45 Best Christmas Gifts Under $100

If you’re looking for a gift that won’t break the bank, then you’re in luck. Our gifting experts rounded up the best gifts under $100 for any occasion. Here are our favorite picks, all in one place.

Desiree DeNunzio is the gift guide editor for CNET’s Commerce team. When she’s not writing and editing, she’s either hiking through the redwoods or curled up with a good book and a lazy dog.

Expertise Desiree has been a writer and editor for the past two decades, covering everything from top-selling Amazon deals to apparel, pets and home goods. Credentials

  • Desiree’s previous work has appeared in various print and online publications including Search Engine Land, PCWorld, Wired magazine and PBS MediaShift.

Natalia Lusinski Contributor

Natalia is a contributing writer for CNET. Her work can also be seen in places like Business Insider, Yahoo and Forbes. She spent several years living abroad, from goat-sitting in the Swiss Alps to staying with nuns at a monastery in Venice. Back in Los Angeles, she runs a popular pizza Meetup and is still on a quest to find her favorite slice.

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Best gifts for the home under $100

TerraFlame s’mores roaster

This s’mores roaster turns an ordinary dessert into a delicious adventure. While you can use this gel-fueled fire pit indoors or out, we especially like using it indoors for dinner parties. It’s a great hands-on experience that will wow your guests and instantly makes any gathering lively and fun.

Hario Mizudashi cold brew coffee maker

Some people are cold-brew-coffee-all-the-time people, and if so, this coffee maker by Hario makes a great gift under $100. The Japanese design is not only sleek and elegant, but the device is also easy to use. After adding ground coffee to the mesh basket and filling the glass carafe up with water, just place it in the refrigerator and let it work its coffee-brewing magic — the longer you leave it in, the stronger it’ll be. Or, if you don’t want it ice-cold, you can always brew it at room temperature. 

Crosley Voyager turntable

Sure, Spotify is great, but there’s nothing quite like the retro feel of vinyl. This portable Bluetooth-compatible turntable hits all the right notes. They can play LPs and stream music wirelessly from any device. And while the sound isn’t as top-notch as expensive models, it’s hard to beat the cool retro aesthetic.

Govee Smart Light Bars

Govee has built a solid reputation for delivering high quality smart products on a budget, and these lights show why. These smart LED light bars add an ambient light behind your TV or gaming rig and can move to the music. And with the Govee app, you can select what color and brightness you want them. 
 

SodaStream Terra

If you know someone who enjoys sparkling water, they’ll love the convenience of churning out the fizzy stuff at home — and it will save them money too. The SodaStream Terra is our top pick for the best soda maker for most people. It’s easy to use, and it has a slim design that doesn’t take up too much counter space. 

Amazon Smart Thermostat

Help someone in your life get the best climate control possible for their house with the Amazon Smart Thermostat. It has many features that pricier thermostats have but for less and is a CNET Editor’s Choice award winner for the best overall and budget thermostat.

Compact swivel cheese and tapas board

This cheese and tapas board from Uncommon Goods is ideal for the foodie who likes to entertain. Their party charcuterie tray will look stunning, with collapsible extenders that include four ceramic serving bowls and three cheese knives. You can even get it personalized for an extra $10.

DrawYourPortrait personalized pet pillow

They say dogs are a man’s best friend but so are these personalized pet pillows. Whether it’s to liven up their office or home, if someone’s not actually cuddling with their pet, they can do the next best thing — cuddle with their likeness in pillow form. You can choose from eight different colorful backgrounds, from gray to mint to lavender, and all you have to do is upload a photo of the pet to Etsy seller DrawYourPortrait. I gifted this pillow to a family that I Chihuahua-sit for, and they loved it so much, I now get one for every pet owner I know. Prices vary, but a 14×14-inch pillowcase starts at $38, and a pillow and case combo starts at $51. For any pet lover, you can’t beat this as a perfect gift under $100.

