The holidays are getting closer and closer, and you’re likely still looking for deals and ways to save for the tech lover in your family. We’ve taken a look at the best gifts under $50 and the best gifts under $100, and today we’re taking a look at the best gifts for those who have a budget between $100-200. While not all of these gifts are Android-powered, they certainly could help enhance an Android user’s experience.
Let’s get cracking!
No-contract and unlocked Android smartphones
Motorola Moto G (2nd gen)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQaeh1E6vb4?feature=oembed&w=710&h=399]
The follow-up to the original Moto G holds a lot in common with its predecessor, including its 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 CPU and 1GB of RAM. This time around, however, the display size has jumped up to 5-inches and the camera package has also improved.
The Moto G runs on near-stock Android 4.4, and should get Android 5.0 Lollipop sometime before the year is up. Motorola’s Moto G series proves that low-price doesn’t have to mean low quality, something we’re also seeing with the even cheaper Moto E.
Buy now from Amazon from $180
Motorola Moto E
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H87o-ZC5A6U?feature=oembed&w=710&h=399]
Yet another phone from Motorola that proves you don’t need to pay top dollar to still get a solid Android experience. The Moto E is far from a power house with its dual-core Snapdragon 200 CPU and a smaller qHD 4.3-inch display, but the phone actually performs rather well, in large part thanks to its clean stock-like Android installation.
The Moto E actually has a few small advantages over the first-gen version of its bigger brother, such as its microSD expansion slot and the inclusion of a front-facing speaker, but the second gen Moto G takes these advantages away. Without a front cam and with slightly weaker specs, the Moto G (2nd gen) is the better deal but if you absolutely are looking for the cheapest phone around, the Moto E provides a $50 savings over the Moto G and yet is still without a doubt one of the best handsets you’ll find for under $200.
Buy now from Amazon from $120
Sharp Aquos Crystal
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2p3UTRKK-c?feature=oembed&w=710&h=399]
Unlike the other two phones here, the Sharp Aquos Crystal isn’t an unlocked device and requires prepaid service through either Sprint or Boost. The handset not only has an excellent price tag, it has solid specs and ultra-thin bezels that make it stand out from the crowd. Beyond the stunning bezels, you get a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 CPU with 1.5GB RAM, 8GB storage, a 5-inch 720p display, a 2040mAh battery, an 8MP rear cam, 1.2MP front cam and Android 4.4.2 KitKat.
Buy now from Amazon for $112
Smartwatches
Asus ZenWatch
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW_K91qV59I?feature=oembed&w=710&h=399]
If you’re looking to spend less than $200 on an Android Wear watch this year, you should buy the Asus ZenWatch. While the display is square, Asus has done a great job at making the watch look less like a computer on your wrist, and more like a classic timepiece. It comes with a leather strap that has a premium feel to it, and unique clasps that secure the watch to your wrist. The included watch faces are definitely the most interesting compared to the other watches on this list, and the watch even comes with some Asus extras like a wellness manager. The ZenWatch is running Android Wear, Google’s attempt to get Android on your wrist. While the platform has some trouble of its own, the ZenWatch is the perfect watch to show it off… all for under $200.
Buy now for $199.99
Samsung Gear Live
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-FVQNtG8-U?feature=oembed&w=710&h=399]
Samsung has made a few smartwatches prior to the Gear Live, but this is their first one running Android Wear. This one has a square display, rounded corners, and almost looks more like a futuristic bracelet than a watch. Its strap is made of rubbery-plastic, and feels like you’re wearing a fitness tracker. The Gear Live’s watch faces remind us a lot of what you would see on a Galaxy smartphone (surprise, surprise), though that’s not necessarily a bad thing. This watch is definitely the most futuristic of the bunch, and comes in either Black or Wine Red.
Buy now for $170
LG G Watch
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK_RE5bjdcE?feature=oembed&w=710&h=399]
The LG G Watch was one of the first Wear devices to be announced, and to this day, has been the most simplistic out of the bunch. It has a square display, slightly rounded corners, and a rubber strap that reminds us of the Pebble’s strap. The watch’s simplicity extends to its watch faces, as they aren’t anything fancy or in-your-face, but they’re still very nice. The G Watch has been on sale quite a bit recently, and one of the lowest deals we can find right now is on Amazon. The white model is a little more expensive, so we’d recommend going with the black one to save some cash.
