These Impulse Buys Under $25 Actually Make Surprisingly Great Gifts

These Impulse Buys Under $25 Actually Make Surprisingly Great Gifts

Impulse buying isn't always a bad thing, especially when the end result is a one-of-a-kind and useful gift.

Desiree DeNunzio is the gift guide editor for CNET's Commerce team. When she's not writing and editing, she's either hiking through the redwoods or curled up with a good book and a lazy dog.

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two shopping carts face each other head to head, one with a blue hand and the other red, in front of a black and red background

1 of 20James Martin/CNET

Impulse buying gets a pretty bad rap -- and for good reason. Who hasn't purchased some bright, shiny thing on a whim, only to regret it the second you get home? But with gifts, impulse buys can actually be a good thing. Spur-of-the-moment buying can lead to unexpectedly perfect finds that surprise and delight -- and leave your recipient wondering how they ever lived without that wonderful and unique thing.  

We rounded up our CNET staff's favorite impulse buys that ended up being surprisingly useful things, and all of them make great gifts. All of these items cost less than $25, so they're easy on your wallet, and many of them are on sale for Presidents Day. Who knows? Maybe you'll just have to pick up an item or two to enjoy yourself.

GoThink Kubb lawn game

2 of 20GoThink

A portable Apple Watch charger

CNET's Russell Holly swears by this tiny magnetic charger that's designed specifically for the Apple Watch. "Super handy when you're away from the house for longer than you expect, small enough to be tucked away in a backpack, purse or key ring," he says.

$9 at Amazon

An orange strainer in a drawer of kitchen tools

3 of 20Kitchen Gizmo

Snap N' Strain clip-on pasta strainer

This clip-on strainer is a clever kitchen hack. Clip it onto the side of your pot, and when your pasta is done boiling, just pour the water straight into the sink. It cuts down on the number of dishes used, and it's a total space saver.

$12 at Amazon

2 gearlight flashlights

4 of 20GearLight

GearLight LED flashlights, 2-pack

Our CNET readers are constantly on the lookout for great deals, and this GearLight two-pack is one of those popular picks that gets snapped up every time they're on sale. These powerful 1,000-lumen flashlights have five modes, a zoomable beam and a hand strap that makes them easy to carry around.

$19 at Amazon

four HiccAway hiccup straws -- pink, blue purple and green - are lined up in front of a light purple circle on a light blue background

5 of 20HiccAway

HiccAway Hiccup Straw

Hiccups can be more than just an annoyance for some folks. Who knew there was actually something that can get rid of them? This clinically proven device helps you end those hiccups ASAP, and it works for kids or adults. 

$21 at Amazon

snackle box with fruit

6 of 20Let Season

Snackle box

It's like a tackle box -- but for snacks. What could be better? Take it on picnics or keep it on your desk while you're working if need a little boost of energy throughout the day. "I like to keep an assortment of nuts, dried fruit, chocolate and pretzels so I can have a little sweet or salty on hand," says CNET's Faith Chihil.

$12 at Amazon

tplink kasa mini smart plug

7 of 20Chris Monroe/CNET

Kasa Wi-Fi mini smart plug

You can never have too many smart plugs on hand, whether you want to use them for automating lights, turning gadgets on and off with voice commands and so much more. This Kasa smart plug is a budget-friendly choice and makes a great gift, especially if you pair it with something like an Echo Dot or smart LED lights.

$15 at Amazon

taco cat goat cheese pizza game

8 of 20Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza/CNET

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

If you want a fun addition to family game night, look no further. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is highly addictive and great for all ages. CNET contributor Oliver Haslam says, "It might be the most fun I've had with a card game since forever, and it made our recent vacation very memorable."

$8 at Amazon

fluicer juicing lemon into bowl

9 of 20Dreamfarm

Fluicer juicer

The best little juicer you never knew you needed. This genius contraption perfectly squeezes lemons and limes to get every last drop of juice out. It even catches the pulp and seeds with the built-in catcher. Bonus points: It's great for making margaritas, according to CNET's David Watsky.

