Tech gifts under $50 are the best

Second-Generation Echo Studio: A Low-Price Smart Speaker for $34.99 on Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Best Buy

If you’re interested in an Alexa smart speaker with better audio quality and Dolby Atmos support, the Echo Studio is the Amazon product to check out. Unfortunately, only three places are currently selling the Echo studio: Amazon, Target, and Best Buy.

We launched at the end of last year, and we have not seen a lot of discounts. It can be bought on Amazon at $249.99, its retail price is more than its most recent sale price, and you can pick up it at Best Buy for $50 more. Both retailers (Best Buy / Amazon) are also throwing in a second-gen Echo Show 5 at no additional cost, though, each retailer requires you to select the correct configuration or add the second-gen Show 5 to your car prior to checking out.

The second-gen Echo Show 5 is available at all of the above stores for just $34.99, an all-time low on a capable smart display.

Last year, Amazon released a third-gen Echo Show 10. The device features a 10.1-inch HD screen and, unlike the Show 5 and Show 8, the 2021 model allows you to adjust the angle of the screen. It has a motorized base and is also mounted on a display that follows you as you move. If you plan on doing a lot of video calling, this is the model to get.

We recently saw the first-gen Show 8 drop to $54.99 ($55 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is the smart display’s current sale price. For the second-gen model it is readily available at retailers like Amazon, Target, and Best Buy for $69.99, its lowest price to date. Amazon is also offering select customers six months of Amazon Music Unlimited with the purchase of either the first- or second-gen model, though, the retailer doesn’t stipulate how to qualify.

The Jall Digital Alarm Clock: A Simple, Minimal, and Efficient Smart Alarm Plug for the Instant Coffee – Introducing the Jall Alarm

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Sometimes, it’s better to go with something simple than with a smart alarm clock. The Jall DigitalAlarmClock has a sleek wooden look and lights on it that show the temperature and humidity. It’s simple but it’s minimalist. Price: $21.99

If you want your coffee maker to make a cup whenever you wake up, then a smart plug can be used. Even if you don’t own a hub and can’t use the four other assistants, Kasa’s smart plugs have you covered. The price was $39.99.

The Star Wars X-Z Rugs: Embedded with Smart Speakers and Light Bulbs for a Bright, Bright, Family-Structured Space

If you can help the Star Wars fan in your life, they’ll love it. The rugs feature subtle designs that people may not even notice, and they are adorned with Bestar helmets and X-wings. That’s because each rug looks sleek and tasteful, regardless of the pattern. Price is $109+.

A set of color-changing light bulbs will get you into the holiday spirit. The included A19 bulbs are helpful in timers and automation options, which is why they remain one of the easiest ways to outfit your home with smart lighting. It even comes with a Hue Bridge, giving you access to a range of additional features. The price is 149.99.

The robot’s ability to clean in multiple passes thanks to the exclusive Matrix Clean navigation means no spots will be missed. Innovative cleaning technologies like CleanEdge technology, removes debris out of corners and edges, and Sonic Mopping, scrubs 100x per minute, ensure confidence and convenience in a deeper, smarter clean every time. Price: $699

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums

The Rebooter: A Smart Home Technology Holiday Gift Guide-2022-Kitchen-gadgets-Lights-Smart Speakers Vacuums

“Have you tried turning it off and turning it on again?” No matter how advanced your home network is, it’s bound to unexpectedly drop from time to time. The Rebooter does it for you automatically, though, making it an especially helpful gift for family members who usually just call on you for free tech support. It was $54.95.

Even if a newer model of iPad is not available, it’s worth purchasing since it’s worth a great deal in the household. The affordable last-gen slate is great for streaming content and sharing control of various smart home tech as well as entertaining kids and taking notes with optional accessories like the first-gen Apple Pencil. Pricing is $2699.99.

A backup battery with surge protection may not be a particularly exciting gift, but your giftee will thank you for it when their power goes out and their router and desktop keep humming. APC’s chonky 450W offering features nine outlets in total as well as two USB ports for charging various electronics. $116.70 is the price.

