The best home theater gifts
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
It's possible to spend hundreds of dollars on a video streaming device. Possible, but not necessary. At its current price of $30 (usually $50), the Roku Streaming Stick 4K offers something for everybody -- a huge range of apps and compatibility with video standards such as Dolby Vision and a 4K resolution. That it works so well for the money is a good kind of surprise.
Sofabaton U2
If you have more than one device hooked up to your TV -- say, a gaming console, a cable box and a streaming device -- then you are most certainly sick of fumbling for the right remote. The Sofabaton U2 is designed to solve this problem. All of your devices are available in one place at the flick of a wheel. The setup is one of the best I've encountered in 20 years of testing universal remotes. The app itself is straightforward, and it connects to the remote over Bluetooth. Though I haven't tested it, the upgraded X1S offers "activities" if you want to control multiple devices at once -- for instance, "Watch TV" could turn on the streaming box and the TV, and then set an AV receiver to the correct HDMI input.
Roku Streambar SE
For the price of a regular budget soundbar, the Streambar SE adds a Roku streamer to the mix, making this an excellent gift. The sound quality is a step above your TV speakers, and the Roku interface is a joy to use.
Massdrop x Sennheiser HD6XX
If you're looking for a pair of headphones to appease the budding audiophile in your family, the HD6XX offers an extraordinary value. They do need an amp -- you can't run them from a tablet-- but the sound quality can't be beaten. I use them connected to a receiver for late-night viewing and they work a treat.
Audio Technica LP60X
The Audio-Technica AT-LP60X is the best budget turntable, hands down. It offers simple automatic operation and its sound quality is a cut above anything else at the price. Perfect for a kid's bedroom or a hangout space.
Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2
Most TV speakers are typically mediocre at best, but you can elevate the sound of TV shows and movies with some stereo speakers. Though the newer 3.0 version has been available for over a year, the Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 is still on sale, and at $329 it is an excellent value.
