5 hottest technology under $100

Amazon Echo Dot

This is the point in the holiday shopping season when you start to feel the real drain of your bank account.

But with gifts still to buy, you don't have to shell out big bucks on something memorable.

In fact, some of the hottest products of the year clock in well under $100, from gaming consoles and VR headsets to drones. Some even double as stocking stuffers -- we're looking at you, chewable coffee.

No matter who you're shopping for, here are some of the most worthy (and affordable) buys:

Millennium Falcon drone

It's hard not to geek out over Air Hogs' Ultimate Millennium Falcon drone ($78). It's designed to look like the famous Star Wars' ship and features LED lights and fun whooshing sounds. Its four rotors for flying are hidden inside the Falcon and the remote control works up to 200 feet.

For non-Star Wars fans, the Syma X5C Explorers quadcopter ($60) is a solid option. It comes equipped with a camera, so you can take your own aerial shots.

 Zeiss ExoLens

The Zeiss ExoLens takes smartphone photos to a whole new level. A must-get for photography fans, tack the gadget onto an iPhone to take professional-grade shots.

Its zoom functionality will make it look like you're first row at every concert.

Prices range from $70 - $120, depending on your smartphone model. Stronger Zeiss lenses cost $199.
Wireless headphones

Wireless headphones are one of the most anticipated gifts of the season, thanks largely to Apple's big push into the space (RIP headphone jack). While you can easily shell out hundreds for a pair, you can get Skullcandy's Grind Wireless headphones for about $75 -- and it's one of the best low-budget options you can find.

VR headsets

If the holidays get a little too intense, you can always send your family members on a virtual trip through space. Of course, it's risky to invest in products you probably haven't tried before, and heavy-duty virtual reality headsets like the Facebook (FB, Tech30)-owned Oculus Rift can cost $600 or more. But the Google (GOOG) Daydream View ($79) and Samsung (SSNLF) Gear VR ($60) are solid entry points for those curious about dipping toes into virtual worlds.
However, these budget options require Android devices, which you insert into the bottom of the casing. Check what mobile phone the gift recipient uses to make sure headsets are compatible.