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Sing Your Heart Out
Bonaok Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Mic
A Sleek Sleeve
Puffin Beverage Koozie
For the Outdoorsy
Kinco Axeman gloves
A Necessary Sidekick
Lodge 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet
Saving cash is never a bad thing. When words and phrases like “inflation” and “cost-of-living crisis” are all over the news, finding value for money has become even more important. WIRED’s Gear team has tested a broad range of products across many categories—many of which, handily, cost under $30. This guide brings together those top value-for-money picks into one list.
The choices here are useful for any time of year, but if you’re specifically looking to spend thriftily for a holiday or birthday gift, check out our 25 Amazing Gifts Under $25 for ideas. And dive into our other buying guides for more recommendations.
Updated August 2024: We’ve refreshed this guide with our current favorite budget finds.
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If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
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Photograph: Amazon
Sing Your Heart Out
Bonaok Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Mic
In our list of Gifts for Music Lovers, editor Parker Hall said this delightful Bluetooth-enabled microphone has brought a lot of joy to his home. The mic pairs with your phone and has built-in reverb and delay so you’ll sound like the pop star you always knew you could be.
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Photograph: Puffin
A Sleek Sleeve
Puffin Beverage Koozie
This beverage koozie is featured in several of our gift guides, including the Best Analog Gifts. Insulated sleeves are pretty easy to understand: They keep your drink cold and your hand not-too-cold. Puffin’s koozies stand out because they’re available in so many styles, from outdoor vests to military fatigues to neon windbreakers.
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Photograph: Amazon
For the Outdoorsy
Kinco Axeman gloves
Tech category director Martin Cizmar has used these leather mittens for two seasons in a row, both on the slopes and in the yard. They’re durable, warm, and water resistant, and they’ll be even better if you hit ’em with a bake-in leather treatment. These gloves and over a dozen other items are featured in our roundup of Gifts for Dads.
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Photograph: Amazon
A Necessary Sidekick
Lodge 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet
No kitchen is complete without a good cast-iron skillet. This option from Lodge is tried-and-true, and affordable to boot. It comes preseasoned, which will help with the cast-iron learning curve. Read more about it and get additional recommendations in our guide to the Best Gifts for Home Chefs.
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Photograph: Darn Tough
For Toasty Toes
Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion
The WIRED Gear team recommends basically every pair of Darn Tough socks we’ve tried, but this pick comes from our list of Gifts for the Perpetually Cold. Darn Tough socks are warm, comfortable, durable, and backed by a lifetime warranty. This pair is perfect for hikes in subzero temperatures, but also really comfortable if you’re just trekking from the couch to the fridge.
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Photograph: Samantha Cooper
An Optimistic Tote
WIRED Have A Nice Future Tote
Not to toot our own horn, but we think this tote bag from the WIRED merch store is pretty slick. It’s made sustainably from six plastic water bottles and can collapse down into a small pouch once you’re done using it.
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Photograph: Dash
Bitty Breakfast
Dash Mini Waffle Maker
Featured in our guide to the Best Viral TikTok Gadgets, this tiny waffle maker won’t take up too much space on your counter—it only measures 4 inches across. It’s available in a wide range of fun colors and comes with a recipe guide. Aside from waffles and waffle-adjacent food, this mini maker can crank out hash browns, crispy eggs, quesadillas, and more.
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Photograph: Slice
Easy Access
Slice Auto-Retractable Box Cutter
These box cutters make excellent gifts for shopaholics (or product reviewers). The durable finger-safe ceramic blades won’t cut you, and they’re cheap to replace when they eventually break down. This box cutter has an ergonomic design that makes it easy to condense boxes and open packages. Reviewer Louryn Strampe is also a fan of the Slice Utility Knife, though it’s a bit more expensive.
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Photograph: JLab
Low-Cost Buds
JLab Audio Go Air Pop
The Go Air Pop are a great pair of cheap earbuds that fit well, come in cool colors, and have an AirPod-beating eight hours of battery life. They don’t sound quite as good as Apple’s finest, but they perform more than well enough for listening to music and podcasts, especially as a pair you don’t have to worry too much about. The included charging case has a built-in USB cable, which means you’ll never hunt through a drawer for one.
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Photograph: Amazon
Portable Sound Machine
Dreamegg D11
The Dreamegg D11 is our favorite sound machine for portability. While it’s aimed at the parents of babies, there’s nothing stopping adults in need of some soothing sounds from using this. Its small size makes it easy to take with you on the go, and there are 11 sounds for you to try, from a fan to lullaby music and more. From Amazon it stays within our $30 budget, but it’s higher directly from the brand.
