Some of our favorite gifts will cost you less than $25
Holiday shopping on a budget can feel constricting, especially if you've been invited to a white elephant or need a last-minute stocking stuffer. The good news is that, with this guide, you can leave that stress behind.
Whether you're aiming for something practical or fun, we've found plenty of great gifts for under $25 - heck, we found several under $10 - that don't scream "I bought this at the gas station on my way over." You might not expect to find a worthwhile Nintendo Switch / iPad-compatible controller, a 4K-ready streaming stick, or a waterproof speaker in this guide, but here we are. And that's just the start.
Mini Buddha Board
Y …
Wake Up Dead Man digs deep for a darker, more powerful Knives Out
Over two films, Rian Johnson's Knives Out series has offered something largely absent from the modern movie landscape: intricate murder mysteries full of humor and gasp-worthy moments. The original Knives Out started things off relatively small with a cozy whodunit, which then became a larger and more elaborate puzzle with the sequel Glass Onion. Both were crowd-pleasers, and in a lot of ways Wake Up Dead Man follows the same formula, with its stacked cast and plentiful revelations. But it's also much darker and deeper, showing off the franchise's range.
First off, this is a somber-looking film, particularly compared to the bright and color …
The AirPods Pro 3 are back to their lowest price ahead of the holidays
If you didn’t catch the Black Friday deal on Apple’s AirPods Pro 3, the good news is the price has dropped again ahead of the holidays. Right now, the noise-canceling earbuds are matching their all-time low price of $219.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. It’s a great deal considering the AirPods Pro 3 only just launched in September.
AirPods Pro 3
Where to Buy:
The AirPods Pro 3 provide a number of notable upgrades over their predecessor, including improved active noise cancellation, a more comfortable fit, and better audio performance. In her review, senior reporter Victoria Song called the wireless earbuds a “no-brainer upgrade,” saying the ANC performance was among the best she’s tested. She also noted that the earbuds deliver a richer overall listening experience, adding more depth to new and old favorites.
The earbuds offer around eight hours of battery life and an IP57 rating for water and dust resistance. The design has also been improved, allowing them to fit more naturally in your ear canal — something that not only helps them stay secure, but makes them more comfortable to wear over extended periods. Meanwhile, the AirPods Pro 3 include a heart rate sensor, allowing iPhone owners to track calories burned in over 50 types of workouts from the Fitness app.
Read our AirPods Pro 3 review.
Other deals worth checking out
- Silent Hill F is a fantastic original story and a great follow-up to the Silent Hill 2 remake. Right now, you can snag a copy of the Day One Edition on PlayStation 5 for just $47.49 ($22.50 off) at Best Buy through December 9th. The game features stunning visuals and a brilliant central character who must navigate a nightmarish landscape set in 1960s Japan. It features all the hallmarks that put Silent Hill on the map, blending atmospheric storytelling, intricate mysteries, and intense combat into a unique psychological horror experience. Read our review.
- The Wuben G5 is one of our favorite everyday carry items, and it’s currently down to around $20 (about $7 off) at Amazon and Wuben (with code 20G5). The compact rechargeable flashlight features a head that can rotate 180 degrees and an adjustable brightness dial from 2 to 400 lumens. A sliding switch prevents accidental activation, while a secondary LED allows you to customize the output color. It offers about 65 hours of battery life, too, all in a package that’s roughly the size of a Zippo.
- The Genki Dual Wield Charging Station has returned to its all-time low of $31.99 ($8 off) at Amazon. The four-port magnetic docking station can charge up to four Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con at once, with LED halos showing each controller’s battery. The included grips snap together into play-ready controllers and can quickly detach from the weighted base using an eject button. If you primarily game on your Switch 2 while it’s docked, Genki’s Dual Wield is a great way to put your Joy-Con to good use.
Google brings back Black Friday prices for earbuds, phones, and more
Google just launched its holiday sale, and it’s basically Black Friday and Cyber Monday revived. From smartphones to smart security devices, plenty of great gifts have returned to their Black Friday prices, with some third-party retailers in some cases offering better deals than Google. Prices for a few of our favorite gadgets are even matching their all-time lows, including the Pixel 9a, Pixel Watch 4, Pixel Buds 2a, and the latest Nest Doorbell. So if you’re still holiday shopping, here are the deals that genuinely stand out.
