The most unique gifts for less than $50
Get them something they'll use all the time without obliterating your budget.
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Mashable Shopping
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Credit: Image Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable Composite; Owala / OXO / Pop Mart
Some people just have a natural talent for finding gifts on a budget, whether it's Christmas, an anniversary, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day (which, don't forget, is coming up on May 11). Some people nail it every time, getting the "best gift-giver" award among those who are lucky to know them — wife, husband, boyfriend, teens, in-laws, and everyone else.
If you're not one of those people, don't fret. We're here to help no matter the occasion. We've put together a list of the best gift ideas for under $50, from expected-but-useful trinkets to cool items they definitely don't have yet. These unique budget-friendly gift ideas come from variety of categories so you're sure to find something they'll love. You might even catch a few of these awesome gifts at marked down sale prices.
Topics Gifts
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Credit: Loop
A pair of Loop Experience 2 earplugs
Best for concertgoers
The Loop Experience 2 are stylish earplugs designed to protect against damaging sounds at live music events. One of our writers tested them at the Cowboy Carter Tour, and she couldn't believe how well they blocked out crowd noises without muffling Beyoncé. Take your pick from four metallic finishes.
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Credit: Twelve South
An AirFly SE
Best for frequent flyers
Twelve South's AirFly Bluetooth transmitters let you watch in-flight movies with wireless headphones if a backseat screen doesn't support them. Our reviewer used one on flights between London and Chicago and said it worked like a charm. The cheapest SE model offers up to 20 hours of battery life.
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Credit: Octobuddy
An Octobuddy
Best for TikTokers
Content creators like Tess Gigone and Whitney Leavitt ("The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives") both consider the Octobuddy to be an essential part of their filming toolkits. The silicone phone mount has suction cups that let it stick to any smooth surface, making it easy to record hands-free videos on the fly.
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Credit: IKEA
An IKEA Fado lamp
Best for midcentury-modern fans
Calling all Big Light haters. The IKEA Fado (or "the Orb," as one of our writers dubbed it) is a cheap and chic table lamp with a soft, vibey glow. Adding a colorful smart bulb to it creates instant mood lighting.
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Credit: Pop Mart
A Labubu
Best for Gen Z
The biggest name in bag charms, Labubu is a furry little monster with bunny ears and a playful grin. Each one comes in a sealed "blind box," making every purchase an exciting surprise. The popular "Big into Energy" collection is made up of six rainbow-hued Labubus and one rare "secret" variant. You're most likely to find them in stock at Pop Mart's official website.
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Credit: Lodge
A Lodge cast iron skillet
Best for home chefs
Cast iron skillets are the versatile workhorses of any kitchen — they retain heat tremendously well and can be used for almost any dish, from steak to skillet cookies. (They're also durable enough to be used over a campfire, if your recipient's into that.) Lodge's pans come pre-seasoned for immediate use and can last for decades with proper care.
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Credit: CandleLume
A food or drink candle
Best gift from a small business
A clearance Yankee candle scent? Tired. A hyper-realistic decorative candle of their favorite snack or beverage? Wired. Etsy seller CandleLume has five stars and more than 3,000 reviews. We're partial to this adorable espresso martini, but there's also a baguette, matcha, movie theater popcorn, and more cocktails.
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Credit: Anker
A pair of Anker Soundcore P20i earbuds
Best for commuters
The Soundcore P20is offer well-rounded audio, a "find device" feature, and a better-than-AirPods battery life of 10 hours. (That increases to 30 hours with their charging case.) They lack ANC, but for a pair of sub-$40 buds, they're really impressive.
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Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
An Owala FreeSip
Best for hip sippers
Mashable writers and editors prefer the Owala Freesip over other trendy water bottles because of its locking lid, solid insulation, and dual drink options. (You can sip through its straw or chug from its spout.) It also doesn't hurt that it comes in a bunch of fun color combos.
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Credit: Piecework
A Piecework puzzle
Best for puzzle pros
Mashable's most dedicated puzzle fiends swear by Piecework, which makes unique puzzles out of stunning (and intricately detailed) photos. This 500-piece puzzle won't drive anyone too crazy, but if your puzzle fan loves a challenge, check out the brand's 1,000-piece sets.
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Credit: Revlon
A Revlon One-Step
Best for beauty buffs
The original Dyson Airwrap dupe produces fast blowouts for a fraction of the cost and learning curve. "Getting bouncy, smooth, and shiny hair has literally never been easier for me," our reviewer said. It does run pretty hot, so throw in a bottle of heat protectant spray.
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Credit: Apple
An Apple AirTag
Best for forgetters
This quarter-sized Bluetooth tracker works seamlessly with the Find My app, which comes pre-installed on iPhones and iPads — super convenient for anyone who's already plugged into the Apple ecosystem. If an item the AirTag is attached to ever gets lost or misplaced, its owner can pull up its last-known location on their device or ask Siri to find it.
