Black Friday: Discover Our Top Tech Bargains Under $50

Occasionally, The Verge team gathers to spotlight the things we adore, ranging from pet gadgets to quirky toys. With Black Friday promotions rolling out, we've revisited some of our cherished writings to discover current discounts on these much-loved items. We've uncovered several budget-friendly tech deals priced below $50, plus some stylish and practical bags. Check out our findings!

Recommended Tech Deals

For ages, the need for a reliable phone holder in my car lingered. Eventually, the absence of Android Auto prompted me to purchase a wireless phone holder and charger from Amazon. Though it lacks a top-tier brand name, it affixes to the dashboard securely with its suction cup, while its automatic clamping ensures my phone remains secure. It also delivers a superior charge compared to my previous USB cable. — Emma Roth, news writer

Frequent travels were simplified with my compact Minix 66W 3-Port GaN wall charger. It's my travel essential, accommodating both home and international use with its multiple plug adaptors for Europe and the UK. It features two USB-C fast-charging ports and one USB-A, efficiently powering my electronics simultaneously. — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, senior reviewer

Holding onto my phones beyond their prime means battling diminished battery life. To offset this, I invested in the lightweight Anker Nano Power Bank, providing 5,000mAh and weighing just 3.5 ounces. It's perfect for squeezing extra life into my devices and comes in various soft hues for easy visibility in bags. — Barbara Krasnoff, reviews editor

Rediscovering the ToAuto soldering station after years in storage allowed me to attempt game console repairs. It heats up to 842°F and includes various tips for precise soldering, steel wool, and solder spool racks. This setup proved useful for repairs like installing an HDMI port on a PlayStation 4. — Emma Roth, news writer

Trendy Bags and Backpacks

Embrace alternative fashion with Killstar's Vamped Up Backpack, designed with both style and functionality. It's spacious enough for essentials like phones and wallets, with a unique back-facing zipper for security and a weather-resistant design to protect contents. — Jess Weatherbed, news writer

The Alpaka 2L Flight Sling bag accompanies me almost everywhere. It holds daily essentials, and its water-resistant feature was particularly useful on a foggy whale-watching adventure. — Andrew Liszewski, senior reporter

A cycling newcomer, I transitioned from a standard backpack to the convertible pannier-backpack by Two Wheel Gear. It caters to both on-bike storage and convenient off-bike wear with its compact and versatile design. — Allison Johnson, senior reviewer

Kitchen Essentials for the Food Enthusiast

Since acquiring a ceramic butter dish for room temperature storage, spreading butter has become delightfully effortless. It's a personal preference that suits my culinary habits perfectly, although not universally advised for long-term safety. — Sean Hollister, senior editor

The Microplane grater has revolutionized my zesting and grating tasks, offering joy with every use whether it's for lemons or parmesan. It's become indispensable in my kitchen routine. — Dominic Preston, news editor

Essential Personal Items

Travel preparedness now includes my trusty Tushy portable bidet, ensuring travel hygiene irrespective of local toilet paper quality. It's easy to clean, leak-proof, and discreetly storable. — Cameron Faulkner, commerce editor

Happy feet lead to happy travels, as my experiences with Balega blister resist socks and Darn Tough wool variants attest. They offer durability and comfort, ideal for wet conditions or extensive walking. — Nathan Edwards, senior reviews editor

Compact and practical, the Xiaomi Sound Pocket Bluetooth speaker earns a spot in my travel essentials for its portability and surprisingly decent sound output for its size, a much-needed upgrade over phone speakers. — Dominic Preston, news editor