A thoughtful gift needn’t be expensive to be perfect. A practical kitchen tool, new charging cables, or even a really good pair of socks can delight at a budget price. Here are the best gifts for $25 or less—note that although we made every effort to confirm that these items meet that threshold, prices can dance around a bit.
If you have a slightly larger budget, check out our guides to the best gifts under $50 and the best gifts under $100.
Personal reading light
This chic and compact device offers five brightness levels and three light temperatures, and its power indicator lets you know when to charge it.
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A bit of bling
With just enough room for cards and cash, this blingy little leather wallet, available in more than 20 metallic colors, is a simple alternative to bulky totes and carryalls.
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Cozy headlamp
This combination beanie and headlamp has a bright, rechargeable light embedded in a soft, warm hat.
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(select colors)
Tea-lover’s teapot
This teapot’s metal basket fills the whole glass pot, allowing the leaves to expand and steep fully. The short spout makes pouring easy and drip-free.
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Pretty pour over
The Kalita Wave’s flat bottom ensures an even extraction and excellent-tasting coffee.
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Grown-up markers
These double-tip pens draw like creamy markers and come in dozens of sophisticated shades. Great for kids, too-cool teens, and industrious adults.
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Elevated olive oil
Fragrant and grassy, this oil has a fair amount of pungency and a sharp bitterness. Pairs nicely with roasted vegetables, bread, and pasta.
Competition-grade cube
This highly adjustable and smooth-twisting cube is a great starting point for novice cubers and can keep up with more-experienced speed solvers.
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May be out of stock
Handiest screwdriver
This manual screwdriver combines smooth ratcheting action with excellent bit storage and a uniquely comfortable handle. It’s the most well-rounded, capable tool of its kind.
Speedy word game
This word-building game is played at breakneck speed, and it’s fun for groups of all ages.
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Party game
This interactive wordplay game, which asks players to find the spy in their midst using single-word clues, is fun for large and small groups.
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Tie-dye in a box
This low-mess kit includes gloves, rubber bands, dye, and squirt bottles to create bright, bold patterns.
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Artsy puzzle
At first glance, the bird-theme puzzle can seem repetitive, but upon closer look, each section proves to be full of subtle variation—perfect for puzzling.
Classic coffee cup
This ceramic cup replicates the classic Big Apple to-go design from 1963.
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Rainbow pencils
These artist-grade pencils lay down vibrant color, blend nicely, and are easy to sharpen.
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Cute potato
When you pat this USB-rechargeable potato lantern on the head or tummy, it emits a soft glow in one of three brightness levels.
Charging station
This inexpensive but reliable charging stand is terrific for overnight charging. It connects wirelessly to your phone, but you still need a USB wall charger.
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Citrus squeezer
This citrus juicer has a geared hinge that lends better leverage when you’re pressing cut citrus and prevents seeds from falling into drinks.
The best citrus juicer
This juicer is one of the very few models we’ve found with built-in pulp control and a self-contained pitcher.
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May be out of stock
Great grater
With its razor-sharp teeth and narrow face, this stainless zester allows cooks to reach every nook and cranny on a lemon or a cheese rind. Grab it in one of more than a dozen colors.
The best ice cream scoop
A favorite among ice cream shops, this scoop cuts smoothly into hard ice cream and produces perfect spheres. It’s also easier to clean than scoops with moving parts.
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Burn prevention
The silicone exterior on this oven mitt is not only heatproof but also grippy, easy to maneuver, and water resistant, while the polyester-cotton lining adds extra protection and comfort.
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Pretty press
We love the classic lines, the low price, and the consistent cup of coffee this French press produces. It also comes in a handful of great colors.
Reliable grinder
Although on the smaller side, this budget-friendly wooden pepper mill cuts and grinds consistently.
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Eco carryalls
The mesh drawstring bags in this set are made from recycled plastic bottles and are sturdy enough to transport produce or other items. They’re also extremely versatile and useful beyond the grocery store.
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Silicone storage
This multipurpose, durable bag seals securely, and it can hold everything from snacks to toiletries, go from fridge to freezer, and stand up on its own.
An everyday apron
Constructed from thick cotton, this affordable bib apron comes in a wide variety of colors and can be personalized.
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Perfect popcorn
Munchers can make and eat their popcorn in this single collapsible bowl made of microwave- and dishwasher-safe silicone.
Spicy sauces
This trio of mini jars includes the company’s three flagship condiments: Sichuan Chili Crisp, Zhong Sauce, and Mala Spice Mix. You can also opt for three of the wildly popular Sichuan Chili Crisp jars.
