Tech products can get expensive fast. When you factor in the historic demand from the ongoing memory crisis, you might find yourself spending more than you’d like for the people on your list. It doesn’t have to be this way. There’s a surprising variety of products you can pick up for $50 or less. While not everything in the tech world can be found at this price point (at least, not with any expectation of quality), you can buy name-brand speakers, headphones, trackers, and more. If someone on your gift-giving list is looking for a new gadget, these under $50 products may just be it.
Best Portable Speaker Under $50 to Gift: JBL Go 4
If your giftee wants a portable speaker, it’s tough to beat the JBL Go 4 at this price point. This is a great portable (emphasis on portable) speaker from a company that makes excellent audio equipment. It has up to seven hours of battery life on one charge and an IP67 rating against water and dust, which makes it as good of a speaker to bring to the beach as it is for your shower. As it happens, one of my favorite things about this speaker is the fact that it’s made by JBL: for less than $50, you get a speaker that can pair with any other compatible JBL speaker, big or small. I’ve found it to be a lifesaver for parties, events, or when traveling — usually, someone else in the group has a JBL speaker (if not multiple people), which makes setting up an impromptu sound system easy. Better yet, outlets like Amazon often have these speakers on sale, which means you can pick it up well under its already-reasonable MSRP.
Longest-Lasting Portable Speaker Under $50: Soundcore Select 4 Go
If you’re looking for something even less expensive, Anker’s Soundcore Select 4 Go is a great option. It, too, has an IP67 water and dust resistance rating, though its main advantage is its 20-hour battery life. You can pair two of these speakers together to create a stereo system, and, depending on available discounts, you may be able to buy two for under $50 — though its MSRP is $34.99.
Best Wireless Mic Under $50 to Gift: DJI Mic Mini
Wireless microphones are often pricey, and “cheap” options are often not worth the money. However, if you need wireless lav mics on a budget for someone on your list, DJI’s Mic Minis might be the move. This particular option comes with two mini mics and one USB-C receiver. You can connect the receiver to any smartphone (iOS or Android) that supports USB-C, and mic up two different subjects to capture remote audio. Your subjects can move up to 300 meters away from the receiver while recording, and each mic supports noise cancellation.
Best Smartphone Game Controller Under $50: 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller
Dedicated portable handheld gaming consoles, like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck, are great, but most of us already own capable game systems of our own: our smartphones. The problem is, playing on a touchscreen doesn’t come close to matching the experience of a physical controller, which is why smartphone game controller accessories are such a great buy for any gamer on your list. One of the best at $50 or under is 8BitDo’s Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller. This device turns your giftee’s iPhone or Android into a Switch or Steam Deck experience, complete with an Xbox-designed button and joystick layout.
Best Standalone Game Controller Under $50: 8BitDo Ultimate 2C
For gamers who want a dedicated controller for PC or console use, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C offers a full-featured gamepad experience at a price well within the $50 budget, making it a solid pick for any gamer on your list.
