Gifts for teenage boys

A closer look: First to 200 points wins, but each extra card risks flipping a number already in front of you, which busts you out of the round. The deck holds twelve 12s but far fewer low cards, so big numbers score well yet bust players more often. Freeze, Flip Three and Second Chance cards add twists, and the box says ages 8 and up.

Why we picked it: A fast push-your-luck game that gets louder with every round. Teenagers and adults get equally hooked.

• 3+ players
• Quick rounds
• Easy rules
• Pocket size

What owners say: Brilliant fun for all ages, easy to learn and perfect for trips and holidays.

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.

Why we picked it: Waterproof, so it’s as happy in the shower as it is at the park, with big bass for its size.

• 12W with BassUp
• Waterproof (IPX7)
• Bluetooth

What owners say: Excellent sound and more than loud enough for its size, with a solid Bluetooth range.

A closer look: Ribbed cuffs stop the sleeves sliding down over the hands, so it stays practical for gaming, homework or a bowl of cereal on the sofa. 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.

Why we picked it: Thick sherpa inside and an oversized fit: the uniform of every teenager’s weekend.

• Thick 300 GSM sherpa
• Oversized fit
• Lots of colours

What owners say: Comfy, soft and fluffy, and warm enough to keep the heating off.

A closer look: Small 12ml tubes mean white is always the first to run out, so a larger tube of white alongside makes the set last far longer. The paints meet the EN71-3 toy-safety standard, a comfortable choice for painting sessions with older children, and they take to cardboard, fabric and MDF as well as canvas.

• 24 colours
• 3 brushes included
• Buttery consistency
• Glossy finish

What owners say: Great pigmentation and a wide range of shades for all sorts of projects.

A closer look: One USB-C port works in both directions, so the cable that charges the phone also refills the power bank, and a USB-A socket covers older leads. A small digital display shows how much charge is left at a glance. Plugging it in every Sunday night is a good habit, so it’s full whenever the school bag needs it.

Why we picked it: Slim enough for a blazer pocket, fast-charging, and backed by a three-year warranty. The end of the “my phone died” excuse.

• 10,000mAh
• 22.5W fast charging
• USB-C
• Slim and pocketable
• 3-year warranty

What owners say: Charges fast, fits in a jacket pocket and can fill a phone about twice.

A closer look: Ice cubes drop straight in through the wide mouth, and the flip cover keeps the spout clean at the bottom of a PE bag. The powder-coated finish makes a good canvas for stickers, which for plenty of teenagers is half the fun. Full to the brim, a litre of water is a fair weight, so it rides better in a main compartment than a flimsy side net.

Why we picked it: Keeps water cold all day and doesn’t leak in a school bag. Stickers not included.

• 1 litre
• Cold 24h, hot 12h
• Leakproof chug cap
• Dishwasher safe

What owners say: Tough, easy to clean, and keeps drinks cold all day.

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 school trip abroad.

Why we picked it: Proper adaptive noise cancelling and hi-res sound for far less than AirPods, from Anker’s audio brand. Great for the bus, the gym and revision.

• Adaptive noise cancelling
• Hi-res sound (LDAC)
• Secure fit
• Long battery life

What owners say: Phenomenal sound for the money, with a secure fit that stays put at the gym.

A closer look: The hex sleeve holds the screwdriver bits and can be set at an angle, which helps with a screw tucked awkwardly behind a pipe or panel. Press the lock after use so the tools stay put when it goes back in the drawer. A wipe and a drop of oil on the hinges after a wet day keeps the action smooth.

Why we picked it: Pliers, knife, saw and a set of screwdriver bits in one pocket-sized tool, for the dad who fixes things with whatever’s to hand.

• 21 functions
• Stainless steel
• 4 screwdriver bits
• Locking tools

What owners say: Solid in the hand, sharp blades and genuinely useful tools, with great value for the price.

Heads up: It’s a chunky tool, better in the car or toolbox than a trouser pocket.

A closer look: No battery to worry about here: it’s wired, plugging into the 3.5mm socket on a controller, laptop or phone, and it works with older PS4 and Xbox One consoles too. Switch on a spatial sound setting such as Sony’s 3D Audio on PS5 or Windows Sonic on PC and it’s easier to tell which direction footsteps are coming from.

Why we picked it: Turtle Beach is one of the biggest names in gaming audio, and this lightweight headset works across PS5, Xbox and PC.

• Works on PS5, Xbox and PC
• Flip-to-mute mic
• 40mm speakers
• Lightweight

What owners say: Great sound and very comfortable for the price.

A closer look: Each plate is 5in (about 13cm) across, so every waffle is a single-serving round rather than a family batch. Beyond batter, it’ll press a cheese toastie, a quesadilla or a cookie, which makes it a fun one for sleepovers where everyone takes a turn. Once it has cooled, a damp cloth over the plates is all the cleaning it needs.

Why we picked it: Heats in minutes and does waffles, hash browns and toasties. Midnight snacks, sorted.

• Non-stick plates
• Ready light
• Compact
• Waffles, hash browns and more

What owners say: Works well and makes perfect little waffles, one or two at a time.

Heads up: A quick brush of oil on the plates stops batter sticking.