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Five Amazon Basics products earn strong customer ratings for simple, low-cost jobs: an SD card reader, a 64-inch smartphone tripod, a wireless optical mouse, a USB hub dock, and a two-port USB-A car charger. Each has a reported drawback that shows up in customer feedback, so the useful question is less whether they are good value and more whether a specific weakness matters for your setup.
How the picks were chosen
This list comes from SlashGear’s article “5 Affordable Amazon Basics Gadgets Users Say Are Worth A Try,” written by Zack Palm. The article was first published on September 17, 2025, and updated on September 27, 2026. SlashGear built its picks from Amazon customer reviews and recommendations, weighing affordability, quality, efficiency, and satisfaction. It reports that all five items had average ratings above four stars when it assessed them.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The picks therefore reflect the reviews SlashGear summarized, not hands-on testing. The review totals and five-star shares below are SlashGear’s figures from its update. Review counts, prices, and listings change, so check the live Amazon page before buying.
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1. Amazon Basics Micro SD Card Reader
This is a small, portable reader for copying files from an SD card to a computer, laptop, tablet, or 3D printer, as long as the device has a USB port. Reviewers quoted in SlashGear’s summary praise its transfer speed, its compatibility with cards from GoPro cameras and smartphones, and its pocket-sized build. SlashGear also notes that alternative card readers exist, so it is worth comparing if you need a specific card format.
#1 Best Overall
- SMART DEVICE CONTROL: Use it to interact with your smart lights, play music on Alexa, adjust your blinds, lock your front door, enable your air purifier, adjust a thermostat, turn on your household fans, and more
- POWERFUL AUTOMATIONS: Create powerful automations and interact with multiple Alexa-enabled devices at once with your smart remote
- CONVENIENT TO USE: Battery-powered and portable – use your smart remote from anywhere in your house to easily interact with your smart home without using your voice
- WORKS WITH ECHO: Easily connect your smart remote using you Echo device as your smart hub and enjoy using your smart remote
- SIMPLE SETUP: Start enjoying your smart remote in minutes; Simply remove the battery tag and follow the guided installation steps in the Alexa app to set up the device
2. Amazon Basics 64-inch Extendable Tripod for Smartphones
This tripod doubles as a selfie stick. Reviewers praise how easy it is to use, how steady it holds a phone for photos and video, its adjustable height, and how compactly it stores. The same feedback includes complaints that the tripod feels cheap, that the length is hard to adjust, and that the lock does not reliably stay in place. Those locking complaints matter most if you plan to shoot hands-free video, where a slipping extension is the failure you would notice.
3. Amazon Basics Wireless Optical Computer Mouse
This is a budget mouse aimed at office use and travel. Reviewers praise how well it works, how quickly it sets up, how portable it is, and how well it pairs with laptops and tablets. The reported complaints are its small size and its battery life. Some users said battery problems made the mouse glitch. SlashGear’s summary suggests readers may want to use it sparingly, but it gives no battery-life measurement, so treat the battery reports as user experiences rather than established performance figures.
Rank #2
- HIGH-SPEED DYNAMIC CHARGING: Optimized chipset provides 10W charging on compatible with LG/Samsung, and 7.5W charging on compatible with iPhones
- DUAL ORIENTATION CHARGING: Charge vertically for messaging and easy facial recognition or horizontally for watching videos; use Quick charger 3.0 / PD 3.0 adapter (at least 9V/2A) for optimal charging
- CASE FRIENDLY DESIGN: Transmits power through most protective cases (rubber/plastic/TPU cases under 5mm thickness ONLY); for faster charging with iPhone remove all cases before charging
- SAFE TO USE TECHNOLOGY: Qi-certified Intelligent Protection Technology including over-temperature, over-voltage, and over-current protection, foreign object detection and more
- SHIPMENT CONTAINS: 10W Wireless Charging Stand, 4-foot USB 2.0 A to C cable, Welcome Guide; AC adapter NOT included
4. Amazon Basics USB Gen 2 Hub Dock
The hub lets four USB devices connect through a single port. Reviewers describe its setup as plug-and-play and say it helps consolidate a crowded desk of connections. The main drawback reported is cable length. Because the cables are short, the hub can limit where you place it or how far connected devices can reach. The “Gen 2” in the name does not by itself tell you the port type, data speed, or power capability, so confirm those details on the current listing.
