The holiday shopping rush pushes us toward expensive flagship devices, but the best tech gifts often come with modest price tags. The Verge just dropped their annual under-$100 gift guide, featuring 35 carefully tested products that punch above their weight. From essential multitools to streaming subscriptions, these picks prove you don't need premium prices for premium experiences.
Holiday gift guides typically showcase the latest $1,000+ smartphones and premium gadgets, but The Verge is taking a different approach this year. Their newly released under-$100 gift guide proves that thoughtful tech gifts don't require flagship prices, featuring 35 products that have earned their place through real-world testing rather than marketing budgets.
The guide reflects a broader shift in how we think about tech value. "Between all the new phones, smartwatches, and laptops we see throughout the year, it often feels like we're constantly being nudged toward shinier, more expensive gadgets," writes commerce editor Brandon Russell in The Verge's introduction. But many of the publication's staff favorites clock in well under three digits.
Take the $60 Leatherman Free T4, which Russell calls his daily carry multitool. Despite its compact size, it packs 12 tools including a 420HC knife and spring-action scissors. The standout feature? A combination package opener and awl that tackles everything from shipping boxes to stubborn plastic packaging. With Leatherman's famous 25-year warranty backing it up, this tool represents the kind of long-term value that makes budget picks worthwhile.
The audio category delivers particularly strong value propositions. The $47 CMF Buds Pro 2 offer active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and multipoint connectivity - features typically reserved for $150+ earbuds. The charging case includes a smart dial for volume adjustment and noise mode switching, while the earbuds themselves can juggle two device connections simultaneously.
For those seeking analog alternatives to digital overload, the $49 Ugmonk Analog Starter Kit transforms task management into a tactile experience. The steel holder keeps your current card visible, while the system splits tasks into "today," "next," and "someday" categories. With 30 daily cards included, it provides a clean slate each morning - something your smartphone can't quite replicate.
Smart home enthusiasts will find solid options without premium price tags. Amazon's Smart Plug at $13 offers basic automation without requiring additional hubs, making it perfect for controlling lamps, coffee makers, or holiday lights through Alexa voice commands. Meanwhile, the $90 Echo Dot Max represents the first major redesign of Amazon's entry-level smart speaker, featuring improved audio and built-in Alexa Plus support.
