Consumer Reports picks 8 budget gadgets under $50 worth buying

Cheap tech earns its keep when it removes a daily annoyance, not when it adds another gadget to charge. Consumer Reports says it has tested and reviewed products since 1936, buys at full retail, accepts no sample units, and expects to spend more than $30 million to test, rate, and review 10,000+ products and services. Its labels are built to flag products that clear benchmarks for performance, safety, predicted reliability and owner satisfaction, while Smart Buy is meant to help shoppers spot better deals in the ratings charts. That kind of rigor matters in a market where more than half of U.S. households subscribe to four or more streaming services, almost 1 in 10 subscribe to nine or more, and traditional pay-TV providers lost 4 million subscribers in the first half of 2024.

Anker Nano Portable Charger 22.5W 5,000mAh

The Anker Nano Portable Charger works because it collapses a power bank and a cable into one pocketable unit. Consumer Reports lists it in its portable-chargers category, and the model weighs 3.5 ounces, carries a 5,000mAh battery, delivers 22.5 watts, and uses a built-in USB-C connector; BGR puts the price at $26.99. The trade-off is that output drops to 18 watts if you charge a second device with a cable, and iPhone owners still need a separate USB-C cable, but for anyone tired of hauling a brick and a cord, the convenience is the point.

Apple AirTag

Apple AirTag is the cheapest way into Apple’s Find My network. Consumer Reports says the $30 coin-sized tracker attaches to almost anything and uses nearby iPhones to relay location, which makes it an easy fit for keys, bags, luggage and other items that tend to vanish at the wrong time. It beats a generic key finder when you already live inside Apple’s ecosystem, and it is cheaper than replacing the thing you lose.

Roku Express HD

Roku Express HD is the basic streaming stick that makes an older TV useful again. Consumer Reports’ ratings put it at $29.99, and the device is a compact HD streamer that plugs into the TV with a simple setup; CR’s buying guide notes that a dedicated streaming device is a simple, relatively inexpensive way to make any TV smart. That makes it a better use of cash than replacing a working set just to get newer apps, especially for a guest room or spare bedroom.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K starts at $29.99 and is the right fit when a main TV needs a cleaner app layer, especially if the household already uses Amazon services. Consumer Reports’ streaming guide says the big platforms are Amazon, Apple, Google and Roku, and stick-style players are the cheapest path to smart-TV functionality. For a living room with a good panel but clunky software, this is the fast fix that costs far less than a new television.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the better pick when you want 4K without moving to a bulkier box. BGR lists it at $44, and Consumer Reports says the 2021 model plugs directly into an HDMI port, added Dolby Vision support, and keeps the design compact enough to disappear behind most TVs. It is a stronger value than buying a whole new set if what you really want is a sharper picture, not a new screen.

JBL Go 3

JBL Go 3 is the sort of tiny speaker that earns a place in a kitchen, dorm room or carry-on bag. Consumer Reports says it is a monophonic Bluetooth speaker with IP67 dust and water resistance, about 0.5 pounds, and roughly five hours of claimed battery life; the price starts at $39.99 on Amazon. The sound is only fair at the limits, but that is the trade-off for something far more portable than a larger Bluetooth box, and it is a clear step up from a phone speaker when you want music in a small space.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max starts at $39.99, and the extra spend only makes sense if you actually feel lag in daily navigation. Consumer Reports places it in the 4K streaming class, which makes it the more suitable buy when faster app launches and less friction matter every day. If your current setup already feels quick, this is the one that is easiest to skip.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is the floor-price option in the group at $24.99. Consumer Reports places it squarely in the sub-$50 streaming category, and that makes it a smart choice for a secondary TV, dorm room or travel setup where you want a modern interface without paying for extras you will never use. It is the version that makes the strongest case for cheap being good enough.