AmazonBasics has been around since 2009, but in the last couple of years, the product line has dramatically expanded. Today, it’s the best-selling private label brand on Amazon.

The AmazonBasics range covers everything from car washing equipment to kitchen appliances, but we’re only interested in the tech listings.

Which AmazonBasics tech products are worth buying? Which will save you money? Here are our top picks.

1. AmazonBasics USB Hub

We’ll start with the AmazonBasics USB hub. Given most laptops only come with three or four USB ports, yet so many pieces of equipment now rely on USB for connectivity and power, it’s often handy to own a portable USB hub.

The product comes in six different configurations. There’s a four-, seven-, and 10-port USB 2.0 hub, and a four-, seven-, and 10-port USB 3.0 hub.

The USB 3.0 models support auto-switching between self-power and bus power mode, transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps, and are backward compatible with USB 2.0.

The products are only available in black.

2. AmazonBasics Metal Monitor Stand

You will find a few different monitor stands in the AmazonBasics range, but we like this sleek and stylish metal one.

The simple design lets you raise your computer’s screen to a more comfortable viewing height. Doing so is great for ergonomics; it will relieve the strain on your neck muscles and improve your overall posture.

The stand has a height of 4.25 inches and can hold a weight of 40 pounds. Once again, it is only available in black.

Here’s a sample user review:

“My iPad Pro or my 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina fits well under the stand and I can tuck my keyboard on top of it for more desk room when I am sifting through papers or a book. The finish and quality is also very nice […] I have found no flaws in its design. For the price, I would highly recommend it.”

3. AmazonBasics Capacitive Stylus

If you don’t fancy the price of a “revolutionary” Apple Pencil, you could try spending less than a tenth of that and picking up an AmazonBasics stylus instead. It will work with any capacitive touchscreen device, including your tablet and phone.

The stylus itself comes with three tips (5mm, 6mm, and 7mm) and is made of aluminum. It is 4.7 inches long. And no, it doesn’t have an ill-thought-out charging method like the Apple Pencil.

4. AmazonBasics Wired Keyboard

With a bit of digging, you will be able to find a keyboard design to suit every type of user. If you have a bit of time, you could even build your own mechanical keyboard.

However, if you’re looking for something simple that’s not laden with features you will never use, check out the AmazonBasics Wired Keyboard, which has lots of advantages over a Bluetooth keyboard.

This model has low-profile keys, a selection of hotkeys, and a 52-inch cable.

Here’s what one user thought of the product:

“I write for a living—some weeks I might pull 25,000 words depending on what’s going on. After going through a number of cheap Logitech keyboards over the course of a couple years, I picked up […] this one. After a few months of regular use, the keys still have their lettering, they’re all still responsive and more importantly, I’ve had zero problems with hand cramps or wrist pain.”

5. AmazonBasics 3-Button USB Wired Mouse

Wired mice aren’t generally too expensive, but the quality varies dramatically. Even if you’re not doing precise graphical work, you still need a mouse that’s accurate and responsive.

Despite its low price point, the AmazonBasics wired mouse is still of a high standard. The user reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

It has a five-foot cable, 1,000 DPI high-definition tracking, and a clickable scroll wheel. The only downside? It’s about half an inch shorter than a typical mouse. If you have large hands, it might not be for you.

6. AmazonBasics Lightning to USB Cable

Apple’s official Lightning cables are renowned for being both expensive and flimsy. If you’ve ever owned an iPhone or iPad, you’ll have undoubtedly experienced the problem of the cable’s plastic casing breaking away from the connector, leaving bare wires exposed.

Instead of paying $30 on Apple’s online store, check out the AmazonBasics model instead. The cable is Apple MFi Certified (meaning you won’t get one of those annoying on-screen warnings) and is notably cheaper than the official version.

The cable comes in four presentations: four inches, and three, six, and 10 feet. It is available in black and white.

7. AmazonBasics AA Performance Alkaline Batteries

Batteries aren’t cheap, so to find this bulk pack of 48 AmazonBasics AA batteries will be a blessing to people with kids, gamers, and just about anyone who uses lots of battery-powered gadgets.

As per the name, these batteries are part of the new “Performance” range. Amazon has added another layer between the nickel and the iron within the cell. The triple layers reduce leakage considerably and Amazon is now able to guarantee a 10-year shelf life.

Unfortunately, the 1.5V batteries are non-rechargeable.

8. AmazonBasics Thunderbolt to HDMI Adapter

Another area where Apple gets a lot of stick is for its failure to include HDMI ports on its computers, thus forcing users to carry around yet another dongle. And, yet again, those dongles are expensive. If you buy one via the official Apple online store, you can expect to pay at least $30.

The Amazon product is a fraction of that price. It will let you connect your Apple iMac and MacBook to any HDMI port. The adaptor supports a screen resolution of up to 1920 x 1200.

Check out what users are saying:

“Did exactly what I needed. I can mirror or extend the display, no issues or latency. Outputting the sound worked well also. I’m not sure if it could reach 4K, as my Mac caps at 1440p on the internal display, but could probably render at 4K.”

9. AmazonBasics 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip

Power surges are the scourge of electrical equipment; they can fry the circuitry in expensive gadgets in the blink of an eye. To protect yourself, you should connect all your big-ticket equipment to the mains via a surge protector.

Amazon offers a selection of surge protectors; for example, there’s one that includes USB ports as well as typical plugs. However, we recommend the six-outlet power strip. It has a two-foot-long cable and 200-Joule protection.

You get two strips in the box, giving you a total of 12 sockets. Throw one behind your TV, and one in your office and most of your expensive devices will be protected.

10. AmazonBasics Gaming Keyboard

High-end gaming keyboards can get seriously expensive. The top models from Logitech et al. can sell for more than $100.

If you want to save money while still enjoying the features associated with the best models, try the fairly-priced AmazonBasics gaming keyboard.

Features include dedicated keys that let you program up to 15 custom macros, anti-ghosting technology for 19-key combos, hotkeys for media control, and keys with a switch life of 10 million life cycles. There’s even a 16.8-million color customizable backlight.

Buy Basics From Amazon and Save Money

AmazonBasics is a great product line to dip into. It doesn’t matter what you’re trying to buy—you’ll be able to find quality merchandise at affordable prices.

However, it’s especially true with small tech gadgets, which can often be overpriced and of dubious quality when you buy from unknown brands and sources.

For more great ways to save money on Amazon, check out our articles about apps that’ll show you the best deals on Amazon and tools to save money when you’re shopping online.

Read the full article: 10 AmazonBasics Tech Products That Are Actually Pretty Good