Best Black Friday tech deals under $50: earbuds, chargers, smart plugs and more

Black Friday discounts are already live on a range of affordable tech — all under $50. From Bluetooth trackers and streaming sticks to chargers, smart plugs and compact speakers, these Engadget‑approved picks make great stocking stuffers or useful add‑ons for your setup.

Below are curated highlights from the sale, grouped by price tiers, plus buying tips to help you spot genuine bargains.

Top picks under $25

• Audible (3 months + $20 credit) — $3 introductory offer (auto‑renews; set a reminder to cancel if you don’t want to continue).
• Anker USB‑C cables & chargers — reliable 10ft and high‑watt cables from $9; Nano charger blocks from $12–$13.
• Amazon Smart Plug — $13, great for Alexa users who want cheap automation.
• Roku Streaming Stick HD — $16, an easy way to add streaming to an older TV.
• Apple AirTag — $18 at Walmart, top pick for iPhone users who need item tracking.
• LEGO Creator sets — small kits like the Retro Camera or Telephone for $16–$24 (fun tech toys).

Standouts under $50

• Amazon Echo Dot — $32, compact Alexa speaker for smart‑home control.
• Fire TV Stick 4K Max — $35, best value 4K streaming stick with Wi‑Fi 6 support.
• Anker Soundcore & JBL speakers — portable Bluetooth speakers from $28–$40 with solid battery life.
• Smart plug multipacks — Kasa/Meross 2–4 packs from $23–$37, great for automating rooms at low cost.
• Anker Prime GaN chargers — multi‑port GaN chargers from $35–$42, ideal for travel and powering multiple devices.
• Blink Mini 2 & Blink Outdoor cameras — indoor and outdoor camera deals at $18–$42 for basic monitoring needs.

Why buy now

These sub‑$50 deals are perfect for filling gaps in your accessory lineup or for gifting. Many items (chargers, cables, trackers, streaming sticks) rarely see huge feature changes year to year, so Black Friday price cuts are often the best chance to save.

Shopping tips

• Use price trackers (CamelCamelCamel, Keepa) to confirm whether a discount is a true low.
• Check seller reputation and return policies — third‑party sellers can list items at low prices but with limited support.
• Watch for bundle value: multi‑packs of smart plugs or charger + cable combos often beat buying single items later.
• Be mindful of subscriptions tied to hardware (cameras, doorbells) that may require paid plans for full features.

Shop similar deals (affiliate): Tech deals under $50 on Amazon.

Discussion: Which budget gadget would you pick up this Black Friday — chargers, trackers, a streaming stick, or a smart plug pack? Tell us what you’d buy and why.