tempt you to get one. Not only do you get access to myriad daily live workouts, but a new feature gives you a reason to get up and go for a walk. Time To Walk offers a number of talks that you can listen to while walking - from celebrities and the like - that are all there to inspire you.
Previously on the WantList...
1. Philips Fidelio X3 headphones
There’s nothing better than putting on a huge pair of wired headphones while in lockdown. These are some of our favourites. They are open back, so make sure you are the only one in the room, but the sound is exceptional - they tackle high-res audio with ease.
2. NanoLeaf Essentials
We love what NanoLeaf is doing with smart lighting. Its Essentials range comprises low-price smart bulbs and a fantastic LED strip light. They are easy to install but this big bonus here is Thread compatibility - a must for new smart home releases.
3. Hitman 3
The rebooted Hitman trilogy will go down as one of the greatest game franchises of all time - and it’s definitely third time the charm here. Whether it’s the Agatha Christie inspired assassination level or the huge amount of globe-trotting to be had, this is fantastic fun.
4. Smeg kettle in matt black
For us, Smeg is right at the top when it comes to designer kitchen kit and we are loving the new matt range. Our pick is this stunning matt black Smeg kettle - superb for your morning brew and much easier to clean than its glossy bedfellow.
5. Samsung S21 Ultra 5G
The best phone of the year might well be the first one that’s been released. The Samsung S21 Ultra 5G has it all - a sophisticated design, stunning camera specs and enough AI to become sentient. Oh, and it’s also S-Pen compatible, making this a great Galaxy Note alternative.
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