50 must-have tech accessories under $50

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There are a lot of tech accessories out there. Some enhance the functionality of your current hardware, while others just complement it. It's great that there are so many options out there, but that can also make picking the right product more difficult.

To help, we rounded up 50 must-have tech accessories under $50, which will solve some of the problems that most of us deal with all the time — like keeping our phones charged, laptops protected, and selfie game unmatched. It'll also help you tackle some more interesting challenges, like recording high quality music on-the-go, avoiding carpal tunnel, and improving your home Wi-Fi network. 

The best part is that none of these accessories will set you back more than $50, with many of them costing significantly less. Tech can certainly get expensive, but these examples show that you don't have to spend a lot to get what you need.

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A flash drive

 PNY Turbo 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive
Amazon

PNY Turbo 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive, $12.98, available at Amazon

Keeping your data in the cloud is definitely convenient, but moving large files from one computer to another through it requires a fast internet connection, so it's always handy to keep a flash drive around. 

I've had good luck with this one from PNY, which has enough storage space to hold thousands of photos, documents, and songs, or several hours of HD video.

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An external hard drive

Toshiba Canvio Advance
Amazon

Toshiba Canvio Advance 1TB Portable External Hard Drive, $45, available at Amazon

Flash drives are great for moving files around, but an external hard drive is what you'll need to make comprehensive backups of your entire computer. Toshiba's hard drive can hold 1TB of data, which is way more than the average person keeps on their machine. 

I understand that making backups can be tedious, but this accessory can help ensure that one-of-a-kind data like your family photos remains safe if your computer crashes.

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A lock port

Kensington
Amazon

Kensington Desktop Computer and Peripherals Locking Kit, $17.99, available at Amazon

Computers are expensive, and the last thing you want is for the laptop you meticulously researched before buying gets stolen. Attach Kensington's lock to your machine and loop the other end around the leg of a bolted-down table, chair, or other object and you won't have to worry about anyone walking away with it. 

This particular lock uses a key instead of a combination, so you'll have to keep the key on you to use it.

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A Bluetooth keyboard

Anker Bluetooth Keyboard
Anker

Anker Slim Profile Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard, $23.99, available at Amazon

Although it's paired with an iPad in the picture above, I've used Anker's bluetooth keyboard with my computer and it works fine. There's no lag when I type, the keys have a satisfying clip, and the battery lasts a very long time. 

If you do use it with an iPad, you'll notice some iOS-specific function keys on the top row, which will let you adjust its volume, screen brightness, and lock the screen without having to touch the tablet.

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A bluetooth mouse

Logitech M557
Logitech

Logitech Bluetooth Mouse, $24.99, available at Amazon

The natural complement to a bluetooth keyboard is a mouse, and I'm a huge fan of this one from Logitech. It's small, feels great in the hand, and lets you program its buttons to perform different functions, so you can do more without taking your hand off of it. 

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A TV antenna

Antennas Direct ClearStream Eclipse
Antennas Direct

ClearStream ECLIPSE TV Antenna, $33.99, available at Amazon

An HDTV antenna lets you watch live programming from over the air channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS and more) on your TV for free. If you don't watch very many shows, you may actually be able to cut the cord save money each month.

ClearStream's Eclipse was the top pick in our indoor HDTV antenna guide because of its 35 mile range, easy setup, and good design. The channels you'll be able to receive over the air will vary depending on where you live, so you should check out TvFool and AntennaWeb, which are free resources that can let you know what to expect.

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A portable battery

 Jackery Bolt 10050mAh Power Bank
Amazon

Jackery Bolt 10050mAh Power Bank, $40.99, available at Amazon

Modern smartphones are getting better battery life than ever, but that doesn't mean you should go on day trips or long flights without an external battery pack.

There are many to choose from, but Jackery's Bolt took the top spot in our guide because it actually has charging cables for an iPhone or Android phone built into it, so you don't have to worry about packing them separately.

