There is always a time when you want to save a few bucks on getting a tech gift for a not-so-close relative, a friend, or for office gift exchanges. Not only it has to be friendly to your wallet, but it has to be practical and does not look cheap, which makes it a difficult task.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best budget tech gifts that are not only affordable but also functional, stylish, and most importantly, not crap. Whether you’re shopping for a birthday, holiday, or just because, these gifts will surely impress without leaving a hole in your wallet.
Car Phone Mount
There are two things Malaysians love, and that is driving, and be on our phones all day. We have become increasingly reliant on our phones while we drive, whether it is for GPS navigation or to stream our favourite songs.
One nifty gadget to keep our hands off the phone while driving is a car phone holder. You’d want a sturdy device that can withstand the scorching summer heat, and our pick would be the Aukey HD-C50 dashboard phone holder.
It has multiple angle adjustments, as well as a sticky suction cup to stick firmly on a car dashboard. You can just wash off the grime and dirt off the suction cup, and it will become as sticky as new. It also supports larger phones up to 9cm wide, making it the perfect tech gift for drivers of all phone sizes.
You can purchase the Aukey HD-C50 dashboard phone holder here.
Wireless Ergonomic Mouse
Yes, I know it looks weird, but ergonomic mice are great tech gifts for professionals who are in front of computers for the whole day. It keeps users in a more natural “handshake” position for better comfort and puts less strain on your wrist joint.
While many ergonomic mice are priced out of reach, Anker has a decent ergonomic mouse for an affordable price, the Anker A7852 wireless ergonomic mouse. It comes with 5 buttons, offering lots of control options for the user. It also has 3 adjustable DPI settings to accommodate for different use cases.
You can purchase the Anker A7852 wireless ergonomic mouse here.
USB Type-C Hub
Many laptop owners have to face the dilemma of having too many devices with too little USB ports. This is where a USB hub comes into play. By connecting to the USB port, the hub expands the number of slots available to connect your favourite devices. The wide adoption of USB Type-C allowed for different kinds of connectivity options.
UGREEN has a solid selection of USB Type-C hubs, with different types of ports such as HDMI, USB 3.0 and PD 3.0 connectors, making them excellent tech gifts for laptop users.
You can purchase the UGREEN USB-C hub here.
Desk Mats
Splurging on high-end keyboards and mice can be quite expensive, not to mention that they are often a matter of personal preference, making them difficult gifts to give. Thankfully, there is an affordable and stylish alternative that won’t break the bank. A desk mat is a practical and thoughtful gift that can enhance the overall aesthetic of a workspace.
A desk mat not only protects the surface of the desk but also provides a comfortable surface for writing, typing, and using a mouse. It also helps to reduce noise from keyboard typing and prevents scratches from accidental spills or scratches.
With various colors, patterns, and designs available, you can easily find one that matches the recipient’s taste and personality.
Car Phone Charger
There are still many older cars on the road without USB ports to charge your devices. Often times, people use cheap car chargers that either take forever to charge, or fail after a few months.
The Aukey CC-A4 is an excellent car charger with 30W power delivery via two USB ports, so you can charge two devices at reasonable speeds. Although this variant is more pricey than some you find on the internet, it comes with a two year warranty to give users a peace of mind.
If this is out of your budget, the cheaper Aukey CC-S1 is a good substitute.
Check out the Aukey CC-A4 here, and the Aukey CC-S1 here.
Budget Tech Gifts: Final Thoughts
Just because you have to adhere to a strict budget does not mean you can’t get some cool and practical tech gifts for your friends and family.
In the meantime, do check out our other buying guides here.
