The best thing about tech products, in my opinion, is their ability to make life just a little bit easier. Luckily, you don’t need to invest in something expensive to make a difference; these relatively affordable gadgets, all clocking in at under $50, make a sizable impact without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re looking for a gift for a frequent traveler, bookworm, student or someone who could just use a little more convenience in their life, we’ve got you covered. These handy tech choices will prove their usefulness more and more as time goes on. Read on for our top recommendations. You might find something that’ll help streamline your life along the way, too.
The ever-popular Rocketbook smart notebook
An IOS-compatible tracker for your wallet
If an AirTag is too bulky for your wallet, this credit-card sized tracker gives you the same functionality with a subtler look. It connects with your iPhone's Find My app and can play a locating beeping sound just like other Apple products. And for those particularly drop-prone, the tracker can last for 30 minutes submerged in water.
An extra bright mini flashlight
A portable hand-crank lantern and power generator
We've previously covered this portable hand-crank camping lantern and power generator that has a built-in rechargeable battery (via USB-C), as well as a hand crank to generate electricity on its own when your recipient is stuck in a power outage or without access to outlets.
Promising review: "It works just as advertised. I used the crank for 2-3 minutes. It charged up my Apple Watch from 0 to 100% in 30 minutes. It still had most of the charge left. The lights work great and do not drain the power quickly. Very happy." — Amazon Customer
A highly rated Apple AirTag to keep track of precious items
Gift your recipient an AirTag for some peace of mind that promises to far surpass this gadget’s under-$30 price tag. Your loved one can use it to keep track of their wallet, car, pet, purse and more; scores of reviewers report using their AirTags to track down lost luggage even faster than the airport could.
A popular, convenient electric lighter
A popular and practical mug warmer
A folding, travel keyboard
If you're traveling during the holidays or just tired of typing on your tablet, this compact, folding keyboard is the answer. It connects to smart phones, tablets, and computers — plus, the brand says it weighs less than a pound.
Promising review: "alternative to apple magic keyboard at a fraction of the price great from travel when looking to reduce weight and size" — Burnet
A waterproof speaker that is made for adventure
Whether they like to take their music on-the-go or just need a better way to listen to podcasts in the shower, this speaker is a rugged and inexpensive option. The connectivity has a range of 33 feet and the speaker lasts for up to 20 hours on a single charge.
A bestselling hands-free reading light
A highly rated remote control page turner for Kindles and iPads
This remote control solves this issue so each page can be turned easily and conveniently. It may sound simple, but trust me when I say it’s actually quite impactful: Tons of reviewers testify to this tiny gadget being a true game-changer. (Think about it — they won't have to take their hands out of a cozy blanket to keep reading or have to touch a screen when their hands are dirty.) Once your loved one tries this gift out, they'll never want to go back.
A popular three-in-one wireless charger for Apple products
A beanie with integrated headphones
They'll never have to choose again between staying warm and listening to their favorite song. This double-knit beanie has bluetooth connectivity so you can pair it with your device, pull it over your ears, and brave the cold weather. It comes in multiple different colors and is the perfect low-cost tech gift.
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi mini plugs
An added perk? By being able to turn lights off and on while they're gone, they can make it look like someone is home even while they're on vacation. That's just smart.
An innovative nightstand with charging outlets
Furniture with charging capabilities might seem unconventional or unnecessary, but if you think about it, they're pretty innovative. After all, how many times have you sat down to relax on the couch or chill in bed before realizing that your phone is about to die?
This compact bedside table provides plenty of storage space along with four charging outlets that your loved one can use for just about anything, including their phone and computer. It’s so handy that this might just be one of the best gifts of the season. It comes in six different colors so you can pick the one that best matches your loved one's decor.
A practical portable charger for iPhones
A unisex pair of sporty running gloves
Solve the most annoying problem of winter: trying to use your phone while wearing gloves. Though not a tech item exactly, these slim and sporty gloves enable cold weather use of all these other tech gifts. The gloves have touchscreen sensitive finger tips and silicone lines across the palm with a warm flannel lining.
Promising review: "I love these gloves. Recently, my hands and fingers were able to stay warm while taking photos of beautiful sunsets at the beach on a cold and blustery day. I was easily able to use the touch screen on my phone to text these photos to friends. I am very pleased with my purchase! I think you will be too!" — barry george fruchter