Best gifts for foodies under $100

Ninja 4-quart air fryer

Yep, air fryers are still all the rage — and for good reason. They’re not only a time-saver when it comes to cooking, but they also minimize messes in the kitchen. The Ninja 4-quart model is our pick for the best air fryer overall (and we tested more than a dozen). Whether someone wants to make crispy chicken wings, dehydrate apple slices into healthy chips or even impress their family with a homemade peach cobbler, they can — all with the touch of a button.

Cuisinart Smart Stick immersion hand blender

This handy tool should be in every home chef’s kitchen arsenal. It’s useful for so many things, from making soups and salsa to whipping up curry. It’s sturdy and simple to use, and cleanup is a breeze.

Caraway ceramic fry pan

Caraway’s cookware has built a loyal following among home cooks who prefer nonstick surfaces. Unlike Teflon, this pan’s nonstick ceramic coating is free of harmful chemicals. It’s available in a range of stylish colors, including sage, navy and marigold. Any home cook would be proud to leave this pan out on display.

Global classic 8-inch chef’s knife

For people who love to cook, there’s no such thing as too many knives, and a quality chef’s knife is a must. Global’s chef’s knife is CNET’s top pick for the best chef’s knife. It’s extremely sharp and can chop, slice, cut and mince practically anything with ease. This knife normally sells for around $125, so at less than $35, it’s a steal.

Dash mini waffle maker

These waffles are great for a brunch side dish or as a breakfast appetizer, and this is also CNET’s pick when it comes to the best small waffle maker.

Cuisinart stainless steel ice cream maker

Large-capacity ice cream makers require a ton of salt and ice but not this model. It’s so easy to whip up delicious ice cream and sorbet that you can make both on a regular basis — yes, even in the winter.

Emile Henry French ceramic artisan ruffled pie dish

This handcrafted vintage pie dish is perfect for the bakers in your life, with the ruffled edge producing a picture-perfect pie.

Click and Grow Smart Garden 3

This is a perfect tech-meets-gardener (or aspiring gardener) present because it allows your giftee to grow their own herbs, like fresh basil. CNET’s David Watsky says, “It couldn’t be simpler to operate, with self-contained seed pods, LED grow lights and a water tank that needs filling only every two or three weeks. A perfect starter herb indoor garden for someone with a not-so-green thumb.” And this is also one of CNET’s picks for best indoor smart gardens.

Best gifts for homebodies under $100

Ugg scuff slippers

These slippers made from suede and fluffy wool are a great gift for just about everyone. Your lucky giftee can wear them all winter to save their feet from ice-cold floors.

Atlas Tea Club

Who doesn’t love tea (especially when it’s paired with their favorite cookies or cake)? Getting the tea-lover in your life a tea subscription is not only a thoughtful gift but also a unique one, since they’ll get to sample all types of teas. The Atlas Tea Club is our pick for the best tea club for teas from the Far East, and you can choose from pure teas (like black, green, white and oolong), blended teas (flavored or herbal) or a variety. A subscription consists of two teas per month, around 30 cups, and tasting notes come with the teas, as well as a fun postcard from the featured country, such as India or Nepal. A three-month subscription is currently on sale and costs $50, a six-month one is $99 and a 12-month one is $189. (And if your giftee is more of a coffee person, there’s an Atlas Coffee Club, too.)

Sophie faux fur throw blanket

A faux fur blanket is perfect for cozying up on the couch to watch a holiday movie, and this one is so soft that they’ll want one for every room. It comes in multiple colors, making it easy to mix and match with existing decor. 

Ohom Ui self-heating mug set

If you know a coffee lover, this self-heating mug is a must-have. It keeps coffee, tea, cocoa and other warm beverages at an optimal drinking temperature all day long thanks to its charging pad. Bonus: Your giftee can also use the base to charge their phone.

Best gifts for travelers under $100

Trtl travel pillow

Make someone’s long flights easier with the Trtl pillow. Sure, it might look a little silly, but our editors swear by it for long flights. It’s cozy and comfortable, and it keeps them from nodding off on their neighbor’s shoulder. It packs away into a travel pouch, making it easy to stuff into a carry-on or attach to the outside of a bag.

