The Best Gifts Under $500 for the Holidays 2025

Nintendo Switch 2

iPhone 17, iPad and Apple Watch free with T-Mobile

T-Mobile is rolling out a trio of holiday deals that get you three Apple devices at no extra cost. Get the new iPhone 17 Pro for free when you trade in your qualifying phone, the iPad A16 free with a tablet data line and the Apple Watch SE free with a qualifying watch line. If you stack all three, that’s a total savings of $1,899.

PlayStation 5 Slim

Read our PS5 (slim) first take.

Meta Quest 3

Vitamix Explorian

Vitamix makes some great blenders that are not only powerful but a pleasure to operate and built to last (they come with a free five-year warranty). That said, they tend to be quite expensive, which is why we like to recommend the entry-level Explorian, which is plenty of blender for people and lists for $350 but often sells for closer to $300. It’s easy to use and a good value at that price.

Skylight Calendar

Skylight sells a standard 10-inch photo frame that costs $150. But the pricier Skylight Calendar is more than just just a photo frame. It’s a 15-inch Wi-Fi-connected digital calendar and planner touchscreen display that allows you to create and show a daily schedule for each member of your family, assign chores and even map out meals (each family member gets their own highlight color). You can prop up the Calendar on a table using the included stand or hang it on a wall with the wall mount that comes in the box as well. 

You can choose to auto sync your Google, Apple, Outlook, Cozi or Yahoo calendars to the frame or just use the Skylight mobile app to update the schedule and make assignments. I had no trouble setting it up for my family, which includes four kids. It was also easy to send photos to it and the photos looked good on the 1,920×1,080 HD display (you can set them to appear as a screensaver), though you shouldn’t expect the sharpness and color saturation that you’d get with an iPad screen. While Skylight does charge $39 a year for the photo service, that’s a pretty reasonable price. 

Hisense QD7 50-inch 4K UHD Smart Fire TV

CNET Editor Ty Pendlebury gave the Hisense QD7QF 50-inch TV a CNET Editor’s Award because he says it “boasts picture quality that I have never seen in a TV this cheap.” Key to the Hisense QD7’s success is full array local dimming — something you usually only find in more expensive TVs. The enhanced levels of contrast give images a solidity that mean the Hisense is unmatched among its peers (check out our list of best budget TVs for other options). Adding to its superior picture is its higher brightness — Pendlebury measured the TV’s light output in Filmmaker mode at 600 nits, which was twice as bright as every other model. This boost was also beneficial for video games.

The QD7 tends to cost a bit more than other 50-inch budget TVs and its price is subject to some volatility. We’ve seen it on sale for around $300, but even if you don’t get it for quite that low a price, it’s still the best TV under $400.

Xgimi MoGo 4

Xgimi’s MoGo 4 lists for $500, but its price goes lower during sporadic flash sales, and I recommend getting the version that comes with the Powerbase pedestal stand that includes an integrated battery to extend battery life to 5 hours and makes it easier to set up the projector and to project on a wall or screen (you don’t have to find a table or something else to place the projector on). The bundle cost about $50 more but is worth it.

The 2.9-pound Mogo 4 isn’t the brightest projector with a 450-lumens rating, but it’s reasonably bright for a battery-powered portable projector and I liked the image it projected in a darkened room (the picture is fairly sharp and the colors pretty vibrant). It has 1080p (full HD) resolution and is powered by Google TV, which is better than Android TV and allows you to use the Netflix app on the projector (as well as many other streaming video apps).

While I wasn’t blown away by the performance of this projector (you can only expect so much from a projector that’s the size of a coffee thermos), but what I liked about it was how compact and versatile it was, especially with the Powerbase’s added battery life, and the ability to swivel it up and down and project on a ceiling while you lie in bed. Note that Xgimi also makes a laser version of the projector that’s brighter (550 lumens) and will offer a slightly better picture. It’s currently on sale for around $600.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

Read our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review.

Sony WH-1000XM6

Sony makes some of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market, and the new flagship model, the WH-1000XM6, is no exception. With the XM6, Sony has bumped up the overall performance, resulting in a headphone that’s arguably edged just ahead of the competition and is now at the top of its class. Read my WH-1000XM6 review. The WH-1000XM6 are excellent for frequent travelers, remote workers and commuters who demand top-tier sound quality, noise canceling and call quality in a very comfortable headphone.

Sennheiser HDB 630

Built on the same chassis as Sennheiser’s Momentum Wireless 4 headphones, the HDB 630 is essentially a souped-up version of that headphone that features upgraded drivers and a few extra features, including Sennheiser’s BTD 700 USB-C Bluetooth transmitter that supports the AptX Adaptive audio codec, and you can plug into a PC, smartphone (yes, even iPhones) or a tablet for a reliable, high-quality Bluetooth streaming option. Well-balanced and tuned for audiophiles (the driver design and sound tuning are inspired by the company’s highly regarded HD600 series), the HDB 630 are articulate headphones that deliver clean, detailed sound with powerful, controlled bass.

