Options abound, ranging from phone cases to grips to reconditioned headphones.

“Discover festive tech delights – from phone cases to grips and refurbished headphones, a variety of options are available. Samuel Gibbs, Consumer Technology Editor, suggests that for last-minute Christmas gifts, gadgets and accessories are perfect, eliminating the need to know someone’s size or schedule. You don’t have to splurge on the latest gadgets; smaller, thoughtful presents can extend the life of your loved ones’ existing electronics.”

Phone cases

Opting for sustainability means embracing the tech you already own, making cases and accessories vital for its longevity. If you know your phone’s model, securing a case is a breeze, with numerous choices starting at approximately £10 from established third-party brands like OtterBox, Speck, and Spigen. Additionally, major tech companies like Apple, Google, Samsung, and more offer their own range of cases.

For a more sustainable option, a few brands offer phone cases made from biodegradable materials, with prices starting at around £25. Notable options include Pela from Canada and Wave from the UK, the latter even accepting old cases for industrial composting. Send in an old case to Wave, and you’ll receive a 20% discount on a new one.

Phone cases can serve as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional Christmas wallets, some designed with slots for credit cards either in a flap over the screen or on the back. Prices begin at approximately £10, with luxury versions like Bellroy’s leather phone case costing £39 and above.

While most cases don’t directly cover the screen, screen protectors fill that gap. They come in various materials, including affordable plastic, tempered glass, and even liquid options, ranging in price from about £10 to £15. Big case makers, phone shops, and manufacturers offer them, with Wave providing a recycled glass version for £15.

PopSockets and grips

A budget-friendly, game-changing accessory that can help prevent smashed screens is a phone grip. There are various types to choose from, such as phone rings like the popular Spigen Style Ring (priced at around £13), which attach to the back of a phone and feature a flip-out ring for finger placement. Phone loops come in diverse forms, including straps and fabric bands; simpler versions act like rubber bands fitting under a phone case and over fingers, while others adhere to the back of the phone. Prices start from about £5.

Among the popular grips, the PopSocket stands out, functioning like a pop-out handle that attaches to the back of your phone. Original PopSockets are priced at around £11, but you can opt for pricier designs catering to various interests, including Pokémon, Harry Potter, and Star Wars enthusiasts.

Watch bands

Smartwatches have remained relatively unchanged in recent years. Instead of investing in a new device, opt for a replacement strap to impart a fresh aesthetic to your existing one. Major watch manufacturers, including Apple, Garmin, Google, and Samsung, offer an extensive range of their own straps and bands, typically priced from around £45.

For the most popular watches like the Apple Watch and Pixel Watch, various third-party accessory makers offer more affordable straps with special connectors. Additionally, smartwatches such as Garmins and Samsungs generally accommodate standard straps with pins. These straps can be conveniently purchased online or from most high street jewelers; just ensure that you select the correct width for the lugs of your watch.

Batteries and chargers

The battery is often the first component to wear out on modern gadgets. While a replacement battery may be a viable solution, backup power packs offer an alternative to keep phones and other USB devices operational throughout the day. These packs come in various colors, shapes, sizes, and capabilities, with some being powerful enough to charge laptops in addition to phones, tablets, and smaller gadgets.

Compact power packs that can provide an 80% phone charge typically cost around £16 and are comparable in size to a chocolate bar. For more innovative options, like the Anker MagGo range (starting at £26), some packs offer wireless charging on the go. These packs adhere to the back of MagSafe-compatible devices, including iPhones, or Android devices with adaptors.

Refurbished headphones

Wireless earbuds and headphones stand among the top gadgets, but their sustainability is often compromised due to unrepairable designs or challenging battery replacements. Opting for refurbished models is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice. For instance, quality options like Sony’s WF-C500 earbuds are priced around £50 and can be found on platforms like Back Market.

Refurbished Apple AirPods 3 are available directly from the manufacturer for £149, while Bose’s exceptional QuietComfort Earbuds II can be obtained for £190 through the manufacturer’s refurbishment program. Both options include all the accessories that come with new purchases.

Consider refurbished noise-canceling headphones as thoughtful gifts for those seeking peace and quiet. Sennheiser’s impressive Momentum 4 headphones are priced at £194 when refurbished by the manufacturer, and Bose offers its popular QuietComfort 45s for £189.95 in a refurbished condition. Third-party retailers like Back Market offer additional options from brands such as Apple’s Beats and Sony.