Consumer Reports' 13 favorite gifts for cooks and travelers under $75

Gifts under $75 are a practical way to cover a long holiday list without giving up quality. A shopper working within that limit can still buy a cast-iron pan, noise-canceling headphones or a heated throw.

Consumer Reports tested kitchen tools and travel gear and surveyed its own staff to assemble 13 gift ideas worth checking out before you shop.

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At $37.99 on Amazon $AMZN, down from $69.99, the Sealy throw is a good fit for someone who wants a little extra warmth on the couch. Consumer Reports found that the throw ran cooler than the other heated blankets it tried, making it a poor match for anyone who wants a much hotter blanket. The heating coils are still there, but fluffy fabric wraps around them and makes them harder to feel, which gives the throw a cozier feel overall. Heat-level buttons are built into the throw, so there is no corded remote to track down.

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Heat is where the Nekteck Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager stood out for CR, with temperatures reaching 109° F. It works on several parts of the body and comes with a car adapter for road trips. Three reviewers tried it, and one felt the nodes press uncomfortably into the neck while the other two loved the device. The massager costs $49.99 at Amazon $AMZN, which accepts returns within 30 days for anyone who lands on the wrong side of that split.

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The Yeti Rambler Stackable Mug is an insulated cup built to go with its owner from the kitchen to the car. The Rambler was a popular choice among CR staff when senior shopping editor Anna Kocharian asked colleagues to name their favorite cups and drinking glasses. The mug is stackable and comes in many colors and sizes. It costs $35 at both Amazon $AMZN and Yeti.

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Strategy counts for more than raw skill with the GoSports Kubb Yard Game Set Backyard Size, which costs $44.99 at Amazon $AMZN. Players also call the game Viking Chess. Joining a match takes only a little equipment and not much athleticism. Good aim still gives a player an edge.

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With the Revlon One-Step Volumizer, a salon-style blowout is possible at home. CR's editors described it as well loved and said it simply works. The volumizer is $41.88 at Amazon $AMZN, which is $24.11 below its earlier price of $65.99. One CR tester advised keeping the hair taut and drying it in small sections to avoid ending up with frizz.

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Over-ear noise canceling comes cheap with the Soundcore Life Q20, which costs $35.99 at Walmart $WMT. CR flagged the headphones as a good value even though their sound fell a little short of higher-rated models. The pair also lacks extras such as adjustable noise-canceling levels. Anker claims the battery lasts 40 hours with Bluetooth and noise cancellation both switched on.

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The Zeroll Ice Cream Scoop was CR's pick in a recent evaluation of scoopers. Testers pulled it through three frozen-solid Häagen-Dazs flavors with little effort and never had to shake or bang ice cream loose from it. The handle holds a heat-conductive liquid that the user's hand warms, so ice cream slides off the scoop easily. This lightweight tool is $23.99 at Amazon $AMZN.

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Guacamole for a crowd is easier to make with the Vasconia 4-Cup Granite Molcajete Mortar and Pestle, which costs $39.99 at Amazon $AMZN. CR found the molcajete bigger, heavier and more effective than the other sets in its evaluation. During testing, dry spices and fresh ingredients broke down quickly against the heavy, rough surface of the unfinished granite. Testers also noted a steady base on three short legs and a rounded pestle handle that felt comfortable and gave solid control while mashing.

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For a cook who wants a proper sear at home, the Tramontina Enameled Cast-Iron Series 1000 is $49.95 at Walmart $WMT. CR testers cooked a New York strip steak in the pan and came away impressed with the crust it developed. The pan also earned a high mark for even heating when testers baked cornbread in it. CR flagged the Tramontina as a good value.

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For a traveler who skips extras, the Amazon $AMZN Basics 21-Inch Hardside Spinner is a plain hard-shell suitcase that costs $56.32 at Amazon. Its shell is expandable, so an owner can make room for extra items on a longer trip. CR found that it performed admirably in testing, especially for its fairly low price. The suitcase also earned a CR flag as a good value.

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CR's evaluator favored the Bagail set over the other packing cubes it tried because of the number and variety of pieces in the box. Three cubes in medium, large and extra-large sizes have mesh top panels, so a traveler can see what's inside each one at a glance. Two zipper bags, a cosmetics bag, a shoe bag and a drawstring bag for dirty laundry are also part of the set. The whole kit is $16.99 at Amazon $AMZN, down from $24.99.

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Stanley The Flowstate Quencher H2.0 Tumbler is a reusable cup meant to replace plastic water bottles on trips from the gym to the airplane. CR included it for its popularity on Instagram and did not report any test results for it. A giver can pick from several colors and sizes to match the recipient's taste. The tumbler costs $44.96 at Amazon $AMZN and stays well under the $75 cap.

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Shoppers can pick up the Nishel Travel Toiletry Bag for $15.99 at Amazon $AMZN. Its interior is divided into several compartments, and two of them have mesh pockets in different sizes. CR's evaluator found that the bag held a large amount of gear. It still zipped shut easily when packed full.