It's the holiday season, which means it's gift-giving season. Sure, you could spend thousands on tech, especially if you're looking at a new PC or laptop (or just some RAM, the way things are going), but if your budget is a little more modest, there are still plenty of options out there.
I don't believe you need to spend hundreds of dollars on a gift for the tech lovers in your life. I'm the perfect example: my desk and office drawers are filled with gadgets and tools, ranging from the useful to the unusual, all with a purpose that makes them essential (usually when I least expect it), and many of them bought at a discount.
My top picks for tech gifts under $100
- Hoto PixelDrive Electric Screwdriver: was $79.99, now $59.99
- Ugreen Nexode Power Bank with 20,000 mAh battery: was $99.99, now $69.99
- Logitech G Pro 2 Lightspeed wireless gaming mouse: was $149.99, now $99.99
Drive in style with this Hoto Electric Screwdriver
I think that every hobbyist, PC builder, and all-around DIYer needs a Hoto screwdriver in their life. At least three Tom's Hardware editors and writers own one, myself included, and it's a great starter kit for dealing with any very small screws you (or a loved one) might encounter.
This upgraded PixelDrive model features a 2,500 mAh battery. It uses USB-C for charging via the supplied cable, so there's no need to worry about finding AA batteries, either. You get 30 bits with this kit, including a range of different heads and styles, while the driver supports six different torque settings, depending on the power you use.
Give a kit like this for Christmas, and you'll make one enthusiast very happy indeed.
This massive Ugreen power bank is essential for a techie who travels
I've learned the hard way that you shouldn't go anywhere without a backup power source for your tech. My Samsung smartphone has been saved on more than one occasion in a busy city or the great outdoors by a power bank, but this Ugreen Nexode model easily outperforms my existing kit.
This is a huge power bank, at least based on its electrical capacity, with a 20,000 mAh battery that can output 165W and fully recharge in just under two hours. That means you can fast charge a laptop or MacBook, along with a smartphone, at once. You can use the built-in retractable USB-C cable to do this, or hook up a USB cable to one of the two other ports.
A 20,000 mAh power bank with fast charging for my phone and laptop for less than $70 is simply a steal. If you're thinking about a practical gift for a loved one, put this Ugreen battery on your short list.
Secure your accounts with 2FA with a security key like this YubiKey 5C
Don't let your friends, colleagues, and loved ones head out into the online world without protection. A hardware security key like this Yubico YubiKey 5C NFC can be the ultimate upgrade to avoid account breaches, adding a physical layer of security that a remote hacker 5,000 miles away can't replicate.
The YubiKey 5C NFC is used for two-factor authentication. When you sign in to an account that supports 2FA, like a Google account, for instance, you can use the YubiKey to approve access without relying on a smartphone or, worse still, SMS approval. It works with thousands of services as a physical layer of protection to approve sign-ins. This model uses USB-C, although you can get a USB-A version for a similar price.
A physical hardware key like the YubiKey 5C NFC is a formidable way to protect your accounts. Gifting it to someone you care about might not be flashy, but it's a worthwhile investment nevertheless.
Set up your macros with this Elgato Stream Deck Neo
Most PC users have been using the same layout for decades. One mouse, one keyboard. While these can accommodate extra buttons for quick commands and macros, a dedicated option like Elgato's Stream Deck Neo can make a lot of sense.
The Stream Deck Neo is a dedicated tool for macros and quick commands. It has eight programmable buttons and LCD screens that you can customize for the app or command you want to set up. This can do anything you like, like performing an action in a game, launching an app on your desktop, or controlling actions like your system volume.
I'd love a gift like this, as it's thoughtful and (more importantly) really useful for my line of work. Check out our Elgato Stream Deck Neo review for a full run-through if you want to hear more.
Keep your cryptocurrency investments safe with a hardware wallet like the Ledger Nano S Plus
Ledger has been in the cryptocurrency hardware business for over a decade. I've owned a Ledger Nano S for about the same time, and used it to hold a whole array of (tiny) crypto investments, including Bitcoin.
This upgraded model, the Ledger Nano S Plus, is still one of the few hardware wallets I'd trust to recommend. It provides you with a safe and secure way to protect your crypto investments because, rather than relying on a software-based wallet, you need physical access to this key to approve transactions.
