2013 Consumer Electronics Christmas Gifts Guide for Him & Her

Christmas is...well, it's just about here. Again. And we want you to be able to find the best gifts for your loved ones—particularly the loved ones who are into electronics and gadgets. This year we've geared up for our annual Electronics Christmas Gift Buying Guide and we've pulled out some of the oddest, but coolest products on the market. We've also tried to bring a greater number of more affordable products to the list in an effort to give you more great ideas about what is new and enticing in the gadget and AV market. Our suggestions may not all be perfect for the home theater-based, but this is the time of year when we can kick back a bit and let our geeky side out. This guide will include everything we think is compelling, innovative, and hot for 2013. We hope our electronics buying guide will serve you well as you prepare for the Christmas buying frenzy.

Happy Shopping!

The gifts in this guide were chosen because they:

• Were interesting to us
• Involve some connection to consumer electronics
• Cost less than a small luxury car (high end esoteric electronics typically don't find their way here)
  

For Him

Otterbox Defender Case for iPhone 5S/5C

Otterbox is back and that's good because Apple doesn't seem to stay too long on a particular form factor. The new iPhone 5S and 5C cases have to take into account the new changes made to the iPhone 5—and Otterbox did a great job of adapting its case to the new form factor. On OtterBox.com you can actually build your own Defender Series iPhone 5S case. The multi-layered Defender Series iPhone 5/5S case guards against drops, shocks and dust while maintaining seamless usability. The high-impact polycarbonate shell fully covers the iPhone 5/5S while the integrated screen protector guards against scratches and smudges. Built-in memory foam cushions the device inside the case while the outer slipcover absorbs impact from drops and shocks.

MSRP: $60   |   Buy Online

Satechi BT Touch Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker

The Satechi BT Touch Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker is also a hands-free speaker system for your iPhone or Android Smartphone. It uses Bluetooth 3.0 so you can connect your computer, smart phone, or tablet and play music wirelessly from a range of up to 32 feet. The Bright Blue LED-backlit touch panel gives this speaker a nice touch and two 2.5W speakers means it can put out a decent amount of volume and still maintain a decent battery life. In fact, the built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery is powered through the USB charging port which can be connected to a computer or a wall adapter and can last up to 6 hours of playback on a full charge.

Price: $50   |   Buy Online

Cambridge Audio Minx Go Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Cambridge exploded this year with a ton of new products. Several impressed us, but the new Stereo Bluetooth Minx Go uses the same technology found in just about every smartphone, tablet and computer made today. There are no networks to join, no passwords, and no hassle when connecting. The speaker fits in your hand, but uses a 5-speaker array that includes two titanium tweeters, two 2” woofers and a rear-mounted Active Bass Radiator (ABR) that gives this little speaker the sound of a much larger system. All of this is driven by a digital amplifier

MSRP: $149  | Buy Online

id America TouchTone Bluetooth Speaker

It's not that we want to inundate you with Bluetooth speakers, but, honestly, 2013 is the year of the portable Li-ion Bluetooth speaker. It just is, and the TouchTone has a nice integrated speakerphone that lets you make calls in addition to playing back your tunes for up to 4 hours. The TouchTone has two 4W speakers that fire outward to give a stereo image from a small footprint. There's even an Aux input for connecting any non-Bluetooth device.  

MSRP: $79.95   |  Buy Now

Tenqa Fit Bluetooth Earphones

If you work out, the Tenqa Fit In-Ear Wireless Earbuds are going to make your experience even better with Bluetooth 4.0 technology. You can run, play, lift, and workout with your phone, tablet, or iPod tucked away safely in your pocket, on your treadmill. Heck, with Bluetooth, I suppose you could set it 30 feet away on a table and still stay connected. Plus, it will operate at up to 5-1/2 hours uninterrupted. After you set it up the first time, you can just turn on your wireless earbuds and the earphones will automatically pair for hassle-free (not to mention cord-free) listening.

MSRP: $69  | Buy it Now

ThinkGeek Tactical Chef Apron

Grilling is serious business. Serious. Business. And for the chef who takes his grilling seriously there's the tactical chef apron from ThinkGeek. It's a man's apron and it has everything you need to be serious about grilling: a real MOLLE system for holding everything a Grill Master needs, a total of five pouches for storage, front and back removable Velcro patches, adjustable side strap. Above all, the apron is made of 100% cotton and can be machine washed...you know, just like that flak jacket you wear when bowling.

MSRP: $34.99  |   Buy It Now

Keyport Slide 2.0

Keyport integrated several new features into their V2.0 Slide, making it lighter, stronger, more customizable, and less expensive. The Keyport 2.0 sees reduced weight from 1.0 oz. to only 0.6 oz. so a fully-loaded Keyport weighs just 1.6 oz. with blades vs. 2.4 oz. Also, both the nose and end cap are made of Ultem, a resin used in the automotive and medical industries. Even the sliding action has been improved. If that wasn’t enough, the Lexan polycarbonate body means it can be offered in custom colors.

