Gifts for Teen Boys: Gaming, Sports and More

By the Which Gift editorial team How we choose gifts

  • 13 gift ideas
  • From under $25 to under $100
Paper-craft skateboard, headphones, basketball, backpack and wrapped gift on a lilac backdrop

Good gifts for teen boys follow what the teen already does: a second wireless controller or a gaming headset for gamers, earbuds or a waterproof speaker for music, a roundnet set or basketball for sports, and a LEGO set or book series for downtime.

Quick picks

Teens can be hard to shop for, so the easiest way in is to start with what the teen already does: games, music, sports or a long weekend project. We sorted these 13 gifts for teen boys by interest, and each one keeps its age note so you can match it to the teen you know. Cool gifts for teen boys are usually the ones that fit an existing habit.

Shopping for a teen of any gender? Our main teen guide covers more ideas. For online games, agree on spending limits and parental controls first, since several ideas here involve online play.

Ideas 1 to 4

Gaming gifts for teen boys

For teens who play with friends, online or at home. Confirm the console or PC before you order.

1 A wireless game controller

Best for: Teen gamers who host friends

  • Ages 13–17

A second wireless controller suits a teen gamer who hosts friends, because two people can play together without taking turns on one controller. A bright color also makes it easy to tell apart from the first. Confirm which console or PC the teen plays on before ordering, since controllers are made for specific platforms, and keep the receipt in case you chose the wrong system.

Tip: Confirm the console or PC first so the controller connects.

2 A gaming headset with a mic

Best for: Teens who play online with friends

  • Typically under $50
  • Ages 13–17

A headset with a mic suits a teen who plays online with friends, since clear game audio and voice chat make team games easier. A wired model avoids battery charging. Look for closed earcups, a comfortable microphone and a connection that matches the console or PC. Online play involves chatting with others, so talk with the teen about parental controls and privacy settings.

Tip: Check the console or PC connection, and set up parental controls together.

3 A wireless gaming mouse

Best for: Teens who game on a PC

  • Typically under $50
  • Ages 13–17

A wireless gaming mouse suits a teen who games on a PC and wants a smoother upgrade from a basic office mouse. Look for a comfortable shape for the teen's hand, programmable buttons and a USB receiver that fits the computer's ports. It runs on a single AA battery, so keep a spare on hand.

Tip: Check which USB ports the computer has before ordering.

4 A Roblox gift card

Best for: Teens who play Roblox

  • Typically under $50
  • Ages 13–17

A digital gift card suits a teen who still plays Roblox and likes to choose their own upgrades, since you do not need to guess which items they want. It can be redeemed only on the Roblox site. Because it is an online platform, talk with the teen and a parent about spending limits and parental controls before the code is used.

Tip: Agree on spending limits and parental controls before the code is redeemed.

Ideas 5 to 6

Audio gifts: earbuds and speakers

Music goes everywhere with the teen, and these are easy to carry.

5 Budget wireless earbuds

Best for: Teens who lose earbuds often

  • Typically under $25
  • Ages 13–17

Affordable wireless earbuds suit a teen who loses things, since a lower price means less worry if a pair goes missing. They also suit daily use on the bus, at the gym or in study hall. Look for a snug fit, a charging case and an app with simple sound settings, and check that the teen's phone supports them.

Tip: Pick a bright case color so the earbuds are easier to find in a backpack.

6 A waterproof Bluetooth speaker

Best for: Teens who play music everywhere

  • Typically under $50
  • Ages 13–17

A waterproof Bluetooth speaker suits a teen who plays music everywhere, from the bedroom to the backyard to the pool. Look for a clear water-resistance rating, such as the IPX7 rating listed here, and a long battery life for a full day outside. Pairing with a phone is quick, which suits a teen who wants to share a playlist with friends.

Tip: Look for a water and dust rating if it will go to the pool or the beach.

Ideas 7 to 9

Sports and outdoor gifts for teen boys

Gifts for teens who would rather be moving than sitting.

7 A roundnet game set

Best for: Active teens with a big friend group

  • Typically under $100
  • Ages 13–17

A roundnet set suits an active teen with a big friend group, because it sets up in a few minutes in a yard or at the beach and gets everyone moving. You need open space and a flat surface, and a set that includes balls and a carry bag is easy to take along. Games run best with two teams of two.