Google Pixel 9A
The Pixel 9A adds more robust water resistance and a brighter, bigger screen to what was already a winning formula for a good midrange phone. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
First up, the unlocked base Pixel 9a is one of the best smartphone deals we saw on Black Friday, and it’s back at its all-time low of $349 ($150 off) at Amazon. It’s our favorite midrange phone, offering a 6.3-inch OLED screen and a great camera for the price, even if it lacks the Pixel 10’s telephoto lens or Pixel 9’s low-light performance. It’s powered by the older but still snappy Tensor G4 chip and the battery can easily last a full day, even with the always-on display enabled. You also get wireless charging, a robust IP68 rating, and seven years of software updates, which matches the support Google offers on its pricier phones.
Pixel Buds 2a
Google’s latest pair of wireless earbuds feature crisp sound quality, a comfortable design, and solid active noise cancellation, which is great considering the budget-friendly price tag. They even offer built-in support for Gemini and, unlike the entry-level AirPods, a purple option! Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Speaking of cheap gadgets that offer a lot of value, Black Friday brought the first meaningful discount on Google’s Pixel Buds 2a before the deal disappeared. Now, once again, though, you can snag them at their all-time low of $99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and the Google Store. Even at full price, the buds are impressive, offering a useful active noise cancellation that reduces most background noise, along with a natural transparency mode. They deliver crisp, pleasant sound for the price and include built-in Gemini support. Plus, they come in a unique purple color option that looks fabulous, making them an overall great pick for Android users on a budget. Read our review.
Google Pixel Watch 4
The Pixel Watch 4 has a bigger display, longer battery life, more repairable design, and new Satellite SOS mode. It also leverages Google Gemini, and introduces an AI Health Coach. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Smartwatches make for popular gifts, and the Pixel Watch 4 is one of the best on the market particularly for Android owners. Right now, you can buy the Wi-Fi-enabled version of the 41mm Pixel Watch 4 from Amazon, Google, and Best Buy starting at $299.99 ($50 off).
The wearable brings a number of impressive improvements over the Pixel Watch 3. Along with full support for Gemini, it’s faster, lasts longer, and is twice as bright thanks to its new domed Actua 360 display with slimmer bezels for more screen real estate. Both the display and battery are now replaceable and repairable, and Google added thoughtful perks like a side-mounted charger that turns your watch into a small at-a-glance display for things like battery percentage. On the health and fitness side, you get dual-frequency GPS, retroactive AI activity recognition, and improved sleep tracking. Plus, LTE models get a new Satellite SOS mode that lets you call for emergency services even without cellular service. Read our review.
Google Nest Doorbell (third-gen)
With 2K video, support for the Gemini for Home AI assistant, 24/7 recording, and some free smart alerts, Google’s third-generation wired doorbell is a great option for home monitoring.
Where to Buy:
The latest Google Nest Wired Doorbell is ideal if you want to keep an eye on packages, and it’s down to $139.99 ($40 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. Released in October, the wired model is the upgraded version of our top pick for a video doorbell. It adds noticeably sharper 2K video along with a wider and taller field of view, letting you see more of your porch. It’s also built to work with the new Gemini for Home AI assistant, which can handle more complex tasks than the older Google Assistant. And it still offers the perks that made its predecessor stand out, like free smart notifications that tell you whether it’s a person, package, animal, or vehicle outside of your door. And, if you pay extra for a subscription to Google Home Premium, you can get facial recognition along with 24/7 recording.
I’m obsessed with Redfin’s AI search
Look, I'm as fed up as the next guy with AI chatbots stuffed into every app. I don't want to brainstorm coverage options with an LLM every time I renew my car insurance. I'd much rather message a human than a robot to pester FedEx about my missing package. But I have found one scenario where AI is actually pretty great: real estate.
I need to confess something: I'm a Redfin looky-loo. A Zillow zealot. Not because I am actually shopping for a new home. With these interest rates? God, no. But I am perpetually window-shopping for a new home - partly out of nosiness, and partly because I like imagining what life might look like in a different a …
The best gifts for dads that have everything (but deserve more)
What do you get the man who says he has everything? It's a tough question - and one you have a limited amount of time to answer, given the holidays are nearly upon us. You could try dropping subtle hints or asking friends and family for suggestions, but they might save their best ideas for themselves. Fortunately, if you're struggling to come up with something, we have more than a few ideas.
