29 Best Gifts Under $200 to Buy 2025
This Bluetooth speaker is waterproof, dustproof and portable -- your giftee can take it anywhere they go. It may be small, but it's big on sound, and also made CNET's pick for the best portable Bluetooth speaker available. The second-gen model came out in October of 2024 and has a few new features, including Bose app compatibility and Bluetooth 5.3 (instead of Bluetooth 4.2). CNET's David Carnoy says, 'It mostly lived up to the hype and is arguably the best-sounding wireless speaker for its compact size.'
See at Amazon
While the 2022 Kindle Paperwhite was a winner of our CNET Editors' Choice Award winner in the e-reader category, Amazon recently came out with a new version that's even better. The 2024 model is thinner, has a larger 7-inch display, and offers 25% faster page turns. According to CNET's David Carnoy, "The new Paperwhite does seem like a legitimate upgrade from the Paperwhite (2021), and I suspect people who've used that previous-gen Paperwhite will be tempted to make the jump to this model."
See at Amazon
Govee is a well-known name in the smart lighting space, and this super sleek floor lamp is a popular item among our CNET editors -- and among our readers too. It uses RGB LEDs to let you choose just about any color you want, and it connects with other Govee products, so if you've got others, like backlights for your TV, you can use them in tandem. CNET's James Bricknell says it's his all-time favorite smart lamp: "What I enjoy about this lamp is its low profile: You can barely see it, just a small base and a thin line of metal. The focus is on the light rather than the structure."
See at Amazon
The SodaStream Terra is one of our favorite soda makers, especially for making plain sparkling water. But if you want a carbonator that can add bubbles to pretty much anything, from juices to cocktails (even milk), the Drinkmate OmniFizz is the way to go. Make your own sparkling wine or recarbonate a Coke that's gone flat. The options are endless.
See at Amazon
If your gift recipient is into vinyl, but is in need of a turntable, this budget-friendly one is just the thing. It's automatic, easy to set up, the sound quality is impressive and they can choose from line level or phono output. It's our pick for best budget turntable and also received a CNET Editors' Choice award. To level up this present a bit, pair it with a record you love or one they've been eyeing.
See at Amazon
There's no better gift than taking the hassle out of someone's daily cleaning. Thanks to its excellent value, the RoboVac 25C has secured a place on our list of the best robot vacuums for 2025. Not only is it affordable, but this little champ tackles messes with a powerful 1,500 Pascal suction that leaves no dust bunny behind. It might not have the fancy floor-mapping abilities or self-emptying bin of higher-end models, but you get a lot for the price.
See at Walmart
A faux fur blanket offers a touch of luxurious comfort and is perfect for cozying up on the couch to binge-watch shows. This blanket is so versatile and aesthetically pleasing that you may be tempted to get one for everyone you know, as well as for yourself. It comes in 11 colors, which makes it easy to mix and match with any living room or bedroom decor.
See at Anthropologie
For busy people who like to have a warm beverage on hand, this sophisticated-looking self-warming mug is an essential addition to their daily routine. Thanks to its dedicated charging pad, it maintains the perfect drinking temperature for coffee, tea or hot chocolate throughout the day -- though you'll want to make sure you're starting out with a hot beverage since you can't pop the cup in the microwave. As a bonus, the base doubles as a phone charger.
See at Williams Sonoma
Atlas Coffee Club is CNET's pick for the best coffee subscription for the price, and if your giftee is into sampling unique coffees from around the world, they'll love it. Each subscription box comes with coffee from a different country (Atlas sources coffee from more than 50 nations), plus tasting notes, brewing tips and a postcard of the country of origin.
You can select a three-, six- or 12-month subscription and prices start at $50 (on sale from $60) and go up from there. You can also choose from ground coffee, beans or Nespresso or Keurig pods, depending on how your giftee likes to make their brew. (And if you happen to want to gift them a Keurig to go along with their coffee subscription, here are CNET's picks for best Keurig coffee makers.)
