Checklist · 13 picks · 4 categories
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Music people already have a way to listen, so the best gifts upgrade it. Good headphones or earbuds are the everyday win, and a small waterproof speaker gets used everywhere. For vinyl fans, a record brush, a storage case or a record washer are easy, useful gifts even if you don't know their setup. The splurges are a portable turntable or a beginner deck with Bluetooth for someone who has been talking about starting vinyl. Every pick is already on another list of mine, where I explain why it made the cut and name the outlet that recommends it.
Who this is not for. Skip this if they're an audiophile with a dialed-in system; stick to records or a gift card.
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 How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick?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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bose QuietComfort Headphones | splurge | $100+ | long listening sessions and commutes | 1 outlet |
| Apple AirPods 4 | splurge | $100+ | iPhone users | Limited evidence |
| CMF by Nothing Buds Pro 2 | mid | $50-100 | noise-canceling earbuds for less | 1 outlet |
| JLab Go Air Pop | budget | $15-25 | a cheap spare pair | 1 outlet |
Best headphonessplurge pick · Gift-box
Best for long listening sessions and commutes
Noise canceling for libraries, loud roommates and flights home.
Heads up. One of the pricier gifts here
1 outlet. Elle college gift pick.
$100+
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splurge pick · Gift-box
Best for iPhone users
The most-requested teen gift. As much a social signal as a pair of headphones.
Heads up. Less useful with Android
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$100+
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mid pick · One size
Best for noise-canceling earbuds for less
Tom's Guide's favorite budget earbuds: strong noise canceling, big bass and up to 43 hours of battery with the case.
Heads up. Tom's Guide heard a slight hum of static
1 outlet. Tom's Guide favorite budget earbuds.
$50-100
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budget pick · Compact
Best for a cheap spare pair
One of NBC Select's favorite budget earbuds, from its back-to-school supplies guide.
1 outlet. NBC Select back-to-school pick.
$15-25
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 | mid | $50-100 | music in the shower or at the pool | 1 outlet |
| Tribit StormBox Mini+ | budget | $25-50 | a small speaker with big sound | 2 outlets agree |
| JBL Go 4 | mid | $50-100 | a pocket speaker for anywhere | 1 outlet |
Best speakermid pick · Compact
Best for music in the shower or at the pool
Apple-sized speaker with natural sound and a boost mode for outdoor hangs.
Heads up. Chunky, and it will not fit in a laptop sleeve
1 outlet. Wirecutter top pick.
$50-100
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budget pick · Gift-box
Best for a small speaker with big sound
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
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mid pick · Pocket
Best for a pocket speaker for anywhere
What Hi-Fi? gave it five stars for its cohesive, engaging sound in a rugged, ultra-portable little body.
Heads up. About 7 hours of battery, which may be too short for some
1 outlet. What Hi-Fi? 5 stars.
$50-100
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica AT6013a Dual-Action Anti-Static Record Cleaner | budget | $25-50 | anyone who already owns a turntable | 1 outlet |
| Victrola Vinyl Record Storage Case | budget | $25-50 | a growing record collection | 1 outlet |
| Spin-Clean Record Washer MKII | mid | $50-100 | crate diggers who buy used records | 1 outlet |
Best record brushbudget pick · Brush
Best for anyone who already owns a turntable
Louder's best record brush: a quick once-over before you play picks up dust and cuts static, no fluid needed.
Heads up. Only handles surface dirt, not stubborn grime
1 outlet. Louder best record brush.
$25-50
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budget pick · Holds 30
Best for a growing record collection
Louder's best retro storage: a cheap, sturdy carry case for up to 30 albums that resists dust and scratches.
Heads up. Small capacity
1 outlet. Louder best retro record storage.
$25-50
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mid pick · Kit
Best for crate diggers who buy used records
Louder's best manual record cleaner: a proper wet clean of both sides at once, without paying for a machine.
Heads up. You do the work yourself, and there's no automatic drying
1 outlet. Louder best manual record cleaner.
$50-100
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica Sound Burger | budget | $100+ | a first turntable that goes anywhere | 1 outlet |
| Sony PS-LX3BT | mid | $100+ | someone who wants to start vinyl | 1 outlet |
| Onkyo GX-30ARC Powered Speakers | budget | $100+ | upgrading from a Bluetooth speaker | 1 outlet |
Best turntablebudget pick · Portable
Best for a first turntable that goes anywhere
What Hi-Fi?'s best portable budget turntable: a battery-powered, well-built deck that's small enough for a tote bag.
Heads up. You can't upgrade the cartridge, and full-size decks sound better
1 outlet. What Hi-Fi? best portable budget turntable.
$100+
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mid pick · Automatic
Best for someone who wants to start vinyl
What Hi-Fi?'s best budget turntable for beginners: automatic, with a good built-in phono stage and Bluetooth.
Heads up. Purist rivals sound better, and cartridge upgrades are limited
1 outlet. What Hi-Fi? best budget turntable for beginners.
$100+
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budget pick · Pair
Best for upgrading from a Bluetooth speaker
What Hi-Fi?'s best budget computer speakers, with an impressive phono stage for the price, so a turntable plugs straight in.
Heads up. Some might want a bit more bass
1 outlet. What Hi-Fi? best budget computer speakers.
$100+
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Something that makes listening better: headphones, earbuds or a portable speaker. If they collect records, a brush, storage or a record washer works with any setup.
Yes, if they have been curious about vinyl. A deck with a built-in phono stage and Bluetooth, like the Sony PS-LX3BT, works with speakers they may already own. The record player starter kit covers the full setup.
It is less useful if they're an audiophile with a dialed-in system; stick to records or a gift card.
No. I have not reviewed them. I read published reviews and name the outlet on the pick.
Budget is the cheaper one that still does the job. Mid is what most people should buy. Splurge is only if you will use it often.