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums

Furbo Pet Camera for Dogs and Dogs: Low-Cost Smart Home Interior Design for a Three-Family Home

You can keep an eye on the dog when you’re not at home with Furbo’s latest interactive pet camera. The little device can fully rotate, packs night vision and a wide-angle lens, and can toss your pup a treat to keep them entertained when nobody’s home. The best part is that it doesn’t need to be a dog or cat. Price: $147

Ikea’s Symfonisk is the cheapest one of its kind. It still sounds good for the money despite its affordable price tag. The clever bookshelf speaker can also be positioned vertically or horizontally, it comes in a black and white finish and can complement most home decor. $119.99 is the price.

Reliable Wi-Fi is a must-have these days, whether for work or pleasure, and a mesh router setup makes it easy to blanket your home with a speedy internet connection. The Eero 6 Plus allows you to cover a 3,000-square-foot home and achieve gigabit speeds without spending big money for Wi-Fi 6E support and cutting-edge features that may go unused by most. $167 is the price.

Amazon and Google are always slugging it out for smart thermostat supremacy, but Ecobee is a great choice if you’re looking to monitor the temperature in rooms with problematic insulation and keep things comfy. The premium version comes with a remote temperature sensor and a sleeker design than previous models, not to mention an easy-to-use interface. The price is $249.99.

It’s 2022, meaning you no longer have to leave the comfort of your windowless apartment just to touch grass. The Grow Smart Garden 3 has everything you need to grow your own vegetables and herbs, including a handy light, a self- watering tank, and a selection of pre-seededpods that let you skip the nursery. Pricing was $74.96.

A good display for taking video calls, filling a room with music, and showing shared photos in a lengthy slideshow is the Google’s Nest Hub Max. Thanks to a recent software update, it’s now possible to call the Google Assistant from the 10-inch display if you’re looking at it. So much for the whole “Hey Google” thing, huh? Price: $174.99

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums

The Ninja Fit: Minimalist Smart Home Technology for Blending, Baking, and Baking with an Instant-Read Thermometer

The Ninja Fit is perfect for blending up some healthy, protein-rich shakes for pre- or post-workout nutrition — or you can use it to make your own version of a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake. No judgments here, especially since the 16-ounce blender is the perfect size for just one person and can take on frozen fruit, ice, nuts, and pretty much anything you want to throw at the 700-watt motor. Price: $54.99

Good coffee doesn’t need you to spend a fortune on something, but it does need you to pony up a bit of money for a way to brew it that looks attractive in the kitchen. The Bodum’s minimalist French press is relatively affordable, simple to use, and stylish in its all-black finish. Price: $16.99 to $23.11

An instant-read thermometer is a handy tool to have in the kitchen, one that’s as helpful for grilling burgers in the summer as it is for baking a holiday ham in the winter. Whoever is cooking this year can keep smiling even if they forget, as this one from Marsno lists a range of target temps alongside the current one, with a bottle opener. You can find it at $129.99

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums

The Baratza Virtuoso Plus: a portable smart-home-technology-holiday-gift-guide for kids at heart

Stepping up your coffee game starts with a good grinder. The Baratza Virtuoso Plus is perfectly suited for grinding beans for a cold brew or espresso. The workhouse is constructed using sturdy components and is ideal for a small office with coffee fiends in it. $249.95 is the price

The dry months can cause a lot of problems, from your skin to your quality of life. This adorable USB-C humidifier features the adventurous Dutch cartoon rabbit Miffy and a built-in night light — a handy feature given the ungodly hour at which the sun now sets. If you think it’s only for kids, you’re wrong. I mean… it’s also for, like, kids at heart. Price: $28.68

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums

Nixplay Frames and Meross Remotes: A Price for an Exceptional Set-Top Box and an Apple HomeKit

Apple’s latest 4K streaming box is its best yet, with a much-improved remote, more base storage, and support for HDR10 Plus and Dolby Vision. The exceptional set-top box can act like a hub for Apple’s Home kit and the same processor that powered last year’s iPhone 13 will work for years to come. There is a price for this.

A Nixplay frame is the ideal smart photo frame if you’re someone who prioritizes clean lines and subtlety over something more flexible, like an Amazon Echo Show or Google Nest display. They come in a variety of sizes and styles, helping them to blend in with any regular frames in your home, and they allow you to cycle through both personal and shared photo albums. This price is $119.99.

