Hello friends!

I am creating a gift guide and, while I have a pretty good list so far, I wanted to crowd source some additional ideas from your weird, wonderful brains.

What tech gifts would you get for your friends that are priced under $25? (Both functional and gag gift ideas welcome.)

  • ace_garp@lemmy.world
    4·
    1 day ago

    Hmm, less than $25 Zimbabwean Dollars?

    Well, for your mobile power bank listing, go with an Anker Nano Power bank. (I think UGreen and others have similar form factor. Not tested them for rapid charge though)

    Model Number: A1653

    Rapid charging, to top up about 60-70% of a phone’s total capacity.

    24466

  • sem@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    4·
    1 day ago

    A nice set of security bit tools could be a nice gift.

    One of those plug in things that replaces cans of compressed air.

    Basic soldering kit if they expressed interest in the hobby

    3D print something custom for them

    A gooseneck lamp

    A fancy IR tv remote control

    A usb-rechargeable green laser with diffraction grating on top.

    You can get a cheap gopro-clone action cam for about $25 not including the SD card. It might be awful though!

  • deadalus@discuss.tchncs.de
    5·
    1 day ago

    I have a UV flashlight that I got in that price range I think, and they’re super fun. Yup wouldn’t believe what you can see with them.

    My favourite party trick is showing people how many fillings they have in their teeth (Normal teeth are purple, but fillings are bright cyan, or maybe the other way around)

  • cRazi_man@europe.pub
    181·
    2 days ago

    Is this free crowdsourcing ideas that are going to be regurgitated into a PCmag article or something?

    If you’re up for doing work and going bargain hunting for broken keyboards to salvage parts from then you could make a macro-pad(there are other designs besides 4x4, but I like this one). Instantly gives way way more than $25 value with minimal spending.

    I like making keyboards otherwise, and you can get a nice set of keycap under your price limit if you’re willing to buy from Aliexpress. Or maybe a couple of artisan keycaps.

    You can get magsafe attachments for a phone or tablet. You can get a wallet or kickstand attachment. Phone cases can be decent gifts too.

    I buy all my electronics secondhand now and there’s great value to be had. If you’re ok with gifting used things in excellent condition, then I recently got a couple of top tier game controllers for a bit more than your budget (Flydigi Vader 4 Pro for £26 and a Gamesir Cyclone 2 for £28). Also needed an extra set of speakers for my garage gym and got a secondhand Logitech x230 speaker 2.1 system for £22 and it punches way above its weight.

    Depends on what your friends are interested in. I would be very happy with a gift of a gigabit switch.

    USB C chargers are always handy, and you can get a branded 65W PD laptop charger within your budget on eBay.

    If they have a Steam Deck or something then there are plenty of accessories (holders, stands, cases, etc).

    Remote with keyboard and wand mouse would be pretty cheap.

    Chinese mice from AliExpress are now top tier. Or could get a cheap trackball if preferred.

    A FLIRC USB dongle is $25 and makes your TV IR remote work with your media PC.

    • FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.worldOP
      1·
      20 hours ago

      into a PCmag article or something?

      Just now saw this, but nope, some of them will be added to a list I’ve made for a YouTube video I’m creating. I don’t know what I don’t know, and crowdsourcing’s really good for learning new things.

    • Zombie@feddit.uk
      6·
      1 day ago

      Is this free crowdsourcing ideas that are going to be regurgitated into a PCmag article or something?

      Close! OP said this:

      Going to make a video of it for my YT channel this week too.

      https://lemmy.world/comment/26635664

      Personally I think it’s pretty underhand to ask this of the community without being upfront about their intentions in the post.

      • cRazi_man@europe.pub
        2·
        23 hours ago

        I’ll be waiting for my cheque in the mail for my cut of the income from the video then.

        AI isn’t really required. Someone should tell billionaires that you can just ask for people’s work/ideas and steal them directly.

  • 4TBHMeCCL@suppo.fiEnglish
    4·
    2 days ago

    If they don’t already have one, then a wireless mouse or keyboard. You may need to avoid the brand names to get under that price.

    A shelf (like one for the countertop or wall or to put on floor) to put stuff on. A soft animal (like a kramig from IKEA). A rice cooker (who doesn’t like coming home with food ready).

    • deadalus@discuss.tchncs.de
      5·
      1 day ago

      Honestly in that price range, I’d stick to something simpler, cheap mice can feel like garbage.

      But you can get a really nice mousepad for 25 bucks

      • 4TBHMeCCL@suppo.fiEnglish
        1·
        1 day ago

        The full-size Blahaj is around $40 (there is a smaller version for around $15, but I didn’t see that until writing this comment), and Kramig is under $25 (around $5 from what I see).

    • FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.worldOP
      10·
      2 days ago

      Sure!

      • Combo USB Charger / Phone Stand
      • Mobile Power Bank
      • Motion-Activated Night Light for Toilet
      • Waterproof Phone Pouch
      • Smart Plug
      • Webcam Privacy Slider
      • Keychain Key Locator
      • Talking Alarm Clock
      • Personal Alarm
      • Fake Virus Screen Cover Prank

      Going to make a video of it for my YT channel this week too.

  • felsiq@piefed.zipEnglish
    11·
    2 days ago

    for anyone with a phone supporting qi2, a magnetic power bank is super handy

  • violentfart@lemmy.world
    8·
    2 days ago

    I got a MagSafe charger with a built-in piezoelectric Peltier cooler to offset the heat generated during wireless charging.

    It’s not just a fan, it actually gets cold.

  • plud_klem@lemmy.mlEnglish
    2·
    2 days ago

    Wurkkos FC11C flashlight with Nichia 519A emitter in 4000k color temperature. An exciting color like orange or green! Should be about $20 direct from their site. (Always on “sale”).

    This will introduce them to the world of high power/beautiful/fun flashlights. If they are inclined, it can be a rabbit hole that leads to modding your own “hosts” with fancy LEDs and custom firmware etc.