At this point, you've probably come to expect that high tech means high price tags. But, that's not always the case.
While it's true that a great pair of stereo speakers or a MacBook can ring in at sums that would make anyone but the 1% flinch, there are also many fun — and totally useful — gadgets you can grab for less.
Among our favorites: a tiny flash for taking pro-quality smartphone photos, a paintbrush stylus for virtually painting on your tablet, and a portable blender for perfect summer smoothies.
Click through to see 30 of our favorite gadgets you can grab for under $30.
Creative Boosts
Sensu's brush looks and feels like a paintbrush, but you can safely use it on touchscreens. Your inner artist needs this.
Sensu Solo Brush, $24.95, available on TheGrommet.com.
Photo: Courtesy The Grommet.
Virtual-reality headsets can be pricey, but this "cardboard"-style viewer is an inexpensive way to get in on the fun. Just slip your phone in and enjoy the ride.
I Am Cardboard DSCVR Virtual Reality Viewer, $29.99, available on Fab.com.
Photo: Courtesy Fab.com.
Place your phone in the back of this cardboard contraption, and voilà! You have a mini projector perfect for summer movie nights.
Smartphone Projector, $28, available on UrbanOutfitters.com.
Photo: Courtesy SmartphoneProjector.co.
Tine tags are an easy way to add a "smart," personalized touch to anything. Just put the sticker on a card or package, scan the tag with an accompanying app, record a message, and send. Your recipient can scan the tag with the app to get your message.
Tine Black And White Stickers/Tags, $14.99, available on Shop.TineTag.com.
Photo: Courtesy Tine Tag.
Audio Aids
These clever earbuds feature a zipper cable that ensures you'll never have to worry about tangled wires again.
Zipbuds PRO Mic, $14.97, available on Amazon.com.
Photo: Courtesy Amazon.
This wireless Bluetooth speaker can lie flat or pop up to give you better sound, wherever you're listening.
Philips BT2000R/37 Wireless Portable Speaker, $15.83, available on Amazon.com.
Photo: Courtesy Amazon.
If you're heading to a concert this summer, Dubs are a must. The acoustic filters rest in your ears and protect them from damage without compromising the quality of the music you're hearing.
Dubs Acoustic Filters, $25/single pair, available on GetDubs.com.
Photo: Courtesy Dubs.
Plug this "Sound Ball" into your phone's headphone jack to record stereo-quality beats.
Quickcell Color Burst! Sound Ball, $10, available on CricketWireless.com.
Photo: Courtesy Cricket Wireless.
This headphone splitter is perfect for when you and a friend (or four!) want to plug in to listen to music, or watch a show together on an airplane.
Belkin RockStar Multi Headphone Splitter, $14.99, available on Belkin.com.
Photo: Courtesy Belkin.
Camera-Ready
Chatlight is the selfie light for video chats. Just rest it on top of your laptop or iPad, and you'll look fly in your next phone interview or long-distance catch-up session.
Chatlight, $29.99, available on Chatlight.com.
Photo: Courtesy Chatlight.
With four LEDs for illumination, this mini camera flash will give your photos a professional upgrade.
Lomography Iblazr LED Flash, $29.99, available on Shop.Lomography.com.
Photo: Courtesy Lomography.
This high-power lens attaches to your regular phone lens with magnets, so you can easily snap it on or take it off. Use it for amazing up-close shots.
Carson Optical LensMag Macro Lens, $12.95, available on Ems.com.
Photo: Courtesy Carson Optical.
Power Up
Get a full phone charge out of this credit-card sized, portable polka-dot battery.
Chic Buds Slim Power Phone Charger Maddie, $24.99, available on ChicBuds.com.
Photo: Courtesy Chic Buds.
If you tend to forget your portable charger at home, Native Union's is a good solution. The key cable connects to your keychain, so wherever your keys go, it goes.
Native Union Key Cable, $29.99, available on NativeUnion.com.
Photo: Courtesy Native Union
The PowerCube is a tiny-apartment dweller's answer to the large, bulky power strip. It gives you four extra outlets as well as a USB port — in one little cube.
