Best Gifts Under $25 for 2024

Written by Natalia Lusinski

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INIU Slimmest Portable Charger - 10000mAh

When you're out and about, nothing's worse than needing your phone -- to look up directions, contact someone or take a picture -- only to discover that your battery is dead. Again. That's where this portable charger comes into play. I absolutely love it and own a few of them in various colors. I keep one in my car, one in my bag and one near my desk so I am always prepared. Not only can it charge a phone multiple times, but it does so quickly and the light-up paw print is an easy (and cute) way to know how much life the charger still has. So if you know someone whose phone battery tends to drain quickly, they'll love having this charger on hand (literally).

Panasonic ErgoFit RP-TCM125 Wired Earbuds With Microphone

Some people, like yours truly, still love old-school earbuds like these. Plus, the price is right -- just $18. They come in a bunch of fun colors, like blue, pink and red, and have amazing sound quality. Since there is a non-microphone version, too, make sure you select the right ones at check-out.

Voiday Portable Charger for an Apple Watch

Apple Watch owners will love this portable charger which is also a keychain, so they can always have it with them. CNET's Russell Holly says it's very handy and “small enough to be tucked away in a backpack, purse or keyring.”

SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive, 128GB

True story: In my collegiate days, 3.5-inch floppy disks were a thing, and they stored a total of 1.44 megabytes of data on them. This flash drive, on the other hand, costs $25 and stores 128GB, the equivalent of almost 89,000 of those floppy disks. This model sports both USB-A and USB-C connectors, so it'll work with any computer out there, as well as newer iPad Pro and Mini models.

Vera Bradley Packing Cube Set

This set of 3 packing cubes from the renowned Vera Bradley brand looks like it costs more than just $24. The traveler in your life will love bringing them along on their next adventure -- and you may want to get yourself a set, too.

Ougrand Universal Travel Adapter

Jet-setters know that having the right travel adapter is key and your giftee can use this one nearly anywhere in the world. A cool feature is that it has a passthrough plug for them to plug in a laptop or other such device, as well as USB and USB-C ports.

Apple AirTag

Buying a gift for someone who's always misplacing their jacket, purse or backpack? With an Apple AirTag in place, that problem should become a thing of the past. All they have to do is pull up the Find My app on the iPhone and the missing item can be tracked down anywhere there's an Apple device nearby (which is pretty much everywhere). And if they're not an Apple person, get a Galaxy SmartTag2 (for Samsung folks; $24) or a Tile Mate (for any other Android phone owner; $19).

Platypus Platy 2.0L Collapsible Bottle

As an avid traveler, the more I can save space, the better -- and when it comes to a water bottle, you can’t get much more space-saving than this Platypus one. More a plastic pouch than a traditional water bottle, it’s collapsible when you’re not using it, which is a traveler’s dream. It holds an impressive 2 liters of liquid and only weighs 1.3 ounces when empty. But if your gift recipient is more into non-collapsible versions, check out our choices for best water bottles.

Fred & Friends Measuring Cup Nesting Dolls

I buy these nesting dolls for so many people that I swear I should get stock in Fred, the company behind these adorable dolls-turned-measuring-cups. There’s no doubt that your giftee will enjoy them just as much, whether they use them for baking or just display them. 

Le Creuset Mini Round Cocotte

This is a classy gift with a budget price. Your gift recipient can use it for side dishes or appetizers when they have dinner parties and it comes in many nice colors too, from deep red to blue to yellow.

IKEA Aptitlig Bamboo Cutting Board

This bamboo cutting board is not only functional and easy to take care of, but it’s also nice to look at. “Cutting boards take a beating, and everyone can always use a new one,” says CNET’s David Sessions. “IKEA's bamboo cutting block is sturdy for its budget price." It also features an area to catch juices and a corner reservoir to pour them out. This one also made our pick for best cutting boards.

Lodge Grill Pan

Grilling fanatics will love this pan. At my house, the Lodge Grill Pan gets used at least once a week to cook fish or turkey burgers. It's a cheap and easy way to bring the essence of the grilling experience to your stovetop, which is especially useful during the winter months.

Kate McLeod Forest Stone Deep Moisturizing Lotion Bar

This lotion bar is sure to impress your lotion-loving gift recipient. It contains cocoa butter, as well as natural essential oils, and is made with 100% plant-based ingredients. It glides on without leaving a residue and has a nice citrusy/woodsy scent to boot.

TriggerPoint CORE Foam Massage Roller (12-inch)

Whether you get this for a fitness enthusiast or someone who is always complaining about muscle soreness, this foam roller is the gift that keeps on giving, CNET’s Anna Gragert says. “It applies moderate pressure, so is ideal for beginners, and has a three-dimensional surface that makes its massaging capabilities even more effective.” And if you have a bit more to spend, you can always check out our picks for best foam rollers.

Lush Sleepy Body Lotion (3.1-ounce)

Read our review here:.

Alaska Bear Blackout Sleep Mask

This unisex sleep mask’s molded eye cups help block out light and the memory foam is a nice added touch. I gave this to a friend as part of a “sleep kit” I made her and she loves it. I bet your friend or family member will love it too, especially if they’re sensitive to morning light coming through their windows. If your gift budget is higher, you can also check out our round-up of best sleep masks.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza Card Game

This card game will soon be your giftee's next family favorite. Players take turns flipping over a card, saying a word while doing so, starting with Taco, then Goat and so on. If the spoken word matches the image on the card that was flipped over, all players try to slap their hand down -- and whoever doesn’t has to take the whole stack. "It might be the most fun I've had with a card game since forever, and it made our recent vacation very memorable,” says CNET contributor Oliver Haslam.

Bigivaca Colorful Glass Vintage Bud Vases, Set of 6

I love getting these for people and I add some cute flowers to the vases when gifting them. You can either give all 6 to the same person or to various people. They’re perfect to bring to a dinner party and, trust me, your host will talk about the vase(s) long after the party’s over.

Lego Picture Frame

Any Lego fans -- adults and kids alike -- will love getting this 10x7-inch picture frame. Whether you get them one or several, it’s a great way for them to easily add some character and Lego fun to a room.