Best Deals Under $50
We're combing deals from all the major retailers to find good quality at low prices
By Samantha B. Gordon
The early holiday sales are officially on, which means you can find some great offers on lower-cost items. And while Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale is officially over, Walmart’s Rollbacks and More event is still going on through today so there are plenty of deals to be found.
With so many products out there, it can be hard to know if a sale is actually worth it. That’s why we go searching through low-cost options for the most promising deals on items including bedding, cookware, headphones, and more. We’ll keep you updated on the latest offers this holiday season, so check back often and go to our Deals hub, where you’ll find the best offers on everything Consumer Reports tests.
Looking for something that isn’t listed here? Check out more discounts on electronics and home and kitchen products. We’re also tracking everything that’s on sale for under $100 if you want to expand your search.
Viewing on a mobile device? Click on the links below to skip to each section.
• Kitchen Products
• Headphones
• Smart Speakers
• Pet Trackers
• Slim Wallets
• Sports Bras
• More Deals
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Kitchen Products
Instant Milk Frother
When you think of the brand Instant Pot, its line of multi-cookers usually comes to mind, but the company has branched out into coffee makers and frothers. Its affordable Instant Milk Frother was one of the best models in our at-home review, offering performance almost on a par with the Nespresso Aeroccino4 milk frother, which costs more than twice as much. The only downside is that the Instant Milk Frother isn’t dishwasher-safe because its controls are built into the side of the carafe. Cleaning is still a breeze, though; you just need to hand-wash it with a wet cloth.
Why it’s a good deal: It’s on sale for $8 less than the lowest price we’ve seen recently.
Chef's Choice Knife Sharpener
The Chef’s Choice 4643 knife sharpener looks like the analog version of the brand’s electric sharpener, but it works a bit differently. It has two basic sharpening settings, one for sharpening knives to 15 degrees and another to 20. A third stage polishes the edge of any knife no matter which sharpening angle you choose. Like the brand’s electric sharpener, the 4643 feels well-designed, with grooves that hold the knife at the perfect angle as you slowly draw it through.
Why it’s a good deal: This sale price is on par with the best price we’ve seen all year.
Stasher Stand-Up Reuseable Bag
Stasher bags fared well in our at-home evaluation of five silicone food storage bag brands. This one protects food from freezer burn, has a strong seal that prevents leaks, and makes food stains easy to wipe away, something most other bags can’t do. The weight of the bag is printed on it, so grocers can easily subtract it from the weight of your bulk foods at checkout. Stasher bags come in a variety of sizes and colors, and others may be on sale.
Why it’s a good deal: These reusable bags are an affordable and sustainable way to prep healthy snacks to grab on the go.
Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Baking Pan
The Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Baking Pan is the smallest of all the sheet pans in our tests, but at almost 8.5 pounds, it weighs the most—by far. In fact, it’s difficult to remove from the oven with just one hand. On the plus side, it doesn’t warp, and cleaning it is easier than it is for many other uncoated pans.
Why it’s a good deal: This cast-iron pan usually sells for closer to $50, but a 10 to 20 percent discount makes it worth considering.
Mueller V-Pro 5 Blade Mandoline
We tried out 11 mandoline slicers at home and this one by Müeller was the most extra, and by that we mean it had the most variety of attachments. It can make thick cuts, beautiful thin slices, and fun waffle cuts. The julienne blades are easy to use, too. This is now $10 cheaper than the lowest price we’ve seen.
Learn more about the Müeller V-Pro 5 Blade Mandoline.
Headphones
1MORE ColorBuds 2
There are lots of great choices if you’re looking for budget noise-canceling headphones. One of our top picks is 1More ColorBuds 2, which offer the convenience of true wireless headphones, great sound quality, and superb noise cancellation, all for less than $100. 1More advertises a 6-hour battery life backed by a charging case that holds enough power for two full cycles.
Why it’s a good deal: These headphones are now $10 less than we’ve seen in months.
Sennheiser HD 250BT
The Sennheiser HD 250BT headphones are a relative newcomer but make a mark for providing very good sound at a bargain price. The HD 250BT is an over-ear set with a sleek appearance and a price that often dips below $70, making this one of the best values among Bluetooth headphones in our ratings.
It has controls for volume, calls, and playback, a smartphone app for equalizer adjustments, and an advertised 25-hour battery life. It also charges over USB-C, the same cable that powers newer Mac laptops and tons of other devices. Sennheiser is a winner for reliability and owner satisfaction, too, earning superb ratings in both categories.
