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As opinionated as teenage boys are, they can be a bit hard to read. This makes purchasing gifts an incredibly tricky task, but lucky for you, I’ve been chatting with teens for the past year to get insight into their tastes. Below are things I’ve found in my search, plus some extra gifts I think are especially coveted among this age group. Because every teen boy is different, I tried to think of every possible scenario — from the gamer who wants an on-the-go console to the athlete who could use help recovering from workouts. You can use the table of contents to navigate to the category you think will best speak to your teenager. (If you’ve got an adolescent girl in your life, be sure to check out our list of gifts for teenage girls, too.)
Gadget gifts for teenage boys
One recent college student and another high-school teen told us light strips were at the top of their wish lists for décor. This bundle comes with everything he needs to connect the color-changing lighting to Google assistant or Alexa.
This LED light strip is a more affordable option. It comes with a remote that adjusts brightness and has up to 17 different light colors.
Here’s another fun alternative lighting option that’s portable and can shine in 16 different colors.
This on-the-go printer turns smartphone pictures into Polaroid-like prints in minutes.
Disposable cameras are a hit, but we suggest going with this Ilford setup instead. It’s reusable, looks cooler, and is just as affordable.
Polaroid cameras were just as popular. Fujifilm’s Instax Mini is an affordable and portable option for snapping photos anywhere.
Consider throwing in extra packs of film, too, since it can get a bit pricey for a teen’s budget.
A portable charger is probably the most practical gift for the teen who’s glued to his phone. I personally like this two-in-one wall and portable charger because it rarely runs out of juice.
Multiple teens I spoke to said a YouTube Premium subscription was the No. 1 streaming service they’d want. “I don’t really watch Netflix or Hulu, or I use my parents’ account,” says teen Jacob.
But if they’re an anime fan, gift them a subscription to Crunchyroll, which distributes popular shows like One Piece, Attack on Titan, and Mob Psycho. Strategist senior editor Winnie Yang gifted a subscription to her now-14-year-old nephew two Christmases and says, “It’s been a big hit.”
Sports gifts for teenage boys
Theragun’s compact massage gun (beloved by trainers and doctors) helps post-practice recovery. “This would be the best gift,” says 18-year-old athlete Blake Manning.
HoMedics Shiatsu Foot Massager is a fraction of the price and a lot less bulky than other foot massagers, so he won’t have trouble storing it.
Yeti’s Rambler is easy enough to bring to sports practices and carry around the house. Everyone from New York Magazine writers to celebrities love it for being so well insulated, dent proof, and status-y.
He’d also enjoy slipping on a pair of Hoka’s cushy recovery slides (recommended to us by Chris Black) after practice.
Here’s a non-Axe deodorant spray that doubles as his new signature scent. He’ll thank you later.
If he’s a soccer or basketball player, he’ll appreciate a high-quality ball. Go with a size-five soccer ball or size-seven basketball, which are both recommended for ages 13 and all the way up to pro level.
Athlete or not, he probably likes spending time with his friends outdoors. Teens are into this fast-paced game that can easily be set up in a yard or nearby park.
Manning, who has a Spikeball set, says he’d like any other outdoor group activity. This set comes complete with a net, volleyball, poles, stakes, boundary lines, racquets, and a carrying case for playing volleyball or badminton.
You can’t go wrong with a baseball hat for the loyal sports fan. Stick with a ’47 hat because they’re good quality, and they make hats for NBA, NHL, NFL, and college teams too.
If you have a bigger budget, go with a jersey instead. Just be sure you know who his favorite player is.
Music gifts for teenage boys
Headphones were the No. 1 music gifts on teen boys’ wish lists. We suggest going with any of these over-the-ear options, because they’re trendy and perfect for gaming, working out, or just zoning into their favorite music.
While over-the-ear headphones are popular, we’re sure he’d be just as delighted with AirPods.
Bluetooth speakers came second. This one (which happens to be our best overall pick) is portable and, most importantly, durable enough to handle anything a teen boy can throw at it.
An even tinier speaker with a clip design for the teen who frequently misplaces things.
