Gifts for men quick picks
For the guy who misplaces everything: Apple AirTags, 4-Pack
For the frequent traveler: Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow
For the coffee snob: Counter Culture Coffee Gift Subscription
For the outdoorsy or active man: Goodr OG Sunglasses
For the guy with a sweet tooth: Ninja Creami Deluxe With 24-Ounce Pints
Coming up with fresh gift ideas for men can feel impossible, whether it’s a Christmas present or a birthday gift. But don’t give up on your dudes just yet. We’ve got a stellar roundup of unique gifts for guys, including best-tested tech, our favorite fashion finds and a few affordable hidden gems.
Let’s say your guy is a home chef, someone who knows the difference between a tart and a galette. In that case, snag this stylish 8-inch chef’s knife from Made In and one of our best-tested meat thermometers. Or maybe he’s a runner who’d benefit from a full-body massage gun and an Oura Ring.
The point is, it doesn’t matter if you’re shopping for an athletic husband, gamer boyfriend, jet-setting brother, foodie father or second cousin. This guide has something for everyone.
Need more inspiration? Check out our favorite gifts for people who have everything, last-minute gifts and editor-approved gifts.
Best tech gifts for men
Know a guy who casually walks around with his phone at 5%? Do him a favor and offer one of our all-time favorite portable chargers. Apart from the attractive price, we loved its portable design and 10,000mAh capacity
When’s the last time he cleaned his AirPods? If the answer is “never,” it’s time to gift him this ever-necessary cleaning kit with a brush, sponge and crevice tool to remove earwax and other buildup on the devices he uses (and sweats in) most.
We've tested a lot of Calpak products, some of which have become staff favorites for their attractive, functional designs. This tech organizer is no exception and would make a great gift for a frequent traveler. Thanks to a variety of pockets and elastic straps, it'll keep his tech organized and tangle-free.
Tech products don't have to be ugly. Case in point: this sleek wireless charging device made of matte aluminum and Italian leather. It's also nice that he can easily charge two devices at once (such as his phone and AirPods).
Our gift guide editor Amina Lake Abdelrahman is eyeing this retro arcade-style controller for her fiancé, who's a huge gaming guy. It works with both Nintendo Switch and Windows.
While we have yet to get our hands on the Boom 4, we crowned the previous iteration as the best portable speaker you can buy. Like its predecessor, the Boom 4 boasts 15 hours of battery life and a rugged waterproof and dustproof construction, meaning your guy can blast his tunes wherever he goes.
Massages are expensive. Instead of having him splurge on frequent sessions with a masseuse, give him the gift of relaxed, recovered muscles with this massage gun. It comes with loads of attachments for full-body use and has an ergonomic handle.
If you're tired of him saying, "Where's my wallet?" consider grabbing a four-pack of AirTags. He can slip one into his wallet or even clip one onto his keys or luggage, allowing him to easily track its whereabouts. When we took them on a flight from Newark to Palm Beach International, we loved that we could check on our luggage every step of the way.
Most gamer gear is garish — or downright ugly. But this tasteful controller and headphone stand bucks that trend. Choose from two different wood finishes and multiple engraving options to personalize it for your loved one.
If your guy loves movies (or sports) but is too lazy to upgrade from his TV's stock speakers, nudge him in the right direction with the Roku Streambar. While it's a lot cheaper than our top pick, we found that it still gave a nice boost to our TV's sound. Plus, it comes with Roku built in.
For the man who’s obsessed with tracking his sleep habits, the Oura Ring will be a game changer. The sensors monitor everything from sleep and activity to stress and heart rate. Bonus: The long-lasting battery means he only has to charge it every week or so. One of the only downsides we've found is that it doesn't work well for workouts that use your hands, such as lifting or rock climbing.
For men looking to unwind before bed and reduce screen time, the Loftie Alarm Clock is a solid choice. You get a lot more than an alarm clock here, with a built-in audio library full of meditations, sound baths, nature sounds and white noise. Our one criticism is that the screen is a tad dim.
Definitely a splurge-but-worth-it gift pick, this portable projector won us over with its easy setup, snappy operating system and surprisingly potent onboard speaker. Can it compete with higher-end projectors? Not really. But it's a great solution for men who want to host a movie night, game with friends or set the mood at a party.
With strong noise cancellation and bonus features like spatial audio, the AirPods Pro are still our favorite Apple headphones — and now they come with USB-C. Anyone should be happy with a pair of these, but they're a particularly good gift for men who work from home or hit the gym often.
