The Verge’s favorite splurge-worthy gifts for 2023
Table of Contents
Lego Millennium Falcon
If I had unlimited money to buy myself a ridiculous and impractical gift, I would buy Lego’s 7,541-piece Millennium Falcon set. It’s a hyper-detailed model of one of the most famous vehicles in all of cinema. Also, it would be cool to carry the completed ship around and pretend to make it fly. — Jay Peters, news editor
Price: $849.99+
Fujifilm GFX100 II camera
Okay, I know this is an expensive camera, but it’s actually cheaper than the prior model. The GFX 100 II offers a new sensor and features like 4K video, along with updated autofocus algorithms with better subject detection. But if you’re buying it, you’re probably going to mainly use it for photography and you won’t be disappointed. You get what you pay for. — Vjeran Pavic, supervising producer
Price: $7,499+
Samsung’s The Wall All-in-One 146-inch
If I could afford to have entire walls of screens in my house, I absolutely would. Each screen brings me closer to feeling like I live on the USS Enterprise. My screens show me practical stuff like the weather and my calendar, or more cozy things like my favorite pictures and artwork. This would be the next logical step. — Calliope Wright, junior editor
Price: $219,999
Thermomix TM6
The Thermomix TM6 is the ultimate gift for chefs. At its core, it’s a blender that cooks and stirs, but it can also steam your salmon, saute your onions, chop veggies, grate parmesan, whip your cream, and even knead your dough. As if that wasn’t enough, it’s also a kettle, rice cooker, sous vide machine, and kitchen scale! — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, reviewer
Price: $1,499
Custom DualSense Wireless Controller
Not only can Battle Beaver’s custom PlayStation 5 controller be built to your specifications in the looks department, but its “smart” triggers and buttons provide snappy feedback for lightning-quick responsiveness. The optional rear buttons give you a slight advantage in competitive games, but unlike the one-size-fits-all DualSense Edge, Beaver’s crisp rear buttons are built into the controller where you choose. — Antonio G. Di Benedetto, commerce writer
Price: $219
Forme Studio smart mirror
Why go to the gym when you can bring it home? The Forme Studio smart mirror comes with two front-facing cameras, allowing you to participate in live one-on-one personal training sessions without stepping outside. You can even stream on-demand classes in 4K and take advantage of custom workouts. — Sheena Vasani, commerce writer
Price: $2,495
A Game of Thrones (Folio Society copy)
The Folio Society brings new magic to George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, which is best known as Game of Thrones. The novels include stunning artwork and skilled binding, though they come at a cost. One volume alone clocks in at $230, while the full series is a whopping $1,150. But that’s simply the cost of playing the Game of Thrones. — Kaitlin Hatton, senior audience manager
Price: $230
DreameBot L20 Ultra
If you’re looking for an almost entirely hands-free cleaning experience, the Dreame L20 robot vacuum delivers. It can empty its bin, fill its own water tank, and even remove and reattach its mopping pads. It’s also the only robovac that gets my baseboards clean! Other highlights include AI-powered obstacle avoidance, cleaning detection, a camera, speaker, and mic for two-way audio. — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, reviewer
Price: $1,149.99+
Vaonis Stellina Observation Station
Few things inspire more awe than gazing at the stars. The Stellina lets you admire the cosmos without the expertise needed to use a traditional telescope. In fact, you don’t even need to be near the telescope. Images are wirelessly sent to your phone or tablet, letting you capture images of nebulae and galaxies from your back porch. — Sheena Vasani, commerce writer
Price: $3,999
Frank Lloyd Wright Racine Signature Desk
I don’t have a chair that’s nice enough to sit behind this desk. I don’t have clothes that would make me look like I belong behind this desk. I don’t have a house that is fancy enough to justify this desk. But given the chance, I’d love to feel like I’m in the spare room of a 1960s supervillain lair. — Tristan Cooper, social media manager
Price: $11,050
Best of Antarctica In Depth (Ocean Endeavour) expedition
