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Amanda Pellegrino

65 Clever Gifts Under $25 on Amazon That Are Legitimately Amazing

Amazon

Sometimes looking for gifts can feel like a full-time job. When it comes to friends who have everything, family members who ask for nothing, and everyone in between — gifting can be as stressful as it is fun. Especially when you’re on a budget. That’s where this list comes in. Packed with clever gifts for your techie boyfriend, skincare-obsessed sister, home-decor-loving parent, Gen-Z co-worker, or budding-chef brother, these clever gifts are legitimately amazing. And — the best part — they’re all under $25. (Though no one would know it.).

A personal water filter with 97,000 5-star ratings

Great for your outdoorsy friend or anyone looking to prep for emergencies, this straw has a built-in filter that removes bacteria and parasites to turn most found water sources into potable drinking water. The brand claims it filters out over 99.99% of waterborne parasites and bacteria. With proper use and maintenance, it can filter up to 1,000 gallons, so it’s no wonder why it has 97,000 five-star reviews and bestseller status.

A whimsical 34-ounce ceramic ramen bowl with a lid & fork

If you know someone obsessed with ramen, then gifting this ceramic bowl that looks like the container instant noodles comes in is going to get a ton of laughs. It can hold 32 ounces, which fits at least two packages of ramen plus veggies, an egg, and meat. It has a convenient handle and comes with a lid and fork for on-the-go eating.

A magnetic fidget toy that fits in the palm of your hand

This magnetic fidget toy is a great gift for someone looking to increase focus and reduce stress. It’s slightly weighed so it feels really good in the palm of their hand and and it has a magnetic center which allows them to slide the two metal cards back and forth in a super satisfying way.

Beard balms packed with essential oils to hydrate, nourish & shape

If your friend has a beard, this balm is a stocking stuffer they’ll actually use. The set of four is packed with haircare favorite ingredients — including argan oil, jojoba oil, and beeswax — to deeply hydrate, protect from everyday damage, and smooth to the perfect shape without flyaways. Each uniquely scented 1-ounce tin conditions all day long without leaving beards feeling greasy, thick, or hard.

An easy-to-learn magnetic chess game for 1 to 4 players

Give the gift of a fun strategy game that can be played with up to four people with this magnetic string chess game. It comes with one long string and 20 magnets, and the game entails placing magnets within the string’s borders while avoiding attracting the other player’s magnets to yours.

A gourmet salt sampler set to instantly elevate go-to dishes

For the budding chef in your life, this gourmet sea salt sampler set is a fantastic gift that allows them to instantly elevate their go-to dishes with stunning seasoning. It comes with six flavors — from smoked bacon chipotle salt to black lava salt — and each are stored in reusable tin box that keeps them fresh and is easy to use inside or at the grill.

Popular multitool pens with 8 features including 2 screwdrivers & 2 rulers

If you know a handyman or anyone who loves DIY projects, these multitool pens are the gift they never knew they needed. They’re pocket sized, making them super easy to travel with and they have eight unique features ranging from two kinds of screwdrivers to a super bright LED light. And they’re also functioning pens that come with ink refills.

A professional-level cooking torch with an easy slider to adjust the flame level

Anyone who wants to feel like, look like, or act like a professional chef in their own home will be obsessed with this cooking torch. Great for searing steaks, caramelizing sugar, browning marshmallows, and way more, this torch has an easy button to turn on and a slider to regulate the flame intensity.

A 5-pound tub of air dry clay that can be molded, painted & displayed

This 5-pound tub of air dry clay is so versatile — it can be molded into a vase for faux plants, sculpted into the shape of any animal you can imagine, or turned into a jewelry holder. After sculpting, all the designs can be painted for a colorful and super versatile gift — no special tools required. Plus all the unused clay can be stored in the airtight bin to keep it from drying out.

A retractable USB charger with lightning, micro & USB-C connections

This super fast charger is a great gift for that friend who’s phone battery always seems to be in the red. One side is a USB to plug into an outlet or computer while the other side features lighting, micro, and USB-C outlets to be compatible with most cell phone carriers. Plus, its portable size means it’s easy to charge on-the-go.

A quirky pasta spoon that doubles as a cheese grater

If you’re looking for a two-in-one kitchen gadget to gift a cooking-lover in your life, check out this pasta spoon that doubles as a cheese grater. Because what goes better than pasta and cheese? It has an extra-long handle and teeth that make scooping pasta from spaghetti to penne easy. And the base is also a stainless steel grater to make pasta extra cheesy.

