If you're down to your last lobster, you'll still be able to afford these quality tech and gaming gifts for Christmas this year.
30+ tech gifts under $20 that won’t disappoint
1 min readWith every blow 2022 has dealt us (and don't even get me started on 2021), it's no surprise that many Australians are planning to spend less on Christmas this year.
Last year, one in three Australians told us that they were worried or stressed about paying for gifts. Worse yet, nearly one-quarter of Australians said they'd need to borrow money to help cover the cost of Christmas this year.
There are plenty of ways you can cut back on costs this year. Handmade gifts and Secret Santa arrangements are two growing trends that help you keep the spirits high, and the costs low. But if you're working with a strict budget and want something to sit under the Christmas tree, you can still find some quality gadgets and games for a crisp $20 note and change.
Let's take a squiz at some of the best tech and gaming gifts for under $20 in Australia.
Audio and smart home gifts for $20 or less
Moki EXO Evolve Bluetooth Earphones
Moki's EXO Evolve Bluetooth headphones are a cheap and cheerful earful of wireless audio delivered through 10mm drivers for audio on-the-go. The battery will only last 2 hours so they're not suited for all-day use but at $20 they'll be a low-cost companion for the fitness fanatic in your family.
Key specs
Battery life
2 hours
Charging time
2 hours
Connection
Micro-USB
Speaker driver
10mm
Starting from
$28 at Amazon
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Colusi V16 gaming headset
Despite the price and brand attached to this thrifty gaming headset, you're still getting a set of memory foam ear cushions, a noise reduction microphone and multi-platform compatibility. The only major downside is that the Colusi V16 only has noise isolating fit rather than true noise cancelling, but that should only make it easier to get your loved one's attention while they're in the middle of a skirmish.
Key specs
Connectivity
Wired
Compatibility
PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, PC, Mobile
Connection
3.5mm headphone jack
Speaker driver
40mm
Starting from
$19.95 at Amazon Australia
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Homespot Bluetooth Speaker
This portable Bluetooth speaker from HomeSpot might be cheap, but it sicks a lot of boxes thanks to a rugged design, 24 hours of battery life and IP66 water resistance.
Key specs
Speaker output
6W
Durability
IP66
Connection
MicroUSB charging cable
Battery life
24 hours
Starting from
$19.99 at Amazon Australia
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Edifier M1250 Compact USB Speaker System
Whether they are working from home or a PC gamer, an external PC speaker system is sure to come in handy at some stage. This dual USB-powered speaker system from Edifier is low-cost but it gets the job done (plus, it comes with a 12-month warranty).
Key specs
Speaker output
0.6W x 2
Weight
550g
Connection
USB 2.0 or 3.5mm audio jack
Starting from
$19 at Amazon
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Gaming and computer accessories
Rayman Legends for Switch
If you're planning on buy a video game for someone but have no idea what they're into, Rayman Legends is a safe bet for young and old. It's rhythm-based co-operative platforming is easy to learn, tricky to master and oh-so addictive.
Key specs
Platform
Nintendo Switch (also available for Xbox and PlayStation)
Rating
G
Players
Up to 4 players
Starting from
$19 at Amazon Australia
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
8BitDo Zero 2 Game Pad
This ultra-portable game pad is compatible with just about every console and platform. In this teeny tiny (20.7g) package, the 8BitDo Zero 2 Game Pad holds up to 8 hours battery life and Bluetooth connectivity. This pick steps ever so slightly over our $20 budget but it was too cute to ignore.
Key specs
Platform support
Nintendo Switch, PS4/5, XBO/S/X, Android and iOS
Connectivity
Bluetooth, MicroUSB charging
Dimensions and weight
73 x 36.5 x 14.7mm, 20.7g
Starting from
$35 at Amazon Australia
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
PowerA Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Comfort Grips
Considering its enduring popularity, there's no doubt someone you know will be receiving one this year (or already owns one). If there's one criticism that could be levelled at the Switch, it's that the Joy-Con controllers aren't very ergonomic when you're playing in TV mode. That's why a decent comfort grip, like this affordable and officially-licensed PowerA model is a good gift for any Nintendo Switch owner.
Key specs
Compatibility
Nintendo Switch and Switch OLED (not compatible with Switch Lite)
Colours
Red and Black (Pikachu and Animal Crossing Editions also available)
Starting from
$24.95 at Amazon
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
HyperX FURY S Pro Gaming Mouse Pad (Medium)
When is a mousepad a mousepad, and when is it a GAMING mousepad? According to HyperX, it's when your mousepad has seamless "anti-fray stitching" and options for precision or speed. Regardless, if you want to please a PC gamer this year, a brand-new mousepad would never go astray.
