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Terrific Tech Gifts Under $100

Sticking to a budget doesn't mean you're stuck with gift cards. Here are some of the best tech gifts under $100 that your friends and family will love.

By Chandra Steele
Updated November 1, 2023
blue background with Polaroid camera, karaoke mic, and Roku Ultra (Credit: René Ramos; Polaroid, Roku, Urban Outfitters)

While you'll hear and give lots of "Happy Holidays!" in the coming weeks, you might not be as cheerful as the tone of them suggests. There's lots to stress about during the season, and one of those things is gifts. The pressure to find the right present at the right price is a lot.

But we're here to help. We've rounded up a bunch of great choices for everyone on your holiday gift list. The budget max here is $100. and there are things right at the line and also well below it, so you should be able to find something to suit the tastes of the those you're buying for.

Our list has ways to make merry music (and listen to some), turn Alexa into a barista, and even a book for those who don't know how they feel about AI.


For an AirPods Alternative

Nothing Ear Stick Wireless Earbuds

4.0
$59.00 at Amazon
See It

The Nothing Ear Stick Wireless Earbuds are really something. They have loads of style and superior sound for their price point—not to mention they can last seven hours on a single charge and can be charged three times in their case for 28 hours of playback.

Nothing Ear (stick) Review

For Sparkling Sound

Fashionit U Mini Speakers

$99.00 at Amazon
See It

Put down a pair of Fashionit U Mini Speakers and there's an instant party. This set of mirror gold speakers boasts big sound for its small size. They're also magnetic, so they can stick to lots of surfaces and they each also serve as a selfie remote with a button at the bottom.

For Top-Quality Streaming

The Roku Ultra is an excellent media streamer. In fact, it's one of the best on the market right now. It streams in 4K and has hands-free voice control, a headphone jack, and a remote finder function. What more could you want?

Roku Ultra (2022) Review

For a Bookshelf in a Bag

Amazon Kindle

4.0
$99.99 at Amazon
See It

The Amazon Kindle is a super light and compact way for your friends and family to take their favorite books with them wherever they go. It has a paper-like e-ink display that's easy on the eyes, and boasts a handful of features that you won't find in a physical book, like an adjustable front light and built-in dictionary.

Amazon Kindle (2022 Release) Review

For Some Help at Home

The Google Nest Hub gives them one place to round up all their smart home automation and another screen to watch movies and shows on, a device for hands-free phone calls, and even ways to wind-down for better sleep. It's all the best smart home innovations packed into one simple and stylish little box.

For a Terrifically Priced Tablet

Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet

$79.99 at Amazon
Check Stock

Contrary to what you might think, it's entirely possible to get a full-featured tablet for under $100. The Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet has all the major streaming and social media apps, acts as a Kindle, and has Alexa built in.

For a Bit of a Boost

Native Union Fold Laptop Stand

$40.00 at Anthropologie
See It

The Native Union Fold Laptop Stand puts laptops at the perfect height for video calls and typing and turns into a tiny tube when not in use.

For Caroling All Year Long

Whether it's a holiday singalong or just a Tuesday night, this karaoke microphone carries more than a tune. It has a built-in phone holder, a remix function, and a recorder, too.

For Anyone Who Wants to Know More About AI

Artificial: A Love Story

$27.88 at Amazon
See It

New Yorker cartoonist Amy Kurzweil explores her relationship with her father futurist Ray Kurzweil and their differing feelings about artificial intelligence in this graphic memoir about his creation of a chatbot of his own father, a conductor and pianist from Vienna who fled the Nazis.

For Taking a Breath

Mindful Breathing Moment Pebble

$60.00 at Uncommon Goods
See It

There are apps for meditative breathwork out there, but practically all of them require picking up a phone—and that can lead to more stress. So instead of an app, consider gifting the comfortingly smooth and weighty Mindful Breathing Moment Pebble. It will guide your recipient through breathing exercises without any screens or distractions.

For Photos in a Flash

Polaroid Go Generation 2 Instant Camera

$79.99 at Best Buy
See It

The Polaroid Go Generation 2 Instant Camera lets them make memories and then immediately hold them in their hands. Its small size makes it easy to take along anywhere, and it even has a selfie mirror and self-timer built in.

For a Bit of a Boost

Lexon Nomaday Power Bank

$29.90 at Lexon
See It

The Lexon Nomaday Power Bank boosts batteries with 3,000 mAh and has a built-in clip to make it even handier. It's also ridiculously satisfying to spin around on your finger.

For a Pocket Full of Synthesize

Stylophone The Original Pocket Electronic Synthesizer

$34.95 at Amazon
See It

Whether they've never played a note or are a professional musician, the Stylophone is going to be met with delight. It's a pocket-sized electronic synthesizer that creates synth and bass sounds using the accompanying stylus. You can hear it on Kraftwerk's "Pocket Calculator" and David Bowie's "Space Oddity."

For Not Fumbling With a Phone

Case-Mate Phone Belt Bag

$40.00 at Case-Mate
See It

Belt bags are incredibly useful and Case-Mate has made them even more of a necessary accessory with the addition of a clear pouch on the front of its Phone Belt Bag. The clear front allows for a touchscreen phone to be used without removing it, which is an incredibly useful feature during workouts, in downpours, and more.

For Working From Anywhere

Threshold Bambook Lap Desk With Powerbank

$40.00 at Target
See It

The Threshold Bamboo Lap Desk with Powerbank lets them work from anywhere in their home while they work from home. It lets them keep their laptop plugged in without having to be tethered to a wall outlet.

For Calling Out Coffee Orders

Hamilton Beach Works with Alexa Smart Coffee Maker

$89.99 at Amazon
See It

Those who regularly chat with Alexa will appreciate that she can also make coffee. The Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker responds to voice commands to brew a pot to their specifications.

For Carrying Fewer Cables

inCharge XL 6.6ft 6-in-1 Universal Cable

$35.00 at Rolling Square
See It

Whether they're Apple or Android aficionados, there are going to be times when they need to switch cables to charge phones, laptops, earbuds, and more. But with the inCharge XL they just need one. It easily switches between USB-A to USB-C input to USB-C, Lightning, and Micro USB output.

For Grown Up Game Boys and Girls

CredevZone Miyoo Handheld Game Console

$79.99 at Amazon
See It

The CredevZone Miyoo Handheld Game Console will make anyone switch from the latest Nintendo mobile game console to this retro mini Game Boy emulator. It comes with tons of classic games and others can be loaded on.


Holiday Gift Guide

gifts for kids

For more gift ideas, check out our full Holiday Gift Guide.

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About Chandra Steele

Senior Features Writer

My title is Senior Features Writer, which is a license to write about absolutely anything if I can connect it to technology (I can). I’ve been at PCMag since 2011 and have covered the surveillance state, vaccination cards, ghost guns, voting, ISIS, art, fashion, film, design, gender bias, and more. You might have seen me on TV talking about these topics or heard me on your commute home on the radio or a podcast. Or maybe you’ve just seen my Bernie meme

I strive to explain topics that you might come across in the news but not fully understand, such as NFTs and meme stocks. I’ve had the pleasure of talking tech with Jeff Goldblum, Ang Lee, and other celebrities who have brought a different perspective to it. I put great care into writing gift guides and am always touched by the notes I get from people who’ve used them to choose presents that have been well-received. Though I love that I get to write about the tech industry every day, it’s touched by gender, racial, and socioeconomic inequality and I try to bring these topics to light. 

Outside of PCMag, I write fiction, poetry, humor, and essays on culture.

Read Chandra's full bio

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