It can be hard to find the perfect gift for someone who’s into tech, especially one that’s both affordable and great. iPads go for hundreds of dollars, gaming laptops can cost thousands, and gaming PCs can be even more expensive depending on the parts you decide to go with. Thankfully, there are quite a few tech gadgets out there that you can get for no more than $50, and a lot of them are absolute must-haves for nearly every type of person–excellent Bluetooth headphones, video-streaming devices, and even tablets. Whether you’re gift-shopping for a birthday, holiday, graduation, or some other occasion, these tech gadgets under $50 all make for a thoughtful gift that won’t break the bank.
Read on for the best tech gift ideas under $50 in 2020, from headphones and controllers to tablets and other gadgets actually worth your money. Keep in mind the prices below indicate the regular price and won’t reflect any current discounts or fluctuations. And if you’re looking for more tech gift ideas outside of the $50 budget, check out our guides to the best gaming headsets, best gaming mice, best gaming keyboards, and the best Xbox One controllers in 2020.
Quick look: The best tech gifts under $50
Best tech and gadget gifts under $50
Tribit XFree Tune Bluetooth headphones
$40
The Tribit XFree Tune Bluetooth headphones are among the best headphones of 2020 thanks to their great comfort and sound quality, according to our sister site CNET. They connect to any compatible device via Bluetooth, and when the battery dies, you can plug in a 3.5 mm cord to continue listening before charging it. I personally own a pair of these, and I’m always blown away by both the audio quality and the actual comfort of wearing them.
Anker Bluetooth earbuds
$26
If you prefer listening to music with earbuds, then Anker’s got a great pair that work well for casual listening and working out due to their compact size, great fit, and 10-hour battery life. They’re not quite Apple Airpods, but you can buy them for only $26 on Amazon.
8Bitdo SN30 Pro+ controller for Nintendo Switch and PC
$50
The SN30 Pro+ is one of the best Nintendo Switch controllers of 2020, and it’s $30 cheaper than Nintendo’s own Pro Controller. It features a layout like the classic SNES pad in addition to customizable button inputs, analog sticks, and triggers. You can also create macro commands of up to 16 inputs.
Anker PowerCore PD external battery
$46
If you’re into charging your devices fast (who isn’t?), then Anker’s line of power banks with PD (aka power delivery) is the way to go. PD-capable batteries will even charge a Nintendo Switch in handheld mode while playing a game using a USB-C cable.
Anker PowerWave Qi wireless charger
$30
If you’re tired of plugging your phone in and tripping over the cable, then wireless charging is for you. Just plug this bad boy into the nearest outlet and then place your compatible phone on the stand. This type of charger makes your phone stand upright, making for an easier viewing experience from bed, the kitchen, or any other place you happen to set it.
Amazon Echo Dot
$50
The voice-control smart speaker, Echo Dot, is an affordable option to use Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant. With the Echo Dot, you can control your music from Spotify, smart home, and more with your voice.
Google Nest Mini
$50
If you know the person on your shopping list is an Android user, it’s hard to go wrong with a Google Nest Mini. This smart Bluetooth speaker has great speakers and boasts an array of voice commands and apps. That should quickly make it a mainstay of any household.
Amazon Echo wall clock
$30
The Echo Wall Clock’s main purpose is pretty obvious: displaying the time. However, it also visualizes your Echo timers with 60 LED lights, making it easy to see how much time you have left. This is particularly useful for those cooks and bakers in your life, but note that they’ll need an Echo smart device to pair with this clock.
Amazon Fire 7 tablet
$50
The Fire 7 Tablet is not a very powerful device, so don’t expect to do any serious gaming. However, if you want something affordable to read e-books, watch movies and videos, or listen to music with, then the Fire 7 can handle it.
Amazon Fire Stick 4K
$50
The Fire Stick 4K plugs directly into your TV and allows for 4K streaming from apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and more. You also have access to any digital movies you rent or purchase directly from Amazon.
Philips Hue bulb
$50
The Hue Bulb allows you to set the tone and atmosphere of your room with 16 million colors. It also has several different shades of white, which you can dim or turn off completely with your voice.
Amazon Smart Plug
$25
The Amazon Smart Plug lets you add voice control to any outlet you want, transforming all the things you usually plug into it into smart home devices–lights and fans being the most popular choice. And you don’t need to connect it to any other smart home device; all you need is the Alexa app on your phone.
Tile Mate
$24.48
The Tile Mate is a great way to keep track of any of your belongings, but honestly, it’s our keys we tend to lose most, isn’t it? You can put the Tile Mate on a keychain, in a bag, or anywhere else it fits and track it with your smartphone. Oh, and if it’s your phone you’ve lost, you can press the Tile Mate’s button and make your phone ring even if it’s set to silent.
Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker
$30
The Anker Soundcore is a cheap Bluetooth speaker with excellent sound, and it’s hard to beat at its price.
