Mother’s Day 2021 gift ideas: top presents and last-minute gifts for tech-savvy mums
So, ready to spoil that special woman in your life? Mother's Day 2021 is just days away now and you're likely running out of time to buy her something really special online and have it delivered in time for May 9. However, you can still get her something really nice she can enjoy either solo or with the whole family – we've listed those great gift ideas just below.
That said, if you think you can get express delivery organised with a store, there might still be a little time to sneak in a quick online order for a great gift for her. Our picks for this year's top presents are also still listed on this page, so scroll further down the page to take a gander. From smart home tech to headphones, fitness trackers to streaming services and beyond – all our gift ideas are available online, but be sure to order well in time for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 9.
Mother’s Day gifts: retailer quick links
If you’re shopping in Australia, we’ve put together a list of retailers which have discounted deals on Mother’s Day gift ideas:
- Amazon Australia: affordable books, Kindle ereaders and much more
- Rebel Sport: activewear, footwear and wearables
- Chemist Warehouse: discounted skincare, cosmetics and fragrances
- Dyson: Airwrap styler, Corrale straightener and Supersonic hair dryer
- Catch: beauty, electronics and homewear on sale
- eBay: regular deals on tech, tools, toys and more
- Dell: discounts on laptops, 2-in-1s and monitors
- Myer: save on appliances, perfume, sleepwear and much more
- Lovehoney: for partners looking to spice things up
- The Good Guys: deals on coffee machines and KitchenAid gadgets
- Sunglass Hut: up to 50% off selected shades
- Ray-Ban Australia: up to 50% off selected styles
- KitchenAid: save up to 30% on premium stand mixers and tool attachments
- Bing Lee: discounts on headphones and portable speakers
- Booktopia: books, Kobo ereaders and puzzles on sale
- Shaver Shop: save on hair straighteners and hair dryers
- MAC Cosmetics: makeup, skincare and gift sets
- BoozeBud: 15% off select wine gin
- Youfoodz: healthy meals delivered
- HelloFresh: meal kits delivered to your door
- Lululemon: women’s activewear, yoga mats and more
- The Book Depository: for booklovers
Last-minute gifts
Streaming subscription services
There are so many streaming services out there, so why not give the gift that keeps on giving? Of course there’s Netflix, but why not consider signing up to Binge so mum can get her fill of HBO shows, or Disney Plus for those beloved classics, Pixar animations, Marvel movies and Star Wars. If you’re a sports-loving family, pick up a Kayo subscription so everyone can catch all their favourite sports live and on demand. There’s something for mum available among all these services, giving her the opportunity to wind down on the couch after a long day.
eBook and Audiobook subscription services
There's something intrinsically charming (romantic?) about reading a paper-and-print book, but they take up a lot of space and can often be expensive. So if mum is an avid reader, give her the chance to select her own books – and this is perfect for a last-minute gift 'cause it's all digital.
If she already has a Kindle ereader (or you plan to get her one) or uses the Kindle app on a handheld device, a subscription to Kindle Unlimited for just AU$13.99 a month will give her access to over a million ebooks, as well as their audiobook versions on Audible.
If she's got (or getting) a Kobo ereader, then consider getting her a Kobo gift card instead. In fact, until May 9, Kobo is offering to give you 5,000 points (that can be used to purchase books) if you get mum a AU$50 eGift card.
For mums who don't have a preference on ereaders but love reading on their phone or tablet, then Scribd is a great source of both ebooks and audiobooks, again for just AU$13.99 a month. It's still new in Australia – having launched in February this year – but has plenty in its library, even recipes and sheet music if you know where to look.
Not all mums are made equal, and some love magazines more than books. So if you think that's the way to go, you can give mum a fill of all the magazines she can have by getting her a subscription to Readly. Magazines from all over the world will be at her fingertips for a monthly subscription cost of just AU$14.99.
Amazon gift cards
Admittedly gift cards aren't as personal as selecting a special something yourself, but when you're running out of time, they're real handy in a pinch. And this way, mum gets to pick whatever she wants from Amazon – no-brainer right there! And while you can get a physical card mailed to her directly, you might be better off getting an eGift card. This will be emailed to her, if you provide all the necessary details, and she can shop on Amazon Australia till she runs out of credit. In fact, Amazon gift cards can even be printed at home, if you really want something physical to giftwrap. Just click here and you'll be directed to Amazon's gift card landing page.
