Tech gifts are notoriously expensive, and this year that’s truer than ever. Computing component prices continue to rise almost faster than Gizmodo can report them out—and sometimes it’s just not feasible to be paying hundreds of bucks for a friend’s holiday gift. But fret not: the Consumer Tech team has plenty of low-cost options perfect for stuffing stockings or bringing to that holiday potluck you don’t really want to attend.
No matter the occasion, a little gift can go a long way. We’ve got a little something for everyone in your life here: music lovers, would-be content creators, pet owners, gamers—you name it.
(Product prices were accurate at the time of publishing.)
16. Apple EarPods (USB-C)
There is, of course, freedom in the modern marvel of wireless earbuds—but there’s also a very specific freedom in knowing you can have a pair of headphones you don’t care about too much. At just $19, the Apple USB-C EarPods are the perfect stocking stuffer for your favorite iPhone user. And they sound pretty great, too.
See EarPods (USB-C) at Apple.com
15. Govee Wi-Fi Smart LED Bulbs
Smart lights are like a gateway drug for smart home devices: easy to set up, easy to use, and capable of looking cool enough to impress even the most Luddite of your friends and family. Govee’s are Matter-compatible, so they’ll work with pretty much any smartphone around, have 16 million color options, can sync with music, and can be controlled with your voice via Alexa or Google Assistant. They require no smart home hub for control, either.
See Govee Smart Light Bulbs at Amazon
14. TP-Link Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini
Smart home gadgets can be pretty pricey, but you can still help your friends expand their setups without breaking the bank. TP-Link’s mini smart plugs can add an element of smart controls to a wide variety of devices. Just plug in your lamp or fan or humidifier (or whatever you want) and control it from your favorite app. These are Matter-compatible, so you can utilize Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, and plenty of other platforms to control them.
See TP-Link Smart Plug Mini at Amazon
13. Hyashee Cleaner Kit for AirPods
Here’s a PSA for everyone reading this list: go clean your AirPods. Yes, you! As excellent as the AirPods’ design is, they certainly have a penchant for getting gunked up—both the earbuds and their charging case. Having a cleaning kit specifically tailored to get in those crevices makes regular cleaning a breeze. Your friend will thank you.
See Hyashee Cleaner Kit at Amazon
12. Olight iMini 2 Flashlight
Sure, everyone has a flashlight built into their phones. While it works in a pinch, it’s not nearly as bright as a proper flashlight. The Olight iMini 2 is tiny, outputs 50 lumens, and has a 21-meter throw. It turns on automatically as soon as you detach it from its keyring holder, which is also a USB-A port for charging it up. Whether you need something brighter for finding items under your couch or a light to avoid stepping in dog poop at night, this one does the job well and affordably.
See Olight iMini 2 Flashlight at Amazon
11. Pelican 1010 Micro Case
Who doesn’t love a container? And who doesn’t love a container that is smol, rugged, and water-resistant so that everything stashed inside is protected against the unpredictable weather we’re constantly subjected to these days? Pelican is renowned for its protective cases. The 1010 Micro comes in five colors and has a carabiner to attach it to a backpack (or anything really). Throw in your keys, wireless earbuds, and any other things you have in your pockets, and it’ll probably survive an apocalypse.
See Pelican 1010 Micro Case at Amazon
10. Ulanzi MA60 Magnetic Phone Tripod
Tripods for your phone are a dime a dozen, but we recommend the Ulanzi MA60. With a metal construction, a foldable design, and a magnetic ring that attaches to any MagSafe-compatible iPhone (or Google Pixel with Pixelsnap), this is the one that you’ll always have on you without taking up extra space. Our Senior Editor of Consumer Tech, Raymond Wong, uses it to create all of the TikToks, Reels, and YouTube shorts on Gizmodo’s social channels whenever there is a tech event. It’s super versatile as a way to prop up an iPhone for selfie videos or as a vlogging tripod.
