Best Of Home Tech And Outdoor Gadgets: XGIMI Projectors, Smart Bird Feeders, And Pet Care | Vol. 12
Five editorially chosen picks: one hero, three supporting acts, and one wildcard. This drop is designed to be browsed as a full collection, not just a pile of affiliate links.
Hero Pick
MoGo 3 Pro - XGIMI
A compact, portable 1080p projector featuring an integrated gimbal stand, 360-degree sound, and native Google TV.
At a glance
Everything in this drop
MoGo 3 Pro - XGIMI
A compact, portable 1080p projector featuring an integrated gimbal stand, 360-degree sound, and native Google TV.
PRO Solar Smart Bird Feeder - Bird Buddy
A smart bird feeder equipped with a high-definition AI camera and integrated solar roof to capture and identify feathered visitors.
Smart Mini Electric Engraving Pen By ARROWMAX
A cordless, rechargeable engraving tool designed for precision work on metal, glass, and plastic with multiple speed settings.
Portable Electric Lunch Box - Crockpot
A personal-sized food warmer with a 20-ounce capacity and a spill-proof lid for heating meals on the go.
AIRSALON MAX - PETKIT
An automated cabin pet dryer with 360-degree airflow, smart temperature control, and a 60L capacity.
Deep dive
Why each pick earned its place
MoGo 3 Pro - XGIMI
A compact, portable 1080p projector featuring an integrated gimbal stand, 360-degree sound, and native Google TV.
Price
£499.00
Editorial rating
4.5 / 5
The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro is our Hero today because it finally solves the "where on earth do I put the tripod" dilemma that plagues every impromptu movie night. It's for those of us who want to turn a blank wall-or a ceiling, if you're feeling particularly lazy-into a cinema without it looking like a building site.
I've spent the evening projecting onto my bedroom ceiling, which is peak "I've given up on adulthood" luxury, and the integrated gimbal stand makes it ridiculously easy to aim. It's the Hero because it's a projector that actually understands we don't all live in a perfectly calibrated home theatre; sometimes we just want to watch Succession in bed.
With Google TV baked in, you don't even need to faff about with dongles or cables, making it the most streamlined way to ignore your responsibilities in high definition.
The Irresistible
- The built-in gimbal stand is a masterclass in utility, allowing for a 130-degree tilt so you can project onto the ceiling without propping the device up on a pile of books.
- Native Google TV and Netflix support mean you actually get a decent interface that doesn't feel like it was designed in 2004.
The Clever Part
- The auto-keystone and focus are incredibly snappy, fixing the "wonky screen" syndrome in seconds every time you accidentally kick the projector.
- It can be powered by a 65W power bank via USB-C, which is a total game-changer for backyard screenings or camping trips where you still demand creature comforts.
The Fine Print
- While 1080p is sharp enough for a 100-inch screen in a dark room, it's not going to win any awards for brightness if you've got the "big light" on.
- The 360-degree sound is surprisingly clear for its size, but if you're expecting a cinematic thumping bass, you'll still want to tether it to a proper speaker.
The Reality Check
- The "gimbal" is so smooth that if you have a curious cat or a particularly heavy-handed toddler, your movie will be vibrating across the walls like a hyperactive moth.
PRO Solar Smart Bird Feeder - Bird Buddy
A smart bird feeder equipped with a high-definition AI camera and integrated solar roof to capture and identify feathered visitors.
Price
£181.35
Editorial rating
4.0 / 5
We've all reached that stage of life where a particularly colourful sparrow is the highlight of our Tuesday, and the Bird Buddy PRO is here to enable that obsession. It's the Supporting act that turns your garden into a high-stakes wildlife documentary, complete with close-up "selfies" of birds that look like they're about to drop the hottest album of 2026.
The AI identification is the real star, pinging your phone to let you know a Blue Tit has arrived, saving you from having to squint through a pair of dusty binoculars. It's for the person who wants to be a naturalist from the comfort of their sofa, preferably with a cuppa in hand.
The solar roof means you can stop being the person who has to climb a ladder every three days to charge a bird feeder, which is a win for both your safety and your dignity.
The Irresistible
- The solar-powered roof is genuinely effective, keeping the camera topped up through the gloomiest of British afternoons so you never miss a rare visitor.
- The "Postcards" feature is surprisingly addictive, sending high-res photos directly to your phone that make even a common pigeon look like a majestic beast.
The Clever Part
- The AI species identification is impressively accurate, though it does sometimes get confused if a bird decides to moon the camera or fly past at Mach 1.
- The build is robust and weather-sealed, meaning it won't just turn into a soggy mess of plastic and seeds after the first autumn storm.
The Fine Print
- Squirrels will treat this thing like a cryptic puzzle box, and while it's "squirrel-resistant," a determined grey nut-thief will still find a way to ruin the aesthetic.
- The notification spam can be real; if you live in a high-traffic bird area, your phone will buzz more than a teenager's on prom night.
The Reality Check
- You will eventually find yourself showing photos of a Great Spotted Woodpecker to total strangers in the pub, at which point you must accept you have become a full-time "Bird Person."
Smart Mini Electric Engraving Pen By ARROWMAX
A cordless, rechargeable engraving tool designed for precision work on metal, glass, and plastic with multiple speed settings.