Why it’s a good deal: These headphones have been on sale for a while, but the price recently dropped an additional $5 or so at Amazon.
Bluetooth and Smart Speakers
Sony SRS-XB13
For less than $50, the pocket-sized Sony SRS-XB13 is a solid deal. It’s a take-anywhere speaker that can go to the park or the beach without fear of an expensive piece of electronics getting lost, stolen, or destroyed. The Sony’s bass isn’t very strong, and it lacks the smoothness and detail of more expensive speakers, but the speaker’s sound can fill a small room.
Why it’s a good deal: This is a great value for the quality and portability, but this model was $10 less during the Prime Early Access sale so the price may drop again for Black Friday.
Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen)
The Echo Show 5 is Amazon’s smallest smart screen. Our testers report that the sound is subpar for a music-listening device, but there are reasons you should consider this device. It’s a utility machine that works well on a night table or desk. And you get all the Amazon Alexa functionality you’d have in other Echo devices, including the super-cheap Dot, and some added value thanks to the small screen and camera.
Why it’s a good deal: The Show 5 is five dollars more than it was during Prime Early Access, but it’s back up to $85 at other retailers.
TP-Link Kasa Cam KC120
The TP-Link Kasa Cam KC120 offers great performance at a very affordable price. It earns high scores in our video quality, response time, and data security tests, but its data privacy could be better. It doesn’t offer many features, but you’ll get monitoring zones and voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. With a Kasa Care plan, you’ll get 30 days of video storage.
Why it’s a good deal: This camera is about $10 more than it was during Prime sales, but it’s still a nice discount.
Pet Trackers
Tractive GPS Dog LTE (TRNJAWH)
The Tractive GPS Dog LTE is the top-scoring model in our testing and was especially easy to set up and use. Light and compact yet sturdy, the slender unit easily attaches to any dog collar and will fit comfortably on most small dogs and even cats. The app is among the best of the bunch, with a clean and intuitive interface. In the live mode, which you activate if your pet goes AWOL, it geolocates every 2 to 3 seconds, and that makes for more precise tracking, showing you locations almost in real time.
Why it’s a good deal: At $20 off, this is a solid deal from the list price.
Slim Wallets
Nimalist Air Tag Wallet
This slim wallet accommodates Apple products by incorporating Apple’s puck-shaped, rounded-top tracking device, sold separately, into its design. AirTags aren’t the greatest shape for slim wallets, and the indent is noticeable when the wallet is put in the front or back pocket. But this is an otherwise great option, with soft leather and seven very thin pockets that hold up to 12 cards.
Learn more about the Nimalist AirTag Wallet.
Travando RFID Blocking Bifold Credit Card Holder
This faux leather wallet features a full-sized nonremovable money clip inside. Its design includes a window sleeve, a front sleeve that exposes part of the card, and plenty of pockets to hold 11 cards. Click on the on-page coupon for the full savings.
Learn more about the Travando RFID Blocking Bifold Credit Card Holder.
Sports Bras
Champion Everyday Sports Bra
This adjustable sports bra is almost like a T-shirt bra with its defined, lightly padded cups, and indeed, it can double as a T-shirt bra if desired. It has adjustable, convertible straps and three sets of hooks in the band, and comes in sizes XS to 2XL. It’s on the plain side stylewise, but it’s an affordable, versatile bra.
Learn more about Champion’s Everyday Sports Bra.
Outdoor Voices Sports Bra
If you’re in the market for a supportive, comfortable full-coverage sports bra for medium-impact activities, the Outdoor Voices Circuit Bra might be the pick for you. This highly adjustable bra supports a wide range of bust sizes. Breasts will be secure when cycling, kickboxing, or dancing, and will remain in place in inverted yoga poses, with no spillage. It has the benefit of looking cute beneath a T-shirt, too.
Why it’s a good deal: This bra has been on sale for $47 for a long time, but the new 65 percent discount cuts that price nearly in half. But some sizes are sold out.
More Deals
TP-Link Kasa Smart KL125
The TP-Link Kasa Smart KL125 smart bulb offers the best bang for your buck among the 10 smart lightbulbs we evaluated. It retails for $15 per bulb and offers a great array of colors and dimming performance that comes very close to the pricier Philips Hue. The bulb also works with Amazon Alexa, Google Home/Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings for voice and/or app control.
Why it’s a good deal: Amazon is discounting this two-pack of the TP-Link bulbs to $17, essentially getting you a second bulb for just $2 more. This is the same deal we saw during Prime Day.
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