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I like cheap fixes for life’s little problems. Tired of hunching over your laptop? Raise the screen with a laptop stand. Sick of that laptop’s imprecise touchpad? Switch to a wireless mouse.
Today I bring you five such problem-solvers, all of them priced $9 or less. (OK, $9.17 or less; hope you don’t mind me rounding down.) As always, these are available for a limited time and while supplies last. All codes and coupons have been tested and were working at the time of this writing.
FutureCharger
AirPods wireless charging stand
$9 with coupon and promo code (save $6)
Amazon seller: FutureCharger
Price: $9.17 with 10%-off on-page coupon and promo code 306HOPDW
Do you own AirPods Pro or AirPods with Wireless Charging Case? Then consider a dedicated charging station for it. This dock — available in your choice of four colors — makes sure your case sits in exactly the right position. If you’ve ever tried wireless charging on a standard Qi pad, you know that getting it properly placed can be a little tricky.
The dock comes with a USB-C cable, but as with most such devices, it’s up to you to supply the powered USB port.
See at Amazon
Vic Tech
Vic Tech wireless mouse (Update: Expired)
$3 with coupon and promo code (save $7)
Amazon seller: Youyun mouse
Price: $3 with $4-off on-page coupon and promo code NH5GZ9W2
Touchpads are objectively terrible. Switch to a wireless mouse and your productivity will increase considerably. Don’t believe me? It’ll cost you a measly $3 to find out if I’m right. This generic mouse has elegant lines, adjustable DPI settings and a low-profile USB receiver that you can store inside the mouse when it’s not in use.
You supply the AA battery that powers it; it’ll last you up to 18 months, according to the vendor.
See at Amazon
Dodocool
Dodocool height-adjustable portable laptop stand
$7 with promo code (save $7)
Amazon seller: FLYtomorrow
Price: $7 with promo code G6N6N28X
Hot take: Laptops were never designed to be full-time work computers. They were for travel, for working a few hours here and there. They’re an ergonomically poor choice for anything more. And yet that’s what most of us use now, all day every day.
One smart fix: Raise the screen so it’s closer to eye level and you’re not perpetually hunched over. You can do that easily and cheaply with this folding, portable stand, which can work with all laptop sizes and offers a choice of four viewing angles.
The only downside here is now your keyboard is angled up, which isn’t great for your wrists. The fix for that: a wireless keyboard (which only makes sense now that you’ve got that wireless mouse, above). Here’s a top-rated Bluetooth keyboard for $16, but that’s just one option; there are countless others available.
See at Amazon
Ephiioniy
Universal waterproof phone pouch 2-pack
$7 with promo code
Amazon seller: Lrkwxk
Price: $7.40 with promo code RJQR2LCU
Headed to the beach? Pool? River on a kayak? Do yourself a favor and bring along one of these waterproof pouches, which will keep your phone bone-dry even if it gets dunked.
What’s nice is that you can actually use your phone while it’s in the bag, which is large enough to accommodate models as large as 6 inches.
Worth nothing: There are zillions of these on Amazon, some that can also float. And here’s a similar four-pack for just $10. Mostly I just wanted you to know these exist, and that they’re cheap and useful.
See at Amazon
3M
3M All-in-One Small Hole Repair Kit
$6 (save $2)
The discount is small; the usefulness of the product is huge. Because on occasion everyone needs to repair a small hole or gauge in a wall, and this little tube does it all.
It’s filled with spackle; just squeeze out what you need where you need it, then scrap away the extra using the built-in putty knife. After it dries, sand it using the cap.
Note that although this is available for free Prime shipping, it currently “ships within eight days.”
See at Amazon
See anything you like? đ
CNET’s Cheapskate scours the web for great deals on tech products and much more. For the latest deals and updates, follow him on Facebook and Twitter. You can also sign up for deal texts delivered right to your phone. Find more great buys on the CNET Deals page and check out our CNET Coupons page for the latest Walmart discount codes, eBay coupons, Samsung promo codes and even more from hundreds of other online stores. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Answers live on our FAQ page.
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