Techie Treasures: Top Budget-Friendly Gadgets From How-To Geek for the Festive Season of 2021

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An awesome tech gift doesn’t have to be expensive. You can buy a creative and memorable gift for less than a hundred bucks. From fun gadgets to useful tech, here are the best tech gifts for under $100 this holiday season.

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The Best Tech Gifts Under $100

When buying a gift, it’s the thought that counts. With a little research, you can find a lot of thoughtful tech gifts that your recipient has probably never even heard of! This guide lists our favorite fun (or just plain useful) tech gifts under $100.

We’ve cast a wide net here to find a little something for everyone, so you’ll be able to pick the perfect gift no matter who you’re buying for. Whether you’re looking for toys, fitness gadgets, coffee mugs, or just cool smart home additions, we’ve got you covered.

Tamagotchi Pix: A Pet With No Mess

Tamagotchi

Looking after a pet can be a lot of work. While the companionship is nice, the time required to look after a pet properly really adds up, and you should never buy someone a surprise pet as a gift.

On the other hand, you can definitely buy someone the Tamagotchi Pix because a digital pet doesn’t need as much attention. Tamagotchis have been a part of tech gifts for decades now, and the latest models include color screens, the ability to take selfies with their pet, and even plenty of games to play too.

This toy should make kids, or adults who remember Tamagotchis fondly, really happy.

Tamagotchi Pix

A cute digital pet that can take pictures, play games, and just generally be adorable.

$60 at Amazon

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Mario Kart Live: Augmented Reality Kart Racing

Nintendo

An important note when it comes to this gift: Whoever you’re looking to buy for will need a Nintendo Switch to use it. Mario Kart Live is not a standalone game!

Mario Kart Live brings the fantastic cart racer into the real world. It sounds utterly absurd, but it works surprisingly well. The player gets to control a real Mario Kart around a course they build in their own home using special gates. Then, the track can be played in real-time via augmented reality using the Switch.

The AR game can even be played in multiplayer, although each player will need their own copy of the game and Switch. If that sounds a little too expensive, you can also go with buying them a copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for a more accessible multiplayer.

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit

Bring the magic of Mario Kart to life, with the help of a Nintendo Switch.

$110 at Amazon Best Buy Target

PlayStation Classic: Tiny Nostalgia

Sony

This one’s a gift for the older gamer. It’s for those who miss the days when game graphics were sharp and pointy. It can also be an excellent gift for younger gamers if they’re interested in the retro scene.

The PlayStation Classic is a neat little device that houses twenty classic games from the original PlayStation. That means it brings with it powerhouses like Final Fantasy 7 and Ridge Racer Type 4. It also comes with two controllers so more people can enjoy the multiplayer titles.

Sony’s replica console is notably smaller than the original console, which is adorable and a space saver.

PlayStation Classic

Gaming for the discerning older gamer, or the retro-obsessed.

$129 at Amazon

Fitbit Inspire 2: Fitness First

Fitbit

People who are into fitness come in two flavors. There are those who’ve been doing it for ages and those who are just starting and looking for some guidance. Whichever group your giftee falls under, the Fitbit Inspire 2 is a great choice.

This Fitbit offers an easy-to-use heart rate monitor, a tracker for your active minutes, and a pedometer. If you buy but the Inspire 2 from Fitbit directly, you’ll also get access to a whole year of Fitbit Premium, which can help your giftee with extra guidance.

After all, the first step in one’s fitness journey is often the hardest, and the Inspire 2 works to make it easier.

Fitbit Inspire 2

A fitness tracker for the heartrate, activity levels, and footsteps of fitness fanatics of any level.

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Fujifilm Instant Film Camera: Pictures on the Move

Instax

Have you got someone in your life that adores taking pictures? If that’s the case, you should consider getting them the Instax Mini 11 Instant Film Camera .

This cute little physical camera automatically selects the correct exposure level for whatever environment it’s used in—something generally reserved for smartphone cameras. It also comes with a selfie mode, making it easier to take pictures of everyone, no matter the setting.

On top of that, it’s small, easy to use, and instantly prints physical photos from the top of the camera. Many people miss the novelty of physical photographs and having one printed immediately after a shot is sure to please.

The Instax Mini will not replace a more expensive camera, but it’s quirky and a lot easier to carry around. You can buy some extra film as an added gift too.

Fujifilm - instax mini 11 Instant Film Camera

A quirky little camera for the budding photographer.

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Ember Smart Mug: Keep that Coffee Hot

Ember

Many people love a good cup of coffee, but they also get distracted after making it, and the coffee gets cold. There’s not a lot of people out there that enjoy cold coffee.

If you know someone like this, then the Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2 is the perfect gift for them. This 10 oz black mug is an app-controlled heating device. The smart mug allows your giftee to control the exact temperature of their drink. It’ll never be too hot or too cold in the Ember mug.

Used on its own, the smart mug has a 1.5-hour battery life. But, on the charging coaster, it can last as long as is needed. The Ember Smart Mug might seem like an extraneous gift, but it’s very practical, and we think there’s a good chance your recipient will use and love it.

Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug

$103 $130 Save $27

A smart mug that keeps hot drinks right at the perfect temperature.

$103 at Amazon Best Buy Target

Echo Devices: Amazon’s Smart Speaker and Screen

Amazon

If the person you’re buying for is keen on starting a smart home but hasn’t yet made the leap, you can help them out with some Amazon Echo products.

The Amazon Echo is an impressive smart speaker that offers excellent sound when playing music. Not only that, but it can also act as the central smart home hub for helping people to control whatever other smart devices they have, providing they’re Alexa-compatible. Thankfully, most major companies and devices can be used with Alexa, so giftees can mix and match as needed.

There’s also the Amazon Echo Show 5 . The Show 5 is a powerful smart display that comes with a 2-megapixel camera, which can be also be used to look through whatever smart cameras around the house. Of course, the smart display can also be used to play music or watch movies.

One of these devices, or both of them together, can help bring them into the smart home future.

Amazon Echo

$65 $100 Save $35

A smart assistant and smart speaker in one stylish package.

$65 at Amazon Best Buy Target

Amazon Echo Show 5

A smart screen for the best tv shows, films, and even the chance to chat to family.

See at Amazon Best Buy Target

Nest Devices: Google’s Smart Devices

Google

There are different smart home ecosystems available, and which items and apps are compatible depends on the hub someone has. If your giftee enjoys Google devices, then you’ll want to buy them Nest smart home products.

Nest Audio is Google’s version of the smart speaker. It can be controlled via voice, has an impressive speaker, and can also be used to control lights, TVs, and anything else that’s compatible too. The Nest Audio can also be used as a hub to control other smart home devices.

The Nest Hub can be used to watch videos, make video calls, and even as a way to wake up in the morning. Both the Hub and Audio devices can communicate with one another too, which means the owner can listen to music or podcasts as they move through their house.

Whether you go with Google’s ecosystem or Amazon’s , though, they’re sure to be thrilled.

Google Nest Audio

A smart speaker from Google that’ll make life easier and more musical. The Nest Audio can also be used as a smart home hub!

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Google Nest Hub

See the latest shows, films, and even talk to loved ones with the Nest Hub. It can also be used with the Nest Audio to keep the music going throughout the house.

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Techie Treasures: Top Budget-Friendly Gadgets From How-To Geek for the Festive Season of 2021