It's hard to imagine that 2016 is almost at an end, and with the anticipation of the holidays comes the stress of holiday shopping. If you're looking to get a head start on your gift purchasing this year, we're here to make things a little easier, in an upcoming series of guides that accommodate various budgetary constraints.
For those looking for something that's under $25, this gift guide is the right one for you!
Media and gaming
Chromecast (1st-gen)
The Chromecast has seen a couple of upgrades since it was first available a couple of years ago, but if you aren't looking for a whole lot of features or the ability to stream 4K and HDR content, the first generation device gets the job done. With the launch of newer iterations, the first gen Chromecast is priced at just $20, and is a great affordable option for those looking to cut the cord.
Sminiker gamepad
If you are looking for an affordable device to enjoy a great gaming experience, the Sminiker gaming pad is a solid option. Compatible with Android smartphones, the gaming pad includes dual analog sticks, a cross key and 14 additional action buttons. The holder can be extended up to 95 mm, which is more than enough to accommodate any current smartphone. The Sminiker gaming pad is priced at just $19.99.
View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack
The View-Master VR Starter Pack is a nice, kid-friendly, and affordable way to enter the world of virtual reality. The Starter Pack includes a preview reel that features short samples of 360-degree immersive environments including Space, Wildlife, and more, and Experience packs can be bought separately. The device also supports the Google Cardboard app that can be downloaded on your smartphone. The View-Master VR Starter Pack is priced at $16.99.
Audio accessories
Panasonic ErgoFit RP-TCM125 in-ear headphone
The Ergofit RP-TCM125 earphones from Panasonic offer good quality sound without breaking the bank. As the name suggests, these earphones are built to fit comfortably in your ears and won't slip out. The earphones also come with an in-line switch and built-in mic to seamlessly move between your calls and audio. A slew of color options are available, including black, blue, pink, purple, and white, and the earphones are priced starting at just $14.51.
Arteck Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
As Bluetooth technology continues to become more commonplace, pricing for compatible headphones is continually dropping as well. The Arteck wireless bluetooth headphones are well-rated and extremely affordable, while also delivering noise cancelling technology and 15-hour playback. There's also a built in microphone so you can take your calls right from the headphones. Best of all, they are priced at just $18.97.
CB3 Metal in-ear headphones
If you are looking for an affordable pair of durable earphones, the CB3 Metal in-ear headphones are the one for you. As the name suggests, the earbuds feature a metal build, and the cable is braided to to make it last longer. The sound quality is good, and there is a built-in microphone and controls to play/pause your music and answer calls. The CB3 Metal earphones are priced at just $19.99.
Link: http://tyvm.ly/7dn7jn
Omaker M4 Portable Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker
The Omaker M4 Bluetooth speaker offers a sound quality and feature set that goes far beyond its price point. This rugged portable speaker comes with an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, and features a build that makes it shockproof. It can connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth or NFC, and comes with a 33 feet range, and up to 12 hours of playback time. The Omaker M4 speaker is currently priced at $24.59.
Drones
Eachine H8 Mini Quadcopter Drone Headless Mode Remote Control Nano Quadcopter RTF Mode 2 (Black)
If you are looking for an affordable drone for beginners, the Eachine H8 quadcopter is worth considering. The device comes with a "headless" mode which means that you don't have to adjust its position before flying. The drone is capable of 360 rollovers and a single charge will allow for up to 9 minutes of flying time. 4 LED lights allow for night flights, and also available is a one key to return function. The Eachine H8 is priced at just $18.99.
CX-10 orange drone
The CX-10 drone is another mini quadcopter that is very compact and is ideal for beginners. You get up to 8 minutes of flying time, with a full charge requiring around 40 minutes, but there are no additional bells and whistles here. If you are looking for an affordable option for your first drone, the CX-10 could be the one for you, with the device priced at just $16.99.
Fitness trackers
Xiaomi Mi Band 2
The Xiaomi Mi Band 2 is a great choice if you are looking for a fitness tracker in the sub-$50 category. You can track the number of steps, distance traveled, calories burned, as well as your sleep, and it also comes with a heart rate monitor to track your resting heart rate. The device features an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, and comes with a battery that lasts up to 20 days on a single charge. The Xiaomi Mi Band 2 is priced at just $24.99.
Misfit Flash
The Misfit Flash is another solid affordable fitness band, and lets you track various activities including walking, running, cycling, swimming, playing tennis and other sports, as well as the quality of your sleep. The battery needs to be changed once in six months, and while it isn't waterproofing, it can handle splashes. A few different color options are available, and the device is priced starting at just $20.40.
