In the age of $600 iPhones, shelling out a couple hundred bucks for any sort of device feels commonplace. But that doesn’t mean expensive is always better—or necessary. We gave all of the budget-friendly technology in this slideshow a test drive to see how it compares to our pricier standbys. The results? Everything worked amazingly well, and cost less than our designer jeans.

Cell Phone Plan. Wait, a $20 cell phone plan? We didn’t believe it either, but FreedomPop’s “Unlimited Everything” plan really does offer unlimited talk, text, and date for a flat, $20 monthly fee. One catch: It’s only available on Sprint’s 3G, WiMax, and LTE networks.

Camera. It is possible to find a hi-tech camera without dropping a small fortune. The Canon PowerShot SX280HS ($250) has enough battery life for a full day of shooting (including HD videos), Wi-Fi connectivity so you can email vacation shots to mom, and a zoom lens with way more reach than a smartphone camera. And did we mention it’s small enough to fit in your purse? With all the money you’ll save, you’ll be able to swing that extra night in Napa.

Computer. Yeah, we’re over laptops costing as much as monthly mortgage payments, too. The HP Stream 11 is a steal at $199. It’s an 11-inch laptop with everything a good computer should have—USB and HDMI ports, speakers, and a webcam—minus the heartbreaking price tag. It’s a little bit bulkier than the MacBook Air (and by bulkier, we mean it weighs three pounds) but we’ll take the extra weight in the name of saving 800 bucks.

On-the-Go Charger. Most cellphone juice packs will set you back at least $60, but this compact, gilded ban.do charger is a reasonable $30. And, unlike other so-called mini power stations, it’s evening-bag friendly.

E-Reader. For those who can live without paper white display, the Kindle (2014) offers all the benefits of an e-reader for just $79: It’s Wi-Fi equipped, has a glare-free display, and just got double the amount of storage–all the better for browsing Amazon’s massive e-book library.

Media Streamer. At a mere $49.99, the Roku 1 costs less than a dinner out (and chances are, you’ll have more fun with this on a Friday night, anyway). Its channel library includes Netflix, Amazon Instant, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Spotify and even YouTube, and Roku usually gets new channels before Apple TV, Amazon Fire or Google Chromecast. Bonus: the machine’s search functionality will tell you if a movie is available on one of your subscription plans before you pay to rent it elsewhere.

Phone. The new Nokia 215 is just $29, and allows users to call, text, scroll though social media, browse the Internet, and check the weather forecast–all for less than an Uber ride. Though it’s not available in the U.S. (yet), the company has an admirable, socially conscious goal: It’s aiming to reach less connected markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, and make cellular technology available to one billion more people. Talk about a smart phone.

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