The 10 best cheap tech gifts under $75 for the holidays

If you’ve started gift shopping for the holidays, you’ve come to the right place. Here you will find a thoughtfully curated list of the best affordable tech gifts, including wireless earbuds, smart home gadgets, and massage machines — all of which cost less than $75.

These products make great gifts for anyone on your holiday gift-giving list this year. Now, let’s get to some gift shopping.

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pros

  • Heated massage with different pressure levels
  • Relaxing music built-in

cons

  • Battery life isn’t that long

Features: Heats to between 104-107 degrees Fahrenheit | 180-degree adjustable design | Built-in speakers with music

The RENPHO Eye Massager will transport anyone into relaxation bliss with a heated eye massage. Whether they suffer from headaches or are simply stressed from day-to-day life, this eye massager gently massages and heats the eyes for 20 minutes. 

You can control the intensity of the massage as well as listen to built-in relaxing music or connect it to a customized playlist via Bluetooth.

pros

  • Comfortable to use
  • Wireless

cons

  • Not the best for gaming

Features: Compatible with PC and Mac | 5.1 ounces | Full charge lasts up to 70 days

The Logitech MX Master 2S is an excellent mouse to get, whether it’s for a family or friend who dabbles in video production, or someone who could use the ergonomics for less tension on the wrist. It has a speed adaptive scroll wheel that auto shifts on the fly from click to click for hyper-fast scrolling. And, its ergonomic shape allows you to work comfortably with ideally placed thumb wheel and controls. 

Also: Best wireless mouse: Making a case for Logitech

pros

  • Control lights through the app
  • Syncs up with your music

Features: RGBICWW light colors | Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | 23 scene modes

The Govee Flow Plus Smart LED light bars are an affordable gift suggestion for those who like fairy lights, lamps, and to create ambiance beyond typical ceiling lights. These LED bars can be controlled through a mobile device or voice assistant for different colors and brightness. It’s the perfect gift for movie nights or nighttime gaming sessions. 

Also: All things smart home at ZDNet

pros

  • Long-lasting quality
  • You can virtually try them on
  • Fun, video game-themed frames

cons

  • Some model’s noise pieces can dig into the bridge of the nose when wearing certain headsets

Features: Smudge and anti-glare coating | Amber lens | Polycarbonate frame

Since gamers stare at screens for hours, they need a reliable pair of blue-light blocking glasses. Give the gamer in your life a pair of blue-light blocking glasses from the renowned brand, Gunnar. Gunnar’s gaming eyewear collection claims to reduce eye strain and prevent dry eyes from long hours of gaming.

These glasses block 65% of the LED blue light from screens like monitors, TVs, tablets, and more.

Also: The 5 Best Blue Light Blocking Glasses

pros

  • Helps you get to sleep faster
  • Also a good meditation or breathing exercise

cons

  • Only really works if you lay on your back

Features: Two different modes | Battery operated | Touch-sensitive surface 

Give the gift of a good night’s sleep with the Dodow Sleep Aid Device. The device works by placing it on a flat surface next to your bed, and it shines a soft, blue light onto the ceiling. Follow the motion of the light with your breathing and it relaxes you into sleep mode, enabling you to fall asleep faster. The device automatically shuts off so you can fall asleep with it still on. 

pros

  • Tracks jump count, calories burned, and workout times
  • App is compatible with iOS and Android

cons

  • App does not integrate with other health or fitness apps

Features: 1.09 pounds | Adjustable rope length | Store up to 100 sets of workout data

That friend or family member that loves to work out will appreciate this smart jump rope since it can track their workouts and progress. The rope pairs up with an app to track jump count, calories burned, and workout times. I

In addition, the rope can be adjusted to the right length. 

pros

  • Five fun colors
  • Has a mode to take selfies easily

cons

  • Film costs extra and is a bit pricey

Features: 1-touch Selfie mode | Automatic exposure | .65 pounds

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 camera is a fun and colorful gift, perfect if you’re planning any type of gathering. Pulling inspiration from old Polaroids, the Instax Mini 11 is a sturdy camera with auto exposure, a selfie mode, and flash, and is able to print photos immediately after you say ‘Cheese’.

Unlike previous mini camera models, Fujifilm opted out of the exposure control dial on this one and instead just has automatic exposure. In addition, there is a selfie mode, so you can easily turn selfies into printed photos.

Also: The best instant cameras

Features: 3 color options | More sensors | Eero built-in

The brand-new 5th Generation Echo Dot brings more powerful audio to Amazon’s most popular smart speaker. While this Echo Dot is the same size as the previous generation, it features a completely redesigned internal structure for double the bass output and crisper audio, as well as a temperature sensor that can give you the room temperature or run automations through Alexa

The Echo Dot with Clock display now goes beyond the time to show calendar events and media information, making it a helpful addition for anyone looking for a sleek and compact smart speaker for a bedside table or office.

pros

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Great picture quality for price

cons

  • Volume is low, so you’ll need supplemental speakers

Features: Projects up to 170 inches | 1080p full HD | HDMI and USB connectivity 

Movie nights will be much better with this mini projector. You can watch movies or play games using the projector that has 1080p full HD display. It has six total ports, including an HDMI port, a micro-USB, and an audio jack so you can use pretty much any device. The projector also weighs less than a pound, so the gift reciever can bring it to parties or while traveling. 

Features: 3 color options | Active noise-canceling technology | 4 built-in microphones 

For the music-obsessed in your life, these earbuds from JBL have active noise-canceling technology for much less than competitor brands. They also have Smart Ambient technology, so that you choose whether you want to tune out the world or engage with your surroundings. Other features include IPX4 rating for sweatproofing, eight hours of battery life, and JBL’s signature Pure Bass sound.

Also: The best wireless earbuds

Any of the products on our list would be great tech gift options—it just depends what the gift receiver likes/needs!

With affordability top in our minds, we chose products that would not only cover lots of different interests and wants, but also items that are suitable — and budget-friendly — as larger gifts. 

The act of giving gifts has different protocols in cultures around the world. If you have in-laws, family, or friends who practice gift-giving in different ways than you’re used to, don’t be afraid to ask what you should do! You can always do some reading online for proper etiquette such as not accepting gifts with your left hand in Indian culture or not being upset when your Japanese mother-in-law refuses a gift three times before accepting it, but still not opening it in front of you (it’s considered rude to open a gift in front of the giver, in case you seem greedy). 

But no matter what, as long as the gift you’re giving is thoughtful, and you’re genuine in the act of giving, the receiver is sure to be happy with whatever you do.

Here are a couple other options to look into that are also under $75:

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