From\u00a0fancy OLED TVs\u00a0to\u00a0robot vacuums with arms, we tend to cover a lot of cool stuff here at\u00a0The Verge\u00a0that, unfortunately, often costs as much as a month\u2019s rent (or more). But with the ongoing tariff situation in the US and a global memory shortage pushing up the cost of, well, everything, we\u2019re well aware that not everyone can spend that kind of money right now.<\/p>\n
So, as we did last year, we asked The Verge staff to share some of their favorite gadgets under $50. These are the gizmos that don\u2019t fall apart after a few weeks, as cheap stuff often does, and quietly improve our lives. Some are practical purchases, like portable power banks and backup bulbs, while the rest are useful in other ways. After all, who doesn\u2019t want a dirt-cheap Bluetooth speaker, a feature-packed pair of earbuds, or a fitness tracker that punches well above its weight?<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re curious, you can check out our favorites below.<\/p>\n
Nite Ize DoohicKey Plus Key Tool
\nNite Ize DoohicKey Plus Key Tool<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $6.99 $6.49 at Amazon $6.99 at Nite Ize $7 $6.5 at REI
\nThis keychain thingy costs less than seven bucks, is about the size of an actual key, and clips onto your keyring with a built-in carabiner latch. It\u2019s perfectly suited for opening boxes, popping bottlecaps, or tightening a screw or a bolt in a pinch. While it\u2019s not as good as a dedicated tool \u2014 or even a larger multitool like a Leatherman \u2014 at any of those things, I\u2019m also way more likely to have it on me when I need it.\u00a0\u2014 Nathan Edwards, senior reviews editor<\/p>\n
CMF Buds 2A
\nCMF Buds 2A<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $49 $19.99 at Amazon (black) $49 $19.99 at Amazon (orange) $49 $19.99 at Amazon (light gray)
\nWhen it comes to earbuds, my daily drivers are a pair of AirPods Pro 3. However, given how often I find myself sitting in my car due to my extracurriculars (I volunteer with search and rescue), I decided to pick up a pair of\u00a0Nothing\u2019s CMF Buds 2A\u00a0as a backup for my bag. The budget earbuds are often on sale for a tenth of what the Pro 3 cost, and while they certainly can\u2019t compete with Apple\u2019s high-end earbuds, their pack-in features and overall performance make them a terrific value. <\/p>\n
For $49, you get decent sound and customizable touch controls, along with up to eight hours of playback on a single charge (or up to 35.5 hours with the included USB-C charging case). They also support Google\u2019s Fast Pair feature, carry an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance, and offer a touch of active noise cancellation. They\u2019re not going to drown out sharper sounds or all subway chatter \u2014 you only get about 42 decibels of noise reduction \u2014 but it\u2019s a hell of a lot better than going it alone. \u2014 Brandon Widder, senior commerce editor\u00a0<\/p>\n
Syncwire Magnetic AirGrip
\nSyncwire Magnetic AirGrip<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $24.99 $16.99 at Amazon $24.99 $19.99 at Syncwire
\nWant a more secure grip on your phone? You can find countless rings that magnetically snap onto your phone, then physically slip onto your finger. But the Syncwire AirGrip is better than that \u2014 it\u2019s got magnets on both sides of the ring, so it can snap your device to any ferrous metal surface: your car mount, your fridge, your filing cabinet, you name it. Depending on which design you buy, I\u2019ve found it has the right amount of magnet strength for these tasks, and while you can\u2019t wirelessly charge through it like its OhSnap competition, it also costs much less. The best part might be the built-in ratchet, though: you can securely spin the inner ring 360 degrees while it makes an incredibly satisfying clicking sound. \u2014 Sean Hollister, senior editor<\/p>\n
Watch our video about the Syncwire AirGrip.<\/p>\n
Vornado 133 Compact Air Circulator
\nVornado 133 Compact Air Circulator<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $29.97 at Amazon $29.99 at The Home Depot $29.99 at Vornado
\nBefore I moved closer to the coast, I relied on Vornado fans to survive inland Southern Californian summers, where temperatures regularly push past 100 degrees for much of the summer and early fall. I\u2019ve used them through intense heat waves, buying multiple when my AC stopped working entirely for a week, and they\u2019ve never let me down. The Vornado 133 is one of the smaller models I own, but it\u2019s still impressively powerful. It\u2019s ideal for placing on a desk or a nightstand when you need a strong, focused blast of cool air during those ridiculously hot days when a fan across the room just isn\u2019t enough.\u00a0 \u2014 Sheena Vasani, commerce writer\u00a0<\/p>\n
