Good gear doesn’t always require a second mortgage, a payment plan, or even a particularly healthy checking account. Sometimes the most satisfying purchases are the inexpensive ones: a clever little desk gadget, a surprisingly good pocket knife, or something you didn’t know existed until five minutes ago.
Welcome to Pocket Change, our new monthly collection of genuinely cool things that cost less than fifty bucks. No rankings, no complicated buying guides, and no need to convince yourself that a $300 flashlight is a reasonable investment.
Just five affordable finds that caught our attention and might deserve a spot in your pocket, on your desk, or somewhere around the house. Because spending less doesn’t have to mean settling for less.
Corkcicle Cigar Glass
Enjoying a cigar and a glass of whiskey at the same time shouldn’t require much coordination, but anyone who’s tried knows the occasional juggling act. Corkcicle solves that minor inconvenience with its Cigar Glass, a nine-ounce whiskey tumbler featuring a built-in cigar rest along the side. The clever design lets you hold your drink and cigar in one hand, freeing up the other for whatever needs doing. It’s handmade, dishwasher safe, and accommodates various cigar sizes. At around $25, it’s an inexpensive addition to the home bar and a pretty solid gift for the cigar enthusiast who already has everything.
Price: $25
Casio F-91W
Some watches earn their reputation with complicated movements and expensive materials. The Casio F-91W earned its by being inexpensive, reliable, and practically indestructible in everyday use. Introduced in 1989, this lightweight digital watch has become something of a cult classic thanks to its unmistakable retro styling and no-nonsense functionality. You get a stopwatch, daily alarm, calendar, LED light, and a battery rated for approximately seven years. Its slim resin case and comfortable strap make it easy to forget you’re wearing it. For less than the cost of a decent lunch for two, it’s one of the best bargains in watches.
Price: $22+
Fenix SW05R Clip-On Flashlight
A good flashlight doesn’t need to be big, and the Fenix SW05R-UV makes a convincing case for keeping one within reach. This compact rechargeable light delivers up to 150 lumens of white illumination, along with a dedicated UV light for inspection tasks. Its head rotates through 200 degrees, while a versatile clip attaches to a pocket, hat brim, or backpack strap. There’s also a magnetic tail for hands-free use when working around the garage or under the hood. USB-C charging eliminates disposable batteries, and the whole thing weighs less than two ounces. A lot of utility packed into a remarkably small flashlight.
Price: $42
Stanley Classic Easy Fill Wide Mouth Flask
Stanley’s been making dependable drinkware for more than a century, and its Classic Easy Fill Flask sticks to the formula. Constructed from durable stainless steel, this eight-ounce flask features the brand’s familiar rugged styling, a slim profile, and a leakproof cap that stays attached so you won’t lose it. The wide-mouth opening makes filling and cleaning easier, eliminating the need to hunt down a tiny funnel. It slips neatly into a jacket pocket or bag and looks considerably better than the novelty flasks collecting dust in most gift shops. At roughly $26, it’s a straightforward piece of gear built for years of use.
Price: $26
The James Brand Hardin Carabiner
Not every carabiner needs to hang off a climbing harness. The James Brand Hardin is designed for everyday carry, giving your keys a more organized and considerably better-looking place to live. Made from drop-forged 6063 aluminum, it features a spring-loaded gate and a clever dual-compartment layout that helps prevent your keys from escaping when attaching or removing it from a belt loop or bag. An included titanium keyring completes the setup. Available in several colors, the Hardin delivers the sort of thoughtful design and quality construction The James Brand has become known for, without venturing into expensive EDC territory.
Price: $39
Huckberry Japanese Rib Knit Beanie
A good beanie is one of those things you’ll reach for constantly once temperatures start dropping. Huckberry’s Japanese Rib Knit Beanie keeps things simple with a classic ribbed texture, understated styling, and a versatile silhouette that works with just about anything in your cold-weather rotation. It’s the kind of accessory that looks equally at home with a work jacket, flannel shirt, or heavier winter coat. No oversized logos or unnecessary details to get in the way. Just a straightforward cold-weather staple that adds a little character without trying too hard. Sometimes that’s all you need.
Price: $30
Daneson Bourbon No. 22 Toothpicks
Bourbon-infused toothpicks might sound like something invented after a few too many drinks, but Daneson takes the idea surprisingly seriously. Its Bourbon No. 22 toothpicks are made from birch and steeped in six-year-old, cask-strength Kentucky straight bourbon. As you chew, subtle notes of oak, caramel, leather, almond, and fruit begin to emerge. Each four-bottle box contains 48 toothpicks, packaged with considerably more attention to detail than your average convenience-store variety. Are premium whiskey-infused toothpicks necessary? Absolutely not. But they’re an entertaining little indulgence, and exactly the sort of unexpected find that makes spending a few bucks worthwhile.
Price: $48 (4 Bottles)
Disclosure: Clicking on these links and making a purchase may earn us a small referral fee, at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.
