In this article
Teenage boys are a tough crowd to shop for (I’ve been reporting on what they like and want for years now.) For this article, I’ve chatted with over a dozen teens and parents of teens to see what’s on their wish lists and what’s fallen in and out of favor. I’ve watched hours of “smellmaxxing” TikToks (more on that below) and snooped in the video game and tech chats of teen Discord channels. Of course, every teen boy is different so I’ve thought of many possible types — from gamer to athlete — so there’s a gift for everyone. 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.)
Update on November 22, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
Decor gifts for teenage boys
At this point, after years of popping up in the background of Twitch streams and teens’ TikToks, light strips are a teen-boy standard. Every kid I interviewed wanted them if they didn’t have them already. This bundle comes with everything they need 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.
Sunset lamps were all over For You Pages last year and remain popular in the teen lighting district.
The goal for lots of teen boys is to have their own private space away from parents and siblings. En suite mini-fridges are a way to create that feeling for under $200.
Tech and gaming gifts for teenage boys
These blew up for everyone (not just teens) in the past couple months. But the suction phone cases’ popularity is more than a trend. They really do make taking selfies and videos easier.
Because they’re more interested in posting “retro-looking” content straight to social media, digital cameras have tamped down the popularity of disposables this year. (Yes, digital cameras are now retro to teens, apparently.) It’s a splurge, but this specific camera was mentioned for a first-time vlogger setup.
If he is into analog, go with this Ilford film setup instead. It has a cool vintage look and is about as affordable as a disposable.
For something in the middle, this on-the-go printer turns smartphone pictures into Polaroid-looking prints in seconds.
One thing I picked up from reporting: Teens are all about YouTube over any other streaming platform for its video selection over standard TV shows and movies. A premium subscription frees them from ads.
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 it was a big hit.
Get ahead of the holiday rush and pre-order him one of the new Xbox consoles.
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.
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.
When I scanned teen Discord servers, Roblox was brought up more than any other game. A gift card lets them use Robux for in-game customizations, upgrades, VIP access, and more.
If he has a console, he’d be happy to get a gift card to shop around himself. Teens prefer this, because they can download games straight to their console and don’t have to mess with physical discs.
If you know he’s a fan of a specific franchise, impress him with the newest video game.
Music gifts for teenage boys
Headphones were the No. 1 music gifts on teen boys’ wish lists. Go with over-the-ear types because they double as an accessory (unlike discreet earbuds). Apple AirPods Max would impress his friends the most, but Beats are right up there (and less than half the price).
The JBL mini speaker can latch on to his backpack or bike, and the charge lasts up to 12 hours.
A trend I spotted: teens are making their own music. Piano was the most popular instrument, and this Yamaha has modes for learning and 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.
If he fancies himself a budding beat-maker, he can make electronic rhythms with this clever doodad.
Grooming gifts for teenage boys
“Smellmaxxing” — the trend of teen boys spritzing on colognes to enhance their own scents — became viral on TikTok this year. It’s created an online subculture of teens reviewing and recommending designer scents. When I sifted through the hashtag, this woody vanilla scent came up again and again in recommendation videos.
I also reached out to scent TikToker Chris Arevalo for his recommendation. He says this is the perfect starter, because it’s citrusy, musky, woody, and has a lot of mass appeal. “I don’t think I’ve met someone who has said, ‘Oh, I don’t like that smell,’” he says.
On the fresher side is Replica’s Beach Walk, which was brought up by teenager Chase. If your teen didn’t ask for this specifically, I recommend going with the mini size.