Hey,

Budget gear usually sounds good… until it doesn’t.

So I tried building a shortlist of under-$100 gadgets that actually last.

Here’s what’s inside:

• 📱 My go-to phone cases that never peel or crack
• ⚡ The charging brands I actually trust
• 💧 A water bottle that cleans itself (seriously)
• 🎧 The $20 upgrade that makes earbuds way better
• 🔌 The cable I’d pack for every trip

Let’s dive in👇

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So here’s the deal: I wanted to see what kind of actually good tech you can get for under $100.

Not gimmicks, not “TikTok made me buy it” nonsense — just solid products I’ve personally used (or would happily buy again).

Let’s go category by category.

If you’ve been around here long enough, you know I’ve got opinions about phone cases.

MagBak is my go-to — super solid, great magnets, and doubles as a mount.
If you want something slimmer, Pitaka makes incredibly thin cases that still feel premium.

And Moft is another I’d throw in the mix. All under $100, and all far better than your average Amazon find.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to charge your stuff properly.

ESR makes a ton of budget-friendly MagSafe chargers, power banks, and stands that look good and just work.

Anker is the other obvious pick — their wall plugs and batteries are built like tanks and usually land well below the $100 mark.

If you’ve never tried the Logitech MX Master 3S, now’s your chance.

The newer MX Master 4 is out, so prices on the 3S have dropped — and it’s still one of the best mice you can buy.

If you work at a desk all day, it’s a small upgrade that makes a big difference.

A LARQ water bottle (yep, the self-cleaning one) sneaks in under $100 and somehow feels like a luxury item.

It’s one of those things you don’t think you need until you’ve used it — then every other bottle feels slightly gross.

Comply Foam ear tips — tiny upgrade, massive comfort.

They fit pretty much any earbuds and finally stop them from falling out mid-walk.

Honestly, the best $20 you can spend if you wear earbuds every day.

Apple AirTags or Samsung SmartTags — I’ve got these stuck to everything.
Keys, luggage, bags, even my camera case.

It’s the one under-$100 gadget that saves you hours of frustration later.

The CMF Buds (from Nothing) punch way above their price point.

If they’re under $100 where you are, grab them. Great sound, fun design, and a proper alternative to pricier sets.

SD cards and NVMe drives aren’t glamorous, but they’re the unsung heroes of every setup.

You’ll thank yourself later when you’re not deleting footage to make space.

Magtame makes magnetic USB-C cables that snap together neatly — perfect for travel.

No tangles, no mess, and you won’t be digging through a knot of wires at the bottom of your bag.

That’s the lot — ten(ish) items that actually earn their keep under $100.

None of them are “wow” flashy, but they’re all things I’ve used, loved, or keep buying again.

If you’ve got your own under-$100 favorite, reply and tell me — I’m always hunting for the next hidden gem.

📱 Enjoying this newsletter? Share it with a friend who’s as obsessed with tech as you are:

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We test camera quality, charging speed, and specs every year — but what about the thing that really matters: how long your phone actually lasts?

In the next issue, I’ll break down:

Plus, my take on what truly defines a long-lasting phone — and whether Apple’s ecosystem or Android’s flexibility wins in the long run.

📅 See you Thursday.