When it comes to the influx of tech every year, thousands of us want to invest but don’t always have the funds to do so. New gaming consoles, VR headsets, health trackers and more – they all catch our attention, but what can those of us on a budget do to dip our toes into today’s technologies? Of course, if you’re turning to short term loans to cope with financial emergencies, saving the tech buys for another day is your best option but for those of you with a bit of cash to spare but not quite enough to pick up the newest iPhone or Samsung, we’ve compiled a list of the best budget tech buys of 2018.
Smart Home Hubs (£35-£50)
Smart tech is certainly a well-known addition within today’s technology but what some of you may not know is just how affordable it can actually be. While the Amazon Echo Spot, Echo Plus and standard Echo might be a little out of reach for many of us, the Echo Dot is a compact alternative that holds much of the smart power of its higher priced family without such a hefty price tag. The Google Home and Google Home Mini are another examples of this, making smart home hubs much more accessible to all.
Panosite 3D VR Glasses (Approx. $45-$50)
Virtual reality headsets have become much more widely available in the past year but with the increase in popularity comes the rise in price and for those of us wanting to try our hands at VR without a huge investment, the £200+ price tag can be a little too much for us to stretch to. Thankfully, our prayers have been answered and cheaper alternatives are being released on a regular basis, including the Panosite 3D VR Glasses headset. Compatible with iPhone and Android and designed with comfort in mind, it’s certainly a nice gateway for those of us who might need to be a little more careful with our money but still want to experience some of the new technology on the market.
Vodafone Smart N8 (Approx. £79.99)
For a smartphone that won’t cost you an entire months’ wage but offers you the same experience as any android device, the Vodafone Smart N8 is a nice budget option. Whether for you or for a teen just getting started with smartphones, this phone features touch ID, a front-facing 5MP camera, a 13MP rear-facing camera and enviable battery life not too far off of the new iPhone. We’ll admit, it’s a simple model and is unlikely to feature everything you might find on a higher-end alternative, but for those on a budget, it certainly packs a punch.
Anker Soundcore 2 (Approx. £40)
Bluetooth speakers are proving time and time again to be a handy piece of kit for those of us who both like music and enjoy blasting it out for everyone around to hear. The Anker Soundcore 2 is a great budget option for those wanting a powerful speaker with incredibly well-balanced audio without the hefty price tag of a JBL or Beats alternative. With a 24-hour battery life and water resistance too, you can invest in a worthy Bluetooth speaker that’s just as good as its pricey alternatives.
Huawei Band 2 Pro (Approx. £49.99)
Huawei has stormed the tech industry as of late with budget-friendly tech that gives more expensive alternatives, including Apple, Samsung and FitBit, a run for their money. The new fitness tracker is just one more addition, but a worthy one for those wanting to keep up to date with their health. Compatible with both iOS and Android, this simple, swim-proof band give you access to a step tracker, sleep tracker, GPS and more. It’s accurate too, but you may need a little patience when it comes to the app – safe to say it needs an update or two!
Living a tech-filled life doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. More and more brands are bringing out worthy budget-friendly competitors to high-end creations and we are certainly keeping our eyes out for the next big bargain release. Which of the items on our list will you be buying?