Best Mother's Day gift ideas
Nanoleaf Essentials A19 smart bulbs
You might be familiar with Nanoleaf because of its beautiful light panels, but the brand has recently expanded its range of smart lighting, going back to basics by giving us light bulbs. Nanoleaf says its Essentials smart bulb supports up to 16 million colours, so mum will be able to create the perfect atmosphere for any room, and any mood. We’ve tested the bulbs for ourselves and found they emit some of the brightest whites on the market, easily moving between cool and warm bright whites. Better yet, they’re futureproof with Thread connectivity onboard as well, so when we get more Thread-enabled smart devices, they’ll all be able to work together. For now, though, just use them via Bluetooth connection – no other paraphernalia needed except a smartphone to set up.
Read our in-depth Nanoleaf Essentials A19 review
Kobo Libra H2O
You’re probably familiar with the Amazon Kindle, but we’re also big fans of Kobo ereaders here at TechRadar, and we think the Libra H2O is one of the best you can get without spending too much money. It’s comfortable to hold and use in a single hand, thanks to its asymmetrical design and page-turn buttons. The Libra’s screen is 7 inches, and it’s fast and responsive too thanks to its use of E Ink technology. While the Kindle Oasis has a more premium feel with an all-metal casing, the Libra H2O retails for around AU$150 less than its Kindle counterpart. So, if mum is an avid reader, this ereader makes for an excellent gift. You can buy the ereader directly from Kobo, or from one of the stores below.
Read our in-depth Kobo Libra H2O review
Peak Design Everyday Tote
Peak Design makes thoughtfully designed bags, and the Everyday Tote is the brand’s take on the classic tote bag. It’s made of 100% recycled material, and has a lovely, clean aesthetic, but what really makes it special is the customisable organisation available inside. It features a magnetic top clasp for easy access, and durable zippers to keep your belongings extra secure. Inside, there’s space for mum’s laptop or tablet, with a separate space for documents, and even a spot for her sunglasses. There’s plenty of pockets for all her bits and pieces, some of which can even be altered to create a little shelf inside the bag. We think it’d make an excellent carry-all for work, and a great Mother’s Day present that you can buy directly from Peak Design.
Ecovacs Deebot U2
Keen to give mum some help around the house? The Ecovacs Deebot U2 is an affordable robot vacuum cleaner, and it’s a powerful sucker, even managing to rival more premium robot vacs in this department. The Deebot U2 lacks a smart mapping feature, and its mopping functionality only does a passable job, but if mum’s more concerned with a regular clean of rugs, carpets and hard floors, it’ll do the job just fine. The little droid has a battery life of around 90 minutes, so we’d recommend it for smaller homes.
Read our in-depth Ecovacs Deebot U2 review
Ember Smart Mug 2
It looks like a standard coffee cup, but the Ember Smart Mug keeps hot beverages at just the right temperature – between 48.9°C and 62.8°C – making for the perfect sip every time. It’s a ceramic-coated mug, but a single charge will keep a cuppa at a chosen temperature for an hour and a half, or if left on its charging coaster, will keep warm all day. Everything is controlled through the app, and when it’s time to wash up, the Ember mug is safe to hand-wash.
TP-Link Smart Plug (KP115)
It mightn’t look like much, but this smart plug is mum’s ticket to starting the kettle, the toaster or even the heater in the morning without getting out of bed. To get started, all mum needs to do is plug it into a power outlet, then connect it to the home Wi-Fi using the Kasa app. From there, she’ll be able to control any connected devices using a smartphone. It monitors energy usage too, so she can keep an eye on power-hungry appliances and switch them off from anywhere. She’ll also be able to set timers and schedules, or just use her voice to power appliances on, thanks to compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 40
Fujifilm has just released the Instax Mini 40, and it looks like a more, well, grown-up alternative compared to the camera maker’s excellent Instax Mini 11. Fujifilm has taken a different tack here, styling the instant camera with nostalgic retro flair for the old-school lovers of film. It’s an easy point-and-shoot to use, with automatic exposure and a variable speed shutter to take the guesswork out of shooting on film. What’s more, we like that the Instax Mini film packs are affordable, so mum can continue taking happy snaps without a worry.
