As a lot as we love high-priced tech like graphics playing cards, screens, or the newest handheld PC, most of us can’t spend a number of hundred {dollars} on a tech reward or buy. But that does not imply you can’t considerably enhance your tech life (or the lives of your tech-focused family and friends) whereas spending a relatively small quantity of cash.I personal most of the inexpensive tech gifts on this listing beneath, practically all of which can be had for $50 or less. OK, one is presently barely greater than $50, however there is a good probability it may very well be again on sale for less by the point you learn this. I can actually say that these merchandise have made (or would make) my nerdy world slightly nicer in their very own methods. If you’re trying for an inexpensive reward for that techie good friend or member of the family (or simply one thing to get your self) this vacation season, one of these 50-ish-or-under choices is likely to be simply what you’re after.My favorite sub-$50 offers:HOTO Wireless Screwdriver: now $54, was $80Lionwei 10 Port, 10Gbps USB Hub: now $46Lenovo Go Qi Charging Mouse: now $49, was 59.99Lionwei Powered 10 Port, 10Gbps USB Hub (Image credit score: Lionwei)Something I purchased final 12 months throughout Black Friday, this aluminum-shelled USB hub from Lionwei provides me two additional easy-to-reach 10Gbps USB-C ports, a ten Gbps USB-A port, and 4 5Gbps USB-A ports. There are additionally three USB-A charging ports, rated as much as 12W, however I have not actually used them; my cellphone and earbuds cost wirelessly. Nicely, 9 of the ports can be switched off when not in use with the press of a button, with indicator lights (that are tiny and never overly vivid) letting you know which ports are enabled. Lionwei’s specs particularly state that the hub would not help video output (presumably meaning ShowPort Alt Mode would not work over USB-C), however that is by no means been a difficulty for me. I primarily use the hub for testing peripherals and utilizing exterior storage, like the perfect moveable SSDs. In impact, this helpful hub has meant that I all the time have the USB ports I would like inside straightforward attain, so I have not needed to crawl below my desk and behind my PC to plug one thing in for the previous 12 months. That’s simply price $46in my ebook. Maybe yours, too? Lenovo Go Qi Charging Wireless Mouse(Image credit score: Lenovo)I’ve wi-fi charging pads at my desk and three different locations around my residence for holding my cellphone and watch juiced up, and I take one with me after I journey. So after I noticed Lenovo had a Go Wireless Multi-Device Mouse that costs wirelessly utilizing the Qi customary, I used to be intrigued. And now that I’ve owned one for a 12 months, it is my go-to journey rodent. In truth I feel I ordered it throughout final 12 months’s Black Friday offers season.There’s not a lot exceptional about this compact mouse in phrases of its design. It homes a USB-C dongle below its magnetic high, and it additionally works over Bluetooth for pairing it with as much as three units. Lenovo claims 2-3 months of use if you use it a pair of hours a day, which might be pretty correct. I’ve by no means been capable of inform as a result of at any time when I’m performed utilizing it, I simply drop it on the Qi charging stand on my desk and it is absolutely charged at any time when I decide it up once more. Plugging issues in is so 2019. However, it does have a USB-C port within the entrance if you wish to pry off the rubber door and cost it the old-school manner.Add recessed energy and USB ports to your desk for simply $16
(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)OK, this one’s solely for the DIY-inclined, as a result of it includes reducing a gap in your desk (or anyplace else you may need some flush-mount energy ports, like a nightstand). Jgstkcity’s recessed energy strip lets you drop a pair of AC shops and two USB charging ports (one 30W USB-C) anyplace you want them – once more, as soon as you’ve minimize a gap for it.While it is all the time sensible to be cautious of no-name energy strips, I’ve owned the older non-PD model of this strip for over two years and it has been functioning simply fantastic. I have it put in within the slim stand I constructed proper behind my sofa. It’s a super-convenient place for energy shops, particularly when pals or household cease by. I simply warn folks to not put drinks there. Thankfully the espresso desk is much more handy for that and it is