Mother’s Day is right around the corner. This is your opportunity to get her something other than a domestic appliance that makes it “easier” for her to do the housework.
If your mum is anything like mine, she loves a gadget. And there are plenty to spoil her with that having nothing to do with cleaning floors.
Apple Watch Series 4
Yeah, these aren’t particularly cheap. But neither was raising you.
While a FitBit is generally a more economical choice (and often a good one), what I like about the Apple Watch is that you can style it up without compromising on the tech. Plus it can do way more than track fitness.
I’d recommend one of the stainless steel models with both a Milanese and a sports band so mum can wear it both for both working out and going out.
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2018/10/apple-watch-series-4-review-a-giant-leap/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/wajetlj0xpqyfnacpbrj.jpg” title=”Apple Watch Series 4 Review: A Giant Leap” excerpt=”No matter how sceptical we were from the very beginning the Apple Watch is everywhere now. You see them on the wrists of all kinds of people—not just tech nerds. It is officially a thing. And as of the Series 3 last year, it was even a pretty good thing that you could buy without feeling annoyed to hell by shortcomings. So where does that leave us with the Apple Watch Series 4, the device’s first major design overhaul since it was launched? Well, it’s a totally good, not regrettable thing, except bigger—and with bigger ideas that push the boundaries of how we think about wearable devices.”]
Google Pixel Stand
If your mum has a phone that has wireless charging capabilities, why not consider a fancy new charger? I like the Pixel Stand because it’s real pretty, works with any Qi-enabled phone and has some added features.
This thing has Do Not Disturb functionality, which stops the phone from vibrating and blinking at certain times of your choice during the day. It’s incredibly useful.
Belkin’s Boost Up Wireless Charger is also an excellent choice, and one of the best wireless chargers out there, but it doesn’t come with the same bells and whistles.
Price: $119
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2018/10/googles-pixel-stand-is-a-smarter-breed-of-wireless-charger/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/ro5cetqcrxmqoj5wxpva.jpg” title=”Google’s Pixel Stand Is A Smarter Breed Of Wireless Charger” excerpt=”In a world of increasingly complex tech, wireless chargers are refreshingly simple devices. Just take your phone, drop it on a pad or stand, and walk away. That’s it. And now that wireless charging is basically a standard feature for most flagship handsets, it’s quickly becoming the preferred way to keep your phone’s battery topped up. But what if your wireless charger could do more than just excite electrons without the need for wires or cables? Well, that’s exactly what Google is trying to do with the new Pixel Stand.”]
Solar Charger
For the mums who go into nature to escape you.
Solar chargers are becoming increasingly popular as they come down in price and become more compact. These things are great for campers and hikers who want to be able to recharge their power source on the move.
I recommend ones such as this RAVPOWER offering that have a small handle so it can be tied to a pack and collect sunlight seamlessly.
I can also confirm after four days in the Tasmanian wilderness that solar blowup lamps are also great for camping nerds.
Price: $49.99
New iPad Mini
2015 is back, baby.
Despite the giant bezels, I have a soft spot for the new Mini. It does all the things you want from a modern tablet, but in a compact and lightweight package.
I’ve found myself returning to regular tablet-based reading, gaming and streaming both at home and on holiday thanks to this thing. It’s surprisingly good.
Price: $599
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2019/04/on-the-appeal-of-an-ipad-mini-in-2019-review/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/lxzmnshdv4nfvh2ydyfy.jpg” title=”Why Would Anyone Buy An iPad Mini In 2019?” excerpt=”The iPad Mini is not the best tablet Apple makes (that’s the 11-inch iPad Pro). It’s not the good enough tablet either (that’s the iPad Air). It’s the awkward one. A little too small, but a little too big, and demanding a fairly radical change to how you operate a tablet if you’ve been using any other iPad before. But boy, after a week of using the newly refreshed Mini, I’m still finding it awfully damn appealing. The iPad Mini is the true content consumption queen.”]
Noise Cancelling Headphones
So she can block out your complaining and/or phone calls where you ask to borrow some cash.
