Valentine’s Day Gifts for Every Type of Man
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A great Valentine’s Day gift strikes the balance between personal and indulgent, which is a very different measure depending on whom you’re shopping for. Some guys may be yearning for a high-qualityturntable; others may want nothing more than a reliablechef’s knife. Some want a trip to the spa andfancy skin care. (And, of course, there are the guys who truly just want a nice dinner and chocolate.) To help you find the right Valentine’s Day gift for the man in your life, I combed through the Strategist archives to find tried-and-true items that would make thoughtful presents for any type of guy. Many are things Strategist staffers have gifted (or were thrilled to receive) themselves. All of the things on this list are available on Amazon but I’ve found some of them elsewhere, too, for those who like to shop around. And if you’re looking for more ideas,we have gift guidesfor everyone, from the person who just wantsflowerstofoodiesandwine lovers.
Update on January 21, 2026
Ahead of Valentine’s Day this year, we’ve updated this piece to ensure all our picks are still available and correctly priced.
Under$25
For the man with a sweet tooth
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Do him one better than a heart-shaped sampler from the drugstore with this six-pack from Tony’s Chocoloney, which the Strategist named astatus Halloween candyafter speaking to in-the-know parents and candy experts.
For the man who’s on his feet all day
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TheraFlow Foot Massager
This analog foot massager was recommended by immunologist Lina Velikovain our roundup of the best gifts for doctors— it’s even compact enough to fit under a desk.
For the man with a stockpile of scented candles
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Nippon Kodo Cypress (Hinoki) Incense
This is my favorite incense from Japanese brand Nippon Kodo — it smells better than a scented candle and is less expensive. (And it comes in a very giftable box.)
For the man who readThe Mushroom at the End of the World
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A glowy cluster of mushrooms are aperfect nightlightfor the amateur mycologist.
For the man who takes great vacation photos
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These disposable cameras are easy to use, portable, and produce surprisingly high-quality black-and-white prints.
For the man with a preferred canned-tomato brand
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A made-in-Italy pasta board to get his gnocchi alla sorrentina restaurant-level perfect.
For the man who camps out at oyster happy hour
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Buy a man an oyster and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man how to use an oyster knife and you’ll feed him for life.
For the man with a curated sweats drawer
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Comfy sweats are a foolproof gift, and in our guide to thebest loungewear for men, Adidas’s sweatpants were recommended several times. “I would generally never wear sweatpants out,” says Matthew Malin, co-founder of Malin+Goetz, “but I’ve had these track pants with a stripe down the side for a couple of months now and I find myself wearing them pretty regularly.”
For the man who plays with fire
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Heat things up with this cookbook for cooking over an open flame from chef Francis Mallmann — it’s one of our favoritegifts for grilling enthusiasts.
For the man who’s trying to cut down on screen time
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According tochess players, nothing beats an affordable, portable, roll-up chess set. GrandmasterSusan Polgar, a three-time chess world champion, likes this one, praising it as an “an inexpensive but durable set that’s perfect for casual or tournament play.”
For the man who’s training for a half-marathon
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Novelist Haruki Murakami’s meditative book on running “is about so much more than just what is running, how to run, and how to run fast,” says runnerRich Roll.
For the man who bakes
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This French butter isbeloved by Dominique Ansel, inventor of the cronut. “You have to experience it to be able to understand it,” he says. “It’s higher quality than most butter you can find in the U.S. because of the cows and what they eat in France.” (And yes, it’s great for making croissants.)
For the man with threadbare sweatshirts
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Model-actor Miles Garbertold ushe lives in his Gildan sweats: “They’re cool because they look vaguely ’90s, which is the best era of sweatwear, I think.” (Pair withmatching elastic-hem sweatpantsfor a trueSeinfeld-era gym look.)
For the man who never has a hair out of place
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This is podcasterMarc Maron’s favorite comb — it’s handmade and folds into an efficient pocket-size package.
For the man who watches music documentaries
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He’ll love this book on the creative process by legendary producer Rick Rubin. “It’s just as much about mindfulness and awareness as it is about creativity,”says Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa.
For the man with a woodshop in the garage
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If he keeps sending you links to biscuit joiners, he’ll appreciate this introduction to Japanese carpentry written by architect Kiyosi Seike that highlights 48 different joint styles.