Key specs
Sizing
Available in Medium (360 x 300mm,) Large (450 x 400mm) and Extra Large (900 x 420mm)
Material
Cloth top and rubber underside
Starting from
$25 at Amazon Australia
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Powerwave Switch Crystal Protective Case
If someone you know has opted for the slimmer Nintendo Switch OLED, they'll appreciate some protection that still shows off their colour of choice. The Crystal Protective Case from Powerwave does just that without adding to much bulk to the overall size.
Key specs
Features
Kick stand for tabletop play
Warranty
12 months
Starting from
$19.95 at Amazon Australia
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
AmazonBasics Play Stand for Nintendo Switch
Even though the original Nintendo Switch includes a kickstand, it has a few flaws. Firstly, using the Switch in tabletop mode means you can't access the charging port below and secondly, the viewing angle isn't ideal. This play stand is the perfect solution for anyone who's ready for a round of competitive Mario Kart at any given moment.
Key specs
Features
Play while charging and adjust viewing angles
Design
Collapsible, lightweight
Starting from
$14.90 at Amazon
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
4-Controller Charging Stand Dock Charger for Nintendo Switch
Everyone with a standard or OLED Nintendo Switch knows the pain of keeping their spare controllers charged. This Charging Dock houses up to four Joy-Cons and two Switch Pro controller, keeping everything topped up and ready for action.
Key specs
Features
LED charging indicators
Connections
2 x USB-C and 4 x Joy-Con rails
Starting from
$16.98 at Amazon Australia
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
PS5 Controller Charging Dock with Display
Similar to our last pick, PlayStation 5 owners are no strangers to the heartbreak of a DualSense with no charge. This super-cheap option keeps up to two DualSense controllers charged up while also serving as tidy storage solution for your controllers.
Key specs
Features
LED Indicators
Connections
2x PS5 DualSense Controllers
Starting from
$18.99 at Amazon Australia
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Kogan Batman Edition RGB 6400dpi Gaming Mouse
It's not often you find a licensed product that shows off your fandom while doing a very decent job at a great price, but that seems to be the case with Kogan's Batman Edition RGB Gaming Mouse. It comes with adjustable DPI (sensitivity), RGB lighting and a noice 1.5m braided cable. Lois, my Bat-Sense is tingling.
Key specs
RGB profiles
6 options
DPI/sensitivity levels
800, 1600, 2400, 3200, 4800, and 6400
Weight
120g
Starting from
$19.99 at Kogan
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Kogan RGB LED Gaming Keyboard & Mouse Pad
Imagine a mouse pad that was large enough to support both your mouse and keyboard. Now imagine it glows all the colours of the rainbow and costs less than twenty buckaroos. Well, imagine no longer because that's exactly what this gift offers.
Key specs
Lighting
14-mode adjustable LED RG lighting
Connection
1.8m braided USB cable
Length
80cm
Starting from
$19.99 at Kogan
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Atrix LED Light Strips
Don't ask us why but if there's one thing serious gamers value more than gaming itself, it is an absurd amount of colourful RGBs illuminating everything they own. This 5-meter USB-powered RGB light strip will light up any gamer cave without the need to constantly replace bulbs or batteries.
Key specs
Length
5-meter
Smart Assistant
Alexa, Google Assistant
Remote
IR remote with adjustable brightness included
Starting from
$16.24 at Amazon Australia
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Gift cards
PlayStation Store Gift Card
If your loved one hangs their hat in Sony's home of interactive entertainment, a new PS5 owner will always appreciate a little extra cash to spend in this year's PlayStation Store holiday sales.
Key specs
Platforms
PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 Pro and PlayStation 4
Starting from
$15 at Prezzee
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Gift Card
The Xbox fan in your family can technically use this gift card for any digital purchase through the Xbox store but chances are, it will be best put towards a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Instead of purchasing a single game, a Game Pass subscription gives you access to a huge library of Xbox and PC games for a single monthly fee—kind of like how Netflix works for TV and movies.
Key specs
Platforms
Xbox One, Xbox One S/X, Xbox Series S/X and Windows PC
Starting from
$10 at Microsoft Store
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Tech gifts for kids
VTech Toot-Toot Drivers Deluxe Track Set
V-tech has the monopoly on educational technology for youngsters but this colourful train set is a fun activity for the whole family to get involved with this holiday season. It features 30 interchangeable track pieces and three 'SmartPoint' locations that can be used to trigger a variety of lights and sounds.
