Holiday shopping is never cheap, and B&H is home to plenty of eye-poppingly expensive products. If you’re a hardcore gear geek who’s clicked around on the site for a while, putting together that fantasy rig, you’ve probably seen the subtotal on your wish list gain decimal places faster than you’d care to admit.
But believe it or not, there’s plenty to be had for the holidays in the double-digits, so unfreeze that credit card and join me as we look at seven gifts that cost less than $100.
For the kid (or grown-up kid) who has everything, try a drone. RC cars are tons of fun in two dimensions; drones take it to the sky. HUBSAN’s H107D X4 quadcopter is great for beginners, with a giant 4.3" LCD screen built in to the controller so you get a first-person view as you zip along. It’s got a 328' range, up to seven minutes of flight time, and LED night lights so you can fool the UFOlogist down the block. Best of all, it’s currently only $79.99, a $120 savings from its usual price.
Even though Sennheiser has expanded its product offerings recently, the company is best known for its ultra-accurate over-ear headsets, which swaddle your ears in clear, balanced sounds. The HD 559 is the successor to the wildly popular HD 500, and has big, open-backed earcups that hide equally large drivers covering everything from rumbling 14 Hz bass notes to piercing 26 kHz highs. Right now, it’s $50 off, so you can get audiophile quality ’phones for only $99.95.
After a big holiday meal, I don’t want to move a muscle, so instead of doing things for myself, I yell commands at my virtual assistant. Two great budget ways to enter the world of AI speakers are the Google Home Mini and the second-generation Amazon Echo Dot, both of which can be had for less than $50. They obediently respond to requests for information, order products, and connect to other compatible appliances. The Echo Dot has Bluetooth and 3.5mm connectivity for audio connections with external speakers, while the Google Home Mini has Chromecast capability, as well as a small speaker of its own.
TVs are always big sellers during the holidays, and while we do carry a sub-$100 television, I’m willing to bet that your friend or relative is looking for something a little bit bigger. If a brand-new TV is already in the cards, surprise them with a full-motion wall mount like the Kanto Living FMX2C. It tilts, swivels, and extends, so they can position their new flat panel any way they like. This model installs easily, has built-in cable management, and can hold TVs from 37 to 80" and weighing up to 130 lb. It just squeezes under our limit at $99.99.
I’m no athlete, but on the rare occasions when I choose to flail on the elliptical, I like a pair of wired earbuds to keep the tunes pumping. That way, I don’t have to worry about the connection dropping and my phone’s speaker disclosing to the entire gym that “Livin’ on a Prayer” is my go-to workout song. If your lucky recipient likes to work out, or just likes to listen to music on the go, I’d recommend Bose® SoundSport™ in-ear headphones. These sweat-resistant ’buds have the balanced sound people expect from Bose and an inline remote and mic on its fabric-covered cable. It even comes with a sport case with carabiner for your keys and cash, a bargain for a buck under a Bennie.
Another hot TV accessory is the soundbar, an easy way to boost the audio performance of today’s ultra-thin panels. For a mere bag o’ 98 shells, you can change a lucky friend’s sonic world for the better with the Vizio SB3820-C6, designed for TVs 42" and bigger. What it lacks in a catchy name, it makes up for in specs, with a pair of 2.75" full-range drivers pumping out up to 100 dB for louder and clearer tones than the speakers that came in your set. For connectivity, it’s got Bluetooth audio streaming, and RCA, 3.5mm, and USB inputs. The lucky recipient can switch on Dolby Digital and DTS TruSurround for a virtual surround sound experience and connect a subwoofer for booming bass. It even comes with a remote and a wall mount of its own.
When my kids beg for gifts, I tell them to pipe down or thank me for bestowing the gift of life upon them. But if you’re the spoilin’ type, you can get them a high-end digital camera for only $25. How? Use a spare smartphone (or even your current one) with the Pixlplay Kids Smartphone Camera Case. It holds most standard sized (non-“Plus”) smartphones in a full enclosure with child-safe locks, keeping your device safe from drops, scratches, and sticky fingers. Connect it to the headphone jack to use the built-in shutter button, and let them play with the tactile, clicky focus ring and film advance knob. The back panel is touch-through so they can control the camera app on their own. Best of all, there’s no charging, Bluetooth, or batteries to deal with.
What’s your favorite under-$100 gift? Sound off in the Comments section!
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