Are you stuck on Christmas gift ideas that don't cost a fortune? Don't worry: we've found 10 great options under $50 AU to appeal to all kinds of techies. There's something here for everyone, from smart home gadgets to gifts for gamers, photographers, and even those who discover themselves a lot. It's better to break though: Christmas will be here before you know it!
(Image credit: Amazon) Do you have a loved one who is curious about setting up a smart home? You may have been intimidated by the idea in the past, but Amazon's entry-level Echo Dot smart speaker offers an easy way to get on board, with a simple setup and the ability to integrate with a wide range of other gear for the smart home. It's small and at less than €50 AU, it offers a quick and easy way to bring the intelligence of Alexa into the home. It offers all the smart speaker essentials like playing music, answering questions, reading the news, checking the weather, and setting alarms.
(Image credit: Amazon) The Echo Wall Clock is an Alexa-compatible device with an analog twist. This modern timepiece can see alarms and timers set by Alexa through 60 LED lights that line the clock face. The notches light up when a timer is set, and count down accordingly. Please note that this is not a standalone Echo device and requires pairing with a compatible smart speaker; if you're planning to offer it this Christmas, then you might want to pair it with the Echo Point we mentioned above.
(Image credit: Electronic Arts) It only came out at the end of September, but with this Amazon deal, you can hang out on the world's most popular sports game for much less than AU$50, just in time for Christmas. If you know an Australian rules football fan with a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One who hasn't yet picked up the latter of the long-running franchise, you really can't go wrong here. A great gift for beginners and the elderly.
(Image credit: Anker) If you need a storage charge that doesn't end up in the bin, the Anker 10W PowerWave Charging Stand might be what you're looking for. Although our tests revealed that it doesn't charge a smartphone in a hurry, we found the design to be suitable for those who often unhook and drop their phones on their desks or nightstands overnight. . It's simple, affordable, and even made our list of the best wireless chargers money can buy.
(Image credit: SanDisk) Yes, we realize that a microSD card probably isn't the most exciting gift; it will hardly be at the top of the wish list. Take a look at Amazon's best-seller list in the IT section, and you'll find it's jam-packed with these guys, and the simple reason is that many of today's best gadgets don't really work without one. If you know a friend or relative who has a new microSD doohickey card (or is about to receive one as a gift), this 200GB card could make their day.
(Image credit: Anker) Anker has a history of making affordable Bluetooth speakers, and at AU$40, you might be forgiven for offering more than one of those little wireless hammers this Christmas. The Soundcore Mini fits in the palm of your hand, making it easily portable. In addition to Bluetooth connectivity, the little speaker also has a 3.5mm aux-in jack, can play music from the microSD card, and even has the original addition of FM radio.
(Image credit: Manfrotto) If you know a budding photographer with a mirrorless or other compact camera, this super-portable mini tripod could be a useful addition to their kit. Manfrotto is known in the photography world for its professional tripods, and Pixi brings many of these high-end features to this relatively small package. This isn't just for still photography - this tripod is perfect for capturing smooth, steady video, even on the go, as you can snap the stainless steel feet together and use it as a "portable monopod".
(Image credit: PlayStation)
Classic PlayStation 4 games at a low price
If you're looking to create a neat gaming gift for a PS4 owner, Amazon currently offers several well-rated titles from the PlayStation Hits range (and a handful of other popular PS4 games in recent years) for under $20 a pop. . Some of these items will set you back just around $50 AU to package and all are eligible for free shipping for Premium members. Proposed titles include:
(Image credit: Philips) When it comes to smart lighting, Philips is the market leader. This usually means that the technology costs a pretty penny, which can be a barrier for those who want to just dip their fingers into the market. Now under £50 AU, this Philips Hue starter kit is a great way to test out smart lights in a home. This kit includes a Philips Hue LED bulb. Though it doesn't offer the flashy colors of more expensive Hue Color bulbs, this set combines an ordinary white bulb with a Hue dimmer switch that lets you control the brightness. The bulb and wireless dimmer are already paired out of the box and don't require anything else to work, although it's worth noting that to connect this kit to a larger Hue setup, you'll need to invest in a Philips Hue bridge.
(Image credit: Belkin) For another storage charge they'll actually use, you can't go wrong with a portable charger aka "power bank." This one has a slim design that can fit in any bag or pocket, and it's available in a few color options, including black, silver, and rose gold. The 5K setup means it has a 5000mAh battery inside, enough to charge even the biggest flagship phone at least once, and smaller models up to twice. If you need more charging power, there's also a larger version of Belkin's 15,000mAh, selling for around AU$55 on Amazon.