Technology has come a long way—from the discovery of the internet, called Ethernet back in the 1970s, to the current times when smart devices have been fitted with human-like capabilities. Today’s tech pieces also encompass a broad range of applications. They’re ideal not only for communication but also for improving education, health and fitness, entertainment, gaming, and many other industries.
Of course, all these benefits come with a price, with some gadgets being more affordable than others and vice versa. So, even if you don’t have the money for the upcoming 2020 MacBook Pro yet, you can still get yourself a MacBook.
In fact, this may be the perfect time for refurbished MacBooks to be in your must-have gadget essentials. You can use the savings from your purchase of a refurbished Mac to buy another piece of technology that’s just as important for you to have.
If you’re on the hunt for good tech buys, you don’t have to look far and wide. We’ve done the rounds for gadget gift ideas that match your budget, and here are some of our finds.
Under $50
1. Emergency Weather Radio
You can never tell when a weather emergency will happen, so it’s best to come prepared all the time with an emergency weather radio. Hand-crank radios that come with a flashlight and a phone charger combine old-school and new forms of technology in one cool gadget.
Source: Amazon
Give the hand turbine a crank for 60 seconds, and you’ll instantly have power for the radio for up to 20 minutes. If you’re in a sunny area, you can also leave it under the sun to get it charged via the solar cells built into the radio. These radios sell from $25 to $27 at your favorite retail shops.
2. Tile Stickers
It happens to everyone—the remote control has been misplaced, car keys are nowhere to be found, and the mobile phone has gone missing. Tile Stickers are Bluetooth trackers that you can stick to just about anything you can’t do without or anything you don’t want to go MIA.
Source: https://www.thetileapp.com/en-us/store/tiles/sticker
The next time you lose an item with the Tile Sticker attached to it, you simply have to open the corresponding app to know where to locate your missing item. Tile Stickers are waterproof and come in twos per pack for a price of $25 to $40.
Under $100
3. Ergonomic Vertical Mouse
We use computers a lot of time every single day, which can put a strain on our hands and result in injuries like tendonitis or carpal tunnel. Most types of mouse aren’t adjustable, but not an ergonomic vertical mouse. It has an adjustable thumb rest that tilts from 35 degrees to 70 degrees, so you can choose which range feels the most comfortable for your hands.
Source: Logitech
Plus, the mouse is designed to let your hand sit in a handshake position. It can be used for any computer, too. The ergonomic vertical mouse sells for approximately $80.
4. 3-Panel Wireless Charging Pad
This gift idea is perfect for you or anyone in your family who owns multiple devices that need to be charged all at the same time. You can charge up to three devices here, including phones, watches, tablets, or other appliances, like a broadband router, since each of the three panels has fast, 10-watt wireless charging coils.
Source: The Grommet
In addition, this piece of tech can keep things looking well-organized on your work or bedside table, with no messy charging cables in sight. Fold, stack, or use it as a stand while charging your devices. You can get one of these charging pads for $99.
Over $100
5. Robot Vacuum
Doing a lot of spring cleaning lately? Clean faster and smarter with a robot vacuum that comes with an app you can control from your smartphone. The robot vacuum can go on cleaning mode based on the schedule in the app or start cleaning when paired with smart speakers like Google Assistant and Alexa.
Source: PC Mag
It has a multiple cleaning system that is useful in loosening, lifting, and suctioning dirt from carpets and hard floors while also sweeping through hard-to-reach corners and edges.
The robot vacuum also has sophisticated sensors that allow it to navigate around the furniture at home. It can even detect if there’s a flight of stairs ahead, so it can keep itself from falling. You can use the vacuum for up to 90 minutes before it runs out of juice and automatically returns to its docking station to recharge. Get one for yourself, your folks, or any clean-freak you know for about $270.
Tech Gifts Are In
Technology is now a way of life for many us, which makes cool gizmos and gadgets one of the best things we can give to ourselves or others. As you start making your gift list for the holidays this year, remember to consider the quality, price, and functionality of the tech you have in mind. Ideally, it should
