Deals Under $50

What we like: A gift pick shape-sorting egg toy from our guide to the best gifts for 1-year-olds. Fun for imaginary play as well as for learning to match colors and shapes. And they make a silly chirping sound when placed in the carton. Kids can’t get enough of matching up the shapes, fitting the shells together, and hiding them everywhere.

Other things to know: First notable deal we've seen in long time. Just in time for Easter. Lightning deal.

What we like: Our smart LED light bulb pick for Apple's HomeKit users. Works with every major smart-home platform, notably Apple’s HomeKit, without needing a hub. Can be triggered by voice command. Less expensive than most HomeKit-compatible bulbs.

Other things to know: Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and SmartThings. Narrower brightness range than our top two picks. Doesn’t offer any special effects.

What we like: A Dracula-inspired kitchen gadget that any classic horror fan, kid, or year-round Halloween celebrant would vant as a gift. Plop a few cloves into the base (his cape), pop on the top (his head), and twist at the neck to mince.

Other things to know: Make sure to remove chopped garlic quickly—vampires can’t tolerate garlic for long (plus it's a nightmare to clean when dried). Lightning deal.

What we like: Yoshi’s Crafted World is a gentler and more forgiving twist on a typical Mario game with an adorable papercraft aesthetic and bright visuals that kids in particular will love. Recommended in our piece about games to play when you need to relax.

Other things to know: Digital download for the Nintendo Switch. Matches the lowest price we've seen. Couch co-op also available for two players.

What we like: A cute and fun staff-favorite video game that we love for couch co-op. Guide Luigi with his ghost-busting vacuum cleaner through a haunted hotel. In co-op, play with a friend as Gooigi—a copy of Luigi made of strange green slime. Great game for kids and adults to play together.

Other things to know: Digital download. While we've seen this deal price before, it rarely drops lower. Can still be a little too spooky for younger children at times.

What we like: For fans of the classic Mario Party games, this staff favorite group game is a ton of fun for all ages and pleasingly unpredictable. Includes 5 classic Mario Party boards and 100 classic minigames.  Gamers with varying aptitude will appreciate fun curveballs.

Other things to know: One to four players. Intuitive controls. Digital version of game rarely goes on sale.

What we like: A nice-to-have gift card for owners of the Nintendo Switch, the most flexible pick in our game console guide. Essentially free money toward your next Nintendo eShop purchase. Keep for yourself or send to someone else as a gift.

Other things to know: Redeemable through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems for a single Nintendo account. A recurring deal, but still free money. Non-returnable and non-refundable. Costco membership required.

What we like: Our pick for the best stainless steel water bottle. A rugged chameleon of a water bottle that can adapt to numerous situations. Double-walled, stainless steel insulation. Wide mouth with easy-to-drink-from spout lid. The plastic top features a spout with a twist-on flip cap.

Other things to know: We’ve found very little not to love about this design. Takeya offers a limited lifetime warranty (receipt required). Deal for the 18 ounce size in midnight blue.

What we like: One of our favorite video games to play during winter and pretend it’s nice outside. Play as your favorite Nintendo character or design your own Mii and line up your shot on several different maps. Perfect game to relax into, or you can dive into a few battle modes and online play with Nintendo Switch Online.

Other things to know: The latest title in the Mario Golf series. Tee off with up to three other players. Mild cartoon violence. Digital download; sale price reflects in cart when buying through Best Buy.

What we like: One of our favorite video games of 2023. Takes everything that was great about the original and turns it up a notch. Offers engaging turn-based combat with layers of strategy, beautiful environments to explore, and one of the best video game soundtracks.

Other to things to know: Classic turn-based JRPG. Eight new travelers with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills. More about the journey, not the destination. Physical copy available for Nintendo Switch.

What we like: Our top pick for the best tumbler. This slim, powder-coated stainless steel tumbler fits easily in hands and cup holders. Effective insulation keeps drinks hot or cold for a few hours. Now comes with a closable plastic lid to reduce the likelihood of spills. Dishwasher-safe.

Other things to know: The ultimate commuter vessel but not meant to be thrown in a bag. Lid is closable, but not completely leakproof. Only on sale in the dew teal color.

What we like: Our pick for the best cable to connect a modern laptop to an HDMI monitor or TV. Well-designed and made with premium materials. Transmits a 4K signal at 60 Hz.

Other things to know: Deal for the grey color. Matches the lowest price we’ve seen on the 6-foot length, but it’s a recurring sale we see often. Lifetime warranty, if you sign up for the company’s newsletter.

What we like: A staff favorite mentioned in our guide to our favorite bath trays and accessories. Senior editor Marguerite Preston said, “I bought this bath pillow on a whim early in the pandemic, and while I cannot claim it is perfect or the best of its kind, it absolutely changed my bath experience.”

Other things to know: The Amazon listing suggests washing after every use and hang drying in a place exposed to sunlight and ventilation to avoid yellowing. Clip the on-page coupon. Matches lows we saw over Black Friday.

What we like: Our pick for a mysterious island getaway video game to ride out the end of winter. A low-pressure experience about exploration and observation, not shooting bad guys. Unravel a murderous family plot and solve clever environmental puzzles. Entire soundtrack is an ambient banger.

Other things to know: Plays well on the Steam Deck, and the immersive experience of exploring it in VR is also a treat. Digital download for PC/Mac. Deal ends March 10.

What we like: Our pick for the best down-alternative comforter under $50. Warm yet relatively breathable. Well-constructed and better at regulating heat than pricier down-alternative comforters we tried. Machine-washable. Comes with convenient corner tabs.

Other things to know: May be fine to use without a cover, but we still recommend one to extend its life. We haven’t been able to reach anyone at Utopia to ask whether the company itself offers any warranty (at this price, it’s doubtful). Deal for the queen size in white.

What we like: Our runner-up running belt pick for those who like compartmentalization. Features three separate pockets (one zippered, two flap-topped). Adjustable with a low profile. Light, breathable, and doesn’t bounce.

Other things to know: Clasp is more finicky than that of our top pick. One-size-fits-most, fitting waists from about 26 inches to 44 inches, and doesn’t offer a belt extender. Deal for the grey color.

What we like: Our pick for a stunning return to 2D acrobatic exploration from our guide to games to ride out the end of winter. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown surprised us all with tight controls and joyous acrobatic combat in this 2D side-scrolling platformer. You play as Sargon, an Immortal tasked with rescuing a prince from a time-distorted castle, but expect to see cameos from familiar faces scattered throughout the game. If you're a big fan of the Metroidvania structure (think Metroid, Super Meat Boy, Celeste), you'll find plenty to love in this new game.

Other things to know: Physical copy of the game. Available on all current-gen consoles at this price. Story follows a new, original adventure within the franchise. Runs at 60fps at 1080p when docked, 60fps 720p in handheld. Check out the demo in the Nintendo store to see if this is the right game for you.

What we like: A staff favorite couch co-op game for the Nintendo Switch. Play as novel little characters fighting through various dungeons to unlock new physical forms. All characters have their own abilities, so team members can complement each other. Simple, straightforward controls.

Other things to know: One to two players on a single system. Good for a variety of ages and experience levels. Digital download for Nintendo Switch.