From PCMAG · The PCMag Editorial Team · · 3m
Top 100 Budget Tech Picks Tested by Experts
PCMag tests 100 affordable tech products for real value.
In brief
PCMag tests 100 affordable tech products for real value. PCMag's experts tested 100 budget tech products to find the best value options under $200. Originally reported by PCMAG.
Quick answers
- Why buy budget tech now?
- Phone batteries die slowly? Earbuds go missing? Finding cheap, high-quality gear is hard with volatile markets and high component costs.
- What is the key takeaway from Top 100 Budget Tech Picks Tested by Experts?
- PCMag's experts tested 100 budget tech products to find the best value options under $200.
Why buy budget tech now?
Phone batteries die slowly? Earbuds go missing? Finding cheap, high-quality gear is hard with volatile markets and high component costs.
“If you're like most people, you need an affordable replacement quickly”
Monthly updated picks
PCMag's experts test products monthly to ensure fresh, reliable value for every budget category.
“We update this story monthly, so the values are always fresh”
Prime savings
Sign up for Amazon Prime to get a free 30-day trial during sales events, billed at $14.99 per month or $139 yearly.
“You can snag a free 30-day trial during the sales event and cancel later if you want”
Best budget laptop
Apple's $599 MacBook Neo runs on an A18 Pro processor with 8GB memory and 256GB SSD for casual tasks and games.
“Apple’s $599 MacBook Neo lands as not only the top budget MacBook, but the best low-cost laptop”
Best budget Chromebook
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (2025) starts at $499 with AI features and a solid design for students and casual users.
“Asus’ latest version of the Chromebook Plus CX34 delivers impressive performance and essential features at an unbeatable price”
Best budget gaming laptop
MSI Katana 15 HX features GeForce RTX 5050 GPU for smooth DLSS 4 gaming at under $1,226.82.
“The Katana 15 HX is the best-performing budget gaming laptop we've tested”
Best budget phone
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G offers 90Hz refresh rate, long battery life, and 5G speeds for under $200.
“For just under $200, the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G offers nearly all you need from a low-cost phone”
Best budget iPhone
Apple iPhone 17e costs $599.99 with Face ID, A18 processor, and Apple Intelligence features.
“The iPhone 17e is the most affordable iPhone you can get”
Best budget tablet
Apple iPad (11th Gen, 2025) starts at $427 with A16 processor for Apple Intelligence and FaceTime.
“Apple's 11-inch iPad, starting at $349, is all the tablet that most people need”
Best budget desktop
Acer Aspire TC-1775-UR11 tower starts at $705 with 14th Gen Intel processor and 8GB memory.
“Shoppers seeking a cheap traditional desktop usually just want the basics without breaking the bank”
Best budget CPU
Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus costs $219.99 with strong gaming performance and integrated graphics.
“Intel launched the Ultra 5 250K Plus at an aggressively competitive $199”
Best budget graphics card
Intel Arc B580 Limited Edition costs $309.99 with improved performance and efficiency for gaming.
“Intel's 'Battlemage' graphics architecture is an evolutionary step forward”
Best budget monitor
Philips 271V8LB costs $99.99 with 1080p resolution and 100Hz refresh rate for productivity.
“Although a relatively large screen for a pittance is the Philips 271V8LB's chief selling point”
Best budget external SSD
Crucial X10 costs $186.83 with high write speeds for creatives and media libraries.
“The Crucial X10 is the best wireless mic system you'll find for the price”
Best budget keyboard
Dell Wired Collaboration Keyboard costs $34.99 with Zoom and Teams video chat controls.
“Customizable features and an affordable price help Dell's Wired Collaboration Keyboard deliver exceptional value”
Best budget drone
DJI Neo costs $169 with 4K camera and 18-minute flight battery for aerial videos.
“The DJI Neo drone is very compact and easy to use”
Best budget smart speaker
Amazon Echo Pop costs $39.99 with Alexa support and eero mesh Wi-Fi node capabilities.
“The Echo Pop is Amazon's sub-$50 smart speaker”
Best budget smart display
Amazon Echo Show 5 costs $59.99 with 5-inch touch screen and Alexa support.
“The third iteration of the Echo Show 5 continues to be the best smart display available for less than $100”
Best budget smart light bulb
TP-Link Tapo L535E costs $10.99 with 1,100 lumens and app-connected color.
“A smart bulb that works with every major smart home platform, the Tapo L535E produced rich, well-saturated colors in testing”
Best budget robot vacuum
TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max Plus costs $229.99 with LiDAR navigation and self-emptying dustbin.
“The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max Plus robot vacuum uniquely offers LiDAR navigation and a self-emptying dustbin for an affordable price”
Here's the gist
PCMag's experts tested 100 budget tech products to find the best value options under $200.
