20 tech gifts under $100 for everyone in your life Brandt Ranj, Insider Picks Nov. 20, 2016, 8:06 PM 247,195
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Amazon / Skye Gould
It's either the most wonderful time of the year for you, or the most stressful.
Gift giving and receiving during the holiday season is a great way to show affection. But face it; it's hard.
These 20 presents give you options for all the different people in your life, even if you're buying something general for a friend or coworker.
If you've been struggling to think of the perfect present, don't worry. Sit back and pour yourself a cup of cocoa, because you've come to the right place.
Having trouble figuring out what to get people for the holidays? You can check out all of Insider Picks' 2016 gift guides here.
For the nostalgist
Digital picture frames went in and out of vogue very quickly because of the iPad's popularity, but they're still great gifts.
An overwhelming majority of our pictures and videos are digital now, and only get uploaded to social media sites. Instead, you can load them onto an SD card, pop them into this high-res frame, and display them in your home.
My mom has used one of these for years, set on a table near our front door. Friends and family always stop for a second to take a look for anything new they might have missed.
NIX Advance 8" Hi-Res Digital Photo Frame with Motion Sensor, $69.99
An overwhelming majority of our pictures and videos are digital now, and only get uploaded to social media sites. Instead, you can load them onto an SD card, pop them into this high-res frame, and display them in your home.
My mom has used one of these for years, set on a table near our front door. Friends and family always stop for a second to take a look for anything new they might have missed.
NIX Advance 8" Hi-Res Digital Photo Frame with Motion Sensor, $69.99
For the music lover
I love music. Listening to it reduces my stress and makes me happy.
If you know someone who fits this bill, chances are they'll be happy with a Bluetooth speaker. The benefit of a Bluetooth speaker as opposed to a huge stereo is that you can take it anywhere.
Whether that means different rooms or different places entirely, having your music everywhere is a powerful thing. I've written many times about this speaker from Anker. It's well constructed and sounds excellent, which are the two most important considerations when picking a speaker.
If you know a music lover without a Bluetooth speaker, this one is a no-brainer.
Anker SoundCore Sport XL Bluetooth Speaker, $59.99
If you know someone who fits this bill, chances are they'll be happy with a Bluetooth speaker. The benefit of a Bluetooth speaker as opposed to a huge stereo is that you can take it anywhere.
Whether that means different rooms or different places entirely, having your music everywhere is a powerful thing. I've written many times about this speaker from Anker. It's well constructed and sounds excellent, which are the two most important considerations when picking a speaker.
If you know a music lover without a Bluetooth speaker, this one is a no-brainer.
Anker SoundCore Sport XL Bluetooth Speaker, $59.99
For the on-the-go music lover
Life moves quickly, and sometimes it's not worth it to lug around big, over-ear headphones. That doesn't mean you want to sacrifice sound quality.
I regularly use 1More's earbuds when I go out to do chores on the weekends, or if I'm meeting up with friends. They sound good, will stay in your ears, and can easily be popped into a pocket.
They don't sound as good as a nicer pair of over-ear headphones, but they do sound better than an average pair of earbuds.
1MORE iBFree Bluetooth In-Ear Headphones with Microphone and Remote, $59.99
I regularly use 1More's earbuds when I go out to do chores on the weekends, or if I'm meeting up with friends. They sound good, will stay in your ears, and can easily be popped into a pocket.
They don't sound as good as a nicer pair of over-ear headphones, but they do sound better than an average pair of earbuds.
1MORE iBFree Bluetooth In-Ear Headphones with Microphone and Remote, $59.99
For the budding audiophile
Vinyl is back!
If someone in your life has caught the record bug, they'll need a turntable to play their latest thrift-store scores.
Audio Technica's turntable will play 33rpm and 45rpm records, uses a cartridge with a user-replaceable needle, and comes as a bundle with cleaning supplies. I've used these cleaning products for years, and they keep my records sounding excellent even after multiple spins.