Tip: Keep the carry bag with the set so it is easy to take to the park.

8 A game-quality basketball

Best for: Teens who play on a team

  • Typically under $100
  • Ages 13–17

A game-quality basketball suits a teen who plays on a team and will notice the feel of a good ball right away. Check the ball size that matches the league, since sizes differ by age group, and whether the ball is meant for indoor courts or outdoor use. A ball bag or a pump makes a useful add-on.

Tip: Check the size that matches the teen's league before you order.

9 An over-the-door mini basketball hoop

Best for: Teens who shoot hoops at home

  • Ages 13–17

An over-the-door mini hoop suits a teen who shoots hoops at home and wants a quick break between homework sessions. It hangs on a door and takes no floor space. Look for a sturdy backboard and a breakaway rim, and check that it fits your door thickness and that nothing breakable is within range of a stray ball.

Tip: Hang it on a door with room to shoot and nothing breakable nearby.

Ideas 10 to 11

Building sets and books for downtime

For a long weekend project or a reader.

10 A Star Wars LEGO ship to build

Best for: Teens who like building projects

  • Typically under $100
  • Ages 13–17

A building set suits a teen who likes projects, because a long weekend of building ends with a model that can sit on a shelf. Check the age grade on the box, and the piece count so the project fits the time available. Clear a table and keep the instructions handy.

Tip: Build it on a free weekend and keep spare pieces in a small tray.

11 A dystopian YA trilogy

Best for: Teens who liked The Hunger Games

  • Typically under $50
  • Ages 15–17

A dystopian series suits a teen who liked The Hunger Games and wants another story to read quickly. A boxed set of several books keeps a reader going for weeks. Check the reading age, since the story includes themes of killing, so it suits older teens and may call for a short conversation with a parent first.

Tip: Check the reading age of 15 and up, and the mature themes, before gifting it.

Ideas 12 to 13

Everyday upgrades teens will use

Practical gifts that fit a stocking or a small exchange.

12 A 6-pack of cushioned athletic socks

Best for: Teens who play sports

  • Typically under $50
  • Ages 13–17

A 6-pack of athletic socks suits a teen who plays sports and wears them out, so a fresh pack is practical and still feels like a gift. Look for cushioned soles, arch support and reinforced heels and toes, and check the sizing chart against the teen's shoe size. It also fits a stocking or a small gift exchange.

Tip: Check the size range against the teen's shoe size before ordering.

13 An all-in-one trimmer for first shaves

Best for: Older teens starting to shave

  • Typically under $50
  • Ages 14–17

An all-in-one trimmer suits an older teen who is starting to shave or wants to keep hair tidy. A kit with several attachments can cover the face, neck and body. Look for a battery that charges between uses, attachments that are easy to swap and a design that is easy to clean, and consider a short how-to chat so the first shave goes smoothly.

Tip: Pair it with a short how-to talk or video so the first shave goes smoothly.

Frequently asked questions

What are good gifts for teen boys?

Start with what the teen already does. For gamers, a second controller, a headset or a mouse. For music fans, earbuds or a waterproof speaker. For active teens, a roundnet set or a basketball. For quieter weekends, a LEGO set or a book series. Check the age label on every item.

What are good Christmas gifts for teen boys?

Pick something the teen can use right away: a controller or headset for gamers, earbuds or a speaker for music, a building set for the break, or a book series to binge. Order early, check the age grade and keep the receipt for anything with a size or a platform to match.

What are good gifts for 13-year-old and 16-year-old boys?

Choose by interest rather than age. A younger teen might enjoy a LEGO set, a roundnet set or an extra controller, while an older teen may want a headset, a mouse or a trimmer for the first shaves. Confirm the platform for games and check age labels on books.

What are good gifts for teen boys under $25?

Wireless earbuds are our pick in that range, since they are an everyday item and easy to replace if lost. Check the current price before you buy, add a card and pick a bright case color so they are easy to find in a backpack.

How do I keep gaming gifts safe for a teen?

Confirm the age rating on any game, agree on spending limits for gift cards and talk with the teen about parental controls and voice chat. A headset or gift card is easier to enjoy when the family already has rules for online play. Keep the receipt in case the platform does not match.