The Expensive Gifts for Boyfriends That Are Actually Worth It

Don’t let the hand-glazed ceramic design by Heatherwick Studio fool you: This wake-up lamp is just as smart as the ones that look like techie gadgets. It has an optional app to make programming easier and can even connect to Alexa or Google Home for voice controls. Strategist deputy editor Simone Kitchens has been using hers for three months now and reports that it helps her wake up earlier while feeling better rested. “I also really love it as a lamp — it gets incredibly dim,” says Kitchens. “You just swivel the base left and right to adjust the light.”

The Aiden has much more precise and accurate water-temperature and flow-rate controls than any other machine I’ve tried. It has specific brewing recipes for different kinds of coffee, provides guided measurements down to the tenth of a gram, and can even account for elevation. It consistently makes the most flavorful drip coffee I’ve ever brewed at home.

These Italian-made socks from Lorenzo Uomo are knit from a yarn that is made by wrapping ultrafine cashmere threads around a nylon-spandex core. The resulting sock feels every bit as soft as pure cashmere yet is durable enough to be machine washed.

These cowhide gloves are tough enough for country work yet elegant enough for the city streets. They’re associate editor Jeremy Rellosa’s go-toglovesfor looking sharp while staying warm on days below freezing. The gloves are the type of accessory that breaks in and develops a patina over time, and they are well worth the price.

These boxer shorts are made from a crisp cotton-poplin that feels a touch nicer than what you’d get from J.Crew.

This is a faithful reproduction of the original pen that American astronauts brought to the moon and back. Its pressurized ink cartridge can write from any angle and it has the most satisfying click of any pen I’ve ever used.

This aluminum pill organizer’s precisely machined lid produces a pleasing click as it slides open and closed, like a train gliding over tracks. It’s available in dozens of colors and can be engraved for an additional fee.

This cordless version of Danish architect Vernon Panton’s iconic 1971 lamp design can be placed anywhere without worrying about hiding an unsightly power cord. It produces a warm light that lasts 5.5 to 79 hours between charges (via USB-C), depending on brightness level.

This tiny made-in-Japanelectric razorcharges via USB-C, so he’ll have one less charger to pack on the road. And it shaves closely enough to replace his main razor at home.

Anker’s flagship portable power bank has enough juice to fast-charge four devices at once — including a laptop — plus it has built-in cables, so he’ll never be caught short.

Jason Stewart once quipped onhis podcastthat men need their face products to hurt before they trust that they’re working. Humanrace’s three-minute facial isn’t painful per se, but between the scrubbing rice granules in the powdered cleanser and the tingling sensation I get from applying the lotus enzyme exfoliant, I can definitely tellsomethingis happening.

This newApple Find My–compatibletracking card is just as thin and effective as theNomad one I like, but it can be set up to work with Google’sFindHubfor Android users. An additional $10 is a reasonable premium for the flexibility, since it’s waterproof and rechargeable and therefore likely to last a long time.

These wool slippers with a rubber outsole are consistently one of our most recommended products on the Strategist, and they top our list of thebest men’s slippers. Since wool is moisture wicking and naturally anti-microbial, they cut down on sweat and odor.

These adjustable dumbbells are shaped like regular dumbbells but adjust in seconds, so he won’t have to slow down between reps. Unlike many other quickly adjustable options, these weights shorten as you decrease weight, allowing a full range of motion on lighter settings. At up to 50 pounds per side, it will be a while before he’ll be needing anything heavier.

This fleece jacket is made from an Italian-milled recycled-wool material that’s softer and less staticky than polyester fleece.

Unlike many coats in this price range, the Percival Minnesota overcoat is made from 100 percent wool. This lends it an elegant drape that pairs well with tailoring but looks great with jeans as well — especially in the espressobrowncolor. It’s not quite as protective as a lined coat, but this makes it more breathable. It can be worn into spring and fall, or layered with a thick sweater or hoodie on truly frigid days.

If you want to get him a speaker that sounds leagues better than the one he currently owns, you can’t go wrong with the Move 2. Tech writer Jordan McMahon says the Move 2 is the “best-soundingBluetooth speaker” he uses on a regular basis: “The bass is loud and powerful, vocals sound crisp, and everything sounds clear even at full volume.”

Atotepackis convenient for travel because it can convert from a stylish tote to a supportive backpack as needed. After trying a few out in the fall, the Alpine Sea Everything was my clear favorite. In addition to being the most adjustable, the lightly gorp-y styling elicits compliments (and questions about where I got it) everywhere I bring it.

This elegant cardholder is a great excuse to embark on the wallet reorganization he’s been putting off since you first got together. Unlike many cardholders, this one folds up to protects the cards from abrasion.

The Luma’s extra-thick carbon air filter has a powered fan that helps it trap odors before they can escape. It’s noticeably less smelly than other automatic litter boxes I’ve tried. Its replaceable box liner is much easier to maintain than those of similar designs, which require regular scrubbing to prevent odors from settling in permanently.

These are the impossibly thin-lipped wineglassesused at Stars, Claud, and Penny — home to the hottest wine programs in New York at the moment. “After working with Zalto for many years, Sophienwald [the Austrian producer of these glasses] caught my eye because they offer very similar quality in a slightly smaller size,” explained the restaurants’ co-owner, Chase Sinzer. “It’s able to wow without intimidating.”

Yes, $425 is a lot to ask for sneakers lacking a luxury fashion house logo, butartist Chase Hall explainsthat the Mephisto is worth it because they can be resoled again and again to extend their life. I recently got a pair and can’t stop wearing them.

This aluminum-sided cooler works just as well as a Yeti but is much thinner and looks more elegant.

Buy him this heavyweight garment-dyed hoodie that feels like wearing a weighted blanket.

McMahon picked the Switch 2 as thebest Nintendo handheld consolebecause it’s a worthy upgrade to the original. It’s the only option with access to Nintendo’s whimsical and extensive back catalogue of games and franchises.