Gifts for teenagers (13–17) they’ll actually use
Tech, bedroom upgrades and things to do with friends. No “educational” gifts in disguise.
More ideas: Gifts for teenage boysGifts for teenage girls
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.
Photos are illustrative. We may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. How we pick · How this works.
Wireless earbuds
£££ Treat
They lose them, break them and wear them constantly, so a new pair is always welcome. Mid-range pairs are very good now.
Our pick
9.0/10
soundcore by Anker P31i Noise Cancelling Earbuds
£49.99 RRP
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.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price See our top 5 wireless earbuds →A sunset lamp
£ Budget
Casts a warm glow across the wall, loved for bedrooms and taking photos. Cheap and very popular.
See options on AmazonA portable power bank
££ Mid-range
Phones die at the worst moments. A slim power bank in a school bag is a gift parents appreciate too.
Our pick
9.2/10
INIU 10000mAh Fast-Charge Power Bank
£18.99 RRP
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.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price See our top 5 power banks →An instant camera
£££ Treat
Prints photos on the spot, perfect for parties, holidays and bedroom walls. It feels special compared with phone photos.
Our pick
9.0/10
instax mini 12 Instant Camera
£79.99 RRP
Point, shoot and the photo prints in seconds, with the exposure sorted automatically. Walls of instax prints are a teenage rite of passage.
- Prints credit-card-size photos
- Automatic flash
- Selfie mirror and mode
- 5 pastel colours
- Batteries included
What owners say: Gorgeous to look at and super easy to use.
Heads up: It uses instax mini film, so grab a pack or two to go with it.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA blanket hoodie
££ Mid-range
A giant wearable blanket with a hood. Huge with teens for gaming, films and cold bedrooms.
Our pick
9.4/10
Bedsure Sherpa Wearable Blanket Hoodie
£19.99 RRP
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.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA mini waffle maker
££ Mid-range
Makes one small waffle in a few minutes. Fun for sleepovers and weekend breakfasts, and small enough for any kitchen.
Our pick
9.0/10
Nostalgia MyMini Waffle Maker
££ £15–£40
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.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA party card game
£ Budget
Something to play with friends that isn’t a screen. Quick, loud games are best.
Our pick
9.6/10
Flip 7 Card Game
£9.99 RRP
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.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA waterproof Bluetooth speaker
££ Mid-range
For their room, the shower or the park. Waterproof ones survive being dropped and rained on.
Our pick
9.4/10
soundcore by Anker 2 Portable Speaker
££ £15–£40
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.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price See our top 5 Bluetooth speakers →A ring light with tripod
££ Mid-range
For video calls, content creation and good selfies. Also handy for revision video calls.
Our pick
8.8/10
ATUMTEK 12-inch Ring Light with Tripod
£29.99 RRP
A 12-inch ring light on a tripod that stretches to 160cm, with a phone holder, for better-lit videos, calls and selfies.
- 12-inch ring
- 3 colour modes
- 10 brightness levels
- Extends to 160cm
- Phone holder
What owners say: Fantastic value and super easy to put together, with handy warm and cool light settings.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA gentle skincare set
££ Mid-range
A simple routine of cleanser and moisturiser can be a welcome, grown-up gift at this age.
Our pick
9.2/10
Revolution Skin Go Gentle 4-Step Starter Kit
£15 RRP
A simple four-step routine that’s fragrance-free and alcohol-free, so it’s gentle on young skin.
- Cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser
- Fragrance-free
- Alcohol-free
- All skin types
What owners say: Works well as a complete routine and is good value.
Heads up: Some of the bottles are travel size, perfect for trying a routine.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA gaming headset
££ Mid-range
If they game online with friends, a headset with a decent microphone is a big upgrade.
Our pick
9.0/10
Turtle Beach Recon 70 Gaming Headset
£29.99 RRP
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.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsAn insulated water bottle
££ Mid-range
Keeps drinks cold all day at school or the gym. Trendy bottles are a surprisingly big deal for teens.
Our pick
9.2/10
Polar Gear 1L Insulated Water Bottle
£15.49 RRP
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.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsBuying 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).
Not quite right? Tell us who it’s for and we’ll pick from all our lists.
Try the gift finderBudget guide: £ roughly under £15 · ££ roughly £15–£40 · £££ over £40. Prices vary between retailers and over time.
