Diwali 2025 gift guide: The best tech treats for every budget

Budget: Nintendo Switch OLED
I am not a big fan of Nintendo’s closed ecosystem and its anti-consumer policies. They do know how to make amazing consoles, and I know the Switch 2 is the latest console, but for me, the OLED at this price makes complete sense. Thanks to the new console release, these have fallen in price significantly, and a large number of second-hand Switch games are now available. While the library for Switch 2 is mainly its backward compatibility with a few exclusive titles out as of now. I should also remind you that this Switch just happens to have the best screen as well. If your pockets feel a bit lighter, then you can also look at the Switch Lite, which is around Rs 10,000 cheaper than this one. 
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Price : Rs 28,990

Pro: Xbox ROG Ally X
Microsoft has finally put their Xbox name on an external device not manufactured by them, and it’s a big deal. With a completely revamped Windows Handheld mode optimised for performance and a redesigned chassis featuring a few minor upgrades, the Xbox ROG Ally X is the device to have this Diwali, if you can manage to snag one from the limited quantities reaching our shores. It might already be too late. In any case, if you do manage to get one, you are in for a treat as it has the best specs in handheld PC’s and battery life. 
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Price : Rs 1,14,990

Sasta: R36 S Clone
I personally own one of these devices, and it is fantastic for retro gaming. For this low-low price, you get a Linux-running beast that can easily be upgraded with a 512GB MicroSD and filled to the brim with games. In the package, you already get more than 20,000 games, most of them of questionable origin, copyright-wise. However, if you do own the original games, having them on this device is completely legal. It can play most games up to PSP; however, with PSP and even some heavier PS1 titles, it may struggle to play. You can upgrade the OS, and there is a whole community of tweakers and enthusiasts online to help you along the way. However, it must be noted that this is a Clone and not the actual R36S.
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Price : Rs 3,499 approx.

3D printer

Budget: Elegoo Centauri Carbon
This one is a beast for the price it sells at; there is no reason why this printer is so good. It is equivalent to Bambulabs P1P in my opinion. Full review soon. For now, all you need to know is that this sets itself up just like the Bambulabs and prints flawlessly 99 per cent of the time. The Centauri Carbon is designed to print carbon fibre, and materials with carbon fibre in it are notoriously hard to work with. Ready to go above bare minimum?
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Price : Rs 39,000

Pro: Bambulabs H2D 
Other printers like the  Centauri Carbon from Elegoo have caught up to Bambulabs. However, the company has recently launched a new lineup of 3D printers, and the greatest one in their lineup is H2D. This printer has a larger print volume than the previous offerings, and yes, it’s bigger than the Centauri. There is an option to include a laser too. The price in India is a little steeper than it should be, but with multiple retailers, you might be able to find a deal and is almost always on backorder. 
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Price: Rs 4,19,999

Sasta: Bambu Lab A1 Mini
The A1 Mini is our budget-friendly recommendation, but some printers are even cheaper, such as the Creality Ender 3. However, Bambu Labs has managed to make the experience of this 3D printer very intuitive. It’s a superb 3D printer for anyone thinking of getting into the hobby. This one doesn’t have all the bells and whistles like the AMS, but it’s excellent for PLA, a popular corn-based plastic. If you are willing to tinker around, the Creality Ender 3 is almost R3,000 lower than the A1 Mini. 
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Price : Rs 16,599

Toys

Sasta: Toyrama Walky Talky Set
A walkie-talkie set is always fun, especially if it’s as detailed as this one. For this price, having options like channel selections, voice activation, and the ability to communicate with a large group, provided you buy multiples, is a great deal. This is as close as it gets to the real thing without incurring significant expenses.  These are just as much fun for adults as they are for kids. 
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Price : Rs 1849

