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Last-minute tech gift ideas (for under $50)

Some last-minute gift ideas for family or friends (or you!) that won't cost the earth! Everything listed here is $50 or less!
By Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Contributing Writer
F-Secure Freedome VPN
1 of 10 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

F-Secure Freedome VPN

Probably the single most important app you can have installed on your devices. F-Secure's Freedome is a simple-to-use VPN service that keeps you safe and secure when online.

Price: Starting from $49.99

Eton ZoneGuard
2 of 10 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Eton ZoneGuard

Be prepared for disaster with the Eton ZoneGuard weather alert clock radio. With S.A.M.E. technology (specific area message encoding), just enter your S.A.M.E. county code and if there's a warning, watch or advisory you'll see it - with flashing red, orange or green lights - and hear about it, too.

Price: $49.99

Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth (64GB)
3 of 10 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth (64GB)

The CorsairFlash Survivor Stealth USB 3.0 flash drives help keep your files safe. The anodized, aircraft-grade aluminum housing is waterproof to 200 meters, vibration-resistant, and shock-resistant.

Price: Around $40

Google Chromecast
4 of 10 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Google Chromecast

Google's Chromecast is a media streaming device that plugs into the HDMI port on your TV. Works with iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Mac and Windows laptops and Chromebooks.

Price: $35

WeMo LED starter kit
5 of 10 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

WeMo LED starter kit

The WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set lets you access and control your WeMo Smart LED Bulbs from anywhere, using your existing home Wi-Fi network and mobile internet. Dim lights, turn them on or off, or create a custom schedule.

Price: $49.99

iFixit Magnetic Project Mat
6 of 10 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

iFixit Magnetic Project Mat

Organize all the parts that you remove from things you're fixing with the iFixit Magnetic Project Mat. Spacious and secure, the mat will catch and hold screws as you pull them out of a device.

Price: $19.95

Canned compressed air
7 of 10 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Canned compressed air

A can of compressed air is ideal for cleaning out hair, dirt and other debris from your PC. Getting the dirt out doesn't just make your PC look better, but it can also help it last longer by preventing it from overheating.

Price: From a few dollars up

Misfit Flash
8 of 10 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Misfit Flash

The Misfit Flash is a simple, low-cost, low-hassle fitness tracker that doesn't need regular charging thanks to a replaceable coin cell battery.

Price: $19.99

Rechargeable AA batteries
9 of 10 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Rechargeable AA batteries

Almost everyone can do with more rechargeable AA batteries. My persona favorites are the Panasonic eneloop Pro. Not only do they save money and the planet, they're very handy because you're never without a battery when you need one.

Price: Around $20

Google Cardboard
10 of 10 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Google Cardboard

Want to get into VR cheaply? Google Cardboard is a way to do just that. Get it, fold it and look inside to enter the world of Cardboard! Want a special gift? Make your own!

Price: Around $20

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