I love expensive technology like 4K projectors and the new AMD-powered Asus Zenbook 14 laptop, but most people can’t afford to spend hundreds of dollars on technology gifts and purchases on a regular basis. But that doesn’t mean you can’t significantly improve your tech life (or the lives of your tech-focused friends and family) while spending a relatively small amount of money.
I own all of the affordable tech gifts listed below, and they’re all on sale for under $50. In fact, some are less than $20. Each of these products has made my geeky world a little nicer in its own way. If you’re looking for a little tech splurge for yourself or an affordable gift for a tech-loving friend or family member, one of these 50 or less options might be just what you’re looking for.
My favorite deals under $50:
HOTO wireless driver: Now $39, Was $60
Lenovo Go Qi charging mouse: Now $36, was $70
Anker PowerConf C200 2K webcam: Now it’s $47, it used to be $60.
We’ve built dozens of PCs using the HOTO NEX O1 PRO 3.6V driver set
I build a lot of PCs and do quite a bit of home renovation work around my apartment. Therefore, a cordless screwdriver is a good thing to have. I also own a slimmer Wowstick, but found HOTO’s NEX O1 Pro to be more useful thanks to the additional (and variable) torque. Ideal for loosening factory-installed screws on your PC case that you just don’t want to remove. It is also suitable for assembling small furniture.
HOTO is not a replacement for DeWalt impact drivers or drills for larger, more difficult jobs. But it’s powerful enough for everyday tasks, easily recharges via USB-C, and looks great on your workbench. I wish it came with more than 12 bits and was preserved.
For those of us of a certain age, there’s little that beats a chunky tactile volume knob and physical buttons to control your media. Vaydeer’s USB devices provide that and then some. I own the previous version of this device and love it for controlling and muting music at my treadmill desk while I work.
You can also use the buttons to play/pause audio or video, advance to the next track, or go back to the previous track. No drivers are required, so it’s completely plug and play.
Remove the cord and travel back to the ’80s with the wireless retro controller
What not to love $42 SNES-inspired wireless game controller Is it compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, Nintendo Switch? Not much, but I own the original Pro model and I don’t own one of these newer models with the translucent plastic shell. Not yet. It’s the peak of late 90’s nostalgia, and I couldn’t be happier to love it as much as I do.
As you might expect, this controller is smaller in size and has more buttons than the SNES controller it’s based on, so the rumble motor isn’t as powerful and the layout can feel cramped for some modern games. There is. But for retro games of all kinds, especially platformers (I’m looking at you, super mario bros wonder), this is my go-to controller. At this price, I might buy another one.
Lenovo’s Go Qi charging wireless mouse doesn’t need to be connected
To keep my phone and watch charged, I have wireless charging pads at my desk, three other locations around my apartment, and my office desk, and I take one with me when I travel. . So when I saw Lenovo launch the Go Wireless Multi-Device Mouse, which charges wirelessly using the Qi standard, I was intrigued. And now that I’ve owned it for over a year, it’s my travel rodent. In fact, I just took this mouse out of my suitcase after a trip to Scotland.
There’s nothing too noteworthy about the design of this compact mouse. A USB-C dongle is housed under the magnetic top and can also be paired with up to three devices via Bluetooth. Lenovo claims it can last 2-3 months if used a few hours a day, which is probably pretty accurate.
When I’m done using it, I just put it on the Qi charging stand on my desk, so when I pick it up again it’s fully charged, which I didn’t know until now. It’s 2019 to plug in. However, if you prefer to pry open the rubber door and charge it the old-fashioned way, there’s a USB-C port on the front.
Anker’s PowerConf C200 2K webcam offers great performance and plenty of resolution for less than $50
I tried out a 4K webcam when the coronavirus pandemic was at its worst. But the truth is, most people don’t need that kind of image quality for the office or chatting with family. And many chat programs just lower the resolution to 1080p (or lower) anyway. So unless you’re a serious streamer or have some other niche case, I’d recommend something more affordable.
I’ve been using Anker’s PowerConf C200 2K webcam for the past two years and couldn’t be more satisfied. The slightly fuzzy “2K” resolution looks sharper than 1080p webcams I’ve used in the past, and it performs better in low light. It has a red privacy shutter for easy viewing when not in use, and it’s compact enough to easily clip onto your laptop screen and toss in your bag if you want to take it with you. There’s also a screw mount on the bottom for attaching to an arm or stand, which I use with my 55-inch OLED TV, which I use as a monitor. My old 4K webcam is gathering dust in a corner. However, I use Anker’s PowerConf C200 2K almost every day.
