Teen boys are notoriously tough to shop for — and constantly evolving trends and changing interests make it even harder to find the perfect gift.
With the holiday shopping season fast approaching, we rounded up the best gift ideas for teen boys. We even consulted with Underscored staffers who are parents of teenage boys to compile a list of presents they’ll actually want to receive this year.
Whether he’s into music, sneakers, sports or manga, we’ve got options to suit every type of kid and budget. Shop our gift guide below to find a gift the teenage boy in your life will find cool.
For more gift ideas, check out our favorite gifts for teenage girls, Amazon gifts and personalized presents.
Best gifts for teen boys under $25
A great stocking stuffer for teens and tweens, these Tech Deck boards put powerful play into a small package. And this four pack lets them share the fun with their friends too.
This durable backlit keyboard is great for gaming — or even just making typing up homework a little more interesting.
Sunset lamps are all the rage on TikTok. Your teen can hop on the trend with this affordable sunset projection lamp, which features 16 colors and four different lighting modes.?
Uniqlo’s soft, affordable T-shirt comes in 13 colors and features moisture-wicking technology to keep him feeling cool and breezy all day long.
Adidas’ lightweight Sackpack is ideal for quickly tossing in a change of clothes and some snacks before rushing off to practice. And unlike most drawstring bags, this one includes two mesh water bottle pockets.
Teen boys aren’t exactly known for keeping their stuff clean, but this shoe-cleaning kit will leave dirty kicks looking like new. It includes a stiff-bristled brush and a premium foaming cleanser, which is safe for all shoe materials, including leather, suede, rubber, and cotton.?
Encourage him to take a break from his phone with this bestselling puzzle toy, which is an especially great gift for anxious or fidgety teens.
Perfect for the teen with a shiny new driver’s license, this wallet is slim enough to fit in his pocket and affordable enough that it won’t be the end of the world if he ever loses it.
Best gifts for teen boys under $50
For the music-loving teen who also loves tinkering, this light-up speaker kit gets them hands-on with real electronic components and wires to test — and grow — their engineering abilities.
For the analog teen who wants a functional and fashionable timepiece, this Timex watch works perfectly for the classroom, the outdoors and everyday wear.
Let them keep their games going past sundown with this light-up basketball. And don’t forget to clip the on-page coupon for even more savings.
For gaming fans, there are few gifts sweeter than getting the newest and hottest games. Let them play as their favorite players and on their favorite NFL teams with the newest Madden game. And if you’ve got a PlayStation console, don’t worry: There’s a version for that too.
Crocs well-known clogs can handle pretty much anything you throw their way, plus they’re super comfy and slip on in seconds, which makes them great for athletes, adventurers or habitually late teenagers.
Turn the back of any door into a instant sporting arena with this durable basketball hoop. This kit is easy to install, features a digital scoreboard and comes with two balls so you can compete head-to-head with friends and family.
Let’s be real: Teens don’t always smell the greatest. This trio of OffCourt body sprays is formulated with prebiotics?and deodorizing?ingredients to tackle body?odor?at its source. With three light and fresh scents (Fresh Citron and Driftwood, Fig Leaves and White Musk, and Coconut Water and Sandalwood), this pack is perfect for splitting between home, the gym and anywhere else your teen might need to freshen up.
Frigidaire’s colorful mini fridge is compact enough to fit right on a desk, granting easy access to drinks and snacks while gaming. It’d also be a great dorm room addition for older teens.
For outdoor hangs, this inflatable lounger is perfect for lazing about anywhere from the backyard to the backcountry. It also floats, making it a great companion for pool days.
JBL’s portable speaker can clip right onto a backpack and is also completely waterproof, so there’s no harm if he accidentally drops it in the pool. It offers up to 10 hours of playtime with the great sound quality people have come to expect of the brand.
Whether he wants to show off his growing sneaker collection or just could use some help decluttering his closet, these clear, stackable boxes are great for protecting and organizing all your teen’s shoes.
Gift three months of endless entertainment with Xbox’s Game Pass Ultimate, which includes access to hundreds of games —?including new releases?—?on both console and PC.?
LED strip lights are a popular way to spruce up a teen’s bedroom, and this set impressed us in our testing. The lights can sync up with music and be controlled remotely — meaning he can adjust things like colors and brightness without getting out of bed.
Teenagers can never have too many sweatshirts, and you can’t go wrong with Champion’s cozy, high-quality hoodies. They come in tons of colors and feature a heavyweight weave perfect for crisp fall and winter weather.
Boys deserve great skin care too! This kit from Marlowe comes with a cleanser, moisturizer and scrub bar in a woodsy scent, all of which will be a major upgrade for the teen who’s used to using a cheap bar of soap from head to toe.
Best gifts for teen boys under $100
Gamers can try their hand at coding with this retro console that lets them build and run their own arcade games.
Everyone, even stubborn teen boys, can benefit from a skin care routine. This gift set from Kiehl’s comes with five full-sized products that will leave their skin cleansed and hydrated. Now all they need is?a good face sunscreen?to round out the routine.
