73 Best Gifts for Teen Boys, From Gamers to Athletes

What’s cooler than a galaxy projector? One that’s shaped like an astronaut, of course. This casts a light show on the ceiling, a gorgeous backdrop for watching Netflix or catching up on homework.

For the die-hard Xbox boys, you’ll be their holiday hero with the Series S console.

We don’t need to explain why a giant bean bag lounger chair makes a great gift for teen boys. You already know they want one.

Shocker: Teenagers love AirPods. Any teen who owns an iPhone wants a pair of these noise-canceling earbuds, which trend on social media every gifting season.

Any teen boy that doesn’t already own LED lights—a.k.a. TikTok lights—most definitely wants some. This high-quality kit is a cut above the others on Amazon because it can be controlled via an app.

Glamour shoppers love this projector, which also comes with a screen. Movie nights, game days, and after-school video games have never looked quite so good.

This top-rated pick is slim and masculine, and an ideal starter wallet. Make an even bigger gesture by slipping a gift card or a few dollars inside.

For whatever reason, big ol' headphones seem to be 16-year-old boy status symbols—especially these classic Beats, which cancel out noise, so he can listen to music, study, or (let's be real) ignore you.

Get him off the computer with this IRL game, which is easy to store when it’s not in use. (Just be prepared for endless rematches.)

This stocking stuffer is technically a pen, but your teen will love it for everything else it can do; the magnets can be rearranged into an endless array of shapes.

Adidas Sambas are perpetually trending, and they’re still going strong this year, as seen on style icons like Harry Styles and Austin Butler.

Stanley cups have gone TikTok viral over and over for good reason—they’re super durable, keep you hydrated, and cut back on single use cups. A gift all ages can appreciate!

If his iPhone has a habit of dying in the middle of the day, give him this slim power bank that comes highly recommended by Glamour commerce writer Jake Smith. When it’s fully juiced up, it holds two full smartphone charges.

One side of TikTok is absolutely obsessed with rock tumblers right now, so he’ll appreciate getting the chance to try one for himself.

This electric razor transforms skin care and shaving from chores into something almost soothing—and he can even get the task done without lathering up.

CK One smells just as good now as it did back in the day—and since the kids are obsessed with early-aughts nostalgia, make sure you tell them how cool this cologne was when you were in high school.

The perfect gift for just about any teenage boy, this app-controlled paper airplane flies for up to 10 minutes at a time.

Although you might be hesitant to go with a board game or card game, hear us out: This card-based pick, a favorite among Amazon shoppers, will make any sleepover, party, or game night legendary. It takes minutes to learn and features teen-friendly humor.

This isn’t any basketball—it’s a cool basketball.

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Budding videographers and aviation nerds alike will appreciate this camera-enabled drone, which captures HD video and can even flip midair.

The final boss of gamer setups, this gaming chair will support his posture while he’s online—a win for both of you.

One of the most popular yard games right now, Spikeball should be in his lazy-day arsenal. (We bet his dad will also want to get in on the fun.)

He probably already has a gaming headset, so upgrade the rest of his setup with this matching keyboard and mouse, both of which are designed with gamers in mind.

If he spends most of his time in the great outdoors, this packable hammock should be in his bag. It’s easy to sling between two trees, whether he’s in the backyard or on a multiday camping trip.

Future Olympians are serious about their training, but they should be just as on top of their recovery. This percussive massage gun soothes muscles after tough workouts.

For the teen who’s very into slime—and maybe even running their own slime-making business—this all-in-one kit is a godsend. Plus, on top of being fun, it’s also at least a semieducational crash course in chemistry.

If he has a record collection, he definitely wants a pair of Docs. These oxfords are a great place to start since he can dress them up or down for any occasion.

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Your favorite teen might already have a Nintendo Switch, but what about the console’s very best game controller? While the device comes with two remotes, this Xbox-style option is a favorite among Switch players because it’s easier to hold.

Go extra weird with these huge Crocs charms in the shape of chicken wings. Any teenage guy with a sense of humor will love this unique gift.

Budding artists will use this all-in-one kit—featuring a sketchbook, colored pencils, and a carrying case—for years to come.

Any teenager with an interest in history or science will love digging through this block, finding 15 genuine fossils in the process.

He might actually be excited about shaving after you give him this kit from Harry’s, which offers a smooth shave and no unnecessary extras.

Live with a Marvel fan? He needs this Infinity Gauntlet in his room—and he’ll especially love putting it together himself. (There are also Star Wars–themed options.)

Thanks to this over-the-door basketball hoop, his bedroom will become a mini arcade—a perfect distraction when his homework is at an impasse.

No matter where he lives, he’ll be able to try out this metal detector somewhere nearby. Even a tin can feels like an archaeological discovery when he finds it with this thing.

Every guy needs a great Dopp kit for his toiletries, and this customized one is especially worthwhile. Invest in it now and he’ll own it for years to come.

Whether he’s interviewing for an internship or a fast-food job—both rites of passage for young people—this handsome watch will make him look all the more put together.

This printed cardigan is trendy right now—perfect for any teenage guys who run style-focused Instagram accounts.

