Everyone loves cheap stuff that’s actually good to use or invaluably helpful in your day to day. While Amazon Prime Day offers a deluge of deals on no-name tchotchkes and knockoffs (many of which have inflated, bot-fueled review scores), it does have its fair share of inexpensive hidden gems that are actually worth your money.
We know not everyone is shopping for big multihundred- or thousand-dollar tech every time a deal comes around, so we’re always on the lookout for sales that fit into more modest budgets like sub-$100 and sub-$50.
Here, we’re rounding up our top picks for Prime Day that are just 25 bucks or less. Some of them may be ho-hum essentials like a USB-C charging cable, but you may be surprised what kind of tech you can get for such little scratch — like some of Amazon’s Echo smart speakers (because Amazon is always thirsty to get its Alexa assistant into your home).
Even though the below prices are very low, you can rest assured they’re all deals we vouch for on products we’ve reviewed, hands-on tested, or own personally and swear by.
Smart home tech deals under $25
The Echo Pop is Amazon’s newest Alexa-enabled smart speaker. It offers a unique semisphere form factor and can function as an Eero mesh Wi-Fi extender. Read our review.
The fifth-gen Echo Dot touts a temperature sensor, better sound, and faster response time than the prior model. It can also act as an extender for your Eero Wi-Fi system. Read our review.
The 1080p Blink Mini 2 adds weather resistance to the affordable security camera, so you can use it both indoors and out, while continuing to offer a ball-and-socket mount for easy mounting to a wall. It has the option of local storage with a Sync Module or cloud storage and features like person detection for $3 a month. Read our review.
- TP-Link’s Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Light Switches don’t require a hub and work with Matter, offering interoperability with the major smart home ecosystems. Amazon has the standard models for $19.99 ($8 off) for a two-pack or a two-pack of dimmers for $24.99 ($9 off).
- Tapo’s mini Matter-compatible smart plug (Wi-Fi) is just $7.99 ($12 off) for one plug or $20.99 ($28 off) for a three-pack. They lack energy monitoring, but if that’s not a deal-breaker for you, it’s hard to beat about $7 each for a smart plug with Matter.
- For a similar smart plug that can brave the outdoors, TP-Link’s Tapo Matter Outdoor smart plug (Wi-Fi) is $16.19 ($8 off) at Amazon when you click the on-page coupon. It’s got two outlets that can brave the elements.
Nanoleaf’s Matter Essentials bulbs work with every smart home platform as long as you have a Matter controller and Thread border router. They’re bright, cheap, and have great colors, but they don’t support Apple’s Adaptive Lighting. Read our review.
Amazon’s apt-titled Smart Plug doesn’t require a hub and lets you add Alexa functionality to any outlet, allowing you to control a range of devices with just your voice.
Kasa’s smart plugs are a solid, inexpensive option that can monitor your energy usage and are compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Tech basics and essentials under $25
The JLab Go Air Pop are an affordable pair of wireless earbuds with eight hours of battery life (or 32 hours with the included charging case). The case also houses a built-in USB-A charging plug, so you’re never without a charging cable.
- If you’re in need of a basic monitor stand for your desk, this adjustable riser from Huanuo can likely get the job done for $10.44 ($14 off) at Amazon when you click the on-page coupon. Its cheese grater-like design isn’t going to win a ton of style points, but sometimes practicality wins out on a tight budget.
- Apple’s basic USB-C EarPods are on sale at Amazon for $17 ($2 off), which is as cheap as they get. They’re nothing fancy, but now that the current iPhones use USB-C, you can easily take them from iPhone to iPad to MacBook with no fuss. And before you tell me that’s what Apple’s Handoff feature is for on its wireless AirPods, let me remind you that the mics on Bluetooth earbuds suck. Also, sometimes wired accessories are nice since you don’t have to worry about charging them.
These cables from Ugreen are six feet each and support charging speeds of up to 100W, making them a suitable fit for tablets, some laptops, phones, and other portable gear.
- If you don’t need 100W of charging potential like the Ugreen cables above, Anker’s two-pack of 3.3-foot USB-C cables can do 60W and get about as cheap as you’re going to come by for $7.99 ($6 off) at Amazon.
- Belkin’s 40W Dual-Port USB-C charger is down to $19.94 (about $10 off) at Amazon. Its smaller size and foldable plug make it easy to slip in any bag or pocket.
- A 65W UGreen travel charger has dropped to $25.19 (about $15 off) at Amazon. It manages to fit two USB-C ports and a USB-A port into its petite frame, and a foldable plug also helps keep it compact.
- The Strebito 142-piece electronics repair tool kit is selling for $23.78 ($4 off) at Amazon. It’s a bit of an iFixit imitator, but the tools are fine enough quality for someone who occasionally finds themselves tinkering with small tech projects.
