Stocking stuffers for tech gifts under $50 in 2022

It’s easy to assume that the best gadget gifts are the most expensive things. But there are plenty of options out there for the techie in your life that don’t require you to empty your wallet. If you’re struggling to come up with the right present for an early adopter or a tech obsessive, we’ve gathered some of our favorite things that are both small and affordable. The best part? Everything costs $50 or less.

Chromecast with Google TV

If you’re at a loss when it comes to a good, cheap gift for the techie in your life, you can’t go wrong with a Chromecast. Google currently has two models: The $50 4K and the Model. Chromecast with Google TVThe new, $30 modelThat supports FHD streaming. Similar to the Chromecasts before them, these allow you to stream movies or TV shows from major services like Netflix and Hulu Max.

The Google TV interface has always been pretty easy to navigate, but it’s simpler than ever thanks to the remote that comes included with both Chromecasts. It also has an Assistant button which allows you to quickly access voice commands. And, unlike larger set-top boxes or smart TVs that your recipient may already have, the Chromecast is portable, so they can take it with them to make binge-watching their favorite shows easier when they’re not at home.

Buy Chromecast with Google TV at Amazon – $50

8BitDo Lite 2

The best gifts for Nintendo Switch lovers are those that allow them to play games anywhere and everywhere. 8BitDo’s Lite 2The controller gives them a more convenient controller for their Switch, or a few extra options to play with other friends while on the move. It’s small enough to fit in a pocket, but that doesn’t mean it compromises on ergonomics. The Lite 2 comes with shaped trigger buttons as well as joysticks. These are features that are often overlooked on ultra-compact controllers. It also supports customizable turbo functionality. It can also be used wirelessly with the Nintendo Switch or Switch Lite. It can also be used with Android devices and Raspberry Pi. It also powers up via USB C, so your giftee probably already has a charger cable to use with their new controller.

Buy 8Bitdo Lite 2 at Amazon – $35

Anker 511 Power Bank

Every new phone claims to have better battery life than the one that came before it, and that may be true in some cases, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be enough juice for everyone every day. If you know someone who uses their phone constantly until it reaches one per cent, Anker’s 511 Power BankIt would make a great present for them. It’s a 5,000 mAh portable battery and a power adapter in one, so they can use it in two ways: to fast-charge their phone when they’re near a wall outlet or recharge the device when they’re out and about. It has a built-in plug for wall usage, but it folds down into the device when you’re not using it, keeping the whole thing pretty compact. We like that it’s basically a little bit bigger than a tube of lipstick, and all your giftee needs on hand to use it is a USB-C cable.

Buy Anker 511 Power Bank at Amazon – $40

Most of us have someone in our lives who misplaces everything — their keys, wallet, purse or backpack, the list goes on. If that person also has an iPhone, AirTagsThey make great gifts and can be purchased for as low as $30 You could even throw in a AirTag caseYou can still get them for less than $50. These Bluetooth trackers are quarter-sized and can be connected to iOS devices almost immediately. They can then be tracked via the Find My App.

They can be used to track almost anything but are best for items that have clips or keyrings, or backpacks with small pockets. You can also force the AirTag to play loud chimes to help you locate it in your home. And if you’re close enough to the missing item, Apple’s Precision Finding feature can literally guide you to it using the tech in your iPhone’s U1 chip.

Buy Apple AirTag at Amazon – $29

Peak Design Packable tote

You can never go wrong with having an extra bag on hand for when you go out. Whether you’re going to pick up groceries and know you’ll need one, or you’re heading out with friends and unexpectedly pick up a few things, a lightweight tote bag is crucial. There are many options, but we prefer the ones that are lightweight. Peak Design’s Packable tote because it doesn’t have the typical reusable bag design and it remains fairly affordable at only $20.

The bag is made of 100-percent recycled ripstop nylon, which is resilient and as well as water resistant, and it has a zip closure, which is something most other reusable bags don’t have. It’ll keep your items more secure thanks to that, and it’s easier to carry in different ways thanks to its single shoulder/hand strap that sports microfiber padding for extra comfort. We also like that it has an interior pocket that can hold a phone, wallet or keys, and it takes up a surprisingly little amount of space when it’s packed into itself.

Buy Packable tote at Peak Design – $20

Logitech Signature M650 mouse

There are dozens of mice out there, and if you’re buying gifts on a budget, it can be easy to get distracted by the ultra-cheap options from unfamiliar brands on sites like Amazon. Logitech, a market leader in this area, offers budget-friendly options. We love the Logitech. Signature M650 mouseIt is suitable for most people. It is lightweight and made from recycled materials. There are many ergonomic options. It comes in regular and large sizes, plus you can pick from right- or left-hand orientation, which really just changes the placement of the device’s customizable side buttons. It has Logitech’s SmartWheel scrolling technology, which provides more precision when you need to scroll line by line, and it connects to computers via Bluetooth or a Logi Bolt receiver. But the best part might be its two-year battery life; your giftee will only have to replace the mouse’s two AA batteries once in a blue moon.

