Gift guide · 12 ideas
Gifts for teenagers
Tech, bedroom upgrades and things to do with friends. No “educational” gifts in disguise.
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Teenagers are famously hard to buy for, partly because their tastes change every few months and partly because they’d often rather have money. The gifts that land best tend to be practical tech, things that make their room feel like their own space, and anything they can use with friends.
These ideas suit boys and girls from about 13 to 17. When in doubt, ask a sibling or friend what’s popular right now.
Wireless earbuds
They lose them, break them and wear them constantly, so a new pair gets used from the day it’s unwrapped.
soundcore by Anker P31i Noise Cancelling Earbuds
£49.99 RRP
- Up to 52dB noise reduction
- 10 hours a charge, 50 total
- 3 hours’ play from 10 minutes
Adaptive noise cancelling cuts noise by up to 52dB on these earbuds from soundcore, Anker’s audio brand. Ear tips in four sizes seal the ear, and the buds suit any phone.
What owners say: Phenomenal sound, noise cancelling that copes with engine hum, a secure fit at the gym and long battery life, though the Bluetooth connection gets mixed reports.
A closer look: With noise cancelling on, expect up to 8 hours per charge and 40 in total with the case, and a 10-minute top-up before leaving the house buys up to 3 hours. Six microphones help calls cut through wind and traffic, and a two-way translation feature covering 100 languages could earn its keep on a trip abroad.
A sunset lamp
A warm sunset glow across the bedroom wall is what they want for photos and late-night chats with friends.
See options on AmazonA portable power bank
Phones die at the worst moments. A slim power bank in a school bag is a gift parents appreciate too.
INIU 45W 10,000mAh Power Bank
£26.99 RRP
- 45W fast output
- Light at 182g
- Three charging sockets
- No built-in cable
Around 40% smaller than a typical 10,000mAh power bank, so it genuinely fits a jeans pocket, and 45W fast charging means less time tethered to a socket. INIU puts it at nearly two full phone charges, and it has two USB-C sockets and one USB-A.
What owners say: Reliable, quick to charge and small enough for a pocket or handbag, though a few say theirs stopped holding charge after a few months.
A closer look: Unlike power banks with a fixed lead, this one comes with a 12cm braided USB-C cable that unplugs, so a frayed or lost one is easily swapped for any spare. There’s enough power to top up an iPad, a Nintendo Switch or a Steam Deck as well as a phone, which suits anyone who games on the move. INIU covers it with a three-year warranty, so keep the receipt.
An instant camera
Raised on phone photos, they love having real prints to stick on the bedroom wall or hand round at a party.
instax mini 12 Instant Camera
£79.99 RRP
- Close-up mode
- Selfie mirror beside the lens
- No self-timer
- Newer instax mini 13 out
Twist the lens to switch on, point, shoot: exposure and flash are automatic, so there’s nothing to get wrong at a party. The credit-card prints slip straight into a phone case or a birthday card.
What owners say: Owners love how easy it is and the choice of colours. Photo quality splits opinion, with some prints overexposed, and a few cameras wouldn’t switch on.
A closer look: Each print slides out in about five seconds, then takes around a minute and a half to develop, so lay it face down on a table rather than shaking it. Spare film keeps best somewhere cool, never in a hot car or on a sunny windowsill.
A blanket hoodie
Teenagers live in one for gaming, films and cold bedrooms, and won’t want to take it off once it’s on.
Bedsure Sherpa Wearable Blanket Hoodie
£10–£20
A wearable blanket cut like an oversized hoodie, lined with thick sherpa and simply pulled on over everyday clothes. Ribbed cuffs keep the sleeves at the wrists, so hands stay free for a controller, a book or a mug.
What owners say: Owners find it soft, fluffy and roomy, and warm enough to save on the heating.
A closer look: It goes in the washing machine on a cold cycle and into the tumble dryer on low, which helps the sherpa stay fluffy. Wash it on its own the first couple of times, as fleecy fabrics can shed. The standard size has a deliberately loose fit.
- Thick sherpa lining
- Oversized, pull-on fit
- Machine washable
A mini waffle maker
They can make their own waffles at a sleepover or on a lazy Saturday, without waking anyone to help.
SNAILAR Mini Waffle Maker (10cm, pink)
£20–£30
- Light at 500g
- Overheat safety cut-off
- PTFE-free non-stick coating
A small waffle maker that turns out 10cm waffles in minutes, for anyone who fancies a waffle for one: a student kitchen, a teenager’s breakfast or a small flat. It has overheat protection and a safety cut-off, and a recipe booklet comes in the box.
What owners say: Owners say it’s simple to use and clean, with waffles that cook evenly. Size divides them, biscuit-sized to some, and so does the non-stick; it heats quickly, but the outside gets very hot.
A closer look: Beyond batter, it takes hash browns, a little cheese or leftover mash pressed into the plates for a crisp savoury snack. Lift each waffle out with a wooden or silicone spatula, never a metal knife or fork, so the coating stays unscratched.
A party card game
Something to play with friends that isn’t a screen. Quick, loud games are best.
USAopoly Flip 7
Under £10
- No top limit on players
- Needs three players to start
A push-your-luck game for three or more: turn over cards one at a time and stop before a number appears twice, or lose that round’s points. The deck holds twelve 12s, eleven 11s and fewer of each lower number, with action cards and bonus-point cards for twists, and the first to 200 wins.
