6 tech stocking stuffers under $40 that'll make you look like a genius

You might know on-air personality Diana Perkovic from HSN. She’s a shopping expert extraordinaire, so we asked her to use her gift-seeking skills to gather awesome tech treasures that won’t break the bank. In this fantastic video, she shows off six awesome tech gifts at alarmingly low prices.

From the practical to the playful—and from kids to adults—Diana has it covered. Follow her lead and you can quickly knock some names off that list, and pack away perfect presents in plenty of time.

“Whether you’re buying for friends or family,” says Diana, “these tech gifts are cool, compact, and all under $40.” For more from Diana, visit Good Girl Mafia. Meanwhile, get a load of the goodies below.

Darkness on the edge of town: this mask-with-music seals out light and cultivates calm. (Photo: Amazon)
Darkness on the edge of town: this mask-with-music seals out light and cultivates calm. (Photo: Amazon)

A seriously smart sleep mask

A comfy memory foam sleep mask gives a great seal to block out all light, with no uncomfortable pressure. Diana has found one with a Bluetooth speaker, so it can play music (or soothing sounds) from a phone or laptop.

Called the Lightime Tunnel Wireless Bluetooth Sleep Headphones, this device is a godsend at bedtime. DIana calls it “perfect for sleep-deprived loved ones.” It’s also ideal for the traveler in your life. “The speaker’s battery lasts up to 8 hours,” explains Diana. That can easily take your recipient across the country (or across the Atlantic), in his own soft, dark cocoon of comfort. Imagine how much better a red-eye flight would be with this clever accessory! And the price? Beyond amazing.

Shop It: Lightime Tunnel Wireless Bluetooth Sleep Headphones, $24 (was $29), amazon.com

The perfect beginner camera

"What's a camera?" Modern kids will find this "old-timey" device fascinating. (Photo: Amazon)
"What's a camera?" Modern kids will find this "old-timey" device fascinating. (Photo: Amazon)

Cameras are a novelty to modern kids—they’re used to phones that take pictures. So you can bet that this Omzer Mini Shock-Proof Camera for Kids will be a surprise as well as a lasting thrill.

Diana explains that this durable silicone camera is more than meets the eye—and offers endless opportunity for creativity. “It has really easy-to-use features for little ones, like video recording, a self-timer, and even a flashlight,” she says.

It’s small and easy to carry and comes equipped with a built-in rechargeable battery. Since it comes in a range of hues—light blue, dark blue, light pint, dark pink, camo print, and red—you can surprise your favorite kid with her favorite color. And if you’re buying for siblings, there’ll be no confusion or fighting. Best of all? The Omzer Mini Shock-Proof Camera for Kids—a surefire holiday win—is only $34!

Shop It: Omzer Mini Shock-Proof Camera for Kids, $34, amazon.com

A worry-free alarm clock

A smoother wake-up experience, guaranteed. (Photo: Amazon)
A smoother wake-up experience, guaranteed. (Photo: Amazon)

For any friend who wants to wake up in a gentler way, there’s the Witti Beddi Charge Alarm Clock. It has Bluetooth speakers to wake her to her favorite tunes—the volume builds gradually, so the effect is much less, well, alarming, than it might be with other clocks (or phones). The color and intensity of the digital readout is adjustable, so she can tone down the light at night. The Witti Beddi Charge Alarm Clock has three USB ports to charge her essential devices while she sleeps—very handy at home or while traveling. And it has an internal battery backup, so the alarm will sound even if there’s a power outage. No stress or fear that the alarm won’t go off, on those high-pressure days. Says Diana. “I might be a morning person if I had this in my life!”

Shop It: Witti Beddi Charge Alarm Clock, $18, amazon.com

A smart way to control your home

This little guy is the perfect stocking stuffer for a friend who uses Alexa at home. (Photo: Amazon)
This little guy is the perfect stocking stuffer for a friend who uses Alexa at home. (Photo: Amazon)

Is there someone on your list who just discovered the joys of having Amazon’s Alexa help out at home? This smart-plug could be just the gift for her. Diana explains: “Anything you plug into it—maybe a lamp or the TV—can be controlled with a voice command,” she says. “So cool!” says Diana. We agree!

Shop It: Amazon Smart Plug, $25, amazon.com

The gift of artificial intelligence

A smaller smart speaker that can handle a large workload. (Photo: Amazon)
A smaller smart speaker that can handle a large workload. (Photo: Amazon)

For those who have yet to enter the world of smart speakers, Diana suggests a gift of the Amazon Echo Dot – 3rd Generation. “This is a mini version of the original smart speaker,” she says. “It’s cute and compact—and so sleek with its new fabric design.” The Echo Dot is a great entry-level Alexa-enabled device. A toe in the water. Says Diana, “You can use it to play music, hear the weather, even control the lights and thermostat.” For someone who’s curious but not quite ready to go big, it’s a great gift. And you can scoop it up right now (in one of four finishes) for half of the usual retail price.

Shop It: Amazon Echo Dot – 3rd Generation, $25 (was $50), amazon.com

A streamer’s dream

The Amazon Fire Stick is a mini route to streaming, gaming, and browsing thousands of channels. Could. Not. Be. Simpler. (Photo: Amazon)
The Amazon Fire Stick is a mini route to streaming, gaming, and browsing thousands of channels. Could. Not. Be. Simpler. (Photo: Amazon)

The Amazon Fire Stick plugs right into the TV and provides access to all sorts of apps, “like Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video,” explains Diana. It makes streaming super-simple. “And it’s perfect for cozying up on these chilly nights. Amazon Prime members also get unlimited access to thousands of TV shows and movies—making this a great gift for a friend who has Prime and is looking to catch up on all the great series or blockbusters over the holidays.

Shop It: Amazon Fire TV Stick, $35, amazon.com

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