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Credit: Stasher
Stasher bags
Best for the healthy snacker
Stasher's reusable bags are made from heavy-duty, food-grade silicone that can be frozen, boiled, microwaved, baked, and tossed in the dishwasher. They come in myriad sizes, colors, and shapes, including snack pouches, bowls, and even "beauty bags" for makeup.
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Credit: Datafy
A Kindle page turner
Best for Kindle owners
Datafy's Kindle page-turner is the ultimate bed-reading accessory. "Tapping the screen is easy enough, but the page turner is an added layer of convenience," said our reviewer. It also works with Kobo e-readers, Android tablets, and iPads.
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Credit: LEGO
A Lego Orchid building kit
Best white elephant gift under $50
This bestselling kit from Lego's Botanical Collection for adults builds into a realistic orchid with six large flowers, two newly opened buds, and a fluted pot (complete with some "bark mix" the actual plant would grow in). It contains 608 pieces, so it'll take the better part of an afternoon to assemble.
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Credit: Nisaku
A hori hori gardening knife
Best for gardeners
A beloved tool for anyone who spends all their spare time in the garden. Part knife and part trowel, the stainless steel blade includes measurements so you always have a sense for depth when planting. Plus, the serrated side helps tackle tough soil and weeds.
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Credit: Anker
An Anker SoundCore Select 4 Go
Best for adventurers
Our favorite portable speaker under $50 is great for playing tunes in a pinch. It features strong bass, a 20-hour battery life, and a durable design that's both dust- and waterproof. It also comes with a built-in strap, making it easy to attach to other gear on bike rides and hikes.
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Credit: Funko
A custom Funko Pop!
Best custom gift
We all known someone who'd geek over a mini figurine of themselves, and designing a custom Funko Pop! only costs $40. Choose from a ton of hair, outfit, and accessory options, and even add a pet lookalike. Funko Pop! Yourself orders typically ship within a week, but expedited shipping is available.
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Credit: LifeStraw
A LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
Best for campers
This ingenious gadget can filter out waterborne parasites, bacteria, microplastics, and silt, turning rivers and ponds into sources of fresh, safe drinking water. It doesn't require any batteries or chemicals, either. It's a must-have in any outdoors enthusiast's survival kit.
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Credit: Anthropologie / Mashable composite
A Furbish Studio Needlepoint Ornament
Best Christmas gift under $50
Furbish Studio is known for its maximalist, shabby-chic pillows embroidered with cheeky phrases, which they've adapted into Christmas tree baubles. They have more pizzazz than your average Old World Christmas ornament and make top-notch hostess gifts.
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Credit: Kenneth Bachor / Mashable
A Death Digital fisheye lens
Best for amateur videographers
Death Digital's fisheye iPhone lens makes it possible to recreate the unique style of '90s music and skateboarding videos with your smartphone. It earned a Mashable Choice Award for its durable build quality and user-friendliness.
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Credit: Pokémon / Mashable composite
A Pokémon Center gift card
Best for Pokéfans
A quarter of a century on from Pokémania and Pokémon TCG is hotter than ever. While a booster pack would make a fun gift, the most recent drop is probably already sold out as you're reading this. It's a safer bet to simply gift $25 or $50 to the franchise's official online retailer so that they're ready to buy the next time a good pack releases.
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Credit: Boy Smells
A Boy Smells candle
Best luxury gift under $50
Boy Smells makes funky candles in modern unisex scents like Hinoki Fantôme (cardamom, hinoki, and smoked amber) and Starry Spice (sugar plums, red wine, and incense). Its 8.5-ouncers are rated for more than 50 hours of burn time. Some of them come in highly giftable limited-edition designs.
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Credit: Poisoned Pen Press
"Dear Debbie"
Best for bookworms
Freida McFadden is at it again. (You might know her from the bestselling novel "The Housemaid," which was made into a movie starring Sydney Sweeney.) "Dear Debbie" is her latest thriller, telling the story of a vengeful agony columnist. It's another BookTok hit.
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Credit: tomtoc
A Tomtoc FancyCase
Best for Switch 2 owners
You certainly can't buy a Nintendo Switch 2 for less than $50, but you *can* get one of the best accessories for it. Tomtoc's carry case is a lightweight hardshell case with room for a dozen game card slots. Its sleek, snug-fit design is "perfect for me as someone who travels on the regular," our reviewer wrote.
