There’s still a few days left before Christmas day, and we’ve rounded up some of our favorite picks in 10 different consumer electronics categories in our buying guide, plus some runners-up. All are below Php10,000 (USD200), so if you have enough budget and even more love for your jowa, then check out our choices below! Most of the items here can be found on Lazada.
(Take note that these are just our picks, and not necessarily the best in the market. We’ll explain more in the sections below)
Mice (Wireless)
Our choice: Logitech G Pro X Superlight – Php7,000-Php8,500 (in various stores)
Becoming lighter than ever before has been the trend for mice this 2020, and the Logitech G Pro X Superlight is undoubtedly the king of them all. Sporting an unbelievable engineering feat, it still amazes us how Logitech was able to pack the stuff inside this mouse all while weighing just 63 freakin’ grams. In addition, the G Pro X Superlight does not share the traditional (irritating) honeycomb-hole design that most other light mice offer. Pair that with a HERO 25,600 DPI sensor, full wireless connectivity (via its own usb dongle), a sexy single non-flashy LED light, and the dashing minimalist design – this mouse is a true winner.
Do take note that stocks are in extremely limited supply, so if you find one in the open market – grab it as fast as you can!
Runner-up: Razer Viper Ultimate (Wireless) – Php8,659 on Lazada
Wireless Earbuds
Our choice: Huawei Freebuds Pro – Php7,999 on Lazada
We’ve had extensive tests using the Huawei Freebuds Pro, and it is undoubtedly the best and most feature-packed earbuds in its category. Although sound quality is not for hardcore audiophiles, a ton of user-friendly features vastly compensate for it, and definitely is more than enough for the other 99% non-audiophile users. Active Noise Cancellation with 3 modes, great touch controls, Bluetooth 5.2, 30+ hours battery life, are just some that make this earbuds a fantastic choice. It’s not the cheapest earbuds in the market (you can find ones for as low as Php599), but it’s one of the most well-balanced (features/performance), most comfortable, and best-sounding earbuds available for its price.
Runner-up: Realme Buds Air Pro (White) – Php3,990 on Lazada
Tablet (10-inch)
Our choice: Huawei Matepad T10 – Php6,999 on Lazada
Simply put, the idea of having a pretty powerful 10-inch tablet at a sub-Php8k price is fantastic, and the Huawei Matepad T10 is undoubtedly a clear winner. With a Kirin 710a processor, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB ROM (expandable), it’s perfect for users who need powerful performance withi a limited budget. We’ve tested it extensively in our full review, and our 8.7 rating on this tablet makes it one of our favorites. Although it lacks Google Play services, its hardware specifications alone and its raw performance compensates for this software limitation. Don’t expect iPad-like performance, but for basic usage and some mid-range games, the Matepad T10 is still a great value option, even until next year.
Runner-up: Lenovo Tablet M10 HD – Php 8,490 on Lazada
Gaming Headset (Wired)
Our choice: HyperX Cloud Alpha S (Blue) – Php5,990 on Lazada
Ask any gamer or streamer what their preferred headset is, and chances are HyperX will definitely be included in their top list. HyperX has been churning out fantastic headsets for the past few years, such as the Cloud Core, Cloud Stinger, Cloud II, and most recently – the Cloud Alpha S. An upgraded version of their equally-popular Cloud Alpha, it adds a 7.1 soundcard to the previous iteration and an adjustable bass slider. Sound quality is still amazing and well-balanced, with its dual-chamber design which separates the mids from the lows. Microphone is also one of the best in its class. The HyperX Cloud Alpha S is definitely the gold standard for headsets at this price range.
Runner-up: Logitech G Pro X – Php5,690 on Lazada
Gaming Headset (Wireless)
Our choice: Corsair HS70 – Php5,990 on Lazada
Although a bit dated, the Corsair HS70 is still one of the best value for money wireless gaming headsets as of this moment. We’ve tried it before, and we were blown away by the right balance between gaming use and music use. While most gaming headsets lack that bass oomph when switching to listening to music, the Corsair HS70 definitely shines in this aspect. It has precision-tuned 50mm Neodymium drivers that delivers exceptionally balanced frequency curve – meaning all sounds are crisp and clear. It also has a 7.1 virtual surround sound, and a low-latency 2.4Ghz wireless connection. The only downside is that it’s really only for PC (it doesn’t have bluetooth). But hey – if your jowa stays on the PC for long periods of time anyway, the Corsair HS70 just might be the perfect choice for him.