Meross’ garage door remote is easy to set up and allows you to control an existing garage door opener from wherever you may be using either your voice or the Meross app. The basic device is compatible with more than 1,600 different models, and this premium HomeKit compatible version integrates nicely with the iPhones for faster operation. Price: $49.99

The Cosori Twin-bladed Swivel Peeler: A Quality Kitchen Upgrade for a Low Cost, Smart Home Technology Holiday Gift Guide 2022

The no-fuss omnifizz is a great alternative to SodaStream as it allows you to drink more water, iced tea, juice, and just about any drink you want with a hint of bubbles. Don’t drink milk. Don’t ever do milk. The price is $110.

If you enjoy seeing amazing views of technology and classic gadgets, then you might want to have your walls decorated with high quality artwork from the real thing. The original iPhone and the Game Boy Color are just some of the cool devices that Grid Studio deconstructs and frames. It costs 199.

Look, we know an air fryer is just a small convection oven on your counter, but they’re still super handy for cooking small meals in little time. Cosori’s jet-black Pro model features a wide, shallow basket and easy presets for all kinds of foods, not to mention a more compact footprint than similar models from other brands. Price: $94.49

Nobody likes peeling vegetables, but everyone can appreciate making the process faster and easier, especially around the holidays. Like most OXO stuff, the company’s twin-bladed Swivel Peeler represents a quality kitchen upgrade — even if for very specific, limited tasks. It was priced at $11.80.

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums

Amazon-owned Blink: A Minimal Techie Gift for the Home and the Low-Function Tidbyt Smart Light Board

Sometimes form over function is not bad. The Tidbyt smart light board is part weather updates, part stock ticker, part clock, and all vibes. If your giftee is prone to doom scrolling, you might want to consider the attractive desk accessory that does not offer a lot of function. Price: $179

Amazon-owned Blink makes one of the most affordable video doorbells you can buy. Its battery-powered doorbell packs all the basics — motion-activated alerts, night vision, two-way audio, etc. — which is perfect for anyone looking to be more cognizant of the goings-on in front of their door without spending a ton of money. $33 price

What’s a better techie gift for the home than your own personal astromech droid? Lego sets like the Imperial Star Destroyer and Eiffel Tower receive a lot of praise but this replica of R2/D2 stands a respectable 13 inches tall and is just small enough that you won’t be left wondering. It was $2399.99.

The winter months are bad for us because most of the time we don’t like coffee at all. Thankfully, Ember’s ceramic Smart Mug keeps your beverage heated to your preferred temperature for up to 80 minutes (or indefinitely when it’s resting on the included charging coaster).Price: $119.95

Budget-friendly Tech Ideas for Under-50: From Cameras to Garage Doors and Garage Doorbells, and Audiobook Subscriptions & Game Passing

If “budget-friendly” and “high-quality” sound like oxymorons to you, you’re in for a surprise. As it turns out, you can buy a number of great gifts without completely draining your savings account, which makes it easy to pick up a present for your anniversary, a birthday party, or one of the many other gift-giving occasions strewn throughout the year.

Finding the right gift can be difficult even when there is a lot of budget-friendly items to choose from. That’s why we’ve put together a selection of techy gift ideas, all of which we’ve personally tested or have received as gifts ourselves. These range from entertaining picks like disposable cameras and wireless earbuds to more practical gifts like video doorbells and smart garage door openers. We’ve also highlighted an assortment of last-minute gifts that are more unique than your run-of-the-mill gift card — including game passes and audiobook subscriptions.

A great pair of wireless earbuds are the perfect gift for music lovers, and Skullcandy’s new Jib True 2 boast a nice combination of features for the price. Both earbuds feature a water resistance rating of IPX4 that helps ensure they can survive rain or a brisk walk at the gym. You can locate the earbuds via the Tile app on your phone, if you misplace them. You can get the Jib True 2 in a variety of colors for just $30 at Amazon, Skullcandy, and Macy’s.

