Looking for an electronics-related gift for the holidays? Here are picks from the best products of 2013, as well as enduring choices that prove their value year after year — all for under $100 each.
Monoprice HDMI cables: Don't waste your money on expensive HDMI cables sold in stores. These HDMI cables are just as good as the expensive ones and sell for less than $5 each. (www.monoprice.com)
Nakamichi 780M headphones: Selling for $25 online, as well as at Sears and Kmart, these over-the-ear headphones come in many colors, fit comfortably and sound surprisingly good. I recommended them last year, and readers loved them. (www.nakamichi-usa.com)
RCA RTS735E sound bar: Flat-screen televisions have notoriously bad sound. This $59 sound bar provides a lot of performance for the money. (www.voxxintl.com)
OontZ Bluetooth speakers: Cambridge SoundWorks' line of speakers has been critically acclaimed for sound quality and value. The top-of-the-line OontZ XL is on sale for the holidays for $99 using promo code XLSALE99. The original OontZ sells for $49 and is much smaller and lighter, while delivering excellent sound quality in smaller spaces. The new, pocket-sized OontZ Curve is on sale for the holidays for $30. All have class-leading performance at lower prices than the competition and long battery life, making them standout values. (www.theoontz.com)
D-Link SharePort Go: For $45, this nifty device is sure to be appreciated by tablet and smartphone fans, especially those who travel. It can transform any Internet connection into a secure wireless hotspot, has a high-capacity battery that can be used to recharge your smartphone or tablet, and includes a USB port that can be used to add storage to your device or stream music, photographs and movies. (www.dlink.com)
Spin-Clean Record Washer: This $79 record cleaner is sure to be loved by vinyl fans. It duplicates the cleaning efficiency of far more expensive vacuum record-cleaning machines, although it requires more effort. (www.spincleanrecordwasher.com)
RHA MA450i noise-isolating earbuds: Available at the Apple Store, these $50 earbuds are a nice, affordable upgrade to any device. (www.rha-audio.com)