An LED neck reading light that reviewers love

Friends who read before bed will love this LED light because it can be worn around their neck so they can read in the dark hands-free. It has three color temperatures, six brightness levels, and it has up to 80 hours of battery life on one single micro-USB charge. This light is beyond popular on Amazon with a 4.7-star rating after 123,000 reviews.

An electric juicer with 2 sizes of reamers for small & large citrus

What makes this electric juicer so clever and unique is that it comes with two differently sized reamers — a small one for lemons or limes and a larger one for oranges or grapefruit — as well as an automatic reverse function to make sure it gets every last drop of juice. Plus, the pitcher has pre-labeled measurements and can be detached for pouring.

Cozy earmuffs with built-in Bluetooth headphones

Keep your friends warm and entertained during the chillier months with these earmuffs that have built-in Bluetooth headphones. The earmuffs are made of a buttery soft combination of cotton and velvet that retain heat to stay cozy. And the headphones have 10-plus hours of playing time between charges.

  • Available styles: 6

An endlessly reusable retro calendar with month, day & date markers

A retro-style take on a traditional calendar, this one features day, date, and month prongs with little circles that can be moved around daily to reflect the current date. Informational and functional, the calendar also looks like something straight out of MoMA and has a wooden stand to keep it upright.

An egg timer for perfect soft, medium & hard boiled eggs with zero guesswork

The size and shape of an egg, this timer goes inside the boiling water with your eggs and starts to change color as the eggs cook to indicate each stage they are in as they go from soft to medium to hard boiled. It calculates by water temperature, not by time, to offer a more precise measurement.

A sandalwood beard comb that folds & stores in a carrying case

Made of durable and high-end sandalwood, this beard comb features a comfortable handle and nicely spaced teeth that brush and style without pulling, breaking, or damaging hair. Plus, it folds in half and stores in a convenient carrying case so it can be tossed in a bag and used anywhere.

Adorable fish-shaped paper clips stored in a quirky sardine can

If there’s an angler in your life who also has a 9-to-5, these paper clips are a quirky little gift to bring their passion into the office. The 30 paper clips are shaped like fish and come in blue and green for that seafood vibe. Plus, they’re all stored inside a realistic-looking sardine tin can that refreshes their desk in the funniest way.

A salad spinner with pieces that double as a colander & serving bowl

Make cleaning veggies and all your greens needs a way easier with this convenient and quick-acting salad spinner. Just put your lettuces inside the colander, rinse under the sink, fit the colander into the bowl, add the lid, and press the manual pump to spin your food until they’re dry and ready to eat. The bowl has a 6.3-quart capacity and can double as a serving bowl.

An exfoliating towel that’s long enough to reach the awkward spot on your back

This towel is made of quick drying material that lathers up, scrubs down, and exfoliates with ease. With a long and narrow design, the towel will help them reach their back — even that super awkward spot — without contorting their arms or shoulders.

Rechargeable & portable paw-shaped hand warmers with 3 heat levels

Great for homebodies and adventurers alike, these hand warmers are a fabulous gift for anyone who wants to keep their chilly hands a little warmer this season. They have up to 6.5 hours of working time on a single charge and feature three heat levels you can adjust to your needs. Plus, they magnetically stick together for easy portability.

Reversible football shot glasses that give you a 1.7-ounce or 4.2-ounce drink

Congrats, you’ve found a fantastic gift for football lovers: these reversible shot glasses with a football embossed in the base. On one side, you can fill the inner football with liquor and it gives you a 1.7-ounce shot; on the other side, you can fill the area around the football with liquor for a 4.2 ounce drink.

Shower steamers with 8 different mood-boosting scents

Turn your friend’s bathroom into their very own spa with these mood-boosting shower steamers. These set comes with eight delectable scents — from blissful orange to relaxing lavender. All you have to do is place the pod on the floor of your shower and let the warm splashes and steam release the scent to turn your shower into a mood-boosting dream.

A crank-operated food processor that dices, chops & purees with ease

This food processor is a great present for that friend who wants to meal prep but dreads how long it takes. Great for salads, stir fries, salsa, and way more, this kitchen gadget dices, slices, chops, and purees with little effort. All you have to do is place food in the bowl, pull the crank to move the stainless steel blades, and serve. No electricity needed.

A fun ring toss game with a durable wooden board & rubber rings

This ring toss game is a great gift for any new renter or homeowner who has some fun party hosting in their future. It has a high-end and durable wooden board with 14 metal hooks that you try to throw the rubber rings onto for a certain number of points and a variety of games. It’s easy to play indoors and outdoors.

