31 tech gifts for teens that won’t end up in a desk drawer

If you buy through our links, we may earn money from affiliate partners. Learn more. – We’ve rounded up the best tech gifts for teens with something for every budget and interest. – From a Spotify Premium subscription to an LED backpack, we’ve got plenty of ideas. – Shopping for someone else? Check out our best tech gifts for women and the best picks under $25. Every parent knows how difficult it can be to please a teenager, which can make finding the perfect gift quite challenging. But there are some gifts that you simply can’t go wrong with. Whether the teen on your shopping list is into video games, photography, music, or fitness, there’s something on this list for everyone. The gifts in this guide also cover a variety of budgets, with some picks coming as cheap as $11. Popular Reviews A music streaming subscription for music lovers Spotify Premium Subscription, available at Spotify, $9.99 a month Teens love listening to music, and streaming services offer unlimited access to their favorite tunes. Spotify offers a huge music library and is compatible with Apple, Android, and Windows devices. The premium subscription gets rid of ads, allows your teen to download songs for offline listening, and lets them skip songs as they please. Plans start at $9.99 per month and are a great way to satisfy the music lover in your family. Wireless earbuds that easily pair with an iPhone Apple AirPods Pro, available at Amazon, $197 (originally $249) [ you save $52] Apple’s AirPods Pro offer a great way for your teen to listen to music, take calls, and tune out the world. These true wireless earbuds feature seamless pairing with Apple devices, active noise cancellation, and a transparency mode so they can still hear you when you remind them to do their homework. They come with three sizes of removable eartips for a perfect fit, and boast up to 24 hours of listening time with multiple charges in the included wireless charging case. A subscription that’s like Netflix for video games Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, $39.99 for 3 months or Playstation Plus Subscription, $24.99 for 3 months Why buy just one game when you can get dozens? That’s the premise behind Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Microsoft’s Netflix -style subscription gaming service. Microsoft offers over 100 games, including blockbusters like “Grand Theft Auto V,” “Destiny 2,” and “FIFA 21″ among many others. Game Pass Ultimate isn’t cheap – it costs $39.99 for 3 months – but offers a tremendous value considering that one new game costs $60. For Playstation fans there’s Playstation Plus, which is cheaper than Microsoft’s service at $24.99 for three months but offers far fewer games. Subscribers get access to a handful of titles each month that they can download and keep as long as they remain a member of the service, such as”Battlefield V” and “Shadow of the Tomb Raider.” The service also comes with other perks like online gameplay and discounts. Which service you should get depends on the console your teen owns, but they’ll appreciate either one. A gaming headset with audiophile-level sound SteelSeries Arctis Pro, available at Amazon, starting at $179.99 If you’re going to get your PC gamer a gaming headset, you might as well invest in one that produces audiophile-level sound. That way, they can listen to music and watch movies without having to switch to a different pair of headphones. The SteelSeries Arctis Pro is a top choice for gamers who care about top-notch audio, as it comes with several input options, virtual surround sound, and a bass that can be pushed. Plus, teens will love the fact that they can customize its look with SteelSeries’ range of headbands and ear cups. If you’re willing to splurge, the $329.99 wireless version makes it easier for your teen to seamlessly transition between playing games on their PC and taking a call on their phone. An Instax printer to print all those selfies on Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Smartphone Printer, available at Best Buy, $99.99 Instant cameras are so yesterday! With most teens relying on their camera phones to take photos, a mobile photo printer that lets them print all those friend selfies saved on their phone on 1.81 x 2.44 Instax film is just what the fun doctor ordered. Pair that with the photo clip fairy string lights as a stocking stuffer, and you might just inspire your teen to decorate and declutter their room to make it visitor-friendly. A unique electronic musical instrument that’s big in Japan Otamatone Deluxe Electronic Musical Instrument, available at Amazon, $84.99 Music is one of the biggest outlets teens turn to channel their creativity and angst, and this musical synthesizer lets your budding musician create music in a fun and quirky way. Pressing the middle part of the Otamatone and