Affordable Tech Gifts Under $25: Brighten Up Someone’s Life with These Budget-Friendly Devices

Wanting to treat a friend or a loved one to some tech or a cool gadget while on a very lean budget can feel like an impossible task. Most of the everyday devices we use cost multiple hundreds of dollars, so what do you get when you just want a nice birthday or “just because” kind of gift but can’t break the bank? Sure, you could default to something basic like a pair of socks or a scarf, but that gets boring fast.

In this article, we’ve assembled a list of affordable tech gifts under $25 that are worth your money. These items might not sound very fun or exciting at first, but they’re all helpful gifts that any tech-head can appreciate.

1. Anker MagGo Qi2 Wireless Charger
A charger that’s cheaper and longer than Apple’s charging puck

If you need a gift for someone in the tech bubble and want to cement your spot as the coolest person in their life, try getting them the Anker MagGo Wireless Charger. This charger magnetically attaches to MagSafe-compatible iPhones and supports 15W wireless charging speeds on the iPhone 13 and newer. It also comes with a five-foot cable for those who felt Apple’s official MagSafe charger was too short. However, it doesn’t ship with the 20W adapter required to unlock its full charging potential, so make sure your recipient already has one.

2. Uni USB-C to USB-C cable (10 feet)
A much longer braided cable for laptop charging

Even when someone is working from home, it’s annoying to have a charging cable that’s too short. Most laptops and other devices come with cables that are barely long enough for many everyday situations. This lengthy USB-C cable from Uni gives much more flexibility for even larger laptops that require a lot of wattage. It supports 100W charging and only costs $19.99 at Amazon, with frequent discounts dropping it to as low as $7.

3. Rocketbook Core
The perfect gift for the techie scribe in your life

Notebooks—the old-school kind, not laptops—have largely taken a back seat to typing, voice dictation, and virtual assistants, but some people still prefer putting pen to actual paper. The Rocketbook Core offers the best of both worlds. It’s a reusable notebook that lets you write naturally on any of its 36 pages with the included pen, and you can easily scan the resulting text or drawings into your preferred notes app before wiping the pages clean with a cloth. The retail price for the 6 x 8.8-inch notebook is $29.99, but it’s often on sale at Amazon for as low as $19.97.

4. Besign LS10 Aluminum Laptop Stand
Give the gift of neck relief and better posture

If a friend or loved one cranes their neck when working from home on a laptop, they deserve some relief. Elevating a laptop to eye level is not only healthier for your posture, but it makes you look better on video calls, too. The Besign LS10 laptop stand normally runs $24.99 on Amazon, but you can typically find it on sale for around $20. It has an adjustable hinge design, so it sets up to the height you need and easily folds away when not in use. Plus, with a claimed weight capacity of 13 pounds, it’s strong enough to hold even some hefty full-size laptops.

5. Oontz Solo
A small, affordable speaker that anyone can appreciate

Almost everyone loves music, so a portable Bluetooth speaker can be a foolproof gift for someone in your life who is harder to shop for. The triangular Oontz Solo ($19.99 at Amazon) is the miniaturized sibling of the Angle, which has gained popularity as an inexpensive speaker that delivers solid tunes. The triangular design gives serious Sabre Pyramid vibes, but unlike that chunky monstrosity, the Solo is just 3.9 inches long and weighs just under eight ounces. It retains IPX5 water resistance despite its small stature, making it suitable for some poolside fun, and the battery is rated to last up to 10 hours. It’s also available in several bold shades, including black, red, and blue.

6. Apple EarPods
Classic wired earbuds that they won’t feel bad about losing

Believe it or not, some people aren’t caught up in the hullabaloo over wireless earbuds. Thankfully, Apple’s EarPods are a great wired alternative that do away with any concerns regarding battery life and connection quality. You can buy three different styles of EarPods corresponding to each major connector, including the traditional 3.5mm aux ($18.79), USB-C ($17.98), and Lightning ($15.99). Auxiliary is still the most common of these three across all manner of audio devices, but smartphone makers (Apple and Samsung, most notably) have been ditching 3.5mm ports, so it may be worth compensating by adding a cheap $7.99 dongle to the gift bag.

7. iFixit Moray Driver Kit
For the DIYers in your life

The iFixit Moray Driver Kit is a great gift for any handy person who likes to tinker. The little kit has a magnetized bit driver and 32 screwdriver bits, which are stored in a magnetized case with a lid that doubles as a sorting tray. There’s even an iPhone standoff bit for cleanly accessing internal logic boards. For $20 at Amazon or direct from iFixit, you can equip your giftee with just about everything they need to make small repairs or carry out weekend projects (like replacing an aging battery in their phone).

8. Black Diamond Astro 300 Headlamp
Make sure your giftee doesn’t go bump in the night

The great age of engineering we’re enjoying lets us indulge our geeky side without sacrificing style, so the Black Diamond Astro 300 ($19.95 at Amazon, REI, and Black Diamond) might give your recipient pause at first blush. The water-resistant headlamp is a safer pick if you know they’re into activities like hiking, but there are several other scenarios where it could come in handy, such as camping, working in a dark garage, or even just walking the dog at night. It has a maximum output of 300 lumens and a claimed battery life of up to 200 hours, making it a versatile and practical gift for anyone on your list.