It supports thousands of cryptocurrencies, including big ones like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, and allows you to manage up to a hundred different wallets on one device. It features physical buttons and a small display to help you approve transactions. If you have a crypto enthusiast in your life, make sure they're using a hardware wallet like this one.
This Ugreen M.2 SSD enclosure makes it easy to turn your storage portable
Before the recent SSD price increases started to affect the market, I'd collected quite a few M.2 SSDs. I've installed them on laptops and PCs I've built for myself and family members, but I've also had quite a few to spare.
Rather than leaving them to gather dust in a drawer, I've used this Ugreen M.2 enclosure to turn them into quick, easy-to-use external drives. The enclosure supports all M.2 form factors, including 2230 for laptops and handhelds and 2280 for PCs. It uses a USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection via a USB-C cable, with data transfer rates up to 10 Gbps while remaining backwards compatible.
This doesn't require any tools, either. Drives up to 8TB simply plug into the enclosure and clip into place. Give this to a serious data hoarder in your life; it'll definitely come in handy.
Head back to childhood with this fully functional Lego Game Boy replica kit
I grew up in the 1990s, and I fondly remember playing on the original Game Boy. While I'm also lucky enough to still own the original version, not everybody does, so if you're looking for a nostalgic gift to share this Christmas, then this Lego Game Boy could be it.
This 1:1 scale replica of Nintendo's Game Boy isn't a working model (at least not without some modding), but it's still a gorgeous kit for building a model that looks a lot like the original. It comes with two "game cartridges" for Super Mario Land and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, along with lenticular screen inserts to showcase both games.
This is gorgeous. I love Lego and school Nintendo, and I'd be very happy if I woke up with this to build on Christmas morning.
A Cooler Master MK770 mechanical keyboard upgrade for a loved one
I know far too many family members and friends who use dusty, old office-grade peripherals. If you're the same, it's time to replace the membrane boards and invest in the Cooler Master MK770 instead.
First, this board is gorgeous. It comes in a couple of different colorways, including Space Gray, Macaron Red, and just plain Macaron with pastel-like colors. This 96-percent, wireless mechanical keyboard is packed with a strong set of features, however, including five different connectivity modes, a built-in volume dial, and customizable RGB lighting. However, its greatest feature is the combined gasket mount design and Kailh Box V2 switches, which make it quick and comfortable to type for long periods.
With an affordable price that is nearly half the original MSRP, this is one keyboard worth gifting this holiday season. You can check out our Cooler Master MK770 review to see our full thoughts on this pastel-flavored board.
Keep physical media alive with this Swiss army knife Suidek DVD drive and USB hub combo
In a world of streaming services and cloud storage, physical media might seem quaint, even obsolete. Wrong. Physical storage guarantees ownership of the media it contains, along with its control.
That's where this interesting Suidek DVD drive comes in. It's more than just a DVD drive, though. It writes CDs and DVDs, but it also has a built-in SD card reader, along with spare USB-A and USB-C ports to use this as a quick-and-easy hub for a laptop or PC.
This is a genuine Swiss Army knife for a PC owner without an optical drive who wants to access or store files across multiple storage devices. If you know someone with a serious media collection, get them a drive like this one for the holidays.
This Razer mouse mat can light up a desk and provide a level surface for a gaming mouse
A mouse mat might seem like an odd gift these days, but for a gamer? It's essential. Not only do they provide a level surface for seriously sensitive gaming mice to work, but they can also protect your desk and keep it looking smart.
This Razer Firefly V2 Pro mouse mat does all of that and more while remaining affordable. It's on our best gaming mouse pads guide for a reason: it's the world's first RGB-backlit mouse pad.
Lighting is what dominates this Razer mat, with 15 RGB lighting zones that you can configure. It's a hard-surface mouse mat with three layers, covered in a thin micro-textured surface at the top that won't affect your mouse accuracy. At just $69.99 right now, this is a nice addition for any gamer's setup.
An 8Bitdo game controller that rolls right back into the 1990s
Seriously, who doesn't love a cool, retro wireless gaming controller? 8Bitdo is great at making peripherals that look as great as they work. This SNES-inspired SN30 Pro is easy to hold and makes a great gift for anyone who loves playing retro games.