sliding your fingers up and down it will produce higher and lower tones while opening and closing its mouth creates a “wah” sound. It can even connect to speakers, amps, and (preferably to the rest of your household) headphones. A 3D pen with plastic refills in 15 different colors 3Doodler Create + 3D Printing Pen, available at Amazon, $79.99 Today’s 3D printers may be pricey, but that doesn’t mean that your artistic teen can’t enjoy and master the art. With this 3D pen, they can even do so in a more analog way, stirring their creativity and allowing them to appreciate the value of working with one’s hands. Plug this pen into a wall outlet, load up the plastic color, and once the pen heats the plastic, your teen is ready to create. It comes with an app with interactive step-by-step instructions on custom art projects. A smartwatch that tracks activity and fitness goals Apple Watch SE, available at Amazon, $279.00 Your athletic or health-conscious teen will definitely appreciate the Apple Watch SE. This smartwatch can do most of the things Apple’s flagship smartwatch can, while keeping things affordable. It’ll still cost you a bit more, but it’s worth it to keep teens on the healthy, active path. As for the fun factor, your teen can customize it with different faces, bands and memojis, as well as use it to play music and stay in touch with friends via iMessage, social media apps, and phone capabilities. Bluetooth trackers that keep your kid from losing their, well, everything Tile Limited Edition Bluetooth trackers, available at Tile, starting at $49.99 You want to be able to entrust them with important things, from necessities like house and car keys to devices that cost money like laptops. But, let’s face it: teenagers are basically bigger versions of kids, and they still tend to lose their stuff. This is why Tile’s Bluetooth trackers are super handy. Attach one to their keys or wallet, connect it with their phone, and that’s one last question you’ll have to field. With their range of Limited Edition trackers that come in several fun designs, they’ll be proud to show these off to friends. A handheld gaming system with multiplayer capabilities Nintendo Switch Lite, available at Amazon, $199.00 If you’re on a limited budget (times have been tough, after all) but want to reward your teen with a handheld gaming console, you cannot go wrong with a Nintendo Switch Lite. This pocket-friendly device may not be able to connect to the TV, but it’s got a few advantages over the standard Switch beyond the price. It plays all but a few of the same games while being more portable. And, for color-loving teens, it comes in three fun shades plus gray. A PC gaming controller with wireless connectivity Logitech Gamepad F310, available at Amazon, $14.99 This is a must-have for any teen who enjoys PC and console gaming. With the Logitech Gamepad F310, they can play their favorite Steam and other PC games from the comfort of a couch without the need for a mouse or keyboard – partly thanks to the 6-foot long cable. This will give them better control and a more seamless gaming experience during long sessions as well. If your teen hasn’t experienced PC gaming from the couch, this will be a game-changer. A mini projector with a built-in speaker system Elephas Mini Movie Projector, available at Amazon, $79.99 Kids today are moving away from classic television and toward the versatility and convenience of projectors. The Elephas Mini Movie Projector turns any wall into a TV or computer monitor. This allows your teen to watch movies, sports, video games, and more just about anywhere, including their room for their much-needed privacy. Help them create a comfy floor setup with pillows and blankets, and it’s a fun slumber party with friends. Also, Elephas offers a lifetime warranty. Affordable wireless headphones MPow 059 Bluetooth Headphones, available at Amazon, $36.20 Looking for a more affordable wireless headphone option? The MPow 059 Bluetooth Headphones are comfortable and offer great sound without breaking the bank. They offer two 40mm neodymium magnet drivers for a full range of sound, and full-sized rotating ear cups that are adjustable for a perfect fit. The MPow 059 gets 15 to 20 hours on a single charge, and includes a built-in mic for taking phone calls. It is currently available in black with red trim and pink with white trim. At $36.20, these wireless headphones feature great functionality at a reasonable price. A drone with 1080p video capabilities DJI Mavic Mini, available at Amazon, $378.00 Whether you’ve got a future influencer or a budding content creator in the family, you’ve got an ace gift in this mini drone from DJI. This is an impressive drone for the price point, with a battery life of 30 minutes and a camera touting great stabilization and 2.7K Quad HD video capability. This drone even has automatic motion presets and a