Read our in-depth Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 review
Dyson Supersonic
There’s no question – the Dyson Supersonic is one of the most impressive hair dryers we’ve ever tested. It will blow dry mum’s hair without using extreme heat, and has intelligent heat control that works to protect hair from heat damage, helping preserve that natural shine. It comes with a number of attachments to suit various hair types, so whether mum has thick, curly tresses or super-fine, straight hair, there’s an attachment to help her style it. Time to tame the frizz and flyaways.
Read our in-depth Dyson Supersonic review
Fitbit Versa 3
If mum’s keen on keeping her health and fitness on track, then consider getting her the Fitbit Versa 3. Not only will it help keep tabs on her activity, sleep quality and heart rate, it will also track her outdoor workouts in real time. This model brings built-in GPS to the Versa line, so mum can leave her phone at home and still get accurate exercise tracking, whether it’s a walk, run or a bike ride. It’s packaged into a lightweight chassis that’s comfortable to wear, with a bright and beautiful display. Activity monitoring is what Fitbit does best, and the Versa 3 is still more fitness tracker than smartwatch, but it’s still an excellent wearable overall.
Read our in-depth Fitbit Versa 3 review
Upright Go 2
Let’s be honest, most of us don’t have excellent posture, and the recent working-from-home culture has likely put a further dent in that. To help make sure mum doesn’t develop a bad back, you can get her something that warns her every time she slouches. The Upright Go 2 is a wearable posture device that can help us learn to sit and stand up straighter. So if mum spends her days hunched in an office chair (or in her current home office setup), this is an interesting little gift that can help straighten out her slouch. The device attaches to the wearer’s back with adhesive strips, and provides feedback through a subtle vibration once synced with the downloadable app. If the adhesive sticker isn’t to mum’s liking, there is a necklace accessory available to purchase separately as well – this places the device in the right position without the feeling of something sticking to the back.
Read our in-depth Upright Go 2 review
Tile Mate
Does mum often find herself searching for her keys before heading out the door? Or keeps misplacing her handbag? Then you might want to get her a Tile Mate Bluetooth tracker. It’s designed like a keychain and can be attached to a variety of items: keys, bags, or even the family pet (if it has a habit of hiding away). Clip it to frequently misplaced items, so next time mum says “have you seen my…” she can use the companion app to help find it. It has a 200m range and the Tile Mate will ring out when she’s near the lost item.
Philips Airfryer XXL
Air fryers are the latest kitchen gadget that everyone’s talking about – there are cookbooks and Facebook groups dedicated to sharing the latest recipes. If you think mum would like to get in on the action, the Philips Airfryer XXL is well-reviewed. While we haven’t spent time with it ourselves, our colleagues at T3 have, and they found it to be an excellent air fryer for healthier meals without oil. The XXL model should be plenty big to cater to the whole family (it can fit an entire chicken inside), or rustle up a small meal.
Sony WF-1000XM3
If mum loves to listen to music, podcasts or audiobooks without getting disturbed, you might want to get her a set of earphones that will help her do so, and offer great sound quality at the same time. And that’s where the Sony WF-1000XM3s come in. These are the best true wireless earbuds you can buy, hands down. Sony has squeezed best-in-class sound quality and noise cancellation into these earbuds – an impressive feat indeed. These little music makers are able to pump out great audio with a wide soundstage. Battery life is also impressive for these little ‘buds and they’re available for less than their launch price – that’s good value in our books.
Read our in-depth Sony WF-1000XM3 review
Nespresso Vertuo Plus
The Nespresso Vertuo Plus is a pod machine that’s convenient, easy to use and serves up delicious coffee in a variety of fancy flavours. You don’t need to grind coffee beans with this sleek system – just simply pop the pod into place and the machine gets to work with the press of a button. It’s compact size will save valuable countertop space too. It’s one of our favourite coffee machines here at TechRadar, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it for any coffee-loving mum.
Read our in-depth Nespresso Vertuo Plus review
When is Mother’s Day 2021?
Mother’s Day in Australia and New Zealand is traditionally observed on the second Sunday of May each year, and this year it’s on May 9, 2021.
It’s a day to celebrate the women who look after us, be they our own mothers, stepmothers, guardians or caregivers. It’s a chance to make the women in your life feel extra special, whether it be a card, a day out, or with a thoughtful gift.
If you're planning on shopping online, we’ve got some excellent Mother’s Day gift ideas right here. Just keep in mind you’ll need to have it ordered and shipped in time for May 9.
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