34 cool stocking stuffers you can get on Amazon for under $20
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Unless you won the lottery or lost a bet, not everyone in your life is expecting a brand new car from you for the holidays.
And for the many instances in which it's better to give a small gift, most of us would love to give something that's both inexpensive and impactful - more than just a token space filler in a stocking. For that, you'll probably have the best luck on Amazon. It's home to a ton of great, affordable products people actually want, and you get the added perks of easy, fast shipping and prices that are nearly always the lowest on the internet.
The trade off is that you need to be willing to invest the time, eye strain, and concentration wrinkles necessary for going through 30+ pages of product results. To save you the time, we curated a few of our all-time favorites and other great products from a wide range of interests below.
If you're looking for something even more budget-friendly, we also have 30+ stocking stuffers you can get for under $10 here.
Below, you'll find 34 of the best stocking stuffers you can find on Amazon for under $20.
Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.
A mini, functional waffle maker that takes up minimal countertop space
This small but mighty waffle maker looks more like a gag gift than a functional one, but they'll be surprised by how often they end up using it. It takes up minimal counter and storage space, is easy to clean, and is perfect for when you're craving just one or two waffles and don't want to make a whole spread.
A pair of $10 headphones with over 30,000 5-star reviews
Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Headphones, $9.17
These $10 in-ear headphones are sort of like finding cheap diamonds in the rough. They have over 30,000 5-star reviews on Amazon and are one of few cheap tech products with universal praise. The best features include: noise isolation, good sound, and staying put.
A $6 wash and stain bar that can revive even the most hopeless clothes
The Laundress Wash & Stain Bar, $5.70
This $6 bar is one of the first things we ever featured on Insider Picks. With a little bit of water, the mix of vegetable soap, borax, and essential oils removes the dirt and grime from clothes extremely well. VP of Commerce Breton Fischetti called it the "best thing [he'd] done" for his dress shirts.
A small but mighty car mount for devices
TechMatte MagGrip Air Vent Holder, $7.99
The TechMatte car mount is another under-$10 diamond in the rough. Its strong neodymium magnets allow it to be both compact and secure. It was the number one thing BI readers bought on Prime Day in 2016, and it cracked the top five again in 2017.
A little electric milk frother for homemade treats
Handheld Electric Milk Frother, $7
This handheld electric milk frother makes it easy for them to treat themselves to something extra special more often. It's easy to use and clean, and does a reliable job with everything from coffee to matcha drinks.
A five-year journal that tracks their answers to the same questions
One Question a Day: A Five-Year Journal, $9.60
This "one question a day" journal gives users the benefit of a personal record without the labor of a full-fledged journal. The simple guide has one question per day, to be answered for five years in a row. By the end, even if they don't write in it every day, they'll have great account of how they've changed over the course of five years.
A 3-in-1 avocado slicer that makes bowls of guacamole easier and faster
OXO Good Grips Avocado Slicer, $9.99
The Avocado Slicer looks gimmicky, but it's really useful in real life. It has a plastic blade to halve the avocado safely, a pit remover, and a slicer to cut the avocado into perfect slices with one motion.
Reusable stainless steel straws
SipWell Extra Long Stainless Steel Drinking Straws, Set of 4, $5.89
Most of us feel at least a little guilty using plastic straws given how bad they are for the environment. Reusable stainless steel straws that come with their own cleaning brush are a thoughtful (and impactful) gift most people will use often. If they're especially eco-friendly, check out other plastic replacements for spot-on gift ideas.
Cable clips that keep cords in place
These handy adhesive clips keep cables from slipping around on a table and control any cords that run along the wall.
A famous hot sauce made from peppers grown in over 30 community gardens in the Bronx
The Bronx Hot Sauce, from $8.50
This all-natural, tangy hot sauce is best known for its part in the popular Youtube series "Hot Ones." It's made from serrano peppers grown in over 30 community gardens throughout the Bronx.
Bargain computer glasses that work just as well as more expensive pairs
Anti-Eyestrain Computer Glasses, $10
These $10 computer glasses are a fraction of what you'll find at competitors, but they do the job just as well. They're blue-light-blocking, anti-glare, and come in a standard tortoiseshell pattern that works on pretty much everyone. We count them as one of the best things we've ever bought on Amazon for less than $25.
A popular reusable bag that folds up to the size of an envelope
Baggu Reusable Shopping Bag, $10
Baggu has a good reputation for its durable, super convenient, reusable bags. They're made from 100% rip-stop nylon so they're not likely to break, can carry up to 50 lbs, and fold up to the size of an envelope for easy storage. Plus, they come in a lot of colors and patterns.
Socks modeled after famous paintings
Chalier Famous Painting Socks, 4-5 Pairs, $10.99
Unique, informal, and more convenient than most of us even realize — socks are a great gift, especially these.
A cult-favorite hair styling gel
As some reviews note, American Crew Fiber is a common recommendation for thick, curly hair. The cream thickens, texturizes, and adds fullness to hair without looking shiny or spiky.
A warm Carhartt hat
Carhartt Men’s Acrylic Watch Hat, $12.99
Grab a warm, comfortable hat from a trusted outdoors brand for less than $15 and in 30+ colors.
Teeth-whitening charcoal powder with 13,000+ 5-star reviews
Active Wow Charcoal Teeth Whitening Powder, $19.99
This charcoal teeth whitening powder was the #1 best-selling teeth whitener on Amazon for a long time. It has over 13,000 five-star reviews, and it whitens teeth naturally without the harsher peroxides that may lead to tooth and gum sensitivity. I've tried it myself in the past, and it really does work.
