Top tech choices under $50 — editor's choice picks for the top 5 products you need that won't break the bank

JLab Go Pods ANC — (Image credit: Future)

Here at Tom's Guide, we spend a lot of time testing all of the latest gadgets and gizmos so you know what's going to be worth your money. The budget products we love most get marked with a Value Verified badge so you know exactly what to look out for. This badge only gets handed out when we know a product works well and will give you good value for your money.

The reviews team tests everything from coffee machines to microphones to ring lights, and only the best get our stamp of approval. But if I've learned anything in my time as a reviewer, it's that a higher price tag doesn't always equal higher quality. You can actually get some decent tech for under $50 that even outperforms the big brands.

As wired earbuds regain their popularity, the Sennheiser CX 80U are the ones to get if you want impressive sound and comfort. They feature a USB-C connector and are a modern refresh of the brand’s popular budget wired earbuds. These earbuds pack a built-in DAC for hi-res streaming, delivering a nuanced and detailed listening experience. Balanced and powerful sound quality make them the best budget earbuds to get this year, as long as you don’t mind the unrefined sub-bass. But even that isn't a deal breaker since they have noise-sealing eartips to give you the best listening experience possible.

Our rating: 4.5/5

ANC earbuds for $20? Sign me up right now! The JLab Go Pods ANC are the best super-cheap earbuds on the market. Their sound quality is seriously untouchable in this price range, and the premium features like IP rating and EQ customization are impressive. They outperform all other budget earbuds, making them the best value on the market. We use these buds as a benchmark for other budget buds we test, and it's not hard to understand why when there is literally zero tinniness from these buds.

Our rating: 4.5/5

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Ashley is a staff writer on the the Reviews team at Tom’s Guide. She has a master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and a BA in Journalism, Media and Sociology. She has written for titles including Women’s Health UK, writing health and wellness stories, and Virgin Radio UK, specializing in entertainment news and celebrity interviews. She has reported on a variety of topics including music, literature, motorsport, entertainment and health. She has previously reviewed live music events, books, and wellness products but discovering the top audio equipment on the market is what she does best. When she is not testing out the latest tech, you can find her either curled up with a cup of tea and a good novel or out hiking.