What owners say: Owners find the rules take about two minutes to explain and the pace keeps everyone involved, and like that it packs small for a holiday.
A closer look: Action cards can be played on anyone, yourself included: Freeze banks a player’s points and ends their round, and Flip Three makes them take three more cards. Turn over seven different numbers and the round stops at once with 15 bonus points.
A waterproof Bluetooth speaker
Getting ready, revising or hanging out at a friend’s, there’s always music on, and a speaker of their own beats the phone’s tinny one.
soundcore by Anker 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
£20–£30
- Up to 24 hours’ play
- IPX7, survives a dunk
- Pairs with a second for stereo
Small enough for a coat pocket, loud enough for a kitchen disco, with BassUp to give the bass more punch. It’s waterproof too, so it’s just as happy in the bathroom as on the beach.
What owners say: Loud, punchy sound for its size, a compact shape, quick charging and a Bluetooth range that holds up well.
A closer look: Up to 24 hours of play from its 5,200mAh battery means days of bedroom listening between charges. Two drivers give a proper stereo spread, which suits a desk or bedside shelf. After a session in the shower or a soaking at the park, dry it off and let the charging port dry out before plugging it in.
A ring light with tripod
Selfies, short videos and video calls with friends all look better lit from the front, even in a dim bedroom after dark.
ATUMTEK 12-inch Ring Light with Tripod
£20–£30
A 12-inch LED ring light on an aluminium tripod that stands from 43cm on a desk up to 160cm, with a phone holder in the middle of the ring. Warm, natural and cool light and ten brightness levels let it suit the room and the time of day.
What owners say: Owners find it solid and easy to set up, and like the range of heights and brightness settings, though some say it isn’t very bright and several had it break soon after first use.
A closer look: The Bluetooth remote takes photos without reaching for the phone and works with iPhone and Android. The base turns all the way round and the head tilts, so the light can point wherever it’s needed; setting the ring just above eye level gives the most flattering light. Toggle locks hold each leg section at the chosen height.
- 12-inch ring light
- Stands 43 to 160cm
- Bluetooth remote shutter
Heads up: There’s no plug in the box: it runs from a 5V/2A USB source such as a laptop, a phone charger or a power bank.
or compare other optionsA gentle skincare set
A simple routine of cleanser and moisturiser can be a welcome, grown-up gift at this age.
Revolution Skin Go Gentle 4-Step Starter Kit
£15 RRP
A four-step starter routine of cleansing balm, milky toner, serum and moisturiser, all fragrance-free and alcohol-free. The maker says it’s gentle enough for sensitive and teenage skin, and every product is vegan and cruelty-free.
What owners say: Owners find it effective and good value, and the sizes divide them: just right for some, very small for others.
A closer look: Start with a pea-sized amount of the balm on dry skin, massage it in, then add a splash of water and rinse off with a damp flannel. The toner gets pressed in with the hands, no cotton pads needed, followed by a drop or two of serum and then the moisturiser. Lining them up in order helps the habit stick.
- Balm, toner, serum, moisturiser
- Fragrance-free and alcohol-free
- Vegan and cruelty-free
A gaming headset
After homework they’re online with friends for hours, so a headset that lets everyone hear them clearly gets daily use.
Turtle Beach Recon 70 Wired Gaming Headset
£20–£30
- No battery to charge
- Mic mutes when flipped up
- No spatial audio
One 3.5mm plug covers Xbox, PlayStation, PC and phones, so it moves from console to console with no adapter, app or charging. The mic flips up out of the way to mute, and the leatherette-wrapped cushions shut out more of the room than you’d expect from a headset this light.
What owners say: Owners like the clear game sound and how well their voice carries, and find it good value. It can feel tight on bigger heads, and some have had it break within weeks or picked up an echo on the mic.
A closer look: Plug the lead straight into an Xbox or PlayStation controller and it works at once, with nothing to set up. Because flipping the mic up mutes it, a glance at the boom shows whether the room can hear you. Wipe the cushions with a damp cloth now and then to keep them fresh after long sessions.
An insulated water bottle
Keeps drinks cold all day at school or the gym. Trendy bottles are a surprisingly big deal for teens.
Polar Gear 1L Insulated Water Bottle (chug cap)
£10–£20
- Holds a full litre
- Chug cap with flip cover
- Wide mouth takes ice
- Not dishwasher safe
- No handle or carry loop
A full litre in a powder-coated steel bottle with a leakproof chug cap and a flip cover over the spout, so one fill lasts a long workday or gym session. It keeps water cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks warm for 12.
What owners say: Owners say it holds cold water and ice through the day without leaking and is easy to clean, and like the size, though durability gets mixed reports.
A closer look: The fast-flow chug cap is made for big gulps of cold water after a run or between sets, and the flip cover keeps the spout clean in a bag or car door pocket. The food-grade 304 steel resists rust and odours, so it won’t hang on to the taste of last week’s squash.
Buying for teens
- Ask what their friends have. Peers are the best guide to what’s in.
- Pair a smaller gift with some money or a gift card. Most teens love choosing for themselves.
- Avoid anything that feels like homework or a hint (fitness trackers, self-improvement books).
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