Under$50
For the man who has trouble falling asleep
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One of ourfavorite weighted blankets, this cotton-and-glass-bead weighted quilt is a game changer,according to Strategist assistant editor and (formerly) restless sleeper Jenna Milliner-Waddell. “I now define my life as pre–YNM blanket and post–YNM blanket,” she says.
For the man who loves a spa day
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Claus Porto, a brand thatbarbers love, has been making its luxe soaps in Portugal since 1887. This soap from the company’s Musgo Real line has notes of sandalwood and patchouli.
For the man who listens to synthwave
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This cute little gadget is half-toy, half-instrument, winner of the “High Target Toy Prize” at the 2010 Japanese Toy Awards.Use the slider on the “tail” to make notesand squish its silicone cheeks for changes in tone.
For the Pauline Kael of Letterboxd
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Taxi Driverscreenwriter Paul Schrader’s book of film theory is agreat gift for a cinephile. (Buy the 1988 edition at Abe Books if you want the more interesting cover; you can alsofind it at Thriftbooks.)
For the man with aches and pains
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TriggerPoint Grid 1.0 Foam Roller
Sometimes, the most romantic gift you can give is to help unknot his back. The TriggerPoint foam roller is ourbest-in-class pickfor its firm-but-not-stiff density: “It’s the first foam roller I recommend to everyone,” says Strategist fitness writer Jeremy Rellosa.
For the man who loves indie sleaze
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This book contains more than 300 photographs by party chroniclerthe Cobrasnake— valuable Y2K fashion inspiration.
For the man who wants to match with his dog
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For the man with a passion for graphic design
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I discovered this design-y, silly, almost SFW nude fromMilton Glaser, the co-founder ofNew Yorkmagazine, via my co-worker Liza Corsillo’s roundup of thebest butt-themed home décor.
Under$100
For the man you travel the world with
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This useful device plugs into a headphone jack and connects via Bluetooth to your AirPods, eliminating the need for headphones on flights (and for unplugging your setup when your seat partner stands). This model can be paired with up to two sets of AirPods in case you’re watching something together.
For the man who’s getting into skin care
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Our absolute favorite body oil will help keep winter dryness at bay — it’s “nongreasy and fast-absorbing, and it leaves my skin feeling bright and bouncy all day long,”per Strategist writer Brenley Goertzen. (LeVar Burton is also a fan.)
For the man who forgets to lift from the legs, not the back
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Acult-favoriteneck and back massage pillow (with heat!) will unknot his back and relieve aches and pains.
For the man who games on the subway
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This easy-to-use console for the iPhone is one of our favoritegifts for gamers. Strategist tech writerJordan McMahon writesthat its portability has “turned gaming on my iPhone into a first-class experience that can follow me nearly anywhere.”
For the man who puts potato chips on his sandwiches
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A paint can full ofgourmetSpanish chips will last him longer than a bag of Utz. (“They’re the best potato chips I’ve ever had in my life,”says Amy Sedaris.)
For the fragrance nerd
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This is my absolute favoritescented candle; it smells like “rainwater in eucalyptus groves off Highway 1.”
For the man who has cursed out his charcoal grill
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This powerful clip-on fan is “a firestarter’s best friend,” according tochef Jean-Paul Bourgeois. It’ll get tons of air to the coals and get the fire burning hotter faster.
For the man with a display-worthy sex-toy collection
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Under$200
For the man who likes to sleep under the stars
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Van lifersMegan Hogate and Ciara Ladromasay that this portable, durable loveseat is a “romantic”campingchair — “that’s the reason we got it.”
For the man who gets competitive about bird-watching
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This pair of bins comes highly recommended by Strategist contributor andbird enthusiastSteven John. Their durability and light weight make them a favorite pair for hiking and camping adventures.
For the man who would rather watch TV
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Haflinger Grizzly GZ
These comfy, cork-soled woolenslippersare a splurge, but they last forever, according to chef and farmerPhoebe Cole-Smith.
For the man who already has a gnocchi board
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Continue hisfresh pastajourney with thischef-favorite, hand-operated appliance from a company that has been making pasta machines since the 1930s.
For the man who searches eBay for vintage Italian lamps
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Alessi Pulcina Espresso Coffee Maker
ThisAlessistovetop coffee maker is a design classic and will make his coffee-making ritual a little more indulgent.
