The holiday season is in full swing. That can only mean one thing, White Elephant. I don’t know who created this game or why people love it so much, but it is a staple of the winter season. I don’t think I’ve ever received a useful gift in the eight years I’ve participated in this game. I am going to a White Elephant party tonight and I thought long and hard about what I should get. Should I get a funny, useless gift or something that people would actually use. I decided this would be a great opportunity to share with my fellow friends something tech-related. Without further ado, here are ten tech gifts under $30 that people would actually want for White Elephant.
1. Portable Battery: Anker PowerCore 10000 $25.99
A solid portable battery is a godsend for people who are constantly on their phones. It’s an unfortunate reality that flagship smartphones focus on slimmer phones with high resolution screens. This is a double whammy for battery life, which is why this Anker Powercore 10000 is a must have. The Anker PowerCore 10000 is smaller than a deck of cards and light as a baseball. It will be able to charge your phone anywhere from 2-3 times a charge.
2. Desktop Charger: RAVPower 60W 6-Port USB Charger $25.99
Outlets are always a premium. If you’re lucky, you’ll have two usable outlets in any given room.The RAVPower desktop charger lets you charge up to 6 devices at one time and will only take up one outlet. It can charge up to 2.4A per port so you can even charge your iPad.
3. Bluetooth Headphones: J&L-103 Wireless Earphones $16.99
We are living in a wireless world. As smartphone companies take out the 3.5 mm headphone jack, it is becoming increasingly necessary to have Bluetooth headphones. My favorite Bluetooth headphones are the J&L-103 wireless earphones. It features 10mm speakers, which deliver rich bass. There are built-in magnets that allow the two earphones to be connected together like a necklace. You can expect around 6 hours of battery life making it perfect for the gym or a long run.
4. Bluetooth Speaker: Anker SoundCore Bluetooth Speaker $23.95
A portable Bluetooth speaker can liven up any gathering. The Anker SoundCore Bluetooth speaker features two 6W high-performance drivers with a battery life of 24 hours. This makes it the perfect speaker for the beach, indoor parties, or just listening to music in your bedroom.
5. Smartphone Grip: PopSockets $9.37
PopSockets are wildly popular among the younger generation. You stick it on your phone and it will provide a secure grip for taking photos, texting, or watching videos. It also doubles as a mount to provide the perfect viewing angle for a Netflix binge.
6. Voice-Controlled Device: Amazon Echo Dot $29.99
The Amazon Echo Dot is on sale right now for only $29.99. The Echo Dot is a hands-free, voice-controlled device with a small built-in speaker. It can connect to speakers or headphones over Bluetooth. The Echo Dot connects to Alexa Voice Service to play music, make calls, send and receive messages, etc. I control all the lights in my room with an Echo Dot, which is great for my lazy self when I don’t want to get up to turn off the lights.
7. USB-C Headphones: SunWe Hi-Fi Headphones $23.99
Flagship Android phones have been switching over to a USB-C connector. Some phones like the original Google Pixel still had the 3.5 mm headphone jack. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the 3.5 mm headphone jack will be stripped from all smartphones. The SunWe Hi-Fi headphones come with an inline Sony DAC built into them to take advantage of the extra power output generated from the USB-C port. The SunWe earbuds are small, light-weight and have a beautiful metallic finish that punches above its weight class in design and functionality.
8. Key Finder: Tile Mate $19.99
We all have that one friend who can never find anything that he/she owns. Whether it’s keys, wallet, or phone, something is always missing. The Tile Mate is the perfect solution for your careless friend. This Bluetooth tracker fits easily onto key chains or attaches to anything you don’t want to lose. You can use your smartphone to make your Tile Mate ring when it’s nearby or out of sight.
9. Media Streaming: Roku Express HD Streaming $29.99
Want to start streaming? Roku Express delivers a smooth HD streaming experience on your big-screen TV. This next generation player is now 5X more powerful. It’s easy to get started – just plug it into your TV with the included High Speed HDMI Cable, connect to the Internet, and start streaming. Use the remote to search for your favorite shows and discover channels.
10. Gloves: iGotTech Texting Gloves $8.97
I live in San Diego where the weather doesn’t ever get below 60. However, for my friends that live in colder states, gloves are necessary to keep your hands warm. iGotTech texting gloves are perfect for colder states where you won’t have to take off your gloves to use your phone. Whether it’s to get that perfect selfie or text your friend back, you can be sure that you’ll be warm at the same time.
White Elephant parties are inevitable. If you’re planning on getting a gag gift, this article is useless for you. However, if you want to give something thoughtful that will actually be useful these items are great options. Happy holidays from deTeched!