84324 Holiday Gift Guide 2020: Smart Displays, Tablets, Monitors & More Gifts Under $250

Holiday Gift Guide 2020: Smart Displays, Tablets, Monitors & More Gifts Under $250



The gift-giving season is upon us. And that means it’s time to dig into the plethora of products available online and off. If you’ve landed here, you’re undoubtedly looking for something for the tech lover in your life — or for yourself. And that’s exactly what we’ve got. Here, you’ll find tech ranging from smart home and tablets to portable displays and gaming chairs in this gift guide, all priced below $250 to get things started off right.

If you have something more specific in mind, don’t forget to check out our other buying guides for Laptops and Chromebooks, products at under $50, under $100, and under $150, smartphone accessories, smartphones, and more.

Product nameCostWhere to buy
Google Nest Hub Max$229Best Buy
Nest Hello Video DoorbellFrom $198.99Best Buy
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7From $154.99Amazon
Lenovo Tab 4 10 Plus$249.99Amazon
MSI Optix MAG161V Portable Gaming MonitorFrom $189.99Amazon, Walmart, B&H Photo
HP Business S14 Portable Monitor$213.20Amazon
Lenovo ThinkVision M14 Portable Monitor$231.16Amazon
GTRACING GT890M Gaming Chair$199.99Amazon
Ficmax Massage Gaming Chair$249.99Amazon
Amazon Smart Oven$249.99Amazon

Google Nest Hub Max

Nest Hub Max gift guide ah 2020

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If you’re looking for a smart home speaker with a display, look no further than Nest Hub Max from Google. This is a 10-inch smart home management hub and stereo media center made to get things done.

Not only is this smart hub equipped with all of the same Google Assistant AI features as other Nest and Google audio gadgets. It’s got a display that can play YouTube, Netflix, and more. Plus it packs an HD camera for video calls, making it one of the easiest ways to get that done without pulling out a smartphone.

All of that, as indicated by its appearance on this gift guide, comes for well under $250 with personalized results for every user in your smart home ecosystem. When you’re not using this as a speaker or smart home hub, you can even link up to Google Photos and then use Nest Hub Max as an intelligent digital photo frame.

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Nest Hub Max – Best Buy

Nest Hello Video Doorbell

While we’re on the smart home topic, the above-mentioned Nest Hub display can also be linked up with the next item up for consideration. Namely, the Nest Hello Doorbell. As the branding implies, Nest Hello is a smart home-connected video doorbell. So you can see who’s at the door without getting up.

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That can even be checked with a smartphone, so there’s no need to buy a smart home hub to gain access to those features. And, for those who don’t want to get up even after checking who’s there, two-way communications through the doorbell allow for that.

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In terms of deeper features, HD & HDR video with Night Vision, 24/7 streaming capabilities, 160-degree field of view, and a do-not-disturb-like Quiet Time feature round things out. Easily making this video doorbell one of the best available. And, for a limited time, the Nest Hello can be bought from Walmart for even less. Priced at just over $198.

Nest Hello Video Doorbell – Best Buy

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 gift guide ah 2020

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  • Price: From $229.99
  • Where to buy: Amazon

When it comes to Android tablets, Samsung is at the top of the pile, bar none. And a yearly release schedule means that even its older tablets are great devices. As does the fact that its latest mid-range gadgets, such as this Samsung Galaxy Tab A7, deliver last year’s flagship technology.

This Wi-Fi variant, in Silver, Gold, or Dark Gray, packs a serious punch — setting aside its 32GB of storage. A 64GB variant is also available for just $50 more too. But it’s what else is under the hood and the build quality that set Samsung tabs apart. A quad-speaker array with Dolby Atmos support, days of battery life, and a Snapdragon 662 are driven by and drive Android 11, just for starters.

Add in its 10.4-inch 2,000 x 1,200-pixel resolution display, premium materials, microSD support up to 1TB, and a 3.5mm audio jack. And what you get is one of the best tablets around for well below $250. With more than enough to splurge on an official book-style cover to protect your investment.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 – Amazon

Lenovo Tab 4 10 Plus

  • Price: $249.99
  • Where to buy: Amazon

If Samsung isn’t really your favorite, Lenovo has a decently-specced 10.1-inch Full HD+ Android tablet too. With 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, and an octa-core Snapdragon processor, the Lenovo Tab 4 10 Plus is a great device for those who need a dedicated entertainment device. Unlocked and ready for either AT&T or Wi-Fi use for $249.99, this is one of just a few Android tablets worth talking about.

To begin with, like that other gadget, this tablet brings Dolby Atmos audio. But that’s delivered via dual front-facing speakers rather than four edge-mounted speakers.

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Lenovo Tab 4 10 Plus is a tablet that won’t disappoint, even compared to some heavy-hitters like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S series. And that, coupled with its pricing below $250, easily earns its place on this gift guide.

Lenovo Tab 4 10 Plus – Amazon

MSI Optix MAG161V Portable Gaming Monitor

MSI Optix MAG161V gift guide ah 2020

Sometimes, having a tablet just isn’t enough. Especially when you want to game on the go via a console. And that’s where this next segment of sub-$250 devices comes into play. Starting with the MSI Optix MAG161V portable gaming monitor.