This particular version of the Bolt holds enough power to fully recharge your phone, which should be enough to hold you over until the next time you reach an outlet.

A hard-shell laptop case

Case
Amazon

Mosiso 12" MacBook Case, $13.49, available at Amazon

Mosiso 13" MacBook Air Case, $13.99, available at Amazon

Mosiso 13" MacBook Pro Case (2012 - 2015 models) , $12.49, available at Amazon

Mosiso 13" MacBook Pro Case (2016 - 2017 models) , $13.49, available at Amazon

A MacBook is probably the most expensive gadget you own, so it makes sense to protect it. Mosiso's line of hard-shell cases will keep your computer scratch-free, and each comes with a keyboard cover to keep crumbs and liquid from getting between the keys.

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A pocket-size Bluetooth speaker

Anker SoundCore nano
Amazon

Anker SoundCore Nano, $16.99, available at Amazon

Anker's pocketable bluetooth speaker isn't meant to be the best-sounding one you own, but having tried it myself I can attest to its usefulness. There's something practical about having a speaker you can keep on you at all times, just in case you need to play a song or video to a group of people. 

It's also worth keeping the SoundCore Nano in your travel bag on business trips, just in case the speakers in the room you're presenting in aren't working that day.

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A multi-port USB wall charger

Anker PowerPort 5+
Amazon

Anker PowerPort+ 5, $49.99, available at Amazon

If you've ever fought with a roommate over who get to charge their phone, or had to decide whether to plug in your tablet or a pair of headphones, this multi-port charging hub is the answer. 

Not only does it have four standard USB ports, but it has a USB-C PD (power delivery) port, so you can use it to charge anything from an iPhone to a MacBook. I used this hub for months, and it never failed to keep all of the tech I use every day charged and ready.

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A clip-on car phone mount

AUKEY Car Mount
Amazon

AUKEY Car Phone Mount, $7.99, available at Amazon

There are two styles of car mount for your phone: one that clips onto an air vent, and another that attaches to your dashboard with a suction cup. Aukey's is an air vent clip, which holds your phone in place while you drive via a magnetic disk you stick onto its back, which you can see in the picture above. 

Make sure your phone is securely attached before you put your car in drive, and keep it in a spot you can quickly glance over at when driving, but won't be distracting. 

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A suction car phone mount

iOttie Easy One Touch 4 Dashboard & Windshield Car Phone Mount
Amazon

iOttie Easy One Touch 4 Dashboard Phone Mount, $24.95, available at Amazon

If you'd prefer a dashboard car mount, this one from iOttie is the new version of the one I've used for the past three and a half years. The mount attaches to a stick-on pad you attach to your dash or windshield, and you can adjust the positioning of your phone thanks to its movable arm.

My favorite feature of iOttie's mount is that it has two arms that keep your phone securely in place while you drive.

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Rechargeable batteries

Panasonic eneloop Power Pack
Amazon

Panasonic Eneloop Power Pack, $35.99, available at Amazon

If you still use some gadgets that use AA or AAA batteries, the smartest thing to do is buy a set of rechargeable ones. Panasonic's Eneloop Power Pack is a complete kit, which includes two AAA batteries, eight AA batteries, two C batteries, two D batteries, and chargers for each.

These batteries will hold 70% of their charge for 10 years and survive 2,100 recharge cycles, so this is an accessory on this list that will definitely pay for itself by the time you have to replace it.

The Google Home Mini

Google Home Mini
YouTube / Google

Google Home Mini, $29, available at Walmart

If you'd prefer to control your smart-home accessories and get your answers from Google instead of Amazon, the Google Home Mini is your best bet. It's comparable to the Echo Dot, but because you sync it to your Google account it'll be able to give you personalized responses to questions about your schedule right out of the box.

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A Google Cardboard viewer

Anker PowerWave 7.5
Amazon

Anker PowerWave Wireless Charging Pad, $45.99, available at Amazon

Wireless charging is now a common enough feature on phones that you should pick up a wireless charging pad. I like Anker's PowerWave a lot because it can charge phones at a rate of up to 10 watts, the current maximum. 

An LED light on the pad will let you know your phone is charging instead of you having to wake its screen to check, which is a small touch, but one I appreciated while I was testing it.

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A laptop stand

Vivo
Amazon

Vivo Laptop & Monitor Riser Stand, $20.99, available at Amazon

Vivo's laptop stand has a feature most others in this price range lack: the ability to be tilted. Instead of staying at the same height, you can adjust the stand to get a better view of your external monitor or laptop's screen. 

The vent holes are another nice touch, since doing processor or graphic-intensive tasks can cause your computer to overheat. 

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A USB hub with micro and regular SD card readers

Reader
Amazon

Cateck Bus-Powered USB 3.0 3-Port Hub, $14.99, available at Amazon

A multi-port USB hub lets you attach more accessories to your computer than it has room for on its own, which is convenient if you find yourself constantly plugging and unplugging gadgets. 

Catick's hub has three USB 3.0 ports for standard accessories and an SD Card reader for transferring photos from a DSLR's memory card to your computer.

Editor's note: The hub above will work with computers that have built-in standard USB ports, for computers with USB-C ports we recommend this hub, which is functionally identical.

A phone case

JETech
Amazon

JETech Apple iPhone Case, from $6.99 iPhone 7/8, iPhone 7/8 Plus, iPhone X/XS, and iPhone XS Max

I've used JETech's iPhone cases before, and they're the perfect cheap option for keeping its back free of scratches. Will it protect your phone as much as a heavy duty case? No. But you're prioritizing thin and lightness, which should be fine if you're generally pretty careful with your phone.

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A car phone charger with Alexa inside

Roav Viva
Amazon

Roav Viva, $49.99, available at Amazon

Amazon's Alexa is incredibly useful when you need a quick answer to your questions at home, but the Roav Viva lets you bring the smart assistant into your car. It looks just like a standard phone charger, with two USB ports you can use to charge a couple of gadgets, but it also has a microphone and mini computer inside.

In my experience the Viva is a pretty useful tool, not only because it can do anything a regular Amazon Echo can, but because it's a workaround that lets iPhone users use third-party services using their voice. For instance, by default you're only allowed to use Siri to play songs via Apple Music, and your iPhone will automatically give you directions via Apple Maps.

Through Alexa and the Roav Viva, you can play music through Amazon Music Unlimited (and eventually Spotify) and get directions via Google Maps. That freedom is worth the price of the Viva on its own.

An armband phone case

Tribe
Amazon

Tribe Sports Water Resistant Armband, $9.98, available at Amazon [for 4.7 inch phones]

Tribe Sports Water Resistant Armband, $14.98, available at Amazon [for 5.5 inch phones]

Tribe's armband phone holders are incredibly useful for people who need to listen to music or podcasts while they work out. The armband comes in two sizes that can accommodate all modern smartphones, and both have a nice extra feature: a small slot to hold your house key while you're out.

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Longer Lightning and Micro USB cables

Anker MicroUSB Cable
Amazon

Anker 6ft Lightning Cable, MicroUSB, and USB-C cables from $8.99, available at Amazon

There's no getting around the fact that the charging cables that come with your phone are too short. Most people end up stretching and contorting them regularly, which causes them to fray over over time.

Anker's cables are twice as long, come with an 18-month warranty in case something does happen to them, and have worked very well for members of the Insider Picks staff who use them regularly.

 

 

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Basic bluetooth earbuds

iFrogz Impulse Duo
ZAGG

iFrogz Impulse Duo, $27.52, available at Amazon

They may not please audiophiles, but iFrogz's Impulse Duo earbuds are still the budget pair I recommend to friends and family members. They sound pretty good, but their design is what sets these earbuds apart. 