MSRP: $29  |   Buy It Now

Hercules Outdoor BTP04 Bluetooth Portable Speaker

The Hercules BTP04 Bluetooth speaker is IP64-certified, meaning it's both water- and dust-resistant. Now, your special someone can take this portable speaker and carry it along with all their favorite outdoor activities. It uses Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (A2DP) for stereo sound and is compatible with just about any Bluetooth-enabled device (mobile phones, tablets, computers, etc). The BTP04 Includes on-the-go charging gear and can run for over 14 hours on its battery. In terms of driver compliment, it has stereo speakers plus a passive bass-amplifying driver. There's even a built-in microphone for hands-free calling.

Price: $99  |  Buy Online

Pyle Sport Surf Sound Waterproof Bluetooth Phone 

Let's say your favorite man likes to swim at the pool. He'll love the versatility of The Surf Sound PBTWP24. It's a 2-in-1 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker and Handset. You can essentially use it as a wireless speaker to play your favorite songs or you can use it as a phone and take calls. It has built-in Bluetooth 2.1 technology so you can wirelessly connect your smartphone, MP3 player or tablet and play music or hang it up to enjoy hands-free calls. Best of all, it's waterproof. You connect your Bluetooth-enabled device to the Surf Sound, and then you can do just about anything you want without fear of your actual smart phone or tablet taking a bath.

Price: $62  |  Buy Online

Anker 2nd Generation Astro 6000mAh Portable External Battery

Anker packed 6000mAh of power into a diminutive pack that's about the size of a stopwatch. Anker even boosted the energy efficiency rate to 10% above the previous generation of batteries. The new battery will charge an iPhone three or more times and it will even fill up a large-capacity cell phone like the Galaxy S4 nearly twice. The Astro also has a Smart Port that detects USB pin signals to identify your device, so it knows whether it's an Apple, Android or even something else—and then charges it at its true full speed (up to 2A).

Price: $30  |  Buy Online

Airbender Mini NT31B iPad Mini Keyboard Case

The Airbender Mini may be compact, but with it covering your iPad, your tablet may actually be able to hold its own weight in a tussle. Designed with ruggedness in mind, the Airbender Mini features a rubberized protection, providing the ultimate coverage for your iPad mini 1st and 2nd generation products. The Airbender Mini is outfitted with a chrome-finished aluminum arm that allows your iPad mini to rotate a full 360 degrees for both horizontal and vertical viewing. A retractable & detachable arm also allows you to adjust your viewing angle and distance to your heart's desire, yet pack up your iPad mini and take it on the road in a matter of seconds

Price: $40.95  |  Buy Online

iLoud Portable Studio Speaker

While there are hundreds of portable speakers in the market, this one was actually developed with musicians in mind. The iLoud may have the dorkiest name in the industry, but it's also the first portable speaker for musicians that we've seen. Your favorite musician can now have a portable speaker that will run for 10 hours off the battery and sound closer to a studio monitor than most portable speakers we've heard. It's perfect for creating compositions and mixes on the go. You can plug in your iPhone or iPad, strap up your guitar, or even pair to it via Bluetooth.

Price: $300   |  Buy Online

For Her

Marblue Zoey iPhone 5/5S/5C Purse/Wristlet

There are simply not a lot of iPhone purses that can utilize a should strap. I can count how many there are on, well, one finger. The MarBlue (formerly MarWare) Zoey iPhone 5 wristlet purse features a detachable shoulder and wrist strap. The Zoey is a purse, a wallet case, and/or a wristlet. The Zoey Purse even comes with a matching MicroShell iPhone 5 case that protects the phone when you pul it out. This is one of the coolest, stylist iPhone cases we've yet seen—and it will fit just about any size and style of iPhone (though the hard shell case is designed for the 5/5S.

MSRP: $59.99 | Buy Online

Phiaton Fusion MS430 headphones

Phiaton's new Fusion MS430 Headphones feature genuine carbon fiber, and intricate detail with titanium anodized aluminum and red accents. It has richly-padded earcups that are fused together with newly developed 40mm drivers to create powerful, sonic-sounding headphones. Every detail in the Fusion MS 430 Headphones seems skillfully combined. There is a perforated headband design, hidden red accents, and tons of beautiful curves.

Price: $149  |  Buy Online

Earshots Stereo Speakers

The Earshots work with any device that has a 3.5mm jack. That means you can hook these up as external speakers for your smart phones, MP3 players, tablets, laptops, or even desktop computers. The speakers are certainly small and lightweight, yet they have a durable aluminum housing and the internal lithium-ion batteries will allow the speakers to play for up to 5 hours playback after being charged. 

Price: $49.95  |  Buy Online

TUNZ Stereo Headset (Earphones)

The TUNZ Stereo earphones are designed to the actual contours of the human ear. They use Active Gels to provide a secure and comfortable fit regardless if you are engaging in extreme athletics to everyday wear. They use a flat silicone cable design for flexibility and durability, and an in-line microphone has a one-button controller for multi-functionality including calls. The TUNZ include three sizes of Active Gels for comfort. 

