The holidays can be stressful, and we’re always looking for ways to ease the pressure of shopping so everyone can get back to celebrating. But no one wants to give a gift that’s just going to sit on a shelf and gather dust. How do you find gifts at all price points that people will actually use?
Luckily, we’ve got a solution to streamline your season of giving. When you absolutely, positively need recommendations for the best tech gadgets at the right prices, there’s no one better to turn to than our US Editor in Chief, Lance Ulanoff. Even better, you can pick up all these items at Walmart. One-stop shopping makes everyone’s holidays easier! Keep reading to see which tech gifts Ulanoff recommends this season and what he has to say about each.
1 - Nintendo Switch™ Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe Bundle - $299
“Few game consoles, portable or otherwise, have had the staying power of the Nintendo Switch. It remains at the top of most every kid (and adult) holiday wish list because it delivers gaming fun on a big-enough but still portable screen. Plus, who doesn’t like to dock it and go crazy with Joy-cons? But I really like this deal because the $299 bundle includes what is still one of the best Switch games, Mario Kart 8.”
2 - onn. Multicolor LED Light Strip with Sound Reactive, 65’ - $29
“If you’re looking for something to brighten and transform any room, then strip lights may be your surprise answer. These multicolored LEDs do all the color switching I love but add a twist in being able to respond to sound. This means they can power an entire dance party in your living room. The only question is where to stick all 65 inches of them. I suggest either the ceiling or just behind your big-screen TV.”
3 - onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box - $20
“A lot of us, including me, are cutting the cable this year, but that doesn’t mean we’re done with TV—we just want to curate our favorites. The best way to do that is with a streaming box, and there may be few better 4K streaming deals than this watch onn. Google TV box. Yes, it has all your favorite streaming apps, and you can add others. Starting your post-cable journey for just $20 sounds like a perfect pilot to me.”
4 - VANKYO Leisure 3 Pro Native 1080P Projector - $129
“I like my entertainment big, but maybe I don’t want a really big TV. LCD projectors like the Leisure 3 Pro can be the perfect compromise. It has native 1080p resolution and can project a 150-inch screen—that’s way bigger than your largest HDTV. It’s ready for your living room, or as I have done over the last few years, a backyard drive-in theater setup. Plus, that $129 price tag makes it pretty much a no-brainer purchase for anyone who wants to dip their toe in the projector waters.”
5 - GTRACING GTW-100 Gaming Chair with Bluetooth Speakers and Footrest - $179
“If your home is like mine, then there are probably multiple gamers in it. Don’t make them suffer in an old recliner or stiff-backed chair. Comfort is key when you’re trying to take out the big boss and beat your online competitors. This GTRACING GTW-100 gaming chair has all the cushions and comfort but adds in built-in speakers to put you inside the game experience. I kind of wish I was sitting in one now. At $179, it’s not too hard to imagine ordering one today.”
6 - Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 - $230
“Tablets can be the perfect home digital companion. You can carry them from room to room, use them on the couch, or prop them up in your bedroom and stream endless hours of Netflix. I especially like versatile slabs like the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. It’s thin, lightweight, and packed with enough power and storage to please most tablet users. It even comes with Bixby, Samsung’s own digital assistant. That’s a good deal in my book.”
7 - HP 15" FHD Laptop - $399
“Getting someone the right school or basic-use laptop can be tough. There are so many choices and components. That’s why I like this HP 15.6-inch laptop. It has a roomy screen and keyboard (with a number pad), a nice mid-tier Intel Core i5 CPU, and enough RAM and storage to make this a decent performer for most everyday computing tasks. I also like that it comes preinstalled with Windows 11. Not everyone realizes that this is a worthwhile upgrade from Windows 10. The $399 price tag, by the way, is the icing on the cake. That’s a great price for an above-average system from a trusted brand.”