Key specs
Recommended ages
1 to 5 years old
Pieces
30 track pieces and 3 SmartPoint locations (Toot-Toot Drivers not included)
Starting from
🔥$19 at Amazon
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
13-in-1 Educational Solar Robot Kit
Another fun project for the Holiday season? Build your own solar-powered robot and kickstart the inevitable robot revolution with your little ones. This kit includes enough components to build 13 different robots, so you build it and dismantle it as many times as you like.
Key specs
Recommended age
10 years and up
Materials
Plastic and metal
Starting from
$13.99 at Amazon
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Remote Control Tarantula
Don't have time to build your own robot? This remote control Tarantula from Discovery is primed and ready to haunt your relatives at Christmas lunch straight out of the box. A terrible idea? Depends on the severity of your arachnophobia but the old fake spider gag never fails to entertain the young ones in our family.
Key specs
Recommended ages
6 years and up
Battery
Tarantula (Requires 3 x AAA 1.5V batteries), Remote Control (Requires 3 x AAA 1.5V batteries)
Starting from
$32.45 at Amazon
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Lifestyle tech
Kogan Pulse+ Temp Thermometer Smart Watch
Love it or hate it, there's no arguing that Kogan offers some outrageous deals on tech. This touchscreen, 1.4-inch smartwatch and fitness tracker is proof of that. If you know someone who is keen to dip their toes into the world of smartwatches without breaking the bank, the Kogan Pulse+ Body Temperature Thermometer Smart Watch is a good place to start.
Key specs
Colour options
Grey, Ruby and Pink
Water resistance
IP68
Features
5 training modes, step and calorie counting, heart rate monitor, body temperature and sleep tracking
Starting from
$19.99 at Kogan
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Fancy Premium Leather Apple Watch Band
Alternatively, if your loved one has already joined the cult of Apple and paid a premium for an Apple Watch, you could buy them a budget leather band that looks like a million bucks.
Key specs
Colour
Black
Material
100% genuine leather
Starting from
$9.99 at Kogan
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Homedics Quatro Mini Massager
After pounding the sidewalk all day with their fancy new fitness tracker, your loved one will be buzzing with a newfound motivation. That is until the sore muscles take hold. The Homedics Quatro Mini Massager is a cheap and effective way for them to rub out the tension from the day so they're fighting fit the morning after.
Key specs
Colours
Blue and Pink
Battery
2 x AAA batteries
Warranty
12-month warranty
Starting from
$12.95 at Amazon Australia
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Phone accessories
Cat Selfie Phone Mount
This gift is purrty self-explanatory. Every cat owner knows their defiant feline wouldn't sit still for the 'Gram if their live depended on it. But this silicon phone mount is a game changer. Shake your phone and ring a bell to catch your kitty's attention and capture a perfect selfie with pussy cat.
Key specs
Compatibility
All cats and most smartphones
Colour and material
Purple silicone
Starting from
$14.95 at Kogan
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Miracase Universal Magnetic Car Phone Holder
If you've got a friend who relies on Google Maps or Apple Maps (who am I kidding, nobody relies on Apple Maps) while navigating the roads, a magnetic phone cradle will make their life a lot easier and probably a little safer. This budget phone mount clips your car's air vent and comes with an adhesive magnet to stick to the back of your smartphone, so it will universally fit every smartphone available.
Key specs
Magnet type
Neodymium magnets
Compatibility
Smartphones, tablets or GPS units
Starting from
$18.87 at Amazon
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Bamboo Tech Holder
This simple, bamboo cradle is the perfect low-cost gift for the tech head in your life with more gear than they know what to do with. It's simple, stylish and will help declutter your giftee's office.
Key specs
Material
Bamboo
Storage
Watch, smartphone, tablet and stylus
Weight
200g
Starting from
$24.99 at Amazon Australia
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
Clip on Light Reading Lights with Cell Phone Holder
Whether you know a budding streamer, someone who takes a lot of video calls or simply someone who wants to read by their bedside without a larger lamp, this clip-based setup will light up their day. For less than $22, this device acts as a makeshift phone/camera mount and an adjustable ring light.
Key specs
Brightness
10 adjustable brightness levels
Lighting modes
White light, Warm yellow light and Warm yellow-white light
Starting from
$21.99 at Amazon
Pricing only accurate as of last page update.
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