Price
£58.97
Editorial rating
4.0 / 5
For those of us who feel the pathological need to mark our territory on every bit of kit we own, the ARROWMAX is the Supporting tool of choice. It's for the person who wants to engrave their name on their AirPods, their fancy chef's knife, or perhaps just a very expensive pebble, because why not?
It's a sleek, pen-shaped device that makes you feel like a sophisticated artisan rather than someone who is just bored and has access to a motor and a diamond bit. I've spent the morning engraving "Property of a Genius" onto my stapler, and the OLED display made me feel far more professional than I actually am.
It's a bit of niche fun that sits in your desk drawer until the moment you decide that your luggage tags aren't "bespoke" enough.
The Irresistible
- The integrated OLED screen showing speed and battery percentage is peak "over-engineered desk toy" energy and I absolutely love it.
- It's incredibly lightweight and balanced, allowing for a level of control that makes even my terrible handwriting look somewhat intentional.
The Clever Part
- With 7 speed settings, you can actually dial it back so you don't accidentally drill a hole through your iPad while trying to sign your initials.
- The USB-C charging is a blessing, ensuring it's always ready to go when the urge for "permanent customisation" strikes.
The Fine Print
- If you don't have the steady hand of a neurosurgeon, your beautiful engraving will inevitably look like it was done by a very talented squirrel.
- The battery life is decent for small jobs, but if you're planning to engrave a full mural onto your fridge, you're going to be disappointed.
The Reality Check
- Once you've engraved your name into your expensive gear, you've basically committed to owning it forever, as the "resale value" is now precisely zero.
Portable Electric Lunch Box - Crockpot
A personal-sized food warmer with a 20-ounce capacity and a spill-proof lid for heating meals on the go.
Price
£42.28
Editorial rating
4.5 / 5
The "office microwave" is a place of unspeakable horrors, and this Crockpot is the Supporting device that saves you from that communal petri dish. It's for the person who is tired of their lunch being half-frozen and half-radioactive, and would rather have their stew gently warmed by their own desk.
It's essentially a very small, very portable slow cooker that reclamation your lunch hour from the queue in the staff room. I've been using it to heat up last night's curry, and the lack of "microwave rubberiness" is a genuine revelation for my tastebuds.
It looks like a stylish tiffin box rather than a piece of catering equipment, which is vital if you want to maintain a shred of dignity in the open-plan office.
The Irresistible
- The heating is beautifully even, avoiding that tragic "molten exterior, frozen core" phenomenon that makes microwave meals so depressing.
- The inner container and lid are dishwasher safe, which is the only reason this hasn't been binned after the first week of use.
The Clever Part
- The "carry handle" and integrated cord wrap are genuinely clever, making the commute with a pot of soup feel less like a game of Russian Roulette with your trousers.
- It's surprisingly quiet; it just sits there being useful without the aggressive beeping or whirring of its kitchen-based ancestors.
The Fine Print
- It takes a good 30 to 45 minutes to heat through, so if you're the type of person who only remembers they're hungry when they're starving, you're in trouble.
- The power cord is a bit on the stingy side; if your desk isn't right next to a socket, you'll be eating on the floor.
The Reality Check
- The smell of your delicious homemade chilli will drift across the office like a fragrant cloud, making you the most hated person in the building by 12:30 PM.
AIRSALON MAX - PETKIT
An automated cabin pet dryer with 360-degree airflow, smart temperature control, and a 60L capacity.
Price
£399.99
Editorial rating
4.0 / 5
The PETKIT AIRSALON MAX is our Wildcard today because it is, quite literally, a luxury spa cabin for a creature that thinks a dead bird is a high-end perfume. It's for the pet owner who has reached the zenith of "extra," replacing the terrifying hair dryer with a 60-litre box of gentle, climate-controlled air.
It's the Wildcard because it feels like something from a Sci-Fi film where cats are our overlords, but it actually solves the "wet dog smell" problem without the usual battle of the towels. I've watched a cat sit in this looking like a fluffy empress, and I've never been more jealous of a household pet in my life.
It's the ultimate "peace of mind" gadget for anyone who has spent an hour chasing a damp spaniel around a cream-carpeted living room.
The Irresistible
- The 360-degree airflow ensures that even the "undercarriage" gets dried without you having to perform some sort of feline yoga to reach the awkward bits.
- The "linear light" and "low noise" modes are masterclasses in animal psychology, preventing your pet from thinking they've been abducted by a very warm UFO.
The Clever Part
- The companion app is actually useful here, letting you monitor the internal temperature down to the degree so you can be sure your furball is "toasty" rather than "roasted."
- The 60L capacity is massive, meaning your chunky Maine Coon or small terrier can actually turn around and judge you through the glass with comfort.
The Fine Print
- It's a massive piece of furniture; unless you live in a mansion, this white cube is going to be the new centerpiece of your utility room whether you like it or not.
- Cleaning the hair filter after a heavy shedding session is a task that will make you question why you didn't just get a goldfish.
The Reality Check
- Watching your pet stare at you with profound betrayal through the glass door while they are being blow-dried is a psychological weight that no amount of smart-home convenience can truly lift.