The dollar store can help with a cheap tech upgrade: 6 gadgets you can buy for under $5
Top tech toys you can find for loose change
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Smartphone mount for the car
With Aduro’s Solid Grip Mag Clip, securely mount your smartphone to your vehicle’s air vent, so you can safely glance at it for maps and directions, music playback, and more.
In the box you’ll find two magnetic mounting plates, which you’ll stick to the back of your smartphone using the 3M adhesive, and then it’ll magnetically affix to the base clipped to your air vent (rubberized to minimize road vibrations and reduce slippage).
Aduro says its product can even work through most smartphone cases because of the strength of the magnetic connection.
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Decorate your dorm room
While it’s a tad more – but still only at $3 – you can pick-up a 3-foot (1-meter) multicolor LED Light Strip.
And it includes a wireless remote to change between the 16 colors, or a combination of them (plus effects like flashing, strobe, and pulsation).
In one store location, the company was Tech-1, while in another, the light strip was from Xtreme.
Trendy for teens to place around a bedroom mirror, desk, or dorm room TV (or to use on a Christmas tree), this adhesive LED light strip is USB-A powered, which means it can plug into a computer’s USB port, or an AC outlet (power cube not included).
Read in bed, without disturbing your partner
Speaking of lights, rather than using a lamp on a night table, a no-name LED Clip-On Book Light from Dollar Tree ($1.25) clamps onto your paperback, hardcover or non-illuminated ereader.
Simply position the flexible arm to your liking and the (surprisingly) bright LED will illuminate the page.
Three small and mercury-free LR44 Alkaline batteries are included and replaceable (and yes, the store also sells these batteries, too).
Depending on the store, a few different clamp-on lights were found, with slightly different shapes and colors, but also for just $1.25.
Get a grip on your mobile gaming
This smartphone accessory is ideal for gamers on the go. Aptly named the Mobile Gaming Grip Handle ($1.25) from E-Circuit, secure your smartphone in its retractable center and grip the two comfortable handles on each end, to play with any virtual “dual stick” games (many racing, action, and sports titles).
Compatible with most iPhones and Android devices, this product also doubles as a phone stand, if you want to prop up your device on a table, desk, or airplane tray.
Back-up power for your phone
Found at a Dollarama for $4 in Canada (under $3 U.S.), the Tylt slim boost power bank can charge up a typical smartphone to more than half its full power, with its 1350mAh battery.
A built-in arm with connector means you don’t need to schlep around a separate cable, but be sure to buy the one that fits your phone; I found a version with microUSB cable (for older Android devices), but a quick glance online shows there are also Lightning and USB-C options, too.
An integrated power indicator shows the amount of battery life left based on number of LED dots.
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Cable guy, for less
Are you hooking up a new video game console? Pick up a 5-foot HDMI cable at your local dollar store for just $1.25 or so – opposed to as much as $32 at other retailers or online.
For uncompressed, high-definition video and sound, simply connect the Vibe Axcess HDMI cable from the output port of your console (such as a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, or Nintendo Switch) or other home theater components (be it a cable box, Blu-ray player or media streamer) and plug the other end into the input jack of your television or HDMI-supported audio-video receiver.
You won’t notice a difference in audio or video quality between this cheap solution and pricier HDMI cables elsewhere.
Follow Marc on Twitter for his “Tech Tip of the Day” posts: @marc_saltzman. Email him or subscribe to his Tech It Out podcast. The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.