Got a teen who can’t seem to keep track of their things? Give them this four-pack of AirTags they can attach to their keys, wallet or backpack.
A good pair of sunglasses is a necessity for a teen who just got their driver’s license or who enjoys spending time outdoors. Quay Australia offers tons of trendy and stylish frames under $100, including these Jackpot Remixed frames, which several reviewers have already successfully gifted.
Teens love few things more than lounging, so create the ultimate setup with this comfy beanbag chair. The chair comes in seven colors and is made of durable, stain-resistant fabric that will hold up against crumbs and soda spills.
The outdoorsy teen can take advantage of nearby rivers and lakes with this highly rated bundle, which comes with a telescopic fishing rod and all the accessories he’ll need for his first catch.
With its ventilated shoe compartment, foil-lined water bottle pocket and padded straps, this streamlined backpack is perfect for the kid who’s always heading straight from class to practice.
Hey, you’re never too old for Lego — especially the ultra-complicated sets like this one. With a whopping 675 pieces, it’ll keep your teen occupied for hours.
Get all that teenage energy out with this portable game, which is easy to set up on pretty much any flat surface. The kit comes with a drawstring storage bag as well, making it easy to toss in the car and bring over to friends’ houses or to the beach or park.
Thanks to its built-in headphone jack, this electronic drum set will encourage the aspiring rock star without driving your neighbors crazy.
Sony’s wireless over-ear headphones boast up to 50 hours of battery life and make a great gift for the music-loving teen. They also have a microphone for hands-free phone calls and come in three stylish matte finishes.
With its 120-degree wide-angle lens and simple controls, this drone camera will take budding photographers’ and filmmakers’ work to the next level — literally.
This skateboard from trusted brand CCS is made from sturdy maple wood and comes fully assembled. It’s designed to be suitable for beginners without sacrificing quality — just don’t forget a helmet!
Odds are, your teen has worn through their fair share of sneakers. Gift them a new and stylish pair with these Adidas Sambas, which have never been more on-trend.
If your teen is headed off for college soon, a sturdy and cozy robe is the perfect gift for them to bring to their dorm. This Coyuchi waffle weave?robe comes in nine colors and five sizes so you can get the one that best matches your teen’s persona.
Best gifts for teen boys over $100
These closed-toe Boston Clogs are a more sophisticated kind of slip-on shoe. And like all Birkenstocks, they truly get more comfortable with each wear.
For teens who can’t drive just yet, this do-it-all electric bike is perfect for getting them where they need to go or letting them have some fun on neighborhood rides.
For the teen that’s really working on evolving their look past sweatpants and hoodies, these Chelsea boots are a classic style that help elevate basic jeans or slacks.
Help your teen keep all their devices charged up with this charging tray from Courant. Available in linen and leather finishes, this tray not only looks sleek but will help your teen keep track of all their most valuable belongings.
If this year is the year your teen is finally ready for a phone of their own, consider our pick for the best smartphone, the iPhone 15. It’s sure to be just as big of a hit with them as it was with us.
A stylish, cold-weather jacket that’s not a sweatshirt? Yes, please. This Levi’s Sherpa Jacket is loved by reviewers for its warm yet lightweight wear and totes the timeless Levi’s cut that never goes out of style.
Perfect for college-bound teens or those who are always packing for a weekend away, this Away duffel bag not only makes packing easier but looks much nicer than your teen’s gym bag or backpack. This 40-liter capacity bag is?lightweight and water-resistant. Plus, it’s available in six colors and comes in additional 55-liter and 70-liter sizes.
Jewelry is not everyone’s thing, but if your teen is looking for that extra something to jazz up their everyday style, a simple chain can do the trick. This 100% sterling silver chain is a classic piece that your teen can wear for years to come.
Perfect for your teen athletes, the Theragun mini makes a great addition to their sports bags or as a part of their post-practice recovery routine.
It’s no wonder that the Nintendo Switch is one of the most popular gifts around. With its vibrant screen, detachable controllers and convenient tabletop mode, it’s a versatile little console that’s just as much fun to play at home as it is on the go.
Gift your favorite manga fan hours of fun with this box set of the beloved series about a mischievous ninja-in-training.?
Ugg slippers are always a great gift idea. The cozy wool lining will keep his feet nice and warm, and the rubber sole means he can wear them outside too.
Turn the rec room or basement into his own arcade with the Pop-A-Shot Dual-Shot Sport. It has super-sturdy construction, an electronic scorecard and 10 different game modes.
Our top pick for Bluetooth speakers doesn’t just offer excellent sound, it’s also totally customizable on the brand’s site. Let him choose his own colors and fabric and even add his own text, turning the speaker into a bit of personalized decor.
Teen movie buffs and sports fanatics will love Fangor’s portable projector, which allows for the ultimate big-screen viewing experience right at home.
The FA-125 is an affordable guitar designed for developing players while still offering the sound and quality that Fender is known for. This beginner-friendly bundle comes with everything he needs to get started, including picks, a tuner, a strap and a lightweight gig bag.?
The Beats Fit Pro aced our workout headphone testing. We think these wireless headphones are a great gift for the teen who’s always listening to music while on the move.