proper in entrance of the sofa. Join the consultants who learn Tom’s Hardware for the within observe on fanatic PC tech information — and have for over 25 years. We’ll ship breaking information and in-depth critiques of CPUs, GPUs, AI, maker {hardware} and extra straight to your inbox.Powerowl’s rechargeable batteries are good and surprisingly low cost (Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)When I first began utilizing rechargeable batteries with my Walkman within the early 90s, they had been type of terrible (however nonetheless higher than spending all my cash feeding my music habit). They could not maintain a cost and did not final practically so long as name-brand disposable batteries. But right here within the 2020s, rechargeables are surprisingly good.Panasonic’s Eneloops arguably ushered within the rechargeable AA and AAA renaissance, however PowerOwl’s batteries are much more inexpensive and I have not had a single one fail in over three years of utilizing them in my numerous remotes, sensible door locks, and different units.HyperX Wrist Rest(Image credit score: HyperX)For anybody who spends their days (and / or nights) in entrance of a keyboard, a very good wrist relaxation is vital for each short-term consolation and long-term limb well being. Multiple Tom’s Hardware staffers swear by HyperX’s gel / reminiscence foam wrist rests. And with the rise in recognition of compact keyboards, it is good to see the corporate now presents a Mini model. At about 9 inches lengthy, it is a good match for small keyboards, however a 14-inch Tenkeyless choice can be out there for only a couple {dollars} extra.HOTO NEX O1 PRO 3.6V Screwdriver Set(Image credit score: Hoto)I construct rather a lot of PCs and likewise do a good bit of dwelling enchancment work around my residence. So a cordless screwdriver is a pleasant factor to have. I additionally personal a a lot slimmer (*15*), however have discovered HOTO’s NEX O1 Pro to be handier because of its additional (and variable) torque. It’s nice for loosening these factory-installed screws on PC circumstances that simply do not wish to let go, and likewise good for assembling small items of furnishings.The HOTO will not exchange my DeWalt impression driver or drill for greater, harder jobs, however for on a regular basis duties, it is highly effective sufficient, straightforward to cost over USB-C, and even appears good on my workbench. I simply want it got here with and saved greater than 12 bits. If you do not want this screwdriver instantly for a present, possibly maintain off a bit, because it usually goes on sale for less than $50. It was $35 throughout Black Friday.Cooler Master ARGB GPU Support Bracket(Image credit score: Cooler Master)There are tons of methods of coping with a sagging GPU. You might simply ignore it (as long as you aren’t transporting your PC someplace), get a sub-$10 adjustable piston-type GPU brace, or maintain your heavy graphics card up in fashion with Cooler Master’s tempered glass and RGB common GPU Bracket.With a magnetic base and clip-on metallic help shelf, this graphics card holder was easy to put in. It’s presently holding up the traditional GTX 1080 Ti in our exterior storage testbed, and by far probably the most tough set up step was plugging within the three-prong RGB header onto the motherboard whereas the system was standing on my workbench.Is this rather a lot of options to throw into what’s principally a help brace? Sure. But if you spent a whole lot making your system look nice, $29 is a small value to pay for some fairly GPU help.TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 USB Adapter(Image credit score: TP-Link)Have you upgraded your router to Wi-Fi 6, however your desktop or laptop computer would not have the requisite {hardware} to take benefit of your newer community tech? TP-Link’s AX1800 WiFi 6 USB Adapter is right here to resolve that drawback for you. It’s fairly massive by USB Wi-Fi dongle requirements, however I’ve discovered it really works fairly properly with the Wi-Fi 6 routerI have operating downstairs from my workplace. And it immediately fastened a difficulty I used to be having with very poor reception from the SFF PC I constructed within the Fractal Terra case.APC Desk Mount Power Station PE6U4(Image credit score: APC)If you’re a tech particular person, you all the time need extra energy sockets and USB ports inside straightforward attain. And that is precisely what APC’s Desk Mount Power Station gives. Designed to be clamped on the sting of a desk