See ULANZI Magnetic Tripod Stand at Amazon
9. Snowsky FiiO USB-C DAC
If you’ve joined the wired earbuds or headphones trend and want to listen to music on your phone, chances are you’ll need a USB-C digital audio converter (DAC) because your device doesn’t have an headphone jack. Not only is this one from FiiO tiny and amplifies your audio source—it also has a USB-C passthrough for charging. Most DAC dongles don’t. It’s also made of metal and doesn’t hang off any extra cables, which is pretty nice.
See Snowsky FiiO USB-C DAC at Amazon
8. Moondrop Old Fashioned Headphones
Wired audio is so back, and while Apple’s EarPods are a great deal, they’re not the only show in town. You can also go retro with this pair of wired over-ear headphones that pays homage to the ‘90s. There’s no USB-C here, but there is a 3.5mm jack, and this pair is almost more about the look than anything else, with clear plastic and pops of retro-coded orange.
See Moondrop Old Fashioned Headphones at Amazon
7. Tamagotchi
Remember Tamagotchis? Well, you actually don’t have to, because they’re still around, and they’re as cute as ever. For just $20, you can give someone the gift of 1997’s original virtual pet, with all of its pixelated neediness. As is required by totally made-up Tamagotchi law, they still double as cool keychains when the battery inevitably dies.
See Tamagotchi Original at Amazon
6. Ikea Kallsup
There are speakers all across the price spectrum, and while some of them are cheap, it’s nearly impossible to beat the price-to-fun ratio of the Ikea Kallsup. For a paltry $10, you get a wireless speaker that you can link together with other Kallsups to expand sound, a decent battery life of nine hours, and fun colors like pink and yellow-green. This isn’t the most powerful speaker in the world, but what it lacks in mightiness it makes up for in cuteness.
5. Potaroma Interactive Cat Feather Toy
Sometimes the biggest joy you can bring yourself is actually bringing joy to your cat. This automatic feather toy can fill in the gaps when you’re feeling lazy, with three automated modes and an easily storable design. Probably the biggest feature here is that it’s fully rechargeable via USB-C, so there’s no need to buy batteries, and the touch activation will make sure it’s not wasting juice when your cat inevitably gets bored and decides it’s a lot more fun to scratch the rug.
See Potaroma Interactive Cat Feather Toy at Amazon
4. Avantree Neetto Dual Headphone Stand
Your giftee’s desk is a total mess, isn’t it? The Avantree Neetto headphone stand will give them less excuse to pick up their damn headphones and set them up where they can stand proud. The stand also comes with a small tray they can use to place any of their spare cords and dongles, so they can stop complaining about losing their connectors every time they sit down to play a game with you online.
See Avantree Neetto Dual Headphone Stand at Amazon
3. iFixit Moray Driver Kit
Your loved ones deserve to start thinking of their tech as their own. The iFixit Moray Driver Kit is an excellent beginner’s choice for opening up your various gadgets, with 32 driver bits and a comfortable screwdriver that will help you start taking apart practically anything you own. The only thing you need after this is a hairdryer and a guitar pick, so why not bundle those in with their Moray Driver Kit under the Christmas tree?
See iFixit Moray Driver Kit at Amazon
2. Liangstar Laptop Cooling Pad
Your friend’s or family member’s laptop fans may be kicking up such a ruckus that you assume it’s trying to blast off into outer space. The Liangstar Laptop Cooling Pad does a lot to keep their machine cool with six fans and adjustable speeds. The stand itself is also adjustable for whatever height you prefer to keep your laptop on your desk. Despite its price, the Liangstar cooling pad should be enough for all but those with the most hardcore, heavy-duty gaming laptops.
See Liangstar Laptop Cooling Pad at Amazon
1. Logitech Signature M550
There are some computer mice that tell you everything you need to know with one picture. The Logitech Signature M550 ambidextrous mouse is one of those, with its small stature and ribbed sides that help it feel comfortable while remaining an immensely cute desktop rodent. It’s a mouse that’s designed for small- to medium-sized palms, so it would make a great gift to a younger child who’s just figuring out their own PC or Mac lifestyle, or your mom who keeps complaining about cramped hands from using a trackpad.
