Best Tech Gifts Under $30 -- Logitech G300S Mouse, DualShock 4 Charging Station, Steelseries Mouse Pad
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Best Tech Gifts Under $30
It could be challenging to think of good gifts that fit a lower budget. Spending under $30 for something neat doesn't have to be difficult, though. We have you covered with several useful gadgets that fit the bill!
For all our tech gift guides for different price ranges, follow the links below:
Logitech G300S Gaming Mouse
A great mouse doesn’t have to be expensive. Logitech’s G300s is one of best mice from an ergonomic standpoint. Its simple symmetrical design and natural grooves mean that it’ll fit most, if not all, hands nicely.
Despite being Logitech’s entry level mouse, its tracking and precision is still on par with other gaming mice. It also has extra programmable buttons on its left and right sides that don’t feel unwieldy.
The G300s costs $39.99 at MSRP, but can be found under $30 from several retailers or if it’s on sale.
Steelseries QCK mouse pad series
The Steelseries QCK mouse pads are smooth. The surface consists of sleek cloth, which tracks precise mouse movements. The grippy rubber base prevents movement of the mouse pad itself. The low-profile styling keeps things simple.
The QCK series comes in several sizes, so you can find the dimensions that suit your play style or desk space situation. Dimensions and prices of the different versions are broke down below:
QCK: 320x270x2mm ($9.99)
QCK+: 450x400x2mm ($14.99)
QCK Mass: 320x270x6mm ($11.99)
QCK Heavy: 450x400x6mm ($24.99)
- QCK Mini: 250x210x2mm ($6.99)
Xbox 360 controller (for PC use)
A PC gamer without a gamepad could certainly use one. Any game that requires precise aim, constant checking of spaces, or a large set of commands must be played on a keyboard and mouse, but there’s a slew of indie games and action/adventure titles that benefit from gamepad controls. Even a few single-player first-person games might be more comfortable to play with a controller, and switching between the two control methods can be done on the fly.
The Xbox 360 controller is one of the most ergonomic and cost-effective options and many modern games will instantly recognize the input of the controller. You can find either the wired or wireless version for under $30.
PowerA Dualshock 4 or Xbox One charging station
Plugging your controllers into your console to charge them can be inconvenient, especially in a home theatre setup. You could be doing a favor by gifting a controller charging station.
PowerA charging stations are made for either Xbox One or Dualshock 4 controllers. The version that charges two controllers simultaneously can be found for $30, and a single charging station can be found for $20. Both models come with rechargeable battery packs.
NZXT Hue RGB lighting kit
If someone wants to add flare to their gaming rig, but doesn’t have the time nor mind to wire LEDs in and around a case, just get them an NZXT Hue.
The NZXT Hue requires a 5.25” drive bay slot, usually where CD/DVD drives are installed. On the unit itself are dials to customize the brightness, color, and lighting effects. Software is not required to utilize the product. The unit is powered by a single SATA cable. Just make sure the person you’re gifting meets these requirements.
PDP Xbox One Media Remote
Despite falling flat on its initial push to be the premiere multimedia device, the Xbox One still functions well for that purpose. If someone you know uses their Xbox One for all their media, an actual remote may come in handy.
The PDP remote has a grippy matte finish with rubberized buttons and white backlighting. Like the official Microsoft remote, it can control your TV functions (power, volume, and channels). At $15, the PDP remote retails for $5 cheaper than Microsoft’s official remote.
Brainwavz Delta Earbuds
Decent earbuds can really pack a punch, even at this price point and the Brainwavz Delta earbuds are regarded as some of the best under $30. You can’t be too picky when on a budget, but properties such as clean midranges, deep bass, and distinct treble are still things to consider.
There is decent bass on these and its midranges are consistently clear. Its higher-midrange and treble might not sound as detailed as upper-tier headphones, but for around $25, few earbuds are comparable. These have an all-metal casing, foam and silicone ear tips, and volume controls along the cable.
Aukey 12,000mAh Power Bank Portable Charger
The Aukey power bank is the one of the more convenient portable chargers in terms of shape, size, and weight. This particular model, at max capacity, is rated to fully charge the following devices:
Apple iPhone 7 4.5 times over
Samsung Galaxy S7 twice
Apple iPad Pro (9.7”) once
You can get the 12,000mAh rendition for $20 to $25, and may find the 16,000mAh version for under $30. It’s a gift applicable to anyone who doesn’t already own a portable charger.
AmazonBasics Mini Bluetooth speaker
There are plenty of portable bluetooth speakers on the market, but it’s hard to determine which provides the best bang-for-the-buck. Amazon has been breaking into the budget-price level of consumer electronics. It’s stuff has generally been high quality. With that said, their Bluetooth speakers would make a great gift.
This speaker is advertised to last up to 10 hours on full charge. It weighs less than a pound (9.6 ounces) and its dimensions are 3.3 x 1.7 x 2.6 inches. It’s a 3W speaker, so while it won’t blow down any doors, it definitely has enough juice to meet most of your needs.
Recap of the Items in our Gift Guide
Here is a recap of the items under $30 that made it into our gift guide:
- Logitech G300S Gaming Mouse
- Steelseries QCK mouse pad series
- Xbox 360 controller (for PC use)
- PowerA Dualshock 4 or Xbox One Controller Charging Station
- NZXT Hue RGB lighting kit
- PDP Xbox One Media Remote
- Brainwavz Delta Earbuds
- Aukey 12,000mAh Power Bank Portable Charger
- AmazonBasics Mini Bluetooth speaker
For all our tech gift guides for different price ranges, follow the links below: