Samantha Schoech is a writer focusing on gifts. She spends her time finding things that combine quality, beauty, usefulness, and delight.
The cost of unique, thoughtful gifts can add up alarmingly fast. But we’ve spent thousands of hours on research and testing (some of which involved eating ice cream), plus some good old-fashioned retail hunting, to find these gems under $100.
If there’s a cook on your list, we have you covered. Outdoorsy? Yes. Ditto for homebodies, travelers, plant parents, and people who just like cool things. Though we’ve made every effort to confirm that all the picks in this guide meet the threshold, prices can dance around a bit—especially around the holidays.
If you’re looking for more-affordable gifts, check out our guides to the best gifts under $10, under $25, and under $50.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTTravel daypack
Remarkably light and easy to compress, this bag ticks all the boxes for daily use while you’re traveling—it’s comfortable, quietly stylish, and sturdy.
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Pleasure center
This suction vibrator provides diffuse, customizable sensations in a small, convenient size.
From: The Best Vibrators
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTSteel trap
This two-tier Japanese steel toolbox has a roomy primary chamber and adjustable top compartments (to hold smaller objects). It’s more scratch-prone than plastic counterparts, but it makes up for that with cheery colors and butter-smooth hinges.
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Citrus tree
Get fresh lemons from this pest-resistant mail-order tree, which can grow indoors or outdoors in warmer climates.
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From: Best Gifts for Mom
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTGarden helper
This sturdy, rust-resistant garden kneeler–bench combo is extra wide for stability and extra cushy for comfort.
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From: Best Gifts for Gardeners
Throwback bowls
These classic mixing bowls have been made the same way since the 1950s in the last hand-pressed glass factory in the US.
From: Best Mother’s Day Gifts
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTGamer headphones
The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 offers clear and impressive sound quality seldom found in headsets at this price, and it’s comfortable enough that most people should be able to wear it for hours without complaint. It’s also compatible with all platforms.
From: Best Gaming Headsets
Understated bling
Each of these dainty, 12-millimeter hinge hoops are made from vermeil—a thick layer of 14k gold over solid sterling silver—and embedded with one of 13 lab-grown gemstones.
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From: Best Gifts for New Moms
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTCash clip
This low-profile sterling silver money clip is perfectly pocket-sized. And you can have it custom-engraved to include a drawing, signature, or special design.
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From: Best Gifts for Groomsmen
A new hobby
High-end yarn, beautifully designed instructions with online tutorials, and three dozen color choices make this an especially giftable (though pricey) beginner knitting experience.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTHand grounds
For those who want an affordable yet high-quality portable hand grinder, the Timemore Chestnut C2 is the best in its class for speed, ease of grinding, and consistency.
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From: The Best Coffee Grinder
For backyard movies
This screen inflates itself in seconds for easy setup and delivers solid picture quality. But you have to contend with drawbacks such as fan noise and a less taut screen surface.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTWashable slippers
These modern, mostly cotton Japanese house slippers are machine washable and perfect for shoe-free households (or anyone who wants warm feet).
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Leggings for all
Versatile and flattering, these leggings offer a structured fit, a substantial feel, and medium compression. They’re also available in three lengths, nine colors, and a wide variety of sizes, from XXS to 6XL.
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From: The Best Leggings
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTSlick steak knives
Sharp, non-serrated stainless blades meet stylish wood handles in these classic French steak knives.
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Keep cool
This simple lunch-box-style cooler is insulated with thick closed-cell foam and made from a durable coated nylon.
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From: The Best Coolers
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTOld-school radio
The WR-15 radio combines an eye-catching retro design with reliable performance, solid build quality, and superb value. Its taller, vertical form makes it look more striking than many competitors.
From: The Best Tabletop Radios
3D drawing
Comfortable to hold and easy to start using right away, this 3D pen also benefits from 3Doodler’s excellent customer service, and it gives you the option to buy different-size tips.
From: The Best 3D Pen
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA little juice
This power bank is small and light, and its rounded edges make it easy to slip into a pocket. It comes in only one color, but it has two built-in cables and enough capacity to charge most smartphones up to three times.
Professional cutting board
This midsize teak cutting board offers a deep juice canal on one side and hand grooves for lifting and serving.
From: The Best Cutting Boards
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTComfy apron
This loose-fitting pinafore is absurdly comfy, and the thick linen keeps the wearer protected, cool, and feeling kind of French.
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Durable Dutch oven
This inexpensive Dutch oven has easy-to-grip large handles, as well as shorter sides and a wider base, which together allow steam to escape easily, helping to concentrate flavors during cooking. Its design rivals that of pricier models, too.
From: The Best Dutch Oven
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTIce cream delivery
Extra-creamy best-selling flavors— brambleberry crisp, brown butter almond brittle, darkest chocolate, salted peanut butter with chocolate flecks, and salty caramel—from a renowned ice cream maker will delight the 6-year-old in just about anyone.
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The perfect pour
This 1.7-liter kettle heats water quickly and accurately to the various temperatures needed to get optimum flavor from teas and coffee.
From: The Best Electric Kettle
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTQuick smoothies
Powerful, easy to use, and convenient, this personal blender will save on cleanup time.
Better than plastic
These multipurpose, durable bags seal securely and can hold everything from snacks to prepped ingredients to leftovers to toiletries for travel. And they can go from fridge to freezer.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTIce cream churner
This frozen-bowl-style ice cream maker quickly churns out dense, creamy ice cream—at a fraction of the cost of most competitors.
From: The Best Ice Cream Maker
A superior slicer
This classic mandoline found in restaurant kitchens all over the world has razor-sharp replaceable blades and a safe hand guard.
