Gear Patrol: The gadgets we’ve been loving lately (February 2026)

The best tech gifts aren’t always the flashiest. They’re the products that quietly become part of someone’s daily routine, whether that’s keeping the house spotless, making cooking easier or inspiring a new creative hobby. Here are our favourite gift ideas for February 2026.

Narwal Freo Z Ultra Robotic Vacuum & Mop

Robot vacuum cleaners may still be some of the more popular items come gift-giving time, but the real winner that’s emerged is the not-so-humble, kind-of-cute Narwal Freo Z Ultra. This isn’t just another autonomous floor cleaner – it’s a comprehensive floor care system that intelligently maps your home, detects different floor surfaces, and automatically switches between vacuuming and mopping modes with impressive precision. Its powerful 12000Pa suction handles everything from fine dust to larger debris with ease.

Where the Freo Z Ultra truly distinguishes itself is its revolutionary mopping system that actually scrubs floors rather than just dragging a damp cloth around. IT’s a big reason why many users are now calling this the single best robot vacuum cleaner to date. We tested it, and those claims certainly ring true. Given the technology is constantly being refined, this relatively new, under-the-radar brand seemed to have been watching from the sidelines, studying its competitors, and has now come onto the field to knock it out of the park.

After completing its cleaning route, it returns to its sleek base station where the mop pads are washed with 75°C hot water, then dried with warm air – ensuring it’s always ready for the next cleaning cycle. The accompanying app provides detailed cleaning reports and customisation options, but the voice control compatibility means you can dispatch it with simple commands while focusing on more important things.

$2,299
Narwal

Roborock EDGE C Vacuum

Roborock’s EDGE C model represents a genuine leap forward in this increasingly competitive category with its revolutionary FlexiArm Design that actually reaches into corners and edges that have frustrated users over previous generations.

This intelligent cleaning system combines 10,000Pa of suction power with advanced 3D mapping capabilities that create extraordinarily precise digital representations of your home, allowing for customised cleaning strategies that adapt to different flooring types and obstacle patterns. The upgraded six-brush system tackles everything from fine dust to larger debris while the advanced mopping attachment delivers consistent pressure for genuine scrubbing rather than simple moisture distribution.

What truly distinguishes the EDGE C beyond its impressive technical specifications is its exceptional value proposition – currently available at $600 off retail price, making this premium cleaning solution surprisingly accessible.

$1,599
JB Hi-Fi

Nikon Zfc

Photography enthusiasts will tell you that the best camera is the one you actually want to carry, and Nikon’s Zfc mirrorless marvel perfectly embodies this philosophy. This stunning retro-styled shooter takes its design cues from Nikon’s iconic FM film cameras, pairing vintage aesthetics with thoroughly modern imaging capabilities.

The textured leather exterior comes in a range of vibrant colours, while the mechanical dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation deliver a tactile shooting experience that digital-only controls simply can’t match. Inside that head-turning body sits a 20.9MP DX-format sensor capable of capturing detailed images and 4K video, paired with Nikon’s fast 209-point hybrid autofocus system that can track human and animal eyes with remarkable precision.

$1,699
Ted’s Cameras

Belkin Stage PowerGrip

Most of us already carry a capable camera in our pocket. The trick is making it feel like one. Belkin’s Stage PowerGrip does exactly that, transforming an iPhone into something that feels much closer to a compact camera while solving another familiar problem: battery anxiety.

The magnetic grip snaps onto MagSafe-compatible iPhones and pairs via Bluetooth, giving you a dedicated shutter button for more comfortable one-handed shooting. Built into the ergonomic handle is a 9,300mAh power bank with wireless charging, a retractable USB-C cable, and enough capacity to keep your phone going through a full day of sightseeing, family events or weekend adventures. It even doubles as a phone stand and includes a tripod mount for hands-free shooting.

$99.95
Belkin

Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Smart XL Pro Air Fry Oven

Kitchen space is precious real estate, which is why Ninja’s Foodi 10-in-1 Smart XL Pro Air Fry Oven has become the jack-of-all-trades appliance that actually masters everything it attempts. This sleek countertop powerhouse combines a convection oven, air fryer, and dehydrator in one surprisingly compact package that flips up against your backsplash when not in use. With enough capacity to roast a 5kg chicken or cook two 12-inch pizzas simultaneously, it handles everything from weeknight dinners to entertaining with aplomb.

The true genius lies in its Smart Cook System, which eliminates guesswork with a built-in thermometer that precisely monitors food temperatures and automatically adjusts cooking times. The digital display walks users through each recipe step-by-step, making it accessible even for kitchen novices.

$599
Ninja Kitchen Australia

Chris Singh

Chris Singh is an Editor-At-Large at the AU review, loves writing about travel and hospitality, and is partial to a perfectly textured octopus. You can reach him on Instagram: @chrisdsingh.