Anker’s compact 20W charger juices smartphones quickly and efficiently. It’s also tiny enough to lug around in a small bag.
Anker’s 30W 511 Charger can top off a phone rather quickly but remains small enough to fit in a small bag or purse.
- The sleek Baseus Airpow Power Bank, one of the picks featured in our 2024 Mother’s Day gift guide, is currently on sale at Amazon for $9.91 (about $10 off) when you redeem the on-page coupon. The 20-watt, 10,000mAh portable charger includes both USB-A and USB-C ports for juicing smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices at moderate speeds.
- You can get a 10,000mAh Baseus MagSafe-compatible power bank for $25.49 (about $20 off) at Amazon. It’s limited to the slower 7.5W charging speed of the original Qi standard, but you can charge at up to 20W with a USB-C Power Delivery port, and it supports passthrough charging to top up the power bank and your iPhone at the same time.
This Anker magnetic charging puck has a five-foot USB-C cable and wirelessly charges an iPhone at up to 7.5W.
Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro with MagSafe supports 15W fast wireless charging with MagSafe-compatible iPhones and has a lengthy 6.6-foot built-in cable. Its 15W charging speeds and little kickstand make the BoostCharge Pro with MagSafe the best all-purpose magnetic charging puck.
Ugreen’s 6-in-1 USB-C hub supports three USB 3.0 ports, HDMI-out, and a combo SD / microSD reader.
- Sometimes you just need a high-quality extension cord with a low profile, three outlets, two USB-A ports, and a USB-C port. This five-foot cord from Tessan does all that and is currently just $15.19 (nearly $8 off) at Amazon. While it’s not the most powerful extension cord, it’s handy for road trips and bridging the gap in rooms where you don’t have enough outlets.
- If you need a basic, no-frills way to elevate your laptop to eye level, then this Nulaxy laptop stand is likely to get the job done. It’s on sale for just $13.86 ($8 off) when you click the on-page coupon at Amazon.
The 2023 version of Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K streams in 4K resolution, as its name suggests, and features mostly standard specs these days, like Wi-Fi 6, Dolby Atmos / Vision, HDR10 Plus, and a 1.7GHz processor.
Apple’s AirTags can help you find your lost items with its UWB technology. You’ll get the best compatibility with an iPhone, though Apple released an Android app to detect an AirTag’s location if one seems to be following you. Read our review.
- ESR’s Qi2 MagSafe car mount charger is down to $22.94 (about $10 off) at Amazon when you clip the on-page coupon. You can just clip it onto your car’s air vent, then mount your MagSafe-compatible iPhone for a quick charge.
An under-desk dual headphone hanger that uses 3M adhesive for mounting and an included Velcro strap to anchor a headphone cable.
An adjustable stand that elevates a laptop to eye level. It’s rated to support up to 13 pounds and is available in multiple colors.
- Nomad is running its anniversary sale up against Prime Day, dropping its Sport Case for the iPhone 15 Pro down to $25 ($25 off) as well as the Modern Leather Case for AirPods Pro to $24 ($6 off).
Games and gaming accessory deals under $25
8BitDo’s budget version of its Ultimate Wireless Controller works on PC, Steam Deck, and Android and comes in fun pastel colors. Compared to the pricier model, it omits custom profiles and software tweaking.
- The Nintendo Switch version of 8BitDo’s Ultimate C controller with Bluetooth is $23.99 ($6 off) in a few fun pastel color options at Amazon, exclusively for Prime members.
The Jsaux Transparent Back Plate lets you see some of your Steam Deck’s insides — and keeps your fan from working as hard thanks to a built-in passive cooling plate. It now comes in a variety of frosted colors, including atomic purple.
A protective modular case system for Valve’s Steam Deck. It consists of a base case with grippy texture, a built-in kickstand, a removable lid, and a rear mounting system that can attach a power bank using an adjustable strap or Jsaux’s add-on cooling fan.
Inspired by the animated cartoons of the 1930s, Cuphead is a platformer and bullet-hell game with a stylish nod to old cartoons. It’s also an unforgiving platformer with a high skill ceiling and little room for error. The Nintendo Switch cartridge version includes the Delicious Last Course DLC expansion, adding Ms. Chalice as a playable character.
- Love Letter, a tabletop card game that’s a mainstay in our gift guides, is on sale for just $10.99 ($4 off) at Amazon. This game is the perfect ice breaker at parties since it’s simple to pick up and play and gets people casually competing with a fun card-counting mechanic.
A strategy card game in which players compete to build Renaissance Europe’s most lucrative and prestigious jewelry business.