Runner-up: Steelseries Arctis 7P/7X (not yet available in PH)
Webcam
Our choice: Logitech C922 Pro – Php5,500 on Lazada
Designed for more serious streamers or enthusiasts, the Logitech C922 delivers class-leading performance at a hefty premium. It can capture 720p video at 60FPS or 1080p video at 30FPS, depending on your preference. It also has quick autofocus and 78-degree field of view, which definitely helps make videos better. It’s not just a webcam, it’s the gold standard now for streamers who want to level-up their streaming (only second to its more expensive brother, the Logitech Brio).
Runner up: Razer Kiyo – Php6,330 on Lazada
Microphones
Our choice: HyperX Quadcast S – Php9,999 (in various retailers)
There is probably no more hyped-up microphone than HyperX’s Quadcast lineup of microphones. Despite being riddled with stock issues, the Quadcast S is the most in-demand enthusiast microphone in the market, with end-users and even professional streamers frantically searching for it – and rightfully so. Despite the hefty price tag, the Quadcast S is a winner in all aspects. It is a condenser microphone with a built-in pop filter (to lessen those breathing or hissing sounds), has dynamic RGB lighting, a super helpful tap-to-mute function, four selectable polar patterns, a gain control dial, and it can be mountable to most modern microphone stands/arms. Definitely a champion in this category.
Runner-up: Elgato Wave 1 – Php7,195 (Datablitz, Game One)
Keyboard
Our choice: Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT – Php9599 on Lazada
There’s a ton of keyboard manufacturers in the market, and Corsair still makes some of the best of them. Partnered with the industry-standard Cherry MX keys, there’s just a certain wow premium feeling when you hold a Corsair keyboard and see its fantastic RGB lighting, which is probably the best in the industry now. The K95 Platinum is their highest-end keyboard – with aircraft-grade aluminum body, a soft-touch wrist rest, 6 dedicated macro keys (Elgato streamdeck software compatible), Dynamic RGB lighting control (via iCue software), volume rocker, and a choice of Cherry MX brown, blue or speed switches.
Runner-up: Logitech G Pro X – Php7,499 on Lazada, or Logitech G913 – Php10,912 on Lazada
Gaming Chair
Our choice: Sharkoon Skiller SGS2 – Php9,950 on Lazada
We’ve been using the Sharkoon Skiller SGS2 since the start of this year, and it’s solid choice for anyone looking for a high-quality gaming chair below Php10,000. Most of its buyers prefer it primarily because it’s made of fabric rather than synthetic leather, which tends to crack and fall apart after a few months. The fabric is durable and not a soft material, and it can get tedious to clean especially on the corners. The foam on the SGS2 is also a bit more firm compared to other gaming chairs, which is completely fine if you want a more rigid feel. The base support is heavy and the wheels are made of nylon, so it might also not be for everyone. Still, it’s a very comfortable chair, and the best fabric chair below 10K.
Runner up: Cougar Armor One – Php8,949 on Lazada
Portable Speakers
Our choice: JBL Go 3 – Php1,799 on Lazada
Yes, we know – why is everything else on this list so expensive, but we’re putting this Php1,799 speakers here? Primarily because it sounds like it’s worth much, much more. The JBL Go 3 is loaded with basically anything you would need from a tiny portable speaker – Type C charging, Bluetooth 5.1, IP67 waterproof, and an amazing 4.2W RMS. It has tiny rubber feet which absorbs vibrations as well. It can play for up to 5 hours continuously, and can charge in just less than 2.5 hours. It sounds much, much bigger than it looks, and it’s just simply the perfect portable speaker – especially if you’re in a tight budget.