Christmas Tech Gifts Under $50, Plus Four to Catch on Sale

The WonderQuest microscope, one of the kids' picks below.

Most of these gifts were under $50 on Amazon in mid-October, and nearly all need only a phone or a Wi-Fi network to set up. Four of them, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, the Echo Dot, the Anker Nano power bank, and the Samsung flash drive, were above $50 on October 15. They're worth watching around Black Friday on November 27 and buying if the price drops under $50. Prices move a lot between now and December, so check the current price before you order.

Shopping for younger kids specifically? The STEM gifts for kids guide sorts science and coding kits by age.

Quick picks by person

• A teenager or college student would get the most use from the Anker Soundcore 2 speaker or the Anker Nano Power Bank.
• Anyone with an iPhone who loses keys or bags can use a 2nd-generation AirTag.
• For a parent or grandparent, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus updates an older TV, and an Echo Dot handles timers and music.
• Kids aged 5 and up can start with the WonderQuest microscope or a pair of noot K11 headphones.
• For a stocking, the Kasa smart plugs fit, and so does a Samsung USB-C flash drive if its price drops under $50.

Portable speakers

Anker Soundcore 2

The Soundcore 2 is the better all-day speaker of the two here. Anker rates it at up to 24 hours of playback and IPX7 water resistance, so it can go to the pool and play through a whole day without a charge. It is larger than the JBL below, and the JBL Go 3 vs Soundcore 2 comparison found it the better-sounding of the two.

JBL Go 3

The JBL Go 3 is small enough to clip to a backpack and is rated IP67 against dust and water. JBL rates the battery at about 5 hours, much less than the Soundcore 2, so it suits a shower or a short trip better than a full day out.

Trackers and batteries

Apple AirTag (2nd generation)

The 2nd-generation AirTag goes on a key ring or inside a bag and shows up in the Find My app on an iPhone. Amazon's listing says Precision Finding works from up to 1.5 times farther away than before. It works only with Apple devices, so check what phone the person uses before you buy one. A single AirTag is the under-$50 option, and a holder or key ring is sold separately. Android users would be better served by a tracker that works with Google's Find Hub network.

Anker Nano Power Bank 10K (45W)

The Anker Nano Power Bank holds 10,000 mAh, charges at up to 45W, and has a retractable USB-C cable built in, so nobody has to remember to pack one. It suits commuters, students, and anyone whose phone dies by dinner. It was above $50 on Amazon in mid-October, so it is one to buy on sale.

Streaming and smart home

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus

The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus plugs into an HDMI port and adds Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, and the rest to a TV whose built-in apps have gone slow or stopped updating. Amazon lists 4K streaming, Wi-Fi 6, and Alexa+ voice search on the remote. Anyone in an Apple household with a bigger budget should look at the new Apple TV 4K instead. It was above $50 on Amazon in mid-October, so wait for a sale price.

Amazon Echo Dot

The Echo Dot is a small Alexa speaker for timers, weather, music, and controlling smart plugs like the Kasa set below. It was above $50 on Amazon in mid-October, so it fits this budget only when it is on sale. Star Wars fans can also get the Mandalorian helmet Echo Dot bundle, which costs more.

Kasa Smart Plug Mini EP25 4-pack

Kasa's Smart Plug Mini EP25 connects to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi without a hub and works with Apple Home and Siri as well as Alexa and Google Home. The Kasa app sets schedules, so a lamp or the Christmas tree lights can turn on at dusk and off at bedtime. A 4-pack is enough for a whole room.

Kids

WonderQuest microscope

The WonderQuest is a handheld microscope with a 2-inch screen. A child presses it flat against a leaf, a coin, or a sleeve and turns the focus ring, with no eyepiece to line up. The box claims 4K and 1000x, but stills are 1920x1080 and the magnification is modest, as the WonderQuest review explains. It is rated for ages 5 and up, needs a microSD card that isn't in the box, and charges over USB-C.

noot K11 kids headphones

The noot K11 are wired on-ear headphones sized for ages 3 to 16, with padded cushions and an adjustable headband. Being wired, they never need charging, which makes them a good fit for a car trip or a flight. noot lists volume limiting but doesn't publish the limit. Parents who want a stated cap and Bluetooth should see the MIDOLA pair in the kids headphones comparison.

Storage

Samsung Type-C 256GB flash drive

The Samsung Type-C is a USB-C flash drive about 3.4 cm long, rated at up to 400 MB/s read with a 5-year warranty. It was $79.99 on Amazon on October 15, so it is one to buy on sale. It plugs directly into recent iPhones, Android phones, iPads, and USB-C laptops for moving photos and videos off a phone. It also meets the capacity and USB rules in our Rivian R1 and Rivian R2 drive guides, though both guides recommend an SSD for a car that records every day.

For a Switch 2 owner

A microSD Express card is a useful gift for anyone who got a Switch 2 this year, but the 256 GB cards usually sit just above $50. The Switch 2 microSD Express guide explains which cards work.

Buying open-box and used

eBay has new-in-box and open-box listings that can come in below Amazon's price. Searches for the Soundcore 2, JBL Go 3, AirTag, and Fire TV Stick 4K Plus are a good place to start. Buy from sellers with return policies, and give a used AirTag or Fire TV Stick only after confirming it has been removed from the previous owner's account.

Where to buy