$200 to $500

Kogan Touchscreen Video Camera

The Kogan Full HD 1080p Touchscreen Video Camera is an incredibly impressive camcorder for the asking price. It represents a perfect introduction to high-definition video (especially if you're tightening your purse strings this Christmas).

Olympus Mju Tough 6010 rugged digital camera

Olympus' Mju Tough 6010 is a rugged camera that can be operated in almost any conditions. It doesn't snap particularly crisp images even in ideal conditions, but if you can live with this there is only a small loss in quality at higher ISO ranges.

Soundmatters foxL portable speaker

The Soundmatters foxL portable speaker packs quite a punch given its small size. It's a good companion for an iPod or mobile phone if you're travelling, with warm and expansive sound.

Kodak EasyShare D830 digital photo frame

The D830's main appeal lies in its extreme ease of use--and the fact that it's unselfconsciously simply being a picture frame. The swappable frame option is also a definite plus if you want to switch up your décor.

Foxtel iQ2 DVR

The iQ2's main strength is its ability to access HD channels and the wide range of content available on Foxtel. The recording functions, On Demand service and a redesigned case are nice upgrades from the previous iQ, but the real star of the show are the superb HD channels, provided you're willing to pay for them.

TomTom GO 750 GPS unit

The TomTom GO 750 adds voice control to its collection of features. Although it's far from perfect, this is yet another excellent TomTom GPS. The lack of traffic capabilities is a little disappointing at this price, but users will appreciate TomTom's interface and the overall navigation experience.

Revo Blok iPod dock

The Revo Blok is a stylish iPod dock with a great design and good speakers. If you're looking for an attractive iPod speaker for your bedroom or living room, the Revo Blok is hard to pass up.

Samsung S6700T mobile phone

The Samsung S6700T offers a reasonable number of features at an entry-level price. Anyone interested in an easy-to-use handset with access to Telstra's Next G network should be pleased.

Logitech Wireless Drum Controller

If you're a serious rocker, Logitech's Wireless Drum Controller peripheral for the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 is an investment you can justify thanks to the good build quality, adjustability and ease of storage. Casual gamers may be happy with the significantly cheaper drum kit in the Rock Band or Guitar Hero game bundle.

Sennheiser PXC 210 BT wireless headphones

Sennheiser's PXC 210 BT wireless headphones provide great sound quality even when connected via Bluetooth, though they don't offer the active noise-cancellation of more expensive models.

Changhong CHL1555B LCD television

The Changhong LT1599DV LCD television is a good choice for a child's bedroom or a cramped study. Its small size and light weight mean it is not hard to carry around, while the integrated DVD player, HDMI port and high resolution screen makes it versatile enough for a range of uses.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS62R digital camera

Novice photographers can just set the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS62R to Intelligent Auto and fire away without worrying about changing settings. It's reasonably priced, too.

Uniden TRAX 5000 GPS unit

With an extra-large display, a good user interface and some nifty mapping features, Uniden's TRAX 5000 is certainly good value for money. It has a few niggles that detract from the overall experience, though, but if you can get past these you're left with a competent GPS unit.

Pure EVOKE-2S digital radio

The Pure EVOKE-2S comes with a hefty price tag but it delivers great sound quality.

RIM BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone

The lack of 3G and GPS and a poor display are downsides, but the excellent optical trackpad and user interface make the BlackBerry Curve 8520 a decent smartphone. This entry-level BlackBerry isn't for everyone, but budget users who are willing to sacrifice some features for a lower price should consider the Curve 8520.

Compro T1000W media streamer

The Compro T1000W is a media streamer that can handle any format you're likely to throw at it. It doesn't have an internal hard drive as standard (although you can add one) but with three USB ports and in-built wireless networking means it can play all your saved content.

Garmin nuvi 1260 GPS unit

The inclusion of a Bluetooth hands-free speakerphone makes the Garmin nuvi 1260 GPS unit good value for money. If the smaller display and the limitations it brings doesn't concern you, then this GPS unit offers an excellent navigational experience for a fairly low price.

Pure EVOKE Flow digital radio

The Pure EVOKE Flow is a digital radio that adds extra multimedia features and integrated Wi-Fi networking to a well-designed piece of hardware. It’s expensive, but you get a stylish device for your dollar.

OXX Classic DAB+ digital radio

OXX's Classic DAB+ digital radio is one of the most well-rounded digital radios we've tested. It can receive digital and FM radio frequencies, play podcasts, stream music from your PC and work with an external audio input. The addition of great design and a good screen means we wholeheartedly recommend it.

Apple iPod nano (5th generation)

Though retailing at the same price point as the previous generation, the fifth-generation iPod Nano offers a swag of new features, including video recording and an FM radio.

Milennius Memmoir Full HD camcorder

There's plenty to like about the Millennius Memmoir HD camcorder. Although it stumbles in some areas, the $429 price tag more than makes up for any shortcomings. If you're shopping on a budget and require HD video, this is probably the best option on the market.

Garmin nuvi 1390T GPS unit

Simple but effective maps, clear voice instructions, fantastic lane guidance and a speedy GPS receiver make for an excellent navigational experience on the whole. The Garmin nuvi 1390T may not be as flashy as some competitors, but it more than makes up for the lack of bling.

TomTom XL 340 GPS unit

TomTom's XL 340 is a little pricey when compared to competing GPS units with similar features, but what you get is a great user experience. An excellent interface, lane guidance, IQ Routes technology and a slim design make this another great TomTom GPS.