Allocacoc PowerCube, $20, available on MOMAstore.org.
Photo: Courtesy MOMA.
Why let your iPhone have all the rose-gold glory? This charging cable will keep your style in sync.
Ventev Chargesync Alloy Apple Lightning Cable, $29.99, available on MobileAccessories.Ventev.com.
Photo: Courtesy Ventev.
Save space when packing for your next trip with this device, which packs four travel adaptors into one. The bright colors correspond to different areas of the world where each piece works.
MOMA 4-In-1 Travel Adaptor, $25, available on MOMAstore.org.
Photo: Courtesy MOMA.
In The Kitchen
Having a fancy brunch at home is a lot easier with an electric milk frother to upgrade your lattes.
Zotoon Handheld Electric Milk Frother, Cappuccino Maker, $6.99, available on Amazon.com.
Photo: Courtesy Amazon.
With the touch of a button, you can reorder your morning oats. This WiFi-connected button syncs with the Amazon app, making it easy to keep your staples fully stocked.
Amazon Quaker Dash Button, $4.99, available on Amazon.com.
Photo: Courtesy Amazon.
This single-serve blender is your answer to summer smoothie making. Just throw in fruits, blend, and take on the go.
Hamilton Beach 51132 Single-Serve Blender with Travel Lid, Blue, $16.96, available on Amazon.com.
Photo: Courtesy Amazon.
A portable mini cupcake maker is the (super-adorable and time-saving) answer to your potluck needs.
Brentwood Mini Cupcake Maker, $24.99, available on BestBuy.com.
Photo: Courtesy Best Buy.
Smart Home Additions
Slip Tile on your keyring, in your wallet, or on anything else you tend to misplace. A Bluetooth chip will help you track it via Tile's accompanying app.
Tile, $25, TheTileApp.com.
Photo: Courtesy Tile.
Misfit's tiny Link is a multitasking smart button. You can use it as a music controller, selfie button, and activity tracker, among other options (all available through Misfit's app).
Misfit Link, $19.99, available on Misfit.com.
Photo: Courtesy Misfit.
Great Outdoors
This lightweight, inflatable lantern charges in direct sunlight and has seven different color modes, so you can turn a night under the stars into a rave.
LuminAID PackLite Spectra, $18.44, available on BHPhotoVideo.com.
Photo: Courtesy B&H.
This wireless, water-resistant speaker is made to withstand whatever you put it through during your travels, whether you're going camping or hitting the beach for a bonfire. Plus, its rechargeable battery lasts 16 hours.
Outdoor Tech Buckshot Portable Speaker, $29.95, available on REI.com.
Photo: Courtesy Outdoor Tech.
If you're at the beach or going out in the rain, toss your phone in this bag. It won't interfere with your phone's touch sensitivity, so you can text away without risking sand or water damage.
The Joy Factory BubbleShield Large Phone Dry Bag, $12.95, available on EMS.com.
Photo: Courtesy Eastern Mountain Sports.
Protect your iPhone in a slim case that stands out from the rest. It comes in a pretty blue, as well as other pastel and metallic shades.
Boostcase COQUE for iPhone SE, $19.95, available on BoostCase.com.
Photo: Courtesy Boostcase.
When the heat is on, and there's no air conditioning to be found, plug this tiny fan into your iPhone for instant relief.
Alpha-X Portable Mini Fan, $4.99, available on Amazon.com.
Photo: Courtesy Amazon.
Just For Kicks
Yes, these game-show buzzers are marketed for kids, but anyone can use them to make trivia more fun.
Learning Resources Answer Buzzers, $15.08, available on Amazon.com.
Photo: Courtesy Amazon.
When you're tired of playing with your cat, just give them this rat-shaped toy, with eyes and whiskers that light up and a tail that moves.
FroliCat Rolorat Cat Toy, $19.99, available on BedBathAndBeyond.com.
Photo: Courtesy Bed Bath & Beyond.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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