This turntable can be plugged into a stereo receiver or powered speakers, giving you a little more flexibility when choosing the other components of your audio setup.
Audio-Technica AT-LP60 Turntable with Knox Carbon Fiber Vinyl Brush and Cleaning Kit, $99.99
If someone in your life has caught the record bug, they'll need a turntable to play their latest thrift-store scores.
Audio Technica's turntable will play 33rpm and 45rpm records, uses a cartridge with a user-replaceable needle, and comes as a bundle with cleaning supplies. I've used these cleaning products for years, and they keep my records sounding excellent even after multiple spins.
This turntable can be plugged into a stereo receiver or powered speakers, giving you a little more flexibility when choosing the other components of your audio setup.
Audio-Technica AT-LP60 Turntable with Knox Carbon Fiber Vinyl Brush and Cleaning Kit, $99.99
For the cord cutter
If you know someone who just cut their cable and is using a streaming box from 2011, it might be time for an upgrade.
The Fire TV has 7,000 apps — including all of the major video streaming heavy hitters like Hulu and Netflix. It also has support for 4K content, which isn't very common for streaming boxes at this price point.
Also included is the "Alexa remote," which lets you use your voice to bring up certain apps or videos without having to navigate around an interface with button presses. If your giftee is an Amazon Prime member, the benefits to owning one of these devices increases dramatically thanks to Amazon's instant video library.
Amazon Fire TV, $89.99, available at Amazon
The Fire TV has 7,000 apps — including all of the major video streaming heavy hitters like Hulu and Netflix. It also has support for 4K content, which isn't very common for streaming boxes at this price point.
Also included is the "Alexa remote," which lets you use your voice to bring up certain apps or videos without having to navigate around an interface with button presses. If your giftee is an Amazon Prime member, the benefits to owning one of these devices increases dramatically thanks to Amazon's instant video library.
Amazon Fire TV, $89.99, available at Amazon
For the smart-home beginner
To start any smart home, you're going to need some sort of hub. The hub is the command center that keeps track of all your smart-home accessories and lets you control them.
If you've heard someone on your list mention how cool smart homes are recently, it's probably a not-so-subtle hint. Of all the hubs out there, Amazon's line of Echo products are the best and most well-connected. I have one and have quickly learned to love it.
But, the full-sized Echo isn't for everyone; the Echo Dot does everything the bigger one can, while being the size of a hockey puck. Using Alexa, Amazon's digital assistant, you'll be able to check the weather, adjust your lights, and add events to your calendar.
The more you add to your smart home, the more powerful the Echo Dot will be; but it's a strong building block to start with.
Amazon Echo Dot, $49.99
If you've heard someone on your list mention how cool smart homes are recently, it's probably a not-so-subtle hint. Of all the hubs out there, Amazon's line of Echo products are the best and most well-connected. I have one and have quickly learned to love it.
But, the full-sized Echo isn't for everyone; the Echo Dot does everything the bigger one can, while being the size of a hockey puck. Using Alexa, Amazon's digital assistant, you'll be able to check the weather, adjust your lights, and add events to your calendar.
The more you add to your smart home, the more powerful the Echo Dot will be; but it's a strong building block to start with.
Amazon Echo Dot, $49.99
For the smart-home enthusiast
Ok, but what if the person you're buying for has started their smart home? No problem.
TP-Link's smart plugs turn any appliance into a smart appliance without a big messy setup. I've used these before; all you have to do is download TP-Link's app, plug the smart plug into the wall, and plug your appliance into the smart plug. That's it.
From there you can turn the plug on and off using either the app or your voice through an Echo. The appliance won't be as fancy as a true smart appliance, but being able to turn something on and off with just a couple of taps, or your voice, is pretty powerful.
TP-Link Smart Plug (2-Pack), $54.99
TP-Link's smart plugs turn any appliance into a smart appliance without a big messy setup. I've used these before; all you have to do is download TP-Link's app, plug the smart plug into the wall, and plug your appliance into the smart plug. That's it.