While their noise canceling isn’t up to the level of what you get from Sony, Bose and Apple flagship headphones and earbuds, it’s still decent and so is the voice-calling performance. While the HDB 630 is pricier than the Momentum Wireless 4, the upgrade in sound quality is noticeable and that USB-C wireless dongle is a nice addition.

Note: The Sennheiser HBD 630 headphones are on backorder and might not ship until after the holidays. You can view estimated ship dates on retailers’ websites and can also sign up for restock alerts.

Anker Soundcore Sleep A30

Bose pioneered sleep earbuds with noise-masking capabilities to help light sleepers and those who had sleep partners who snored. Those original Bose sleep buds evolved into the Ozlo Sleepbuds, which are good but pretty pricey. If you’re looking for more affordable sleep buds, the Soundcore Sleep A30 are currently your best bet. They’re Anker’s first sleep buds with active noise canceling, and they’re also equipped with AI brainwave audio (with binaural beats) and “adaptive snore masking.” The charging case has the ability to monitor and analyze snoring sounds and optimize the snore-masking audio you hear in the buds.

The Sleep A30 buds are tiny and fit my ears well (they have a few different tips and fins to help you get a secure fit) and didn’t bother me, even when I slept on my side. The only small gripe I had was that it was a little hard to figure out in the app how to store sleep sounds locally on the buds instead of stream them over Bluetooth. Storing them locally on the buds allows for all-night battery life (up to 8.5 hours with ANC on or 14 hours with it off). Note that with these buds, you can stream audio from your phone to the buds to listen to music or watch movies, but they are short on bass and don’t offer the fullest sound, though it’s not bad for casual listening and fine for podcasts and other spoken content.

ViewSonic VX1655 OLED 15.6-inch 4K Portable Monitor

The ViewSonic VX1655 monitor comes in a few different versions, including an entry-level 1080p model that only costs $170, as well as two 4K models (3840x2160p — 60Hz), one of which uses LCD technology while the top of the line uses OLED. I can say it’s worth spending the extra $40 for OLED, which has deeper blacks and better contrast (it offers excellent image quality) and is what sets it apart from other portable monitors.

Very slim and lightweight at a mere 1.5 pounds and .6 inches thick, the ViewSonic VX1655 can be used for everything from a second monitor for your laptop or a display for a gaming device such as a Nintendo Switch 2 or even a smartphone.

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT 32-inch

Eagle Creek’s Cargo Hauler XT wheeled duffle comes in a few different sizes, starting with a 21.5-inch model that qualifies as a carry-on bag (even internationally) and costs $369. The model shown here is the 32-inch “large-checked,” which is a fairly large bag but not huge. Like the other Cargo Hauler XT models in the Eagle Creek line, this one is water resistant and also has hideaway backpack straps built in it so you can carry it on your back up stairs or on dirt paths and everything in between. (The travel lock in the photo is not included.)

Available in four color options (charcoal, earth red, glacier blue and safari brown), the bag is made out of recycled materials and looks and feels quite durable and has a few grab straps and extra pockets. I also thought its wheels operate quite smoothly. It’s an ideal bag for a three- to seven-day trip, while the carry-on version is more suitable for weekend or overnight trips. 

Apple iPad (11th-gen, 2025)

Read our Apple iPad 11th-gen review.

Antler Soft Stripe 2.0

Antler makes a variety of luggage in a variety of sizes, but if you’re looking for a lightweight rolling bag that’s airline approved as a carry-on that fits in an overhead bin, Antler’s Soft Stripe 2.0 is billed as the “lightest expandable” carry-on luggage. Measuring 21.7 by 13.8 by 9.1 inches, I don’t know if it’s truly the lightest piece of carry-on luggage out there, but it is quite lightweight at 4.2 pounds and is made out of recycled polyester. It’s also equipped with a TSA-approved lock and 360-degree spinner wheels, which I’ve certainly appreciated.

Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2

GoPro Hero 13 Black

GoPro’s latest flagship camera, the Hero 13 Black, is not vastly different from the Hero 12 Black, and users of that camera — or the Hero 11 or the 10 Black — won’t feel a strong tug to upgrade, not immediately, anyway. While many of the shooting options and other features have remained the same, some design changes have been made to accommodate a new battery, a new mount option and, most importantly, new add-on lenses that enhance the camera’s versatility. This also means you’ll have to pay a little more than the Hero 12 Black’s $300 price to get the most out of it, but GoPro is discounting the Hero 13 Black’s accessory bundles. Read our hands-on review.

TCL Nxtpaper 11 Plus

TCL Nxtpaper 11 Plus review.

Bose SoundLink Plus

Read our Bose SoundLink Plus review.

Sonos Move 2

Read Sonos Move 2 review.

Sony ULT Field 7

The Sony ULT Field 7 is the successor to Sony’s SRS-SG500 Bluetooth boom box, which I liked but thought lacked clarity compared to some of its competitors, including boom box speakers from JBL. This new model not only sounds better, but offers an an improved design with integrated handles on each side of the speaker, LED lighting and a new karaoke function (microphone not included). You can stand the speaker up vertically or lay it down horizontally. The sound does change a bit with the speaker’s orientation, but the overall clarity and treble performance have improved, and I thought the bass had better definition.