Blink Mini

Whether you want to buy for someone who travels for work or pleasure, the Blink Mini can help keep their home secure. It monitors the inside of their home and allows users to see, hear and speak to anyone via live view and two-way audio. 

Apple AirTags 4-pack

No one can ever have enough AirTags, especially that traveler you know who tends to misplace…everything. While you probably know that they can be useful when you misplace your keys or wallet, one of the more creative ways to use AirTags is to slip one into your luggage. “To relieve the stress of trying to locate your suitcase, you can put an AirTag tracker inside so you can track its whereabouts,” CNET’s Katie Teague says. And when you purchase the AirTags through Apple, you can get them engraved for free with an emoji, initials or numbers, which is a nice way to personalize your gift.

Anker 523 Power Bank (PowerCore 10000 PD)

Traveling or not, it’s the worst when your phone battery goes out and you don’t have a power bank on you. Well, not anymore. This slim Anker portable charger has both a USB-C port and a USB one and can not only recharge your iPhone or Android a couple of times but can also give your other electronics a boost. CNET’s Geoffrey Morrison has traveled all over the world and swears by his Anker battery pack and this model also made our pick for the best portable chargers and power banks.

Best gifts for beauty lovers under $100

Drowsy Sleep Mask

This cushiony sleep mask is perfect for the insomniacs in your life. In addition to blocking out light and having an adjustable strap so the mask actually stays on while they sleep, its exterior is also super soft since it’s made from mulberry silk. It’s also a hit among our wellness editors’ favorite sleep products. CNET’s Nasha Addarich Martinez says if she had to choose one item that’s helped her sleep better, it would be his sleep mask. Plus, the mask is unisex and comes in all kinds of colors, from sunset pink to midnight blue.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam eyeshadow palette

If you’re unfamiliar with the Anastasia Beverly Hills brand but want a safe bet for any beauty-obsessed friend or family member, buy this palette. Its combination of matte and shimmer finishes means there are plenty of looks to experiment with.

Osea Malibu bestsellers body care kit

This ultra-moisturizing kit is perfect for dry winter skin and makes every day feel like a spa day. The set comes with four of Osea’s best-selling products: Undaria Algae Body Oil, Salts of the Earth Body Scrub, Anti-Aging Body Balm and Undaria Algae Body Butter, plus a handy travel bag.  

Mark & Graham Concourse leather cosmetic case

A luxe cosmetics case is exactly what every beauty maven and skincare enthusiast needs. Mark & Graham’s leather Concourse case comes in a tasteful cream color and has spacious interior pockets. The price is reasonable for the quality, and you can get it monogrammed for an extra $12.50. 

Best gifts for entertainment under $100

GoCube

If you’ve always wanted to know how to complete a Rubik’s cube but could never get the hang of it, now’s your chance, CNET’s James Bricknell says. The GoCube connects to your phone or tablet and takes you through the steps of solving a cube using “algorithms,” so to speak. “It’s the first time I’ve felt I had a handle on manipulating a puzzle cube without it being completely random,” he says. “Learning a new skill as a dad, especially one that can impress your kids, is always worthwhile — and the app even lets you play battle games with your kids to make it more family-oriented.”

Pro-Spin portable ping pong

This portable ping-pong set is easy to put up — and highly addictive. It comes with four paddles, six balls and a retractable net that clamps onto any table. For a bit less, you can get a two-player version, but it’s nice to have four paddles on hand for guests. It works best if your giftee has a standard rectangular dining table.

Haccah Store Complete Candle Making Kit

This candle-making kit is perfect for the DIY folks in your life. I bought this for a friend and loved using hers so much, I ended up buying myself one too. It comes with everything they’ll need, including a tiny electric stove, metal pouring pot, essential oils (in enchanting scents like orange, apple cinnamon and jasmine), dried flowers and little tins with boxes for gift-giving. The kit’s perfect for doing with friends — or for a soothing solo night of self-care. 

Lego Icons Succulents Collection

Legos are a great gift for anyone who adores building — not just kids. This collection of succulents is fun to put together, and the designs are worthy of display on a shelf or office desk once they’re done.

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