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23161828/best-cheap-tech-gadgets-under-50

Goggle TV as a Streaming Device: A Review of Kodak, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and PlayStation Plus Essential For Your Giftee

No matter the occasion, an excellent streaming device like the Chromecast with Goggle TV is a welcome present. That’s because it grants your giftee access to every major streaming service while offering support for Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and a wide array of apps. Unlike its rivals, however, the gadget also curates recommendations from a variety of streaming services and provides Rotten Tomatoes scores, helping your loved one quickly find something worthwhile to binge-watch. You can buy 4K-ready Chromecast for $49.99 from several stores, including Best Buy and Target. Read our review.

There’s something charming about old-school low-tech gadgets like disposable cameras. Kodak’s pocket-size M35 offers all of the charms single-use cameras do except for one thing: it can be reused again and again with 35mm rolls of film. The M35 serves as a nice introduction to analog photography and is a creative present your giftee will love, especially if they’re the nostalgic, sentimental sort. It typically retails for around $28 but you can buy it for just $17.98 at B&H Photo.

You could give the person in your life a game for under $50, but a pass to one of the more prominent gaming subscriptions offers more value for your money. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate grants you access to exclusive discounts, online multiplayer, and more than 100 games for PC and Xbox consoles, ranging from older titles like Doom to the newly remastered GoldenEye 007. You can buy the three-month pass from CDKeys for $27, though it is cheaper than a one-month digital subscription. You can also buy it for $41.66 ($3 off) on Amazon or at its full price of $44.99 at Best Buy.

Alternatively, you could also gift PlayStation Plus Essential if their primary console is the PlayStation 4 or 5. Every month, they’ll be able to download free PlayStation 4 and 5 titles while enjoying access to online multiplayer, exclusive discounts, and 100GB of cloud storage for saved games. The Last of Us, God of War and many other last-gen titles can be played from the PS Plus Collection until May 9th. PlayStation Plus Essential costs $9.99 a month, though you can currently pick up a three-month subscription for $24.99 from PlayStation.

A membership to PlayStation Plus allows PlayStation 4 and PS5 owners to play games online, download free titles every month, use cloud save backups, and take advantage of discounts on the PS Store.

If you don’t mind forking out extra, there’s also the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, which cost $49.99 per year. It offers the same benefits as the Nintendo Switch Online membership but also grants access to Game Boy Advance and Nintendo 64 titles, not to mention DLC content for select games (including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe). Right now, can pick up a subscription from Nintendo, Amazon, and Best Buy.

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23161828/best-cheap-tech-gadgets-under-50

The Magnetic Wireless Charger and Bluetooth Tracker for Your Loved One: A Good Gift Or a Flavor For Someone Who Goes Out on the Road

If your loved one uses an iPhone, the Magnetic Wireless Charger from Anker is a good gift to give. It’s tiny and lightweight, so they can easily throw it in their bag while on the go, and it comes bundled with a five-foot USB-C cable. It also charges up to 7.5 watts, which is enough to fully juice a phone overnight or give it a quick top-up while out and about. Right now, it’s available for $25.99 at Amazon and Newegg.

Alternatively, if your loved one owns an Android phone, there’s Belkin’s BoostCharge Wireless Charging Stand. It can give up to 10 watt of power, but also doubles as a stand so your giftee can view notifications with ease. You can buy it for around $34.99 at Best Buy and direct from Belkin.

If your giftee is an avid beachgoer or someone who is always on the move, the JBL Go 3 is worth considering. The waterproof Bluetooth speaker is tiny enough that you can easily slip it into your backpack or pocket before heading out the door, and it comes with a loop that allows you to quickly attach it to a bag. Plus, it offers up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge and comes in a vibrant red colorway, camo, and a variety of other fun hues that should stand out no matter where you set it. The JBL Go 3 is available for $49.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target.

Whether your loved one is a frequent traveler or just the forgetful sort, they’ll appreciate a Bluetooth tracker. It’ll help them keep tabs on everything from keys to suitcases, allowing them to spot luggage and leave baggage claim a lot faster. Apple’s location tracker may be better if you are embedded in the Apple ecosystem and it pairs well with the iPhone. You can buy an AirTag for $29 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, though keep in mind your giftee will need to spend extra on an AirTag loop if they want to attach it to their keys or bag.