With the help of Verge staffers, we've compiled suggestions for dads of every make and model. It doesn't matter if he's the type to get up early to prep the smart smoker or if his idea of a perfect Sunday is watching his favorite team absolutely crush …
The best deals on MacBooks right now
Apple currently sells MacBooks equipped with its own M-series processors in a wide range of sizes and price points, all of which run the company’s new operating system, macOS 26. The latest 14-inch MacBook Pro that debuted in October 2025 features the M5 processor, its fastest and most efficient yet, and it’s already $250 off at Best Buy. But if you don’t need the latest tech, Walmart is still selling the M1 MacBook Air that has long since been discontinued (yet is still supported with updates). It’s tough to beat the value at just $599, which is $50 off its previous low — a far cry from the $2,499 starting price of the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro.
Purchasing a new MacBook can be complicated if you’re trying to figure out what specs you need, but finding a deal on a relatively speedy model is surprisingly easy. Apple has recently shaken things up by increasing the starting RAM for several models, creating more options than ever before (and thus, more opportunities for discounts). For example, the MacBook Air 13 with Apple’s M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD is down to $799 ($200 off) at Amazon and Best Buy.
Although Macs may not get perpetual discounts, it’s not uncommon to see various models discounted by as much as $800. Alternatively, purchasing refurbished options directly from Apple is another way to save money without waiting for the changing deal winds to blow your way. It’s also the only option to find certain configurations of older models as Apple continues to move forward on newer releases. Apple’s refurbished store provides a one-year warranty on all products, and generally offers discounts of up to 15 to 20 percent off the price of a new unit.
But if you want to buy new and you’re looking to save whatever you can, here are the best MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini deals available.
The best MacBook Air deals
M1 MacBook Air
The 2020 M1 MacBook Air was considered Apple’s entry-level laptop before the M3 model’s arrival prompted Apple to stop selling it directly in its online and brick-and-mortar stores. It’s still a great choice if you want a MacBook for non-intensive productivity work, especially given that it features a comfortable keyboard, an excellent trackpad, and all-day battery life. For many people, the M1 Air still ticks the right boxes when it comes to performance and price, but since newer Mac laptops handily outperform it, you won’t find it in our guide to the best laptops.
The base MacBook Air with the M1 chip comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It’s becoming harder to find in new condition, but Walmart has committed to keeping it around for the foreseeable future and is currently discounting it to $599 ($50 off).
2020 MacBook Air with M1 (256GB)
The 2020 MacBook Air has been discontinued but remains a great value. It comes outfitted with the company’s original M1 chip in one of three different colors (silver, space gray, and gold).
Where to Buy:
M2 MacBook Air
The M2 MacBook Air is a slim, lightweight laptop with a 1080p webcam and a handy magnetic charger that frees up one of its two USB-C ports. Given that it’s slightly newer than the M1, it delivers better performance, but if you want to really futureproof your laptop, we recommend spending slightly more for a laptop that has a faster, newer processor.
Still here for the M2? It has some downsides to be on the lookout for, including slower storage in the base 256GB configuration, and the notch cut-out in its screen is divisive (Apple shows no signs of ditching it, either).
The M2-powered MacBook Air from 2022 seems to be on its way out, with availability waning; however, you can still get the 13-inch M2 model with 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and an eight-core GPU in select colors at Best Buy starting at $799, which unfortunately isn’t a discount. The 15-inch MacBook Air M2 is also still available in short supply at some retailers for its original MSRP, though at this point, you’d be better off going with a discounted M4 model.
13-inch MacBook Air with M2 (2022)
The 2022 MacBook Air is a thin, lightweight device powered by Apple’s M2 chip. The M2 model touts an improved 1080p webcam and a better display than its predecessor while retaining features like long battery life and MagSafe charging.
Where to Buy:
M3 MacBook Air
Apple’s updated entry-level laptops arrived in 2023 in both 13.6- and 15.3-inch variants simultaneously, bringing with them slightly faster performance over the previous generation and a slate of minor upgrades. Apple added Wi-Fi 6E, for one, along with an additional Thunderbolt port that allows you to use two external displays when the lid is closed. They also offer 18 hours of battery life and have a MagSafe charging port. Apple discontinued the M3 MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM in 2024 and now considers the 16GB / 256GB model as the starting configuration.
The entry-level 13-inch M3 MacBook Air configuration with an 8-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD is tough to find in stock. However, you can get the 24GB RAM / 512GB SSD model with a 10-core GPU for $1,093 in select colors at Best Buy.
