Looking for something retro and gadgety for that difficult someone? Have a browse of my 20 affordable retro tech gift ideas.
Trust me, I’ve been there. I spend ages trying to find interesting gifts – and people do much the same for me. I love a retro gadget and can’t think of anything better than getting up on a birthday or Christmas morning to mess with something like an overgrown child.
And I know I’m not alone. So, if you are looking for something along those lines, have a look below – you might find the perfect gift. As for affordability, I know everyone has their own definition, so I’ve gone broad – but obviously cut out really expensive items that don’t fit the brief, like pinball machines and arcade cabinets.
Here goes…and feel free to suggest anything I’ve missed out.
1. Audio-Technica Sound Burger portable vinyl turntable
I’m starting with something at the pricier end of the selection. The thing is, there are cheaper record players, but not as cool or well-made as the wonderful Sound Burger reissue.
An icon of the 1980s, these used to change hands for big sums due to their popularity with vinyl obsessives. They were ideal for spotting and testing vinyl on the go at car boots and secondhand stores.
But last year, Audio-Technica reissued them in a slightly updated form. The update was mainly the decision to add (wisely) both Bluetooth and a rechargeable battery. However, this is still a wonderful portable player for home or out and about. It is a dream of a gift for anyone who loves their records.
But you will have to shell out just under £200.
Find out more at the Amazon website
2. Lomo Instant Wide Glass camera
There are a couple of cameras in the listing, focusing very much on the ‘click and print’ end of the market because that’s where the fun is.
There are a few options out there, but the Lomo Instant Wide Glass camera is one of the most eye-catching. Even this one has plenty of style options, with my personal favourite being the ‘60s look of the Central Park Edition pictured here.
Wide for wider shots, courtesy of the Fujifilm Instax Wide film you feed it. It also has three shooting modes, three special lens attachments, a built-in wide-angle lens, auto exposure, and battery power. The full set costs around £ 169, but there are cheaper options with different looks, too.
Find out more at the Lomography website
3. FiiO Portable Cassette Player
You might recall I did a round-up of my favourite portable cassette players a while back. This is my favourite.
The CP13 is a tribute to the original Walkman. It offers top-end playback and a USB-C port to charge the internal battery, so there’s no scrambling around for AAs. A full charge gives you around 15 hours of playback.
There is no Bluetooth, so you will need to plug in some wired headphones, which might add to the old-school vibe. Prices start at £99.
Find out more at the Amazon website
4. Moondrop Discdream 2 Portable CD Player
Well, if you don’t like cassettes, how about using all the bargain CDs in charity shops right now? You can with this stylish piece of kit.
The Moondrop CD player is a labour of love. Its idea is to bring back CDs and allow portability and excellent sound quality. The man behind the original Discman player got on board, and the result is this retro/modern design.
It looks like a vintage CD player, which is entirely intentional. But the workings are more ‘now’, with high-end audio driver chips, a pro CD laser head, double shock absorption to reduce skips, and 32-bit Master Hifi audio decoding to enhance the sound. Hook it up to a home system, or take it outside with your headphones—it’s your choice.
£127 gets you one.
Find out more at the Amazon website
5. Polaroid Go Generation 2 Instant Camera
I couldn’t really do a gadgets round-up without mentioning this retro gadget. It’s the calling card for retro cameras.
This is the latest one, enhanced for better, more creative photography. It has a wider aperture range and a faster shutter to boost imagery. A more precise light sensor also boosts exposure.
There are four colours to choose from and USB-C charging. However, note that it takes the new Polaroid Go film, which isn’t cheap. The price is reasonable at £79, though.
Find out more at the Amazon website
6. Tiny TV 2 With Tiny Remote
Now, this is bizarre – but lots of fun. It’s a miniature vintage television that actually works.
Well, obviously, it’s not like your big TV, but it does come fully assembled and pre-loaded with videos. Just use the remote to switch channels. Or if you want more, add your own, as it comes with the Tiny TV Converter, allowing you to convert a file to work on the mini telly. You can also stream videos from a connected computer via USB-C.