All of the technology that makes them work is house in a small, clip-on dongle, which makes them very convenient to wear when you're out and about. That same dongle has a little groove in it, so you can lift the clip, wrap up the earbuds' cable, and lower the clip to keep it in place. 

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Exercise earbuds

 Soundcore Spirit X Sports Earphones by Anker
Amazon

Soundcore Spirit X Sports Earphones, $39.99, available at Amazon

I've only gotten a brief chance to try them so far, but Soundcore's Spirit X earbuds may be the best budget workout headphones I've heard yet. Each side has a clip that wraps around your ears to keep the buds in, and the audio quality from my brief tests so far has been pretty impressive, especially for an option in this price range.

A laptop bag

Amazonbasics
Amazon

AmazonBasics 14" Laptop and Tablet Bag, $13.99, available at Amazon

AmazonBasics 15.6" Laptop and Tablet Bag, $14.99, available at Amazon

Although these bags are fairly basic looking, inside you'll find different several different compartments to help hold all of the smaller accessories you're traveling with.

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USB outlets

Outlets
Amazon

TOPGREENER High Speed Dual USB Charger Outlet, $14.99, available at Amazon

If you don't mind doing a little DIY project, installing USB outlets is an inexpensive way to reduce the number of wall chargers you use without having to fight over who gets to charge their phone.

 

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A smart plug

TP Link Smart Plug Mini
Amazon

TP-Link Smart Plug Mini, $15.82, available at Amazon

TP-Link's smart plugs connects to your Wi-Fi network and lets you turn whatever's plugged into it on or off through an app on your phone. It's a useful way to make your perfectly good "dumb" appliances a little smarter instead of spending hundreds of dollars replacing them. 

Additionally, this plug can be connected to an Amazon Echo, so you can control whatever's plugged into it using your voice.

 

 

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A selfie stick

Fuge
Amazon

If you're going to use a selfie stick, you might as well use one that's a little smarter than most. Fugetek's can connect to your phone over bluetooth and lets you snap your selfie using a shutter button built right into the handle.

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A streaming stick

Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote
Amazon

Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote, $24.99, available at Amazon

Not only can the Amazon Fire TV Stick play movies and TV shows from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video and more, but its Alexa-enabled remote can let you find the content you're looking for using your voice. 

You can also use Alexa to view the live video feed from compatible smart security cameras, and control any other smart-home gadgets.

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A smart thermometer

Weber iGrill Mini
YouTube / Weber

Weber iGrill Mini, $28.49, available at Amazon

This accessory takes the guessing game out of when your meat is ready to be taken off the grill. Stick a probe from the iGrill Mini into whatever you're cooking, connect the gadget to your phone via bluetooth, and Weber's app will alert you when your food has reached the right temperature.

It's a much more scientific process than poking your meat and hoping it's done before you cut into it.

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An Echo Dot

Amazon Echo dot 2018
Avery Hartmans

Echo Dot, $29.99, available at Amazon

The Echo Dot is the cheapest smart-home hub you can get, but it's also one of the best. It's small enough to be hidden in case you don't want to come off as too techy, but has all the features of a full-sized Echo. That means it can control smart-home accessories, answer your random questions, and learn new skills

Its speaker isn't that powerful, but you can connect it to an external speaker over bluetooth or with a cable.

 

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An adjustable phone stand

Lamicall Phone Stand
Amazon

Lamicall Adjustable Cell Phone Stand, $11.99, available at Amazon

This is the updated version of a phone stand I've liked for years, which can now be tilted to adjust your phone's angle while you're using it. The stand still looks sharp, and has a hold in the back of it that makes it easy to thread a charging cable through it.

