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

If 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.

This is the best Transformer robot we’ve ever seen. The leader of the autobots automatically transforms between vehicle and biped-humanoid forms in one fluid motion, bringing to life one of the most iconic comic characters. The Robosen 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.

The 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.

This 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.

The 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.

If 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…

If you own a Sky 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.”

This 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.

These 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.

Fancy 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.

The 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.

The 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.

With more power, easier controls and improved comfort, the Meta 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.