The Shargeek Storm 2 Portable Power Bank for Less than $25$$le$$100$$/$500$$
Few streaming sticks can turn your TV into an ad hoc smart display, which is why Amazon’s latest Fire TV Stick 4K Max makes for such a handy gift. Amazon has a streaming device that is highly capable, with a wide selection of apps and amazing integration with its voice assistant, the Fire TV Omni; it features an Ambient mode that shows artwork when not in use, like the newer Fire TV Omni series.
It sounds like the devices are getting a bit more playful now that the see-through tech is back in style. The transparent power banks from Sharge are an example of making a mundane accessory more interesting looking, and are now on sale for a new low price. You can get either the Shargeek Storm 2 portable power bank or the smaller Shar Geek Storm 2 Slim for less at Amazon when you click their on-page coupons.
The Storm 2 is a beefy power bank that holds up to 25,600mAh / 93.5Wh of juice, has two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, and can output 100W of power to charge even larger laptops. The Storm 2 Slim packs 20,000mAh and is no slouch. 72Wh of power with just one less output port. Both of them look smashing, and they both have handy color screens that show you the battery and output levels. A part of me finds the Storm 2 to be a bit weird because it feels like a famous phone and I have to pick it up and place it in my ear.
The pack has a 100W USB-C input, a DC jack for output and two secondary outputs that can run at the same time. A screen can show input and output at the same time. The batteries are not the same color as in the picture.
This slimmer 72Wh model ditches the DC barrel jack and second USB-C port but adds larger cells and a higher total output of 130W. You still only get 100W USB-C output, though, and it charges slower at 65W. I prefer the larger one.
A Minifigure-Double Lego Set for the Holidays: An Essential Guide to Espresso Making in Italy, Paris, Italy, and Small Fry
Legos are great, but Legos that double as usable markers are even better. Each of the 10 markers in this apt-titled set features a colorful, stud-laden plate, so you can snap them onto other markers, accessorize them with your favorite minifig, or even use them with an entirely different Lego set. They’re also, you know, fine-tipped markers, meaning you can use them to write or doodle. There is a price of $27.99.
Italy is the birthplace of espresso, so it’s no surprise that Bialetti’s attractive Moka Express pot brews up one-of-a-kind espresso-like coffee. The stove-top espresso maker can still compete with newer machines even though it has been used to serve coffee for nearly a century. The price is $31.96
A bouquet of flowers for less than $50 is a lot of money for an item that will die within a week. The best investment is one from Venus et Fleur, which comes in a round box and can fill a home with beauty for up to a year. The price is $44.
In Small Fry, Steve Job’s daughter Lisa Brennan-Jobs offers us a rare, intimate glimpse into the man behind Apple. But she also shares her own artfully constructed, poignant story, ultimately painting a nuanced portrait of a complicated father and a daughter yearning for his love. Price: $11.69
Thread-enabled Eve Energy Smart Plug: Bright, bright, and changeable LED therapy for holiday giftees with seasonal affective disorder
If your giftee is prone to seasonal affective disorder, you can help them try to kick the cold weather blues with this LED therapy lamp. The Happy Light creates bright, changeable light that can make any work space feel more lively and productive on days of gray and dreary. Price: $46.99+
It is hard to decide which smart device is the best gift because of the ease with which it can be used. The Thread-enabled Eve Energy Smart Plug puts the choice in your giftee’s hands, allowing them to decide whether they want to add smarts to their coffee maker or Christmas tree lights. They’ll even be able to keep an eye on their energy consumption thanks to its terrific energy-tracking capabilities. Price: $39.95
It’s not necessary to get an old boring charge when you can get a kickstand as well. Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro with MagSafe can quickly supply MagSafe-compatible iPhones with up to 15W of power. Stand By mode in Apple’s new mobile operating system lets it turn your phone into a calendar, clock, or photo frame. Price: $19.49+
Source: The Verge’s favorite holiday gifts under $50
The Vapur Wide Mouth Anti-bottle: an ultra-compact water bottle for a low-cost, easy-to-use gadget
The holiday cheer can be spread by the Quotable’s “Classic” Coaster Set, which protects the coffee table from water rings and discoloration. The coasters feature inspiring words of wisdom from icons like Maya Angelou, as well as the other favorite transcendentalist. Price: $11.90
There are so many premium features in the Amazfit Band 7 that it is mind-blowing. If you are looking for a fitness tracker that nails the essentials, and has abnormal heart rate notifications, stress tracking and a nice display, you can get one for less than $50. It’s easy to see why it’s such a steal, with 18 days of battery life. Price: $34.99+
Everybody knows that drinking water has innumerable health benefits, but lugging around a water bottle when you’re on the go isn’t always convenient. Vapur’s Wide Mouth Anti-bottle gives you the option to clip it to your backpack or fold it up and drop it in your bag when you’re not using it. It was priced at $9.99.