Weighing in at a hefty 13.9 pounds (6.3 kilograms), the speaker packs a punch, especially when you engage the ULT button, which has two low-frequency settings that both amp up the sound — the bass in particular — making the speaker sound fuller. Battery life is rated at up to 30 hours at moderate volume levels, and the speaker is IP67 water-, dust- and rust-proof. A charge-out port on back allows you to charge external devices like your phone.

Sonos Ray

Read our Sonos Ray review.

JBL PartyBox Club 120

The successor to JBL’s popular PartyBox 110, the Club 120 packs some serious punch and delivers a bigger sound than many portable boom box speakers, including JBL’s own Boombox 3. The speaker has been slightly redesigned from its predecessor and now features a replaceable battery and Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast.

There’s an integrated foldable handle for toting the speaker, but the Club 120 is pretty hefty, weighing in at 24.4 pounds (1 pound more than the PartyBox 110) and measuring slightly more than 22 inches tall. You can stand this Bluetooth boom box up vertically or place it horizontally, as it has rubber feet on both sides of the speaker.

It’s rated for up to 12 hours of playback time at moderate volume levels and has a light show that syncs to the beat of your music (you can customize the light show from the speaker itself or use the JBL PartyBox companion app). 

UE Epicboom

The Epicboom’s oval design is a bit of a departure for UE, which is owned by Logitech and has primarily designed Bluetooth speakers with more of a cylindrical shape except for its boxy Hyperboom. UE says the oval design “creates an impressive internal acoustic volume, and is coupled with a 4.6-inch woofer for bass clarity.” It doesn’t sound quite as good as Sonos’ similarly shaped and more expensive Move 2 portable speaker that features both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity (this speaker is Bluetooth only). But the Epicboom packs a good punch and sounds very good for its size, with the ability to fill a small- to medium-sized room with sound. Fully waterproof and dust-proof (IP67 rating), it also seems durable. 

Oura Ring 4

If you know someone who wants to track their health metrics, but in a subtle way compared to using their phone or a smartwatch, the high-end Oura Ring is the way to go. It can monitor their heart rate, activity and stress levels, plus sleep, and then they can see all of the data in the Oura app. This newest version, the Gen 4, has an even sleeker feel than its predecessor. It also features a battery life that can outlast most smartwatches. Read our Oura Ring 4 review.

Therabody Theragun Sense (2nd-gen)

Therabody says the second generation of its Theragun Sense is the only Theragun “designed to for stress relief,” combining percussive massage therapy with guided programs via a companion app that you link to via Bluetooth. Theragun has moved away from the breathing exercises of the original Sense, with the haptic feedback and biometric sensors, and instead gone with an enhanced LCD screen that displays live pressure feedback and guided routines. It’s also made the 2nd Gen model lighter and quieter than the original.

The Theragun Sense isn’t as powerful as the step-up Theragun Pro Plus ($599), nor does it have all its bells and whistles, but it’s certainly powerful enough for most people. It now comes with two attachments instead of four: the dampener and standard ball. The thumb and micro-point are no longer included.

Therabody JetBoots Prime

Therabody’s JetBoots Prime used to cost $500, but with tariffs, the price has been bumped up to $550. That’s unfortunate but I’m leaving them in this gift guide for now because it’s still pretty impressive that Therabody has gotten the price of its pneumatic compression boots down to that price point (once upon a time they used to cost closer to $2,000). Its JetBoots Prime come in three size options (short, regular, long), are fully wireless (except to charge) and fit into a compact travel bag. While they don’t feature the infrared LED light a vibration therapy of the step-up JetBoots Pro Plus ($1,150), they do offer plenty of compression. That pressure helps enhance circulation and delivers oxygen and nutrients to your muscles, Therabody says, and serious athletes like to use compression boots as part of their recovery regime.

Chirp Contour

Chirp’s Contour massage table lists for $600, but has been on sale for as low as $500 and is currently $550, so I left it on this under $500 gift list even though it’s a little out of the price range. What’s nice is that the Contour is a lot smaller and slimmer than a massage chair and can be tucked under a bed or couch when not in use. The table comes with three rollers (soft, contour and deep tissue) that offer varying degrees of pressure along with a separate neck massager that’s built-into the table. You store the rollers inside the table and are easy to swap in and out.

Much like a massage chair, the integrated remote allows you to choose a preset program (the selections are somewhat limited) or manually control the roller yourself. I generally gravitated toward the medium pressure contour roller and sometimes used the deep tissue roller, but I can see both of those being too strong for some people, who will have to opt for the soft roller.

This massage table seems good for people in a short to medium/tall height range, but I suspect it won’t be as good for very tall people because the roller may not reach your lower back. It’s a nice way to decompress on your bed (or on the floor). I only wish it was even longer so I could get my legs in on the massage action!