From there you can turn the plug on and off using either the app or your voice through an Echo. The appliance won't be as fancy as a true smart appliance, but being able to turn something on and off with just a couple of taps, or your voice, is pretty powerful.
TP-Link Smart Plug (2-Pack), $54.99
For the DIY-er
Know somebody who loves to tinker with tech stuff? Chances are they'd really appreciate a Raspberry Pi.
No, that wasn't a typo. The Raspberry Pi is a mini computer that can fit in your pocket, but be used for all sorts of different projects. Want to create a home server, or a home made "smart" mirror?
Because of its small size, but surprising power, the only limitation on what you can do with the Raspberry Pi is your ability to think something up. There are tons of tutorials out there for what's been done before, but you're free to use this mini computer any way you choose. It'd be the perfect gift for a curious kid.
Available solo or as part of a bundle, I'm recommending the bundle since it comes with a case and all the cables and accessories you'll need to get started.
CanaKit Raspberry Pi 3 Complete Starter Kit, $74.99
No, that wasn't a typo. The Raspberry Pi is a mini computer that can fit in your pocket, but be used for all sorts of different projects. Want to create a home server, or a home made "smart" mirror?
Because of its small size, but surprising power, the only limitation on what you can do with the Raspberry Pi is your ability to think something up. There are tons of tutorials out there for what's been done before, but you're free to use this mini computer any way you choose. It'd be the perfect gift for a curious kid.
Available solo or as part of a bundle, I'm recommending the bundle since it comes with a case and all the cables and accessories you'll need to get started.
CanaKit Raspberry Pi 3 Complete Starter Kit, $74.99
For anyone who hates cord clutter
Nobody likes a cluttered desk, and these two products work hand in hand and total under $50, so I'm bundling them together.
A Bluetooth mouse and keyboard eliminate two wires that almost everyone has on their desk. I've used the both of these products and really like them. The biggest upside to opting for Bluetooth instead of other wireless accessories is that you won't have to worry about losing a little USB connector, if you want to use them on another machine.
Connectivity is rock solid, latency is indistinguishable from wired use, and and using these products get you two USB ports to use for other accessories.
Logitech M557 Bluetooth Mouse, $22.99
A Bluetooth mouse and keyboard eliminate two wires that almost everyone has on their desk. I've used the both of these products and really like them. The biggest upside to opting for Bluetooth instead of other wireless accessories is that you won't have to worry about losing a little USB connector, if you want to use them on another machine.
Connectivity is rock solid, latency is indistinguishable from wired use, and and using these products get you two USB ports to use for other accessories.
Logitech M557 Bluetooth Mouse, $22.99
For the futurist
VR headsets are all the rage, but they can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. For way less money, though, you can get a taste of what VR is all about thanks to Google Cardboard.
Google Cardboard is a headset made out of, well, cardboard. Instead of connecting to a high-powered computer, you slide your smartphone into the headset and you're in VR. Kind of. While it's not as immersive as a higher-end VR solution, Google Cardboard is seriously impressive.
I keep one on my desk and showed it to one of my not-super-geeky coworkers. She came away impressed. So did everyone else I've shown cardboard to. Its killer app is a VR version of Google's street view, which I used to plan a vacation to London last year.
Because it's made out of cardboard, these headsets are compatible with Android phones and iPhones. Google also opened up their specifications for cardboard, so third-party options have become available and driven the prices down.
D-scope Pro Google Cardboard Kit, $11.99
Google Cardboard is a headset made out of, well, cardboard. Instead of connecting to a high-powered computer, you slide your smartphone into the headset and you're in VR. Kind of. While it's not as immersive as a higher-end VR solution, Google Cardboard is seriously impressive.
I keep one on my desk and showed it to one of my not-super-geeky coworkers. She came away impressed. So did everyone else I've shown cardboard to. Its killer app is a VR version of Google's street view, which I used to plan a vacation to London last year.
Because it's made out of cardboard, these headsets are compatible with Android phones and iPhones. Google also opened up their specifications for cardboard, so third-party options have become available and driven the prices down.
D-scope Pro Google Cardboard Kit, $11.99
For the avid reader
It can be hard for a book lover to go Kindle.
If you know someone who's frustrated about only having a couple of books on a trip, then buying them one might get them to try it. Nothing will beat the feel of a real book, but the ability to store thousands of stories on a device the size of a picture book is compelling.
You can read on a phone or tablet, but the Kindle 's e-ink screen is easier on the eyes at night, and won't produce a glare on the beach. It also has weeks-long battery life, so you won't have to curse yourself if you leave its charger on your nightstand.
Amazon Kindle E-Reader (Without Special Offers), $99.99
If you know someone who's frustrated about only having a couple of books on a trip, then buying them one might get them to try it. Nothing will beat the feel of a real book, but the ability to store thousands of stories on a device the size of a picture book is compelling.
You can read on a phone or tablet, but the Kindle 's e-ink screen is easier on the eyes at night, and won't produce a glare on the beach. It also has weeks-long battery life, so you won't have to curse yourself if you leave its charger on your nightstand.
Amazon Kindle E-Reader (Without Special Offers), $99.99
For the health-conscious
If you know someone who's trying to get in better shape, or track their sleep, the FitBit One checks both boxes.
Instead of being worn around your wrist, the One clips onto your clothes. This means it can't be used to check your heart rate. But, if you want a fitness tracker that doesn't feel like a shackle around your wrist, the One is your best bet.
The Fitbit One can display how many steps you've walked, calories you've burned, and minutes you've been active. It then syncs that data to your phone over Bluetooth, so you'll eventually get a good sense of your activity overall.
Its sleep tracking is limited to how long you've slept and how well you've slept based on how many times you wake up. If used for sleep tracking, the Fitbit One can also wake you up with a light alarm.
This won't make the person in your life more fit, but it will give them tons of useful data to help them reach their goals more easily.
Fitbit One, $99.95
Instead of being worn around your wrist, the One clips onto your clothes. This means it can't be used to check your heart rate. But, if you want a fitness tracker that doesn't feel like a shackle around your wrist, the One is your best bet.
The Fitbit One can display how many steps you've walked, calories you've burned, and minutes you've been active. It then syncs that data to your phone over Bluetooth, so you'll eventually get a good sense of your activity overall.
Its sleep tracking is limited to how long you've slept and how well you've slept based on how many times you wake up. If used for sleep tracking, the Fitbit One can also wake you up with a light alarm.
This won't make the person in your life more fit, but it will give them tons of useful data to help them reach their goals more easily.
Fitbit One, $99.95
For the gadget lover
Gadgets can start to pile up. Phones, tablets, Bluetooth headphones, watches, and everything else in our lives seems to have a rechargeable battery.
Instead of picking and choosing what to charge, a multi-port USB charger lets you charge everything you own at once. If you've seen someone frustrated at how few outlets they have in their place, this will probably end up solving that problem.
At 2.4 amps per port, this hub will probably charge their gadgets faster than some of the adapters that came with those products. I have a similar Anker charger on my desk and haven't had to worry about how to charge my gadgets since.
Anker 40W/8A 5-Port USB Charger PowerPort 5, $20.39
Instead of picking and choosing what to charge, a multi-port USB charger lets you charge everything you own at once. If you've seen someone frustrated at how few outlets they have in their place, this will probably end up solving that problem.
At 2.4 amps per port, this hub will probably charge their gadgets faster than some of the adapters that came with those products. I have a similar Anker charger on my desk and haven't had to worry about how to charge my gadgets since.
Anker 40W/8A 5-Port USB Charger PowerPort 5, $20.39
For the traveler
If someone in your life travels a lot, chances are he or she is going to use a travel adapter a lot.
It's a little bulkier than some, but this adapter from LOOP is smart in a couple of ways. The first is that it has four different plugs built into it. Those four plugs are used in 150 countries, so this adapter should be useful where ever your friend goes.