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From: The Best Mandoline
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTStrike a pose
Five millimeters of natural rubber provide plenty of padding for knees and a truly nonslip surface. It’s available in the massive “big” size too.
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From: The Best Yoga Mats
Runner’s pouch
Good for long-distance runners or always-prepared types, this nearly bounce-free waistband has a pocket, loop, and clip for stowing your stuff.
From: The Best Running Belts
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTGuiding light
This lantern’s rechargeable battery is removable for use with many other Coleman products. It has a USB-C input port and a USB-A output port, and its 1,000-lumen bulb offers six brightness settings to cast a soft, warm glow.
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Family-size sled
The Jet Sled is big, boxy, and capable of holding a lot of riders. It isn’t the fastest sled, but it’s a load of fun for families or groups of friends.
From: The Best Sleds
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTMade in the shade
This chair’s big, heavy canopy provides ample sun protection at a campsite or cookout and doubles as a backpack-strap-equipped carrying case.
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From: The Best Camping Chair
A tool for all times
This light and slim multi-tool focuses on well-executed essentials—such as precise, comfortable pliers—and has no fillers. It’s easy to carry daily and built to last.
From: The Best Multi-Tool
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTIt’s not a purse
This spacious neoprene pack is a true blend of fashion and function, capable of holding plenty of stuff (a large wallet, makeup kit, phone) with room to spare.
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From: The Best Fanny Packs
Tough sunnies
These sunglasses are ultralight, ultraflat, and ultraflexible, so they’re perfect for traveling—they take up barely any room at all.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTSuperior snippers
They’re sharp, durable, smooth, easy to repair, and easy to find. As thousands of gardeners already know, a Felco 2 may be the last pruner one ever buys.
From: The Best Garden Pruners
Silken dreams
This pillowcase, made from the highest-grade mulberry silk, is lustrous and weighty right out of the box.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTFave dopp kit
This bag includes a detachable pouch and other organizational options, so packing is easier for both long and short trips.
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From: The Best Toiletry Bags
Slinky robe
This lightweight jersey-knit robe feels soft and slinky, and the three-quarter-length sleeves don’t get in the way. The curve-skimming cut is flattering on different body types.
From: The Best Robes
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTBud buddy
In our tests, this aluminum grinder produced the fluffiest and finest results. Its bonus storage compartment and an optional plate for coarser grinds are unique extras worth the added cost.
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Snacks from Japan
Curated by the online Japanese market Bokksu, this snack box is chock-full of tangy, crunchy, and sweet shelf-stable delights.
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code WIRECUTTER15 for $15 off
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTWeighted comfort
Smooth against the skin, the Luna blanket looks and feels balanced, especially with the duvet cover (sold separately).
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Card carrying
This tasteful card holder has everything you could want—nice leather, four slots, a cash pocket—and nothing you don’t.
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From: The Best Slim Wallet
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTModern vessel
These sculptural earthenware vessels are slip cast in Portugal, painted in food-safe glazes, and beautiful when filled with food or flowers—or just sitting pretty.
Hot cuppa
Ohom’s quirky Ui Mug comes with a warming pad that doubles as a wireless phone charger—and it works well in both respects. But it isn’t compatible with regular mugs.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTClear the air
In a bedroom, dorm room, nursery, or office, the compact and cost-friendly Clorox Medium Room is a fine option.
From: The Best Air Purifiers
Coffee to go
This lightweight, all-in-one grinder, brewer, and insulated mug works well anywhere—just add beans and hot water.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTSelf-watering pots
Houseplants are much harder to kill in these pretty terra-cotta-and-glass self-watering planters, which slowly absorb water to keep soil moist.
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From: Gifts for Plant Lovers
We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend.
This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.
Meet your guide
![](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2023/04/Samantha-Shoech.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=1:1&width=150)
Samantha Schoech
Except for the time she gave a boyfriend her mother’s old toaster for Christmas, staff writer Samantha Schoech has a reputation as an excellent gift giver. She lives in San Francisco with two teens, two cats, a geriatric betta fish, and a bookseller husband. Her first book of short stories, My Mother’s Boyfriends, is coming out in 2024.
Mentioned above
- We chose four packable daypacks that you can keep on hand, whether you’re trekking across the globe or just on your daily commute.The Best Packable Daypack for Travel
- Over 10 years of research and testing, we still think the Magic Wand Rechargeable is the best clitoral vibrator. It’s an effective whole-body massager, too.The Best Vibrators
- Whether it’s your 10th wedding anniversary or five months since your first date, our modern, thoughtful gift ideas can help you celebrate your love in style.The 26 Best Anniversary Gifts by Year
- The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 offers better sound than many more-expensive gaming headsets, has an excellent onboard microphone, and is comfortable enough to wear for hours.The Best Gaming Headsets
- Your best guys have given you a lifetime of friendship and support. Here’s a handful of smart, cool gifts to thank them for showing up all the days—especially the big one.The 17 Best Gifts for Groomsmen
- Looking for a fun project to keep your hands busy while binging the latest season of your favorite TV show? Try these cute, easy craft kits.The Best Fiber Craft Kits for Adults
Further reading
The 55 Best Gifts Under $25
by Samantha Schoech
We firmly believe gifts don’t have to be pricey to be stylish, useful, surprising, and delightful.
The 57 Best Gifts Under $50
by Samantha Schoech
The very best of our favorite finds under $50, all in one place.
The 42 Best Gifts Under $10
by Samantha Schoech
Yes, you can get someone a great gift for one Alexander Hamilton and a little inspiration.
The 26 Best Cheap Valentine’s Day Gifts (Mostly) Under $25
by Hannah Morrill and Samantha Schoech
Delight your sweetheart, friend, or family member with one of these inexpensive but thoughtful gifts that declare your love for under $25.
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