7 ways to spend that $25 gift card

This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.

Some people may look down on gift cards as kind of a cop-out when it comes to presents, but I have always been thrilled to get one for Christmas or birthdays. It’s like free money that I don’t have to feel guilty about not putting it towards something responsible. If you found a $25 gift card tucked away in your stocking this year, you could always use it to knock a chunk off a larger purchase. But there are also plenty of nifty gadgets you can pick up in the sub-$25 range, especially considering that there are some great end-of-the-year deals available right now. 

Here are some of our favorite picks to help you get the most out of that $25 gift card, with options at Amazon, Best Buy, Target and Walmart.

Anker

Anker Magnetic Wireless Charger: $16

Ditch the wires

Most newer phones support wireless charging, so why not start using the new tech with a cheap wireless charger. This Anker model supports all phones with wireless charging, with the added bonus of snapping magnetically to MagSafe-equipped iPhones. It’s definitely worth grabbing for yourself, especially at just $16.

$16 at Amazon

Bandai America

Tamagotchi electronic game

Relive the joy of having an electronic pet

Tamagotchis have been around for close to a quarter of a century, and they’ve never really gone out of style. These electronic pets — which you wash, feed and “train” — are equally good for younger Pokemon fans and nostalgic older folks. There are over 30 different colors and designs available, so grab your favorite or start building your collection now.

$20 at Amazon

Rak

Rak Magnetic Wristband

Give yourself an extra hand at work

Have you ever reached in your pocket while on a ladder only to drop the screw you need all the way down because it slipped out of your hand? If not, you’re lucky, and if so you need this accessory. It holds drill bits, screws, tools and more using its strong magnets and is adjustable to fit wrists of all sizes.

$18 at Amazon

Sarah Tew/CNET

Roku Express 4K Plus (2021)

Stream all your favorite programs

Named a CNET Editor’s choice, this tiny box can transform any TV with an HDMI input into a smart TV with a simple plug in. It instantly gives you access to all your favorite streaming services, from HBO Max to Disney Plus, in dazzling 4K resolution, along with HDR support for vivid colors and crisp details. The remote not only lets you browse your Roku channels, but controls your TV as well, so you can toggle the power and control the volume without swapping remotes. This advanced Roku streamer typically costs $40, but you can grab it right now for 40% off.

$24 at AmazonYou’re receiving price alerts for Roku Express 4K Plus (Black, 2021)

Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Google Nest Mini: $25

Run your home with just your voice


Oct 2019

The Nest Mini is Google’s entry level smart speaker, and offers a great chance to start building up your smart home without breaking the bank. Check the weather and news, play music, or control other smart devices like your lights or TV with only the sound of your voice. The new second-gen model also features a learning chip that will track any patterns in your requests and start anticipating them, helping this smart speaker blend seamlessly into your home and routine. Read our Nest Mini (2nd gen) review.

Read our Google Nest Mini review.

 

$25 at WalmartYou’re receiving price alerts for Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen, Charcoal)

Tile

Tile Mate

Never lose your keys again

Between your phone, wallet, backpack or purse, when you leave the house, there’s a good chance you’re taking a lot more than $25 worth of stuff with you. This bluetooth tracking tag is great way to keep ensure you never have to worry about losing track of your stuff, and is a lot more affordable than having to replace any lost items. If you’re within 250 ft. of your Tile tracker, you can use the app to activate a loud ring to track it down, and if you’re far away, you can check the app for its most recent location on a map. And if someone else finds your lost items, the QR code on the back can link them directly to your contact information so they can get it back to you. Just note that Tile is now a subsidiary of Life 360, which reportedly subsidizes the low prices of its products by selling the resulting tracking data.

$25 at Target

Chefman

Chefman 3.6-quart Air Fryer

Splurge pick

Air fryers have been all the rage this year, and there’s a good reason why. This midsize model can reach temperatures of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit in minutes, cooking food in a fraction of the time of a conventional oven or deep fryer. And the removable, dishwasher-safe basket and tray make clean up a breeze as well. True, at $30 its a little over the $25 celling, but considering its currently $50 off, it was too good to not include here.

$100 at Best Buy$55 at WalmartGet Price Alerts$55 at AmazonYou’re receiving price alerts for Chefman 3.6-quart Air Fryer

Find The Perfect Gift

AllUnder $10Under $20Under $50Under $100Under $250allmomsdadsgrandparentsfitnesstravelersteenspreteenstechgamingfoodiesromanticjewelryhomekids107 results

Five S Kneading Massager
$35 at Amazon

Hydro Flask
$35 at Hyrdo Flask

Nintendo eShop Gift Card
$50 at Amazon

Fox in the Forest
$12 at Amazon

SteelSeries Arctis 1
$50 at Amazon

Jacques Torres bonbons
$55 at Jacque Torres

A bouquet of exotic meats
$90 at Man Crates

Sarah Chloe diamond locket
$145 at Sarah Chloe

The Bouqs Co. Pixie bouquet
$99 at The Bouqs Co.

