Each of these stocking stuffers is a small yet useful upgrade that also makes for a great gift.
Each of these stocking stuffers is a small yet useful upgrade that also makes for a great gift.
is a commerce writer covering deals and buying guides. Previously, he was a freelance writer for Popular Mechanics, Men’s Health, and Esquire.
Let’s face it, it’s easy to fixate on the big gifts that crowd around the Christmas tree. However, we’d argue that the true treasures are the small, useful, and thoughtful gifts tucked within stockings. That’s why, for this guide, we’ve pooled together a bunch of tried-and-tested gadgets and goods to help bolster someone’s everyday carry or, at the very least, provide them with something that comes in clutch every once in a while. It certainly isn’t about gag gifts and cheap trinkets.
The good news is that many of the items we’ve highlighted in our guides to the best gifts under $25, best gifts under $50, and best gifts under $100 also meet the criteria for a good stocking stuffer, as most of them can easily fit in a bag and improve your daily routine. This includes a location tracker for keeping tabs on your belongings, a pocket-friendly set of wireless earbuds, and a handy multitool for making small repairs around the house, all of which can be found below.
AirTags can function as a second set of eyes for iPhone owners, allowing you to keep tabs on everything from your car keys to your backpack. That’s because the ultra wideband location trackers tap into Apple’s extensive Find My network, which allows for impressively precise tracking and lets users share the tracker with up to five other people for even greater peace of mind.
Most people don’t want to wrangle cables… and who can blame them? Not us, which is why several folks at The Verge own Baseus’ handy, retractable USB-C option. The Free2Pull comes in two sizes, each of which conveniently pulls the excess cable into a small puck that’s far tidier and easier to manage than a loose cord.
This Landmark Project keychain can add a bit of color and personality to an otherwise vanilla set of keys. The retro-inspired doohickey features a glossy emboss finish and harkens back to classic motel tags, while reminding you to respect the great outdoors. It’s also made of durable ABS plastic and features metal hardware, so it should withstand miles upon miles of abuse.
Anker’s Nano Travel Adapter is a versatile charger for globe-trotters. It features four plug types, providing compatibility in over 200 countries, along with an AC connector, two USB-A ports, and two USB-C ports. The adapter is also relatively tiny — each plug type either extends / retracts or folds up — so it’s easy to slot into your bag.
Powerful power banks don’t have to be cumbersome. Iniu’s 10,000mAh P50 is about as thick as a deck of cards, but features 45W charging speeds, two USB-C ports, and one USB-A port. Its braided lanyard also doubles as a USB-C cable, providing everything you need to keep all of your electronics fully juiced on the go.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 breaks the mold of classic RPGs. The story is just as grandiose and gripping as the best Final Fantasy games, but by allowing you to dodge and parry every enemy attack, it flips more traditional turn-based combat on its head. Then there’s the score and visually striking world, both of which are just as refreshing to behold.
The Notes app is great, but sometimes pen and paper are where it’s at. Field Notes are small enough to fit in your pocket or a small bag, yet spacious enough to house all your big ideas and errant thoughts. The “Flora” Edition can even add a much-needed pop of color to any desk setup.
The original LifeStraw was designed for those heading into the backcountry. The new LifeStraw Sip? Not so much. The reusable steel straw is geared more toward travelers than outdoor enthusiasts, though fortunately it still manages to remove about 99.99 percent of microplastics, bacteria, and parasites from your drinking water.
Crumbs don’t stand a chance on your keyboard with OXO’s laptop cleaner. The double-sided tool has a retractable soft brush that gets into tiny crevices to sweep away dust, and the microfiber pad can remove fingerprints and smudges on screens. I’ve been using one for the past few years, and it’s great for quickly tidying up after a long day of clacking away.
Leatherman’s Skeletool CX comes with a 25-year warranty and all the basics you need for everyday use. The convenient multitool conceals a sturdy steel blade, a pair of pliers, and a large bit driver within its compact build, which easily slides into your pocket. It’s the kind of gadget that proves you don’t need every tool under the sun just to get the job done.
CMF’s higher-end earbuds offer a lot for the price, including active noise cancellation and a transparency mode that should keep you aware of your surroundings. The charging case also has a smart dial that lets you adjust the volume and switch between noise modes, while multipoint support means the Buds Pro 2 can connect to two devices simultaneously.
