Best Memorial Day Tech Deals Under $50 (2026 Guide)

Memorial Day weekend is usually the time when retailers try to convince you that your life is incomplete without a 75-inch OLED TV or a professional-grade smoker. But while those big-ticket items grab the headlines, the most satisfying wins often come from the smaller, smarter upgrades—the gadgets that fix a daily annoyance or make your summer camping trip just a little bit easier.

This year, the sub-$50 category is surprisingly packed with high-quality gear. We’ve sifted through thousands of listings to find the items that actually deserve the space in your bag or on your nightstand. These aren’t just cheap fillers; they are products our team has tested, carried into the backcountry, and used in our own homes.

THE SMART HOME STARTING LINEUP

If you have been waiting to build out your smart home, Memorial Day is officially the time to do it. The standout here is the Eve Energy Smart Plug, now down to $34.45. It is, quite simply, the most detailed energy-monitoring plug we have ever tested. For Apple Home users, the Matter-over-Thread support makes it incredibly responsive.

For those looking to beef up security without a massive installation fee, the Blink Outdoor 4 is a steal at $43.99. It adds person detection to the mix, which is a massive upgrade over the previous generation. If you just need to keep an eye on the living room while you’re out, the second-gen Ring Indoor Cam is down to $29.99—a tiny price for 1080p peace of mind and color night vision.

Lighting and automation are also seeing deep cuts. You can snag a four-pack of Govee Smart A19 LED Bulbs for $32.99 with code LB7H6008. These are Wi-Fi enabled, sync to music, and work flawlessly with Alexa and Google Home. And for the ultimate "lazy" upgrade, the SwitchBot Bot is down to $27.19 with code SUMMER20. It is a literal mechanical finger that flips your existing light switches or starts your coffee maker from your phone.

GEAR THAT SURVIVES THE OUTDOORS

When it comes to outdoor gear, "cheap" often means "disposable." But we’ve found the exceptions. One of my personal daily essentials is the Owala FreeSip Sway, currently $27.99. I consider it the best of both worlds because of the dual-mouth design—you can sip through the straw or swig from the wide mouth. Plus, the tapered bottom finally fits in a standard cupholder, which was the one flaw in earlier models.

For the backpackers, the MSR PocketRocket 2 is a legendary piece of gear that is currently $44.89. It’s a tiny, foldable powerhouse that can boil water in three and a half minutes. Pair it with the GoBites Bio-Uno Long spork ($5.93). Our editor Brandon Widder has used this BPA-free utensil in the backcountry for years because it’s lightweight and long enough to reach the bottom of those freeze-dried meal pouches without getting your knuckles messy.

If you are staying closer to home, the GCI Freestyle Rocker Chair is down to $47.93. It’s a rocking alternative to those stiff, uncomfortable camp chairs. And to keep the vibes right after sunset, the Mpowerd Luci Solar String Lights are an absolute bargain at $19.83. They offer 18 feet of colorful, solar-powered glow that can transform a campsite or a back porch.

THE GAMING DEAL YOU CANNOT IGNORE

Usually, major game releases take months or even years to hit the "budget" bin. This year, the rules have changed. The absolute must-grab deal of the weekend is Star Wars Outlaws for just $19.93 at Walmart. Seeing a massive, open-world title from a major franchise at this price point is an outlier that shouldn't be ignored. If you own a PS5 or an Xbox Series X, this is the cheapest way to explore the galaxy right now.

Other notable gaming grabs include:

• Borderlands 4: The latest looter-shooter is down to $29 (Xbox) or $35 (PS5). It’s "dumb action movie" fun at its best.
• Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Currently $34.99. The stealth mechanics are intuitive, and feudal Japan looks stunning.
• Xbox Wireless Controller: Down to $44.99. If your current thumbsticks are drifting, this is the best time to refresh your setup.

POWER AND CONNECTIVITY ON THE CHEAP

Travel tech is often overpriced, but Anker and Twelve South are bringing some sanity back to the market this weekend. The Anker Nano Travel Adapter (5-in-1) is $19.99 and is the perfect "set it and forget it" item for your carry-on. If you need more speed, the 45W Anker Nano Charger with a built-in smart display is down to $29.99. It’s great for seeing exactly how fast your phone is juicing up in real-time.

For the frequent flyer, the Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 is $49.99. It lets you use your favorite noise-canceling headphones with those subpar airplane seatback screens. If you don't need to share audio with a partner, the AirFly SE is even cheaper at $29.74.

THE UNDER-FIFTY ROUNDUP: EVERY REMAINING STEAL

To help you reach that $50 limit without the guesswork, here is a quick-fire list of the remaining deals that earned our seal of approval:

Portable Audio

• CMF Buds Pro 2: $43. Features ANC and a unique smart dial on the case.
• Sony SRS-XB100: $43. A rugged, waterproof speaker that sounds much bigger than it looks.

Adventure Essentials

• LifeStraw Peak Series Straw: $18.69. A must-have for the emergency kit.
• LifeStraw Go Series 1L Bottle: $32. Built-in filtration for daily commuting.
• Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp: $44.89. 400 lumens and fully waterproof.
• Petzl Tikka Headlamp: $19.73. A reliable, 350-lumen basic that won't fail.
• Zippo HeatBank 6 Pro: $34.93. A hand warmer that doubles as a power bank.
• Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol: $37.39. The classic accordion-style sleeping pad.

Utility & Life Upgrades

• Tile (2024): $19. A platform-agnostic tracker with a 350-foot range.
• Thermacell E90 Mosquito Repellent: $38.49. Creates a 20-foot protection zone without the spray.
• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus: $29.99. Zippy performance and Wi-Fi 6 support.
• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max: $39.99. Double the storage and Wi-Fi 6E for the power users.
• Twelve South PowerBug: $34.48. A unique hybrid of a wall charger and a MagSafe puck.

The Takeaway

The best part of Memorial Day shopping isn't necessarily the high-dollar savings on a fridge you didn't really need. It's finding the items that offer genuine utility for less than the cost of a decent dinner out. Whether it's the $19 Star Wars deal or the $6 spork that will survive a decade of camping, these picks prove that smart spending is always better than big spending. Stay focused on what will actually improve your day-to-day, and you’ll walk away from the holiday weekend with the real wins.