$20 at Amazon

strawberry-huller

10 of 20Chef'n

Strawberry huller

Why waste a perfectly edible portion of a strawberry? This handy tool lets you quickly remove the green leafy top and stem so you're not tossing away the good stuff. It's much easier to use than a paring knife, and it works like a charm every time.

$9 at Amazon

Secura electric wine opener

11 of 20Secura

Electric wine opener

The Rabbit is so last year. CNET's Corinne Reichert prefers this handy electric wine bottle opener, which quickly and easily removes corks without all the fuss and having to strain your wrist. Keep it on the charging dock and it's always ready to open a bottle -- or two or three. 

$13 at Amazon

iottie-car-phone-mount

12 of 20iOttie

Car phone mount

If you depend on your phone for navigating, streaming music or just taking calls hands-free while driving, it's a good idea to invest in a car phone mount. iOttie's Easy One Touch doesn't have all the bells and whistles of more expensive car phone mounts (like wireless charging or arms that open automatically). It made our list of the best car phone mounts for 2026.

$20 at Amazon

peeps glasses cleaner

13 of 20CarbonKlean

Peeps glasses cleaner

If you wear glasses, you know how quickly they get filthy and smeared. "This Peeps cleaner works like a miracle," says CNET's Gael Cooper. "You gently slide it over your lenses and voila, they're cleaner than ever. I've given them to everyone I know."

$20 on Amazon

seki-spatula

14 of 20Seki

A spatula for lefties

Like a lot of kitchen tools, spatulas are designed with right-handed folks in mind, which can make something that's usually simple -- like flipping eggs -- a major hassle. If you, or someone you know, is left-handed, this spatula is a game changer in the kitchen. 

$18 at Amazon

nail-polish-organizer

15 of 20Jiasheng

Nail polish organizer

Keep your nail polish collection easily accessible with this handy organizer case. It fits bottles from just about any nail polish brand, and you can store all your accessories, such as emery boards, nail glue, acrylic dip powder and more. 

$22 at Amazon

sinland-microfiber-face-towel

16 of 20Sinland

Microfiber face towels

We've found these towels to be considerably better at removing makeup and grime from your face compared with a standard washcloth. And they're more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than using disposable face wipes. CNET's Faith Chihill says, "I quit using face wipes and switched to using these with some micellar water and my skin is so thankful."

$13 at Amazon

a stack of packing cubes in blue

17 of 20Veken

Packing cubes

If you know someone who likes travel, these packing cubes are totally life-changing. Not only do they keep you organized and make things easier to find, but they also save you tons of space. Put your shirts in one, your underwear and socks in another, your chargers and gadgets in yet another, and you'll never have to go digging through your bag again to find that one item you needed. 

$17 at Amazon

conair fabric shaver

18 of 20Conair

Conair fabric shaver

For people who like to keep things looking their best, using a fabric shaver can be satisfying -- therapeutic even. Like most fabric shavers, this Conair model isn't perfect. You'll still have to empty the lint catcher, but the thrill you'll get when you transform the look of your fuzzy sweaters is worth it. 

$16 at Amazon

two lulu candles

19 of 20Lulu Candles

Lulu candles

Scented candles are a great gift for any occasion, and Lulu's scents are just as fresh and complex as brands that charge a premium. CNET's Jessica Dolcourt says, "I've bought four of them for myself, and as gifts, to add some aroma and elegance to spaces throughout my home."

From $17 at Amazon

countertop dispenser pouring water

20 of 20Russell Holly/CNET

Countertop water dispenser

This little battery-powered water dispenser lets you easily (and elegantly) serve up water, beer, cocktails and more wherever and whenever you'd like. It's USB rechargeable, so you can bring it with you to parties, camping or any outdoor gathering. CNET's James Bricknell says, "I have mine on my bedside table with a 5-gallon water tank hidden behind my bed. It looks great and saves me from 'bathroom water.'"  

$19 at Amazon

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