For the man who kept his quarantine beard
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The Wahl Magic Clip is “the top product to own if you want to re-create a barbershop experience in the comfort of your home,” saysMiles Wood-Smith, master barber at Murdock London. It’spopular among barbersfor its power, sharp blades, and a good range of guard options for getting his beard length just right.
For the man who refuses to get a smart watch
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Gift him the chunky, retro watchLil Nas Xis loving right now. “I used to want them so bad when I was in sixth grade, but I couldn’t get them … now that I have money, I can go and get me a G-Shock watch,” he says.
For the man who tosses and turns
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Latex pillowsare a splurge, but for restless sleepers, they’re worth it. The material is bouncy and not as easily compressed as foam pillows, and this Naturepedic model is made from organic latex with an organic cotton cover.
For the man who makes you coffee
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Fellow Stagg EKG Pro Electric Kettle
A top-of-the-line kettle is a great splurge gift — it’s beautiful, reliable, and will make an everyday task smoother. Fellow’s electric kettle is beloved by somanyexperts(and Strategist writers) that it made theStrategist 100— our list of the most-stood-behind products we have written about.
For the man with a New Year’s resolution to fix his sleep hygiene
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The Loftie alarm clock is great for removing devices from the bedroom, and it lulls you in and out of sleep with gentler noises than an alarm blaring. “It has greatly improved my sleep quality,”says Julianne Fraser, the founder and CEO of digital-marketing agencyDialogue New York. “I fall asleep to the sound baths and use the breath-work and meditation features instead of scrolling through my Instagram feed.”
For the man who has talked about getting guitar lessons for years
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Guitar-store owners say this Gretsch guitar is agreat (budget-friendly) choicefor both beginner and amateur players: “The small body makes it easy to hold, and the quality is outstanding, especially considering the price,” says one guitar seller.
For the man who does everything on his phone
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We-Vibe Pivot
This app-controlled sex toy is the “the Cadillac of cock rings,” according to Samantha Bard, co-owner of the Williamsburg sex shop and event spaceShag. It can be controlled via smartphone app from anywhere, a feature that makes it really popular, she says.
$200andabove
For the man who just picked up a new sport
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Beloved bydoctors,basketball players,runners, andStrategist beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton, this mini percussive massage tool will soothe aches and pains.
For the man who prefers Mr. Coffee to Chemex
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If he’d rather outsource brewingcoffee to a machine, gift him the Technivorm Moccamaster. It delivers a “consistently better cup,” according to Jim Munson, founder and president ofBrooklyn Roasting Company, and is made with “solid construction and better parts” than similar models, per Suyog Mody, co-founder ofDriftaway Coffee.
For the man with an art-book collection
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The catalogue of a2018 Morgan Library exhibitionof works by photographerPeter Hujarsold out immediately, but you can still find copies from resellers on eBay and on Amazon.
For the man who knows what a hurdy-gurdy is
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This tool from legendary synth-makers Teenage Engineering brands itself as “the world’s first medieval electronic instrument.” It comes loaded with a ton of samples and sounds, like sword-fighting, witches, tambourines, and medieval strings.
For the man starting a vinyl collection
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When Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon asked professional DJs and vinyl collectors about thebest turntables for beginners, this Audio-Technica was one of their go-to recommendations (and the least expensive of the bunch).
For the man on a quest to make the perfect pizza
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“If you want to see a grown chef cry, gift them an Ooni,”Strategist food and dining writer Emma Wartzman writes. The steel oven can get to very high temperatures, ideal for a good char on pizza crust.
For the pepper maximalist
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Most people don’t need a $200 pepper grinder. But if he is obsessed with pepper and wants to maximize his yield per grind, it’s thebest in the biz.
For the man who’s glued to his fitness-tracker apps
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Give the gift of less soreness on recovery days. “My legs feel less tired, less sore, and less tight after I use them,” saysQueens Distance Runnersco-founder Maria Wong.
More Valentine's Day Ideas
- 33 Gifts for Every Type of Husband
- Mother’s Day Gifts to Give Your Wife
- A Gift for Every Type of Wife
- Valentine’s Gifts Under $25 That Look Like You Tried
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