Iniu P781 Qi2.2 Wireless Power Bank
\nIniu P781 Qi2.2 Wireless Power Bank<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $69.99 $49.99 at Amazon
\nIf you\u2019re searching for a thin, magnetic wireless power bank that\u2019s among the fastest out there (both in terms of wireless and wired output), Iniu\u2019s P781 Magnetic Portable Charger is worth $49.99. It can deliver up to 25W wireless charging to iPhone 16 and newer phones, as well as the Pixel 10 Pro XL. What\u2019s more, its braided USB-C cable \u2014 which doubles as a lanyard \u2014 supports up to 45W, and it can simultaneously charge devices both wired and wirelessly with the press of a button. There are a number of similar wireless power banks out there, but this one delivers good specs at a more digestible price point. \u2014 Cameron Faulkner, commerce editor<\/p>\n
Ikea Kallsup Bluetooth speaker
\nIkea Kallsup Bluetooth speaker<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $9.99 at Ikea (green) $9.99 at Ikea (pink) $9.99 at Ikea (white)
\nThere are many better-sounding Bluetooth speakers on the market that also offer upgraded features, from dedicated woofers and tweeters to waterproofing, stereo pairing, and even solar-powered charging. What Ikea\u2019s wireless Kallsup speaker has going for it is a simple design, bright colors, and a $10 price tag. The Verge\u2018s John Higgins preferred the sound from the Kallsup over the \u201cthin-sounding built-in speakers\u201d in his MacBook Air, and if you need to crank the volume, you can pair up to 100 of them together to better fill a room with sound. \u2014 Andrew Liszewski, senior reporter<\/p>\n
Workpro EDC Folding Utility Knife
\nWorkpro EDC Folding Utility Knife<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $11.99 $8.99 at Amazon (with Prime) $14.98 $11.98 at Amazon (two-pack) $18.99 $16.99 at Amazon (three-pack)
\nThe beauty of a cheap knife is that I never fear using it for dirty jobs \u2014 like cutting through the endless strips of box tape and cardboard boxes that wind their way to my door. But my favorite knives are lightweight and effortless to open and close one-handed, and cheap utility knives usually aren\u2019t!\u00a0<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why I love my dirt-cheap Workpro EDC: one push of the side-mounted button, and I can flick it into or out of action. It takes standard utility knife blades, and one pull of a spring-loaded plate lets you swap for a new razor-sharp blade after the old one gums up. (I don\u2019t want to dull my SOG Ultra C-Ti or A.G. Russell FeatherLite\u2019s Japanese steel on all that cardboard!) You can make the Workpro even easier to open if you replace the money clip with a small washer or two: just push the button and let gravity do the rest.<\/p>\n
Just know the push button isn\u2019t easily reversible for left-handers, since its spring is held in by a rivet. I also haven\u2019t tried the newer version with a thicker comfort handle; let me know if that one\u2019s even better? \u2014 Sean Hollister, senior editor<\/p>\n
Zepath rechargeable AAs
\nZepath 3600mWh USB-C Li-ion AA (eight-pack)<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $19.99 at Amazon
\nGiven that our own Sean Hollister recently did a deep dive into Zepath\u2019s rechargeable lithium-ion AAs, I won\u2019t wax poetic here. What I will say is that I actually prefer Zepath\u2019s option over more traditional integrated USB-C batteries, which I\u2019ve always found to become somewhat finicky to charge over time. When you need to top them off, Zepath\u2019s 1.5V batteries easily slot into the included clamshell charger, a la a pair of wireless earbuds, letting you charge up to eight batteries at once with a single connection. I wouldn\u2019t necessarily want to take the case with me on the go \u2014 it\u2019s bulkier than a multi-headed USB-C cable \u2014 but I\u2019m perfectly content with it sitting on my laundry room shelf alongside the rest of my tools. \u2014 Brandon Widder, senior commerce editor<\/p>\n
Lamicall magnetic cord organizer clips
\nLamicall magnetic cord organizer clips (eight-pack)<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $9.99 $8.99 at Amazon (with Prime)
