10 Great Gifts for Musicians Under $100 (That They’ll Actually Use)
As we approach the holiday season, we'll be creating gift guides for different levels of gear and budgets. We're going to start with under $100, and work our way up to the dream stuff over the next four weeks.
If you're a musician and maybe want some of this stuff, feel free to send it to a normie to give them ideas.
This list focuses on newish, practical, and creative gifts that musicians will actually appreciate.
1. Akai MPK Mini MK3 – Portable MIDI Controller
Approx. $99
https://www.akaipro.com/mpk-mini-mk3
A compact 25-key controller with pads and knobs — perfect for sketching musical ideas anywhere.
Best for: Producers & songwriters
Why they’ll love it: It feels like a real instrument, not a toy.
2. Teenage Engineering PO-33 KO – Pocket Sampler/Looper
Approx. $99
https://teenage.engineering/products/po-33
A tiny sampler that lets you record sounds and turn them into loops. Ridiculously fun.
Best for: Sound-design lovers & experimental musicians
Why they’ll love it: Instant creativity in your pocket.
3. FIFINE K669B USB Condenser Microphone
Approx. $45–55
https://fifine.cc/products/k669b
A surprisingly clean-sounding USB mic that doesn’t require an audio interface.
Best for: Singers, streamers, content creators
Why they’ll love it: Plug-and-play recording with zero fuss.
4. TASCAM TH-200X Studio Headphones
Approx. $29–39
https://www.guitarcenter.com/TASCAM/TH-200X-Studio-Headphones-1385392677648.gc
Affordable, comfortable, and durable — great for tracking and everyday music work.
Best for: Home studios & travel
Why they’ll love it: Reliable headphones they don’t have to baby.
5. Eargasm High-Fidelity Earplugs
Approx. $45–50
https://eargasm.com/products/eargasm-high-fidelity-earplugs
Protects hearing while keeping music sounding natural. Our hearing is important.
Best for: Performers, drummers, concert-goers
Why they’ll love it: It's a gift that says “I want you to be doing this for life.”
6. Ernie Ball Musician’s Tool Kit
Approx. $35–45
https://www.musicarts.com/ernie-ball-musicians-tool-kit-main0106404
Includes everything needed for string changes and guitar maintenance.
Best for: Guitar & bass players
Why they’ll love it: Makes their instrument feel new again.
7. D’Addario Auto-Lock Guitar Strap
Approx. $30–35
https://www.guitarcenter.com/DAddario/Auto-Lock-Nylon-Guitar-Strap-1500000379416.gc
A strap that locks safely to the guitar automatically — no extra hardware required.
Best for: Gigging players
Why they’ll love it: Peace of mind on stage.
8. Donner Clip-On Chromatic Tuner
Approx. $15
https://www.donnerdeal.com/products/donner-dt-1-tuner
Simple, accurate, and universally useful. Musicians always need another tuner.
Best for: Any string instrument players
Why they’ll love it: Always needed. Always appreciated.
9. Teenage Engineering PO-14 Sub Pocket Synth
Approx. $89
https://teenage.engineering/products/po-14
Specializes in deep bass synth tones — tiny but expressive.
Best for: Electronic musicians & synth enthusiasts
Why they’ll love it: Inspiring, playful, and portable.
10. Creative Guitar Practice Pick Pack
Approx. $20–25
https://bestmusicstuff.com/products/creative-guitar-picks-40-practice-picks-with-ideas
A pack of picks with riffs, scales, and practice prompts printed on them.
Best for: Beginner to intermediate guitarists
Why they’ll love it: Makes daily practice easier and more fun.
How to Choose the Right Gift
If you’re unsure what to get, match the gift to their workflow:
| Musician Type | Good Gift Types | Example Picks |
|---|---|---|
| Producer / Beatmaker | MIDI gear, samplers | MPK Mini, PO-33 |
| Guitarist | Strap, toolkit, tuner | D’Addario Strap, Ernie Ball Kit |
| Streamer / Vocalist | USB mic, headphones | FIFINE Mic, TASCAM Headphones |
| Performer | Earplugs, portable gadgets | Eargasm Earplugs, PO-14 |
The most meaningful part isn’t the price — it’s showing you support their musical journey because most normal folks think we're insane.
