10 Gifts for the Tech-Lover (that won't break the bank!)

Hey guys, It's Megan! In today's post, I'll be showing you my favorite Technology gifts under $50! The cost of buying gifts for tech-lovers can add up quickly, but these products ranging from $10-$50 are perfect for any budget.

Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through my link. See my disclosure for more information.

1.) External CD/DVD drive

Call me old fashioned, but I prefer CDs to digital downloads. They're generally the same price anyway, and making a digital copy is easy enough. Well, it WAS easy enough, until some "genius" decided laptops didn't need a disc slot anymore (or USB ports, or SD card slots, but I digress..) My sister has one of these that she let me borrow, and it's been a life saver. It can can read, write, or burn both CDs and DVDs.

2.) Flexible Phone Tripod w/ remote

The widespread popularity of smartphones (and improvement in camera quality) in recent years has opened up a whole new world of possibilities. A video that would have taken months and thousands of dollars to produce 20 years ago can now be made right from your phone! This tripod is great for anyone looking to increase their photo/video quality. The legs can be wrapped around

3.) Wireless Remote Control Electrical outlet

I bought one of these a few weeks ago to hook up my Christmas Tree, but this device can be used year-round! This remote control outlet is the perfect gift for those of use who hate having to get out of bed to turn the lights off. It would also make a great gift for seniors that may have trouble reaching certain outlets!

4.) Noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones

My cousin got me these a few years ago, and they are AMAZING! These headphones are under $30, and I like them better than my Apple earbuds. Which, side note, I still don't understand the attraction to AirPods. I sat next to a guy on a plane last year that dropped one and was out $75. (I helped him look for it, but we never found it) These earbuds are connected to each other, and the ends are magnetic. They can be worn like a necklace if you need to take them out. The noise-cancelling function works really well, a lot of times I'll just put mine in without any music when I need to get work done.

5.) Portable Photo Studio

I take a lot of photos of art and other projects for my Instagram/website, and thought this looked like a great tool. I try to take photos with natural light, but the winter weather can make that a bit challenging. I put this photo studio on my list this year. I like it because the lights are built-in, and it can be folded up for easy storage. It also has a hole at the top for shooting from different angles, which is a plus.

6.) External hard drive

My parents bought me an external hard drive for Christmas a few years ago, and I use it at least once a week. This is a MUST for YouTubers, bloggers, or anyone who regularly gets the "not enough storage" message! I have a 1 TB hard drive that has lasted me a few years (I'm not even close to filling it up) but the size you'll need will depend on what you need to store.

7.) Wall mounted DVD/CD player

Although streaming is more popular than ever, some of my favorite shows are only available on DVD. I love how compact yet functional this DVD player is. It doubles as a CD player, FM radio, and bluetooth speaker! You can also connect a flash drive to it to play music. This would be great for small bedrooms/apartments. It's much sleeker than the old VHS/DVD combo I refuse to part with! 😅

8.) Instax Mini ornament

Instax cameras have made a huge comeback in the past few years, and these ornaments make a great holiday keepsake. They hold pictures printed on Fujifilm Instax mini film, and have glitter that gives them a sort of "snow globe" effect when you shake one. If you're still in the market for an Instax camera, I'd recommend this mobile printer. I bought this one so I could choose a "good" picture and avoid wasting film. They have a newer version but mine from 2016 is still going strong!

9.) Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen)

I bought one of these for my mom last year, and it gets used quite a bit (thank goodness for my noise cancelling headphones! 😅) This is a great gift for all ages. It always goes on sale this time of year (right now it's $22!)

With Alexa you can play music, answer questions, check the weather, set alarms, and more! Amazon also sells smart plugs, so turning things on and off is a breeze. Of course it is compatible with the Ring video doorbell system as well. They even have a MICROWAVE that's compatible with Alexa. I feel like that's a bit excessive, but to each their own. I got my mom this outlet shelf for her Echo Dot, which has worked great.

10.) PopSockets PopWallet +

PopSockets are one of the best inventions created in the past 10 years, and they just keep getting better. I always have my phone with me, but often forget to grab my purse. The PopWallet + is the perfect solution! It can hold about 3 cards, so your debit/credit card, driver's license, etc. are always in your pocket. Plus, it can easily be removed for wireless charging! If you prefer to keep your cards separate, they just released a case collaboration with OtterBox, which has the PopSocket built right in. If the recipient already has a PopSocket, a multi-surface mount is the perfect, inexpensive gift.

So, those were my Top 10 Tech gifts under $50! If you're still stuck, an iTunes or Amazon gift card is always a safe bet 😉 Check out my other gift guides for more inspiration!

Gift ideas for Creative Teens/Adults

Gift Ideas for Creative Kids

Gift Ideas for Entrepreneurs