The Verge’s favorite holiday gifts under $100

The Echo Dot Max is an elegant redesign of Amazon’s orb-shaped smart speaker, with high-quality knit fabric, a flat face, a new LED ring, and touch controls. It’s the first Echo Dot with Amazon’s improved two-way speaker system and support for its new AI-powered assistant, Alexa Plus, which is enabled out of the box.

Nomad’s leather MagSafe wallet snaps to the back of your iPhone and has enough space to hold up to four cards. More importantly, it offers integration with Apple’s vast Find My network, allowing you to track its location. Its battery can last up to five months, too, and it can be topped off on a Qi wireless charger.

The allure of Ugreen’s 65W Nexode charger is simple: It features a built-in retractable USB-C cable, so you don’t need an extra accessory to charge your gadgets. The cable extends to over 2 feet and securely locks at any length. It also features additional USB-C and USB-A ports, allowing you to charge three devices simultaneously.

We here at The Verge are big fans of pen and paper for taking notes, jotting down ideas, and keeping track of assignments. The Midori MD Notebook is a minimal A5 lined notebook that features high-quality paper that won’t bleed through. A slight texture gives the paper a satisfying feel while writing, and the notebook can lie flat without you having to fight it to stay open.

If you’re on a DIY kick, iFixit’s Pro Tech Go Toolkit deserves a spot in your bag. The portable driver kit includes a variety of specialty bits needed to open devices ranging from phones to laptops and gaming consoles. It also comes with tweezers, spudgers, a small suction cup, and opening picks to pry open your devices. Good luck on your repairs!

Lego delivered a gigantic dose of nostalgia with a near-perfect replica of Nintendo’s 1989 handheld. The 421-piece set captures the Game Boy’s many buttons, grilles, and curves remarkably well, while the lenticular screen inserts give the illusion of a working unit. It even comes with several brick-ified cartridges you insert into a slot in the back.

A level is an essential tool for DIYers, and none is more foolproof than Franklin’s 12-inch Light Level. The magnetic device turns red when it’s crooked and green when it’s level, so you don’t have to rely solely on a bubble vial (though it includes two built-in bubble vials as well). It runs on a single AA battery and can be seen from almost every angle, regardless of how bright your environment is.

A thoughtful gift that works for nearly everyone, Apple Gift Card lets recipients choose what brings them joy. They can put it toward a subscription they already love, discover new cooking and travel apps, or pick up Apple accessories. Delivery is simple with digital or physical options, fitting any holiday moment.

Leatherman’s compact Free T4 is a nice entry into the world of multitools — and the one I carry every day. Despite its smaller size, it features 12 tools, including a 420HC knife and spring-action scissors. My favorite is the combination package opener and awl, which is great for opening boxes and plastic blister packaging. Plus, it comes with Leatherman’s famed 25-year warranty.

A desk pad is a simple, affordable way to elevate your entire setup. Twelve South’s is made from soft vegan leather that’s comfortable and looks great, with a textured surface that provides subtle resistance for more precise mouse movements. And, like any good pad, it protects your workspace from dings and spills while keeping accessories in place.

CMF’s higher-end earbuds offer a lot for the price, including active noise cancellation and a transparency mode that should keep you aware of your surroundings. The charging case also has a smart dial that lets you adjust the volume and switch between noise modes, while multipoint support means the Buds Pro 2 can connect to two devices simultaneously.

Anker’s travel-friendly 3-in-1 wireless charging station features a trifold design, making it easy to fold down and throw in a bag. Its main charging pad provides an output of 15W to a smartphone, while the other two pads are suitable for a smartwatch and wireless earbuds. Your purchase comes with a 40W adapter and 5-foot USB-C cable, too, giving you everything you need to start charging.

Victrola’s AM / FM Bluetooth radio features a retro-inspired design, complete with an analog tuner and dials for controlling the volume, bass and treble, and different listening modes. The wood finish, rotary dial, and gold accents really complete the vintage look, while its compact design makes it easy to place on a desk or bookshelf.

Donkey Kong Bananza for the Nintendo Switch 2 is a bona fide system seller. Made by the same team behind Super Mario Odyssey, it delivers satisfying punch action and environmental destruction. If you want a game where you can — if you’ll excuse the pun — go ape shit, then Donkey Kong Bananza is for you.

The Criterion Channel is a streaming service that offers a curated selection of classic and contemporary films that appeal to both enthusiasts and general audiences. The service is home to great ’70s thrillers like All the President’s Men and The Long Goodbye and horror classics like The Fly and Cure. If you’re looking for an alternative to Netflix, it doesn’t get much better than this.

This leather valet tray has been a favorite of mine for years, providing an excellent spot for my keys, wallet, and sunglasses. It features a simple, elegant design that’s made from vegetable-tanned leather and finished with a soft suede interior, so it shouldn’t scratch your lenses or other delicate belongings. Mine has aged beautifully and makes for a great accent on our entry table.

Everyone needs a good tote bag. Patagonia’s Black Hole offering is made from a recycled ripstop that can shrug off rain and everyday wear and tear. It’s an excellent go bag for a weekend getaway, with a large main compartment, a small interior pocket, and exterior daisy chain webbing that allows you to easily tack on extra gear.

The Amazon Smart Plug is a simple and inexpensive way to automate gadgets around your home. For instance, you can instruct Alexa to turn on a lamp that’s connected to the plug or control it via the Alexa app — no smart home hub required. The plug is compatible with most devices with an on / off switch, including fans, coffee makers, and other common household devices. It’s also great for controlling holiday lights.