This controller isn't picky about what it connects to; it's rated to work on Windows, macOS, Android, and the Nintendo Switch. It isn't mentioned in the specs, but Linux support is pretty good, too.
The SN30 Pro comes in a few different colorways, but I really like this SNES-colored model. This Pro update also features Hall Effect joysticks for greater durability, too. This is a great gift, just don't let those Mario Kart games go to your head.
This Logitech mouse is an elite upgrade for PC and laptop users
One of the biggest upgrades I ever made to my PC setup was buying a half-decent optical mouse. If you know somebody using a tired, old mouse with low sensitivity, then this Logitech upgrade should be on your shortlist for gifts.
The Logitech G Pro 2 Lightspeed features an optical sensor with a sensitivity of up to 44,000 DPI. That vastly outstrips most gaming mice, including several in our best gaming mouse guide. Sensitivity like this makes it a brilliant option for competitive gaming and for actions on your PC or laptop that require small, precise movements, such as graphic design.
This particular wireless mouse is rated for 95 hours of battery life and charges over USB-C. It has four customizable buttons, which, along with the RGB lighting and DPI sensitivity, you can customize using Logitech's G Hub software. This is an awesome gift for a PC user.
Keeping PCs and desktops clean, all thanks to this Hoto vacuum and air blower
Yes, another Hoto product, but it's a good one. If you know someone who needs to clean out their PC case or blast away crumbs on their desk, this Hoto vacuum and air blower is the perfect gift.
It's not just a vacuum cleaner, though. It's a 4-in-1 device with two ends that let you alternate between sucking the air and blasting it away, with five different attachments to use, depending on the scenario. It has a 1,900 mAh battery that lasts for a continuous ten minutes and weighs just 0.78 lbs.
PC owners will want this to keep their PC dust-free, but you can also use it around your table or chair to clean up any fallen debris. You can also use it for inflation, such as air beds, as well as vacuum packing. Pick this up for a loved one, and they'll never need to worry about dust balls in their PC again.
This Hagibis mini screen is the ultimate retro PC desk gadget
What do you get for a techie who already has the big stuff, like a new PC or monitor? This 3.5-inch Hagibis mini screen. This is both a retro desk ornament and a fully-functional LCD display with a built-in SD card reader and USB hub.
Techies are the absolute target market for a gadget like this 3.5-inch Hagibis display. Yes, we'll admit, this mini monitor isn't in the same league as a big OLED displays, and it certainly isn’t the biggest out there, but its design is a nostalgic throwback that makes for a lovely holiday gift.
It uses an IPS panel with a 178° viewing angle and supports resolutions from 800 x 600 to 2,560 x 1,600, although the screen’s native resolution is 960 x 640. This Hagibis monitor also has a great set of USB ports, along with an SD card reader, allowing you to use it as an attractive desk hub.
Every hobbyist needs a smart soldering iron like this Fnirsi HS-01
A smart soldering iron, meaning one with its own operating system and temperature control system, is a serious upgrade. You don't have to break the bank to get one, though, as this Fnirsi HS-01 kit proves.
Our Fnirsi HS-01 review put this model through its paces. It's entry-level but easy to use, featuring a metal body and a rubberized finger guard. You'll need to power this with a USB-C cable, and it supports a range of USB PD voltages from 9V to 24V.
A soldering iron like this is a great tool in the budding hobbyist's arsenal. It's great for beginners, but serious makers will fancy their chances with an iron like this one, too.
Building a project just got easier with this Elegoo Mega R3 kit
I like to build stuff, and I've built quite a collection of parts, wires, and components over the years to help me do that. For the maker in your life who doesn't have a collection like that, especially a beginner, you might want to pick up this Elegoo Mega R3 project starter kit.
This kit is genuinely exciting for anyone who likes to tinker with electronics. It has a programmable Arduino Mega 2560 microcontroller board along with a breadboard, buzzer, tilt switch, various resistors, and wires. It also has LEDs, jumper wires, buttons, and more.
This is a treasure trove of equipment to kickstart the journey of any electronics enthusiast. It also comes with a CD that includes 35 lessons to help you with the kit. This'll keep a hobbyist in your life busy for weeks!
If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, Gaming Chair, Best Wi-Fi Routers, Best Motherboard, or CPU Deals pages.