Donkey Kong Bananza for the Nintendo Switch 2 is a bona fide system seller. Made by the same team behind Super Mario Odyssey, it delivers satisfying punch action and environmental destruction. If you want a game where you can — if you’ll excuse the pun — go ape shit, then Bananza is for you.
The Amazon Smart Plug is a simple and inexpensive way to automate gadgets around your home. For instance, you can instruct Alexa to turn on a lamp that’s connected to the plug or control it via the Alexa app — no smart home hub required. The plug is compatible with most devices with an on / off switch, including fans, coffee makers, and other common household devices. It’s also great for controlling holiday lights.
Anker’s 3-in-1 charger features a trifold design, making it easy to fold down and throw in a bag. Its main wireless pad supplies up to 15W of power to your phone, while the other two are suitable for charging a smartwatch and a pair of wireless earbuds. Your purchase comes with a 40W adapter and 5-foot USB-C cable, too, giving you everything you need to start charging.
If your giftee ever had a soft spot for Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance SP, the RG 34XXSP won’t disappoint. Anbernic’s newer handheld emulator sports a classic clamshell design with a 3.4-inch 720p IPS display, as well as dual joysticks, four shoulder buttons, and a 3:2 aspect ratio that’s ideal for retro titles like Golden Sun and The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap.
Instead of sifting through a rat’s nest of cables, Anker’s dual-headed USB-C cable makes it easier to travel light. Thanks to its 2-in-1 design, you can charge two devices simultaneously — like a laptop and smartphone — with a peak power output of 140W. You don’t have to worry about the cable fraying, either, as it’s made from a durable braided nylon and has been tested to survive more than 10,000 bends.
There are few better ways to pass the time than getting lost in a good book (I’m reading Thomas Pynchon’s new Shadow Ticket). The latest base-model Kindle is our favorite cheap ebook reader, with a sharp 6-inch display, an adjustable frontlight, and a battery that lasts up to six weeks. And at just 158 grams, its lightweight design makes it easy to carry and hold for extended reading sessions.
The AirFly Pro 2 can amp up the sound quality of in-flight entertainment, making it a handy tool for frequent travelers. The long-lasting Bluetooth adapter can sync with two pairs of wireless earbuds or headphones at once, allowing you and a partner to share a movie, a podcast, or music without relying on the subpar earbuds most airlines provide.
Between the noise of airport terminals and snoring seat companions, traveling can be loud. Loop’s reusable Quiet 2 deliver 24 decibels of noise reduction, so you can snooze even when the person next to you is watching a movie at full volume. They’re made from a light, flexible silicone and come with four ear tip sizes, including an extra-small option.
The allure of Ugreen’s 65W Nexode charger is simple: It features a built-in retractable USB-C cable, so you don’t need an extra accessory to charge your gadgets. The cable extends to over 2 feet and securely locks at any length. It also features additional USB-C and USB-A ports, allowing you to charge three devices simultaneously.
With the film adaptation of Project Hail Mary just around the corner, now’s a great time to catch up on the book from The Martian author Andy Weir. The space odyssey chronicles one man’s mission to save the Earth; however, in doing so, it also explores the nature of sacrifice, friendship, and particle physics. Lots and lots of particle physics.
The MX Anywhere 3S is a compact, do-everything mouse that travels well. It offers 8K DPI tracking, so movements cover big distances, and it works on glass. The MagSpeed wheel can rip through long docs or switch to precise ratchets. It can pair with up to three devices over Bluetooth, works with both macOS and Windows, and offers up to 70 days of battery life.
This single-use camera from Kodak comes preloaded with 27 exposures of Tri-X 400, a gorgeous, grainy black-and-white film. It sports a 30mm f/10 plastic lens that churns out decently sharp images, plus a built-in flash that you can turn on and off via a button on the front. Like most single-use cameras, this one has a lens with a fixed focus range (about 3 feet to infinity) and shutter speed of 1/125 second.
Good, screen-free entertainment can be hard to come by for kids — which is where the latest Yoto Mini comes in. The travel-friendly audio gadget features a clock, an alarm, white noise, and a night light; however, its real selling point is that you can use it to play music and tell stories via a robust collection of more than 1,000 cards.
