9 thoughtful gift ideas for home theater fans looking to upgrade their entertainment setup

QLED on a budget

Amazon's Fire TV lineup punches above its weight, so if you can stretch your budget to a new TV, the 43-inch Omni QLED is a great option. It has support for Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, HLG and HDR10+ Adaptive, so it looks pretty good. There is adaptive brightness, so that it also automatically adjusts to the lighting in your room. Easy to use, Fire TV makes the whole experience easier for the whole family to explore this Christmas.

Easy streaming

Most of us have a smart TV, but a dedicated device generally works better. The Roku Express 4K Plus is cheap yet very useful. It offers support for just about every streaming app you can think of, and also offers 4K and HDR visuals. The voice remote is the highlight here, meaning you can speak a command instead of tapping the remote the old-fashioned way.

The Apple owner's choice

The Apple TV 4K just works and works well, just like all other Apple technology. It has support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos and works seamlessly with your other Apple devices. You can use it to stream your favorite shows, view photos from your phone, transfer other content, and get all the benefits of Apple Arcade and Apple Fitness Plus.

Ideal for physical media

One of the best 4K Blu-ray players, the Sony UBP-X700 is perfect for physical media enthusiasts. The quality is generally still considered to be better than streaming or digital copies, but using 4K discs will give you the best image contrast and clarity, along with superior picture quality. The Sony UBP-X700 also offers streaming support with built-in Wi-Fi.

Really cinematic

The Samsung Freestyle Projector is intended for people who do not have a TV of any size. It works best in dimly lit rooms, allowing you to project in Full HD up to 300 cm high. It's easy to use and does all the hard work for you, like autofocus and choosing the best screen size. It also works outside the home with support for voice assistants, streaming apps and music playback.

Exceptional surround sound

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 delivers vibrant bass and crystal-clear dialogue with everything you watch. It has a wide soundstage that feels cinematic in nature, with Dolby Atmos adding to the surround sound effect. Besides being perfect for movies, you can also stream music, podcasts and more, so it fits well in your living space. Easy installation sweetens the deal.

Best for solo viewing

If the person you're buying for often watches movies late at night when everyone else has gone to bed, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 will ensure that he or she can enjoy their time without missing out on great sound quality. Dolby Atmos support and spatial audio all make for an immersive experience, while there's fantastic ANC to cancel out the surrounding world as you watch.

The best movie of 2023

Considered the best film of 2023 by many reputable sources, Oppenheimer tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, responsible for the Manhattan Project that led to the first atomic bomb. It's a gripping story and it looks fantastic too, with spectacular visual effects and HDR10 support for more vibrant and lifelike colours. It's a long but gripping film, whether you're a history buff or just love compelling movies.

Spectacular set pieces

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning part one shows just how impressive stunts can be as Tom Cruise throws himself onto buildings and performs some exceptional stunts that will have you wondering how he ever managed to do them himself. Support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos brings the experience into your home and it's the kind of movie the whole family can enjoy.