See at Atlas Coffee Club
If you want to make delicious ice cream at home (and who doesn't?), the Ninja Creami has been big on social media feeds this year, and it also made our list of the top ice cream makers. It's easy to make multiple batches and flavors, and its 2-minute churn time is considerably faster than any of the other ice cream makers we tested.
See at Amazon
Everyone loves ice cream, even in the winter. New York-based Tipsy Scoop makes all sorts of delightful flavors, but with a boozy twist. Experience decadent treats like spiked mint chip, spiked hazelnut coffee, vanilla bean bourbon, strawberry sangria sorbet and more. Our favorite was the chocolate whiskey salted caramel ice cream, but all of them are delicious. Buy four pints for $100 or six pints for $125.
See at Goldbelly
If you have a whiskey enthusiast on your gift list, Flaviar is the ultimate choice. This premium spirits club offers your recipient various packages that includes one full-size bottle of their choice and a curated tasting box to match, along with a free Flaviar membership. Flaviar offers three gift subscription options, all on sale now: $186 for three deliveries, $372 for six deliveries or $745 for a full year, 12 deliveries. All three options provide one premium bottle with each delivery, accompanied by three themed tasting flights, each presented in stylish vials. Flaviar offers free custom engraving too, which is a nice way to personalize the gift.
See at Flaviar
Fitbits never go out of style and are ideal for fitness fans. This one can track everything from your giftee's workouts to their heart rate and sleep. It also won our vote for the best all-around fitness tracker.
See at Amazon
If your gift recipient works out on a regular basis, they'll appreciate a massage gun to ease the muscle soreness that comes with intense exercise. Therabody has a lot of expensive larger models, but the second-gen Theragun Mini is a powerful, cheaper option in a smaller package. It's easy to throw in a gym bag, and it delivers a whopping 1,750 to 2,400 percussions per minute. Plus, it can easily be connected to the Therabody app via its Bluetooth capabilities. It also made CNET's pick for best mini massage gun.
See at Walmart
A true workout warrior will need a tough gym bag to match their active lifestyle. The Core Duffel from KNKG is designed to withstand plenty of wear and tear. It has multiple compartments and pockets for extra storage, so you can separate your sweaty towels and clothes from your shoes and electronic devices. It's great for weekend travel, too.
See at KNKG
Best Gifts Under $300 for 2025
66 Best Star Wars Gifts: Top Picks From Across the Galaxy
22 Great Gifts for $50 or Less
27 Great Tech Gifts Under $100
Best Gaming Gifts for 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
‘The Pickup' Trailer: Eddie Murphy & Pete Davidson Are Armored Truck Drivers In Amazon MGM Action Comedy
Amazon MGM Studios on Monday debuted the first trailer for The Pickup, its heist pic starring Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, and Keke Palmer, which premieres on Prime Video on August 6. Directed by Tim Story, the filmmaker behind titles like The Blackening, Barbershop and Ride Along, The Pickup sees a routine cash pickup take a wild turn when two mismatched armored truck drivers, Russell (Murphy) and Travis (Davidson), are ambushed by ruthless criminals led by a savvy mastermind, Zoe (Palmer), with plans that go way beyond the cash cargo. As chaos unfolds around them, the unlikely duo must navigate high-risk danger, clashing personalities, and one very bad day that keeps getting worse. More from Deadline Jacob Whiteduck-Lavoie Among 4 Joining Ensemble Cast Of Amazon's Megan Park YA Series Amazon MGM Studios Developing Thriller 'Ally Clark' Starring & Produced By Viola Davis 'One Of Them Days' Sequel In Development With Keke Palmer & SZA Returning The film, penned by Kevin Burrows & Matt Mider, also stars Eva Longoria, Marshawn Lynch, Joe 'Roman Reigns' Anoa'i, Andrew Dice Clay, and Ismael Cruz Córdova. John Davis, John Fox, Murphy, Story, and Charisse Hewitt-Webster are the producers. Check out the trailer above. [youtube Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery Tony Awards: Every Best Musical Winner Since 1949 Tony Awards: Every Best Play Winner Since 1947
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Which Industries Need AI Skills the Most?