slow motion mode, allowing beginner videographers such as your teen to utilize pro-level shooting techniques effortlessly. Just remember to teach them proper drone etiquette before they let their new toy fly. Winter gloves with touchscreen-capable fingertips Achiou Winter Knit Gloves, available at Amazon, $10.99 Teens aren’t going to stop using their phones just because it’s freezing outside. They need to stay in touch, and a lot of the time, they’ll take off their gloves so they can rub and tap on a touchscreen. With these gloves, they can protect their digits while catching up on social media. And, at this price, you might want to buy a few pairs – and in different colors, if you want – for when they inevitably lose them. A build-your-own computer kit for beginners CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 Starter MAX Kit, available at Amazon, $124.99 If your teen likes to take things apart and put them back together again, this is the perfect gift. Raspberry Pi has taught basic computer science in developing countries and schools since 2012, and Pi 4 is the latest version. The kit comes with an easy-to-follow quick start guide. The computer doesn’t come with accessories, such as a monitor, mouse, keyboard, or cooling fan so you may want to pick those components up as well. A portable Bluetooth speaker with a hardshell carrying case JBL Flip 5 Portable Speaker, available at Amazon, $119.99 Teens love blasting music away, and this speaker from JBL will let them do so wherever they are – including at the beach or even while floating in the pool. To keep things portable, it boasts up to 12 hours of playtime and comes with a gSport Deluxe Hardshell Case. Best of all, it features IPX7 waterproof protection so it can go in up to three feet of water. With this, they’ll have something to look forward to next summer. A backpack with customizable digital graphics Pix Smart LED Backpack, available at Amazon, starting at $199.99 This quirky backpack is a lot of fun, featuring a 16-by-20-pixel grid that can show any graphics you create. It also has an app with a library of preloaded images, GIFs, turn signals for bicycling and even video games. It’s also just as practical as it is fun, with a 27-liter capacity and plenty of compartments for sundry school items, making it perfect for school and overnight trips. Be sure to pick up a power bank since the backpack needs it but doesn’t come with one. A power bank with enough juice to charge a phone five times RAVPower Portable Charger 16750mAh Power Bank, available at Amazon, $37.99 Who doesn’t need a power bank these days? If adults like us need them, then so do teens, many of whom spend most of their time on their smartphone. This is a good option to pair with a phone or another power-hungry portable device, since a power bank is more utilitarian than fun. But if you feel you want to give a little something extra without breaking the bank, this one has fast-charging capabilities, which depends on the device, has two USB ports for charging two devices at once, and a handy dandy flashlight. A handheld gimbal for shooting cinematic videos with friends Zhiyun Smooth 4 Handheld Smartphone Gimbal, available at Amazon, $99.00 Whether it’s for shooting TikTok content to making full-fledged YouTube videos, a handheld gimbal will let your teen produce better, smoother-looking content. But, while many options out there will set you back more than $100, this gimbal from Zhiyun costs less, which makes it the perfect gift for teens. And, while most teens seem to be naturally tech savvy, this one is especially effortless to figure out, complete with different shooting modes and pro-level shooting techniques turned automated. A beanie with headphones that pair with their phone SoundBot SB210 Bluetooth Smart Beanie Headset, available on Amazon, $17.99 (Originally $19.99) [You save $2] We all agree – beanies are some of the comfiest accessories out there. But, this nifty one from SoundBot takes it to a new level, with built-in speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, and up to 5 hours of music listening. Now, your teen can stay warm and listen to music at the same time, without having to wear or carry two things at once. Best yet, it comes in several different colors, some even with poms, so you can get it in their favorite color or design. A smart lightbulb that changes colors Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance LightStrip Plus, available at Philips-Hue, $79.99 Fairy or string lights are among the top accessories teens love to decorate their rooms with, and Hue’s light strip takes that to a new level with its smart light capabilities, ability to display 16 million colors, and Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility. It’s terrific for sprucing up every teen’s room, whether they’re gamers, Bohemians, nature-lovers, or those with an