Who needs magnets when you have suction cups? Octobuddy’s cheap silicone mount works with most phones to provide hands-free flexibility whenever necessary. It features 24 single-sided cups, which allow you to stick your phone to a mirror, window, or any other surface you think will provide that perfect TikTok angle.
The Lego Animal Crossing Stargazing with Celeste set lets fans bring Animal Crossing into the real world. With just 78 pieces, you can build a peaceful outdoor scene featuring Celeste, the astronomy-loving owl. It also connects to other Animal Crossing playsets, if your giftee wants to expand on it.
This past year might not have been as life-shattering for most as 2020, but we’d argue life doesn’t have to be pure chaos for a stress ball to come in handy. The NeeDoh Groovy Glob, like all of Schylling’s colorful dough-filled shapes, makes for an inexpensive release that can be squeezed, squashed, and pulled to your heart’s content.
Bluetooth earbuds are all the rage, but you’d be surprised how often a wired pair comes in handy. Apple’s EarPods have a surprisingly good microphone, never need to be charged, and should work with all your USB-C devices. An inline controller on the earbuds’ cable lets you change your volume and pause or skip tracks.
Glocusent’s Bookmark Style Reading Light is the perfect gift for those who burn the midnight oil reading. The clip-on USB light offers a lightweight design and multiple brightness levels, providing a soft, warm glow that’s dim enough that it won’t disturb anyone else trying to get some shut-eye nearby.
You’ve heard of procedurally generated video games, but how about procedurally generated paper dungeon crawlers? Each 60-page Dungeon Notebook is completely unique and requires nothing other than a six-sided die and a pencil, which give you the means to navigate a variety of floors filled with coins, four-legged baddies, and hearts.
Holiday meals can leave you with a full belly and a foul-smelling fridge, which is where the Fun Guy comes in. The playful odor absorber can add a whimsical touch to your kitchen while serving a practical need. Just pop the mushroom top and load the smiley, spore-tacular container with baking soda to keep unwanted odors at bay.
Sucker Punch’s follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima is everything you could want in a sequel. The open-world revenge epic brims with fluid combat and a host of welcome narrative twists, all set against the gorgeous backdrop of Japan’s Edo period. It’s precisely the type of game photo modes were made for, even if you never use them.
Part wall wart, part magnetic wireless charger, Twelve South’s StandBy-ready PowerBug is about as unique as chargers come. The simple contraption can top off both MagSafe and Qi2-compatible devices — including the latest Google Pixel models — while simultaneously supplying 35W charging speeds to a second gadget via USB-C.
A swivelable spork might not be what your giftee had in mind for the next addition to their keychain, but hear us out: they’ll no longer have to ask for disposable cutlery, and they’ll never be without a dignified way to munch on the go. It’s also, you know, good for the environment.
Idlewild’s slim ballpoint pens look as good as they write. Each features a scratch-proof barrel, black ink, and a colorful, two-tone design, which makes them a lively piece of desk decor and the perfect instrument for jotting down thoughts in your favorite notebook. See? Who needs ChatGPT, anyway?
Everybody forgets to bring their charging cable with them from time to time, but it’s a lot harder to do with Nomad’s ChargeKey. The 6-inch zinc cable comes attached to a loop, which is easy to affix to the same ring as your keys. It even supports up to 240W of power and 10Gbps data transfer speeds, despite its short stature.
Scissors are overrated. Slice’s retractable box cutter has been a mainstay in our gift guides for years, primarily because the finger-friendly ceramic blade is great for tearing through packing tape and cutting plastic wrapping. The comfy tool also features a sturdy, reinforced nylon handle and a hooked design that makes it easy to stow when not in use.
Keychains make for a great gift, even if we do live in an age when keys themselves are becoming a bit of a novelty. Veraloop’s 7-inch Colorblock is a sturdy two-tone option made from deadstock and polyester, one that easily attaches to your purse, pouch, or other bags via the included carabiner.
Do you ever wish you could turn on your coffee maker or hit the light switch without getting up? The SwitchBot Bot lets you do that. All you need to do is stick the inexpensive contraption on a standard button or rocker switch, which will allow you to control or schedule your pet feeder, garage door, and a wide range of other devices from your smartphone.
Anker’s compact Prime Power Bank is a wall charger that doubles as a portable battery, delivering a total output of up to 65W through its two USB-C ports. At home, you can leave it plugged in like a standard wall charger. Hit the road, though, and the 9,600mAh battery can simultaneously power your phone and laptop or other gadgets.