Buy now on Amazon for $141
Samsung Gear 2 Neo
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbGVmfwI3Qs?feature=oembed&w=710&h=399]
Samsung’s Gear 2 Neo is the outlier of the bunch, being the only smartwatch in our list that isn’t running Android Wear. Tizen, Samsung’s own OS, is loaded on it, though many users won’t be able to tell the difference between the two. The Gear 2 Neo resembles a Gear Live, only smaller and with a differently-textured strap. Other than a few little design changes, the watches are almost identical. It comes with a built-in heart rate sensor, pedometer, and loads of Samsung’s own S Health features. This watch is only compatible with Samsung devices, so make sure your phone is compatible before buying this one! If it’s not, we’d recommend going with the Gear Live.
Buy now on Amazon for $149.99
Other wearable tech
Fitbit Charge
The Fitbit brand is popular for a reason, and that’s because their products are extremely great quality. The Fitbit Charge is an accurate fitness tracker that gives you useful information like distance traveled, step counts, calories burned, stairs climbed, and much more. It’s made of a high quality rubber material that won’t wear down over time. It features a small OLED display that gives you notifications, phone calls, and basically anything else that you need to see on your phone. In terms of fitness trackers for under $200, this is likely your best bet.
Buy now on Amazon for $129.95
UP24 Jawbone
The Jawbone UP 24 is a fitness tracker that’s controlled solely from the Jawbone app on your phone. It tracks steps, calories burned, hours slept, quality of sleep, and more. It can track your food, drink, and calorie information, and you can share your progress between other Jawbone users. It’s small, light, and comes in a selection of six different colors and three different sizes.
Buy now for $119.99
Garmin Vivofit
The Garmin Vivofit is sort of a hybrid between the first two offerings. It resembles a bracelet, but has a long screen that solely gives you tracking and workout information. It’s made of a rubber strap that’s waterproof and light, allowing for a comfortable fit. You also have the option to buy it without the heart rate monitor, dropping the price by $50… not a bad deal!
Buy now for $119.99
Headphones and speakers
Sennheiser Momentum On Ear Headphone
The Sennheiser Momentum On Ear Headphones offer premium sound quality and maximum comfort. The over-ear design helps isolate ambient noise to ensure you’re getting the best quality sound. The headband and earphone cushions are made from soft, breathable and durable Alcan Tara, giving you the most comfortable fit you can buy. The headphone cable also includes a three-button control system and microphone, so you don’t need to worry about taking them off to answer your phone.
Buy now for $129.95
Monoprice 110010 Noise Cancelling Headphone with Active Noise Reduction Technology
Looking to enjoy your favorite tunes or listen to an audiobook but find yourself distracted by the noise going on around you? That’s where Monoprice 110010 Noise Cancelling Headphones could certainly come in handy, bringing superior noise cancelling tech that’s powered by a single AAA that can provide 50 hours of listening before the need for a replacement.
What if you simply want to drown out noise while you study? Monoprice’s headphones are designed to be used even without musical/audio content. And of course if you simply want to use the headphones for a quick listening session without the noise cancelling tech in place, that’s achievable too!
Buy now for $152.39
Harman Kardon Premium BT Recertified Over-Ear Headphones with Bluetooth Technology
Harmon Kardon is known for their premium audio equipment… especially their headphones. If you’re looking for some great quality over-the-ear Bluetooth headphones, you’ll want to take a look at these. The unique square design gives off a sophisticated look, all while producing crystal clear sound. These headphones are USB-rechargeable and feature a passive playback mode. If you’re not sold on the recertified option, you can grab a brand new pair of these headphones for a bit less than $200. We’d recommend going with the latter, though, as they’re significantly less expensive.
Buy now for $109.95
Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker
Bose has always put out some great audio products, and the SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker is no exception. It gives out crystal clear highs, deep, prominent bass, and great-sounding mid-tones that you might not expect to hear from a wireless speaker. This speaker lasts up to 8 hours on a single charge and is fully compatible with any Bluetooth-enabled device you own. It’s compact, loud and clear… what more could you ask for?