\nFor several years, I kept losing the power cable for our baby monitor behind a shelf whenever I unplugged it, which meant I had to fish for it before plugging it back in. The same thing happened every day. I knew that cord wrangling devices existed, but I was wary about sticking an adhesive-backed gizmo to my furniture. I eventually got a couple of eight-packs of Lamicall\u2019s magnetic-clasping cord catchers, which were under $10 a pop, and I haven\u2019t looked back. Now, my cords don\u2019t fall, and I don\u2019t have to bend over as much. I\u2019m extremely late to the party here, but you don\u2019t have to be. \u2014 Cameron Faulkner, commerce editor<\/p>\n
Wuben G5 rechargeable keychain flashlight
\nWuben G5 rechargeable keychain flashlight<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $29.99 $19.96 at Amazon $29.99 $19.99 at Walmart $29.99 $24.99 at Wuben
\nI\u2019ll be the first to admit I buy more flashlights than I\u2019ll ever need, and the problem has only gotten worse as flashlight makers pack more features into smaller designs. The most recent addition to my stockpile, the Wuben G5, squeezes a lot of functionality into a Zippo-sized flashlight that\u2019s just $25. It\u2019s got a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 65 hours at the lowest setting, or the G5 can be maxed out at up to 400 lumens using a wheel to dial in an exact brightness. Its lamp rotates 180-degrees, there\u2019s an adjustable clip and a magnetic base for hands-free use, and a second LED that cycles through or flashes multiple colors. \u2014 Andrew Liszewski, senior reporter<\/p>\n
Amazfit Band 7
\nAmazfit Band 7<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $49.99 at Amazon $49.99 at Amazfit $49.99 at Best Buy
\nI picked up the Amazfit Band 7 after my colleague Victoria Song recommended it as a budget fitness tracker back in 2023, and it has lasted me far longer than I expected. I\u2019ve mostly used it for basics like tracking steps, heart rate, and sleep quality, but it offers far more than that. It can alert you to abnormal heart rates, integrates with Amazon Alexa, tracks your menstrual cycles, includes a random Pomodoro timer, and features a colorful OLED display with some genuinely cute watch faces.<\/p>\n
The only real downside is the strap, which started to feel flimsy after a few months and eventually fell off after a year and a half of use. The good news is that it\u2019s easy and relatively cheap to replace. Still, for something that held up for a couple of years and still works to this day, it\u2019s hard to complain. I eventually upgraded to a Fitbit Charge 6 after getting one as a birthday gift last year, but I still have the Amazfit Band 7 lying around as a backup. \u2014 Sheena Vasani, commerce writer<\/p>\n
Epilogue GB Operator
\nEpilogue GB Operator<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $49.99 at Epilogue
\nDo you have Game Boy cartridges (and savegames) from childhood like me? Either way, the GB Operator has become one of my favorite gadgets for connecting those carts to a Windows PC, a Mac, or even a Linux machine like my Steam Deck. You can play carts \u201cdirectly\u201d on those computers (it\u2019ll technically dump the ROMs first), back up old battery-backed Pok\u00e9mon save games before the battery dies (except most Gold, Silver, and Crystal carts whose batteries infamously died too soon), and rip games so you can use them in emulators on your PC or other handhelds. You can even transfer savegames back to your genuine cartridges and pick up where you left off on original hardware.<\/p>\n
It supports Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance carts, up to and including things like the Game Boy Camera, which you can even turn into a PC webcam using an OBS screen capture trick. \u2014 Sean Hollister, senior editor\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read our hands-on impressions.<\/p>\n
Globe Battery Backup LED Bulbs
\nGlobe Battery Backup LED Bulb (six-pack)<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $34.44 $29.94 at Amazon
\nPower outages have started happening frequently enough in my neighborhood for me to start seriously looking into a whole home backup power solution. Until I choose one and sign a big check, Globe\u2019s 800-lumen LED light bulbs have at least been a useful way to avoid stubbing my toe when the power goes out. They\u2019re slightly more expensive than a basic LED bulb at $35 for six, but they feature built-in backup batteries that recharge whenever a lamp or light socket is turned on. When the power goes bye-bye, the bulbs automatically turn on and will glow for up to 10 hours straight. They also work without being screwed into a socket and can be attached to the included handles so you can carry them around like a flashlight. \u2014 Andrew Liszewski, senior reporter<\/p>\n
Anker 2-in-1 USB-C Cable
\nAnker 140W 2-in-1 USB-C to USB-C Cable<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $19.99 at Amazon (black) $19.99 at Amazon (white) $19.99 at Anker