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Photograph: Sony
Top-Up Dock
Sony DualSense Charging Station
This PS5 accessory is an absolute must-have. Using the included cable is such a hassle, especially if you have more than one controller. With the dock, I simply pick my controller up to use it and place it back down after every gaming session. Simple. There’s really not much else to it. It’s an essential gadget for those who like the easy life.
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Photograph: Amazon
Iced Tea Tool
Hario Cold Brew Tea Pot
Of course, tea isn’t just for warming up the cold among us. There’s iced tea too. This tea pot from Hario is our cold-brew choice in our Best Tea Accessories guide. Get your loose leaf in there, whack in some water, then pop in the fridge the day before you need it. In the morning you’ll have your cherished iced-tea fix.
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Photograph: Logitech
Portable Keyboard
Logitech K380
If you have an iPad, Apple and Logitech sell elaborate keyboard cases. But if you don’t want or need to mess with an attached case, this simple portable keyboard from Logitech is one of our top iPad accessories. The K380 is a compact and quiet, yet tactile, keyboard that’s easy to sling in a bag or stow away at a desk. The more fun and colorful shades are often on sale for under $30, but if you want a standard gray, then it’s over $30. We might be breaking our own rule by including it, but we made that rule up anyway. If you’re in the market for a case, here’s a good one from Spigen.
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Photograph: Harbor Freight
Tough Tool Transport
Harbor Freight Hercules Tool Tote
This small tool bag is a great option to whip out when a household DIY situation hits. It may just be fabric but it’s built to resist bumps and the like. There are 22 pockets on both the inside and out to accommodate all the home tools you need. Check out our guide to the Best Home Tools for more.
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Photograph: Belkin
Upgrade Your Webcam
Belkin iPhone Mount With MagSafe for MacBooks
If it’s possible to solve a problem in both an elegant and inelegant way, then this is it. The idea of attaching a phone to your laptop as a way to improve your webcam experience feels like overkill, but Apple has softened the blow as best it can. The Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe for MacBooks (the name is also inelegant) is one of our favorite MagSafe accessories and achieves what it says on the tin. The mount will let you use your iPhone as a webcam with Apple’s Continuity Camera feature, improving picture quality to no end.
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Photograph: Anker
Powerful Plug
Anker Nano Pro
This Anker charger is one of the best iPad accessories, but it’s great for phones and Android tablets alike too. It can achieve up to 20-watt output, meaning it’s able to fast-charge an iPad Pro. The big benefits here are its diminutive size and value-for-money proposition—coming in slightly cheaper than Apple’s plugs. There’s no cable included, but that’s another thing Anker can help you out with.
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Photograph: Amazon
An Outdoor Dog Bed
Coolaroo The Original Cooling Elevated Pet Bed
A cheap and cheerful place for your dog to just chill out, Coolaroo has it covered. The Original Cooling Elevated Pet Bed is one of our top recommendations for a dog bed. The bed’s raised form factor allows air to circulate around your doggo while they sit comfortably. There’s plenty of choice here, with a bunch of sizes and colors available. Usually the small size is $30 and the larger sizes cost just a bit more.
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Photograph: Cat Person
Feline Fun
Cat Person Toys
WIRED’s feline fanatic Medea Giordano included Cat Person’s line of toys in our guide to the Best Cat Furniture. Giordano was a big fan of Georgia the Chicken (pictured). Cat Person offers a variety of cat-friendly products, but these particular toys come attached to a string and are stuffed full of catnip.
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Photograph: Roku
A Simple Streaming Stick
Roku Express HD
We think the Streaming Stick 4K is the best Roku for most people, but if you want to spend the least amount of money and still enjoy Roku’s simple interface, get the Express HD. It’s for those with a standard HDTV. Roku works with all the major streaming services, and even the least techy among us can figure it out. But at this price, the remote can’t control your TV’s volume or power.
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Photograph: B&H
A Camera Strap
Hex Ranger Camera Wrist Strap
The strap of choice for reviews editor Julian Chokkattu, this camera accessory from Hex offers a neat trick. Once attached to your wrist correctly, if you drop the camera, the strap will tighten, then loosen again once you grab a hold of it for your next snap. No need for extra fastenings to mess around with. It’s comfortable and doesn’t feel too restrictive.