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Bring the fun of laser tag home with this four-person set that’ll turn your basement or backyard into an entertainment complex. Sleepovers will never be the same.

This best-selling gadget offers an endless supply of back rubs—a necessity after a long day at school.

A great birthday gift for any guy (or teen girl) who’s obsessed with astrology, this custom candle has a unique scent for every single day of the year. Each one is formulated for that day’s chart—a very cool gift if we’ve ever seen one.

Beginner outdoorsmen (or athletes) need a way to keep their stuff safe from the elements, and that’s exactly what this dry bag does. With a few rolls, it keeps tech, clothes, and anything else spotless (and gym bags and backpacks scent-free).

If old-school Capture the Flag was fun, the glow-in-the-dark version of the game is an absolute blast. Kids of all ages, even older teenagers, will appreciate the chance to get outside.

If you really want to level up a sneakerhead gift, you'll get him a pair of Jordans (the unanimous pick of the guys we talked to). For bonus points, wrap up these brand-new retro kicks.

The teen boys we spoke to mentioned wanting jewelry—specifically rings. This one is made of strong, durable titanium and is subtle enough to wear with a T-shirt but cool enough to give him a little edge. It's also nicely engravable to add a secret special touch.

What a boy wants (Christina fans, where you at?) is a new phone. The Pixel 7A has a stellar camera and powerful processor (making it the perfect gift for gamers).

With this cologne gift set, he can stop splashing Axe all over the place and test a bunch of different scents to figure out which feels most like him.

This beanie can keep his head warm while acting as a pair of wireless Bluetooth-enabled headphones. He can even answer calls on it. Pretty cool, huh?

Teens who game typically fall into either the Playstation or Xbox camps—so if you know his console preference and really want to make his year, gift him the PS5, which will let him play the newest games and ones coming out soon.

Playstation owners will definitely want to play this buzzy new Spider-Man game, which came out in October 2023 and is playable only on the PS5.

A Lego car set makes for one of the coolest gifts (and is a hell of a lot cheaper than getting him an actual one).

Upgrade his headset to the Logitech, which offers richly immersive surround sound and comes in models that are wired (for PC players) or wireless (for console players).

There's a lot he'll love about this North Face vest: It's filled with super-warm down, has multiple pockets for his essentials and a hood he can pull out to block the window, and packs down small into its own pocket.

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This fuzzy, fleecy hoodie is giving lounge lizard extreme but pretty sure that's the vibe now.

Music lovers will appreciate this portable Bluetooth speaker, which offers shockingly great bass for its size, is totally waterproof for all his exploits, and projects LED lights that pulse with the beat of the song.

Keep his hands busy with a fun dart board he can hang on his door (but make it magnetic, so no one loses an eye).

A laptop is one of the best gifts for teen boys (according to them)—and this one in particular is a great budget gaming laptop thanks to its horsepower, display, and sound quality.

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We all remember the struggle of teenage acne (if we’re being honest, it can still be a struggle). These are the best for subtly getting rid of a big zit—slip a pack in their stocking and their skin will thank you later.

The cool kid hat brand! Any teen on your list will love these for cold winter days, and we especially love the waffle knit fabric of this one.

For the teen who is on a musical discovery journey, learning to play guitar is the hobby they don’t even know they need. This starter guitar comes with everything they’ll need to learn, including online lessons.

We know today’s teens are all about their skin care routines, and yes, that includes the boys. We hear that this brand is popular with the younger generation, and a moisturizer is a universal necessity in winter months.

Laptop backpacks are essential for students from middle school to college these days, so make sure your favorite teen has a cool one. This slick water-resistant option fits the vibe perfectly (and isn’t too bulky to fit inside a locker).

The kids love preppy style these days, and it doesn’t get much more ivy style than a pair of striped, crested socks from Ralph Lauren.

A great gift to use on a long run or while waiting for the school bus on a chilly day, these tech-friendly gloves let them keep up with their texts, and they snap together so they’ll never lose one. The status-y Lululemon logo might just be the best part.

Printed cardigans are so trendy right now—perfect for any teenage guys who run style-focused Instagram accounts. And if the patterns are a little bold for his taste, the solid colors are still a cozy cool option.

Skateboarding and teenagers have gone hand-in-hand for decades. This sleek and beginner-friendy board is equally great for novices and seasoned skaters.

This mini instant camera spits out photos in mere seconds. Teens who have grown up on smartphone photography will be amazed by the technology (it has a selfie timer and mirror)—so make sure you give him plenty of film too. (PS: If he truly prefers his phone's pics, an ink-free photo printer is a clutch gift too.)

Kit out his gamer cave or DJ booth (cough, bedroom) with a mini fridge that can keep his favorite drinks chilled and on hand. This one has a retro design that’s sure to please vintage-loving teenagers.

For late night reading or studying, this wearable light has three brightness levels and a blue light filter to protect overworked eyes. This is especially useful for bookworms who might share a room with siblings or dorm-mates.

Gen Z loves Alo, and these luxe joggers are one of the brand’s most popular picks for lounging. They’re a bit of a splurge, but they’re super comfy and teenager-approved.

Whether they're Zelda fans or want to explore one of the most popular gaming franchises, this video game is an excellent option.