Upgrade with the Decade: Best Audio & Tech Gadgets For Travel and Home 2020

Are you one of those people who upgrade their tech gadgets only every 10 years? Well then, it’s 2020 and time to make your purchases for the new decade. This range of products that we’ve assembled isn’t just practical — they also boast a kind of timeless style that’ll look good years from now. From headphones and speakers to cameras and other tech accessories, these are the buys that point towards the future.

Fujifilm Lomo’Instant Automat Glass (Magellan Edition)

Are you a photographer, hipster, or just a person who likes collecting memories? We think the Lomo’Instant Automat Glass (Magellan Edition) is one of the most stylish instant cameras out there, and it’s also the first instant camera to feature a wide-angle glass lens for bolder, sharper, masterpieces. The word ‘Glass’ represents the latest technological advancement of Fujifilm’s Automat range, with a whopping four group glass lens. It’s perfect for portraits, and will instantly result in fun photos at your next gathering with family and friends. The camera is also pretty future-proof, being compatible with standard Instax Mini film.

The Lomo’Instant Automat Glass is available at S$275 at the Lomography store.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip

Are foldable phones the new big thing? If the record-breaking sales of Samsung’s highly-anticipated Galaxy Z Flip are any indication, it’s a resounding yes. There’s also the fact that foldables bring back the nostalgic clamshell experience that we love, taking the form factor towards new possibilities this coming decade. The Galaxy Z Flip is surprisingly compact and fits into your pocket with ease, along with outstanding features like hands-free selfies and vlogging, ultra-thin glass, and very decent internal specs to make any tech geek widen their eyes.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is available at S$1,998 in two colour variants (Mirror Purple and Mirror Black) from the Samsung online store.

Miele Complete C3

Nobody ever thinks that they need a new vacuum cleaner at home. At least, not until they get the chance to try Miele’s gorgeously-designed Complete C3 Powerline, a sleek cylinder vacuum cleaner with incredible suction power and foot controls for thorough and convenient cleaning. Height adjustment is a breeze thanks to a comfort telescopic tube, while the floored, suction tube, and handle lock into each other with an audible “click”. Perhaps one of the most important features for us: the super simple-to-use cable rewinding system with a single button. Who knew cleaning could be such fun?

The Miele Complete C3 Powerline is available at S$429 from select retailers here.

LG C9 OLED Series

We know, we know, “Who uses a TV anymore?” But when you actually get off your computer and start watching your favourite dramas on the big screen, you’ll wonder why you’ve never done that earlier. LG’s C9 is an exceptional 4K OLED TV that uses AI enhancements to deliver amazing SDR and HDR images to you, and there’s support for Dolby Vision as well. The advanced OLED technology means absolute black and precise levels of detail so every pixel the director intended for you to see comes picture perfect. If we’re talking price-to-performance ratio, this is one of the best TVs out there this year.

The LG C9 is available from US$1499.99 at select retailers here.

Sony WF-H800 Truly Wireless Headphones

With the advent of Apple’s AirPods comes a whole new slew of lightweight, wireless headphones with equally excellent performance. These newly-launched ones from Sony is ideal for audiophiles, with 6mm dynamic drivers for clearer sound and Digital Sound Enhancement Engine HX (DSEE HX™) that reproduces your music files with a rich, natural soundscape. Recharge on the go with a pocketable carrying case that gives you up to 16 hours of non-stop playback. The WF-H800s themselves are very comfortable to wear, with an ergonomic Tri-hold structure that stays securely in your ears.

The Sony WF-H800 is available from S$299 at selected Sony Stores, Sony Centres, Sony authorised dealers and the official Sony store on Lazada.

Bowers & Wilkins 603 Home Speakers

Floor-standing speakers are the new standard in home speaker technology, and this one from Bowers & Wilkins’s 600 Series is very impressive. The 603s are some of the latest in B&W’s world-famous speaker technologies, and features the same proprietary Continuum™ cone used for their award-winning 800 Series Diamond. The results? Staggeringly real sound with a spacious soundstage and impeccable vocal clarity. If you have over a grand to spend on new speakers for your Netflix binge, check this one out.

The Bowers & Wilkins 603 is available at your nearest Bowers & Wilkins dealer here.

Fitbit Versa 2

It’s now easier than ever to monitor your health and fitness goals with the new decade. Enter the Fitbit Versa 2, the latest wearable from Fitbit that yes, keeps you fighting fit. Exercising is easier than ever with over 15 exercise modes and personal goal setting features to push you forward, and an always-connected GPS feature that lets you see your pace and distance on-screen. You’ll also be able to sleep better, as the PurePulse heart rate tracking provides detailed insights on your sleep habits. Read our review here.

The Fitbit Versa 2 is available both online and at major electronic retailers islandwide. The standard edition retails for S$318 while the special edition retails for S$358. Additional accessories range from S$49.90 to S$74.90.

Top Image: Sony WF-H800


Deputy Editor

Gary is one of those proverbial jack of all trades… you know the rest. When not writing about lifestyle and culture, he dabbles in photography, graphic design, plays four instruments and is a professional wearer of bowties. His greatest weakness: spending more money on clothes than he probably should. Find him across the social world as @grimlay