As for the M3-powered 15-inch MacBook Air, you can buy it in select colors at Best Buy with 512GB of storage, 16GB of RAM, and a 10-core GPU for $1,093 ($207 off). If you need even more memory, the model with 512GB of storage, 24GB of RAM, and a 10-core GPU is available for $1,299 ($351 off) at Best Buy.
13-inch MacBook Air with M3 (2024)
The MacBook Air M3 is a jack-of-all-trades, with a balanced combination of performance and power efficiency. It also now supports dual displays with the lid closed, and the storage speed is noticeably faster. You don’t need to think about if this laptop will meet your needs — it just will.
Where to Buy:
Apple MacBook Air M3 (15-inch)
The 15-inch MacBook Air is also equipped with Apple’s M3 chip. It features a larger display and better speaker array than the 13-inch MacBook Air M3. As of October 2024, it starts with 16GB of RAM instead of the original 8GB when it launched.
Where to Buy:
M4 MacBook Air
In March, Apple released an updated MacBook Air, which comes in both a 13- and 15-inch configuration with an M4 processor. Interestingly, the latest Air starts at a lower price than the prior model, yet it offers slightly faster performance and twice as much base RAM at 16GB. It can also connect to two external monitors with the lid open, it comes in a fresh sky blue color, and features the 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam from the latest MacBook Pro. Needless to say, there’s a lot to like.
Both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs are currently receiving some sizable discounts. You can pick up the 13-inch base model with a 10-core CPU, eight-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage on sale at Amazon and Best Buy in select colors for $799 ($200 off). If you prefer the larger 15-inch model, the entry-level configuration with a 10-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage is on sale for $999 at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo, which at $200 off is a great deal.
13-inch MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)
Powered by the M4 chip, Apple’s latest 13-inch MacBook Air is faster than its predecessor and offers double the base RAM. It can also connect to two external displays with the lid open, unlike prior models, and features an improved 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
15-inch MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)
Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Air with the M4 chip is nearly identical to its 13-inch sibling. However, it includes a six-speaker sound system, not four, and your choice of a free 35W Dual USB‑C Port Compact Power Adapter or 70W USB‑C Power Adapter.
Where to Buy:
The best MacBook Pro deals
M4 and M4 Pro MacBook Pro
Apple released the M4-series MacBook Pro in November 2024. Notably, the base 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro is the first to launch with 16GB of RAM — double the previous generation’s starting memory — and 512GB of storage for the same $1,599 starting price as the last-gen model. It also picks up a third Thunderbolt 4 port, which is positioned on the right side and supports dual external monitors while the lid is open. Also new in this model is an upgraded 12-megapixel webcam that supports Center Stage and a new Desk View feature, plus the option to add a nano-texture display for an extra $150. It’s also available in space black.
The 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips also received additional RAM, bringing them up to 24GB. They start with 512GB of storage, too, and retail for $1,999 and $2,499, respectively. While the total port selection hasn’t changed compared to their respective M3 Pro and M3 Max counterparts, you’ll get faster Thunderbolt 5 ports on these more substantial models. That’s in addition to the SD slot, dedicated full-sized HDMI port, and 3.5mm jack. They also have the upgraded 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam with Desk View and the optional nano-texture display option.
Many variations of the M4 MacBook Pro with different screen and processor configurations are on sale right now. For example, you can currently pick up the base 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD at B&H Photo for $1,349.99 ($250 off). Meanwhile, the 24GB / 512GB variant with an M4 Pro chip (12-core CPU / 16-core GPU) is down to $1,749 ($250 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo.
The base 16-inch MacBook Pro is also on sale with an M4 Pro chip, 24GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $2,199 ($300 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo.
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2024, M4)
The entry-level MacBook Pro with M4 starts with 16GB of RAM — double that of its predecessor — and a 512GB SSD for the same starting price of $1,599. It also gets a third USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 port and comes in a new space black option.
Where to Buy:
14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with a 12-core / 16-core M4 Pro chip starts with 24GB of RAM — a 6GB increase over the prior generation. It also has a 512GB SSD, three Thunderbolt 5 USB-C ports, an optional nano-texture display, and a 12-megapixel webcam.
Where to Buy:
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2024, M4 Pro)
The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro starts with 24GB of RAM and offers more computing cores (14 for the CPU and 20 for the GPU) compared to the 14-inch model. It also picks up Thunderbolt 5 ports and a new 12-megapixel Center Stage camera.
