Checklist · 13 picks · 4 categories
Links to Amazon and Target are affiliate links. I earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you, and it never decides a pick. How I make money
Brothers rarely ask for anything specific, so start with what he already spends time on. If he games, a Switch 2 or a second controller means you can play too. If he is always out, a speaker, good headphones or a backpack that finally replaces the old one gets used daily. Socks, a tumbler and a card game are easy add-ons, and the MEATER is for the brother who has taken over the grill. These work for a teen brother or a grown one. Every pick is already on another list of mine, where I explain why it made the cut and name the outlet when one recommends it.
Who this is not for. Skip this if he's under 12; the kid gifts list fits better.
means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch 2 | splurge | $100+ | Mario Kart rematches over the holidays | 1 outlet |
| Xbox Wireless Controller | mid | $50-100 | PC and Xbox gamers | Limited evidence |
| Exploding Kittens | budget | $15-25 | family game night he'll actually join | Limited evidence |
| Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza | budget | under $15 | a fast card game the whole family can play | Limited evidence |
Best game consolesplurge pick · Gift-box
Best for Mario Kart rematches over the holidays
The gift that makes you their favorite person. Mario Kart nights in the dorm, guaranteed.
Heads up. Games cost extra
1 outlet. Business Insider college gift pick.
$100+
Search AmazonAffiliate link. I may earn a commission at no cost to you.
mid pick · Gift-box
Best for PC and Xbox gamers
A safer bet than a console. Also works with PCs and phones. Check which system they play on first.
Heads up. Make sure it matches their platform
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$50-100
View on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget pick · Stocking-size
Best for family game night he'll actually join
A Russian-roulette card game with ridiculous cat art. A party favorite.
Heads up. Base game caps at 5 players
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$15-25
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
budget pick · Stocking-size
Best for a fast card game the whole family can play
A fast, loud card-slapping game for 2-8 players. Ten minutes a round, endless rematches.
Heads up. Gets loud
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
under $15
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tribit StormBox Mini+ | budget | $25-50 | music in his room, car or backyard | 2 outlets agree |
| Bose QuietComfort Headphones | splurge | $100+ | commutes, flights and focus time | 1 outlet |
| Garmin Forerunner 165 | splurge | $100+ | the brother who runs or lifts | 2 outlets agree |
| Kindle Paperwhite | splurge | $100+ | reading more and scrolling less | 1 outlet |
Best speakerbudget pick · Gift-box
Best for music in his room, car or backyard
A budget speaker that sounds like a pricier one. Waterproof for shower concerts.
Heads up. Distorts at max volume
2 outlets agree. Wirecutter budget pick. WIRED 8/10.
$25-50
View on AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Gift-box
Best for commutes, flights and focus time
Noise canceling for flights, commutes, mowing the lawn or a little peace at home.
Heads up. Pricey
1 outlet. Elle gift pick.
$100+
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Gift-box
Best for the brother who runs or lifts
A GPS running watch with a bright AMOLED screen and daily suggested workouts that adapt to his recovery.
Heads up. Overkill for non-runners
2 outlets agree. T3 best for beginner runners. NBC Select pro runner gear pick.
$100+
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Gift-box
Best for reading more and scrolling less
A glare-free e-reader that fits in a back pocket. Great for the dad with a growing book stack.
Heads up. Books cost extra
1 outlet. Business Insider best e-reader.
$100+
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler | mid | $25-50 | gym, truck and job site | Limited evidence |
| The North Face Borealis Backpack | mid | $100+ | replacing a backpack held together by hope | 1 outlet |
| Theragun Mini (3rd Gen) | splurge | $100+ | sore legs after leg day | 1 outlet |
| Bombas Calf Socks | budget | $15-25 | an easy add-on he'll wear | 1 outlet |
Best tumblermid pick · Gift-box
Best for gym, truck and job site
A nearly indestructible insulated tumbler that keeps drinks hot or cold for hours.
Heads up. Lid isn't fully leakproof
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$25-50
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Big box
Best for replacing a backpack held together by hope
The most popular backpack on campuses right now. Perfect if they're still using their high school bag.
Heads up. Not fully waterproof
1 outlet. The Strategist student favorite.
$100+
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Gift-box
Best for sore legs after leg day
Pocket-size muscle relief for sore backs, gym days and long drives.
Heads up. Expensive at full price
1 outlet. Business Insider top 10 college gift.
$100+
Search AmazonAffiliate link.
budget pick · Stocking-size
Best for an easy add-on he'll wear
The upgrade from the socks he's had since 2009. Bombas donates a pair for every pair sold.
Heads up. Pricey for socks
1 outlet. Business Insider top 10 college gift.
$15-25
View at BombasStore link, not an affiliate link. I don't earn from this one.
Best meat thermometermid pick · Gift-box
Best for the brother who owns the grill
A wireless probe that sends the temperature to his phone, so he can hang out instead of hovering over the grill.
Heads up. Bluetooth range is limited through walls
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$100+
View on AmazonAffiliate link.
Something he will use daily without thinking about it, like socks, a tumbler or a backpack, or something you can do together, like a game for the holidays.
Gaming gear, a speaker for his room, or headphones. The teen gifts and stocking stuffers for teens lists have more ideas at lower prices.
USPS's recommended last send dates for December 25 in the contiguous US are December 17 for Ground Advantage, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express. Retailers set their own order-by dates, so check at checkout.