Our favorite Prime Day gadgets under $100 you don’t need but will really want
Prime Day has a funny way of convincing you to buy things you weren’t shopping for in the first place. You sign on intending to buy something sensible you actually need, like a pack of USB-C cables, and an hour later you’ve also added a gadget that can press your coffee maker’s power button and […]
Prime Day has a funny way of convincing you to buy things you weren’t shopping for in the first place. You sign on intending to buy something sensible you actually need, like a pack of USB-C cables, and an hour later you’ve also added a gadget that can press your coffee maker’s power button and a color-changing smart lamp that syncs to music to your cart.
They aren’t exactly essentials, but they’re the kind of gadgets you never knew you wanted until you saw them and often end up being the most delightful to own. From a pocket-size gaming controller and a tiny crafting machine that lets you make stickers and cards to a cordless barcode scanner that lets you catalog your home library like a real librarian, these are the Verge-approved small gadgets you probably don’t need but will totally want anyway, most of which cost less than $100.
SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher
If you’ve ever wished you had a robot that could push a button for you, that’s precisely what SwitchBot’s Smart Switch does. It’s simple, smart, and works on anything with a button. Stick it on the device you want to turn on or off, and you’re set.
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VidaBay Snap E Ink fridge magnet
VidaBay’s Snap is the best kind of retrofuturism. It looks like a classic instant photo, but instead of relying on an actual print, it uses a color E Ink screen you can change at any time using the NFC chip inside your phone. The magnetic digital Polaroids don’t need to be charged, either, which is always a plus in our book.
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Philips Hue smart bulb starter kit
The Philips Hue smart bulb starter kit comes with color-changing bulbs that can be controlled with Alexa, Google Assistant, or the companion app. The included Hue Bridge lets you set custom lighting routines and expand your setup to 50 lights.
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JisuLife Handheld Fan Life8
JisuLife’s portable, folding USB-C fan has a rechargeable battery that will keep you cool for hours, whether you’re holding it or using its built-in stand to prop it up on a table. Plus, it looks like a cute little bear when packed up to throw in your purse or bag. I don’t think you can ask for much more from such a cool cub.
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GamesSir Pocket Taco mobile controller
Whether you grew up with a Nintendo Game Boy or not, GameSir’s Pocket Taco is a lot of fun. The wireless mobile controller clamps onto the bottom of your phone, turning it into a tiny handheld console with real buttons and a physical D-pad. It makes playing retro titles feel better than using a touchscreen.
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Govee Table Lamp 2
Govee’s color-changing smart lamp is an easy way to elevate the vibe of any room. It syncs with music and features over 60 lighting presets, from calming modes to help you unwind to brighter settings that are perfect for getting work done. It also supports Matter, allowing you to integrate it with your smart home platforms of choice.
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Keychron V1 Max
If they spend all day typing, gaming, or chatting with friends, the Keychron V1 Max is a great gift. Its vibrant per-key RGB backlighting adds personality to any desk, while the hot-swappable 75-percent design and remappable keys offer a level of customization you won’t find in most keyboards at this price point. Plus, there are magnetic garages to stash the included USB-A and USB-C 2.4GHz dongles so they don’t get lost.
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Glocusent Book Light
Late-night cram sessions can be a huge strain on your eyes, especially if you don’t want to turn on the lights and disturb your jerk of a roommate who had the audacity to get their studying done on time. Thankfully, Glocusent’s ultra-nerdy Book Light is a subtle, low-light alternative that’s not nearly as limiting as a clip-on book light.
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Cricut Joy 2 (Essentials bundle)
The tiny, beginner-friendly Cricut Joy 2 bundle comes with all the materials and tools you need to make fun stickers, organize stuff with labels, or put together custom cards for friends and family. Read our review.
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SwitchBot Smart Candle Warmer
SwitchBot’s Smart Candle Warmer lets you set schedules to turn it on and off in the app or any connected smart home platform and have pleasant scents waft safely throughout your home on demand.
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Hoto 3.6V Electric Screwdriver Kit Pro
Hoto’s rechargeable screwdriver is ideal for small repairs. It offers three torque modes, a rotational speed of up to 220RPM, and a helpful circular LED to illuminate dark spaces. The durable case also holds all 25 steel bits and an extension bar for getting into hard-to-reach places.
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PDP Riffmaster
PDP’s Riffmaster is a wireless guitar accessory compatible with Rock Band 4 and Fortnite Festival. It has two sets of color-coded buttons you can press to hit notes as they appear on the screen, a built-in 3.5mm audio jack for connecting headphones, and an analog stick to help you easily navigate through each game’s menus.