The Fanttik X9 Pro can inflate a car tire in under a minute, making routine maintenance fast and easy. There are four one-click presets for cars, motorcycles, bikes, and balls, along with a manual mode that reaches a maximum pressure of 150 PSI. A flexible hose makes it easy to reach into tight spaces, and the battery lasts for up to 23 minutes without shutting off.
Metroid Prime 4 is still a first-person adventure game like prior entries in the series, but this time around, bounty hunter Samus Aran is armed with a motorcycle and a slate of psychic powers. Not all of the new gameplay elements work, but Beyond is a fitting follow-up to what came before, with a lore-heavy story, great combat, and plenty of eerie exploration.
Psh. Who needs an onslaught of push notifications and heart rate monitoring, anyway? Casio’s retro, Y2K-styled WS-B1000 pairs with your phone via Bluetooth and lets you track steps, set timers, and perform only the most basic wristwatch functions imaginable. Nothing more, nothing less.
This 8-in-1 USB-C hub delivers plenty of connectivity, including ethernet, a 4K / 60Hz-capable HDMI port, microSD / SD card readers, USB-C, and USB-A. It can also power your laptop with up to 85W of power.
The Wuben G5 is a rechargeable flashlight about the size of a Zippo lighter, which makes it easy to slip into your pocket. The main light rotates 180 degrees and delivers up to 400 lumens, which you can easily adjust with a scroll wheel. The battery can last up to 65 hours, and a second multicolor LED can cycle through the entire spectrum.
Lego’s Happy Plants can add a little burst of joy to your desk or bookshelf. The set features two playful builds — specifically a baby dracaena and a baby pilea — which fit neatly into a pair of bright, smiley pots. They’re easy to assemble and fun to fiddle with at just 217 pieces, and it’s impossible to be in a bad mood when you look at them considering their adorable faces.
While the Nintendo Switch 2 comes with a respectable 256GB of internal storage, Samsung’s P9 microSD Express card provides double the capacity for your digital library. It offers sequential read speeds of up to 800 MB/s, promising quick launch and load times. It’s also compatible with a wide range of gadgets, including cameras, tablets, and drones with a microSD USH-I slot.
Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, you’ve got to keep your hands warm. Warmth keeps your digits limber, and these rechargeable hand warmers are a great asset, lasting up to 20 hours per charge and going up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Soldering can be intimidating for beginners, but iFixit’s FixHub smart soldering iron makes it simple. It quickly heats up fast via USB-C, and packs safety features like a heat-resistant magnetic storage cap, an LED warning light, and motion sensors to automatically shut off if it falls from your hand. You can also adjust the iron’s temperature settings via your laptop or the Android app.
Don’t get tripped up by the “poetry” part — the Magnetic Poetry Kit is really just about having fun with words. The Original Edition comes with more than 300 magnetic tiles to mix and match, allowing you to cover your fridge with random thoughts, inside jokes, and other carefully chosen creations.
With a sharp rotating blade, Worx’s electric scissors make light work of tougher materials, including quarter-inch plastic, fabric, leather, and cardboard. A safety switch ensures it doesn’t unintentionally turn on, too, while a blade guard can help prevent an unwanted trip to the emergency room.
It’s still hard believe the Amazfit Active 2 retails for less than $100. The humble smartwatch includes everything from offline navigation and voice commands to a strength training mode that can auto-detect sets, reps, and rest periods. It also features a vivid OLED display and a super stylish watchface — which isn’t something often associated with affordable fitness trackers.
If you don’t like the idea of using a hotel towel, then Matador’s Ultralight Travel Towel deserves a spot in your bag. The large version is roughly the size of a standard towel, yet it can pack down into a small mesh bag. It’s made from a soft nanofiber material that can absorb double its weight, and it wrings out easily, so it dries fast. The towel is also machine washable, so you can easily get it ready for your next journey.
You’ll probably need a good pick-me-up while traveling, but you don’t have to settle for bad gas station coffee. First Ascent’s Instant Coffee gives you a solid caffeine boost and a flavor that holds up well, with light, medium, and dark roasts. You just pour it in hot water, stir, and it’s done. Don’t you just love the smell of fresh coffee?