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Worldly snacks
This subscription box offers an exciting selection of sweet and savory snacks from a single country.
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Grown-up hot cocoa
Just add hot water or milk to this 70% single-origin cacao mix to produce a profoundly rich, creamy beverage.
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Stylish sunnies
A budget-friendly pair in the style of Ray-Ban Wayfarers, these sunglasses look good on just about anyone–and they stay put during workouts.
Bike bling
Made with reflective 3M Scotchlite material for better visibility, these spoke clips snap on easily and make dusk bike trips safer.
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Tiny lantern
This lantern fits in the palm of your hand and has two fold-up handles for hanging. Powered by three AAA batteries, it casts a strong, cool-white glow.
Cool water bottle
Shaped like a plastic drink bottle but made of double-walled, insulated stainless steel, this small-mouth, tapered container is a pleasure to hold.
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Cozy hands
Zippo’s 12-hour hand warmer runs for an average of 21 hours but requires lighter fluid and can’t be turned off—once it’s been started, it runs until it’s out of fuel.
Fashionable fanny pack
This sturdy, good-size fanny pack comes in plenty of colors and patterns. But the main compartment lacks organization.
Everything tool
This light, titanium-coated stainless steel multi-tool includes a pry bar, a wire stripper, two flathead screwdrivers, one Phillips screwdriver, and a bottle opener. Plus, it’s TSA-friendly.
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Affordable earbuds
These inexpensive wired earbuds sound much better than their low price suggests, and it’s no sweat if they’re lost at the gym.
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Tension reliever
OPTP balls have a dense, slightly spongy texture that’s still firm enough to roll out tight muscles or painful feet.
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Fancy lip balm
It’s thick and smooth, it feels moisturizing, and it comes in an attractive-looking squeeze tube. The range of tints and scents is also fun.
Sleep mask
Lightweight and contoured, this mask comfortably fits a variety of face shapes, and it blocks light well. The deep eye cups allow the eyes to flutter during sleep.
Tub tray
This simple bath tray looks lovely and is easy to use. It isn’t adjustable, though, so mind the dimensions.
Luxe notebook
This minimalist, lie-flat, lined notebook has a creamy texture that makes writing, sketching, or doodling delightful.
Facial massage
Though the jury is still out on the efficacy of facial massage to encourage lymphatic drainage and decrease under-eye puffiness, this pretty pink stone provides a pleasing, meditative ritual.
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Clear the air
A long way from those cloying pine trees, these subtle cardboard car fresheners are scented with fancy, elevated scents.
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Simple vases
Lab-style test tubes supported in an unfinished block of wood make a no-frills and highly effective propagation station or vase.
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Brass spritzer
If your pal has plants that prefer a light misting over a good soak, this handsome brass mister is just the ticket. And it holds up for years.
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Stylish tray
The extra-small diamond-shape version of these Danish powder-coated steel trays is a perfect ring, key, or coin catcher.
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Everyday hoodie
It doesn’t get simpler or more classic than this cotton-blend, zip-up hoodie with front pouch pockets.
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Eau de California
This charcoal-based incense burns for about an hour and smells like Big Sur in the summer, with notes of wild sage, eucalyptus, sea salt, redwood, and palo santo.
Classic stapler
Assembled by a small team of craftspeople outside Milan, this sleek, steel stapler features an artful design that resists jamming and sturdily fastens hefty packets.
Seed packets
Each of these pretty, pest-proof reusable tins is stocked with 10 packets of organic seeds for themed gardens. And if the seeds don’t flourish, the company will replace them.
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We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend.
This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.
Meet your guide
Samantha Schoech
Except for the time she gave a boyfriend her mother’s old toaster for Christmas, staff writer Samantha Schoech has a reputation as an excellent gift giver. She lives in San Francisco with two teens, two cats, a geriatric betta fish, and a bookseller husband. Her first book of short stories, My Mother’s Boyfriends, is coming out in 2024.
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Further reading
Great Gifts for Listening to Music
by Grant Clauser
Everyone loves music, so we researched and tested the best headphones, speakers, and audio gear to give as gifts.
The 100 Most Popular Wirecutter-Approved Gifts for Kids
by Wirecutter Staff
Here are the most-purchased Wirecutter-recommended gifts for kids so far this year.
The Most Popular Wirecutter-Approved Gifts of 2023
by Mari Uyehara and Wirecutter Staff
These 100 items are the most-purchased Wirecutter gifts so far this year.
13 Homemade Mother’s Day Gift Ideas From Kids
by Samantha Schoech
Moms know handmade gifts are the best gifts. Even better? When they’re as cute and useful as these handcrafted Mother’s Day gift ideas.