Not to overgeneralize things here, but men can be difficult to shop for. After all, what do you get the guy who just shrugs and says “I don’t know” every time you ask him what he wants? If you haven’t uncovered any hints from him about his ideal present, don’t panic. The key to finding the best gifts for boyfriends is to focus on his interests and how he likes to spend his free time. Whether he enjoys lounging around the house, taking photos, snacking or listening to music, there’s a thoughtful gift that will match his passion (even if his passion is relaxation).
We found the very best gifts for boyfriends, whether he likes sports, tech gadgets or outdoor gear.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTOS: RETAILERS
We’ve found ideas for all of these hobbies and more and rounded up this handy guide, which includes presents for tech lovers, sports fanatics, outdoor enthusiasts and home chefs alike. And since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, there are also some more romantic gift options that will show him just how much you care. Here are the very best gifts for boyfriends that he never even knew he needed.
Best Gifts For Boyfriends, At A Glance
Onsen
Onsen Hooded Waffle Robe
Men need a self-care moment too, so help your boyfriend relax and unwind by outfitting him in this insanely comfy robe by Onsen. It’s made with luxe long staple supima cotton and woven in a waffle pattern for ultimate absorbency. The hood will keep his head warm on chilly mornings and large pockets can fit his phone, a remote or a little snack.
If he’s been rocking the same belt since long before you met, it could be time for an upgrade. Shinola is known for their sophisticated masculine style, so this set is a no-brainer. It comes with black and brown leather belts, plus matte black and tumbled nickel buckles. He can mix and match for different looks, all of which will be perfect for date night.
Bring some heat to the relationship with a thoughtful food gift that will make all of his snacks and dinners a bit bolder. This Fly By Jing set has four sauces including Sichuan Chili Crisp and Xtra Spicy Chili Crisp that he can pour on pizza, chicken and even ice cream. The Zhong Sauce is a dumpling’s best friend and the Mala Spice Mix will give his protein some oomph. Basically, this gift is chef’s kiss.
What song was playing in the bar or restaurant on your first date? What about the first song you ever danced to together? This customized acrylic plaque gives that little ditty a special place in his home. You can add your own photo, the song’s title and a significant date (like the day you met or your anniversary). A QR code allows them to play the song and reminisce with a quick scan.
Amazon
Dior Sauvage Eau De Parfum
Valentine’s Day calls for treating both yourself and your partner to something memorable, and cologne is one of those classic sensory gifts. This Sauvage By Dior bottle both looks and smells lovely. The fragrance, which is a mixture of spicy Calabrian bergamot and sweet Papua New Guinean vanilla extract, is inspired by the natural beauty that unfolds at twilight.
There’s no denying that Ray-Bans have a cool factor. Bob Dylan, Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt would all agree. But this new style is somehow even more amazing because they’re not just incredibly sleek sunglasses, they’re also wearable tech. They connect to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, have two-speaker audio and a 12 megapixel camera embedded in the glasses that allows the wearer to take photos and videos from their POV. Did we mention they’re unisex? We won’t judge you for “borrowing” them.
Yes, taking notes on the computer is efficient, but there’s something about putting a pen to paper that’s so satisfying. This notebook and pen set by Rocketbook will allow him to have that aesthetic pleasure of old-school note-taking, but give him the ability to save those notes digitally. After jotting ideas down, he can scan them to get a digital copy, then erase the text on the physical pages and use them again. It’s the best of both worlds.
Some gifts are pretty and shiny and some are just incredibly useful. This is the second one. These popular chargers by Anker are small, sleek and able to power tons of tech in record time so his phone, computer, ear pods, gaming system and smart watch can all get back to optimal function fast, no matter where he is.
Whether he’s got a premium collection of vintage vinyl or he’s just getting into records, this turntable by Audio-Technica will take his listening experience to the next level. It has a fully automatic belt drive and high fidelity audio with Bluetooth connectivity, so he can pair it with wireless headphones or speakers for superior surround sound.