Where to Buy:
M5 MacBook Pro
Apple’s latest revision of the 14.2-inch MacBook Pro adds the M5 processor. The generational leap will be felt most by those who have an older MacBook Pro, not those upgrading from last year’s M4, unless you use specific AI apps that tap into the chip’s new Neural Accelerators. As for other design changes and upgrades to the inside and outside of this MacBook Pro, there really aren’t any major ones to note; in fact, it’s so similar to the M4 model that our reviewer Antonio Di Benedetto had to write “M5” on a sticky note just to be able to tell them apart. That being said, it’s still an amazing laptop, one that’s just now starting to get minor discounts.
The 14.2-inch base model with the M5 processor, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is $1349 ($250 off) at Best Buy.
MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025)
Apple’s 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro takes everything we loved about the M4 model — including all-day battery life and a 12-megapixel webcam — and improves upon it with an M5 chip. It also offers faster storage and a 10-core CPU / 10-core GPU that’s up to 3.5x faster at AI tasks. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
The best Mac Mini deals
The newest Mac Minis in town are the M4-based models, which arrived late last year. Apple reduced the horizontal footprint of its desktop and paired it with its M4 chipset and 16GB of RAM, which is double that of the previous generation and brings it in line with other base model Macs from 2024. That makes Apple’s newest desktop computer a tremendous value.
M4 and M4 Pro Mac Mini
Deals on the newest Mac Mini are a bit easier to come by now than they were at launch, which is good since the outgoing M2 model is becoming more difficult to find. The M4 Mac Mini starts with an M4 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage for $599. That’s an incredible value for a tiny desktop computer that can rival the Mac Studio and Mac Pro when it comes to certain tasks, including light gaming, 4K video editing, and 3D modeling. Vertically, the M4 Mac Mini is a fair bit thicker than the last-gen M2 model at 2 inches tall, yet it measures a mere 5 inches wide and 5 inches deep.
In addition to the odd decision to place the power button on its underside, Apple moved the 3.5mm headphone jack and two of its five USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 ports to the front. The rear features an additional three Thunderbolt ports, HDMI-out, and a gigabit ethernet port. You can also get the Mac Mini with an M4 Pro chipset starting at $1,399, which comes with faster Thunderbolt 5 storage and the option to upgrade to 10-gigabit ethernet for another $100.
Right now, you can get the base Mac Mini at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo with an M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD for $479 ($180 off). If you need more storage, you can step up to the version with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for around $669.99 ($129 off) at Amazon.
Meanwhile, the base M4 Pro model with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is on sale for $1,299 ($100 off) at B&H Photo.
Apple Mac Mini (M4)
The latest Mac Mini features Apple’s upgraded M4 chips and a smaller build than the prior model. Each configuration now starts with 16GB of RAM and includes five total Thunderbolt ports, gigabit ethernet, HDMI, and a 3.5mm jack. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Update, December 9th: Updated to reflect current pricing and availability.
Nothing’s community-designed Phone 3A adds some color and matching dice
The Nothing Phone 3A Community Edition revamps Nothing's usual monochrome look with a 90s-inspired design infused by pops of color. It's updating the basic 3A's transparent backplate with a teal tint, plus yellow and magenta buttons.
They're also throwing in an accessory too, for the first time, adding a limited edition set of six-sided dice with a matching teal and yellow case that uses the company's custom font.
The special edition is the result of Nothing's annual community design event, where Emre Kayganacl's "Translucent Memories" design was selected from a pool of over 700 user submissions. Nothing did the same thing last year with t …
Facebook’s redesign is making it more like Instagram
Continuing CEO Mark Zuckerberg's plan to make Facebook "way more culturally influential than it is today," Meta is announcing a bunch of new updates to help you "cut through the clutter" and make content in the app.
The changes include tweaks to how you see and interact with photos in your feed that could make the experience feel a bit more like Instagram. As part of updates to make your feed "simpler and more immersive," when you post multiple photos at once, they'll show up in a grid, and you'll also be able to double tap photos to like them.
The company is redesigning how you make Stories and feed posts by "putting the most popular tool …
Australia boots kids under 16 off social media: how platforms are responding
Australia is joining a wave of governments around the globe in regulating how kids spend their time online. On December 10th, most major social media platforms will boot children in the country under 16 from their services. Under the law, social platforms will also need to implement a "reasonable" age verification method there - while critics argue kids will get around it anyway.
These changes stem from Australia's Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill, which passed in November 2024. They're not only a big deal for Australian youth, but also a preview of a policy that's been floated in numerous other places. Here's a rund …