What’s the best gift for a teen these days? They’ll tell you money for clothes. Money for movies. Money for gaming. Money for boba tea. But let’s say you want to find the best gift for teens that isn’t money, and you want it to be cool and unique and something they’ll love, even with their very particular tastes.

Ask yourself, what do they really like? What movies do they talk about? What music do they listen to? What causes do they support? What do they do with their free time? What do they want to do when they grow up? By thinking about these questions, you’ll end up with a cool gift for teens that is way cooler than just money. Though they’ll probably want that too.

To get you started, we’ve put together this list of cool birthday gift ideas for teens. (And check our list of the best birthday gifts for tweens, which are pretty great for older kids too.) They’re all approved by our team’s own teens, from all over the country.

Be sure to see our full list of the coolest birthday gifts for kids by age.

The coolest gifts for teens

All gifts have been editorially determined by our staff, there is no compensation in exchange for picks. We may get a small commission from affiliate link sales at no cost to you. This helps us remain independent and support our team.

JBL x Me Personalized Bluetooth Speaker
($55 and up at JBL)

Small but mighty, this little take-anywhere Bluetooth speaker can be personalized with text, photos, and graphics for a one-of-a-kind gift. You can also find affordable, non-personalized portable JBL speakers on Amazon.

Sugarwish Personalized Treat Box

($25-79, Sugarwish)

They get a text or email telling them to pick 2-12 treats of their choice–cookies, candy, snacks, popcorn —then they get a second gift when it arrives! One of our favorite gifts for teens.

Wicked Nail Collection from Opi

($11.99 each, Amazon)

With colors from Deflying Gravity to a pretty Ga-Linda pink, it’s the coolest way to show your affinity for the hottest movie of the season.

The Original Tamagotchi

($19.99, Amazon)

They’re baaa-aaack! The original virtual pet of our own youth is here, and our teens are begging for them. Tons of colors and styles.

Marshmallow Cloud Fleece Blanket

($169, Urban Outfitters)

In 3 colors , they’ll swaddle themselves in this soft cocoon of a blanket that our teens have on their wishlists.

The Coolest Phone and Gadget Case

($49.95 and up, Burga)

From graffiti-inspired patterns to plaids, stripes, florals, you name it — there’s one to fit any teen’s style, and any teen’s phone. Or their Airpods!

Tiny Birthstone Necklace

($31, Caitlyn Minimalist, with frequent sales)

Sweet, thoughtful, and very affordable

LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask (TikTok Approved!)

($16.80-$24 at Amazon; also at Sephora)

They’ll kiss chapped lips goodbye with this SUPER popular, super-hydrating lip mask that goes on at bedtime. In a bunch of yummy scents like gummy bear, sweet candy and vanilla, it’s an affordable gift for kids of any gender.

Personalized Taylor Swift Style 1989 Journal

($23.75, Standout Gear on Etsy)

We have an entire gift guide filled with gifts for your favorite Swiftie and this journal has been a big seller this year. No surprises!

A sports equipment upgrade,
like a custom baseball glove
(Custom Rawlings baseball and softball gloves; prices vary)

Whether they’re Into baseball (above), soccer, basketball, or cycling, a great new piece of sports equipment to get them through their high-school years (and beyond) will make them feel like they’ve reached the big league. Or consider tickets to a huge event, like the U.S. Open or World Cup, which will gift them with long-lasting memories.

Bluetooth stereo turntable and care kit
($149 at Amazon, plus $21.58 for care kit)

When it came time for our own editor, Liz, to buy a Bluetooth stereo turntable for her own teen, she got a slightly early version of the one above, after a ton of research. Highly recommend! Just don’t forget to include the vinyl record cleaner kit (and maybe a few reminders to use it).

Vinyl Moon monthly vinyl “mixtape” subscription

($31/month and up at Cratejoy; use code HALFOFF for 50% off the first box with 3 months or more)

If they already have a turntable, you could grab them the latest record release by their favorite artist, or sign them up for this unique vinyl “mixtape” subscription. Each month’s record features a selection of new artists’ music packaged in gorgeous original artwork. An amazingly creative gift for a teen-slash-audiophile.

Smoko boba tea light
($5.99 on sale at Tilly’s)

They may be almost grown up, but there’s always room for cuteness like this. And great price!

A collection of YA books

(Various prices at Amazon, Barnes & Noble)

Check out Time’s list of the best YA books of all time, the Barnes & Noble list of the best YA books of 2024, as well as Kate’s recommendations that got her own teens reading again for books that will excite your picky teen.

Titles like Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley, The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta, and Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi aren’t afraid to tackle the important issues of our time. Or find the latest from their fave author, like the newest Taylor Jenkins Reid book, Atmosphere: A Love Story. (Tip: if you’re shopping for a gift for a teen who’s a Kindle or Nook user, grab them a gift card so they can load up on more books.)