\nWe\u2019ve got this power outlet near our fridge that has just one spare outlet for a USB-C wall adapter to charge our laptops and iPad. Now, I could get a speedy, new adapter that has multiple USB-C ports so I can charge them all at once. Or you could do as I did: buy Anker\u2019s affordable 2-in-1 USB-C cable that can charge two devices at once. The six-foot cable costs $19.99 (sometimes less) and is capped at 140W of peak passthrough charging speeds with the right wall adapter. It can automatically divvy up the power from your adapter or battery to deliver the optimal amount of juice to your devices, too, making it the perfect cable for overnight charging. \u2014 Cameron Faulkner, commerce editor<\/p>\n
Marusan Mnemosyne A5 Notebook
\nMaruman Mnemosyne N888 A5 Notebook<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $30 at Amazon $41.8 at Dromgoogle\u2019s $36.5 at JetPens
\nI keep thinking a new notebook would fix me. It hasn\u2019t worked yet, but I still really like this one. Like other Mnemosyne notebooks, it has really nice paper that\u2019s great for my intermittent fountain pen experimentation because there\u2019s very little feathering and less bleedthrough than, say, a Leichtturm or Moleskine. It\u2019s meant as a bullet journal, and it has all the features you\u2019d want there: a four-page index at the front, page numbers, multiple bookmarks, and dot grid markings with guide marks so you can easily divide pages by thirds or quarters, horizontally or vertically. It also just looks good. \u2014 Nathan Edwards, senior reviews editor<\/p>\n
Ugreen USB-C to ethernet adapter
\nUgreen USB-C to ethernet adapter<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $14.99 $11.99 at Amazon (with Prime) $14.99 at Best Buy
\nIf you play a lot of games on the Nintendo Switch 2 or Steam Deck, you\u2019re likely all too aware of how long it can take to download titles over Wi-Fi. Like \u201cI need to find another activity to keep myself busy\u201d long. Luckily, there\u2019s another way if you don\u2019t mind welcoming another dongle into your life. Ugreen\u2019s ethernet to USB-C adapters (which usually retail for less than $15) connect to an ethernet cable, then plug it directly into your handheld to get the fastest-possible download speeds. I\u2019ve had what would have been 30-minute wireless downloads take around two minutes when wired up with this dongle. \u2014 Cameron Faulkner, commerce editor<\/p>\n
Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light
\nGlocusent LED Neck Reading Light<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $38.99 $17.09 at Amazon $38.99 $24.99 at Glocusent $38.99 $22.99 at Walmart
\nI originally bought the Glocusent Rechargeable LED Neck Reading Light for my mom, whose eyesight isn\u2019t great and lives with me in a very dim apartment. She only used it a couple of times while reading and attempting to knit before abandoning it, so I picked it up, and now it\u2019s like my go-to hands-free flashlight. I like that it offers both warm and cool lighting, and while it\u2019s great for nighttime reading, I\u2019ve also found it useful during power outages, walking down the dark hallway to the bathroom at night, while traveling, or really just anytime I need a little extra light.\u00a0 \u2014 Sheena Vasani, commerce writer\u00a0<\/p>\n
GameSir Pocket Taco mobile controller
\nGameSir Pocket Taco<\/p>\n
Where to Buy: $34.99 at Gamesir $34.99 at Amazon $34.99 at Best Buy
\nFor $35, you can turn your smartphone into a Game Boy-like handheld so you can play retro titles without the frustrations of finicky touchscreen controls. GameSir\u2019s Pocket Taco is a wireless Bluetooth controller, but instead of functioning as a standalone gamepad, it clamps onto the bottom of your phone, adding a physical D-pad and action buttons to the bottom half of the screen. The lack of thumbsticks makes it better suited for playing games on older consoles predating the PS1. It also has its own battery, so while it is another accessory you\u2019ll need to remember to charge, it won\u2019t drain your phone\u2019s battery while you play. \u2014 Andrew Liszewski, senior reporter<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
From\u00a0fancy OLED TVs\u00a0to\u00a0robot vacuums with arms, we tend to cover a lot of cool stuff here at\u00a0The Verge\u00a0that, unfortunately, often … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[29,30,28],"class_list":["post-24303","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tech-ai","tag-ai","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-technology"],"yoast_head":"\n