An extra-long charging cable, which is the closest you'll get to gifting never-ending convenience
Anker 10 ft Lightning Cable, $17.99
It's something every one of us will feel grateful for a couple times per day, but always put off buying for ourselves: a serpentine, 10-foot long charging cable.
A great Korean skincare sheet mask
Too cool for school Egg Cream Mask, Set of 5, $15.45
This Egg Cream mask hydrates and brighten the skin, and its gotten a lot of fanfare from the Insider Picks team. It's named as one of our own go-to cheap and effective skin care products and one of our favorite under-$25 purchases from Amazon ever. You can buy them through Sephora too, but they're cheaper on Amazon.
The best hair mask you can buy for damaged hair
This super hydrating hair mask is made specifically to treat severely damaged and dry hair — and it's good at its job. We named it the best hair mask you can buy for damaged hair, and it has an Amazon Choice recommendation due to high ratings and over 3,000 five-star reviews.
A fun family game
Watch Ya Mouth Family Edition, $15.99
Watch Ya Mouth is easily one of the most fun games to have come out in recent years, and it's especially great when playing with the family on a holiday morning.
A cult-favorite lip balm with SPF 25 and over 1,000 reviews
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25, $7.50
They'll thank you for this cult-favorite lip balm with SPF during the winter months when the multi-pack from CVS isn't cutting it.
Organic bath bombs full of essential oil aromatherapy blends
For less than $15, you can grab six vegan bath bombs full of essential oil aromatherapy blends, cocoa butter, and shea butter to leave skin soft and hydrated.
A well-designed mini spatula home cooks swear by
GIR Premium Silicone Mini Spatula, $7.95
If they bake at all, GIR's well-designed spatula is a must-have tool. The mini size is adept at scooping things out of small bowls and jars.
A wifi smart plug that lets them turn devices off remotely
WiFi Mini Smart Plug, Alexa-Enabled, $12.99
Give them the gift of never needing to spend another night wondering if they turned off their heater or hair straightener before leaving the house. This smart WiFi plug works with Amazon Alexa, Google Home Assistant, and IFTTT. They can use voice commands, create schedules for lights and appliances, and turn things on and off when they're leaving home or nearby.
Godiva's classic Belgian chocolates in a pretty gift box
Godiva Chocolatier Classic Belgian Chocolate, $15.99
Few people will turn down a box of Belgian Godiva chocolate, especially when it comes in a festive holiday box. They'll get an assortment of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate with classic Belgian fillings.
Ever-functional Popsocket Grips for their phone
Popsockets: Collapsible Grip, $9.82
Popsocket Grips look gimmicky, but they're a legitimately helpful tool. They make it easier to hold a phone without straining your fingers, and it makes your phone feel more secure — like you're not going to twitch and accidentally throw it into the ocean. Even naysayers are convinced.
Cute lid lifts that let steam escape so their pots never boil over
Tovolo Farm Animal Pot Lid Lift, Set of 3, $9.99
These heat-resistant pot lid lifts let steam escape from pots so they never boil over, and they come in pig, sheep, and smiley face form.
A water bottle that lets them naturally infuse water with fruit
Brimma Infuser Water Bottle, $17.97
Turns out water tastes much better when it's naturally flavored with fruits and herbs. This is a nice way to do that naturally, minus all the sugar and additives of other drinks.
An extremely fun board game that made Kickstarter history
Exploding Kittens Card Game, $19.99
Exploding Kittens is basically a highly strategic version of Russian roulette with a cat theme. It was the most-backed project in Kickstarter history, and this version is family friendly.
A pocket-sized battery pack for charging on the go
Jackery Portable Charger Bar 6000mAh, $19.99
This cheap, pocket-sized portable battery is from the same company as our all-time favorite option, and it's selected as Amazon's Choice with over 6,000 five-star reviews. It's compact, but it'll charge an iPhone 8 two-and-a-half times and a Samsung Galaxy S8 one-and-a-half times.
A cute loose tea infuser shaped like an animal
Elephant Silicone Tea Infuser, $15.95
These cute tea infusers are perfect for anyone who prefers loose tea. They're made from 100% BPA-free silicone and come in plenty of shapes: elephant, whale, flamingo, seahorse, octopus, and a few others.
We also included them in the best tea infusers you can buy.
A glorious two pounds of the best Starburst flavors
Cherry Starburst Candy, 2 lbs, $19.69
Pink Starburst Candy, 2 lbs, $23.95
Grab a magical two pounds of "only the good Starburst flavors" at $20 for cherry or $24 for pink, which is a somewhat unidentifiable, slight strawberry flavor.
Smart LED light bulbs they can control with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant
Smart Wi-Fi LED Light Bulbs, $19.99
Smart light bulbs usually fetch a far higher price since they often operate through an expensive hub, but these under-$20 options work without one. They're compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana, and can be custom-dimmed to their desired mood. They can also set schedules to turn on or off while they're away.
A duo of Mario Badescu's beloved facial mists
Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Rosewater & Facial Spray with Green Tea Duo, $14
Mario Badescu makes some of the most universally loved and affordable skin care products out there, and these facial sprays are the most recognizable. The Green Tea Spray hydrates, tones, and rejuvenates the skin. The Rosewater Spray is the real cult-favorite, and makes the skin look dewy and "glowy."
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