5 Mother's Day Gadget Gifts for $100 or less

Breakfast in bed, a bouquet of flowers, a box of candy. . . . They’re all classic—if a bit clichéd—Mother’s Day treats. Instead, give one of the Moms in your life (including your better half or doting grandma) a gadget that combines fun and functionality.

Here are a few suggestions of electronics that tested well in Consumer Reports' labs and are recommended by our experts. Not only will they make your high-tech mom sit up and smile, but these thoughtful Mother's Day gifts will also last a whole lot longer than pancakes, pansies, or pralines!

—Eileen McCooey

Denon Music Maniac AH-C50MA, $50

Give your mom an earful that she’ll thank you for! These earphones provide very good sound quality in an easy-to-pocket, go-anywhere size. A button on the cord will let her control compatible Android and Apple phones and music players, and a built-in microphone allows on-the-go phone conversations. (Some functions vary by device.) These headphones come with four silicon ear tips in different sizes so she can get a comfy fit, which will help block out noise.

Roku Streaming Stick, $50

Moms who love snuggling down in front of the screen will really go for this: a streaming media player that packs endless entertainment options—from Netflix to Amazon Prime, Vudu, HBO Go, and much more—into a tiny, friendly package. It's the motherlode of streaming video! This flash-drive-sized device is a snap to install, plugging right into an HDMI port on the back of the TV, and the cute remote is easy to use too. Thanks to recent updates, the Roku Streaming Stick is faster than ever.

Amazon Kindle with special offers, $80

Any bookworm worth her salt would relish the Amazon Kindle e-book reader. Small, light, and able to hold more books than ever, the updated Kindle is exceptionally fast and easy to use, and the latest version has a touchscreen. The monochrome screen has very crisp type and is one of the best for reading in bright light like on a beach. The battery lasts for weeks, so Mom won’t be hunting for the charger every night.

VTech DS6671-3, $90

A cordless phone might seem old-fashioned, but models like this one have a new twist: They pair with a cellphone. That means Mom can access wireless service using Bluetooth technology and use the cordless handsets to make or take cell calls—a real plus in parts of the house where cell signals are weak or spotty. She can even beam over contacts from her smart phone. This VTech includes two cordless handsets and a Bluetooth headset for hands-free, cord-free chats. A lighted keypad and built-in answering machine are handy features. We’ve seen this model selling online for $75 to $100.

Pebble Watch, $100

Finally, you can get smart with Mom and not get in trouble for it! The Pebble smartwatch will do much more than tell her the time. She'll be able to see who is calling, texting, or e-mailing her without having to dig out her phone. There are tons of apps, including fitness apps, and a lively online community. The Pebble is rated to run for 5 to 7 days without recharging, and our tests showed it keeps on ticking even after it takes a dunk in water. Choose from a variety of colors, including cherry red and orange.