Holiday Gift Guide: Best Tech Under $100

The holidays are coming up fast, so now is the time to pick up those tech gifts for everyone on your list. However, it can be hard to filter through all the news and ads to figure out what’s truly worth buying. If you’re looking for tech gifts roughly in the $50 to $100 range, check out the list below. Each item is highly reviewed and will make an ideal gift choice for the right person on your list.

Google’s lineup of Pixel Buds has a tech gift for everyone and the A-Series clocks in at under $100. These in-ear, true wireless earbuds offer a reasonably good sound and solid integration with Google Assistant. They also include hands-free Google Assistant control.

The in-ear design and larger battery compartment make the A-Series better for larger ears. The buds also come in three color options: Dark Olive, Clearly White, and Charcoal.

It would’ve been nice for Google to include wireless charging support, but it’s an understandable omission at this sub-$100 price point.

If you’re looking to gift some TV streaming tech for under $100, the Roku Ultra is one of the best streaming pucks on the market. Roku’s interface is basic but familiar, and the Ultra provides ultra-fast app launching. It streams in 4K and is a fast, powerful device. In addition, the Roku Ultra includes a lost remote finder and private listening by plugging earbuds into the remote.

It also supports voice control and can control basic functions on your TV (like power and volume).

Roku devices require accounts and setup, so bear that in mind if you’re buying one for a tech-averse family member. But once set up, they tend to work consistently without much need for intervention. A Roku Ultra could be the perfect way to get grandma access to streaming services, for example.

Amazon’s fourth-generation Echo speaker looks a little like a ball you could toss across the room — a big departure from the previous cylinder design. Alexa is able to answer trivia questions, execute skills, play music, and even tell jokes.

If you’ve ever used an Echo smart speaker, the experience here is pretty similar. This model makes the experience snappier and takes a more aesthetically appealing design. The sound is a little different: PCMag notes surprisingly strong bass but less clarity on the high end.

You can pick up the current Amazon Echo for $99.99 directly from Amazon, but watch for holiday discounts, too.

If you’re looking for audio quality and Apple integration more than an Amazon-flavored smart speaker, here’s a great option. Apple’s HomePod Mini packs a punch in a similar semi-spherical shape.

Siri isn’t going to be quite as responsive as Alexa, but that may be a worthwhile trade-off if your gift recipient is already invested in Apple’s ecosystem.

One nice perk with the HomePod Mini is that you can pair two of them together to create a stereo field. You can even link multiple HomePods (Mini and original) to create a smart multi-room listening setup.

If smart functionality is your primary reason for gifting a smart speaker, it’s tough to recommend the HomePod Mini over the Amazon Echo. But if the sound quality or privacy concerns steer you away from the Echo, HomePod Mini is a great alternative.

Fitbit Inspire 3 makes a great tech gift for under $100 this holiday season and is perfect for anyone wanting to track their fitness goals without the bulk, connectedness, or complexity of a smartwatch.

This smartwatch also includes 24/7 heart rate detection, sleep-tracking tools, activity tracking, and more. In resting mode, it looks like a pretty respectable (non-smart) watch, too. Your gift recipient will receive one year of free access to Fitbit Premium, too.

File storage isn’t as exciting as it used to be, but flash drives still play an important role for many people. Newer models that add in extra capabilities are a hit, too. SanDisk’s iXpand Flash Drive Luxe, for example, features a unique two-dongle design. On one end is a USB-C port, and on the other is a Lightning connector.

That means you can use this flash drive to copy files to and from Lighting-equipped Apple devices and any USB-C devices with storage (like iPads and computers).

Getting files off an iPhone remains a persistent challenge for many less tech-savvy users, so this device could make the perfect gift.

All tech gifts are vulnerable to damage. To protect your gifts, make sure to pair them with an extended tech warranty from Upsie. Upsie’s warranties are comprehensive and protect devices from defects, failures, and accidental damage. Customers can purchase Upsie warranties for smartwatches, speakers, TVs, and more.

In addition, Upsie’s warranties cost up to 70% less than warranties from retailers and manufacturers. Best of all, the warranties are transferable, meaning that you can gift the warranty along with the tech.

For the best protection and the best price, choose Upsie.