AI is changing some industries more than others. A recent report by consulting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers suggests that demand for AI skills has accelerated in three sectors in particular: IT and communications tech, professional services and finances. AI skills requirements in 'physical industries,' meanwhile, are lagging behind as those sectors still consider their best path forward for adoption, said Scott Likens, global chief AI engineer at PwC. READ ALSO: Amazon Ups Its AI Infrastructure Ante and JPMorgan Chase Patent Tackles Synthetic Data Bias The industries where demand for AI skills is high were quickly introduced to the 'first wave' of generative AI that occurred in 2022, he said. They are 'so exposed to AI,' he said, 'just because of the nature of the work they're doing,' which includes tasks that GenAI is very good at: 'Those industries really stand out as the ones that can immediately tap into information, which immediately can provide value on the other end.' Sectors such as manufacturing, oil and gas and healthcare, meanwhile, are still trying to figure out where AI fits in, said Likens. Advancements are occurring in areas such as robotics and embodied AI, he noted, but the change 'hasn't hit the jobs yet.' AI's rapid development, meanwhile, has created a gap between the talent available on the market and what enterprises need, said Likens. Education has yet to catch up to the shift. 'It's not a well-worn technology where we've got grads and undergrads coming out of school with experience,' said Likens. 'We're still changing the university curriculums, let alone having people with 10 years of experience in this area.' So how can enterprises reckon with the skills scarcity? A combination of upskilling and talent acquisition, he said. Along with educating workforces on how to get the most out of AI deployments, organizations need to seek out the 'new thinkers' that are capable of leading those transformations. One challenge is finding people that are 'bilingual': fluent both in the language of AI and the specific industry that an enterprise is operating in, said Likens. Finding a tax accountant who's also an AI expert, for example, is harder than finding someone who's good in either area individually. 'This is not just about technologists,' said Likens. 'There's not enough of those people to fill the need.' This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive cutting-edge insights into technology trends impacting CIOs and IT leaders, subscribe to our free CIO Upside newsletter. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
JPMorgan Chase Patent Tackles Synthetic Data Bias
The devil is in the data when training a machine learning model. And banking giant JPMorgan Chase wants to make sure that its data stays as balanced as possible. The company is seeking to patent a system for 'generating fair synthetic representative data,' from a larger set of real data for training a machine learning model. READ ALSO: Amazon Ups Its AI Infrastructure Ante and Which Industries Need AI Skills the Most? Chase's system aims to create synthetic data that mimics real data in statistical accuracy, demographic information and 'demographic parity,' such that no group is unfairly favored in the dataset. To do this, Chase's system collects demographic information, features used in decision-making (such as income or education) and outcomes for each data point in a larger set, and uses those to make a synthetic dataset that mimics the original as closely as possible. The system then ensures demographic parity by assessing and adjusting the weights of the synthetic data. 'This proliferation of machine learning applications has highlighted the need to mitigate inherent biases in the data, as these biases can significantly impact the equity of machine learning models and their decisions,' Chase said in the filing. Compared with many financial institutions, Chase has dived headfirst into AI. The company rolled out a generative AI assistant dubbed LLM Suite last year and deployed AI in its call centers. The company claimed in recent weeks that AI could help it reduce headcount by 10% in operations and account data is the core of an AI model, a system such as the one Chase is developing helps financial institutions insulate models from bias. That's particularly important for banking tasks like loan approvals, in which bias has historically harmed certain groups of would-be borrowers. Tech like this could help the company forge ahead with its AI goals, while mitigating some of the associated risk. This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive cutting-edge insights into technology trends impacting CIOs and IT leaders, subscribe to our free CIO Upside newsletter.