Price: $39.99  |  Buy Now

TUNZ Rechargeable Bluetooth Speaker

The TUNZ Rechargeable Bluetooth Speaker uses two 3-watt drivers and a passive radiator for bass. It's NFC-enabled with the Tagstand NFC launcher App for Android. It uses a 2800 mAh battery that can play back music for up to 20 hours at 50% volume. It also serves as a universal USB charging port with a 1 amp output port for charging external devices (but not iPads or other 2A devices). It uses touch controls for Volume, Play, Pause, and Hand-free Call/Answer. You can even change up the color with Red, Blue, or Black accent covers. For phone use, there's even a built-in noise canceling microphone.

Price: $149.99  |  Buy It Now

Velodyne vQuiet Noise-Canceling Headphones

Velodyne’s vQuiet headphones practically remove all unwanted sound with a 90% reduction. This pure sound allows you to focus on nothing but the music you love. The headphones can be folded up for compact storage. Now you can bring Velodyne’s legendary audio technology with you anywhere you go. The headphones have 40mm drivers and come with a 4 foot 3.5 mm audio cable with inline controls, a 1/8" to 1/4" plug adapter, a micro USB charging cable and a carrying pouch. 

Price: $299  | Buy Online

Kinovo BTX450 Bluetooth Wireless Speaker

The Kinivo BTX450 Premium Bluetooth Boombox uses a pair of 10W drivers as well as a passive subwoofer. Compare this to your typical smaller desk speakers which often have 6W (2 x 3W) drivers. You can play your music for up to 6 hours through the built-in 3600 mAh rechargeable battery. You can also stream music from any Bluetooth (A2DP) capable device or even send audio from a non-Bluetooth device using the 3.5mm port. You can recharge the BTX450 while listening to music via built in USB port.

Price: $49.99  | Buy Online

For the Audiophile

Sony STR-DN1040 Networked AV Receiver

Dollar for dollar, the new STR-DN1040 is a tough AV Receiver to beat. With features like built-in Bluetooth, WiFi, and AirPlay, and added new functionality like FLAC decoding and a revamped user interface its the best Sony in this price class.  In terms of inputs for various AV gear, it has a total of 8 HDMI (1 on front, 7 on rear), 2 optical, 1 digital coax, 4 stereo audio, 2 component and 2 composite video.  For under $600, the STR-DN1040 is a great solution to serve as the center piece of your networked home theater system.

Price:  $599 | Buy Direct for $499

 

Denon AVR E400 AV Receiver

The AVR-E400 7.1 Channel Network Home Theater Receiver from Denon provides powerful surround sound performance with advanced networking technology. It features Internet radio services such as SiriusXM and vTuner, as well as Apple's AirPlay technology. The sophisticated video processor includes SD-to-HD up-conversion, along with 4K Ultra HD (3840x2160) for the next generation of 4K Ultra HDTVs. Additionally, a simple interface provides quick and easy setup so you can start enjoying your multimedia right away. For $600, this receiver has everything you need and very little you don't.

Price: $599  |  Buy Online

Korus V400 and V600 Wireless Speakers

Korus makes no bones about it—they aim to take on Sonos and Bose in one fell swoop...and win. The V600s is the premier wireless home speaker in the Korus lineup, and packs the muscle to make any room go boom. It's the ideal centerpiece to your Korus system, perfect for the room where you spend the most time. Or, unlike most competing products, you can take it with you—and setup doesn't require pairing or any network configuration. You can also just switch to battery power to use outside or wherever you can’t plug in. Big sound and battery power? Almost unheard of. Add more V600's or the V400 for additional rooms (up to four total, in fact) to fill your whole home with audio.

Price: $400 (V600), $300 (V400)    | Buy Online

Boston MC100 Blue Bluetooth Wireless Speaker

Boston Acoustics MC100 Blue is a wireless speaker system that allows you to enjoy room-filling sound in your home or office directly from your phone, tablet or PC. Designed to integrate easily with any decor, simply place the MC100 Blue on a counter, desk or table, plug it in, pair your Bluetooth device, then enjoy a world full of music as the MC100 Blue fills the room with clear, full sound.

Price: $149   |   Buy Online

M-Audio M3-8 Active Monitor Speaker

The M3-8 studio monitor from M-Audio gives you a three-way studio monitor in a remarkably small footprint. The active speaker boasts improved fidelity, enhanced imaging, and a super-wide sweet spot for studio use. Using an efficient inline design, the space-saving M3-8 Studio Reference Monitors provide truly spectacular three-way sound in the same space as a standard two-way monitor. On top of that, they look incredible and this is a brand with a proven track record for excellent sound.

MSRP: $299.99 (each)   |   Buy Online

JLab Epic Earbuds

The Epic is the result of eight years of engineering, research and design—created directly from customer feedback, reviews and industry know-how. JLab got innovative, introducing Cush Fins, a new earbud system that all but guarantees a perfect fit by including seven gel tips. The tips truly are something we've never seen before and they look and feel like nothing that's currently on the market. As for sound, the Epic uses high-performance 13-mm drivers, the largest driver they've ever packed into an earbud.

Price: $49.99   |  Buy Online

Price: $49.99 (4 foot system), $69.99 (6-foot system)   |  Buy Online

Swann Bubble Bomber RC Helicopter

Conclusion