If you’ve got money, you could jet your loved ones off to a lovely island with crystal-clear waters. But why go somewhere everyone else has been already? Save for some scientists, Antarctica’s the only place in the world uninhabited by humans, meaning it’s filled with mysteries just waiting to be discovered. In my book, that makes it far more exciting. — Sheena Vasani, commerce writer
Price: $10,650
Akari light sculptures
Isamu Noguchi’s Akari light sculptures are timeless lamps handmade from bamboo and mulberry paper. They’re design classics that radiate a sense of calm joy and don’t feel overexposed. Some look like little televisions, while others resemble friendly aliens, the moon, or walking stone columns. This one looks like Totoro. They come in a tremendous range of floor, ceiling, and table models. I really want one. — Nathan Edwards, senior reviews editor
Price: $1,800
Analogue Pocket
There are, of course, many ways to play old Game Boy games on modern hardware. But few are as charming or authentic as the Analogue Pocket, which pairs a beautiful modern display with the classic Game Boy form factor and plays original Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges. No wonder the handheld sells out immediately whenever it’s available. — Jon Porter, senior reporter
Price: $220
Maeving RM1
I’ve always wanted a “real” motorcycle. The electric Maeving RM1 is certainly not that, but I can’t deny the handsome appeal of the British city bike. It’s built with high-quality materials and tops out at a breezy 45mph, which makes it perfect for buzzing around town or anywhere within a 40-mile range. Now, who’s got six grand to spare and knows the right importer? — Brandon Widder, senior commerce editor
Price: ~$6,056
Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus
Sennheiser’s high-end soundbar is the very definition of a luxury purchase. It offers 13 cutting-edge speaker drivers, 400W of amplification power, and some seriously advanced 3D audio processing, giving it a level of clarity that’s second to none. I have no intention of building out a proper home theater system just to watch old seasons of Justified, but maybe with the Ambeo Plus, I wouldn’t have to. — Brandon Widder, senior commerce editor
Price: $1,199.95+
HÅG Capisco chair
Of all the press samples I’ve tried over the years, the HÅG Capisco chair was the one I was most reluctant to hand back. The stylish, adjustable office chair is undeniably unique and surprisingly ergonomic given its saddle-inspired build, which also allows you to use it in several comfortable positions. Just ask The Verge‘s own Jay Peters, who uses one on the daily. — Brandon Widder, senior commerce editor
Price: $1,088
Le Creuset 157-piece Ultimate Cookware Set
A 157-piece Le Creuset kitchen set that arrives at your home on a pallet might seem like the most extra thing ever, but if you’ve got money to spare who cares? The set comes with every kitchen item you could think of, including Dutch ovens, frying pans and saucepans, mugs, dinnerware, a French press, utensils, and even cookbooks. — Sheena Vasani, commerce writer
Price: $4,499.99
Volkswagen ID Buzz (with Ququq BusBox-4)
The Volkswagen ID Buzz is a van like no other, especially when outfitted with the Ququq BusBox-4. The compact box lets you convert the retro-looking electric vehicle into a camper with a comfortable folding bed and a kitchen — one that includes a fridge, two-burner gas stove, and table. In other words, it’s basically a home with wheels, making it perfect for digital nomads. — Sheena Vasani, commerce writer
Price: $3,442+
Warner Bros. 100th Anniversary Studio Collection
For film buffs, the Warner Brothers 100th Anniversary Studio Collection is a dream gift, which includes 30 of the studio’s most iconic movies from the past century. That means you can binge on beloved classics like East of Eden and 2001: A Space Odyssey, as well as modern hits like The Matrix, The Shining, and Elvis (and all in 4K, too). — Sheena Vasani, commerce writer
Price: $329.19+
Packster2 70
If money were no object, most people would start eyeballing luxury sports cars — but not me. Give me a premium electric cargo bike with rad styling, great range, and killer power output. Give me the Packster2 70, which can also carry both my kids but still rock a slim enough profile to lane-split all the oversized SUVs stuck in traffic. — Andrew Hawkins, transportation editor
Price: $10,199