Tech is a large class, spanning all the things from headphones to recreation consoles to sensible residence units and extra. And that is precisely why discovering the precise reward for a tech fanatic could be a little difficult. With the variety of selections, it could get overwhelming fairly shortly. However CNET is right here that can assist you discover that good reward whereas staying inside your funds. Beneath, we have rounded up a few of our favourite tech items available on the market proper now that you would be able to seize for $100 or much less.
We have both totally reviewed or personally examined all of the merchandise on this listing. And in the event you’re in search of some high quality tech reward objects which are even cheaper (no, we’re not calling you a cheapskate), we have additionally obtained a listing of nice reward concepts for $50 or much less.
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Earfun has put out a collection of wi-fi earbuds during the last couple of years with one necessary commonality: They’re superb values, made extra so by frequent reductions. The corporate’s new-for-2023 Earfun Air Professional 3 earbuds function the most recent Qualcomm QCC3071 system-on-a-chip with AptX Adaptive for Android and different units that help the brand new LE Audio customary and LC3 audio codec, which is superior to the SBC codec (in addition they help AAC for Apple units).
Light-weight and cozy to put on — I obtained a superb seal with the biggest ear tip dimension — these aren’t an enormous improve over the Earfun Air S, however they’re higher. They’ve barely bigger wool-composite drivers (11mm versus 10mm), barely improved noise canceling and higher battery life (as much as seven hours with noise canceling on, in line with Earfun).
Briefly, the Earfun Air 3 ship robust efficiency for his or her modest worth, with strong bass, good readability and a comparatively vast soundstage. In addition they pack in a number of options, together with a wi-fi charging case and “multidevice” connectivity. (I might pair them to 2 units concurrently however needed to pause the music on one system and hit play on the opposite for the audio to change.) They’re IPX5 splash-proof and in addition work nicely (although not exceptionally nicely) as a headset for making calls.
Observe that whereas the listing worth of those buds is $80, in the event you click on the moment 10% coupon on their Amazon product web page after which apply the code EAP3CNET at checkout, you get a further 20% off, bringing the buds’ worth all the way down to $56.
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Biolite makes a number of totally different headlamps, with the BioLite HeadLamp 800 being its brightest mannequin (800 lumens) — and it is outfitted with each back and front lights (the entrance mild swivels) that supply eight totally different lighting modes. It is good for quite a lot of makes use of, whether or not you are working in a darkish surroundings or simply strolling your canine or driving a motorcycle at evening. The battery is rechargeable by way of a Micro-USB connection (I do want it was USB-C).
Observe that the step-down HeadLamp 425 prices $60, whereas the HeadLamp 325 is $40.
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Amazon’s Good Thermostat units a brand new customary for the class. It has a clear, fashionable touchscreen design, and it is simple to make use of, whether or not you are adjusting the temperature on the thermostat, by way of the Alexa app or with Alexa voice instructions with a appropriate Alexa-enabled speaker or show. It’s an reasonably priced reward that earned a CNET Editors’ Selection Award for finest worth sensible thermostat.
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The Yoose Mini Electrical Shaver is not probably the most highly effective electrical shaver, and I am unable to say I obtained the cleanest, closest shave utilizing it. However it’s actually small — in regards to the dimension of some wi-fi earbuds circumstances — and it does work nicely sufficient and appears and feels extra premium than I believed it will. That makes it a superb on-the-go electrical shaver and good journey companion (it did not harm to make use of and comes with a carry case).
Obtainable in a number of colour choices, it is IPX7 waterproof, so it may be used each moist and dry. Although it retails for $90, it usually has instantaneous reductions that drop its worth nearer to $60.
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What’s cool about Anker’s 622 magnetic battery is that it is a wi-fi battery that has an built-in magnetic flap that converts right into a stand. You will not get quick wi-fi charging from this 5,000-mAh battery (it fees at as much as 7.5 watts) but it surely’s slim and straightforward to hold round.
It fees by way of USB-C and in the event you use a USB-C to Lightning to cost your iPhone, it’s going to cost at a sooner price of 12 watts. That is not as quick as what a 20-watt USB-C energy adapter can ship, but it surely’s sooner than 7.5 watts.
