It's an understatement to say that many people are struggling to make ends meet this year, so remember it's more than possible to give the perfect gift without going into debt. Even when it comes to tech, there are tons of unique and thoughtful gift ideas that won't break the bank, from wireless earbuds to a Bluetooth speaker to smartphone power banks. So if you're on the hunt for a gadget that brings something extra to your loved one's favorite device, or just makes a great gift, we've rounded up some top tech options available for $30 or less, all of which we've personally tested.
On Nov. 1 we added some updates that include early Black Friday deals. Note that pricing and availability of this tech under $30 gift guide were accurate at time of publication, but both are subject to change without notice.
Amazon's top-of-the-line video streamer usually costs $50, but since Prime Day, this device has been hovering at $30. In addition to 4K HDR video quality and excellent integration with the Alexa voice assistant, this model also includes a remote that can control your TV's volume and power.
Buying for someone who prefers full-size headphones? Priced at around $33, the Tribit XFree Tune has long been our go-to affordable full-size wireless headphones. But there's now an even cheaper model, the XFree Go, that can be had for as little as $21. At the lower price, you get plusher, more comfortable ear pads, Bluetooth 5.0 and 24 hours of battery life, and a 10-minute charge gives you four hours of playback time. The sound is a little more bass-forward than that of the Tune, but at this price, it's really hard to complain about what you're getting.
The Lenovo Smart Clock has long been among one of our favorite "cheap but good" smart home devices when it's on sale (this season, the price seems to be hovering between $35 and $40). But if you want to save even more, the new Smart Clock Essential opts for something of a dumbed-down monochrome screen, but this device still delivers the time, temperature and weather, along with full access to Google's voice assistant. The USB-A port in the rear makes it easy to charge devices on your bedside table, too.
Surf around on Amazon, and you'll see countless no-name true wireless headphones available for $50 or less (see our favorite tested models under $50). The less you spend, the more challenging it is to get a decent-sounding model, but we've had good luck with the Tranya brand. The Tranya Rimor earbuds started out at $50, but this cool tech gift has since dipped to $30. They have decent sound and an IPX5 water-resistant rating, which means they're sweatproof and can withstand a sustained spray of water. Their charging case is fairly compact and charges via USB-C.
At five hours, battery life isn't fantastic, but the earbud charging case does give you three extra charges. At $30, they're a bargain, with larger 10mm drivers than the 6mm found on the similarly priced Tranya T3. For a few bucks more, you can also check out the Tranya T10.
We're all cooking at home a lot more these days. And the Lodge Grill Pan is a cheap and easy way to bring the essence of the grilling experience to your stovetop. (Mine gets used at least two nights a week.)
For 2020, Amazon has introduced a spherical Echo Dot, but we haven't yet seen it on sale below its list price of $50. That may or may not happen by Black Friday, but in the meantime, its third-generation predecessor has been selling for just $19. (If you want even cheaper, grab the Echo Flex for just $10.)
It's tough to beat Amazon's Fire TV Sticks when they're on sale. But the Express HD remains the cheapest entry-point to the Roku smart TV system, which we still think edges out Fire TV by a nose. Roku also has NBC's free Peacock streaming service, which remains a no-show on Fire TV.
This tech gift was selling for $22 to $24 during Prime Day week in October, but has returned to its normal price of $30. Note, however, that
Need an easy way to keep an eye on the dog, the baby's nursery or a dozen other far-flung corners of the house? Newly updated for 2020 and compatible with Amazon's Alexa, version 3 of the Wyze Cam adds better nighttime image quality and a wider field of view. Wyze has also rolled out several software updates in recent months to tighten up this smart device's privacy and security controls. But despite all those upgrades, this camera maintains its predecessor's insanely low price of $26 (including shipping).
There are plenty of cheap smart plugs out there, but the TP-Link Kasa HS105 is our current favorite. This plug converts any lamp in the dorm or home into one that's voice-controlled via Alexa or Google Assistant. Plus this gadget's trim design leaves the second outlet open for business. (If you're only connecting low-wattage devices like table lamps, note that you can grab a two-pack of the step-down HS103 for the same price.) Buying gifts for someone with a Siri-powered smart home? Opt for the Belkin WeMo Smart Plug instead.
This handy Anker 10,000-mAh battery pack is about the size of a big smartphone, and this portable charger can charge your smartphone and most small USB devices (like wireless headphones) several times over.
Read our list of the best portable chargers and power banks.
True story: In my collegiate days, 3.5-inch floppy disks were a thing, and they stored a whopping 1.44 megabytes of data on them. This flash drive costs under $21, and it stores 128GB, the equivalent of almost 89,000 of those floppy disks. This model sports both USB-A and USB-C connectors, so it'll work with any computer out there as well as newer iPad Pro models.
OK, this posits an optimistic future where we can gather together and play traditional games in the same room. But if you're buying for a quarantine pod that already has a quorum of tabletop-gaming fans, some old-school D&D is a nice face-to-face break from the virtual world of video games. The Essentials Kit gives you everything a group of pencil-and-paper adventurers need to get questing, but true beginners can opt for the equally affordable Starter Set instead. (Those already bored with D&D can dip their toes into the world of Gloomhaven with the new $50 Jaws of the Lion set instead.)
More gift recommendations
- Best holiday gifts under $500
- Best gifts for Dad in 2020
- The best gifts for girls ages 9-12
- Best gaming gifts for the holiday season 2020
- Best holiday gifts under $250 for 2020
- The best gifts readers need for 2020: iPad vs. Kindle vs. Fire and more
- Best Xbox gaming headset for 2020
- Best stocking stuffer ideas: Gifts under $25
- Best gifts for foodies in 2020
- Affordable holiday gift guide for car lovers in 2020
Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion.