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31 Terrific Tech Gifts Under $100

Jason Cohen
 & Jason Cohen Senior Editor, Help & How To

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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Do you need a cool tech gift for a friend or family member that doesn't break the bank? These suggestions will still keep your bill under $100.

Sticking to a budget doesn't mean your gift has to be boring. We've found media streamers, smart speakers, and a few quirky options for the geeks in your life. Some are PCMag Editors' Choice products, while others are fun gizmos you might want to keep for yourself.

Samsung Galaxy Fit

The surprisingly affordable Samsung Galaxy Fit is a sleek, accurate fitness tracker with a lovely display, a simple interface, and long battery life. This Editors' Choice provides accurate fitness tracking and heart rate monitoring with smartphone notifications.

Wahoo Tickr X Heart Rate Monitor

The Wahoo Tickr heart rate monitor can be used to measure heart rate during exercise. The device's effortless setup and connectivity capabilities makes it a top pick over any alternatives.

Withings Body+ Scale

The Withings Wi-Fi Body+ Scale and web account pack a lot of value into an everyday health and fitness device. This smart scale offers great options for sharing data and interacts with a wide range of other fitness and health devices. Its display is also one of the best we've seen.

Amazon Echo (2019)

The newest Amazon Echo incorporates the audio features of the Echo Plus, minus that device's integrated smart home hub. There's a 3-inch woofer and increased back volume, meaning "the bass feels stronger, and the mids and highs are clearer," Amazon says. Get it in Twilight Blue, Charcoal, Heather Grey, or Sandstone.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock

For something a little smaller, the new version of the Echo Dot, known simply as Echo Dot with Clock, features a digital clock display on its fabric exterior. The original Echo Dot is still available for $10 less.

Ikea Sonos Symfonisk WiFi Bookshelf Speaker

The Ikea Symfonisk WiFi Bookshelf Speaker works within the Sonos ecosystem and delivers robust audio for its size and price. This Editors' Choice has rich bass and bright, sculpted highs. It also doubles as a shelf.

Amazon Echo Show 5

The Echo Show 5 comes with a 960-by-480-resolution 5.5-inch display, a 1MP HD camera that includes a shutter, as well as on/off buttons for the microphone and camera. In our review, we found that it lacks the booming stereo speakers of the 10-inch original, but offers a terrific selection of Alexa voice assistant and touch-screen features. Its versatility and value easily earn it our Editors' Choice for small-screen smart displays.

AmazonBasics Microwave

The AmazonBasics Microwave is a small, simple microwave oven that responds to Alexa voice commands without costing more than a traditional model. While it does require an Echo device to use voice commands, the AmazonBasics Microwave adds a level of convenience unseen in non-smart units.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet

People love tablets, but no one likes paying close to a $1,000 on a miniature computer. The good news is that you can pick up a great tablet without breaking the bank if you go for the Amazon Fire HD 8, which supports hands-free access to Alexa. It remains the best media tablet you can get for under $100 and is a PCMag Editors' Choice.

Status Audio BT One

The Status Audio BT One wireless headphones deliver strong audio in a handsome design for a surprisingly affordable price. The Status also offers excellent mic performance and a cable for passive listening.

Anker Soundcore Liberty Air

There's nothing flashy about Anker's Soundcore Liberty Air, but they deliver very strong audio performance, especially for the price. They're an Editors' Choice for budget-friendly true wireless earphones.

Anker Soundcore Flare

The Anker Soundcore Flare offers a little bit of everything to make it a great centerpiece for parties and everyday use. This portable speaker plays quality audio, has adjustable sound settings, contains built-in LED lighting, and is waterproof. That makes it an Editors' Choice for best wireless and Bluetooth speakers.

Sony SRS-XB12

The Sony SRS-XB12 packs a powerful punch for such a tiny speaker, and its waterproof build adds value to its already affordable price. The audio output here is truly impressive, and worthy of our Editors' Choice.

Edifier R1280T Speakers

The Edifier R1280T speakers deliver rich, balanced audio with adjustable EQ in a handsome design for an affordable price. If you have someone who spends a lot of time listening to music through the computer, this Editors' Choice is among the best options.

Brother P-Touch Cube Plus

With its quality output, speedy printing, and solid feature set, the Brother P-touch Cube Plus is an excellent-value label printer for homes and small offices. It is a marked improvement over the Brother P-touch Cube, and is an Editors' Choice among the best label makers available.

Crucial MX500

The Crucial MX500 is an aggressively priced SATA SSD that still manages swift read and write speeds, making it an Editors' Choice and a very good value for upgrading a mainstream laptop or desktop PC. If you're shopping for a cheap SSD, it's hard to do better.

D-Link Full HD Wi-Fi Camera DCS-8300LH

An Editors' Choice and one of the best home security cameras of the year, the D-Link Full HD Wi-Fi Camera DCS-8300LH camera comes with sharp video quality, free cloud storage, motion and sound detection, as well as connectivity support with Alexa and Google.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9

Whether you're looking for a new creative outlet or just want to share physical images with friends and family, Fujifilm's affordable Instax Mini 9 camera delivers.

Lensbaby Omni Creative Filter System

The Lensbaby Omni Creative Filter System attaches to the front of your lens and includes attachments to bend light, add color, and more. It's a powerful tool when put in the hands of creative photographers. The Omni also supports two expansion packs that are already available.

HP LaserJet Pro M15w

The HP LaserJet Pro M15w is an excellent, inexpensive, and tiny monochrome laser printer. This Editors' Choice device is as easy to use on the road as it is to tuck away in a small office.

Linksys EA6350 AC1200+ Wireless Router

Give the gift of better internet this holiday season by picking up the the Linksys EA6350 AC1200+ Wireless Router. This dual-band router offers blazing 5GHz throughput speeds, four Gigabit LAN ports, and a fast USB port. And it rings up for less than $100, making it our top pick for budget Wi-Fi routers.

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

The Nintendo Switch comes with two wireless controllers known as Joy-Cons. These devices can be brought together to form a more traditional gaming controller, but it's not perfect. Pick up a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller for a more satisfying gaming experience. There's a reason we consider it among the best accessories you can get for the system.

Sega Genesis Mini

The Sega Genesis Mini is a faithfully reproduced miniature retro console packed with 42 classic titles, including Castlevania, Contra, Mega Man, Shinobi, Sonic the Hedgehog, Street Fighter, and Virtua Fighter. More obscure titles include Earthworm Jim, Ecco the Dolphin, Toejam and Earl, and more.

Nintendo Labo VR Kit

The Nintendo Labo VR Kit turns your Switch into a simple VR headset for playing a variety of mini games, including ones you can create yourself. If you're interested in VR, Nintendo Labo is the best way to get started before.

Razer Basilisk

A responsive mouse can mean the difference between victory and defeat, so get them the Razer Basilisk, and they will never be hindered by hardware again. The mouse is among the best gaming mice available, and also comes with customizable lighting options.

Astro Gaming A10 Headets

The Astro Gaming A10 Headset is a great wired option for gamers, no matter what platform they're using. Three different versions exist—red for PC, blue for PlayStation 4, and green for Xbox One—so grab one for stylish comfort and high-quality audio performance. The Astro Gaming A10 is among the best gaming headsets, and also one of the most affordable.

ConnectSense Smart Outlet 2

The ConnectSense Smart Outlet 2 is a feature-rich smart plug that works with Apple HomeKit and supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri voice commands. It's also easy to install, making it an Editors' Choice among smart plugs and power strips.

Parallels Dekstop

Parallels Desktop is an excellent way to run Windows apps on Mac, especially for ordinary users. Parallels is fast in testing, offers tight integration between Macs and guest systems, and supports many other OSes, too. It's a great way to play PC games on a Mac.

Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Touch

Combining on-point performance and strong encryption, the Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Touch portable drive is a great choice for everyday backups and security-first use alike. As an added bonus, this Editors' Choice is lightweight, easy to carry, and includes a fabric coat for added appeal.

23andMe DNA Test

23andMe offers a trove of information about both your personal genetics and your deeper ancestry. This top DNA testing service also offers looks for genetic health risks, as well as your carrier status for many conditions.

VPN Service

This one might seem a tad obscure, but if you're buying for a tech fan who's concerned about online security, consider a subscription to one of our top VPN services. Our Editors' Choice selections include NordVPN and Private Internet Access VPN. Buy a year of NordVPN protection for $84. Private Internet Access is just $40 for a year, though it doesn't offer much in the way of add-ons.

Gift Guides

For more, check out our list of best tech gifts under $50, under $20, and our full Gift Guide. Our friends at Mashable also rounded up their favorite inexpensive gifts.

About Our Expert

Jason Cohen

Jason Cohen

Senior Editor, Help & How To

My Experience

As PCMag's editor of how to content, I have to cover a wide variety of topics and also make our stories accessible to everyday users. Considering my history as a technical writer, copywriter, and all-around freelancer covering baseball, comics, and more at various outlets, I am used to making myself into an expert.

I believe tech corporations are bad, but you might as well know how to use technology in everyday life. Want more how to content delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the tips and tricks newsletter that I curate twice a week.

The Technology I Use

My job as how-to guru means I use just about every gadget under the sun, so I can figure out how everything works. I work from a Lenovo ThinkPad running Windows 11, but also have a very large Dell Inspiron 17 3000 and Apple silicon MacBook. I also have a Google Pixel 6a for personal use and use a Galaxy Z Flip 4 for additional Samsung-related testing. For iOS coverage, an iPhone 13 mini works like a charm, though it's already becoming a little long in the tooth.

My desktop situation includes a dual monitor setup with a modest Acer monitor. I also use a Logitech mouse (who can use these ThinkPad trackpads) and a Havit keyboard (my first mechanical keyboard; I love it but my wife hates it!). I'm a recent convert from wired headphones; I have Anker Soundcore Liberty Air wireless earbuds for personal use and have taken to the Sennheiser HD 450BT headphones for work.

Whenever I have a second to myself, I'm probably gaming on my Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or Xbox Series S. I also still have a bunch of classic consoles lying around as well.

  • Breaking down complicated and confusing processes into simplified instructions
  • Finding new tech problems to solve
  • OS-level tips and tricks

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