Spending more on gifts doesn't necessarily make them more valuable to the receiver. It's possible to get a little something for everyone without spending too much. We rounded up some excellent gifts for any tech enthusiast. Best of all, they're all budget-friendly.
Mug warmer
Don't ever let your coffee go cold again with this $6.99 mug warmer. This handy little plate will keep your beverages warm when reading through that long piece or catch the end of your favorite YouTube series.
It's simple to use with an on-off switch for quick and convenient operation.
Milanese Fitbit Blaze band
The Fitbit Blaze is a great wearable for anyone wanting to keep fit and not lose track of time. There are many bands available thanks to the inclusion of standardized strap support. On my personal Blaze, I opted to go with the Milanese style, which really brings the Blaze to life. You don't need to spend a lot for the design, either; there are a few listed online for less than $15.
The best part of this style band is the use of a magnet to hold it together — no more fiddling about to get the wearable off.
Wi-Fi smart plug
Physically turning on and off sockets is so 2017. With this smart Wi-Fi-connected plug from Aubric ($17.99, it's possible to activate and disable connected devices using your smartphone or even your voice thanks to included Alexa and Google integration. It's also handy for setting up timers and schedules for when devices are switched on or off, ideal for night lights, cooling, and other objects.
The plug itself isn't massive, allowing you to connect another plug to a secondary socket, but you will not be able to hook two of these up to a double socket due to them being larger than traditional plugs.
Google Cardboard VR headset
You don't have to pay more than $200 to enjoy the VR experience. Google Cardboard allows you to insert a compatible smartphone into the rear of the headgear and use the display of the handset as a window into another reality. Best of all, it only costs $15. Cardboard allows you to effectively run VR-supported apps and games.
10,000mAh power bank
So this power bank by Aukey is $19.99 and was difficult to resist adding it to the list. Sporting a 10,000mAh capacity, this handy companion will be able to keep your mobile devices topped off when you're away from an available power socket. It's also fairly portable, being able to be stashed away in a bag without much issue.
Dash Wand
You may have heard about Dash buttons from Amazon, but the online retail giant also offers a Dash Wand that can handle a number of additional functions. These include finding recipes, converting measurements, locating restaurants, and more. It's possible to scan barcodes and add products to your basket before checking out. Best of all, for it's only just over $10.
It's ideal if you want something a little more than a simple Dash Button.
Headphone splitter
When sitting next to someone on public transport or at the beach, why not let someone else enjoy what you plan to listen to? With this headphone splitter by LP, you can do just that, turning a single 3.5mm jack into five ports. This allows for up to five audio devices to share the same feed and can also be used to hook up numerous speakers to really get the party started.
A handy feature is the ability to plug in multiple sources into the splitter, allowing you to create a mix using nothing more than a few smartphones. At just $6.69, it's extremely affordable and can easily fit into a stocking.
Camera lens travel mug
You may have easily mistaken this mug for an actual Canon camera lens, and that's entirely the point. This uHome Lens Mug ($8.99 is a replica of a Canon EF 24-105mm USM lens, allowing for up to 400ml of hot or cold liquid to be stored within. Sporting a fine stainless steel interior and ABS plastic materials on the outside, it's built to last and ready for travel. There's even a small hatch that can be opened to allow for sipping.
It's perfect for hot and cold days.
Leather earbud case
I'm sure many of us have been in the position where they've had to waste valuable minutes untangling earbud cabling. Not everyone is a fan of wireless earbuds so they need to invest in ways to keep these cables tangle-free when not in use. This is where something like the leather earbud case by ELKK comes into play. For $11.95, you get a premium-looking case that can keep your earbuds ready to use.
SanDisk flash storage
What good is having multiple devices if you're unable to transfer data between them? You could use a cloud storage service or opt for the trusty flash drive. This pack of two SanDisk drives will set you back $13. Both come with 16GB of storage, more than enough for transferring data.
Not only do you get ample amounts of storage, these drives have a neat retractable capless design safe storage. There's also SanDisk's SecureAccess software to protect access to sensitive data.
Outlets with USB
With all the technology and gadgets the average consumer owns today, one requires ample enough outlets to connect all the chargers and power cables. This outlet exension from PowerAdd (starts from around $12.99 not only offers up to seven outlets, but also up to five USB ports. That's more than enough.
Available sepearately, you can grab a white and black variant two-pack for less than $20 (three outlets with two USB ports).
Microsoft Goodies
Here are some affordable listings from the Microsoft Store that you don't want to miss, because they also make great gifts:
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
The games on Xbox Cloud Gaming that need touch controls
Minecraft Dungeons proved that touch controls and cloud streaming games can work, so we put together a list of the games we think need touch controls as soon as possible.
Join us LIVE for the Windows Central Video Podcast today at 2:30PM ET
We're LIVE with the Windows Central Video Podcast today at 2:30pm ET, make sure you're there!
Windows 10 October 2020 Update review: Subtle, but necessary
Microsoft's next big Windows 10 feature update is almost here, packing several notable changes and enhancements. This release is known as the October 2020 Update, version 20H2, and is the second big Windows 10 update to hit in 2020, after version 2004 which released in May earlier this year. This release is very much a continuation of version 2004, adding a few final touches and subtle...
These are the best upgrades for your Prusa Mk3 3D printer
The Prusa Mk3 is one of the best 3D printers you can buy right now, but even the best can be made better. Here are some of our favorite upgrades for the Mk3.