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Amazon
Amazon has launched a brand new baseline Kindle E Ink e-reader for $100 that now not appears so entry-level. Whereas its 6-inch display screen makes it a smaller and lighter e-reader than the step-up Kindle Paperwhite ($130), its show has the identical 300-ppi decision because the Paperwhite. Nevertheless, that step-up mannequin provides waterproofing and incorporates a extra refined entrance lighting scheme, with 17 LEDs in comparison with the Kindle 2022’s 4.
Up to now, we have advisable stepping as much as the Paperwhite in the event you might afford it, primarily as a result of it had the next decision show than the entry-level Kindle, which allowed textual content to seem extra crisp. However with each fashions now that includes comparable shows (at the least so far as decision goes), we might must revise that advice.
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Some time again I took my child to the physician as a result of he had a bunch of ear wax constructed up in his ear and was having bother listening to (sure, gross). The physician was in a position to dislodge it with a pressurized stream of water, which is precisely what units just like the Wush Professional by Black Wolf ship.
Designed for use within the bathe, the Wush Professional does certainly work to take away ear wax build-up. For some individuals who have delicate ears, it may be a bit of disconcerting to make use of at first, however learn the directions fastidiously and begin at a decrease setting earlier than ramping issues up (there are three stress settings, and the Wush is provided with a chargeable battery). The pump inside does make some noise (it is a bit of irritating), but it surely’s tolerable and beats a go to to the physician for extreme build-up.
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Twelve South’s HoverBar Duo is a versatile stand for iPads (and different tablets) that has a weighted base and articulating arm to regulate the angle and top of your system. You may also take away the HoverBar from its base and clip it to a bar or shelf utilizing the shelf clip. The second-gen mannequin has a quick-release design, however the first-gen mannequin is sort of $30 cheaper at $50.
If you happen to’re in search of a means to make use of your iPad within the kitchen, as a second monitor to your Mac or as a video conferencing show, the HoverBar Duo is a pleasant accent to personal and makes a fantastic reward for all these iPad homeowners on the market.
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RiotPWR
I beforehand had the RiotPWR Cellular Cloud Gaming Controller for iOS on this listing, but it surely had one flaw. As a result of it has an built-in Lightning cable that permits for lag-free gaming — at the least in terms of button presses — you could not use it with newer iPads which have a USB-C connection. The brand new RiotPWR RP1950 controller solves that downside by permitting you to swap out the Lightning cable module for a USB-C cable module.
Like RiotPWR’s earlier iOS controller, which is white, the black RP1950 is a extra historically formed Xbox-like controller that features a mount to your cellphone. Whereas there is not any built-in battery that retains your cellphone charged whereas taking part in, just like the Spine and Razer Kishi V2, this mannequin has a pass-through charging choice if you wish to hook up a separate Lightning cable to a battery pack or wall charger.
The controller is properly designed and does not really feel low-cost (the dock can accommodate quite a lot of iPhones, together with bigger iPhone Max fashions). Take away the dock and you should utilize this with any iPad that has a Lightning or USB-C port. To swap cables, it’s a must to stick a paper clip in a gap within the backside of the controller, which releases the cable module. It is a bit of tough the primary time you do it, however as soon as you determine the way it’s accomplished, it is fairly easy.
It is also price noting that though that is referred to as an “iOS controller,” it’s going to work with Android smartphones and tablets which have USB-C ports.
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Anker’s upgraded compact charger can cost a MacBook Professional 13 at full velocity. Not solely is it small for a way a lot energy it could ship (it has foldable prongs), but it surely additionally has three ports (2 USB-C and one USB-A) that mean you can cost a number of units on the identical time. Bear in mind that its 65 watts of energy is cut up between the ports in the event you cost multiple system. although. It makes use of the next-generation GaN 3 know-how.
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Again in 2020, Tribit launched the StormBox Micro, a funds model of Bose’s wonderful SoundLink Micro speaker that delivered surprisingly good sound for its dimension and modest worth. Now we get the StormBox Micro 2, which provides improved sound and battery life, together with a charge-out function that turns the speaker into an influence financial institution for cell units similar to smartphones and tablets. An built-in strap means that you can clip it to your backpack or your bike’s handlebars.
Like the unique, it is a superb worth and straightforward to advocate in the event you’re in search of a brilliant compact transportable wi-fi speaker. It is also price noting that you would be able to save 15% by activating the instantaneous coupon on the product web page.