- Stray on PlayStation 5 is $22.22 (about $8 off) at Amazon. You play as an adorable cat in a dark, dystopian future inhabited by robots, and there is a button to meow. Need I say more? Read our review.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge for the Nintendo Switch is $24.99 ($10 off) at Amazon, its second-best price of all time. The classic-style beat-’em-up supports up to six players in local or online, which is just beautiful chaos. Read our review.
- The PlayStation 5 remaster of PSP classic Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is $19.99 ($10 off) at Amazon. It’s a prequel to Final Fantasy VII, starring Zach as the main protagonist, and it makes for great extra lore background if you played or intend on playing Remake and Rebirth.
The beloved blue hedgehog returns to classic form in Sonic Superstars. It takes after the side-scrolling platformers of old with modern graphics to enjoy as you guide the speedster and his friends to the finish line using a host of new abilities and powers.
- A four-pack of Scif Elite Series 2 paddles for the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller is $14.99 ($5 off) at Amazon. These are a little shorter than the stock ones from Microsoft, so some may feel they’re a little better balanced for being accessible while not getting in the way. Also, for owners of the Core version of the Elite 2 that did not come with rear paddles at all, this is a cheaper way to add them on.
- If you’re not a fan of using your gamepad as a controller, the Long Edition of 8BitDo’s Media Remote is available at Amazon for an all-time low of $14.99 ($10 off). The handy Xbox Series X / S accessory features backlit buttons, a dedicated number pad, and plenty of shortcuts for navigation; however, your Xbox must be positioned within the line of sight to use the infrared accessory. Read our review.
Miscellaneous and Verge favorites under $25
The ChomChom is a reusable cat and dog hair remover that works great for furniture.
- Amazon is offering a free three-month trial of Audible Premium Plus for free through July 31st, which equates to a savings of $44.85. Along with giving you access to thousands of audiobooks and podcasts, the membership also lets you choose and keep one audiobook each month.
- Prime members can currently get a five-month subscription to Amazon Music Unlimited for free, which equates to a savings of $50. Non-Prime members are also eligible for the deal, but they’ll only get three months for free. The $9.99 monthly subscription grants you ad-free access to millions of podcast episodes and over 100 million songs.
- Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag2 is on sale for $19.99 ($10 off) at Amazon. The ultra wideband location tracker works with the Galaxy Find network, making it a great option for those who own Samsung devices. It also sports a user-replaceable battery that lasts up to 700 days, along with a beefier IP67 rating than its predecessor.
- The Glocusent book light is a favorite among resident Verge bookworms, and it’s selling for $17.99 ($15 off) at Amazon. The neck-worn light easily illuminates what you’re reading without having to clamp anything to your book.
LifeStraw’s basic filter removes unwanted viruses, bacteria, and microplastics as you drink, giving you a safe way to hydrate no matter where you are.
Uses bright yellow coloring and sticky glue to catch nasty little pests. You can buy them in various quantities.
- The 14-ounce Yeti Rambler can keep your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks cold for hours on end, and it’s currently just $19.50 ($10.50 off) at Amazon. It’s the humble, logical alternative to those pricey Ember mugs many of us love so much.
- A dedicated tripod is a far better solution than a rock for capturing landscape photos and family selfies. Fortunately, Joby’s GripTight One GP Stand is down to its second-best price to date at Amazon, where you can currently grab it for $16.15 (about $18 off). The sturdy stand can accommodate most phones thanks to its adjustable clamp, and it comes with a flexible design that allows you to anchor it on the ground or to a variety of objects.
- The D&D Essentials Kit, which is aimed at those new to Dungeons & Dragons, is on sale for $14.99 ($10 off) at Amazon, which is one of its better prices to date. It includes a rule book, 11 dice, blank character sheets, a poster map, and even a few cards to represent magic items.
A 46-piece screwdriver kit that can help you repair practically any tech device out there.
Elago’s charming Apple Watch stands are made of silicone and styled after vintage tech. Mount your Apple Watch charger in it, and it will resemble an old Macintosh Plus computer while charging.
- Lego Speed Champions Lamborghini Countach for $15.99 (normally $19.99) An icon of ’70s automotive design, the Lamborghini Countach can make the leap from the wall of your childhood bedroom to the desk in your grown-up office with this 262-piece set. It even comes with a minifigure driver and mechanic so you’ll never need to pop the hood yourself.
The Joseph Joseph Garlic Rocker is just a simple curved piece of metal with holes in it, but it’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to mince / crush garlic.
A cutting tool with a ceramic blade that’s quick, easy, and safe.
Update, July 17th: Adjusted pricing and added a few new ones, including ones for Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag2 and the Lego Speed Champions Lamborghini Countach.