A foot massage roller & ball with points that feel so soothing

If you’re looking for a gift for an athlete in your life, a recovery tool like this foot roller is something they’ll actually use. It’s covered in little nubs that target pressure points in the foot to help stretch, massage, and ease pain. The roller and the ball can also be used on neck, legs, and shoulders.

A beverage cooler that turns hot coffee into cold coffee in 60 seconds

For the coffee aficionados in your life, this cooler helps them save a little money by making iced coffee at home. Store it in the freezer between uses and when you’re ready, pour hot coffee directly into the chiller from your French press or Keurig. Swirl it around for 60 seconds and out comes 72 degree coffee you can pour over ice without instantly watering it down.

A multi-tool carabiner made of Sasquatch-shaped stainless steel

Despite its small size, this multi-tool has over nine super useful functions that are great to have in case of emergencies for hikers, campers, and kayakers. Made of super durable stainless steel, it has two screwdrivers, four hex wrench positions, and more. Plus, it’s attached to a 1.5-inch carabiner so it’s easy to secure to a backpack or belt loop.

A soy candle that doubles as a planter with seeds after it burnts out

At first this looks (and acts) like a normal, everyday soy candle with a citrusy, woodsy scent and a 42-hour burn time. But, after it burns out, it comes with non-GMO seeds you can pour inside, and it turns into a planter for a lavender plant that will be ready to harvest around two months after planting for more long-lasting fragrance.

A portable, handheld fan with up to 46 hours of battery life

This portable handheld fan folds up to store smaller than an average iPhone — great for traveling — and has three speed levels to customize to your needs. It has up to 46 hours of battery life on a single charge and can be charged via USB, solar power and more. Plus, it has a built-in flashlight and can work as a portable charger.

A red wine decanter with a luxe U-shaped design

This wine decanter is the kind of present that packs a luxurious punch without ruining your gifting budget. With a stunning U-shaped design, the decanter is made of hand-blown, lead-free glass that not only aerates your wine for maximum flavor but also allows it to be poured without drips or mess.

A watercolor paint set with 50 colors, a nylon brush, paper & more

This watercolor paint set is a fun gift for someone looking to explore a new hobby this season. It has 50 rich colors that are buildable and blendable, and the set even comes with a brush, pencil, sponge, drawing eraser, and more. Because it comes with so many colors, it requires less mixing to find the perfect shade, making it ideal for amateur artists.

A headphone holder that hangs them underneath a desk

This headphone holder is a simple, easy, and budget-friendly way to declutter a desk, nightstand, office, and anywhere else you use headphones. It uses compression to mount to your desk and has a 360-degree rotating hook to hang headphones on keeping them out of sight and out of mind but still easily accessible.

A Cuisinart cast iron grill press with a near-perfect rating

This grill press has a 4.7-star rating on Amazon after 20,000 reviews. Why do people love it so much? It weighs a little over 2 pounds, making it great for crispy smash burgers or evenly cooked chicken breast. It’s made of durable, high-quality cast iron yet has a wooden handle so you can use it and keep your hands cool, making it the perfecrt gift for home cooks.

A portable, fast-paced word game with a 4.9-star rating

Bananagrams is a word puzzle game where you race against your friends to build personal crossword grids until all the available letters are gone. It comes in a fun banana-shaped fabric case to store all the letters, so the game is portable and fun to play while at bars, on road trips, at the beach — you name it.

A head massager with 20 arms spread over 2 levels

Give your BFF the gift of ultimate relaxation by wrapping up this scalp massager. It has 20 fingers spread over two levels that can work to help stimulate blood circulation, target pressure points, and even potentially stimulate hair growth. Gliding through hair and scalp, it feels absolutely soothing and finally encourages your friend to get the relaxing massage they deserve.

Fruit-shaped sponges made of non-scratch materials

These fun fruit-shaped sponges are made of polyester silk that has the effect of steel wire — a.k.a. they scrub off baked-on stains while still remaining super gentle so they won’t scratch any surfaces. They fit in the palm of your hand and have a hanging loop that helps them dry super fast.

Viral collagen face masks that deeply hydrate & firm overnight

For your skincare-obsessed friends, these collagen face masks are a great way to hydrate, smooth, and firm skin overnight. Each sheet comes in two sections so you can really shape it to your face, and it feels similar to a silicone-like material that stays put without sticking to give you glowing, soft skin in the morning.