5. Amazon Basics 2-Port USB-A Car Charger
This charger plugs into a vehicle’s 12V outlet and provides two USB-A ports, so a driver and a passenger can charge phones at the same time. Reviewers praise its convenience, how well it charges, and its value. Two concerns recur. Some units stopped working after about two years, and some loosened or unplugged during a drive. Because it uses USB-A ports, it should not be assumed to offer USB-C or fast-charging output.
Rank #3
- IN THE BOX: 48-count value pack with 24 AA and 24 AAA high-performance 1.5 volt alkaline batteries
- DEVICE COMPATIBLE: Ideal for game controllers, toys, flashlights, digital cameras, clocks, and more
- ADAPTIVE POWER: Delivers the amount of power needed for a specific device
- EASY USE & STORAGE: Batteries arrive ready to use; store extras for later use
- SINGLE USE: These batteries are NOT rechargeable; for rechargeable options, check out Amazon Basics rechargeable batteries
Side-by-side comparison
The table lists the review data SlashGear reported, the main job each product is suited to, and what to confirm on the listing before you buy.
| Pick | Reviews (SlashGear, 2026) | Five-star share (SlashGear, 2026) | Main job | Confirm on the current listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro SD Card Reader | More than 1,200 | 78% | Moving files from an SD card to a computer, tablet, or 3D printer | Supported card formats and USB connector type; current price (not stated in SlashGear’s summary) |
| 64-inch Smartphone Tripod | More than 6,500 | 70% | Hands-free phone photos and video | That the listing still describes the 64-inch model; length and lock design |
| Wireless Optical Mouse | More than 69,000 | 76% | Office and travel mouse | Receiver type, battery type, operating-system support, and power requirements |
| USB Gen 2 Hub Dock | More than 1,400 | 71% | Adding USB connections at a desk | USB-A or USB-C ports, data speed, power capability, and port count |
| 2-Port USB-A Car Charger | More than 14,000 | 78% | Charging two phones in a vehicle | Compatibility with your 12V outlet, and charging output specifications |
These figures are review totals and rating shares as reported by SlashGear. They are not survey results or independently verified Amazon data.
Rank #4
- SHIPMENT CONTAINS: 6-outlet surge protector power strip with 6-foot extension cord delivers reliable electricity and safeguards electronics from surges and outages
- ENHANCED SAFETY: 15 amp circuit breaker and PC flame-retardant material for added protection; 790 joules surge protection
- SECURE OUTLETS: Safety shutters help prevent incorrect use of outlets for household safety
- USER-FRIENDLY DESIGN: Power on/off switch and back keyhole wall mount for convenient installation
- AMPLE CONNECTIVITY: 6 outlets accommodate multiple devices for everyday use
The Bottom Line
For basic, inexpensive jobs, these five Amazon Basics products are well regarded by customers, and SlashGear’s review summary supports them as affordable options. Buy the card reader, tripod, mouse, hub, or car charger if its core job matches your needs and its reported weakness does not. If you need a steady tripod lock, long hub cables, or a specific charging standard, read the current listing and reviews first.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- EASY SETUP: Start usage in minutes by plugging in the smart extension cord and connecting via the Alexa app
- CONTROL ANYTIME, ANYWHERE: Manage your electronics from afar with the power strip with USB features; schedule appliances to turn on/off automatically or remotely to fit your lifestyle
- VERSATILE CONTROL OPTIONS: Use the multi outlet extension cord to control 6 outlets independently or group them for unified operation
- HUB-FREE SMART FUNCTIONALITY: Seamlessly integrate with Alexa using this smart power strip WiFi, create routines and schedules with ease using the Alexa app, no need for a hub. 6 Individually Controlled Outlets and 3 USB Ports
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
