Holiday Gift Guide 2025: The Best Gifts Under $50

Finding good gifts for your friends and loved ones can be difficult, as good tech gifts can often cost more than expected. But fret not, as your local Micro Center is here with tons of great gift ideas for tech experts and hobbyists alike, all for under $50.

Photo: Jacob Bobo 

I’ve pulled out more than 10 gifts for the photographers, tinkerers, gamers and every-day tech users among us, but we have plenty more offerings in-store. For now, let's start with the photographers.

ProMaster camera gear (lens filters, lens caps, and tripods)

This one hits close to home. One of my loved ones got a new film camera that didn’t come with a lens cap or filter -- an absolute must to keep your equipment in top shape and a great gift for the new photographer. However, before you run out and pick up a lens cap, keep in mind you need to know the specs of the lens your friend/loved one has. In my case, I had to slyly ask for the name of the lens they were using. After I learned the required lens filter/cap size was 52mm, I could confidently buy a ProMaster replacement knowing that it would fit properly. 

However, if you don’t want to go through all that trouble, just get them a convertible tripod. No photographer can have too many tripods! 

Polaroid film

Photography is expensive, so help out your photographer friends with some film this holiday season! Perfect for the serious or hobbyist photographer, we’ve got both color and black-and-white film compatible with current generation Polaroid i-Type cameras, including the OneStep, Now, and Polaroid Lab cameras. There are eight instant photos included in every pack, more than enough to get a few fun moments with friends immortalized, instantly. 

A MagSafe-compatible charger (car or standalone)

If you know someone who's often too busy to charge their phone, this is the gift. A MagSafe compatible charger turns even their commute into opportunities to top of their iPhone battery. We’ve got two options when it comes to MagSafe chargers (compatible with iPhone 12 and up) — Apple’s official charger with a 2 meter cable ($49.99)  and the Scosche Industries 4-in-1 MagSafe phone mount ($39.99), which you can conveniently place in your car’s A/C vents. 

USB 3.2 flash drives ($10-49)

Everyone needs more portable storage. Even if you think you have enough, you’ve probably misplaced a thumb drive or two. Thankfully, whether you’re buying for a middle school memer or a manager mom’s memos (or yourself…), we have more than a few Micro Center branded USB 3.2 flash drives that are both compatible with USB-A and Type-C ports, making them extremely versatile for new and old computers alike.  

You can find them as low as 32GB and all the way up to 512GB, depending on how many files you plan to keep in storage, be they memes or memos.

A Gaming Headset

Of course, the gamer in your life probably needs a new (or second) headset for communicating with allies and rivals alike. However, because everyone has different requirements for headphone fitment and audio quality, we’ve rounded up three headsets we’d recommended, all under the $50 mark.

First off, the famed Razer Blackshark 2: it’s been around for a while, for good reason. It works well, is comfortable to wear for extended long gaming sessions, supports 7.1 surround sound, and has a solid microphone with an included filter to avoid those “heavy breathing” auditory moments. It also works on PC and consoles. 

Next, we’ve got two solid pairs of cans from HyperX: the Cloud Stinger 2, complete with huge 50mm drivers, is PC-compatible, and has a handy swivel-to-mute function. Alternatively, the smaller HyperX Cloud Mini is great for gamers who want a wireless experience that supports PCs, consoles, and mobile phones, thanks to its variety of connection options: wired, wireless via USB dongle, or just plain old Bluetooth.

Creative Labs Stage SE soundbar 

This is a great addition for anyone looking to build a simple, remote work-from-home setup that needs a speaker for general audio needs. Specs-wise, it’s a straightforward 24 Watts, two channel soundbar, with USB-C and Bluetooth connection options. It also has a built-in 3.5mm audio jack for plugging your headphones into. Its small size means it won’t necessarily rock the house, but priced at just under $50, it won’t break the bank, either.  

iFixit Tool Kit

Learning how to fix anything, especially electronics, is a worthwhile and often necessary skill. The easiest way to make that possible is by buying yourself (or a friend!) an iFixit Pro Tech Go Toolkit. You’ll have everything you need to make small repairs like removing screws, or more involved work, like replacing screens. 

Inland 3D Printer Filament

Finding the right 3D printer filament can sometimes be a bit of a struggle. After all, good filament makes or breaks your 3D-printed masterpiece (or work-in-progress). If tinkering and experimenting is what you’re into, then it’s best to experiment with something inexpensive but reliabel. Inland has tons of 1.75mm filament options in different colors here at MIcro Center, so be sure to pick up more than one and get to creating. 

Wizards of the Coast Magic: The Gathering - Avatar The Last Airbender (Beginner Box)

Magic: The Gathering may seem like a complicated game to learn, but Avatar Beginner Boxes show just how easy it can be. Whether you’re new to M:tG or getting back into it with Aang and the gang, the Beginner Box comes with two instant-play decks and eight Jumpstart Packs, so you can try out a variety of deck styles across the whole WUBRG spectrum. 

Roku Streaming Stick 4K Streaming Player

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K can turn any traditional, non-smart TV with an HDMI port into a smart TV with quick access to all of your streaming apps, like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more. And, with a 4K connection, your streamed movies, shows, and videos will look their best.

Wyze Cam v4 Security Camera - Gray; Indoor/Outdoor; 1440p Resolution

Keeping homes secure doesn’t need to be expensive. Security cameras like the Wyze Cam V4 offer high-quality, 1440p recording for under $50. If you’ve got a college student looking for a bit more dorm security or a new homeowner looking for more protection on your list, the Wyze Cam v4 can offer peace of mind without breaking the bank.

Of course, we have plenty more options available at your local Micro Center, whether you’re looking for keyboards or the latest computer parts. And, if you’re still not sure what holiday gift is right, be sure to check out the full Micro Center News Holiday Gift Guide or stop in and ask one of our knowledgeable associates. 

A writer, brand content manager, and technology journalist, Stefan Etienne founded the tech blog LaptopMemo in his teens, then went on to work at publications such as The Verge, TechCrunch, and CNN Underscored. In his spare time, he trains his German Shepherd, Athena, under the watchful eye of his cat, Martini.