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Photograph: Nena Farrell
Adaptable Arm Mount
Lamicall Gooseneck iPad Holder
Ever been lying in bed, back flat to the mattress, looking up at your phone and had it smash you right in the face? Now imagine it’s an iPad. Ouch. This bendable arm is one of our favorite iPad accessories and is here to avoid unnecessary bumps and bruises, as well as save the odd sore neck. It can attach to a desk or nightstand and lets you position it perfectly for reading, watching, game-playing, and more. As a budget pick, the arm isn’t the most stable we’ve tested, so it’s best for passive viewing rather than tapping the screen regularly, but the Lamicall is extremely useful nonetheless.
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Photograph: PopSockets
Getting a Grip
PopSockets PopGrip for MagSafe
One for PopSocket fans, and another one of our top picks for MagSafe accessories to consider, this PopGrip uses Apple’s magnetic tech to snap to the back of your iPhone. Admittedly, solely leaving the fate of your phone grip down to MagSafe is slightly less reassuring than an embedded case or accessory that uses an adhesive, but this is a convenient option nonetheless. If you get bored of this look, you can even switch out the top portion for something else.
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Photograph: Amazon
A Cheap Knife
Kiwi Stainless Steel 8-inch Chef’s Knife
A good knife shouldn’t cost a fortune. These Kiwis are our top cheap pick among the best knives around. The steel isn’t the best, but if sharpened regularly they’ll keep an edge just as well as a $100 knife. Take some of the money you save on these and invest in a good sharpening system. We like this Gatco rod-guided sharpening system, which eliminates much of the guesswork of sharpening.
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Photograph: Logitech
Cheap Gaming Mouse
Logitech G203
This affordable gaming mouse is our favorite pick under $50. The Logitech G203 offers decent sensitivity at 8,000 dots per inch, along with six customizable buttons and RGB lighting. Sure, you’ll find better mice at higher price points, but this is a top value pick.
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Photograph: Anker
A Wireless Charger
Anker PowerWave Pad and Stand
Wireless charging has become standard in smartphones over the past few years, and it’s lovely not having to fumble with cables. Anker’s reliable and affordable chargers come in various shapes and sizes, but we think the PowerWave Stand makes a great gift for your loved one’s desk or bedside table. With your phone propped up and charging, it’s easy to see incoming notifications and tap that touchscreen when you need to.
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Photograph: Prostorm
Budget ’Brella
ProStorm Vented Travel Umbrella
Keeping out of the rain shouldn’t cost the earth, and Prostorm has us covered, literally. This is our budget pick in our guide to the Best Umbrellas. This vented travel umbrella has a fiberglass and steel frame for batting back wind and rain. It offers plenty of space for one person, though, annoyingly, the handle itself is a tad on the small side. The 2024 version is 20 percent lighter.
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Photograph: Nimble
A Cable for the Eco-Conscious
Nimble PowerKnit USB-C to USB-C
Want a cable that’s eco-friendly but doesn’t compromise on quality? This one from Nimble has been the go-to for reviews editor Julian Chokkattu for several years now with nary an issue, and it sits pride of place in our best USB-C cables guide. This cable doesn’t feel cheap and plasticky, and its mix of certified recycled plastic and aluminum feels nice and textured. There are three lengths to choose from, plus there’s a two-year warranty for your peace of mind.
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Photograph: Simon Hill
In a Flash
Verbatim Pinstripe (256 GB)
It may not be the most glamorous gift, but this USB flash drive is a virtual filing cabinet for your pocket. Whether your recipient wants to take their saved games with them, backup and transfer photos, or share the first draft of their novel, this practical thumb drive will come in handy. It slides shut, so there’s no cap to lose, and there is a handy loop for sliding onto a keychain. You can never have too many thumb drives.
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Photograph: Sandisk
Need Some Space
SanDisk 128 GB High-Speed MicroSD Card
The best thing you can do with a Nintendo Switch (besides play Tears of the Kingdom) is beef up the storage. This 128-GB microSD card lets you go all-digital and ditch the requirement to lug around cartridges. It’s also pretty cheap. That’s why it’s in our best Switch accessories roundup. We tried the older version of this card. The new one is just as good and has slightly faster read speeds.
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Photograph: Monoprice
360 Extender
Monoprice 8 Outlet Rotating Surge Strip
Ever thought of using a surge stripe with rotating outlets? You may never go back. Sitting in our Work From Home guide, this Monoprice extender more easily accommodates your different-sized plugs by allowing you to rotate the sockets to your needs. Who would’ve thunk.
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Photograph: JBL
Wired for Sound
JBL Tune 205
The JBL Tune 205 are a solid pair of wired earbuds with ergonomic tips and an included mic for calls. They come in a nondescript black and with a convenient carrying pouch, so they won’t tangle up around all your other belongings in your bag or pockets.