Our senior tech editor called the Steam Deck a "Nintendo Switch on steroids." The Steam Deck is not only larger but also more powerful, allowing gamers to play tens of thousands of Steam games at console-like quality. Put simply, if he games, he'll love this thing.
Best travel gifts for men
Lightweight and easy to clean, this neoprene Dopp kit will keep all his toiletries organized while on the go. It even comes with removable mesh pouches for things like his toothbrush and razor.
With this smart travel mug, his coffee or tea will always be at the perfect temperature. He can set it to anywhere from 120 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit, and the battery lasts three hours on a single charge (but the included charging coaster can extend that).
It's hard to find a tote bag that's functional, stylish and durable, but this Ventura-based outdoor brand does a great job. I've owned the Cordura Tote for a week and find myself taking it to the grocery store, park and office because of its spacious 40-liter main compartment and handy water bottle pockets. My only complaint is that it's a touch too bulky.
If his favorite pastime is golfing, then he’s sure to appreciate this set of monogrammed golf balls, tees and pencils. It even comes in a display-worthy personalized box.
Make his next flight just a little comfier with this Underscored-approved neck pillow. After weeks of testing travel pillows, we found that the Cabeau was "the Goldilocks of travel pillows," ticking all the boxes when it came to support, fit, portability and price.
There’s luggage and then there’s Away luggage. Immediately elevate his travel gear with this hard-shell carry-on. Perfectly sized for the overhead bin, the suitcase has 360-degree spinner wheels, an interior compression system and a handy laundry bag.
One of our favorite travel backpacks, this one is divided into three compartments and accommodates a 15-inch laptop. It’s got loads of key design details you’ll want, like a top handle, hanging clasps, a USB port and adjustable straps, not to mention a ton of pockets for storing all your things.
Best fashion gifts for men
Fans on the Underscored staff say that Goodr sunglasses are great for three reasons: They're affordable, they stay put during workouts and they look great. While any guy would appreciate a pair, they're especially great for outdoorsy, active men.
This editor-approved belt is great for the guy in your life who needs a belt that can move with him. It’s so stretchy and low profile that he might just forget he’s wearing it.
Upgrade Dad's old swim trunks with a whimsical pair from Chubbies. They feature a built-in mesh brief liner and elastic waistband for extra comfort.
Keep his feet comfy and cozy with these fluffy wool slippers from Ugg. Plus, with leather exteriors and rubber soles, these slippers can be worn while grabbing the mail in the morning too.
These editor-approved kicks are some of the comfiest and easiest to style on the market. While they’ll look cool with his favorite pair of joggers, they’re equally office appropriate with a pair of slacks and a knit sweater.
This sleek bracelet is a piece of jewelry he’ll wear for years to come. It comes in two finishes and multiple sizes so you can get the perfect fit.
After panel testing eight shirts, we crowned this tee from Buck Mason our favorite. It manages to feel heavy and premium but also soft and well fitting. In other words, it's a versatile Goldilocks tee that should impress most men.
Birddogs makes shorts with built-in underwear liners for an ultra-comfortable experience whether he's headed to the gym, beach or just dressing for the day.
This beloved belt bag from Lululemon is spacious enough to hold his essentials but compact enough to not weigh him down. He’ll especially love its minimalist design.
When we compared 17 top-rated men's wallets, Leatherology's bifold rose to the top with its soft leather, straightforward organization and thin design. It helps that the box it comes in is — in the words of our tester — "gold and ready-made for gifting."
Some guys need to be reminded to treat themselves every now and then, so make sure he gets enough rest and relaxation with this ultra-comfy robe from Brooklinen.
While Warby Parker might not have as much significance as it did in the 2010s, the brand still produces high-quality, affordable eyewear that leans into classic styles like this one. One of our editors has owned this pair for months and appreciates how well they've held up.
Replace your guy’s pair of beaten-up sneakers with these slick Nike Court Legacy Sneakers. Available in white or black, these shoes will add a more refined touch to any look while still keeping things laid-back and casual.
This durable jacket from Carhartt not only keeps you warm with its heavyweight cotton duck material but features six pockets so you can keep everything you need with you.
When we asked guys on staff for their favorite boots, one brand kept coming up: Blundstone. Our outdoors and sustainability editor loves his pair so much that he wears them nearly every day in the fall and winter. We can see why. Suffice to say that if your guy wears boots, these are a good bet.
These Allbirds Tree Runners are some of the most comfortable sneakers out there. The sneakers are particularly flexible and supportive, and truly engineered for all-day comfort. They’re the perfect shoes for city trekking, day trips and long walks alike.