Kodak 35MM camera
($21.50, Amazon)

Yeah, we can’t understand the fascination with film again either, but this point and shoot camera is so fun and colorful. But what’s next? Dial phones?

Pride temporary tattoos
($11 for two sheets at Tattly)

Our teens love these colorful and inclusive temporary tattoos, perfect for those years before they get the real thing. (No judgments either way.)

Yeti Travel Mug or Tumbler
($35 and up, Amazon)

Perfect for car rides to school or their subway commute, you can’t go wrong with a Yeti vacuum-insulated Rambler, travel mug, or even a reusable straw cup in tons of cool colors. It’s a practical but very cool teen gift, helping teach them to save money by making coffee at home, instead of spending it all…you know where. (Also great for hikers and bikers!)

And of course, Hydroflasks are still a super popular gift for teens, and often cost a little less.

Pivot Influencer Edition Smartphone Mount
($80.99 on sale at Amazon, plus find additional coupons)

Portable, lightweight, and super easy to use, this smartphone mount follows their action as they dance, skateboard, or practice cool tricks for TikTok followers — or their budding filmmaking careers.

D&D Starter Set
($19.99 at Target)

If your Stranger Things fans have always wanted to try D&D, this starter set, Dragons of Stormwreck Isle, provides a great introduction into the game. (Target is always a great option for affordable games.) If they’re already players, the D&D 2024 Player’s Bundle is a generous gift!

Xbox Series X console
($499, Target while it’s in stock)

This cool gift for teens is still super hard to get your hands on, but oh, will you make their birthday or holiday extra special if you succeed!

Moxi roller skates

($269 and up for the Lolly suede skates shown above, with entry-level styles starting at $109)

With styles for brand-new beginners to seasoned skate-park stars, these wheels are a great way to get them on their feet and out the door.

Pastel markers and art paper
($31.99 for makers and $9.99 for paper at Amazon)

Art supplies are a great gift for teens, and we found a terrific price on over 70 different markers packaged in this neat little carrying case. Grab a pack of the bleedproof paper too.

Tickets to see their favorite artist in concert
(price varies)

Whether you get to go with them, or they take a friend, they’ll flip out if you can hook them up with one of their favorites. Check the tours planned for the coming year– name a genre, and you’ll find tickets. And don’t forget those smaller, up-and-coming artists on their Spotify playlists; tickets to more-intimate, all-ages shows may be cheaper and easier to snag, and then they can brag that they saw them way back when. Just like we did.

Cosmetics from Morphe

(prices vary at Ulta)

Do they love to show off their creativity and self-expression with makeup? You’ll score lots of hipness points with Morphe, a brand that goes out of its way to support LGBTQ+ and BIPOC causes and knows that makeup isn’t for girls only.

Cool Ear Cuffs

($55 and up, Maison Miru)

If you know a teen asking for more piercings than you’re comfortable with right now, these versatile hook-on ear cuffs from long-time CMP favorite Maison Miru only look like the real thing. If you want to spend a little less, Bauble Bar is a great choice. (And psst — teen boys love them too.)

ONE by Wacom Graphics Drawing Tablet

($39.95 on sale at Amazon)

Compatible with Chromebook, which many of our teens use for school, this drawing tablet is a very cool gift for teens who are starting to explore drawing, painting or photo editing.

Chuck Taylor All-Star By You Custom Sneakers
($60 and up, Converse)

Whether they want their name embroidered on it or not, they can customize their very own Converse

AirPods Max
($459 on sale, Amazon)

While we have a list of our favorite affordable headphones for teens, if you want to splurge, you can’t go wrong with the AirPods Max.
(Also, less likely to be lost than traditional AirPods!)

“Read banned books” socks
($12 at Out of Print on Amazon)

Young, book-loving hell-raisers are some of our favorite teens! Surely they’ll find a way to show off these socks wherever they go.

Sweet Spot ice cream maker
(43.99 on sale at Amazon)

They’ll scream for this ice cream that they can make themselves in minutes. Perfect when late-night munchies strike — and maybe they’ll bring it to college.

Official NHL baseball cap
($19.99 and up on sale at NHL Shop)

If you’re looking for a gift for a teen who has a favorite team, whatever the sport, grab the official baseball cap like these from the NHL.

Venmo cash gift
(any amount, really!)

You already know they really, really want money. Venmo makes it so easy with their new “gift wrapping,” making it a smart option for sending a special gift to a teen niece or nephew. It should earn you automatic Cool Aunt/Uncle/Parent/Friend status.

PS — it’s always a good idea to donate that cash to a 529 fund instead, especially as they get closer to graduation. Eek!