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Photograph: Target
Over and Over
Rocketbook Core
This is one of our favorite smart notebooks and reusable products. Using the Rocketbook app, take pictures of your notes to keep them organized and syncable across devices and services like OneNote and Evernote. It comes with an erasable pen so after you’ve taken photos, simply wipe the pages down with a damp cloth to erase. It’s usually under $30 from Amazon.
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Photograph: Maude
Anti-Friction
Maude Shine Silicone Lube
Water-based lubes are generally the most versatile. Aside from straight-to-skin applications, they’re typically safe for use with sex toys. This lube from Maude is our very favorite. It’s slippery and smooth, and it doesn’t get sticky over time or absorb too quickly.
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Photograph: Govee
A Bright Idea
Govee Smart LED Bulb (H6008)
Govee makes a bunch of affordable smart lights, and these are high-quality despite their price tag. There are dozens of colors, scenes, and effects, and there’s support for Wi-fi and Bluetooth as well as voice controls through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
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Photograph: Simon Hill
One Mount to Rule Them All
iOttie 6 Easy One Touch 6
One of the best car mounts on the market, this option from iOttie is great because you can use it one-handed. After the initial adjustment, just pop your phone on the base and the arms will close around it, securing it in place. The base stays secure even on the bumpiest roads.
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Photograph: Trade Coffee
Stay Wired
Trade Coffee Subscription
If you want to explore the wide world of coffee, a Trade Coffee subscription is your best bet. You’ll get a shipment of beans from boutique roasters every month, and there are more than 400 options to choose from. Thankfully a simple questionaire will help you decide between them.
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Photograph: Hario
The Chillest Brew
Mizudashi Cold Brew Maker
This is the best cold brew coffee maker. The elegant and understated design looks nice on your counter, and the device is dead simple to use. The filter lets the perfect amount of sediment through, resulting in a brew that has just the right consistency to mix with milk.
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Photograph: Simon Hill
A Better Charger
Nimble Champ (Series 2)
Not only is this charger a fantastic power bank, but it’s also comprised using recycled bioplastics, which helps cut back on the massive e-waste footprint generated by gadgets such as this. Packaging is minimal, too. The charger itself has a lightweight design and it’s available in a few different fun colors. For $30, you’ll get the smaller, 15-watt charger.
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Photograph: Nena Farrell
Plug It In
TP-Link Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (TP15)
We’ve tested a lot of smart plugs, and this is the best one. The plug is compact enough that it doesn’t block other outlets, and setup is easy peasy. It’s also compatible with Matter, so it’ll play nicely with all of your other smart home devices. I (Louryn) have my box fan connected to a smart plug, so I can groggily yell at Alexa to turn it off in the mornings.
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Photograph: Oxo
For Loose-Leaf Lovers
Oxo Tea Infuser Basket
This is the best way to brew loose leaf tea. The stainless steel design is durable and keeps particles out of your drink. The lid also doubles as a drip tray for the wet basket once your tea is finished steeping.
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Photograph: Bitvae
A Solid Electric Toothbrush
Bitvae Sonic Electric Toothbrush
This toothbrush typically costs between $16 and $18. It comes with eight replacement heads—you’ll be set for awhile—and there are tons of cute colors to choose from. We wish that the charger had a different design. You need to plug it in to the bottom of the handle, which means you have to stick your toothbrush to the wall or lay it on its side while it charges. But we haven’t found a better affordable electric toothbrush, and it’ll clean your teeth efficiently.
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Photograph: Joyleop
A Cute AirPods Case
Joyleop Pink Cookie Case
I’m always losing my AirPods, but perhaps they’d be easier to find if they were shaped like a tiny box of Pocky. This case is made of stiff silicone and has a little metal carabiner on the side. It’ll block wireless charging, but not the case’s speaker. Most of our favorite AirPods cases are affordable, so check out that guide for more options.
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Photograph: Kabir Fernandez/Baggu
For the Smart Shopper
Baggu Standard Reusable Bag
This excellent reusable shopping bag is made with 40 percent recycled nylon. There are oodles of cool designs to choose from, and each folds up into a tiny little pouch that you can easily store in your car or purse. The bag can hold up to 50 pounds worth of stuff.
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Photograph: REI
For Keeping Things Chill
Hydro Flask Cooler Cup (12 Ounce)
This neat little insulated cup is like a cooler for your can. Simply pop in a beer or a soda and it’ll keep your drink chilled for hours. If you prefer to decant your drinks, there’s a removable collar on the top of the metal koozy. Take it off to transform the cooler into a cup—and pop it on the bottom for added stability.