A novelty that’s likely to keep people amused over the feature season, it sells for £49.
Find out more at the Tiny Circuits website
7. ZX Spectrum computer (2024 Edition)
We have mobile phones that can play ridiculously complex games on the go. But for some reason, we still love the nostalgia of something like the ZX Spectrum.
It is back for 2024, available to pre-order now if you know someone who will want one for Christmas. It looks like the original, but obviously has a few updates.
The new version emulates the 48 and 128 models of the ZX Spectrum and has a fully working replica keyboard, 48 games built-in (including all the classics), multi-region 720 HD output via HDMI, save game options, game rewind, plus the option to play games you own via a USB flash drive with multiple file-type compatibility. You also get a 32-page Crash Magazine ‘Mini-Mag’ special edition, featuring reviews of classic and new games and articles and editorials on the world of Spectrum computing.
£89.99 if you want to pre-order.
Find out more at the Amazon website
8. Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator keyboards
It’s hard to describe the sheer fun of one of these. I got one for my kids last year, and they played with it for months.
Because it’s fun. A battery-powered synth in your pocket, with so many sound options regardless of the model you go for – there are plenty out there. You’ll be making old-school dance hits in minutes. They work alone; you can add several together for different sounds, and you can connect to a computer to save your masterpiece.
Prices vary, but the one pictured here is £68.
Find out more at the Amazon website
9. Mod Retro Chromatic Handheld Gaming System
I’m sure you can see the inspiration here. Yes, it’s the classic Nintendo Gameboy. And there’s more than just a similarity in looks.
This colourful retro handheld with a 160×144 display has a magnesium alloy body and, most importantly, is compatible with original Nintendo cartridges. The only downside is that it uses AAA batteries for power.
But on the plus side, the gadget currently comes shipped with the classic Tetris. £ The price is £ 160, which is a lot cheaper than a secondhand Nintendo Gameboy, which didn’t have a colour screen.
Find out more at the Mod Retro website
As a cheaper alternative, my kids have the wonderful Super Pocket retro handheld gaming system handhelds, which plays cartridges packed with old-school games.
10. Lego Retro Radio
Not just a pretty face, this Lego project is actually a working radio…of sorts. Which means it makes the cut into gadget territory.
This is an adult Lego set containing 906 pieces. So enough to keep you busy for some time. When you do finish it, you can use it. First, there is a speaker within this retro device. And for some authenticity, there is a set of dummy stations that work via the tuning switch and the on/off control. Or you can use it as a dork for your phone, playing your own music.
Whatever you do, this is such a good-looking thing to have in your home. You can get a set for £89.99.
Find out more at the Lego website
11. Stylophone Theremin
Another recent launch is a reworking of the classic Sylophone for fans of vintage movies. The Theremin tended to be the ‘go-to’ instrument for making early and eerie science fiction movie and TV soundtracks.
This one uses the antenna much the same as the original but adds some controls and a Stylophone-style keyboard to tweak the sounds. It is brand new and sells for around £110.
Find out more at the Gear4Music website
12. Build Your Own Working FM Radio Kit
Making music in a slightly different way with this one. The end result is a vintage radio.
It’s the ideal gift for someone who likes to ’tinker’ with things, although its’ not too advanced. This one is down for ages 14 and up and described as the ‘perfect starter project for aspiring engineers’.
No soldering is required, but everything you need is in the kit. The finished radio will play local stations on the FM frequency. Just don’t expect anything too high-end—the casing is only made of cardboard.
But at £22, it’s one of the more affordable gifts.
Find out more at the Amazon website
13. Air Vinyl Car Air Freshener
Another one on the affordable tip. And a good one if you know someone who loves vinyl and whose card needs a blast of something nice.
It looks like a mini record player, and it works with the mini vinyl to attach to your car fans. The air moves the record to look like it’s playing, but it actually gives off a pleasing aroma as it moves and as you drive.
