Gifts Under $50: 15 Ideas They’ll Actually Use
Gear and gift guide · Under $50
Small, good things for beach people, wanderers and everyone in between.
15 picks · 4 min read
A good gift doesn’t need a big price. These are the small, useful things that get packed for every trip and used every week. Here are our picks, all under $50.
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Our top three
Hydro Flask 21 oz Standard Mouth Bottle
Keeps water cold through a beach day. The gift almost everyone uses.
Apple AirTag
Drop one in a suitcase and they'll always know where their bag ended up.
JBL Go 4 Portable Speaker
A pocket-size waterproof speaker for the beach, the shower or the hotel room.
Quick compare
| Pick | Best for | Good to know | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydro Flask 21 oz Standard Mouth Bottle | Beach days, commutes | Lots of colors | $35 |
| Apple AirTag | Checked bags | Works with iPhone | $29 |
| JBL Go 4 Portable Speaker | Beach, hotel rooms | Waterproof and dustproof | $50 |
Under $20
BAGGU Standard Reusable Bag
Folds into a tiny pouch and holds a full load of groceries or beach gear.
Field Notes Memo Books (3-pack)
Pocket notebooks for trip notes, restaurant names and the address of that bar.
Lonely Planet Pocket Guide
A pocket guide to the place they're going next. Pair it with a handwritten note.
$20 to $35
Kodak FunSaver Disposable Camera
Film photos from the trip, and the fun of waiting to see them.
Eagle Creek Pack-It Essentials Set
Packing cubes that make a carry-on feel bigger and unpacking easier.
Anker Nano USB-C Charger
A tiny, fast wall charger that takes up less room in the bag.
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight .5
A small first-aid kit for the daypack. They'll be glad to have it.
The North Face Norm Hat
We love this hat. A simple cotton cap that goes from beach walk to airport and still looks good after a season in the sun.
$35 to $50
Brightland AWAKE Olive Oil
A beautiful bottle of good olive oil for the cook or the host.
Cotopaxi Bataan Fanny Pack
A colorful hip pack for markets, festivals and travel days.
Matador Pocket Blanket
A picnic blanket that folds down to pocket size. Great for beach sunsets.
How we pick: we choose small things that get used every week, and we never take paid placements. More on how we pick
Rather give a day than a thing?
Surf lessons, sunset sails and food tours they'll remember longer than anything wrapped.
See the experiences guide