eclectic taste. They can even change the colors depending on their mood, what they’re into, or what they’re currently doing. A subscription to the best audiobook service Audible Subscription, available at Amazon, $15 per month Give teens the gift of knowledge with this audiobook subscription. This gives them an audiobook and two Audible originals each month. They will also get 30% off any other audiobooks they choose to buy, which they will own even after their subscription expires. This is an excellent solution for students who learn better by listening than reading. An alarm clock that doubles as a Bluetooth speaker Anker Soundcore Wakey Bluetooth Speakers with Alarm Clock, available at Amazon, $89.99 This alarm clock is packed full of features. It pairs with your teen’s phone via Bluetooth and plays audio from any of the apps, as well as FM radio or any combination of the 10 sleep-inducing ambient sounds. There are 10 different alarm sounds, and it wirelessly charges Qi-compatible devices as well. A Bluetooth speaker that teens can use in the shower iFox iF012 Bluetooth Shower Speaker, available at Amazon, $34.99 Teens need to have their music everywhere at all times – that’s right, even in the shower. Sure, the JBL Flip 5 mentioned above will work in the shower. For a quarter of the price, however, you can get your teen a dedicated shower speaker, one with a 33-foot range and up to 10 hours of battery life. iFox backs this with a 12-month, no-risk, money-back guarantee. What have you got to lose? A microphone that plugs into a USB port Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Microphone, available at Amazon, $49 We bet you haven’t considered giving your teen a microphone before. It is a bit of an unconventional holiday gift, but one that teens will love whether they have their own Twitch or YouTube channel, or produce their own podcast. It’s an outstanding plug-and-play microphone solution that delivers crystal clear audio to your recordings, all while looking cool and retro. An action camera that will record their adventures GoPro HERO9 Black, available at REI, $400 Teens, especially active and adventurous ones, are always up to something new and exciting, whether it’s taking an electric skateboard out for a spin or taking on the latest TikTok trends. And, a GoPro action camera will let them record those exploits with friends hands-free. This latest one is obviously the best with 5K Ultra HD recording, 20MP still images, and improved HyperSmooth stabilization. A bike helmet with built-in turn signals Lumos Smart Bike Helmet, available at Amazon, starting at $179.99 This is the perfect helmet for a bike and , most importantly, to protect your teen’s head. The helmet pairs with the Lumos app as well as the wireless handlebar remote so you can let drivers know when you’re turning. Finally, it has auto brake lights. All these features help keep teens even safer while they’re out on the streets. A smart speaker that helps keep them organized Echo Dot (4th Gen), available at Amazon, $49.99 High school seniors and newly-minted college students will especially appreciate getting an Echo Dot as a birthday or graduation gift. With the help of Alexa, this mini smart speaker is capable of doing a host of things, from playing your teen’s favorite tunes on Spotify or Amazon Music to controlling other smart devices and setting reminders and schedules hands-free. It’ll even tell jokes and play trivia games. Teens have a lot going on in their lives, and this gadget is among the best tools they can use to stay organized. A smart outlet plug with voice control Gosund Multi WiFi Smart Outlet, available on Amazon, $19.99 Today’s smart plugs are like the Clapper on steroids. Teens can control their lights, fans, and more from anywhere with the free app that works on both iOS and Android devices – or with their brand new Amazon Echo Dot . This is another one that parents will also like since it might make a dent on the steep electricity bill. A laptop with great durability and battery life Apple MacBook Air with Apple M1 Chip, available at Amazon, $949.99 If you’re looking to splurge on your kid, especially if they’re starting their collegiate life, then the latest MacBook Air will go a long way. This thin and light 13-inch comes with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage, as well as Apple’s latest M1 chip, should get them through daily homework, projects and papers, while letting them play games and enjoy some streaming post-school work. And, since Apple’s laptops are practically built like a tank, you’ll have the peace of mind that it’ll survive some beatings. Sign up for Insider Reviews’ weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. You can purchase syndication rights to this story here. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at .

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