Best home gifts for men
When I have guests over, I grab this cute oval serving plate for shareable appetizers and desserts. And since it's made of enamel-coated steel, it's conveniently dishwasher- and oven-safe. Buy it for the guy in your life who loves to throw dinner parties and you'll be his favorite guest.
This set is perfect for the guy who wants to be a bit handier around the house but isn't ready for heavy-duty power tools. As cheap as it is, the set includes an impressive 38 pieces.
If he's the kind of guy who spends weekends tasting biodynamic reds at trendy wine bars, sign him up for Mysa's wine club. Our editor says it has one of the best selections of natural wine for newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts alike. Gift subscriptions start at three bottles per month.
Our fashion and beauty editor is "obsessed" with this eye mask, which delivers compression, heat, massage and vibration to help you relax. It's the perfect gift for a guy who needs a little less screen time and a little more me time.
We named this the best grill brush on the market, thanks to how well it can clean any type of grill. And unlike other metal brushes, it didn't leave behind any bristles, residue or food bits.
Does your guy have a sweet tooth? Get him this feature-packed ice cream machine and you'll be his favorite person. In our testing, it made super-creamy ice cream and dairy-free desserts with ease. Just make sure he has the counter space.
For an Advent calendar that doesn't sacrifice quality, check out Flaviar's 2024 whiskey calendar. On top of 24 exquisite drams of award-winning and newly released whiskeys, he'll get two tasting glasses, a tasting booklet and Flaviar perks like free shipping on select whiskeys.
Ever tried julienning carrots with a dull, unbalanced knife? It sucks. So, if you've noticed his knives are about as sharp as a spoon, upgrade his setup with this full-tang, French-made chef's knife. You can even get it engraved with up to 24 characters. If this full-forged stainless steel knife somehow breaks, it's backed by a lifetime warranty.
Wherever your guy is in his men's skin care journey, he'll appreciate this set from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson's Papatui brand. Despite his lack of skin care bona fides, our testers enjoyed nearly every product, from the cleanser to the moisturizer.
You can trust these mixers to make a classic old-fashioned won't taste like yucky canned cocktails because they're made with wholesome ingredients like brown sugar and bitters. Pair them with a good bottle of rye and you'll make this man's week.
Safety razors like this one ought to get more attention. Compared to disposables, it'll give your man a much closer shave, and replacement cartridges are dirt cheap at under 50 cents per blade.
With this hot sauce gift box, Bushwick Kitchen adds a twist to classics like sriracha, maple syrup and honey. Some of the combos like spicy syrup may sound wacky, but once he drizzles a little over his chicken and waffles, we're confident he'll be a Bushwick Kitchen convert.
Perfect for long days at a worksite, weekend getaways or backyard hangouts, this Yeti backpack cooler can hold bottles of his favorite wine, cans of crisp beer, soda or a mix of whatever your man is sipping on these days.
We can all agree that a bar of soap is a pretty lame gift. But four Star Wars-themed bars of soap in an Episode 2 collector's box? That's every nerd's dream. It helps that Dr. Squatch soap actually feels and smells good too, thanks to natural ingredients like shea butter and bentonite clay.
VSSL's pour-over kit is one of our favorite portable coffee makers. Equipped with this kit — and when paired with the brand's compact hand grinder — your guy can enjoy killer cups of pour-over while camping or traveling. We liked the coffee so much that we stopped going to our local coffee shop.
Celebrity chef David Chang's Momofuku makes tasty stuff, from spicy noodles (an editor fave) to staples like chili oil. Gift your guy the best of the Momofuku lineup with this pantry starter kit, which comes with bestselling noodles and condiments like Sweet & Spicy Noodles and hot honey.
The best thing about Counter Culture's Coffee subscription is that it's customizable, from the coffee you select to the duration. If he's a coffee snob, get him a single-origin subscription and let him nerd out. Want more variety? Choose the blend box, which features two rotating coffees. No matter what you choose, he'll be getting top-shelf beans from an award-winning roaster.
Fun fact: We tend to notice people’s shoes well before any other element of their outfit. Ensure he looks put together from (literally) the ground up with this shoe-cleaning kit, complete with shoe-cleaner solution and a brush.
Know a vinyl lover or a beckoning audiophile? Gift him a subscription to Vinyl Me, Please where he’ll get to choose from a Classic, Essential, Hip-Hop, Rock or Country track each month. No matter if you’re gifting for vinyl newbies or pros, he’ll be collecting and learning something new every month.
An engraved whiskey decanter set is bound to make a statement on his bar cart. Choose from 15 different designs and anywhere from two to eight glasses depending on his needs.