Source: The Verge’s favorite holiday gifts under $50
A Light-Energy Smart Speaker for Any Room: Nanoleaf, Thread, Amazon Alexa, Siri, and the Matter Smart Bulb
Nanoleaf’s Matter Smart Bulb can brighten up any holiday party and set the mood with flickering, flashing, or pulsing colors. The 1,100-lumen Bluetooth bulbs are also compatible with Matter and Thread, so you can control them with your voice or create lighting schedules using virtual assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Siri. There is a price for $14.95+.
Everyone likes to put off cleaning. An easy-to-use, no-fuss vacuum like Bissell’s FeatherWeight option will make it easier to get it out of the way, however, namely because it quickly converts into a handheld vacuum you can carry up and down the stairs. It also has a decent form factor and is therefore good in case it wasn’t enough. Price: $28.88+
The smart speaker is semicircular in shape with bright colors, making it a good fit for any room. You can use the speaker to play music, control home gadgets and do other things if you wish, it’s almost as capable as other devices. It even works as an Eero mesh Wi-Fi extender, just like Amazon’s newest Echo Dot. Price is $39.99.
Source: The Verge’s favorite holiday gifts under $50
The Magnetic Poetry Kit and the Power Up version of The Super Mario Brothers. A low-cost, wirelessly connected remappable controller for iPods and iPhones
The Magnetic Poetry Kit is just as good if not better than a logophile might think. The Original Edition includes over 300 magnetic word tiles that you are free to use to conjure up poems, stories and even song lyrics, making it an entertaining gift for the entire family or anyone who happens upon your refrigerator. The price was $21.
The “Power Up” version of The Super Mario Bros. Movie is perfect for fans who just can’t get enough of Nintendo’s iconic plumber. The movie comes with two things: a 4K Ultra HD Disc and a digital copy, but there’s also a bonus section with interviews with the cast, a “Peaches” lyric video, and leadership lessons from Anya Taylor-Joy. Price: $22.49+
The 8BitDo Ultimate Controller is a budget friendly premium controller with its own charging dock, unique controls and a pair of back paddles. You can pair the remappable gamepad with a wide variety of platforms, thanks to the 2.4 GHz wireless accessory.
Splurging on Apple’s latest AirPods Pro may not be worth it if your giftee just needs a set of earbuds to listen to music every now and then. The JLab Go Air will do the job at a very sensible price point. They lack fancy features like active noise cancellation and wireless charging, but you still get IPX4 water resistance, five hours of battery life, and a comfy fit. Refer to the price 888-666-1846 to find the price
Source: The Verge’s favorite holiday gifts under $50
Succulents are a great gift for the holidays, too: From the Tamagotchi to Ozeri and ZK14-B Pronto
Succulents can spruce up any home or office with minimal effort, making them a good gift for both existing plant lovers and anyone who feels like they lack a green thumb. That’s because they’re (relatively) easy to care for and grow, so your giftee won’t need to babysit them as much as they would, say, an orchid or a fiddle-leaf fig. Price: $20
Much like JNCO jeans (RIP), the Tamagotchi was all the rage in the mid-’90s. The latest version of the tiny egg-shaped device isn’t all that different from the OG model from ’97 — it still houses an eight-bit virtual pet you must feed, clean, and play with — but it does come in some inspired Lisa Frank-like designs. Price is $19.99.
Ozeri’s ZK14-B Pronto is perfect for baking cranberry bread and gingerbread cookies this holiday season. The digital, battery-powered kitchen scale is far more precise than your average measuring cup, which can go a long way in making sure all of your holiday treats turn out just right. Price: $9.98
If you’re looking for a tech-free way to entertain friends or family while huddling for warmth indoors, board games like Evolution are perfect. In the card based strategy game, players are forced to adapt to an ever changing environment in which hungry predators loom and resources are never cheap. The price is $4+ $4.95.
Source: The Verge’s favorite holiday gifts under $50
Chipolo’s Card Spot: A Small, Slim Tracker for Searching for Perfumance and Self-Examination
Who isn’t at least somewhat curious about their future? A deck of tarot cards is a great gift because it can be used for self-examination and growth as well as divination. Illustrator Megan Lynn Kott’s adorable cat-themed tarot cards add a lighthearted touch to readings, thus making the process of trying to understand the future and ourselves all the more fun. Price: $17.90+
If your giftee is prone to misplace their keys or backpack, location trackers can be helpful, but aren’t ideal for keeping track of cash or credit cards. That is where Chipolo’s Card Spot comes into play. The slim, IPX5-rated item tracker is specifically designed to fit in your wallet and can even tap into Apple’s extensive Find My network, thus allowing for more precise tracking. Price: $34.99
Are you going to have to shell out a lot of money for a designer perfume? Think again. This set contains five sample-size versions of some of Sephora’s bestselling fragrances, including perfumes from Prada, Carolina Herrera, and Maison Margiela. If your giftee really likes a perfume, they can get a bigger travel-size version with the included scent certificate. price is $30
