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Best cheap Mother's Day tech gifts under $100: Fibit Luxe, Kindle, and more
There are a lot of cool tech gadgets out there that your mom may have her eye on or you're sure she'll love. And while you also might be a fan of the product, you may not be fussed on the hefty price. Luckily, there are a lot of tech accessories on the market that have the same innovative approach to remote working, e-reading, or music listening at a more digestible price.
ZDNET Recommends
We took a look at the products we've reviewed and scoured the depths of the internet to compile the below list of fun tech that's $100 or less so you can spoil your mom without sacrificing your hard-earned cash.
Also:
- The best cheap tech gifts under $75
- The best cheap tech gifts under $50
- The best cheap tech gifts under $25
- Price: $85
- Features: 8-inch HD touchscreen | 13MP camera with built-in shutter and auto-framing | 1280 x 800 resolution
The Amazon Echo Show 8 is the perfect all-in-one gift -- it serves as a smart home assistant, as a way to make video calls, and as a digital frame to show off your favorite photos.
You can get calendar reminders, traffic updates, and set timers, or even enjoy your favorite playlist via Spotify. There is also access to streaming services like Prime Video and Netflix. The Amazon Echo Show can even control other smart devices in your home.
ZDNET's Maria Diaz, a mother of three girls, credits the Amazon Echo Show 8 for making her "hot mess mom life" a little easier, taking advantage of the Alexa voice control feature to find recipes and listen to music as she cooks in the kitchen.
- Price: $100
- Features: 16GB of storage | 300ppi screen | Up to 6 weeks of battery life
If your mom is a bookworm tired of traveling with heavy hard or paperbacks, the 11th-generation Kindle is a convenient solution for only $100. The entry-level Kindle got a 2022 upgrade that puts it at almost the same level as more expensive Kindle models. With this Kindle, you'll get Amazon's lightest e-reader yet at just 5.56 ounces, 16GB of storage to hold plenty of books, a 6-inch 300ppi screen, and a free Kindle Unlimited subscription for three months.
Review: The new entry-level Kindle has officially converted me to e-readers
- Price: $100
- Features: Connects via Bluetooth | HP Zink photo paper | Free HP Sprocket app | iOS and Android compatible
My mom loves photos, and is always looking for an easier, faster way to take our memories from family gatherings from digital to hardcopy. This portable printer from HP allows users to easily print photos directly from their iPhone or Android device via Bluetooth. It prints photos onto HP 2.3 x 3.4-inch Zink Sticky-Backed paper, giving the option for the picture to become a sticker. Additionally, the free HP Sprocket app provides filters, frames, and stickers for pre-printing customization. Plus, when you buy the printer from Amazon, it comes with 50 sheets of photo paper so you don't have to waste time buying tons of extra after using the initial batch.
- Price: $100
- Features: 1080p camera | Cordless | 130-degree field of view
If you're looking for a smart-home gift with a focus on bolstering security, Ring's stick up cam is a budget conscious option. Suitable for in or outdoor use, the 1080p camera connects to a mobile device and monitors an area for any suspicious activity in real-time. If motion is detected, an alert is sent to the user, who can then access their camera to see what is happening -- even at night.
Read the review: Ring Stick Up Cam Battery review: An all around security camera, inside and out
- Price: $87.95
- Features: 3-axis accelerometer | SpO2 sensor | 5-7 days of battery life | 0.76-inch screen
If your mom is looking for a tool to track her steps and other fitness goals without it taking up too much room on her wrist, the Fitbit Luxe is an accurate fitness tracker that looks more like jewelry. The Luxe tracks sleep, water intake, the usual workout metrics, and displays text and call notifications all within a 0.76-inch screen. With its subtle look, reasonable price, and top-notch performance, the Luxe singlehandedly converted ZDNET's biggest wearable skeptic, Sabrina Ortiz, into a Fitbit lover.
- Price: $80
- Features: 12-hour battery life | Universal compatibility | 65Hz-20kHz frequency response
Does your mom like to blast music in the kitchen? What about on a beach trip or pool day? If the answer to any of those questions is a 'yes,' then I can't recommend the JBL Flip 5 portable speaker enough -- I mooch off my roommate's unit all the time, keeping it perched on my AC window unit so I can jam out as I work. Not only does it deliver a clear, loud, and booming sound, but it's easy to tote around and listen to your favorite tunes. And with an IPX7 water resistance rating, it really is the perfect companion for the beach or pool as summer approaches. Using Bluetooth technology, it's easy to set up and pair, and it can also connect and pair with another JBL compatible speaker for complete stereo sound.
Also: Ditch the AirPods and get a portable speaker instead: Our top picks
Jabra Elite 4 earbuds
Best cheap tech for hands-free phone calls
- Price: $99
- Features: Ergonomic in-ear fit | 6 mm speakers | 5.5 hours of playback per cycle | ANC
My mom recently discovered the power of hands-free calls via wireless earbuds with a built-in microphone. If your mom is looking for a solid pair of buds optimal for phone or video calls, the Jabra Elite 4 earbuds are equipped with four microphones and 6mm speakers, bringing "clear call quality" to a new level. Aside from the high performing microphone, the buds also pack "premium" earbud features such as ANC and transparency modes, decent bass, and long-lasting battery for just $99.
Review: Forget AirPods: Jabra Elite 4 earbuds are budget-friendly and feature-rich
- Price: $79
- Features: Three-speed massage | Heat option | Carrying handles to customize massage pressure
Most moms just want to relax on Mother's Day, and the Shiatsu Deluxe neck and shoulder massager can let her do just that from the comfort of her own space. The heated cushion that fits snugly around your neck and shoulders for instant relief for tired muscles with three different speed settings for a custom experience.
- Price: $99
- Features: Energy-efficient LED lights | 3.52 pounds | Over 50 plant capsules
For the mom with a green thumb, gift them this smart indoor garden. You can choose from more than 50 plant refill capsules you can choose from, including peppers, chives, catnip, yellow tomatoes, and more. Click & Grow's plants contain a patented nano-material called Smart Soil that automatically releases oxygen and water to your plants and is inspired by NASA technology.
The device's lamp has a 16 hours on/eight hours off cycle to optimize your plants' growth. In addition, its water float indicator will let you know when it's time to refill the tank.
Also: The 5 best indoor gardens: Smart tech for your green thumb
- Price: $99
- Features: 360-degree sound field | 12 ounces | 6 color options
Apple users usually want to stay within the Apple ecosystem, so if your mom is Apple-obsessed, she'll love the Apple HomePod Mini. The HomePod mini is a small, spherical-shaped smart speaker featuring Apple's voice assistant, Siri. It's about three inches tall with a circular screen at the top that lights up when Siri is listening or when the device is playing music or engaged in a phone call.
It's part smart hub, and part music speaker thanks to its high-quality sound that provides a deep bass.
Read the review: The HomePod mini is for Sirious Apple users only
How did we choose these cheap tech gifts?
- Budget and research: We researched trusted brands all while keeping budget in mind, careful to read customer reviews to ensure that the products didn't compromise price for quality.
- ZDNET product reviews/testing: We recommended products within the $100 and under bracket that our team has tested and would personally buy or recommend.
- Use: We were intentional with our selections, making sure each had a "real life" purpose recipients would use and enjoy.
When is Mother's Day 2023?
This year, Mother's Day falls on Sunday, May 14th.
Where to find the best cheap tech gifts?
You can find the best cheap tech gifts at major retailers like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Amazon.