Here’s an inexpensive speaker for his bedroom setup. It connects to Alexa, is less than $50, and comes in some fun colors.
Or a more analog experience. The all-in-one-style Victrola is a perfect beginner record player, while the fully automatic, high-quality Audio-Technica will please any audiophile.
A couple of artsy teens I spoke to said friends are making their own music. This Yamaha has modes for learning and has 76 keys (versus other beginner keyboards with only 61 keys).
If he’s picking up guitar, this is a really basic, simple-sounding acoustic that’s sturdy and nice.
Joe Coscarelli’s book on Atlanta’s rap scene, Rap Capital, covers his favorite artists like Lil Baby and Migos, and he’ll learn about lesser known but equally important players in the industry.
One teen told us this was a surprising-yet-delightful gift he received recently. He admits he had to Google who Rick Rubin was, but was immediately impressed by all the artists he’s produced for.
If he fancies himself a budding beat-maker, he can make electronic rhythms with this clever doodad.
Gaming gifts for teenage boys
While it’s a splurge, teen Jacob told us the newest Xbox is the most coveted thing on his wish list. (Teens will be teens, after all.)
There was a long time when you couldn’t get your hands on a PS5 — but those days seem to be over. They’re readily available on Amazon and at Best Buy.
The Nintendo Switch is still a hot console with teens, especially ones who like playing games with friends IRL. Plus, it’s a less-expensive, more available alternative to the two consoles mentioned above.
For $100 less, you can gift the Nintendo Switch Lite. It’s smaller and more portable but is handheld only. It’s likely better (and more cost effective) if he doesn’t have a TV in his room or prefers gaming on-the-go.
This Bluetooth controller (complete with its own charging dock) is one of the best for Nintendo Switch players, according to our friends over at the Verge.
For something more affordable than a gaming console but just as fun, we recommend this portable device that turns gaming on iPhones into a “first-class experience.” Just be sure your teen has an iPhone before purchasing.
If he already has a Switch, this game was at the top of Beacon high-schoolers’ wish lists.
Any gamer needs a headset, and this one’s versatile enough to work wirelessly for Switch, PS4, PC, and Android phones.
If he prefers gaming on a computer, this lightweight mouse is well-known among gamers for speed and control. One tech TikToker suggests going with the wired version because you won’t risk the mouse dying in the middle of a game.
Whether he’s into gaming on a PC or Xbox, he’ll appreciate a controller nicer than the standard fare. This one, recommended by our friends over at the Verge, has four customizable rear buttons, adjustable sticks, and optional weights to insert into the grips to give it more heft.
If he already has a gaming console, we suggest buying him the newest video game from a franchise he’s a fan of. A couple of new releases this fall that you can buy are Forza Motorsport, Call of Duty Modern Warfare III, EA Sports FC 24, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (this is a PS5 exclusive).
And if you’re having trouble picking a game, he’d be just as happy to receive a premium subscription for his console of choice. They allow access to games, the ability to play online against other players, and more.
Clothing and accessory gifts for teenage boys
You can’t go wrong gifting a teen boy sneakers. Vans are a classic choice that won’t fall out of style anytime soon.
Here’s another classic. There’s a reason why Nike Air Forces consistently show up on teen polls year after year: They’re comfortable, versatile, and pretty affordable for stylish sneakers.
On the trendier side are Adidas Sambas, which were called out by multiple teens. Luckily, they’re in stock in men’s sizing, so we suggest going with a pair with some color instead of just black and white.
Even if he already has a hoodie, he’ll appreciate another one. Champion and Hollister were name dropped by teens, and we included Todd Snyder’s as a splurge-worthy option.
Sweatpants make a great stand-alone gift, or make it a set with any of the hoodies below. Teen-favorite Under Armour makes stretchy, breathable sweatpants in a wide variety of colors and both regular and tall sizes.
For a more elevated pair, go with Reigning Champ’s structured sweats that are built to last.
A super-practical yet stylish gift for the teen who just got his driver’s license.
If he needs to replace his worn-out Jansport, go with Fjällräven’s teen-favorite backpack. It’s dirt and water resistant, too, so it can handle anything your teen might throw at it.
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