Best Gifts Under $25 for 2026

Apple Watch owners will love this portable charger, which is also a keychain, so they can always have it with them. CNET's Russell Holly says it's very handy and “small enough to be tucked away in a backpack, purse or keyring.”

Some people, like yours truly, still love old-school earbuds like these. Plus, the price is right -- exact prices vary by color, but they all come in under $22. They come in a bunch of fun colors, like blue, pink and red, and have amazing sound quality. Since there is a non-microphone version, too, make sure you select the right ones at check-out.

True story: In my collegiate days, 3.5-inch floppy disks were a thing, and they stored a total of 1.44 megabytes of data on them. This flash drive, on the other hand, costs around $25 (or less) and stores 128GB, the equivalent of almost 89,000 of those floppy disks. This model sports both USB-A and USB-C connectors, so it'll work with any computer out there, as well as newer iPad Pro and Mini models.

When you're out and about, nothing's worse than needing your phone -- to look up directions, contact someone or take a picture -- only to discover that your battery is dead. Again. That's where this portable charger comes into play. I absolutely love it and own a few of them in various colors. I keep one in my car, one in my bag and one near my desk so I am always prepared. Not only can it charge a phone multiple times, but it does so quickly and the light-up paw print is an easy (and cute) way to know how much life the charger still has. So if you know someone whose phone battery tends to drain quickly, they'll love having this charger on hand (literally).

We love smart plugs for bringing smart-home features to "dumb" devices of all kinds with very little setup. But the Emporia energy monitoring smart plug does more than most.

CNET editor David Anders called it "one of the best smart plugs I've come across," with easy, highly customizable control and excellent app operation. From the app, you can set the plug for automatic scheduling to save energy or create your own schedules on the fly. It's intuitive and easy to master. It's our editor's pick for the best smart plug.

When it comes to using smart light bulbs, CNET editor Chris Wedel keeps going back to one of the most affordable, the Wiz LED smart bulb. It comes with Matter support that allows you to use Siri, Alexa or Google Home to control the bulb and connect it to smart home routines, without the need for any additional app or hub. There are also lots of scheduling options and automation tricks. There is a white version of the bulb, but the color version lets you choose from millions of colors to find just the right look. It tops our list of the best smart bulbs.

This one is for someone who spends a lot of time in their car. This handy car charger plugs into a standard car cigarette lighter socket and has two outgoing cords, one with a Lightning connector and one with the more universal USB-C. Conveniently, those 31.5-inch cords retract into the body of the charger, so they stay out of the way when not in use. You can use this for any phone or other device with a USB-C port, and it's compatible with the new fast-charging feature of the iPhone 17.

In many parts of the world, we are deep into winter. If you're still using those disposable pouches to keep your fingers from freezing, it's probably time for an upgrade. The Ocoopa UT3 Lite magnetic rechargeable hand warmers slip right into your gloves and will keep your digits toasty warm for hours. With multiple temperature levels, you can adjust them to your liking, depending on outdoor temps, activity level and your personal preferences. When they run out of juice, they can be easily topped up via USB charging.

CNET editor Jeff Carlson says they have quite a few advantages over disposable, chemical warmers: they create less waste, they heat up in just a few seconds and their heat output can be customized. This is the perfect gift for someone who tends to run cold and needs a little extra warmth in winter.

Prices change on these hand warmers pretty frequently, depending on color. Right now the navy-blue and black versions are both listed for $20, and there are tons of other colors and patterns available for a few bucks more.

Buying a gift for someone who's always misplacing their jacket, purse or backpack? With an Apple AirTag in place, that problem should become a thing of the past. All they have to do is pull up the Find My app on the iPhone and the missing item can be tracked down anywhere there's an Apple device nearby (which is pretty much everywhere). If they're not an Apple person, no problem -- you can get them a Galaxy SmartTag2 (for Samsung folks) or a Tile Mate (for any other Android phone owner).

And here are some clever hiding spots for Apple AirTags.

Jet-setters know that having the right travel adapter is key and your giftee can use this one nearly anywhere in the world. A cool feature is that it has a passthrough plug for them to plug in a laptop or other such device, as well as USB and USB-C ports.

