SOMETIMES IT FEELS like we’re living in the future with the avalanche of new and surprising tech gear – and multiple tech awards – released every year. Drones are commonplace now, the latest Apple Watch Ultra can call emergency services for you from virtually anywhere in the world if you’re in a crash, solar-powered gadgets mean we can stay off-grid almost indefinitely, and you can now fit thousands of hours of professionally guided workouts inside a mirror in your bedroom. It seems the future is now.
No matter what you’re into—playing harder, working (out) smarter, or learning to relax better—there’s guaranteed to be a tech gadget out there to help you do it. Our tech-hungry editors and staff spent the past year testing hundreds of top-selling, next-generation smart products. Some were amazing. Many weren’t. We looked at high-tech gadgets for gaming, photography, fitness equipment, camping, auto emergencies, working from home, and more—all so we could round up the very best tech gear for our 2023 Men’s Health Tech Awards.
PLAY
Aventon Level.2 Commuter E-bike
Aventon’s latest e-bike has an updated torque sensor for a buttery-smooth ride, and its integrated lights mean more visibility on the road. ($3399; electrickicks.com.au)
Backbone One: Playstation Edition
This PlayStation-inspired controller seamlessly hooks up to your iPhone so you can play PS games on the go. In the collapsed position, it’s even smaller than a Nintendo Switch, taking up less space in your travel bag. ($179; playbackbone.com.au)
DJI Avata
This new drone connects to a pair of HD goggles and an easy-to-use remote control, allowing you to zip through any room or landscape in 4K. Boasting an impressive 18-minute flight time, DJI’s second first-person-view drone really makes you feel like you’re flying IRL. ($1989; harveynorman.com.au)
GoPro Hero11 Black Mini
This is the budget video camera to buy. It offers the same performance as the iconic Hero11 Black but in a smaller package that’s easier to use, so you can shoot clear videos of your extreme adventures, 5K runs and anything
in between. ($595; gopro.com)
Yvolution Yes Electric Scooter
Your commute just got easier with this electric rig, which offers a decent 25-km range. Its single-button speed controller and five light points let you safely navigate roads. ($890; academy.com)
Eddie Bauer Guide Pro smart heated Gloves
Say goodbye to numb fingers. These heated, AI-powered gloves adjust their heat depending on the weather conditions for up to eight hours. Now you can shred the slopes even longer. ($445; eddiebauer.com)
BioLite BaseCharge 600
Housing a massive battery, this portable power station charges up to 10 devices, so you can keep your electronics fully juiced. Plus, a resettable energy odometer allows you to track your energy use. ($1040; boliteenergy.com.au)
SWEAT
Rapidstorage olympic weight and barbell rack
COVID made you rethink why you’re forking out for gym memberships each month, right? Create your own Iron Paradise with this strong and adjustable barbell weight rack, which includes six 48mm pegs for Olympic weight-plate storage. Engineered from durable powder-coated steel and able to support up to 400kg evenly distributed across the whole system, this will give your home-workout space a pro-level feel. ($129; rapidmesh.com.au)
LG Tone Free Fit
LG’s fitness-focused earbud is a literal banger. The Tone Free Fit has a crystal-clear sound with an impressive bass for those get-it-done workout playlists. Its charging case uses UV-C light to zap sweat-induced bacteria, and the earbud’s SwivelGrip technology enables it to stay in place through any workout. ($325; lg.com)
Samsung Galaxy Watch5
Samsung’s upgraded smartwatch model has a larger scratch-resistant screen and a hyperaccurate heart-rate sensor. It can take a licking and still track your fitness goals during rough-and-tumble workouts.
(From $549; samsung.com)
Hydrow Wave Rower
This has all of the OG Hydrow’s connected features but is 30 per cent smaller, for an on-the-water rowing experience in even the smallest spaces. ($2530; shop.hydrow.com)
Nike Air Max Scorpion
The Swoosh’s new sneaker looks like a floatation device because of its VR-designed cushioning, offering a piston-like motion with every step. It’s comfortable enough to stand in for hours. ($330; nike.com)
Norse Projects Tech Merino Milano Crew
This high-tech sweater is infused with temperature-regulating particles that move away moisture when you’re hot and retain body heat when you’re cold. What’s more, its stylish neck trim makes it great as a snow-sport base layer. ($575; endclothing.com)
Apple Watch Ultra
A maxed-out watch for anyone who likes to have all the bells and whistles. Its beefed-up features: a titanium case and a dual-frequency GPS (so you’ll never get lost). (From $1299; vodafone.com)
Tribit StormBox Blast Portable Speaker
Tribit’s powerful speaker is loud, thanks to a pair of woofers that boom sound and bass with clarity. Its hefty, waterproof build means it can hold up during your outdoor workouts. ($579; desertcart.com.au)
PXG 0311 XF driver
This premium driver features a high-grade carbon-fibre head to increase distance and minimise the effects of bad swings. Translation: a beginner-friendly club that will help you look like a pro. ($1329; desertcart.com.au)
RELAX
RAPIDSTORAGE Collapsible Cabinet
It’s great to have the latest gear but where do you put it? This collapsible cabinet can be easily assembled in minutes, no tools required. Made from functional, heavy-gauge steel, attachable wheels create the ultimate mobile storage solution. Includes four shelves with a maximum capacity of 60kg each. Build, fill, lock, smile. ($625; rapidmesh.com.au)
Samsung the Freestyle Portable Projector
If you could take a theatre with you anywhere, why wouldn’t you? This projector lets you do just that, with a 180°, auto-focus design that allows you to watch movies and shows wherever. ($995; samsung.com.au)
Hyperice Venom Go
One of our favourite massage-gun brands, Hyperice combines its percussion-therapy system with the power of heat wraps for a wearable pad that offers pain relief to virtually any muscle. Think of it as quick post-workout R&R. ($260; hyperice.com.au)
Therabody Smart Goggles
These massage goggles use vibration and heat while gently kneading your eyes, along with a sensor that responds to your heart rate. Wear them during the afternoon as a midday stress reliever, or at night to help you drift to sleep. ($299; thegoodguys.com.au, therabody.com)
Bruvi Coffee Maker
Pod coffee makers are convenient, but their brew doesn’t taste as fresh as bean-to-cup machines’. Enter this new device that uses pods filled with premium coffee and makes seven types of joe. Its phone app lets you brew coffee remotely. ($593; bruvi.com)
Roomba Combo j7+
Tired of cleaning up? Get a load of this robot vacuum that picks up and wipes away dust and grime in one single clean. Use its app to set vacuum schedules and keep floors spick-and-span. ($1699; irobot.com)
Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Headphones
Anker’s new cans have a long battery life and impressive noise cancellation at a fraction of the price of other big-name brands’ offerings. Throw them on, turn up the volume and tune out during a stressful day. ($219; soundcore.com.au)
Traeger Timberline Grill
This WiFi-enabled pellet grill has a smart combustion system made up of sensors that detect and adjust the grill’s temps, ensuring your food is evenly cooked. Plus, its new Timberline grease-and-keg system automatically vacuums ash into a bucket, for less clean-up and more cooking. (From $3670; traeger.com)
Sonos Ray
Sonos’ cheapest sound bar is a massive upgrade to your TV’s built-in speakers.It has exceptional dialogue clarity, so you won’t have to turn on closed captioning to understand what those House of the Dragon actors are saying.
($399; sonos.com.au)
—
Men’s Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in.
