10 Secret Santa & White Elephant Tech Gifts Under $25 (2026)
Gift exchanges are tricky: a small budget and, often, a person you barely know. Small tech accessories are a safe bet because nearly everyone has a phone, a laptop and a messy cable drawer. Each pick below is inexpensive, broadly useful and unlikely to be regifted next year.
The picks at a glance
- 1Tile Mate Bluetooth trackerAmazon (opens in a new tab)
- 2Qi wireless charging padAmazon (opens in a new tab)
- 3Retractable USB-C cableAmazon (opens in a new tab)
- 4Phone grip standAmazon (opens in a new tab)
- 5Flexible phone tripod with remoteAmazon (opens in a new tab)
- 6Screen cleaning kitAmazon (opens in a new tab)
- 7Earbud cleaning penAmazon (opens in a new tab)
- 8Webcam privacy coverAmazon (opens in a new tab)
- 9Cable organizer clipsAmazon (opens in a new tab)
- 10LED keychain flashlightAmazon (opens in a new tab)
Budget note: we chose product types that usually sell for under $25. Amazon prices change often and vary by seller, size and pack count, so check the current price before you buy.
1. Tile Mate Bluetooth tracker
Best for: Anyone, any phone
Why we picked it: Works with both iPhone and Android through the Tile app, which makes it one of the few trackers that's safe to give someone when you don't know their phone.
Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)2. Qi wireless charging pad
Best for: Desks and nightstands
Why we picked it: Set the phone down and it charges, no fumbling for a cable in the dark. A small upgrade that gets used every day.
Good to know: Works with phones that support Qi wireless charging, which includes recent iPhones and most flagship Android phones.
Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)3. Retractable USB-C cable
Best for: Commuters, travelers
Why we picked it: A charging cable that reels itself back in, so it never tangles in a bag. Since most new phones and laptops now use USB-C, it's broadly useful.
Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)4. Phone grip stand
Best for: One-handed scrollers
Why we picked it: A grip on the back of the phone that doubles as a kickstand for videos and video calls. Cheap, practical and works on almost any phone or case.
Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)5. Flexible phone tripod with remote
Best for: Group photos, video calls
Why we picked it: A bendable tripod that wraps around a railing or stands on a table, with a remote shutter for group photos where everyone is actually in the shot.
Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)6. Screen cleaning kit
Best for: Everyone with a screen
Why we picked it: Spray and microfiber cloth for phones, laptops and TVs. It sounds boring, and it gets used more than almost anything else in a gift exchange.
Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)7. Earbud cleaning pen
Best for: Earbud owners
Why we picked it: A pen-sized tool with a brush and pick for cleaning earbuds and their charging case. A small fix for a problem most people didn't realize they had.
Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)8. Webcam privacy cover
Best for: Laptop users
Why we picked it: Thin slide covers for laptop and tablet cameras. Inexpensive peace of mind, and usually sold in multi-packs so there's one for every device.
Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)9. Cable organizer clips
Best for: Messy desks
Why we picked it: Adhesive clips that keep charging cables from sliding behind the desk or nightstand. The kind of tiny upgrade people end up buying more of.
Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)10. LED keychain flashlight
Best for: Car keys, dog walks
Why we picked it: A tiny, bright light that lives on a keyring for finding a keyhole or dropped item in the dark. Often sold in multi-packs, so you can keep one too.
Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Gift-buying tips
- Avoid anything tied to one phone brand (like Lightning or AirPods accessories) unless you know what they use.
- For white elephant, practical-but-fun beats gag gifts: these are the items people tend to steal.
How we picked
We look for widely available products that solve a specific, everyday problem, and skip novelty items that tend to end up in a drawer. We don't accept payment for placement, and we don't publish star ratings, review counts or prices we can't keep current. We haven't hands-on tested every product here, so we describe what each one does and who it suits rather than inventing scores. More about how we pick.