A MacBook charger accessory

PlugBug Duo
Amazon

Twelve South PlugBug Duo, $39.99, available at Amazon

If you have a MacBook Pro, the PlugBug Duo is a must-have accessory. It attaches to the top of your laptop's power adapter and adds two USB onto it, so you can use one adapter to charge your laptop, and two other gadgets at the same time. If you travel with a laptop, this accessory can save you from taking a multi-port charging hub.

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Universal power adapters

VCOO All in One Universal Travel Adapter
Amazon

If you travel often, a power adapter is a must-have accessory and VCOO's was designed with modern travelers in mind. It has adapters for Europe, the UK, and Australia, and while there's only one outlet, it has two USB ports to help you charge your portable tech while using a higher voltage appliance.

A vertical MacBook stand

TSS
Amazon

Twelve South BookArc, $39.99, available at Amazon

Twelve South's BookArc is stand that can hold a MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro vertically, which lets you maximize your desk space if your portable Mac is connected to an external display. I used one for years, and this is one of the few accessories I recommend to all Mac laptop owners.

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A Fire tablet

Fire7
Amazon

Amazon Fire Tablet, $49.99, available at Amazon

It doesn't have an HD screen, but Amazon's Fire Tablet is the perfect way to inexpensively stream Netflix, read Kindle Books, or browse the web on a relatively large screen. 

If you're really concerned with its lower screen resolution, the Fire HD 8 tablet is excellent, and isn't that much more expensive.

A keychain charger

Tassel Key
Amazon

Tassel Key Chain iPhone Charger, $9.99, available at Amazon

This mini-sized Lightning cable attaches to your key ring and make it impossible to leave your house without a way to connect to a computer or external battery pack. 

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A Tile

Tile Mate
Amazon

Tile Mate, $24.99, available at Amazon

Another tech accessory for your keychain, the Tile Mate helps you keep track of your most important possessions while being small enough to fit just about anywhere. The tracker connects to your phone over bluetooth, and lets you keep track of it through a free app.

Should you lose something attached to the Tile Mate, you can just check the app to see the last time it was connected to your phone. It's a tech savvy way of retracing your steps.

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A Wi-Fi range extender

TPL
Amazon

TP-Link AC750 Dual Band Wi-Fi Range Extender, $24.99, available from Amazon

If you're currently suffering with slow Wi-Fi, or a network with a lot of dead zones, this cheap range extender could help. It takes the Wi-Fi network you've already set up and amplifies the signal, so it reaches further than it would on its own. Having used it for myself, I've always been impressed with the results.

A stronger router, could be a better — but more expensive — solution, so I always recommend people troubleshoot their network issues with a range extender first.

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A printer

Pixima
Amazon

Canon PIXMA MG3620, $39.99, available at Amazon

Printers can be annoying and flaky, but it's worth having one around even if you don't use it every day.

I've had pretty good luck with Canon printers in the past, and this all-in-one model can print, scan, and copy any document or photo you throw at it. Additionally, it supports wireless printing, so you can use it with your phone and tablet instead of having to keep it plugged in.

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A surge protector

Belkin
Amazon

Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector, $26.15, available at Amazon

It may be boring, but a surge protector is one of the most important accessories on this list. I burned out a PlayStation and iMac by plugging them straight into a wall, and haven't made that mistake since.

This surge protector from Belkin has 12 outlets, which should be more than enough to keep all of the tech you have gathered around your home entertainment center protected from power surges or other electrical problems.

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A bluetooth audio receiver

 AUKEY Bluetooth Receiver
Amazon

AUKEY Bluetooth Audio Transmitter and Receiver, $28.99, available at Amazon

AUKEY's bluetooth audio receiver lets you wirelessly send audio from a phone, tablet, or computer to any device with an audio input.

In my case that's a cassette to headphone adapter in my car, but you could also connect this transmitter to an old pair of speakers to basically give them a bluetooth upgrade.

