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Teens are especially difficult to shop for. That’s why I’ve spent the last year talking to a bunch of them (plus parents of teens) and researching the biggest trends within the age group. Aside from beauty having a huge uptick (I have a beauty gifting guide for teen girls and a grooming gifting guide for teen boys), I noticed a random mix of tech and gadgets scattered on wish lists. Some were practical asks — AirTags, chargers — while some were purely for fun, like LED lights (they can’t get enough of them) and ice-cream-makers (like I said, random). Others involved their hobbies, like art, music, and content creation. Below, you’ll find over two dozen gift suggestions sorted by category to make shopping a little easier this year. (If you’re looking for more general gift ideas, I’ve written a gift guide for teen boys and a gift guide for teen girls, too.)
Décor gifts for teens
LED lights have surpassed “trend” and become a staple in teens’ rooms, especially for boys, gamers, and teens with a TV in their bedroom. This connects to Google Assistant or Alexa for extra convenience.
These are a fraction of the price as the Philips lights. Instead of Bluetooth connectivity, it comes with a remote that adjusts brightness and colors.
LED lights aside, teens are into custom décor to make their spaces feel even more personalized. This cinema box lets them display silly sayings or their name in lights.
This little gadget functions as an alarm clock, speaker, and pixel-art piece. A 13-year-old I spoke to, Sophia, added it to her wish list after seeing it on her “For You” page.
Candles are another way teens are customizing the mood of their rooms. One mom I interviewed raised a good point about safety and said a candle warmer (no wick-burning) is a safer option.
Mini-fridges topped wish lists for different reasons: Boys want one for drinks and snacks (and a reason to stay holed up in their rooms), and the skin-care girls want one to keep their moisturizers fresh longer.
These Ninja ice-cream and slushie-makers made their rounds on TikTok, influencing teens’ wish lists. Lauren, a 17-year-old I spoke to, says she’d like the ability to make ice cream anytime she wants. (Plus, it’s something the whole family can enjoy.)
Tech gifts for teens
Over-the-ear headphones double as a fashion accessory for teens, and AirPod Maxes are the trendiest by far. Beats (less than half the price of Apple) are also on-trend; I spotted them in at least a dozen TikToks.
For the teen who displays pictures in their room, this portable device turns phone photos into Polaroid-style prints.
Teens have caught onto the usefulness of the Octobuddy phone mounts for capturing group photos and fit-check videos nearly anywhere. Every teen I spoke to knew what they were and wanted one for themselves (if they didn’t already own it).
One of the splurgiest items on teens’ wish lists was the new iPad mini, for everything from watching YouTube and gaming to note-taking and drawing. If they fall into that last camp, add in the Pencil Pro, too. One artsy teen told me it’s top of her list for creating digital art.
If the above is out of your price range, here’s a budget-friendly phone- and laptop-compatible tablet for drawing digital masterpieces.
A lot of younger teens I spoke to were interested in an iPad purely for watching YouTube and videos. Gift them this much cheaper screen magnifier instead.
On the practical side, teens want AirTags to keep track of their keys and bags. Get them a fun keychain, too, so they don’t lose it immediately.
Teens also want chargers, but make sure to go for something wireless. These are nice because they can charge phones and AirPods simultaneously. If they want something ultra-portable, go with the latter, which doesn’t come with alarm-clock capabilities.
Younger teens are still into fidget toys. Here are the two most mentioned ones for when their phone is charging.
Content creation gifts for teens
Most of the teens I spoke to are into content creation of some sort (whether it was filming GRWM videos, streaming, or just taking photos to share with friends). For the ones interested in video creation, go with this Sony digital camera. Multiple aspiring content creators told me their favorite influencers use it for vlogging.
In general, teens favor digital cameras for “retro”-looking photos and videos. Here’s a much cheaper option than the above that still produces that same aesthetic.
Teen content creators I spoke to said microphones and ring lights are a must, but weren’t brand-specific. This pair of mics makes sure they have a backup and lets them conduct interviews, and the ring light comes with a tripod stand for easily filming videos.
If they’re a budding Twitch streamer, gift them this gaming microphone instead. It’s easier to set up and use while gaming, and it’s less than $100.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