The second is that because it has two USB ports, it's possible to charge three devices at once using this plug. The first thing most people charge is there phone, but if their laptop is dead, too, they have to make a choice. This way, both devices can charge without taking up an extra outlet. This could also be used in place of a traditional phone adapter — meaning they'll have one less thing to pack.
LOOP World Adapter Plug, $19.45
It's a little bulkier than some, but this adapter from LOOP is smart in a couple of ways. The first is that it has four different plugs built into it. Those four plugs are used in 150 countries, so this adapter should be useful where ever your friend goes.
The second is that because it has two USB ports, it's possible to charge three devices at once using this plug. The first thing most people charge is there phone, but if their laptop is dead, too, they have to make a choice. This way, both devices can charge without taking up an extra outlet. This could also be used in place of a traditional phone adapter — meaning they'll have one less thing to pack.
LOOP World Adapter Plug, $19.45
For the gamer
A game controller might seem like kind of a lame gift, until you realize they can get pretty expensive.
Regardless of what console the person you're buying this for has, they'll appreciate an extra controller. Even if they only play one-player games, an extra controller means they can always keep one fully charged.
This comes in handy if you forget to charge your primary controller, or if you're in the middle of a marathon gaming session.
Xbox One Wireless Controller, $45.91
Regardless of what console the person you're buying this for has, they'll appreciate an extra controller. Even if they only play one-player games, an extra controller means they can always keep one fully charged.
This comes in handy if you forget to charge your primary controller, or if you're in the middle of a marathon gaming session.
Xbox One Wireless Controller, $45.91
For the iPhone owner
If someone you know just got the new iPhone, they're probably going to need a case.
I've tested out several iPhone 7 and 7 Plus cases, but the one with the coolest feature was the Defense Gear by X-Doria.
What makes this case stand out (besides its distinctive look), is the fact that it improves the iPhone's audio system. Out of the box, the iPhone has two speakers: One on the bottom, and one at the top. The problem is that one speaker is facing downward, while the other is facing toward you, making it an uneven experience.
X-Doria's case covers the bottom speaker, and routes the audio out toward you through some holes that face toward you. The result is a more even listening experience when watching movies or listening to music. Most cases just improve the security of your phone; X-Doria's take it a step further.
X-Doria Defense Gear for iPhone 7, $14.30
I've tested out several iPhone 7 and 7 Plus cases, but the one with the coolest feature was the Defense Gear by X-Doria.
What makes this case stand out (besides its distinctive look), is the fact that it improves the iPhone's audio system. Out of the box, the iPhone has two speakers: One on the bottom, and one at the top. The problem is that one speaker is facing downward, while the other is facing toward you, making it an uneven experience.
X-Doria's case covers the bottom speaker, and routes the audio out toward you through some holes that face toward you. The result is a more even listening experience when watching movies or listening to music. Most cases just improve the security of your phone; X-Doria's take it a step further.
X-Doria Defense Gear for iPhone 7, $14.30
For the person always running low on battery
Everyone knows someone who's phone battery always dies when they're out.
In 2016, that means being cut off from everyone and everything. Need directions? Sorry. Friend need a favor? Oops.
External batteries are a must-have, but they can be kind of a drag to take around if they're big. So the compromise is a smaller battery that you can always keep in a pocket or purse, with enough juice to charge your phone once.
This battery pack checks both of those boxes while still being highly affordable. The person you give this to will thank you every time they don't have to take their phone in and out of airplane mode.
Anker 2nd Gen Astro Mini 3350mAh Portable Charger, $21.99
In 2016, that means being cut off from everyone and everything. Need directions? Sorry. Friend need a favor? Oops.
External batteries are a must-have, but they can be kind of a drag to take around if they're big. So the compromise is a smaller battery that you can always keep in a pocket or purse, with enough juice to charge your phone once.