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Credit: VoChill
A stemless wine glass chiller
Best for wine drinkers
The VoChill stemless wine glass chiller is such a life hack for serious white wine and rosé drinkers. Once the base has sat in the freezer for a few hours, it can keep vino chilled for up to an hour to preserve that flavor profile. Unlike freezable glasses, the VoChill doesn't have to be washed all the time. And hey, it also doubles up as a futuristic coaster.
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Credit: Shutterfly
A custom Shutterfly photo book
Best for parents
Starting around $25, Shutterfly's photo books can be personalized from top to bottom with different layouts, bindings, cover finishes, stickers, and ribbons — it's like scrapbooking on steroids. If you're looking for a gift idea that'll speak from the heart and be cherished for years to come, they're guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye of any mom or dad.
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Credit: Annapurna Interactive
'Stray'
Best for gamers
Available for PS5, Xbox, PC, Mac, and Nintendo Switch, "Stray" follows an orange tabby cat who's trying to escape a grungy cyberpunk city. Yes, you play as the cat. Our reviewer described it as a stunning sci-fi adventure "with a sweet story, endearing characters, and some truly gross art design at times (in the best way)."
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Credit: Roku
A Roku Streaming Stick 4K
Best for binge-watchers
This streaming stick "is a breeze to set up and delivers crystal 4K resolution quality quickly," according to our reviewer. It also includes a voice remote for hands-free control, just like an Amazon Fire Stick (but without the slow, ad-clogged interface).
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Credit: Le Creuset
A Le Creuset Mini Round Cocotte
Best for foodies
Yes, you can gift someone a Le Creuset cocotte for less than $50 — a *very small* Le Creuset cocotte, but the point stands. Made from nonstick stoneware that's safe for oven, broiler, microwave, and dishwasher use, the 8-ouncer is a nice size for individual cobblers, pot pies, and French onion soup.
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Credit: Wiz
WiZ smart light bulbs
Best for smart home skeptics
WiZ smart bulbs turned one of our reporters into a smart home believer. "Having a colorful light that I can adjust or dim from my phone is the one thing that's made the biggest different in my home decor," she wrote. They're vibrant, easy to set up, and super customizable.
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Credit: National Geographic
A National Geographic Earth Science Kit
Best for young scientists
If you know a kid who goes crazy for science experiments, this STEM gift kit will delight them to no end (and make you their favorite grown-up). It comes with over 15 activities that are both easy to follow and easy to clean up after, including crystal growing, building a volcano, and unearthing geological treasures.
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Credit: OXO
An OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Best for coffee connoisseurs
Starbucks gift cards are a nice gesture, but categorically lame. OXO's Mashable Choice Award-winning cold brew maker is a better way to gift someone their next caffeine fix: "The cold brew concentrate it produces is consistently strong, velvety smooth, and richly flavorful," our reviewer wrote.
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Credit: Wild One / Mashable composite
A Wild One Treat Pouch
Best for dog parents
"Walkies," but make it fashion. Wild One's Treat Pouch has a hidden compartment for a roll of poop bags and adjustable carrying straps that let you wear it like a crossbody bag or a fanny pack. Our reviewer appreciated its magnetic closure, which makes treat-grabbing easier than a zipper.
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Credit: PetSafe
A PetSafe Bolt Automatic Laser Light Cat Toy
Best for cat parents
For our reviewer and their feisty cat, the PetSafe Bolt "was a godsend," they wrote. "It works reliably, solves a problem, turns off automatically, and is virtually hassle-free." Your recipient can control it themselves or set it to a random pattern while their cat burns off energy solo.
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Credit: Drew Barrymore Beautiful
An immersion blender and chopper set
Best housewarming gift under $50
Newlyweds or new homeowners are probably set on nice hand towels and cookware. But their kitchen may be missing some handy gadgets like an immersion blender or food chopper. This set from Drew Barrymore's Walmart collection comes in cute colors to match their color scheme, like sage green or porcini taupe.
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Credit: Homemate
An electric blanket
Best for people who are always cold
Anyone can get use out of an electric blanket, whether it's cuddling up during the winter or getting toasty on a chilly summer night. This heated throw has an easy to use remote with 10 heat levels and multiple timer settings. Choose from a selection of colors.
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Credit: Yonanas
A Yonanas soft-serve machine
Best for sweet treat enthusiasts
A budget-friendly alternative to the Ninja Creami, the Yonanas can turn frozen fruit into a smooth, soft serve-adjacent dessert. It's a great gift for regular ice cream eaters who want to switch things up, *or* anyone who follows a vegan, keto, or dairy-free diet. It's another Mashable Choice Award-winner.
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Credit: The OP Games
Hues and Cues
Best for board game geeks
For anyone who loves tabletop gaming, Hues and Cues is one of the best new games around. You pick a very specific color shade then give clues for other players to guess the exact hue from a color chart board. It's unexpectedly hilarious and exciting.