Buttery soft sherpa slipper socks with anti-skid bottoms

These house shoes are unique in that they provide the warmth, comfort, and stability of slippers with the flexibility and full-foot coverage of socks. They’re lined with a plush sherpa that’s insanely soft and they have a bendable bottom with nonslip dots to ensure stability all day long.

  • Available sizes: 5-6 — 11-12
  • Available styles: 9

A 17-key thumb piano that’s handcrafted with solid mahogany

This thumb piano is a great gift for anyone who wants to dip their toe into the world of music with a fun, unique instrument. It’s handcrafted with solid mahogany and ore steel bars so it’s lightweight, durable, and easy to take on the go. And it comes with a ton of tools from a carrying case to an instruction manual.

A charging adapter kit with a ton of USB, USB-C & lightning conversions

Any tech wizards in your life would love this charging adapter kit so they can keep all their devices in the green without carrying around a ton of cords. It features a six conversion set ups — from USB to USB-C, to USB-C to lightning — that all store in a convenient hard shell carrying case.

Roll-on lavender essential oil that 14,000 reviewers love

There’s a reason this best-selling roll-on oil makes a great stocking stuffer. The 100% pure lavender essential oil lets off a soothing scent that evokes peace and relaxation to promote sleep and create a calming feeling. Plus, the compact design makes it super easy to travel. with.

An insulated cooler backpack that’s totally leak-proof

This soft cooler backpack is going to have your outdoorsy friends squealing with joy when they open it up. It has a 30-liter interior capacity that’s insulated and leakproof as well as two side pockets for wine bottles, two small zipper pockets essentials, and a large zipper pocket for snacks. It even has a built-in bottle opener on one of the straps so you’re never without.

  • Available colors: 14

A massive set of colored pencils with a smooth, pigment-rich tip

This set of colored pencils has 72 colors — from rich jewel tones and vibrant neons to essential neutrals. The pencils are made of a matte black basswood so they’re easy to sharpen, and the tips have a soft-core that goes down smooth and pigment rich. Best of all, they’re numbered and labeled for easier identification.

A 6-piece kitchen gadget set that saves a ton of space

This space-saving set of kitchen gadgets features a keyring with six super useful tools that stack together, making this especially great for RVs or small apartments. It has everything from an herb stripper to a pizza cutte,r and all the blades are made of high-grade stainless steel. Plus, they can be removed from the ring to use individually and then tossed in the dishwasher.

Wireless Bluetooth earbuds with 8 hours of battery life on 1 charge

These wireless headphones sound expensive but don’t break the bank. They’re super compact — smaller than a credit card — and the earbuds can be used together or individually. They have an eight hour battery life on a single charge, and the case has an additional 24 hours of battery life built-in.

A magnet that spells out the cooking temperatures for meat & fish

For the grill masters and at-home chefs in your life, this magnet lists the different cooking temperatures for beef, pork, poultry, and fish so they know at a glance when their delicious food is ready. It can stick to a metal refrigerator or a metal grill, and it’s made with UV-resistant ink to resist fading when used outdoors.

A convenient phone stand that folds up pocket-sized

This is the kind of simple phone stand that does the job beautifully without any unnecessary fuss. It holds the phone vertically or horizontally and has an adjustable height. There’s a hole at the bottom so the phone can charge while mounted. And when not in use, it folds into an easy-to-carry, pocket-sized tool.

A pretty, no-drip honey jar with a classic dipper

This honey jar has the classic, pretty appeal and look of a honey comb and is made of heavy-duty glass, so it’s easy to clean and easy to warm so your honey or syrup can stay nice and soft. It saves your surfaces from drips thanks to the no-drip design and handy, classic dipper that makes dispensing honey a breeze.

A scratch-off poster to keep track of 100 top movies

If your dad or BFF is a total cinephile, this poster is a great gift to help them keep track of the classics they’ve already seen and the ones they want to watch next. It has a scratch-off design with 100 boxes featuring custom illustrations representing 100 must-see films that were top-rated from fans and critics alike.

A multi-piece cleaning kit for a laptop & keyboard

This cleaning kit has everything your techy friend needs to make sure their computer and keyboards are clean enough to eat off. It has everything from a soft thin brush for in between keys to a spray bottle and cloth for lenses and screens. Everything fits neatly into a storage case to keep things safe between uses.

A popular moisturizing body lotion that is lightweight & non-greasy

With over 20,000 five-star ratings, this body lotion is a super powerful find at a budget-friendly price. Packed with seven nourishing oils & butters, the lotion goes on lightweight and non-greasy to hydrate, heal, nourish, and soothe dry and damaged skin. It dries fast and doesn’t leave any thick, sticky residue behind.