This item is definitely a splurge, but if your boyfriend holds fast to his phone and loves to take pictures, this will truly delight. The Pixel 8 is Google’s newest device and while it comes with a clean modern design, tons of storage and an advanced display, the camera and photo editing are the star of the show. Their Best Take feature can even combine pieces of group photos to create a version where everyone’s eyes are open—finally!
Guys who are into tech are always looking for the latest gadget and this one is winner. The Urbanista Malibu Solar Bluetooth Speaker is the first solar-charging portable speaker, thanks to Powerfoyle solar cell technology. It reloads its charge when exposed to light—whether indoors or out—and it’s so tiny (under 4 inches x 2 inches), he can take it anywhere with ease.
Die-hard sports fans know that spectating is also a competition (especially if you have all the gear and beer to win). Gift that guy a lightweight cooler and a comfy place to sit, all in one. This water-resistant backpack can hold up to 12 eight-ounce cans and then opens up to reveal an adjustable padded seat. When the game is over, he can throw it back over his shoulders and stash it away until next time.
It’s winter sports season, so if your guy likes both his sports and his drinks on ice, this set from Uncommon Goods is a major score. The four stainless steel hockey stick-shaped stirrers make any drink look cooler (pun intended). If he’s more of a golf guy, you can also buy them as a set of teeny tiny clubs that he can use to stir up his spiked Arnold Palmers.
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean he can’t up his golf game a bit. This 9 foot roll-up turf putting green will give him a chance to work on those shorter shots and nail down his alignment and accuracy. What makes this extra special is that you can have it personalized with his name, so everyone knows who the king of this mini course is.
What exactly does a baseball stadium smell like, you might ask? It depends on where it is. Homesick makes a huge range of scents that are personal to each park and will serve as a nice whiff of home. For example, the Dodger Stadium candle smells like popcorn, crisp beer, sea salt, lime and fresh grass, but the Busch Stadium candle smells like red clay, cut grass, brick and butter.
He may already wear a t-shirt or hat representing his favorite football team, but we’re pretty certain he won’t have this. The cool money clip and wallet hybrid is made of actual game day-used player’s jerseys, licensed by the NFL. Each one showcases a bit of the uniform and, more functionally, includes a nylon inner pocket and two skinny outer pockets that will cradle his cards and cash.
Bourbon, beer and rum walk into a bar…of soap! This neat set takes some of his favorite spirits and blends them into four 10-ounce bars (that’s almost three times larger than your average bar of soap) each boasting a different beverage. One is made with Busch beer and has a sandalwood scent, while another is cooked up with Buffalo Trace bourbon and smells, rightfully so, like an oak barrel. The others are made of Budweiser (cedarwood) and Bay Rum (citrus). Cheers!
As a kid, was there any greater feeling than making a paper airplane and watching it soar over school desks? This gift is a grown-up, wooden version made for serial tinkerers. It’s a DIY kit that allows him to build his own balsa wood wings and control flight with his iPhone through Bluetooth-enabled rechargeable motors. He’ll be ready for lift off in no time.
Getting dinner ready before hunger sets in is always a challenge, but especially on busy work nights when you’re out of time and ideas. That’s why air fryers are a lifesaver for culinary gurus and novices alike. They’re the ideal way to heat up a Trader Joe’s frozen entree, and they also can cook more elevated meals like fresh salmon and Brussels sprouts in record time. Whatever his skill level, this gadget will earn that coveted counter spot.
“So, what should we get to eat?” has to be one of the most asked questions in every relationship, with one of the most common answers being “I don’t know, what do you think?” These quirky metal dice take the decision out of your hands and make choosing your chow a fun game. You can customize what goes on one or two dice to include all of his favorites from tacos to sushi.
Whether he thinks being outdoorsy refers to camping and fishing or just drinking outside, he’ll still look ruggedly handsome in this graphic cardigan. It’s made of 100% cotton by Pendleton, the iconic American brand out of Oregon and it’s sure to be an heirloom piece he’ll have for years to come.