Budget: RCSHOBBY P51 Mustang RC Plane
Drones might be new, but if you really want to have fun, nothing can beat an RC plane. Of course, you will need to find an open area to fly it in, but there aren’t many restrictions on an RC plane, unlike those on a drone. This one is on the more expensive side, but it has a nice classic plane look and can perform many stunts, just like its real counterpart. This one also has some chip magic inside that makes it easier to stabilise the plane. Unlike drones, flying an RC plane takes more skill but is very rewarding. 
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Price : Rs 24,741

Pro: LEGO Technic McLaren P1
For a technology and car enthusiast, this is the ultimate block set, where you not only get to build one of the most legendary vehicles in the world, but also construct a V8 piston engine with a 7-speed gearbox. The car is a 111:8 scaled model of the original, and each kit has a unique serial number. The kit has 3,893 blocks, and you can guarantee that you won’t spend any time with the extended family during Diwali. It’s a bit rich, but something this exclusive is worth it. 
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Price : Rs 43,999

Projector 

Budget: Lazervision LV-1040 Sun+ 
Native 4K on a cheap projector is hard to find, but the Lazervision LV-1040 Sun+ actually delivers on the 4K projector experience. Mind you, it’s in the same quality as the Happrun, which means it does what it says, but with some caveats and some adjustments. However, if you are looking for 4K resolution on a tight budget, the LV-1040 is a great choice. The sound is not the best, but it’s loud, and the colour reproduction is also not bad. 
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Price : Rs 44,091

Pro: Formovie Theatre 4k
I really love short-throw lasers, which can project a giant screen, possibly 100 inches or more, while being just a few inches away from the projection wall. It uses three different coloured lasers to render the video very different from the 'cheaper projectors listed here. This device is essentially the gold standard of how laser projectors are intended to function.  For this price, though, you’d better be a serious enthusiast, 
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Price : Rs 3,39,289

Sasta: HAPPRUN H1
If you don’t mind doing a little bit of legwork to get your projector up and running perfectly. The Happrun H1 is a great deal for a native 1080p projector. It lacks keystoning ability, which means you will need to place your projector as low as possible to get the best, clearest picture and you cannot adjust every corner to fit the wall. Other than that, the contrast, saturation and brightness need to be adjusted. After adjusting and finding the best spot for this projector, it doesn’t disappoint. It’s very bright and very loud, both in terms of audio and fan noise. I have had this projector for over a year, and it runs without any issues. It features Bluetooth and USB connectivity options, which work seamlessly with a Fire TV Stick. 
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Price : Rs 10,999

Karaoke machine

Budget: JYX Portable Karaoke
This Chinese brand seems to be everywhere with its Karaoke machine. There are several models, but I would suggest looking at the reviews before choosing one. This particular model works well, the output is good, better and louder than our sasta option. You can also record your sessions, and it features 10 built-in sound effects, as well as the option to remove vocals from almost any song. The vocals cutting is not very effective, but it will work in a pinch when the song isn’t available on YouTube.
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Price : Rs 10,623

Sasta: Humble Karaoke
Indians love to sing, and what better occasion than Diwali to sing a few songs on your brand-new Karaoke machine. This one is a very generic Bluetooth speaker that comes with two wireless microphones, each featuring four voice effects, which are essentially changes in pitch. The karaoke set naturally seems to produce reverb through the mics, and it sounds surprisingly good. This is a great, low-priced gift that is a lot of fun for everyone, regardless of age or musical taste. 
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Price : Rs 629

Pro: Sony ULT Tower9
If you are a party enthusiast who enjoys heavy bass and also needs karaoke, look no further than the Sony ULT Tower 9. This thing is a beast, comes with two mics, and it will make sure your neighbours know that you can’t really sing all that well. This speaker features a battery that provides 25 hours of backup, accompanied by a quick charge option for extending the party beyond that. It also features light projections for an extra touch of glitz and glamour. It features a 20-inch speaker, but don’t worry about the RMS output, as those specs are only available in select listings. It’s an impressive 153W if you are interested. 
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Price : Rs 84,990

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