This set of three packing cubes from the renowned Vera Bradley brand looks like it costs more than it does. The traveler in your life will love bringing them along on their next adventure — and you may want to get yourself a set, too. If floral prints aren't their thing, there are also sets in solid black and solid burgundy.

As an avid traveler, the more I can save space, the better -- and when it comes to a water bottle, you can’t get much more space-saving than this Platypus one. More a plastic pouch than a traditional water bottle, it’s collapsible when you’re not using it, which is a traveler’s dream. It holds an impressive two liters of liquid and only weighs 1.3 ounces when empty. But if your gift recipient is more into non-collapsible versions, check out our choices for best water bottles.

I buy these nesting dolls for so many people that I swear I should get stock in Fred, the company behind these adorable dolls-turned-measuring-cups. There’s no doubt that your giftee will enjoy them just as much, whether they use them for baking or just display them. 

This bamboo cutting board is not only functional and easy to take care of, but it’s also nice to look at. “Cutting boards take a beating, and everyone can always use a new one,” says CNET’s David Sessions. “IKEA's bamboo cutting block is sturdy for its budget price." It also features a well around the perimeter to catch juices, helping keep your countertops clean. This one made our list of the best cutting boards.

Grilling fanatics will love this pan. At my house, the Lodge Grill Pan gets used at least once a week to cook fish or turkey burgers. It's a cheap and easy way to bring the essence of the grilling experience to your stovetop, which is especially useful during the winter months.

This is a classy gift with a budget price. Your gift recipient can use the 8-ounce crock for small snacks, appetizers or condiments when they have dinner parties, and it comes in many nice colors, from deep red to blue to yellow.

If they can't make it to the spa as much as they'd like, help them bring a little bit of the spa vibe to their home. This InnoGear essential oil diffuser and humidifier is a nifty device that can make a room smell incredible, without all the chemicals found in canned room sprays. Fill the basin with water, add a drop or two of the essential oil of your choice, and the machine runs almost silently, with a pleasant mood light adding even more ambience. The essential oils are sold separately, but there's also a $30 kit that comes with 10 essential oil scents included.

Whether you get this for a fitness enthusiast or someone who is always complaining about muscle soreness, this foam roller is the gift that keeps on giving, CNET’s Anna Gragert says. “It applies moderate pressure, so is ideal for beginners, and has a three-dimensional surface that makes its massaging capabilities even more effective.” And if you have a bit more to spend, you can always check out our picks for best foam rollers.

If you know someone with insomnia and are looking for an inexpensive sleep lotion from a top-notch brand, this is it. “This body lotion is moisturizing, designed to help you fall asleep, has the most incredible smell and lasts forever,” says CNET’s Anna Gragert. “It's the perfect addition to any sleep routine.”

Read our review here.

This unisex sleep mask’s molded eye cups help block out light, and the memory foam is a nice added touch. I gave this to a friend as part of a “sleep kit” I made her and she loves it. I bet your friend or family member will love it too, especially if they’re sensitive to morning light coming through their windows. If your gift budget is higher, you can also check out our roundup of the best sleep masks.

This card game will soon be your giftee's next family favorite. Players take turns flipping over a card, saying a word while doing so, starting with Taco, then Goat and so on. If the spoken word matches the image on the card that was flipped over, all players try to slap their hand down -- and whoever doesn’t has to take the whole stack. "It might be the most fun I've had with a card game since forever, and it made our recent vacation very memorable,” says CNET contributor Oliver Haslam.

CNET's Bridget Carey says this won her over "both as a mom and as someone who delights in making my co-workers squirm." By using a remote — that can be as far as 25 feet away — you can make it scale walls or perform spin tricks, she explains. To charge it, there's a USB-C port and you'll need two AAA batteries for the remote.

Read our review here.

Any Lego fan will love getting this 10x7-inch picture frame. Whether you get them one or several, it’s a great way for them to easily add some character and Lego fun to a room.

There are plenty of great Lego sets available for under $25, including some great Star Wars, Harry Potter and Marvel options. Ones I'd recommend for kids as young as 6 or 7 include the Off-Road Race Buggy ($16; shown), the Adorable Dogs Set ($19), Disney Simba ($19) and the Flower Bouquet Basket ($9).