Buy now for $129
MINI JAMBOX by Jawbone Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Looking for a smaller Bluetooth speaker? Check out the Jawbone MINI JAMBOX Bluetooth Speaker. It measures 6.6 x 1.6 x 5.4 inches and weighs only 9.1 ounces, making this one of the most portable speakers you can find on the market for this quality. Battery life can last up to 10 hours, and it’s compatible with any Bluetooth-enabled device. Not loud enough for you? You can connect two of these speakers together for double the sound! It comes in a variety of different colors, so you can find the one that suits your personality most!
Buy now for $129
Budget tablets
Nexus 7 (2013)
Despite being over a year old, the Nexus 7 (2013) is still one of the best tablets you can buy, and with the new Nexus 9 making its way to consumers soon, the already attractive price tag of the Nexus 7 (2013) is bound to get even better.
The Nexus 7 (2013)’s quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, clocked at 1.5 GHz, and backed by the Adreno 320 GPU and 2GB of RAM is still more than capable of handling all but the most processor-intensive activities. Its display resolution is still the highest you can get in this size category, and most importantly, you get a great software experience, helped along by the guarantee of timely updates, including the all new Android 5.0 Lollipop. This is why the Nexus 7 (2013) opens our list of best cheap Android tablets.
Buy Now from Amazon for $199
Asus MeMO Pad 8
Asus refreshed the affordable Android tablet it first launched last year, bringing to the new MeMO Pad 8 improved specifications and a better overall performance. The new MeMO Pad 8 combines a 8-inch IPS LCD screen with a quad-core Intel Atom Z3745 processor running at 1.33 GHz and 1GB of RAM. A thin and light design makes this tablet very portable, and a ton of extra goodies worth around $270 makes this a good choice for budget buyers.
Buy Now on Amazon for $169
Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0
Samsung’s latest mid-range tablet brings with it everything you love about Samsung devices in a more affordable package. Specifications are pretty standard fare for today’s mid-rangers, including a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, 1.5 GB RAM, 8 GB of internal storage with microSD expansion, and a 4,000 mAh battery.
Samsung’s signature design language makes a return here, along with TouchWiz and its key features, such as Smart Stay and multi-window. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 is not without its shortcomings, just like any other low-cost tablet, but if you’re looking for a good Samsung tablet at a very reasonable price point, this is the device for you.
Buy Now on Amazon for $1639
Misc
Nyrius ARIES Prime Digital Wireless HDMI Transmitter & Receiver System
Media streamers can all perform essentially the same functions, but an area where many fall short is streaming locally-stored files to the big screen. That is the Nyrius ARIES HDMI system’s prime function: streaming uncompressed, true 1080p video and and surround sound audio with zero latency. Simply plug the HDMI dongle into the device you’re streaming from, and that’s basically it. No software is required to run this machine, and the powerful 30-foot signal lets you go wherever you’d like in the room. For under $200, you can stream your HD movies a videos to your big screen… not a bad deal!
Buy now for $179.99
Cobra Electronics CPP 7500 JumPack Portable Power Pack
We’ve all seen portable battery packs to keep our mobile devices charged, but what about cars? If you don’t have anyone around to help jump start your vehicle, what do you do? Save your tow truck money and think about this instead: the Cobra Electronics JumPack Power Pack. This portable battery pack has enough power to jump start your car and charge your phone. It features a 200 amp starting current, 400 amp peak current, 7500mAh lithium-cobalt battery. The USB output is clocked at 2.1 amps, and it even features a flashlight – perfect for emergency situations. This is one of the most unique and equally handy items on our list, and you should definitely consider picking this up for a friend or loved one.
Buy now for $109.02
Amazon Gift Card
Having trouble figuring out what to your favorite tech head this holiday season? When in doubt, Amazon gift cards may just be the answer. From tech to fashion and so much more, you’ll find almost anything on Amazon and there’s denominations as little as $10 or as high as $2000.
Buy you gift cards here!
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