Don’t Know What to Give? 13 Great Gadgets from $12 to $200

November 24, 2014

A unique space-saver for travelers and commuters: Domke Protective Wraps (under $20) are thin pads with Velcro that wrap to protect electronics, even those with odd shapes.

Techies will show off their Pebble Smartwatch ($100-200) for iPhone and Android; it keeps them connected to incoming communications from their smart phone and tablet; it boasts a great look and is customizable.

For those selfie artistes: CLD Brands adjustable monopod ($20) camera stick extends the users “reach” and steps up selfies and travel photos; it’s light and compact for travel with a universal phone holder.

Give a listen to these ear buds: Backbeatgo2 from Plantronics ($100) buds provide great sound at a modest price. RHA MA750i ($130) buds are a good match for music and also block out most ambient noise.

A lot of laptop for the money: Asus Eeebook X205 ($180) At 11 inches and about 2 pounds, you still get a fast processor, intuitive controls—and 12 hours of battery life.

The little tablet that can: Toshiba Encore Mini ($120) is excellent for families; this tablet serves up entertainment, with up to 144GB of space for photos, music, and movies. With full Windows 8.1, it also supports Xbox Live gaming.

Kids not quite ready for a tablet? Leapfrog’s LeapPad3 ($100) and VTech Innotab3 ($50) both offer good educational apps and games for children as well as parental controls.

The heavy-lifting Roku3 streaming media player ($100) is easy to use and connects your TV to Internet through either wireless or Ethernet cable. It works with Amazon Prime, HBO GO, Hula Pus, Netflix, and more. You won’t be able to get off the couch.

Give a head start on New Year’s fitness resolutions. The fashionable will like the Polar Loop Activity Tracker ($150) - a fitness bracelet that measures steps you take, calories burned, and even sleep patterns. Fitbit Wireless Zip ($50) and Fitbit One ($100) activity trackers also measure steps, distance, and calories, plus they sync to a fitness program online. The One also tracks sleep.

Stay in contact with back up from the lipstick-sized Anker 2nd Gen Astro Mini Portable External Battery Charger ($20). Anker also offers more powerful external chargers for $40-$150 as well as highly-rated wall chargers!

For the home do-it-yourselfer, Black & Decker's Thermal Leak Detector ($50) allows the user to spot hidden energy leaks. By patching such leaks, they can cut energy bills up to 20% and they get their green merit badge, too!  

For foodie friends or colleagues who cook: the Jenaluca Herb Scissors ($20) with 5 Blades eliminate a lot of tedious mincing and chopping. And, they’re fun to use! Two snips with these scissors equals 10 knife chops.

And if they don’t cook? The Soirée Home In-Bottle Wine Aerator ($25) has been endorsed by Zagat and featured in the Wall Street Journal. It makes wine taste better and fits most wine bottles.

Bonus! Check out these web sites for unique and au courant products!

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