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Sony launched its new entry-level CH-720N noise-canceling headphones in 2023. They’re fairly good, however if you cannot afford them (they listing for $150), the corporate’s new funds on-ear CH-520 headphones are an intriguing choice for less than round $50.
They lack noise canceling and are fairly no-frills, however they function good sound for his or her worth, are light-weight and fairly comfy for on-ear headphones, and still have wonderful battery life (they’re rated for as much as 50 hours at reasonable quantity ranges). Moreover, they’ve multipoint Bluetooth pairing, so you possibly can pair them with two units concurrently (similar to a smartphone and laptop) and change audio. Voice-calling efficiency is respectable, although lower than the extent of what you get with the CH-720N.
Observe that there is not any wired choice — this can be a wi-fi Bluetooth-only headphone. The CH-520 provides general balanced sound with respectable readability. The bass has some punch to it however does not pack a wallop, and you are not going to get fairly as vast a soundstage as you get from Sony’s costlier over-ear headphones. However these undoubtedly sound higher than Sony’s earlier entry-level on-ear headphones, they usually sound higher than I believed they’d. I attempted the white colour, however in addition they are available in blue and black.
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We actually appreciated this Lightning-connected controller from startup Spine when it first got here out in its unique black model. You possibly can nonetheless get that mannequin, but it surely now is available in a white PlayStation model to be used with the PS Distant Play app.
Just like the Razer Kishi, it turns any iPhone 6S or later right into a Nintendo Swap-style gaming expertise, with added smarts for social and chatty avid gamers. Just like the Kishi, it connects by way of Lightning with pass-through charging however has no built-in battery. Whereas the Kishi V2 is now extra Spine-like in its design (with higher ergonomics) the Spine controller nonetheless holds a bonus within the software program division with a superior companion app.
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Amazon
Whoever you are getting this for could also be a bit of embarrassed however he’ll almost definitely admire it. Panasonic says its ER-GK80-S has a novel V-shaped head that is “constructed to go all over the place” — and with precision. It comes with two attachments, has nearly two hours of battery life and can be utilized moist or dry. A journey case is included. It is a superb manscaping system.
The listing worth lately crept above $100, however Amazon at the moment has it discounted so you possibly can nonetheless decide it up for round $100.
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Anker’s costlier Soundcore Movement Growth Plus is a considerable sound improve over the unique Movement Growth, however this mannequin stays an excellent mini growth field for the cash. Geared up with a deal with and weighing a bit of over 4 kilos, the speaker jogs my memory of a kind of large flashlights or “floating lanterns” that have been in vogue about 30 years in the past. For the file, the Movement Growth truly does float and is totally waterproof with an IPX7 ranking.
Anker says the Movement Growth delivers “big stereo sound,” and sure, it performs fairly loud and has an honest quantity of bass with affordable readability. I stored the bass increase on always as a result of it sounds higher that means. The Movement Growth cannot compete in opposition to larger and costlier audio system like JBL’s Boombox 3 and Final Ears’ Hyperboom, but it surely packs much more quantity and punch than extra compact Bluetooth audio system like JBL’s Flip 6. It additionally travels nicely, so it is splendid for a seaside tour or a bit of tailgating.
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I like Hyperice’s Hypersphere Mini ($99) therapeutic massage ball, however Theragun’s new Wave Solo therapeutic massage ball is arguably a tad higher and nearly $20 cheaper at $80. It is also in regards to the dimension of a softball (3.4 inches, or 8.7 cm, in diameter), fees with a USB-C cable (a full cost provides as much as 200 minutes of battery life) and has three vibration velocity choices.
It is a nice choice for pinpointing downside areas as hip flexors that you simply may roll out with a lacrosse ball. There’s additionally a Wave Duo model for $99 that is good for rolling on both aspect of the backbone or inserting on the high of your shoulder behind your neck whereas mendacity down.
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There are many nice Alexa-powered Echo merchandise, however on this worth vary, we’re followers of the brand new Google Nest Hub (2nd gen). The upgraded sensible show delivers extra bass together with a brand new Sleep Sensing function. It additionally provides you instantaneous entry to a world of solutions everytime you say, “Hey, Google,” and means that you can solid content material on to the display screen from any Android system.
