If you’re confused about how the White House’s shifting tariff policies will impact the price of your next big tech purchase, you’re not alone. President Donald Trump’s latest executive order slashed “de minimis” tariffs on low-value shipments (under $800) from China to 30%, after previously upping it to 145% last month. This lower rate is only in effect for 90 days beginning May 14, but talks between the United States and China are expected to continue in the meantime.
Though this update may seem like a win, it’s still the largest import tax since the Great Depression. Price increases are particularly pertinent for people looking to buy smartphones and laptops, which combined make up 16% of China’s exports to the U.S., according to the BBC.
Multiple experts told HuffPost before Trump’s inauguration that personal electronics could get significantly more expensive. It was announced in April that electronics would be exempt from reciprocal tariffs, but with sector-specific tariffs likely to come soon, you should still expect price hikes. (Luckily, we have guides to buying tech like AirPods and robot vacuums.)
So if you’ve been hoping to buy a new smart watch, e-reader or other personal electronics in 2025, you might want to jump on that purchase sooner rather than later. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the tech worth adding to your cart ASAP. They’re splurges even now, but you could be saving money in the long run, and reviewers say these devices are worth having.
