Gifts for your brother

A closer look: First to 200 points wins, but each extra card risks flipping a number already in front of you, which busts you out of the round. The deck holds twelve 12s but far fewer low cards, so big numbers score well yet bust players more often. Freeze, Flip Three and Second Chance cards add twists, and the box says ages 8 and up.

Why we picked it: A fast push-your-luck game that gets louder with every round. Teenagers and adults get equally hooked.

• 3+ players
• Quick rounds
• Easy rules
• Pocket size

What owners say: Brilliant fun for all ages, easy to learn and perfect for trips and holidays.

A closer look: Up to 24 hours of play from its 5,200mAh battery means days of bedroom listening between charges. Two drivers give a proper stereo spread, which suits a desk or bedside shelf. After a session in the shower or a soaking at the park, dry it off and let the charging port dry out before plugging it in.

Why we picked it: Waterproof, so it’s as happy in the shower as it is at the park, with big bass for its size.

• 12W with BassUp
• Waterproof (IPX7)
• Bluetooth

What owners say: Excellent sound and more than loud enough for its size, with a solid Bluetooth range.

A closer look: Two to five can play, and the first to lay down three complete property sets in different colours wins, so it works for a couple on the sofa as well as a table of colleagues. Reference cards remind everyone what they can do on their turn, which stops first-timers slowing the game down. The box says 8 and up.

Why we picked it: All the scheming, stealing and gloating of Monopoly, in about 15 minutes. Office lunch breaks will never be the same.

• Swap, steal and scheme
• 15-minute games
• Easy to learn
• Pocket size

What owners say: A great take on Monopoly: quick, easy to pick up and hours of fun.

A closer look: It’s small enough for a kit bag or hand luggage, so it tends to get used after every run or gym session rather than living in a cupboard. It switches itself off after 10 minutes, and a USB-C charger you already own does the charging (there’s no plug in the box). Very bony or sensitive spots are better left to the softer heads.

Why we picked it: Phone-sized at 0.43kg and quiet, with five heads, five speeds and a case to carry it in.

• Phone-sized, 0.43kg
• 5 speeds, 5 heads
• USB-C charging
• Under 40dB
• Travel case

What owners say: Owners are surprised by how much power there is in something so small. It’s easy to hold, the battery lasts, and it’s a favourite after a run.

A closer look: A magnetic tip holds tiny screws as they come out, but drop each one into a saucer as you go, because a glasses screw can vanish into carpet in seconds. The swivel cap on top of the handle lets you steady the driver with one finger while you turn, and the suction cup, SIM pin and dust brush earn their place on phone fixes.

Why we picked it: Thirty precision bits plus spudgers and tweezers: it opens phones, glasses, laptops and kids’ toys.

• 30 precision bits
• Torx, Phillips, pentalobe, tri-wing
• Spudgers and tweezers
• Compact case

What owners say: Everything you need for small fiddly jobs, with solid build quality for the price.

A closer look: One USB-C port works in both directions, so the cable that charges the phone also refills the power bank, and a USB-A socket covers older leads. A small digital display shows how much charge is left at a glance. Plugging it in every Sunday night is a good habit, so it’s full whenever the school bag needs it.

Why we picked it: Slim enough for a blazer pocket, fast-charging, and backed by a three-year warranty. The end of the “my phone died” excuse.

• 10,000mAh
• 22.5W fast charging
• USB-C
• Slim and pocketable
• 3-year warranty

What owners say: Charges fast, fits in a jacket pocket and can fill a phone about twice.

A closer look: The sizing covers women’s UK 5 to 11 and men’s UK 4 to 10, a safe bet when you don’t know someone’s shoe size. The reading socks hide a message on the sole, which only shows when feet go up on the sofa. They’re machine washable, and turning them inside out first helps keep the pattern crisp.

Why we picked it: Lots of designs, from book lovers to dog people, in a gift box. Pick the one that fits the person.

• Gift boxed
• Soft cotton blend
• Lots of designs
• One size fits most

What owners say: Cute, comfortable and soft, and they always get a laugh.

A closer look: Tilt the lamp down so the beam lands on your hands rather than straight ahead, and long-press the button to dim it when full power is more than the job needs. Red mode keeps night vision intact and won’t dazzle anyone you’re talking to. After a sweaty walk, the headband comes off the lamp and can go in the wash.

Why we picked it: Wave a hand to switch it on: handy when both hands are full in the loft or under the sink. Two in the pack, one for the house and one for the car.

• Spot and flood beams
• Wave-to-switch sensor
• Red light mode
• USB-C charging
• Showerproof (IPX5)

What owners say: Owners rave about how bright they are for the price, and the wave-on sensor is a hit when your hands are full.

Heads up: On full brightness expect a few hours per charge, not the 30 on the box. Blukar has also launched a 2026 Gen 2, but it costs more and has far fewer reviews so far.

A closer look: Keep the engine running while it works so the car battery isn’t drained, and find the right pressures in the handbook or on the sticker inside the driver’s door. The 3m cable reaches all four wheels on most cars, and the spare nozzles handle bikes and footballs.

• Digital display
• Stops at the set pressure
• 3m power cable
• LED light
• 0–36 PSI in under 5 minutes

What owners say: A brilliant bit of kit that inflates tyres quickly and easily, and is small enough to keep in the boot.

A closer look: With noise cancelling on, expect up to 8 hours per charge and 40 in total with the case, and a 10-minute top-up before leaving the house buys up to 3 hours. Six microphones help calls cut through wind and traffic, and a two-way translation feature covering 100 languages could earn its keep on a school trip abroad.

Why we picked it: Proper adaptive noise cancelling and hi-res sound for far less than AirPods, from Anker’s audio brand. Great for the bus, the gym and revision.

• Adaptive noise cancelling
• Hi-res sound (LDAC)
• Secure fit
• Long battery life

What owners say: Phenomenal sound for the money, with a secure fit that stays put at the gym.