Wireless chargers & battery packs
Anker PowerPort Qi 10 charging pad
This Anker charging pad features a non-slip surface to ensure that your device is safely in place, and LED indicators on all sides are available to indicate the status of charging. The device comes with advanced safety features, including temperature control, surge and short-circuit protection, and more. The Anker PowerPort Qi 10 is currently priced at $23.99.
Link: http://tyvm.ly/Vh3A
RAVPower charging pad with 5,000 mAh battery pack
For a truly wireless charging experience, you will need the RAVPower charging pad, which comes with a 5,000 mAh power bank to let you keep your device charged even if the pad isn't plugged in. It's capacity should comfortably allow for a full charge of most smartphones. You can also take advantage of the battery pack to charge non-Qi compliant devices. This charging pad is priced at $19.99.
Link: http://tyvm.ly/iuYAQy
Anker Astro E1 5,200 mAh
If you are looking for an external power bank that is light, portable, and compact enough to easily fit in your pocket, the Anker Astro E1 is a great choice. With a capacity of 5,200 mAh, you can comfortably get a full charge for most smartphones, and at $15.99, is one of the more affordable options as well.
Link: http://tyvm.ly/JM3AaR
Xiaomi 10000mAh Power Bank External Battery Charger Pack
The Xiaomi Mi Power Bank is sleek, portable, and compact, with a length and width similar to that of a business card. It's large capacity of 10,000 mAh will allow you to fully charge most smartphones multiple times, and the device offers protection from overcharging, short circuits, over voltage, over current, temperature fluctuations, and more. The Mi Power Bank is priced at just $24.99.
Link: http://ift.tt/2dS8GUY
Miscellaneous
VicTsing Bluetooth FM Transmitter
If your car does not have an AUX port, the VicTsing FM Transmitter provides a simple and easy way for you to stream music from your smartphone via Bluetooth and enjoy hands free calling. The device plugs into the cigarette lighter/charging port of the car, and you can set it to a station frequency that is free on the radio. The VicTsing FM transmitter is priced at $19.99.
Link: http://tyvm.ly/wnvYJx
TaoTronics Bluetooth car kit
The TaoTronics car kit is an ultra portable and compact receiver that plugs into the AUX port in your car to allow for a hands free call experience with its built-in mic, and to stream music from your smartphone. The device offers up to 8 hours of use and 200 hours of standby time, and you have the option to simultaneously connect two devices to it. The TaoTronics car kit is priced at just $14.99.
Link: http://tyvm.ly/mwRf
TaoTronics 3D VR headset
This VR headset comes with a pair of aspheric biconvex lenses that help reduce eyestrain, and lets you enjoy the experience up to 30% longer than with other similar devices. You get full control over the focus, and you can completely control the VR experience with a side-mounted magnetic button. The headset can accommodate smartphones with display sizes between 4-inches and 5.5-inches.
AUKEY Ora lens
The AUKEY Ora lens is a camera extension that clips on to your smartphone. It comes with a macro lens, that allows for a 10x zoom for extreme close ups, and a 140 degree wide angle lens, to capture more of the scenery, landscapes, and more. If you are looking to get the most out of your smartphone photography experience, this is a great device to have. The AUKEY Ora lens is priced at just $24.99.
iOttie Universal car mount
The iOttie Universal car holder features a one touch mount system that lets you lock the device in place and release with just a press of a single button. Sticky gel pads allows for the holder to be stuck to most surfaces, and comes with a telescopic arm to allow for closer viewing of the screen. The holder can accommodate almost every smartphone, with the allowed width going up to 3.5-inches. The iOttie car holder is priced at $24.95.
CHARGED USB Type-C QC 3.0 wall charger
For a single device solution to charge all your smartphones and tablets, you should check out the CHARGED Wall Charger. The charger comes with six ports, including a USB Type-C port, a Quick Charge 3.0/2.0 port, and four regular USB ports to charge all your devices. The charger comes with protection from overcharge, overcurrent, and overheating. This wall charger is priced at just $29.99.
MicroSD cards
If you listen to a lot of music, take a lot of pictures, download a bunch apps, or store movies and TV shows on your phone to watch later, a microSD card can be a lifesaver. There are quite a few options available, and in the sub-$50 category, you can get up to a 128 GB microSD card, which should be more than enough for most users.
Check out our best MicroSD card roundup now!
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