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Effectively everything you need to know about this portable monitor is right there in the branding. This 1920 x 1080 display measures in at 15.6-inches from edge-to-edge diagonally. It’s made by one of the top PC gaming brands on the market. And it features USB-C, HDMI, Mini HDMI connectivity.

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That means you can plug in your Nintendo Switch for a larger display. Or take your Playstation or Xbox with you on the go. Conversely, this gadget would work brilliantly as a second monitor for your laptop or Chromebook too — taking productivity to the next level.

MSI Optix MAG161V Portable Gaming Monitor – Amazon, Walmart, B&H Photo

HP Business S14 Portable Monitor

HP Business S14 gift guide ah 2020

  • Price: $213.20
  • Where to buy: Amazon

With a response time of just 5-ms, HP’s Business S14 is a productivity-ready portable monitor that’s ready to get work done. But that low-latency also makes it a great option for on-the-go gaming and a great gift for the gamer — hence its placement on this sub-$250 gift guide.

Now, there are fewer options for connectivity with this monitor. Namely, it connects via USB or USB-C in terms of ports. But HP’s S14 monitor is also a smaller size at 14-inches and that should mean a slightly better view from its Full HD screen. Or at very least a higher pixel density.

Otherwise, this display also ships with a stand-and-cover that attaches magnetically. So it’s ready to go out-of-the-box for your gaming or work needs.

HP Business S14 Portable Monitor – Amazon

Lenovo ThinkVision M14 Portable Monitor

  • Price: $231.16
  • Where to buy: Amazon

For something a bit more stable and with more input options, look no further than the Lenovo ThinkVision M14. This portable monitor, the last display under $250 on this gift guide, has a more solid stand, built right in. So it won’t be wobbling all over the place if the surface it’s been placed on gets bumped.

What’s more, it’s still a Full HD 1080p monitor that’s going to be more than quick and bright enough for work or play. And it has an extra port to throw into the mix, with each port built into the stand at the back so the cables are kept out of the way. Namely, it adds a DisplayPort to the USB and two USB Type-C plug arrangement.

One cable and a carry sleeve are included in the box as well, for this 60Hz 14-inch portable display.

Lenovo ThinkVision M14 Portable Monitor – Amazon

GTRACING GT890M Gaming Chair

  • Price: $199.99
  • Where to buy: Amazon

The best monitor, tablet, or any other electronic isn’t necessarily going to equate to the best experience without somewhere comfortable to sit. Enter the GTRACING GT890M Gaming Chair. Designed with Bluetooth speakers built right in, this gaming chair resembles an office desk swivel chair. But it reclines to 165-degrees too. And has extra padding for added comfort.

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Aside from a solid metal construction and 6-hour-rated speakers, this gaming chair from GTRACING also has an adjustable armrest. And everything’s coated in faux leather for a premium look and feel.

In terms of design aesthetics and comfort, there is also a removable headrest pillow and lumbar cushion. With six colors to choose from — white, red, purple, pink, grey, and blue — starting on sale from just $151.99, now is the time if you’ve been holding off buying a new gaming chair for yourself or someone you know.

GTRACING GT890M Gaming Chair – Amazon

Ficmax Massage Gaming Chair

Ficmax Gaming Chair gift guide ah 2020

  • Price: $249.99
  • Where to buy: Amazon

For even more comfort, sans the Bluetooth speakers, the Ficmax Massage Gaming Chair is a highly-rated chair focused on comfort. For just under $250, this chair is stylish with a heavy-duty frame and wheelbase. It can also tilt all the way back to 180-degrees and has a USB-driven lumbar massage pillow.

What’s more, Ficmax includes a fully adjustable armrest and completely retractable footrest. So there’s no need to only use this gaming chair when you’re sidled up next to your computer.

In terms of build materials, dirt & fade resistant PU leather is wrapped around memory foam. With the seat measuring almost five inches thick. And accent colors in green, purple, blue, and red are available to match your gaming room or personality.

Ficmax Massage Gaming Chair – Amazon

Amazon Smart Oven, plus Echo Dot

Amazon Smart Oven gift guide ah 2020

  • Price: $249
  • Where to buy: Amazon

The final item in this gift guide, priced well below the $250 mark, is a bit different than the rest because it’s an oven. But not just any oven. This is Amazon’s 4-in-1 smart oven, complete with Alexa support, automatic temperature and time settings from barcode scans via the mobile app, and more.

This large-sized microwave device is just that. But it’s also a convection oven, food warmer, and air fryer. So you can cook just about anything. All with Alexa-based voice controls and enough space, Amazon says, to cook a 5-pound chicken.

More than 30 built-in presets keep things easy and convenient too. And for those who don’t have a smart home ecosystem started just yet, Amazon includes an Echo Dot. Buying a smart home cooking device may not be the first thing to spring to mind when you think about your gift-giving. But any aspiring home cook is going to love the convenience Amazon’s Smart Oven brings to the table. And at under $250 for both the oven and smart speaker, it’s a deal that’s not to be missed.

Amazon Smart Oven – Amazon

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