Navigon 4340max GPS unit

Navigon’s user interface and map display aren't as appealing as those on some competing GPS units, but the 4350max remains good value at this price. Features like MyRoutes technology, lane assistance, Reality View Pro and Bluetooth hands-free give you excellent bang for your buck.

Panasonic SC-HC3 micro hi-fi system

Panasonic’s SC-HC3 micro hi-fi is a great product. It’s attractive and has an integrated iPod dock. It has especially good sound quality considering its slim design.

Pure Digital Flip UltraHD pocket camcorder

The Flip UltraHD is a better performer than the MinoHD and we prefer it, thanks to its doubled storage capacity, sharper-coloured footage, better zoom, user-replaceable battery and HDMI-out port.

Samsung BD-P1600 Blu-ray player

Samsung’s BD-P1600 does everything you could want a Blu-ray player to do. Great picture quality, plenty of audio decoding support and a speedy interface combine to make it an easy choice. Our only concerns (the build quality and the design) are minor.

Flip Mino HD camcorder

The Flip does have its limits. Bear those limitations in mind though and the Flip Mino HD is a dream, and a great fit for someone who wants the portable ability to shoot great-quality video without lugging around a full-sized camera.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FS7 digital camera

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FS7 has every feature that a novice user might require and its features work as advertised. It's worth considering this digital camera if you don't want to spend more money on a model with a bigger zoom lens or a higher megapixel count.

Creative Gigaworks T3 PC speakers

Compared to a conventional two-box stereo speaker system, a 2.1 sub/sat setup means you can reap the benefits of smaller-looking speakers – although there will still be a nest of wiring to contend with. The Creative GigaWorks T3 is a well-designed example of what you can do with the principle, and undoubtedly one of the finest sounding compact PC systems available today. Available now for less than $400, it fully deserves a hearty recommendation.

DVICO TViX R-3300 set-top box

The DVICO TViX R-3300 performs well in terms of support for different file formats, network playback speeds and image quality. The difficult-to-navigate EPG may prove troublesome for those who primarily want to watch television, and limited network access could prove irritating, but overall the DVICO TViX R-3300 is a versatile personal video recorder and set-top box.

TomTom ONE 140 IQ Routes Edition GPS unit

TomTom has added its IQ Routes technology and advanced lane guidance to the entry-level ONE 140 GPS unit. The changes from the previous model are minimal, but with each iteration this excellent GPS series continues to improve.

Canon IXUS 100 IS digital compact camera

The Canon IXUS 100 IS digital camera is a worthy addition to the IXUS line that impresses on most fronts. Its few flaws are made up for by an arresting form factor and solid image quality. Highly recommended.

Grundig GDR700DAB digital radio

The Grundig GDR700DAB's retro design and decent integrated speakers make for a lovely DAB+ digital radio that evokes memories of old transistor radios. It may not be perfectly built and the internal components leave a little to be desired, but we like the mix of style, portability and sound quality that the Grundig GDR700DAB offers.

Uniden TRAX 430 GPS unit

Uniden's TRAX 430 in-car GPS navigation unit provides good value for money. It offers the latest Australian maps, camera alerts, text-to-speech navigation and 3D landmarks, but Bluetooth and traffic capabilities are notable omissions.

Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player

On all counts, the Panasonic DMP-BD60 is a well-made Blu-ray player, and it ranks among the best Blu-ray players you can buy today. Highly recommended.

Sangean DPR-99 DAB+ Radio

The Sangean DPR-99 DAB+ Radio is a good looking, portable digital radio that can pick up FM radio, DAB and DAB+ signals. Although it's a little pricey for a digital radio that lacks extra features, it's well worth considering.

Olympus Mju Tough 6000

There’s not much that we don’t like about the Olympus Mju Tough 6000. In fact, we think it’s a lovely ruggedised camera that anyone with an adventurous bone in their body should put on their shopping list.

Cowon S9

If you’re looking for a portable media player with exceptionally good audio and video quality, and the added bonus of native XviD support, the Cowon S9 is the one for you. It doesn’t have the design flair or great interface of the Apple iPod touch, but overall it is an impressive product.

Altec Lansing iM600

Altec Lansing's iM600 packs quite a punch for its size, producing very reasonable sound quality.

Oregon Scientific ATC3K Action Camera

While not without its flaws, the Oregon Scientific ATC3K Action Camera is an excellent product for the asking price. If you're an outdoors enthusiast keen to chronicle your exploits, look no further. It's the best valued sports camcorder on the market.

Uniden TRAX 436 GPS unit

Uniden's top-of-the-line GPS device, the TRAX 436, offers great functionality at a reasonable price. Though some of this functionality can be improved, it is a good buy if you want a good GPS car navigation device without paying through a premium.

Parrot MKi9200

The MKi9200 is an exceptional car kit, especially for iPhone owners. Excellent audio quality, voice recognition technology and the ability to connect to a wide range of music sources make this an all-round winner.

Kogan Technologies EziNav GPS

Kogan's EziNav GPS device is a great option for those who need GPS navigation but don't want to pay an inflated price.

Garmin nuvi 265W GPS unit

Garmin's nuvi 265W isn't outstanding and does have a couple of faults, but its ease of use and simple operation will appeal to many users.

Kogan Technologies Full HD 1080p Video Camera

Kogan has made a career out of undercutting big-name vendors with cheap hardware, but the Full HD 1080p Video Camera really takes the biscuit. Despite a cavalcade of flaws, it remains insanely good value for money. A full HD camcorder for under $400? Yes please!

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