Sony’s WH-1000XM3 wireless noise cancelling headphones are probably the best in market at the moment – they block out noise beautifully, provide 5 hours of playback on 10 minutes of charge and have lovely sound quality. You can even put it in ambient mode if you want to be more aware of your surroundings.
While you can find them for under $400 now, that’s still pricey. If that’s outside your budget (but you still want to get mum some decent noise cancelling cans) perhaps consider Bose QuietComfort 25 or Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC
Price: $395
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2019/02/sony-mh-1000xm3-review-wireless-noise-cancelling-headphones-six-months-later/” thumb=”https://gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Sony-bowl–410×231.jpeg” title=”Sony’s Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones: Six Months Later” excerpt=”I was really excited when Sony’s 1000XM3 headphones showed up on my desk last year. I was a big fan of the M2s and was curious about what improvements could be made to such high quality cans, especially when the price on the previous gen were still consistently high.”]
JBL CLIP 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
So she can listen to her jams.
There are heaps of bluetooth speakers out there, but the JBL Clip 3 is portable, lightweight and water resistant. Plus it’s sitting at a pretty great price point. Whether mum likes to take her tunes camping or wants to bliss out in the shower or bath – this is a good option that won’t break the bank.
Price: $71.43
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2018/11/the-best-cheap-bluetooth-speaker-review/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/vlqjpmgy5foxus7xqaaa.jpg” title=”The Best Cheap Bluetooth Speaker” excerpt=”In recent years, portable Bluetooth speakers have become essential gadgets for modern living. Going into the woods and want to listen to some Phish? Get a speaker. Want to listen to podcasts in the shower? Use a Bluetooth solution. But beyond being so useful, what’s exciting about Bluetooth speakers these days is the fact that you can get an excellent Bluetooth speaker for cheap. Heck, get one for a friend, too!”]
A Drone
While drones often appear on Father’s Day gift lists, you don’t much see them being offered to mum. I challenge you to change that.
Drones are fun (when used responsibly) and have the ability to take absolutely stunning aerial photography. Spoiler alert: women like cool photos too. Shocking, I know.
We’re fans of the hardcore DJI Mavic 2 and Mavic Air, but get that $1,200 – $2,500 is probably a huge ask. Fortunately, there are cheaper alternatives for the budget-conscious, or if mum is just starting out in the drone sphere.
The Ryze Tello is a good place to start, coming in at just $170. We also have a round up of other great beginner drones right here.
Price – $170 – $2,500
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2018/09/the-dji-mavic-2-review-is-our-new-favorite-drone/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/nuzfk0yyveccc6tvfo05.jpg” title=”The DJI Mavic 2 Is Our New Favourite Drone” excerpt=”The idea behind the DJI Mavic promises that any adventurer can take professional-grade aerial photography with a compact drone. That’s probably why the company called the original model the Mavic Pro, even though the drone had its shortcomings. With the Mavic 2 series, however, that proposition gets more interesting with the introduction of interchangeable camera systems which define each new model. This, combined with some nuanced but meaningful design upgrades, makes DJI’s new flagship drone live up to old promises.”]
Bose Sleepbuds
So she can actually get a good night’s sleep.
These smol bois are great for anyone who has trouble sleeping. They block out noise while also playing relaxing, ambient tracks such as a rainforest or a beach noises. They helped me a lot during a particularly bad bout of jetlag and I dig them.
Price: $323
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2018/11/bose-noise-masking-sleepbuds-review/” thumb=”https://gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/bose-header-new-410×231.jpg” title=”Bose Sleepbuds Helped Me Sleep But Damn They’re Expensive” excerpt=”I recently spent some time with Bose’s Noise-Masking Sleepbuds. When I first wrote about them, I admitted to not being the the target market for these little guys. I’m fortunately blessed with the ability to sleep pretty much anywhere, anytime. It’s okay to hate me. But these landed in my hands while I was experiencing the most hellish jet lag of my life. There had never been a better time for me to put something like these to the test.”]
Lovehoney Gift Voucher
What? You didn’t think you were an immaculate conception, did you?