The best gadgets to buy for Christmas 2018

15 December 2018, 14:00 | Updated: 15 December 2018, 14:01

Tomorrow's Nerd podcast hosts Jason Bradbury and Andy Jaye bring you the best new gadgets and tech toys to get your hands on this Christmas.

Peter Jenkinson, the world's only Toyologist, has joined the hosts of the new Tomorrow’s Nerd podcast Andy and Jason to pick some amazing gifts for your “difficult to buy for” friends or relatives. Here’s what they came up with...

Download the Tomorrow's Nerd podcast here

1. Nerf Laser Ops Pro

   

   Laser battles in your living room! You can play solo, or in a team and even connect it to your phone for real-time battle info.

   Buy from Amazon

2. Instant Air Hockey

   

   Any table can be instantly turned into an air hockey pitch with this beautifully simple idea. Tomorrow’s Nerd says: If I was going to choose one to give as a gift it would be this.”

   Buy from Amazon

3. Atari Retro Handheld Console

   

   50 classic Atari games - including Asteroids, Pong and Centipede - are built in to this dinky handheld console. Jason Bradbury says: "I think you need two, I would keep one and give the other away."

   Buy from Amazon

4. MekaMon

   

   "The future of robotics is in your living room" say our experts - this gaming robot has a personality that you can program, but also has Artificial Intelligence that means it will play when you’re not looking. Isn’t this how Terminator got started?

   Buy from Amazon

5. Boxer The Robot

   

   This cute droid can play 10 pre-programmed games and show a whole range of emotions. Like a Tamagotchi, but more fun.

   Buy from Amazon

6. Prynt Pocket

   

   Ever thought about turning your iPhone into a palm-sized instant camera? Well now you can! You can print Polaroid-style photos from your phone snaps, no problem - just like in the olden days.

   Buy from Amazon

7. Celestron Inspire 80AZ

   

   This entry-level telescope is great for staring at comets, stars and spaceships. Andy and Jason are super-keen on it: "I really want to get a telescope and you’ve just sold me that one!” As a bonus, it comes with a smartphone adapter to dump those celestial shots onto your moby.

   Buy from Amazon

9. Kindle PaperWhite

   

   The latest edition of the ever-popular Kindle is now thinner, lighter... and waterproof. Tomorrow's Nerd say: "The number of features at this price point has me blown away… I love it”

   Buy from Amazon

10. Gravitrax

    

    Classic marble fun, turned up to 11. You can build freestyle tracks for metal ballbearings that teach children about not only gravity, but magnetism and kinetic energy, using slingshots and even a cannon!

    Buy from Amazon

11. Beasts Of Balance

    

    Balance the animal models into a tower which interacts with an iPad to create a special digital world. A bit like playing Jenga with Pokemon and great for family bonding/arguments.

    Buy from Amazon

12. Beyer Dynamic DT990 Headphones

    

    Some pretty slick professional headphones with a superb sound and the added bonus of actually being comfortable - "just like wearing marshmallows".

    Buy from Amazon

13. Money Monsters

    

    The ideal way to teach children about money and saving these colourfully-designed money boxes link with a Santander bank account rather than collecting coins and notes.

    More info