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  1. Gifts
  2. Gifts for grown-ups

The 42 Best Gifts Under $10

Updated
Candles, chopsticks, masking tape, a tin of sardines, and an eye mask - all gifts under $10 that Wirecutter recommends.
Photo: Michael Murtaugh
Samantha Schoech

By Samantha Schoech

Samantha Schoech is a writer focusing on gifts. She spends her time finding things that combine quality, beauty, usefulness, and delight.

It’s pretty easy to find a great gift that costs over $10 (and if you have more to spend, we have excellent roundups with hundreds of picks under $25, $50, and $100.)

But what about things that cost less than $10? Below we list 40-ish items, all of them useful, vetted, and sure to be appreciated by nearly any lucky recipient. Highlights include utilitarian favorites, such as a seemingly magic keychain multi-tool and reusable Swedish dishcloths. We also have more-playful picks, such as almonds dressed as olives and sparkly socks.

Keep in mind that while we made every effort to confirm that all of these items meet that $10 threshold, prices can dance around a bit—especially during the holidays. Either way, 10 bucks still goes a long way.

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These striking, semi-sheer lower-calf-length socks—topped by a solid band of contrasting color—shimmer with a low-key iridescent sparkle. But they come only in a single size, for women’s sizes 5 to 8.

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This 100% plant-based soap has ground apricot kernels and coffee for scrubbing the dirt away, and it smells like an herb garden.

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$9 from Seattle Seed Co.

May be out of stock

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This tea manages to pull off a fruity sweetness without overwhelming, and it surprises with its strength.

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The 2-inch stainless steel keychain features a scannable barcode that pulls up a special Spotify song or playlist of your choice.

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Lucas’ Papaw Ointment comes in a generous 25-gram tube. It’s a terrific, SPF-free moisturizer that works to soothe cracked, irritated skin anywhere on the body—not just lips.

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Kids (and kids at heart) will love these glowing accessories. They’re also great for spotting one another in a crowd.

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Compared with traditional metal jiggers, this clear plastic OXO mini cup has easier-to-read measurement markings and is less messy to use.

Washable, compostable, and quick-drying, each colorful reusable cloth takes the place of 17 rolls of paper towels, according to the company.

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These strong fasteners wrap around themselves to tightly bundle multiple items. They’re a simple, inexpensive solution to an all-too-common problem.

With these colorful, BPA- and phthalate-free plastic straws, kids (and adults) can sip through their name.

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Keep pricey electronics safe and dry with this triple-sealed pouch affixed to an adjustable lanyard.

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Cheap and durable, these lightweight mixing bowls are sold individually, and they are ideal for assembling a custom set.

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These affordable, smooth-zipping mesh pouches let users see what’s inside, for easy organization.

This luxe hand sanitizer spray comes in sophisticated scents like vetiver, eucalyptus, and bergamot. And the flat, slim dispensers are refillable.

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This surprisingly handy telescoping back scratcher extends to about 20 inches for reaching hard-to-reach itches.

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This freely swinging, comfy-to-hold rope will satisfy beginners and most fitness fanatics seeking a quality rope at a good price.

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With these pins, you can easily throw your hair in a twist or a bun. The style is so simple, but the size, shape, and finish are effortlessly elegant.

These straws have a silicone top and a stainless steel base, but they don’t come with a carrying case.

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These unique chopsticks are so special they’re used in a Michelin-starred restaurant. They can’t go in the dishwasher, though.

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With their dense, slightly spongy texture, these balls are still firm enough to roll out muscle tightness from shins, calves, arches, or wherever a little pressure is needed.

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Made with reflective Scotchlite material for a safer ride, these spoke clips snap on easily.

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This titanium-coated stainless gadget attaches to a keychain and includes a bottle opener and five other handy tools.

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Often imitated but not yet duplicated, these bath bombs “explode” as soon as they hit the water, filling tubs with gorgeous color, long-lasting fragrance, and skin-soothing oils.

Comfortable to hold and affordable, this model is the best of the cheap, simple tablet styluses.

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With its fast-drying ink, this pen is our go-to for everyday writing on any kind of paper.

This brightly colored tag is easy to spot in a crowd. It displays a bag owner’s name but keeps other personal information out of sight.

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This budget-friendly shirt is a comfortable weight, and the quality is decent enough. It comes in a wide range of sizes, from XS to 5XL, but it does shrink quite a bit in the wash.

This 2-gallon, leak-proof receptacle is a staff favorite. There are rubber flaps over the opening, to keep debris and any accompanying odors contained.

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This pencil’s rotating lead keeps the tip sharp, making for the cleanest and most consistent writing. The newest version also has a pocket-safe retractable tip.

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These delicate French sardines, a favorite of Wirecutter kitchen staffers, are flash-fried and then preserved using only olive oil and salt.

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These tapers (sold in pairs) are charming, if prone to dripping, and they come in vibrant colors.

This spiky plastic sphere is perfect for rolling under sore arches or loosening knots in other muscles.

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The whimsical tin contains 48 brightly colored, flexible bandages in 12 sizes. These bandages come in all sorts of patterns and themes, including monsters, jellyfish, and space.

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These white-chocolate-covered almonds masquerade as martini olives.

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These cute porcelain cats perform a small but important task: keeping chopsticks off the table.

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This itty-bitty Uno set is just 3 inches long and can sit in a bag or pocket, ready for games on the go.

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This design classic has legible markings and cleans up better than plastic versions.

These mini cacti magnets aren’t the strongest in the world. But they come in six detailed varieties and easily keep a photo on the fridge.

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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

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.

Further reading

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