If your giftee uses a phone that works with bothAndroid andiOS, you may want to look at a Tile Maxx, which can do many of the same functions, but works with both devices. Right now, you can buy the 2022 model for $19.99 instead of its typical retail price of $24.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. Read our AirTag review.

8BitDo’s Pro 2 is an excellent Nintendo Switch controller, one your giftee can also connect to their PC or smartphone via Bluetooth. The more expensive Pro Controller lacks all the features of the Pro controller, which makes gaming enjoyable and comfortable thanks to features like hand grips. It isn’t compatible with Amiibos or HD rumble, but it does offer a number of useful features, including fast charging, and is currently for $49.99 at Amazon and Best Buy. Read our review.

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23161828/best-cheap-tech-gadgets-under-50

Best Cheap Tech Gadgets Under-50: How to Give a Bookworm a New Paperless Notebook for the Living Room or a Movie

The last thing you want to do is turn off the light while you watch a movie on the couch. Wyze has color wi-fi bulbs, so your loved ones won’t have to. The LED bulbs are compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, so all they need to do is use their voice to turn the lights off. The 1,100-lumen smart bulbs will give the home a colorful look when they’re on. A pack of two bulbs costs $26.98 at Walmart, Amazon, and Best Buy.

Gifting a bookworm something that grants them access to thousands of books is obviously a good idea. A Kindle Unlimited subscription costs $9.99 a month and provides access to more than 3 million digital titles, including bestsellers and classics. You can gift your loved one a subscription to the audiobook service called Audible Premium Plus for $14.95 per month. That way, they’ll be able to enjoy thousands of audiobooks and podcasts as well as one premium audiobook every month.

If your giftee takes a lot of notes for school or work, Rocketbook’s smart notebooks will surely come in handy. The notebooks are erasable and, thus, reusable, so they don’t have to keep buying (and wasting) paper. They can use the companion app of Rocketbook to stay in touch with their friends and family in multiple cloud-based services.

There is a wide range of Rocketbook notebooks currently available, with some offering lined or dot grid paper and even preexisting templates like calendars. If you want to buy a Rocketbook Core with 32dot grid pages, a microfiber cloth, and a Pilot Frixion erasable pen for $23.03, you can do it on Amazon, $24.49 at Target, or from Rocketbook.

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23161828/best-cheap-tech-gadgets-under-50

Best Cheap Tech Gadgets Under 50: Gifting Netflix, Netflix, and Sports with DeathAdder V2 Mini and Disney Bundle

DeathAdder V2 Mini is a game that makes gaming more enjoyable if your giftee uses a PC. One of our favorite models is the small wired mouse, which we praised for being comfortable and supportive. It shares a similar design with an 8,500 DPI sensor and a relatively straightforward button layout; however, the lightweight gaming mouse only features a single button for switching the DPI as opposed to two. In the past few months, the price of the mini has gone down as low as $14.99 at Best Buy.

You can’t go wrong with a gift card for one of the major streaming services, which can be used to binge countless hours of entertainment. The most notable is Netflix, which grants access to popular shows and movies like Wednesday, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and Stranger Things and starts at $6.99 a month. You can purchase a physical gift card from Best Buy, or a digital gift card at Target, Best Buy, and Amazon.

Alternatively, you can gift multiple streaming services in the form of a Disney Bundle subscription. The three-in-one package caters to a wide range of interests, from family-friendly content like The Mandalorian to sports, as it includes Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus. You can get an ad-supported plan for $12 a month.

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23161828/best-cheap-tech-gadgets-under-50

The Anchor Pro: An Antipode for Holding a Gamepad and a Pair of Noise-Canceling Headphones in the Presence of Clutter

Noise-canceling headphones can help you focus while working, but their sheer size can clutter your desk and make it harder to concentrate when you’re not using them. The anchor pro is an accessory that hooks under your desk and keeps cables out of the way. The handy contraption is sturdy enough that it can feasibly hold two gaming headsets or pairs of headphones, no matter their size or weight, with a hook that’s also suitable for hanging your keys. Right now, you can buy the Anchor Pro hanger for $15.95 on Amazon and direct from ElevationLab.