If he’s stuck on Cholula and Tabasco, spice up his life with this unique set of hot sauces. Each package features six different flavors of varying heat levels, including mango, jalapeño and ghost pepper sauces.
If he's the type who appreciates luxury hand soap and a spritz of fancy cologne, then this charcoal candle will be right up his alley. It features plenty of masculine scents like sandalwood and smoky embers but is balanced by top notes of raspberry and maple. What's more, the minimalist black glass vessel ensures that this will look great in his home too.
Whether he's a baker, carnivore or both, he's going to have a lot of fun with this kitchen toy. Since the flame is adjustable, he can use it to sear, brown and glaze everything from a sirloin steak to crème brûlée.
Stumped on what to get the biggest carnivore you know? This heart-shaped box is stuffed with yummy jerky treats. (The brand also sells jerky gift boxes that come in wooden crates, bouquets and more.)
He’ll never overcook meat again with this nifty thermometer, which outperformed seven other models. We found it accurate and easy to read, but it earned the most points for its stylish design.
If you can’t tug at his heartstrings but you still want him cry, try giving him this hot sauce from Truff. Made from chili peppers, agave nectar and black truffle, this sauce is equal parts complex, spicy and delicious.
Whether your guy is always on the go or always working at his desk, make sure he stays hydrated with this Yeti Rambler water bottle. After testing 25 water bottles, we found the Rambler to be the most durable, well-designed model you can buy. And the chug cap? Genius.
If the recipient is a history buff, he’ll love this subscription that will send him replications of historical letters. He’ll get an inside look at correspondences from Einstein, FDR, Rosa Parks and more.
If the man you’re shopping for has a drill, this tool set turns that device into a cleaning machine. If he’s a bit of a neat freak and is itching to make that grout and those baseboards look brand-new, this is the gift for him. It’s a true Underscored-reader favorite.
Cue the waterworks with a gorgeous, hand-drawn portrait by artist Lili DiPrima. The ultimate way to immortalize your growing family, the piece can include up to six figures (both human and pet!).
REI built this chair with comfort and practicality in mind. It’s one of the quickest-drying, most breathable and most durable camp chairs you can find on the market. The mesh webbing fabric helps distribute weight for maximum comfort and the heavy-duty steel tube legs can hold up to 300 pounds.
If he’s really into fire, gourmet pizzas or enjoying time in the backyard, an Ooni pizza oven makes an excellent gift. We tried out the Ooni Karu 16 for ourselves and found it to be one of our favorite pizza ovens on the market, given its easy-to-use design and versatility. Pick up the Karu 12 for a slightly smaller, more affordable gift.
Give your guy the gift of piping-hot coffee with one of these insulated mugs. It'll keep his drinks hot and prevent coffee from spilling all over his car. Plus, it comes in a handful of fun colors, from Fir to Fossil to Agave.
The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is the best fire pit we've tested. Not only is it sleek and well made but it's easy to set up and use. It's a great option for any man who loves to throw a backyard cookout or dinner party.
A great gift for really anyone, Storyworth is a service that sends the recipient a question every week that will prompt a story about their life. Then, after one year, Storyworth collects all those tales and turns them into a beautifully bound book. When we tested the service, we found that it really did connect us with our loved ones, sparking conversations that otherwise wouldn't have taken place.
Yeah, sure, he may have plenty of blankets around the house, but does he have a blanket this big yet? This snuggly blanket is quite literally big enough for the whole family and comes in a whole array of colors and prints.
Home to tons of limited-edition photography, with subjects ranging from Anthony Bourdain and Steve McQueen to Tupac and Dolly Parton, Sonic Editions makes getting some super-special art exceptionally easy.
Help your man catch some sleep with a top-of-the-line pillow. After testing 15 of the most popular pillows on the market, our favorite is the ultra-customizable Pluto Pillow. The made-to-order pillow takes into account everything from your age and height to your favored sleeping position, making it a great option for just about everyone.
His beers deserve to be cozy this winter too, so bundle them up with these beer blankets. And with this six-pack, he can always snag his favorite design or share with his friends.
Why trust CNN Underscored
Here at Underscored, we make it our job to stay up to date on all the latest products, but we don’t just find them; we also rigorously test products from hundreds of brands to make sure every gift you give is a hit. We also know that you get tired of seeing the same gift ideas year after year, which is why our team of editors has carefully curated each of our gift guides with a selection of products tailored to the person, hobby or event you’re shopping for (though, if you’re seeing some repeat products in our coverage, it probably just means that we really love them). For this guide, we compiled best-tested products, trending products and products we love and stand behind.