Gifts for your phone or tablet under $50

Mobile accessories are great when you find some that make your phone or tablet do more, and that’s especially true with bang-for-the-buck options. Phones and tablets are already very capable in their own right, but there’s always room for improvement or enhancement. Whether it’s watching content on a bigger screen, juicing up a battery or being productive, these affordable accessories are worth it.

Chromecast with Google TV

By now, the Google Chromecast is a well-known device, and one you may have already used or owned. It’s a small, yet truly versatile dongle that only needs a spare HDMI port on your TV to help you stream a wide variety of video content through compatible smartphone apps.

The Chromecast with Google TV is a huge benefit in opening up access to a swath of TV shows and movies, music, sports, games, and radio stations. It does two things really well: First, it has its own smart TV interface you can control either through the remote or your voice. Second, it enables you to cast content over to it from smartphones, tablets, and computers so you can watch it on your TV. With Android devices, in particular, you can mirror your phone or tablet screen to play onto your TV. This also works with a Chrome browser on a Windows PC or Mac. It’s a great workaround for sharing photos or playing content from apps and websites.

Casting works with iOS and Android phones, iPads and Android tablets, Windows PCs, Macs, and Chromebooks. You may even have the chance to use the Chromecast on a hotel TV, or take it with you on vacation to use wherever you’re staying. At home or away, it’s easy to set up and connect to your Wi-Fi network to watch what you want.

Belkin 20000mAh dual USB power bank

Taking a block of power with you can be a lifesaver, and that’s precisely what a power bank is for. If keeping your phone or tablet going for longer on a given day is important, this is one way to do it.

The Belkin 2000mAh dual USB power bank finds the right balance between size and capacity, so it’s not too big, yet packs a lot of power inside to refill the average phone or tablet at least two or three more times. That’s handy when your device’s battery level hits a critical low and you desperately need to keep it on to finish a task or stay in touch.

It also doesn’t hurt that it comes in black, blue, and pink, giving you some choice for the special person you have in mind. It comes with its own USB cable, though it has two USB-A ports and one USB-C port, so it’s possible to charge up to three devices simultaneously. Any mobile device or small gadget that can charge through USB will work here.

If 20000mAh is too much for you, you can always go for something with smaller capacity. Belkin also makes variants with 10000mAh capacity, as well as more expensive models that include wireless charging surfaces.

JBL Go 3 waterproof Bluetooth speaker

Sometimes, a really small speaker is all one needs to listen to tunes, so why not consider the JBL Go 3? It’s in the name—it’s waterproof and wireless, making it easier to take it just about anywhere and appreciate the convenience of playing music or the latest podcast from a perch at home or on the road in a hotel room, for instance, given how simple it is to throw in a bag and travel with.

The IP67 protection keeps the speaker safe from water (watch out for saltwater though) and dust, so the beach isn’t out of the question. It’s also versatile enough to play around snow, in case you feel like taking it out in the cold. The small loop on the side allows you to hook it on to something and avoid misplacing it.

As for the sound itself, the Go 3 will pop a little more than its size indicates, but this is a compact Bluetooth speaker that delivers audio without much fuss. Connect to it, press play and that’s it. It works perfectly fine in cozy confines indoors, but won’t be out of place once you take it outside.

Tile Pro Bluetooth item tracker

Know someone who tends to be forgetful, or gets nervous thinking they may have misplaced something important? That’s where the Tile Pro Bluetooth item tracker comes in. This isn’t just a small device to tag an important item, it’s access to a much broader network in case said item gets lost or stolen. The tracker runs on a coin battery, so it will stay active for up to a year before you need to replace it, which is an easy process.

The Tile app works on iOS and Android, and once you’ve set up and registered the tracker, it can keep tabs on the item you’ve attached it to anytime you need. It has a loop to stick it onto a keychain, or you could throw it into a nook in a backpack or bag to ensure there’s some tracking that way. Some even hide them in their vehicles as a way to fight potential theft. That being said, Tile trackers aren’t impenetrable, and their range is limited to 400 metres. Beyond that, the tracker can communicate with other Tile users who are in range, helping to triangulate a location on the app.

Targus universal magnetic stylus

Using a stylus with a phone or tablet is often a personal choice, and if you count yourself or a special someone among such users, the Targus universal magnetic stylus might be one to look at. It keeps things simple without any of the frills of pricier options. It’s really just about putting a stylus to screen as a way to interface with your tablet. It also doesn’t matter if it’s an iPad, Android, or Windows tablet. This one will work with any touchscreen.

It’s a single-piece design with a metal body, so it’s more rugged than others made of plastic. It also has a magnet capable of latching onto devices that offer some form of magnetic contact, be it on the device itself or a case. The rubber tip is soft enough to reduce friction with screens, though isn’t as fine a point of contact as premium models usually are. Even so, it makes things convenient if the purpose is to navigate the screen, play games, or do the odd photo edit without using fingers.

There are no electronic components here, like a battery, leaving you nothing to recharge. It’s low-tech with the potential for a high return in usability. It’s also very affordable as an alternative to what else is available, some of which may be specific to certain brands. Even as a back up to one of those, the Targus universal magnetic stylus is worth keeping around.

Power banks, portable speakers, and styluses are only some of the affordable and useful mobile device accessories that you can give as much-appreciated gifts. Explore Best Buy’s large variety of phone accessories and tablet accessories for more inspiration.