Buy Logitech M650 mouse at Amazon – $40

If someone you love recently got their hands on a PS5, it’s probably the only thing they care about at the moment. Giving them the gift of choice PS5 Media RemoteTheir console experience can be improved. They can use the console as an entertainment portal by having a better way of controlling it. The remote features media controls that allow them to play/pause, fast-forward and navigate. It also has quick-launch buttons for streaming services like Netflix or YouTube. These service-specific buttons also work even when the console’s power is off. Plus, if they have a compatible TV, they’ll be able to use the Media Remote to turn it on and off and adjust the volume.

Buy PS5 Media Remote at Amazon – $29

Anker Nano 3 30W charger + cable bundle

A second charger will come in handy, whether your loved one has just purchased an iPhone 14 or is still using an older model. Anker’s latest bundle that includes its new Nano 3 30W chargerA bio-base USB C-to Lightning cable will allow them to charge their phone and tablet as well as their earbuds and MacBook Air. The 30W output allows this tiny adapter to charge a variety of devices, plus it’s foldable so it’ll disappear into their bag. We like that it uses GaN technology, which not only keeps it compact but also allows for better heat management.

As for the cable, it’s one of Anker’s newest and it’s made out of plant-based materials rather than petroleum-based plastic like many others. While this may not seem like the most exciting gift, it’ll definitely be one of the most useful your loved one receives. Charging accessories are often bought at the last moment, such as when you’re about to board a plane and realize you forgot your adapter or cable. This gift might help them avoid panic attacks in the future.

Buy Anker Nano 3 bundle at Amazon – $38

Blink Mini

If you are the one who moved in with someone you love, it is a good idea to offer support. Blink MiniIt would make a thoughtful gift for a housewarming gift. The camera can be plugged into a regular wall outlet. It monitors the activity within the home and delivers alerts via the Blink mobile app. It records in 1080p and supports two-way talk as well, so they can soothe their overly-excited pets even when they’re not home. We also like that the Blink Mini works with Alexa devices, so if they have an Echo Show 5 or similar device at home, they can use it to see the Blink Mini’s video feed without even opening the mobile app.

Buy Blink Mini at Amazon – $35

Mini TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini

Maybe you have a tech lover in your life or someone who just wishes their home could be a bit smarter – if so, TP-Link’s Kasa smart plugsIt would make a great gift. It can be daunting to build a smart home ecosystem. However, smart plugs such as these are a simple and stress-free way to start. These blocks plug into standard outlets and then transform whatever they plug into them to be app-controllable devices. That means they can set a schedule for their coffee maker to turn on at the precise time each morning so it’s ready to go for them when they need to make a new pot. They could also use Away Mode to automatically turn on and off lights when they’re on vacation to make it seem like they’re actually home. Those are just a few things these smart plugs let you do with otherwise “dumb” items around your home, so your giftee can go as deep with it as they want.

Buy Kasa smart plugs (4 pack) at Amazon – $50

Yubico Yubikey 5 NFC

It’s important to keep your dozens of accounts safe with two-factor authentication whenever possible, and Yubico’s Yubikey NFC 5It’s a great way to do this. It’s a physical key that you can use to authenticate when you’re trying to log in to accounts like Dropbox, Lastpass, Gmail and others. It uses the USB-A port on your device or NFC to validate your login attempt, and it’s small enough to fit on a keychain and come with you wherever you go. This model specifically works with USB-A connections, but if you’re willing to spend slightly more than $50, you can get the USB-C versionIt has all the same features.

Buy Yubikey NFC 5 at Amazon – $45

Panasonic Eneloop

There are few things that can make a gamer’s life miserable than a dead controller in the middle of a session. Whether they have a backup ready to go or not, it’s a stumble that can totally throw them off their game – especially if they have to fumble around for another option while also looking for the charger for the dead peripheral. Panasonic’s Eneloop rechargeable batteriesThey can be a huge help in times like these, providing an easy power swap for Xbox controllers and other similar devices that run on AAA or AA batteries. These also come with a quick charger that has level indicators for each battery, plus it’s capable of fully powering up four AA batteries in only three hours.

Buy Eneloop rechargeable batteries at Amazon – $28

Phone cases

Maybe someone you love just got a new phone and can’t stop talking about it, showing it off, and coming very close to dropping it on a regular basis. It’s possible to help protect their phone by giving them a case that provides extra protection against scratches and falls, as well as expressing their personality. There are many phone case brands, but these are the ones we use most often. Incipio, Case-Mate, Speck, Spigen Smartish. Spigen and Speck are great for people who don’t need much. Their phone cases are slick and protective and come in a variety attractive colors. Incipio offers similar products, but they also offer the Organicore line which is made of compostable cases. These make thoughtful gifts for eco-conscious people. Smartish and Case-Mate are great options for people who want something more. You can think of psychedelic flowers and outer space prints as well as glitter explosions and similar designs.

Shop Incipio phone cases
Shop Case-Mate phone cases
Shop Speck phone cases
Shop Spigen phone cases
Shop Smartish phone cases