Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can provide a solid foundation for a high-performing portfolio. Through these, it’s possible to get low-cost exposure to plenty of powerful growth themes.

Here are three ETFs to consider buying for a diversified £20k Stocks and Shares ISA.

The quantum revolution

Let’s start with the most speculative, which is the VanEck Quantum Computing ETF (LSE:QNTM). This is pretty self-explanatory: it’s an ETF invested in companies developing or benefitting from this potentially revolutionary technology.

Quantum computing is transitioning from theory to reality, promising to redefine what is computationally possible.
VanEck.

Quantum computers could transform fields from drug discovery and finance to cybersecurity. They’re exponentially more powerful than traditional computers.

However, the industry is still largely in the development stage, meaning reliable quantum computers may still be many years away from commercialisation. This makes the ETF somewhat speculative.

That said, I like that it blends pureplay quantum computing stocks like IonQ and D-Wave Quantum with established companies that are also advancing the technology, notably IBM and Alphabet.

There are 31 holdings in total, including early commercial adopters like Bank of America and Wells Fargo (using the tech for financial modelling, risk analysis, etc).

The ETF also holds tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon as most firms will consume quantum compute through their cloud platforms, similar to AI.

Looking ahead, McKinsey estimates quantum computing could create up to $2.7trn of economic value worldwide by 2035. If so, then this ETF is likely to do well. The ongoing fee is 0.55%.

The humanoid revolution

Next, we have the KraneShares Global Humanoid Robotics ETF (LSE:KOIB). Launched almost a year ago, each share currently costs £20.

Admittedly, this ETF sounds as speculative as the last one, but EV maker XPeng‘s humanoid robot IRON just sauntered off the production line at its new dedicated facility in China.

This bot is so lifelike that some still think it’s a human in a robot suit!

The first IRONs are being deployed in XPeng’s own retail showrooms, welcoming visitors, checking them in and showing them around. Global market launch is planned for 2027 (when production of Tesla‘s Optimus humanoids could ramp up too).

Hearing this, you’d be forgiven for thinking Xpeng and Tesla are large holdings. However, they’re not. Instead, the fund has been built around the global humanoid hardware and physical AI stack.

Of the 51 holdings, only two are US tech giants (Nvidia and Tesla).

Another thing I like is that there’s significant exposure to Chinese firms, which are likely to become global leaders in this space, just as they are in EVs and drones.

Risks include potential longer-than-expected bottlenecks in chips and batteries, which could slow the industry’s growth.

However, I recently added this ETF to my portfolio, taking advantage of a 17% dip since June.

Good old boring dividends

Finally, if these funds look too dicey, consider the iShares UK Dividend ETF. This holds 50 high-yield income shares from across the FTSE 350, including Legal & General, BP, Aviva, and National Grid.

One risk is a high 43% weighting towards financial stocks. If these bomb, they’ll probably take the ETF down with them.

However, the starting yield (4.6%) and fee (0.4%) are attractive. This is another ETF I’ve been buying recently.

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Ben McPoland owns shares in Aviva, Legal & General, iShares UK Dividend ETF, KraneShares Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence ETF, and Nvidia.