A fast-acting wireless charger with a 5-foot cable

This wireless charger connects to any phone with MagSave capabilities to keep the battery in the green. It has a 5-foot long cable that plugs into the wall and it doesn’t require any additional cables to connect to devices. While it’s always on and ready to go, it also has safety features like temperature monitoring to prevent overheating.

A milk-carton shaped ceramic vase great for long stem flowers

People love flowers and people love quirky retro decor, so combine the two and gift this milk carton-shaped vase that’s great for showcasing long stem flowers. Made of a water-tight ceramic, the vase has a super cool design that looks like a work of art even when it doesn’t have any flowers in it.

A desk-mounted punching bag to relieve stress at work

This desk-mounted punching bag is made of durable faux leather that can take a hit after every frustrating thing at work or at home to ease stress and encourage relaxation. It can be secured to a desk’s surface with a super strong suction cup or a clamp. And the inflatable boxing ball comes with pump to keep it full all day long.

An egg cracker & spoon holder combo that keeps counters clean

A great housewarming gift for a new renter or new homeowner, this egg cracker and spoon holder dish can help keep their counters clean and free from leaky egg or messy sauces. It features a sharp, V-shaped center prong that cracks eggs with one tap and it has smooth, elevated edges that keep any excess mess from spilling over.

A bracelet making kit with 6,000 clay beads & accessories

Show your love by making a custom friendship bracelet for your loved ones or gifting this entire kit so they can make hundreds themselves. It comes with over 6,000 clay beads and accessories — from fun shapes, to classic letters, to string and clasps — to create all kinds of stackable bracelets for concerts, festivals, or just any ol’ day.

Refreshing rose water facial spray that hydrates & controls oil

A great gift for anyone looking to bulk up their skincare routine, this rose water facial spray helps hydrate, refresh, tone, plump, and control oil. It’s packed with aloe vera extract, glycerin, and rose flower water to not only smell amazing but keep skin glowing all day long — even on the go.

A super fun & popular card game that’s easy to learn

The goal of this game: flip, trade, and collect cards over the course of several rounds to end up with as few points as possible. With this game, the rules are simple and easy to understand and it’s great to play with anywhere from two to eight people. The game typically takes 30 minutes and is different every time, which is why it’s so popular with 57,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Popcorn kernels & seasoning for a spicy, caramelly, or cheesy movie night

This popcorn making kit is great for anyone who wants a movie theater experience at home. It comes with three types of popcorn and five exceptional spices — from chili lime to buttery caramel — so they can drizzle on top and really up their movie night game with a selection of fun and funky popcorn snacks.

Kitchen scissors with 5 blades to dice herbs & greens

These scissors can help make a friend’s meal prep way easier. They have five super sharp parallel blades that can sheer herbs, dice green onions, millet pepper, and cut up all kinds of small veggies. The can save your friends a ton of time in the kitchen so they can focus more on hanging out and less on prepping dinner.

An original Tamagotchi for some old-school fun

If you’re looking for a gift for that childhood friend who loves reliving past memories, this Tamagotchi could be the answer. They keychain game comes in a ton of colors and patterns so you can customize it to their personality, and it has all the fun you remember. Let them watch their Tamagotchi grow up from egg to child and bring them back to the good old days.

A lip balm & sleep mask combo that hydrates & evens out lips

Wrapping up something like this lip balm and sleep mask combo is a classic gift for anyone who enjoys skincare. The sleep mask goes on your lips at night and helps strengthen the natural moisture barrier while nourishing and smoothing the texture of your lips. The balm goes on lightweight and glossy for a shiny finish that instantly elevates any look.

A portable charger with built-in lightning, USB-C & micro cables

What makes this portable charger different from a lot of others on the market is that you don’t have to carry any additional cables around. It has USB-C, lighting, and micro cables built-in so all devices can be charged without any other stuff. It can charge multiple devices at once and the compact size makes it easy to travel with.

A wearable blanket hoodie lined with premium shaggy sherpa

For anyone who loves a cozy night at home, this wearable blanket hoodie is the best gift to stay warm and snuggly. It’s lined with plush shaggy sherpa that’s super thick without being too hot. It has two deep pockets and a ribbed cuff at the wrist to lock in warmth. The oversized fit and large hoodie make curling into it and watching your favorite series irresistible.

  • Available sizes: Standard — Oversize
  • Available colors: 9
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