A Raspberry Pi

Canakit
Amazon

Raspberry Pi Basic Set, $49.99, available at Amazon

The ultimate mini computer for DIY enthusiasts, the Raspberry Pi can be used as anything from a media server to a game console. It's not as user-friendly as a regular computer — this version thankfully has WiFi and Bluetooth chips — but if you're a tinkerer with a techy issue you've been itching to solve, thi might just be the solution.

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An ergonomic keyboard

Keyboard
Amazon

Logitech Wave, $33.17, available on Amazon

If you're worried about developing RSI (repetitive strain injury) or carpal tunnel syndrome, or have started dealing with it already, you should invest in ergonomically friendly computer accessories. 

This keyboard from Logitech is designed to keep your wrists, fingers, and hands from getting as stressed as they would when using a standard keyboard. There'll be an adjustment period when you start using it, but given the alternative that's a small price to pay.

A portable bluetooth earbud charging case

Mophie Power Capsule Insider Picks
Business Insider / Brandt Ranj

mophie Power Capsule External Battery Charger, $29.99, available at Amazon

Mophie's Power Capsule is a case for your bluetooth earbuds with a battery inside to help keep them charged on the go. You can also use the power capsule to charge other gadgets that have a MicroUSB port. 

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A smart lightbulb

TP Link Smart Bulb
TP-Link

TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi LED Light Bulb, $20.99, available at Amazon

Smart light bulbs have been my favorite smart-home accessory since I bought my first set a couple of years ago. The market is flooded with options, but if you're just starting your smart home I recommend this one from TP-Link.

You can turn it on and off using an app on your phone, or with your voice through an Amazon Echo or Google Home, which is very convenient if you walk into your home with full hands.

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An iPhone dock

iPhone Dock
Amazon

Apple iPhone Dock, $49.00, available at Amazon

If you're at your desk all the time and still end up forgetting to plug in your iPhone, I recommend getting a charging stand. It'll give you a place to put your phone — building good habits through repetition takes time — so that it'll stay in view and get charged.

Apple's official dock even matches the aesthetic of your phone, so it'll blend right in.

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Dash buttons

Dash Buttons
Amazon

Amazon Dash Button, $4.99, available at Amazon

Dash buttons make it incredibly convenient to re-order staples to make sure you never run out of household staples like detergent. All you do is push the button, and an Amazon order is instantly placed, all you have to do is wait for it to arrive at your door.

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A power block

Cube
Amazon

PowerCube Original USB Power Strip (Blue), $14.52, available at Amazon

Power strips are incredibly useful, but they're typically attached to a long, annoying power cable that makes them difficult to keep in tabletop outlets. The PowerCube solves that problem by plugging directly into your wall, although it only has four outlets, which is less than a traditional power strip.

As an upside, it has two USB ports, so you can charge two smaller gadgets without taking up an outlet that could be used for electronics that draw more power.

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A guitar interface

IKM
Amazon

iRig 2, $29.99, available at Amazon

It will require you use your iPhone's lightning to headphone jack adapter, but iRig's audio interface is worth the extra inconvenience. 

This accessory lets you plug an instrument into your iPhone or iPad, turning it into a mobile recording studio you can use to cut excellent-sounding demos of your songs. Consider it an upgrade over using your device's built-in microphone to record your latest musical creation.

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A universal remote

Logitech Harmony 650
Logitech

Logitech Harmony 650 (Refurbished), $28.49, available at Amazon

Logitech's Harmony 650 lets you control your entire home theater system with a single remote instead of having to track down several just to get family movie night going.

The remote is compatible with over 6,000 different devices and can be programmed to work with eight at a time. Its fanciest feature is the ability to program it with"commands," which let it perform multiple actions at once. For instance, you could set up a "movie" command that turns on your streaming box and changes your TVs input to the right one.

Yes, it's refurbished, but the remote comes with a 90-day warranty, so you'll be able to test it out thoroughly for any kinks.

Logitech Harmony 650 (Refurbished), $29.49, available at Amazon

This article was originally published on 7/28/16

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Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.

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