Add recessed power and USB ports to your desk for just $15
OK, this one is only for DIY-minded people. That’s because you’ll need to drill a hole in your desk (or nightstand, or wherever you need a flush-mount power port). Jgstkcity’s recessed power strip lets you install two AC outlets and two USB charging ports (one 30W USB-C) wherever you need them, with just a few holes.
It’s wise to be wary of no-name power strips, but I’ve had an older, non-PD version of this power strip for over two years and it’s been working fine. I have it installed on a narrow stand that I built right behind the sofa. Having an electrical outlet is very convenient, especially when friends or family stop by. But I’m warning you not to put any drinks there. Thankfully, a coffee table in front of the sofa is even more convenient.
Powerowl’s rechargeable batteries have good performance and are surprisingly cheap.
When I first started using rechargeable batteries with my Walkman in the early ’90s, they were kind of terrible (but still better than spending all my money feeding my music addiction). They couldn’t hold a charge and didn’t last as long as name brand disposable batteries. But now, in the mid-2020s, rechargeables are surprisingly good.
Panasonic’s Eneloop arguably ushered in the renaissance of rechargeable AA and AAA batteries, but PowerOwl’s batteries are much more affordable and last for three years on a variety of remotes, smart door locks, and other devices. I’ve been using it for a while now, and it’s never broken down.
Spend $4 and Save Your GPU and X16 Slots from Extra Stress
There are many ways to deal with GPU degradation. You can ignore it (unless you’re taking your PC somewhere) or buy an expensive RGB and glass model like Cooler Master’s Atlas (currently available at a fairly affordable price of 36 sold in US dollars). Or you can spend just $4. this magnetism Adjustable threaded GPU brace.
Featuring a magnetic base and twist-and-stretch screw top that allows you to adjust the length between 72 and 117 mm, it gets the job done for less than most coffee cups of the time.
TP-Link’s AX1800 WiFi 6 USB Adapter brings Wi-Fi 6 to older devices over USB
Upgraded your router to Wi-Fi 6 or later, but your desktop or laptop doesn’t have the hardware needed to take advantage of the latest networking technology? TP-Link’s AX1800 WiFi 6 USB Adapter We are here to solve that problem. It’s quite large by USB Wi-Fi dongle standards, but I found it to work very well with the Wi-Fi 6 router I bought in 2020.
I have a router running downstairs in my office. And it instantly solved my problem with very poor reception from my built-in SFF PC. Fractal Terra case.
Replace your old power strip with the Anker Power Strip Surge Protector (2100J).
What’s interesting about a surge protector? If it’s old and defective, it can burn down your house. Even if this isn’t the case, it’s a good idea to replace your surge protector every five years or so, as the parts that actually provide protection can become less effective over time. Therefore, there is a good chance that you are planning to buy a new one. I own 3 of these Anker Power Strip Surge Protector (2100J) And they all worked perfectly.
Apart from the usual stuff like 10 3-prong outlets and a convenient switch, Anker also includes USB-A and USB-C power outlets, each rated at 12W. I wish these came with an 18+ month warranty, but I’ve always been great with Anker’s customer service, so I feel a little more at ease in that regard.
Orico USB 3.0 Clamp Hub can be easily installed on many desks
This is a 4-port USB hub designed to stay fixed on your desk for even more convenient connectivity. Orico’s devices offer USB 3.0 speeds, which is fast enough for most modern devices.
Available in black or silver, with a durable metal frame. Please note that the clamp part is quite shallow and the adjustable screw only opens between 10 and 32mm, so it may not fit all desks.
Organize cables under your desk with a tray
If you want to manage your PC cables at home or in the office, an inexpensive cable management tray can come in handy. This two-pack comes with tape, but you’ll eventually need screws for heavier loads.
In addition to the tray, the kit also includes cable ties and some cable clips that can be placed along the bottom or sides of the desk. One of these has been keeping the PC cable clutter in my living room for the past year. But since it holds one of the Anker power strips mentioned above and a large external power brick for an LG OLED TV/monitor, I had to screw it into my desk.
