Ultimate Gift Guide for Teen Boys | Shop Early & Save BIG!

If you have a teenage boy in your life, you may find that they are the most difficult demographic to shop for. Somewhere between the ages of 10 and 12, my oldest son transitioned from being the easiest person to shop for to being the biggest challenge on my Christmas list.

This will be my first holiday season with a teenage boy, and if you ask him what he wants, he’ll tell you money. 🙄

While there’s nothing wrong with giving money, I still love surprising my kids, so I’m determined to give him a present that he will love this year! I know this will be more challenging than ever, so I’m starting early by researching some of the best gifts for 13-year-old boys.

It may seem a little early to start thinking about Christmas gift-giving, but as part of our Christmas Shopping Challenge, each week we’ll be sharing the best gift ideas for everyone, including spouses, kids, coworkers, and more. Our goal is to help you cross off your lists by November, so you better stick to your budget and have less stress and more family time when the holidays arrive.

Here are some of the best gift ideas for teen boys – all under $50!

1. Give him a place to secure his phone while biking.

This highly-rated handlebar phone mount will keep your teen’s phone secure on even the bumpiest bike rides. It also makes it easy to listen to music, use the GPS or answer hands-free phone calls while riding!

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2. This bedside nightlight does it all!

This alarm clock/Bluetooth speaker combo is actually a bedside night light too, with a stunning array of glowing colors to choose from. It connects wirelessly to phones for playing music or answering calls, and it also has a port for bedside phone charging.

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3. Gift your teenager a duffle bag they’ll use for years to come.

Every teenager needs a good duffle bag, whether it’s for the gym, camping, spending the night at a friend’s house, or using as a carry-on bag. Plus, they’re available in lots of designs, so you’ll find the perfect one to match their style or school colors.

Shipping is free with ShopRunner (free to join) and new Under Armour shoppers may score an extra 15% off, making your final cost $16.97 shipped!

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4. Water bottles and tumblers make great gifts!

A reusable water bottle or tumbler makes a great gift for any teenage boy, and there’s one for every budget! If your teen is hoping for the high-end name-brand version, you can splurge on a 30 oz. Stanley for $35 and the 40-oz. version for $45.

If you’re looking for the very best bargain, we’ve seen 40-oz. tumblers for under $6 at Five Below!

For a really good mid-priced option, we recommend the Hip-tested Ozark Trail brand, available at Walmart. This high-quality drinkware is on-par with the Stanley tumblers for a fraction of the price! The 40oz Ozark Trail tumblers are just $19.97, and you’ll score major points with your teen because they also happen to be trending on TikTok right now. 😉

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5. A portable projector is a gift your teen can use to entertain friends on the go.

This palm-sized projector can connect to your teen’s phone so he can share videos, games, and streaming with his friends. It features impressive sound and picture quality, it’s portable, and it’s a breeze to set up.

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6. This safe is a cool gift and a fun project!

This highly-rated model safe kit is a fun challenge for any teen who likes to build or tinker. The end result is a beautiful wooden piece they’ll be proud to display. It’s also a fully functional safe, providing them with a place to securely store their small valuables and other treasures.

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7. Your teenage boy will love having his own mini-fridge.

What teenage boy wouldn’t want to have their very own mini-fridge right in their bedroom?! Now is the perfect time to grab one too, with Frigidaire’s mini fridge currently priced at just $30.92 shipped (regularly $49.99).

If your teen isn’t into the retro look, you can pay just $39.93 shipped (regularly $52.99) for the AstroAI 6-Can Mini Fridge.

There’s also a really fun Minecraft mini fridge if you’d like to splurge on a teenage Crafter. These options start at $49.98 shipped, but they hold 9 cans, have removable shelves and drink trays, and include a car adapter!

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8. This survival kit is a great gift for an adventurous teen or a new driver.

Whether your teenage boy is into camping or just likes to be prepared, a survival kit is a smart thing for him to have. It also makes a great gift for a new driver to keep in his car.

Make sure the contents of the kit align with your teen’s maturity level, though! This one comes with a knife and a firestarter, so a different kit may be more appropriate for a kid who’s not quite ready for those things yet.

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9. Your teen gamer would love a video game subscription or gift card.

If your teenage boy is a gamer, his favorite platform probably offers a subscription service that provides access to a library of additional games or other content.

Whether your teen wants a membership to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PlayStation Plus, Nintendo Switch Online, or Apple Arcade, you should be able to find physical gift cards at many major retailers. Digital gift cards are another easy option, with subscriptions available in one, three, or 12-month increments (depending on the platform).

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10. This puzzle box is perfect for cash or gift cards.

If you’re planning to gift cash, a gift card, or other small items, and want a unique packaging option, this puzzle box is a great option. Reviewers say it’s “just hard enough” and will help extend the fun of unboxing their gift.

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11. If your teenage boy has a phone, then he needs a portable charger, too.

Anker is a trusted brand that makes one of the smallest, lightest external batteries available. Your teen will appreciate having this charger in countless different situations, and it’s compatible with both Apple and Android devices.

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12. Add some cozy comfort to his room with this oversized reading pillow.

This oversized reading pillow provides cozy support, giving your teenage boy a comfy place to read, watch TV, do homework, play video games, or just relax.

Available in a variety of colors, this pillow features super soft faux rabbit fur fabric on one side, brushed mink fabric on the other, and cushy filling for maximum softness and comfort.

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13. Make it easy for him to take his music everywhere with a portable speaker.

This waterproof speaker is way more powerful than it looks, and it can be used in the shower, pool, or outdoors during rainy weather. It can play music via Bluetooth, port, or SD card, and it comes with both a carabiner and a suction cup for lots of different placement options.

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14. Light up his life with fun LED lights.

I don’t know what it is with teenage boys and LED lights, but they seem to love having them everywhere. These highly-rated hexagon lights are versatile enough for a variety of different displays, and the colors and effects can be easily changed with the included remote. Plus they’re sound reactive and can be connected with another set.

Compared to the $179.99 price tag of the popular Govee brand, this highly-rated onn. set is a steal.

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15. Treat him to a memorable experience.

Many teenagers are getting to the age where they can start to appreciate the value of an experience over material things. There are endless options, depending on your teen’s interests. The only limits are your imagination and budget!

Consider an escape room, go-karting, indoor rock climbing, arcade credits, a MasterClass related to their sport or hobby, bowling passes, amusement park tickets, a sporting event, or even a visit to a special destination.

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What are your suggestions for the best gifts for teenage boys? Our readers always have the BEST ideas, and I could definitely use all the help I can get this year. 😉 I’ll be watching the comments below as I start my shopping early! 👀

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The 4-Gift Rule could be your favorite new Christmas tradition!