If you’re on a DIY kick, iFixit’s Pro Tech Go Toolkit deserves a spot in your bag. The portable driver kit includes a variety of specialty bits needed to open devices ranging from phones to laptops and gaming consoles. It also comes with tweezers, spudgers, a small suction cup, and opening picks to pry open your devices. Good luck on your repairs!
Percival Everett’s first work of fiction earned him the Pulitzer this year — and it’s no surprise. The bold 2024 tale serves as a reworking of Huck Finn as told by the enslaved man who travels with him down the Mississippi, and although it’s dead serious at times due to the subject matter, it’s also inventive, poetic, and surprisingly funny.
8BitDo’s Micro is a pocket-friendly, 16-button wireless game controller compatible with iOS, Android, and the Nintendo Switch. It can make playing mobile games easier than tapping a touchscreen, and it’s perfect for playing NES, SNES, Game Boy, and Game Boy Advance titles on the Nintendo Switch.
Lego delivered a gigantic dose of nostalgia with a near-perfect replica of Nintendo’s 1989 handheld. The 421-piece set captures the Game Boy’s many buttons, grilles, and curves remarkably well, while the lenticular screen inserts give the illusion of a working unit. It even comes with several brick-ified cartridges you insert into a slot in the back.
While most people are content to store their files in the cloud, some content is too precious not to save on personal digital devices. Sandisk’s multi-plug flash drive makes it easy to move data between phones, tablets, and computers.
Two things most people need at some point are a flashlight and a Bluetooth tracker. So why not gift both devices at once? The FlashFinder is a rechargeable, 300-lumen light outfitted with a magnetic mount you can track via Apple’s Find My network, so you never have to worry about trying to find the flashlight — or your keys — again.
If you own an Android phone, the Google Pixel Buds 2A are a solid, relatively cheap pair of wireless earbuds. They offer crisp sound quality, a comfy design, and solid ANC, which is great given their budget-friendly price tag. They even offer built-in support for Gemini and, unlike the entry-level AirPods, a purple option!
Pocket-friendly power banks that come with built-in USB-C cables are beloved, and it’s easy to see why. Anker’s 10,000mAh Zolo with 30W charging speeds is just big enough, and fast enough, to quickly recharge most small gadgets.
Anker’s 67W Prime charger features two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, along with retractable prongs, rendering it one of our go-to travel companions. It’s a gadget that lets you easily charge a MacBook Air and a Nintendo Switch 2 with a port to spare.
If you attach the Kershaw Recap to your keychain, you’ll always be ready to tackle tiny repairs. The multitool features a flathead screwdriver tip, a bottle opener, and can even double as a pry bar. Plus, it’s made from a durable steel, so it can handle everyday wear and tear, whether you’re tightening the occasional screw or cracking a cold one.
Uno Go is a more portable version of the classic card game. Whether you’re on a plane, at the park, or waiting in line, you can get in a few quick rounds before having to tuck it away in your pocket. It’s an easy way to combat boredom — and a heck of a lot better than staring at a phone or tablet screen.
Amazon’s Echo Spot is a smart alarm clock that can also show you the weather, play music, and set timers. It features a bright, 2.83-inch touchscreen, but you’ll primarily interact with it using your voice, which lets you carry out all sorts of Alexa-based commands.
A basic timer may seem like a thoughtless gift, but there are many tasks we procrastinate on every day that could be more easily managed if we dedicated a little bit of time to them. A visual Pomodoro timer, such as the colorful MOD (Home Edition), is key to helping break tasks into manageable, bite-sized chunks.
It’s not the timeless look that makes Distil’s Folly Sunglasses attractive — though they do look quite good. The real appeal lies in their hidden neodymium magnets, which allow you to clip the polarized shades to your shirt or bag without having to worry about them falling off. That alone is worth the $69 price tag.
A level is an essential tool for DIYers, and none is more foolproof than Franklin’s 12-inch Light Level. The magnetic device turns red when it’s crooked and green when it’s level, so you don’t have to rely solely on a bubble vial (though it includes two built-in bubble vials as well). It runs on a single AA battery and can be seen from almost every angle, regardless of how bright your environment is.
Nomad’s leather MagSafe wallet snaps to the back of your iPhone and has enough space to hold up to four cards. More importantly, it offers integration with Apple’s vast Find My network, allowing you to track its location. Its battery can last up to five months, too, and it can be topped off on a Qi wireless charger.