or on high of a cubicle wall, it places six energy sockets and 4 USB charging ports proper in your desk. No extra bending over or reaching around issues to get the candy, candy energy your machine wants. Oh, and it is also a 1,080-Joule-rated surge protector, so your units get some added safety as properly. I would not belief all my costly units to such a small surge protector however hey, it is higher than nothing. Anker Power Strip Surge Protector (2100J)(Image credit score: Anker)What’s thrilling to say a few surge protector? If it is previous and faulty, it might assist burn your home down. And even when it is not, it is advisable you exchange them each 5 or so years as a result of the components that truly do the protective can develop into less efficient through the years. So there is a good probability you’re due for a brand new one. I personal three of these Anker Power Strip Surge Protectors (2100J) and so they all have labored flawlessly. Aside from the standard issues like 10 three-prong shops and a helpful swap, Anker additionally consists of USB-A and USB-C energy shops, every rated to 12W. I want these got here with greater than an 18-month guarantee, however I’ve all the time had good luck with Anker’s customer support, which makes me really feel a bit higher on that entrance.Orico USB 3.0 Clamp Hub(Image credit score: Orico)Much just like the APC energy station above, this can be a four-port USB hub that is designed to clamp onto your desk and provides you additional handy connectivity. Orico’s machine is extra about information than energy although, delivering USB 3.0 speeds, which is sweet sufficient for most fashionable units. It is available in black or silver and has a pleasant sturdy metallic body. Just notice that its clamp part is fairly shallow and its adjustable screw can solely open between 10 and 32 mm, so it will not match on all desks.8Bitdo SN30 Pro Wireless Bluetooth Controller(Image credit score: 8Bitdo)What’s to not love a few SNES-inspired wi-fi gaming controller that is appropriate with Windows, Mac, Android and the Nintendo Switch? Not a lot, however I personal the unique Pro mannequin and never one of these newer fashions with translucent plastic shells. That’s peak late-90s nostalgia and I actually do not wish to adore it as a lot as I do. As you may count on given this controller’s small measurement and plenty of extra buttons than the SNES controller it was based mostly on, its Rumble motors aren’t the strongest, and the format can really feel type of cramped for some fashionable video games. But for any type of retro recreation and particularly platformers (I’m you, Super Mario Bros. Wonder), that is my go-to controller. At this value, possibly I ought to decide up one other one. Hamurubi Large Felt Desk Pad(Image credit score: Hamurubi)Few issues can clean up your desk area with less effort and value than a very good desk pad. It additionally helps that placing down a brand new desk pad means you even have to scrub up your desk. The one I’m utilizing at my principal dwelling desk is getting slightly funky, so I ordered this felt mannequin from Hamurubi throughout Black Friday.It is available in two somewhat massive sizes, and I selected the bigger 35.5-inch mannequin to cowl most of my work space. I notably like that it is felt somewhat than leather-based, and that it has 1000’s of anti-slip silicone dots on the underside to maintain it in place. At $10-$12 and out there in three shades of grey, if you like the feel and appear of felt, it must be a comfortable and engaging addition to your desk. I might reside with out the wolf patch in the correct nook, however in any other case, this can be a welcome addition to my desk.Clean up the cables below your desk with a tray(Image credit score: Delamu)Sometimes, the perfect gifts are passive-aggressive. If all you need for the vacations is for somebody in your house or workplace to get their cables off the ground, some low cost cable administration trays will do the job. This two-pack comes with tape, although heavier masses will in the end require some screws.Besides the trays, this key additionally comes with some cable ties and some cable clips you can place alongside the underside or sides of your desk. One of these has been holding up the PC cable litter in my lounge since May. But I needed to screw it into my desk as a result of it is holding one of the above Anker energy strips, plus the exterior energy brick from my TV/Monitor.
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