Sweet heart bamboo
$35 at Plants.com

Max Brenner chocolates
$37 at Max Brenner

Ingarden microgreens garden
$100 at Amazon

Shun Sora Japanese petty knife
$70 at Amazon

Wolf Circus Toni gold bracelet
$95 at Wolf Circus

Champagne Gummy Bears
$9 at Sugarfina

MakiMaki sushi roll kit for 2
$125 at MakiMaki

Cote des Roses rosé
$16 at Wine.com

Flavored Truffle Gift Box
$38 at La Maison du Chocolat

Barrel Aged Hot Hive Honey and Reaper Salt Series
$40 at Fuego Box

Carrie Hoffman X studs earrings
$290 at Carrie Hoffman

Wanna Date? sweet date spread
$12 at Uncommon Goods

Italian olivewood serving board
$17 at Sur la table

Three-piece cheese knife set
$20 at CB2

A delivery of fresh pasta
$25 at Goldbelly

Maison Miru heart nap earrings
$75 at Maison

Bokksu Japanese snack box
See at Amazon

State cashmere blanket throw blanket
See at Amazon

HyperChiller
See at Amazon

Nixplay smart digital photo frame
$20 at CB2

Online cooking classes
See at Online Cooking School

Washable Silk Tee & Shorts
See at Quince

Ouai Chill Pill Bath Bombs
See at Ulta

60 Hour Candle
See at TheraBox

Dyson Supersonic hair dryer
See at Dyson

Mint & Lily Mama necklace
See at Mint & Lily

Sephora gift card
See at Sephora

Google Nest Hub
See at Google

Theragun Prime
See at Therabody

Matador NanoDry Towel
See at REI

Mixbook
See at Mixbook

Tiki fire pit
See at Amazon

Mario Badescu face spray set
See at Ulta

Flower delivery from BloomsyBox
See at BloomsyBox

Slip silk pillowcase
See at Amazon

Aarke water carbonator
$230 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Disney Plus Gift Subscription
$80 at Disney

DJI Minin 2 Fly More Combo
$600 at Amazon

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
$69 at Amazon

ThisWorx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner
$36 at Amazon

Perfect Pot
$165 at Our Place

Letterfolk Customizable Tile Mat
$75 at West Elm

Parks Project Candle
$36 at Parks Project

iPad Mini 2021
$500 at Best Buy

Crown & Paw Pet Canvas
$50 at Crown & Paw

Coravin Wine Preservation System
$150 at Target

Botley 2.0
$47 at Amazon

Arcade1Up Arcade Machine
$600 at Best Buy

Biolite TraveLight 135
$40 at Biolite

Blockaroo Blocks
$40 at Amazon

Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion Board Game
$32 at Amazon

JBL Go 3
$50 at Amazon

Illy Y3.3 Espresso and Coffee Machine
$149 at Amazon

Lenovo Smart Clock
$35 at Best Buy

Keurig K-Slim Coffee Maker
$79 at Amazon

Lego Speed Champions Corvette
$30 at Amazon

Madewell Transport Tote
$178 at Madewell

Lunya Silk Sleep Mask
$48 at Lunya

Lite-Brite
$13 at Target

Lodge Cast-Iron Grill Pan
$20 at Amazon

Wyze Cam v3
$36 at Amazon

Apple AirPods 3
$150 at Amazon

EarFun Air Pro 2
$80 at Amazon

Sony WF-1000XM4
$250 at Walmart

Sony PlayStation 5
$499 at Amazon

Roku Express 4K Plus
$39 at Amazon

Apple iPad 2021 (9th generation)
$280 at Amazon

Acer Chromebook Spin 713
$530 at Amazon

MacBook Air M1
$1,000 at Best Buy

Bose SoundLink Flex
$150 at Best Buy

Dell G15
$1,100 at Best Buy

HP Pavilion Aero 13
$1,000 at HP

Lenovo Yoga 7i (2-in-1)
$850 at Best Buy

Mosaic Plant-Based Meal Delivery
$70 at Mosaic

Trade Coffee Subscription
$40 at Trade

Vizio MQ7 65-inch
$1,000 at Amazon

Apple Watch SE
$269 at Amazon

Apple Watch Series 7
$399 at Best Buy

Atlas Tea Club
$199 at Atlas Tea Club

iPhone 11
$499 at Apple

iPhone 13
$799 at Apple

Fitbit Charge 5
$179 at Amazon

Google Pixel 6
$599 at Amazon

iPhone 13 Pro
$999 at Apple

LG C1 OLED 65-inch
$1,797 at Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
$1,166 at Amazon

TCL Series 4 TV 65-inch
$529 at Amazon

TCL Series 6 TV 65-inch
$999 at Amazon

Theragun Mini
$199 at Amazon

Best of Dylan’s Candy Bar Gift Basket
$100 at Dylan’s Candy Bar

The Mirror
$1,495 at Mirror

Echo Dot with Clock
$60 at Amazon

Croissant Light
$19 at Amazon

Spanish-style Wine Glasses
$20 at Amazon

Nintendo Switch OLED
$350 at Target

Xbox Series X
$499 at Amazon


Get the best price with CNET Shopping.

Love shopping online but don’t have time to compare prices or search for promo codes? Our CNET Shopping extension does that for you, so you always get the best price.


Check Also

Apple Watch SE Is Back Down to Just $219 at Amazon

Apple/CNET Apple Watch SE (2022): $219 Save $30 The Apple Watch SE is designed to be affordable but today’s price is an all-time low. Take advantage of this $30 discount while you can. $219 at Amazon$219 at Best BuyYou’re receiving price alerts for Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 40mm] Smart Watch w/Midnight Aluminum Case …

Leave a Reply