With the film adaptation of Project Hail Mary just around the corner, now’s a great time to catch up on the book from The Martian author Andy Weir. The space odyssey chronicles one man’s mission to save the Earth; however, in doing so, it also explores the nature of sacrifice, friendship, and particle physics. Lots and lots of particle physics.

JLab’s ultra-portable speaker can pump out the holiday tunes wherever you celebrate. It offers up to eight hours of continuous playtime, and it can pair with a second Pop Party to create stereo sound. You can also customize the speaker’s RGB lighting, while its IP55 rating means it can endure an accidental spill.

The Switch 2 Pro Controller is a solid upgrade over its predecessor, offering two extra programmable rear buttons, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a more premium look and feel. It offers the usual motion controls and Amiibo NFC support, too. The controller can also wake the Switch 2 from sleep, something that many third-party controllers can’t do.

Dessert for breakfast? With Ninja’s Belgian waffle maker, it’s never been easier to make a batch of perfect golden waffles. The vertical design promises even heating, while a specialty setting can accommodate thicker batters like cake and brownie mix. An alert system will also beep when cook time is up, ensuring you get a perfect waffle every time.

Keychrons are the equivalent of Toyotas in the mechanical keyboard world, offering reliability and a great value for the money. The 75-percent V1 Max features RGB backlighting, USB-A and USB-C 2.4GHz dongles, and modifier keycaps for both Windows and Mac. Plus, it offers simple customization that lets you remap any key to your favorite macro command.

Ikea’s Blomprakt is a Bluetooth speaker lamp that looks like normal home decor. It features Spotify Tap functionality and an integrated LED light, which you can dim as you wind down for bed. It also leverages Bluetooth 5.3 to offer a multi-speaker setup, making it easy to pair with a second model with just the tap of a button.

Historical horror, as a genre, is severely underrated. Stephen Graham Jones’ gruesome tale of a Blackfeet man who becomes a vengeful vampire in 19th-century Montana is proof that, when done right, it can be as poetic and pointed as any piece of contemporary literature.

This single-use camera from Kodak comes preloaded with 27 exposures of Tri-X 400, a gorgeous, grainy black-and-white film. It sports a 30mm f/10 plastic lens that churns out decently sharp images, plus a built-in flash that you can turn on and off via a button on the front. Like most single-use cameras, this one has a lens with a fixed focus range (about 3 feet to infinity) and shutter speed of 1/125 second.

The MX Anywhere 3S is a compact, do-everything mouse that travels well. It offers 8K DPI tracking, so movements cover big distances, and it works on glass. The MagSpeed wheel can rip through long docs or switch to precise ratchets. It can pair with up to three devices over Bluetooth, both Mac and Windows, and offers up to 70 days of battery life.

If you’re tired of digital to-do apps, this starter kit from Ugmonk is a nice analog alternative. The task cards are split into today, next, and someday, while the steel holder keeps your current card visible, so you always know what’s going on. You get 30 today cards, giving you a clean slate each morning, and the tabbed divider turns the finished cards into a small archive.

The Roku Ultra streams in crisp 4K and supports premium formats like Dolby Vision and Atmos. The latest model is faster than its predecessor, adds Wi-Fi 6 and HDMI 2.1, and keeps the ethernet port. Meanwhile, the upgraded Voice Remote Pro adds backlit buttons, USB-C charging, and new quick-launch controls, making it easier to navigate to your favorite service.

Acquire is one of those board games that continues to fly under the radar decades into its existence. The family-friendly strategy game puts you in charge of various hotel chains, which you’ll build, expand, and merge over the course of 90 minutes or so. It’s not as tough to learn as Monopoly, though it can be just as ruthless when you factor in the trades and the volatility of the stock market.

Even the most advanced smartphone cameras struggle to stabilize shaky video. However, with the DJI Osmo Mobile 7, you can attach your phone and record pro-level footage that’s silky smooth, whether you’re vlogging or capturing holiday shenanigans. The handy gimbal features easy-to-use controls, an ergonomic handle, and a built-in tripod, so you can place it on a flat surface if necessary.

Ring’s latest battery buzzer features head-to-toe video, improved battery life, and color night vision, all of which are great features for keeping an eye on deliveries. It can also send you motion alerts and capture sharp 1080p HD video, while a two-way talk feature lets you have a quick convo with visitors directly from the Ring app.

Slippers are a tried-and-true holiday gift, no matter your age or gender. The North Face’s outdoorsy take reimagines the classic booty with a water-repellent DWR finish, a grippy rubber sole, and warm, synthetic insulation that holds up even when wet. They might look a little funky on the street, sure, but don’t ever forget that Uggs were once a capital-T Thing.

This retro-style alarm clock features a delightful spherical design with a bright LCD. It plugs in via USB for the illuminated display, but uses AAA batteries to remember the time and alarm if power cuts out. You get one alarm with snooze, three brightness levels, plus a temperature readout. The throwback design will look great on a desk or nightstand.

Good, screen-free entertainment can be hard to come by for kids — which is where the latest Yoto Mini comes in. The travel-friendly audio gadget features a clock, an alarm, white noise, and a night light; however, its real selling point is that you can use it to play music and tell stories via a robust collection of more than 1,000 cards.