PRODUCT OF THE YEAR
SONOS ERA 300
So, Sonos took its time. It hadn’t released anything new, updates excluded, since 2017. But what a release the Era 300 is. Yes, it’s unusually shaped, pinched and rounded and steadfastly horizontal, almost teasing you with its non-verticality. Yes, hard-wiring it is a mild pain, given that it sports only a single USB Type-C input that demands a special adapter if you want to wire up your turntable. But this is Sonos beginning a new chapter of its story.
It’s another step up in audio fidelity, somehow. The Era 300 sits just below the larger flagship Sonos 5 in terms of price, but we’d say it bests it in the sound department, and the Sonos 5 is no musical slouch in its own right. That’s partly down to the Era 300’s speaker array, which dashes six individual drivers around its front, sides and top for an immersive sound that supports Dolby Atmos and lossless audio. But it also doesn’t hurt that you can tune it impeccably to fit your space. Setup is easier. The app is better. Your streaming source options are wider than ever. A pair plays nicely with the Arc or second-generation Beam. And boy, the Era 300 can get extremely loud, handling massive bass and raised volume without missing a beat. This is, simply, excellent – Sonos is back on top, and we can’t wait to see what its rivals do to catch up.
£449, sonos.com
TECH INNOVATION AWARD
PLAYSTATION VR2
There’s no doubt that the Sony PlayStation 5 is a brilliant console – and with the addition of the PlayStation VR2 it becomes even more brilliant. The second generation of Sony’s virtual reality headset is a huge upgrade over the original, with a 2,000 x 2,040 pixels-per-eye resolution, OLED panels with refresh rates up to 120Hz, and of course the extra oomph that the PS5 provides. There are plenty of games to tackle, but what impresses the most about the PSVR2 is the experience: it’s immersive and rich in a way that you really have to try in order to appreciate it. There is the issue of the very high price of course, but this feels like the future of gaming.
£529.99, playstation.com
BRAND OF THE YEAR
NOTHING
OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei took a giant leap when he left his company to start Nothing, but there’s something to be said for doing things differently. Partnering with established and super-hip brand Teenage Engineering on product and audio design, Nothing has released unique, desirable gear at the kind of price point that made OnePlus a success in the first place. The Phone (1) is a highlight, its back-of-the-case Glyph lighting introducing something genuinely new in a sea of identical handsets, while the Ear and Ear Stick buds offer pleasant tuning, functionality and style. Crucially, we can’t wait to see what Nothing comes up with next – what other brand has that kind of excitement behind it?
UK RETAILER OF THE YEAR
CURRYS
Currys has spent the last year innovating. It has overhauled its customer experience both online and off, with new advice programs, an expanded range of kit, and slicker integration between its online and bricks-and-mortar efforts, but
