Top 10 Gadgets Under £50 That Make Great Gifts

Looking for a thoughtful present that’s both useful and wallet-friendly? Maplin’s under-£50 gadgets are ideal for birthdays, holidays, or just because. Here are ten standout picks sure to impress everybody from retro-gamers to sleep-seekers.

Ideal for: Families, roommates, and anyone juggling multiple devices

If you’ve ever fought over the last free plug socket, this 6-port USB charging station will be a game-changer. Designed to charge up to six devices simultaneously (with four USB-A and two USB-C ports), it’s perfect for desks, bedside tables, or living rooms. Fast charging tech means your gadgets power up quickly and safely, keeping phones, tablets, headphones, and even smartwatches fully topped up.

Why it makes a great gift:

• Keeps charging neat and organised—no more cable chaos

• Suitable for all ages and tech setups

• Supports fast charge for popular brands and devices

Ideal for: Students, commuters, and frequent travellers

This compact wall charger might look simple, but it packs a punch with 20W fast charging through two USB-C ports. It’s lightweight and travel-ready, making it perfect for people who want to power up multiple devices like phones and earbuds quickly without lugging around bulky chargers.

Why it makes a great gift:

• Compatible with a wide range of devices

• Dual-port means more flexibility for charging at once

• Affordable and easy to tuck into any bag or pocket

Ideal for: Retro gamers, vintage tech fans, and home entertainment buffs

Love old-school gaming or have some retro devices gathering dust? This handy converter lets you hook up classic consoles, DVD players, or even old camcorders to modern HDMI TVs. It upscales the video to crisp 1080p quality, meaning you get sharper images and smoother gameplay.

Why it makes a great gift:

• Perfect for nostalgia buffs who want to relive childhood gaming memories

• Easy plug-and-play setup—no tech wizardry needed

• Brings old devices back to life on new TVs

Ideal for: Music lovers, students, and fitness fans

These wireless earphones offer great sound quality and a comfortable fit at a very wallet-friendly price. Whether they love podcasts during the commute, jams at the gym, or just prefers tangle-free listening, these earphones fit the bill.

Why it makes a great gift:

• Affordable introduction to wireless audio

• Lightweight, with a good battery life

• Compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled devices

Ideal for: Anyone who hates running out of battery

Power banks are lifesavers, and this slim 10,000mAh model has built-in cables for Lightning, USB-C, and USB-A devices, so no more hunting for the right charger cable! It’s perfect for keeping phones, tablets, and other devices topped up on the go, whether commuting, travelling, or just out and about.

Why it makes a great gift:

• Built-in cables reduce clutter and forgotten chargers

• Slim design fits easily into pockets and bags

• Multiple ports for charging multiple devices simultaneously

Ideal for: Creative types, teens, and party-goers

Instant cameras are all the rage for capturing spontaneous fun, and our range of Fujifilm Instax Mini film adds an extra burst of personality to every shot. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just fun with friends.

Why it makes a great gift:

• Adds a fun, festive touch to instant photos

• Encourages creativity and analogue memories in a digital world

• Great companion gift for anyone with an Instax Mini camera

Ideal for: Smart home beginners and energy-conscious tech lovers

Make any home smarter with this simple WiZ-connected smart plug. Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and more, it lets users control lamps, heaters, and other appliances remotely, set schedules, or use voice commands. Plus, it supports energy monitoring, so you can see how much power your devices use.

Why it makes a great gift:

• Adds convenience and energy savings to any home

• Easy setup for smart-home newbies

• Perfect for automating lights, fans, or heaters

Ideal for: Content creators, teachers, vloggers

This wireless clip-on microphone is a great gift idea for anyone making videos, recording interviews, or giving presentations. It connects directly to smartphones via USB-C and works without the need for complicated apps—making it plug-and-play simple.

Why it makes a great gift:

• Great audio quality for clear recordings

• Wireless freedom means no awkward cables

• Portable and easy to use anywhere

Ideal for: Streamers, gamers, and media multitaskers

This HDMI switch is an ideal gift for anyone with multiple HDMI devices (think gaming consoles, streaming sticks, Blu-ray players). With a simple remote control, it’s easy to switch between devices without unplugging and plugging cables constantly.

Why it makes a great gift:

• Streamlines entertainment systems

• Supports stunning 4K visuals

• Ideal for living rooms, gaming dens, or bedrooms

Ideal for: Light sleepers, travellers, and busy students

Everyone deserves a good night’s sleep, and these hypoallergenic silicone earplugs reduce noise by up to 19dB. The perfect gift for blocking snoring, traffic noise, or loud neighbours, they’re comfortable for side sleepers and come with a handy carry case.

Why it makes a great gift:

• Promotes restful sleep and better focus

• Reusable and easy to clean

• Practical for home, office, or travel

Giving tech gifts doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. With these thoughtful and fun gadgets under £50 from Maplin, you can wow your friends and family with presents that actually make life easier and more enjoyable. With our range of handy day to day tech and gadgets, you can always find the ideal gift for friends and family with Maplin.

Explore more Gift Ideas with our dedicated Gift Guide page.