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For lots of people, Apple’s unique HomePod was too expensive at $350. That speaker has been discontinued, however the HomePod Mini remains to be round. It is a very compact Wi-Fi speaker that prices so much much less ($99) and performs larger than you’d anticipate for its small dimension. Sure, it is extra interesting to these invested in Apple’s ecosystem and cozy with Apple’s voice-assistant Siri, which drives the speaker, however the worth is true and you may pair two HomePod Minis to create stereo sound or mix a number of to create a multiroom audio system (you possibly can hyperlink them to the unique HomePod, after all).
Whereas music playback is tied into Apple Music, you should utilize AirPlay 2 to stream audio from different music providers, together with Spotify, out of your iPhone and different Apple units (learn this for AirPlay necessities).
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The Roku Extremely has at all times been a fantastic 4K HDR streamer. Because the flagship in Roku’s in depth line of sticks and gamers, its bag of nifty methods features a distant finder and a distant with programmable distant buttons. This model provides higher Wi-Fi, a sooner processor and the power to stream in Dolby Imaginative and prescient — a long-awaited function that permits it to raised compete with the finest streamers from Amazon, Apple and Google.
Sure, the Roku Specific 4K Plus, which prices round $40, is a greater worth, however the upgraded Extremely is usually on sale today for $70 (it lists for $100) and has an Ethernet port for individuals who need to go along with a wired connection.
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There’s nothing like a bit of mixing on the go to create these wholesome smoothies and protein shakes. That is the place the BlendJet 2 is available in. Obtainable in a number of colour choices and outfitted with a chargeable battery, it is extra highly effective than you may anticipate and it could whip up smoothies with out having to plug in anyplace. It fees by way of USB-C (you get about 15 blends per cost) and is totally waterproof.
The mannequin proven right here has a 16-ounce jar, however now you can purchase an XL 32-ounce jar for $30 additional. I am hoping sometime that you’ll get the 32-ounce jar model as a standalone merchandise but it surely’s at the moment an add-on accent.
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Biolite
BioLite has a number of transportable lighting choices and the Alpenglow 500 is one in all its newer additions to its line. It is a transportable “lantern” that has a number of modes and colour choices. As its identify implies, it delivers 500 lumens of sunshine, and it’s certainly fairly brilliant.
The step-down Alpenglow 250 provides 250 lumens for $15 much less. Each are rated for five hours of battery life on the excessive setting and as much as 200 hours on the low setting.
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Logitech’s MX Keys is one in all our favourite on a regular basis Bluetooth keyboards and now it is available in two smaller variations that go away off the quantity pad and another keys: MX Keys Mini and MX Keys Mini for Mac. Each value $100, the identical worth as the usual MX Keys. Colours embody rose, pale grey and graphite.
Whilst you’re getting much less keyboard for a similar sum of money, the MX Keys Mini does have three new keys, providing you with shortcuts to dictation (out there in choose nations for Home windows and MacOS customers), emojis and the all-important muting and unmuting of your microphone for video-conference calls. Additionally, Logitech says that its “minimalist type issue aligns your shoulders and means that you can place your mouse nearer to your keyboard for much less hand reaching, leading to higher posture and improved ergonomics.” From my exams, I agree with that evaluation.
The keyboard is analogous in dimension to Logitech’s in style and cheaper K380 keyboard ($30). However MX Keys Mini, outfitted with Excellent Stroke, Logitech’s “finest nonmechanical typing know-how,” has a extra premium feel and appear. And, like the usual MX Keys, it has backlit keys that mild up as your fingers strategy and routinely regulate to the lighting circumstances, dimming and even turning off to preserve power.
Observe that the hyperlink beneath goes to the usual MX Keys Mini. The MX Keys Mini for Mac will be discovered right here.
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A few years in the past, Logitech unveiled the MX Grasp 3 ($100), the third era of its premium residence/workplace mouse. Then final 12 months we obtained the $80 MX Wherever 3, the third iteration of the corporate’s premium “cell” mouse, and it might simply be my favourite Logitech mouse but.
The MX Wherever 3 is available in a few variations. There’s the usual “common” model that works with Home windows, MacOS, iPadOS (13.4 or increased), ChromeOS and Linux computer systems by way of Bluetooth or Logitech’s Unifying USB dongle, which is included. MX Wherever 3 for Mac works solely by way of Bluetooth and is optimized for Macs and iPads. Each mice can be found in pale grey and the MX Wherever 3 (with the dongle) can be provided in rose and graphite.
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