There are so many vinyl albums to choose from. You can buy in bulk, or you can just pick your own favourite classic albums. This is a simple idea and not expensive. A turntable with two discs is just £8.
Find out more at the Air Vinyl website
14. Commodore C64 Micro Computer
Well, since I mentioned the return of the Spectrum, I had to pay some attention to the returning Commodore C64, too.
The new version has three switchable modes—C64, VIC 20, and Games Carousel— and can be connected to any modern TV via HDMI for crisp 720p HD visuals at 60 Hz or 50 Hz. It also has an updated joystick and 64 pre-installed games, including classics such as California Games, Paradroid, and Boulder Dash, as well as new additions like Attack of the Mutant Camels, Hover Bovver, Iridis Alpha, and Gridrunner.
The new C64 also allows you to load and save your own files and games via USB stick (including multi-disk titles) and program in C64 or VIC 20 BASIC. £120 for one of those.
Find out more at the Amazon website
15. Opis Push Me Telephone
Not much of a gadget on the face of it. More like a home telephone. Which is it, with a twist.
This is essentially a replacement for a home phone but without the need for a landline. Take your pick between a dial or push button phone, with both having the retro/vintage look, but both also taking a sim card. So you can take the call with a vintage handset rather than using a modern smartphone.
And there’s the bonus of a vintage phone on display in the house. Just over £100 for one of these.
Find out more at the Amazon website
16. Lychee Portable Retro Cassette Tape Player and Recorder
It looks like something out of Dixons or Rumbelows in the 1980s. But this is a new piece of kit.
I don’t think for a minute this is the best tape player out there, but if you have some old tapes that you want to reconnect with, this should do the job. It also plays radio over three bands.
That’s not quite all—it can tape just like that old radio cassette and has modern-day USB, SD, and Bluetooth support—all for under £30.
Find out more at the Amazon website
17. Nintendo Alarmo Clock
This is brand new and a limited edition. If you know anyone who loves Nintendo, this is the perfect gift.
It’s a Nintendo alarm clock. Pick your favourite game and scene, and the clock will wake you up at your chosen time with the music and sound effects from that game. Not just that, it reacts to movement too – so move suddenly, and you’ll get more tunes. And it stops as soon as you get out of bed – no need to turn it off.
One last thing—it also monitors your sleep quality, should that be of interest. It has a lovely retro look. £89.99 while stocks last.
Find out more at the Nintendo website
18. Simon Electronic Memory Game
If there was a half of fame for gadgets, this one would sit proudly in it.
Once upon a time, this was cutting-edge—the future of handheld gaming. You can get various versions, but the original still works as well as any. It’s simple to play—just remember the sequence and hit the coloured blocks accordingly—and fun for one as well as with friends.
It works your brain, adds a bit of fun to a family or friends meet-up, and all for £16.
Find out more at the Amazon website
19. Atari 2600+ Gaming Console
Yes, another retro console. Arguably, the first one to break into our homes.
The Atari 2600+ is designed to look and feel like the 4-switch Atari 2600, which launched in 1980. This modern version also plays Atari 7800 games, has a widescreen mode, connects to a modern TV, and includes a 10-in-1 game cartridge of classic Atari titles. The CX40+ Joystick Controller has also been recreated with the same size and layout as the original 2600 Joystick Controller.
£88 gets you one of these.
Find out more at the Amazon website
20. Stylophone Pocket Synthesizer
I’ll end with the ultimate retro gadget: the accessible electronic instrument that has been available for half a century and is heard on one of the greatest songs of all time.
That song was David Bowie’s Space Oddity. A Bowie version of the Stylophone is available and pictured here. If you don’t want that one, you can also get a standard one.
Both do much the same, offering three modes for classic analogue synth and bass sounds courtesy of the pen and the mini keyboard. They’re battery-powered, and the Bowie version also has a matching case (sold separately).
At under £30, it’s the perfect gift.
