What's the coolest thing I can buy on Amazon for $50?

October 15, 2013 2:35 PM

Got a gift card from my company and want to buy something that will...

...something that will be "fun" and perhaps a desk toy of sorts.

Thanks!

posted by jseven to Grab Bag (15 answers total)

My basic Kindle was the best thing I got for $50 on amazon. Though usually it's around $69, I believe. Also, the ads are actually a good idea because you get a lot of stuff on sale.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 2:37 PM on October 15, 2013 [2 favorites]

This might be stretching the usual meaning of a fun desk toy, but a SAD light will sit on your desk and can improve your mood, so I'm going with that.
posted by payoto at 2:41 PM on October 15, 2013 [1 favorite]

Perhaps a mini mah-jongg set? A magnetic levitator? Uncle Skunkle's Rapid 4?
posted by mattbucher at 2:52 PM on October 15, 2013

Lunch-sized crock pot! Fun because you get delicious lunches!
posted by jabes at 2:54 PM on October 15, 2013 [2 favorites]

It's not such an original idea but I think a quad-rotor radio controlled helicopter that you can fly inside is the cool toy to beat in that price range.
posted by contraption at 2:55 PM on October 15, 2013

What's your workplace policy on Nerf Anti-Tank Rifles?
posted by Oktober at 3:11 PM on October 15, 2013 [3 favorites]

If you're a Doctor Who fan, I'd recommend this Desktop Patrol Dalek and you'd still have $14 left over to put towards something else, like maybe an Adipose stress toy.
posted by katemcd at 4:22 PM on October 15, 2013 [1 favorite]

The Challenger K1 inflatable kayak is $83. I have one and I really like it for exploring lakes and stand with my dog.
posted by miyabo at 4:46 PM on October 15, 2013 [1 favorite]

Lakes and streams
posted by miyabo at 5:41 PM on October 15, 2013

USB Missile Launcher. Please, no first strikes.
posted by Rob Rockets at 5:49 PM on October 15, 2013

Gallium, the metal that melts in your hand.
posted by alms at 7:34 PM on October 15, 2013 [1 favorite]

The classic Amazon novelty buy - the horse mask.
posted by jason_steakums at 10:35 PM on October 15, 2013

You could buy a USB Bitcoin miner that will make you basically no money, but still be kinda cool for $20. Or a TV dongle that can be used as a software defined radio for about the same price. Or a ChromeCast.
posted by wierdo at 8:51 AM on October 16, 2013

Throw a little extra money on top and get a Kindle. By far my favorite possession, and my book consumption has gone through the roof since I purchased.
posted by OuttaHere at 4:55 AM on October 17, 2013

Other ideas: Obihai OB100 box, use Google Voice to ring your home phone
Baofeng handheld HAM radio
Raspberry Pi mini-computer
posted by miyabo at 3:47 PM on October 17, 2013