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- $149.99 $75.49 at Amazon (PlayStation 5)
- $149.99 $75.49 at Amazon (Xbox Series X / S)
- $149.99 $79.99 at Amazon (Nintendo Switch)
Philips Hue Essential strip light (16 feet)
Part of the company’s new Essentials line, the Essential 16ft LED Strip Light, RGBIC, can work with or without a Hue bridge and has all the same features as Hue’s higher-priced models.
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Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer
Lego’s brick-ified replica of an Imperial Star Destroyer is an excellent 1,555-piece throwback to Star Wars: A New Hope, one that comes with seven minifigs, plenty of interior detail, and a convenient handle for carrying it around the room.
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Amazon Echo Spot
The Echo Spot is an excellent smart alarm clock with decent sound for its size and no camera. It features Amazon’s smart voice assistant for voice control and is worthy of a spot on your nightstand. Read our review.
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8BitDo Retro 18 Mechanical Numpad
8BitDo’s Retro 18 Mechanical Numpad may be the most charming data entry tool there is. It has hot-swappable mechanical switches, along with wireless support and calculator mode.
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Nothing Ear (a)
Nothing’s Ear (a) earbuds have the same general design as the company’s previous earbuds — but you can get these in a snazzy yellow. They include ANC, more than decent sound quality, and other features like multipoint for just under $100. Read our impressions.
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Govee Table Lamp Classic
If you like the idea of the Philips Hue portable smart lamp but want something cheaper, Govee’s Table Lamp Classic is it. The rechargeable lamp isn’t weather-resistant, but it offers up to 30 hours of battery life, adjustable color temperatures, and dozens of preset scenes and colorful lighting effects
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Fanttik S1 Electric Screwdriver
This tiny cordless driver comes with five double-ended bits for most basic around-the-house projects and Ikea-level builds.
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Time Timer MOD Home Edition Metallic
A basic timer may not sound exciting, but the colorful Time Timer MOD makes time visible, helping you break work, studying, cooking, or other tasks into manageable chunks. It’s a surprisingly satisfying gadget that can make staying on task a little easier.
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Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
The Wonderboom 4 might feature a compact design, but it still delivers big sound for its diminutive size. It also carries an IP67 rating, meaning it’s both water- and dust-resistant (it can even float if you need it to).
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Rak Magnetic Wristband
Losing a screw, washer, or drill bit during a repair is a pain, but magnets are here to help. The smarties at Rak designed a multi-section magnetic wristband that’ll let dad keep spares conveniently attached to his wrist, so he can easily grab what he needs (or stow pieces) while he’s at work.
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Netum Cordless Barcode Scanner
If your book collection rivals that of a library, this cordless barcode scanner lets you catalog it like a real librarian. It syncs with the free Libib app so you can quickly scan books, movies, board games, music, and video games into a searchable digital collection.
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Govee Floor Lamp
If you’re into mood lighting, Govee’s RGBICW smart floor lamp can add a stunning pop of color to any room. The 4.6-foot lamp can blanket your space in a wild array of colors, offering plenty of preset scenes to match their mood. Plus, it can sync with music.
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SwitchBot Standing Circulator Fan
A quiet, battery-powered fan that moves a lot of air despite its small size, the Switchbot Standing Circulator is a surprisingly versatile smart home addition.
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NIIMBOT D110 Label Printer with Tape
Niimbot’s inkless, rechargeable label printer can help you stay organized anytime, anywhere. The portable Bluetooth gadget effortlessly pairs with any iOS or Android phone and features a range of simple templates, allowing mom to create custom labels for everything from pantry items to office supplies.
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Travel Mini Portable Sound Machine
For many people, few things are as calming as white noise. Luckily, it’s easy to conjure up with Yogasleep’s Travel Mini Sound Machine. The rechargeable, pocket-sized device offers a total of six noise profiles, from ambient nature sounds to serene pink noise, along with a built-in night light that’s just bright enough to read with or use to navigate your next Airbnb.
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Anker Nano 45W charger with display
Anker’s latest single-port USB-C charger offers up to 45W of power, foldable prongs, and a front-facing “smart display” that lets you see the charge level, power flow, and other useful information at a glance.
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Glorious Model O Eternal
An ultra-light mouse with RGB lighting, the Glorious Model O Eternal has 6 programmable buttons and a 12K optical sensor.
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Lego Botanicals Flower Bouquet Building Set
The 756-piece set features a bouquet of buildable flowers, including roses, poppies, daisies, asters, and more. It also includes posable leaves and 15 adjustable stems.