This battery pack checks both of those boxes while still being highly affordable. The person you give this to will thank you every time they don't have to take their phone in and out of airplane mode.
Anker 2nd Gen Astro Mini 3350mAh Portable Charger, $21.99
For the Apple Watch owner
Know someone with an Apple Watch? You may have heard that it needs to be charged daily.
Because you're actually wearing the watch, it's easy to forget to keep it charged, though, and it ends up dying as you're walking out the door.
The best way I've found to keep my watch, phone, or any other device charged on a consistent basis is to have a specific spotwhere I charge it. At work, it's the USB hub I recommended earlier, but at home, I use a stand. This one from Belkin will charge both an iPhone and Apple Watch (I've used Belkin stands before; they're great), so both devices will be fully charged when you need them.
Belkin Powerhouse Watch and Phone charger, $99.99
Because you're actually wearing the watch, it's easy to forget to keep it charged, though, and it ends up dying as you're walking out the door.
The best way I've found to keep my watch, phone, or any other device charged on a consistent basis is to have a specific spotwhere I charge it. At work, it's the USB hub I recommended earlier, but at home, I use a stand. This one from Belkin will charge both an iPhone and Apple Watch (I've used Belkin stands before; they're great), so both devices will be fully charged when you need them.
Belkin Powerhouse Watch and Phone charger, $99.99
For the person who drives a lot
If you know someone who drives a lot and doesn't mount their phone, do them a solid and gift them one of these.
Using a car mount keeps your phone at eye level, which is super useful if you rely on it as a GPS like I do. Keeping a phone in your hand, where it can be a distraction or in a cupholder where it can topple over, is less than ideal.
This phone mount is the same one used by thousands of Uber drivers, and it clips onto one of your car's air vents. It's magnetic, and comes with a couple of stick-on metal strips that you can attach to your phone's case. Then, next time you enter your car, you can stick the phone onto the mount and be on your way.
AUKEY Car Mount Air Vent Magnetic Cell Phone Holder, $5.99
Using a car mount keeps your phone at eye level, which is super useful if you rely on it as a GPS like I do. Keeping a phone in your hand, where it can be a distraction or in a cupholder where it can topple over, is less than ideal.
This phone mount is the same one used by thousands of Uber drivers, and it clips onto one of your car's air vents. It's magnetic, and comes with a couple of stick-on metal strips that you can attach to your phone's case. Then, next time you enter your car, you can stick the phone onto the mount and be on your way.
AUKEY Car Mount Air Vent Magnetic Cell Phone Holder, $5.99
For the security-conscious homeowner
Home security isn't something we want to think about during the holiday season, but it's always a concern.
Smart security cameras is a big, crowded category, but I really like Blink. Unlike other security systems, Blink cameras run on batteries, so you don't have to take up an outlet plugging them in. Year-long battery life means you won't have to change them often, and running on batteries means you can position them anywhere.
I tested Blink cameras earlier this year; they're both easy to set up and monitor. Blink cameras come in a bunch of different configurations, but this starter pack includes both a camera and hub. If you find you like Blink, you can add another camera without buying an additional hub. The point of owning security cameras is to not think about home security anymore, so you're gifting not only a useful product, but peace of mind, too.
Blink Home Security Camera kit, $99
Smart security cameras is a big, crowded category, but I really like Blink. Unlike other security systems, Blink cameras run on batteries, so you don't have to take up an outlet plugging them in. Year-long battery life means you won't have to change them often, and running on batteries means you can position them anywhere.
I tested Blink cameras earlier this year; they're both easy to set up and monitor. Blink cameras come in a bunch of different configurations, but this starter pack includes both a camera and hub. If you find you like Blink, you can add another camera without buying an additional hub. The point of owning security cameras is to not think about home security anymore, so you're gifting not only a useful product, but peace of mind, too.
Blink Home Security Camera kit, $99
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20 tech gifts under $100 for everyone in your life Brandt Ranj, Insider Picks Nov. 20, 2016, 8:06 PM 247,195
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