A gift guide for things men actually want, organized by price.
The older you are, the harder it is to ask for gifts. If you want or need something that’s reasonably priced … you’ve probably already purchased it. If there’s a big-ticket item you’ve got your eye on, you probably don’t feel comfortable asking for it. You’re self-sufficient, and proud of it.
‘Tis the season for gift-giving and receiving, however, and it’s important to remember that gifts are an opportunity for people in your life to express how much they care. It’s gentlemanly to suggest things that will mean something to you.
Don’t expect any help from traditional men’s gift guides. Most are a useless mish-mash of trendy overpriced, unrealistic, and plain weird things magazine editors *think* look cool on a page.
So we’ve created a practical gift guide for practical guys with more than 150 suggestions for gadgets, essentials, apparel, and household upgrades – items you probably don’t have, but could definitely use. Check it out, share it, and even use it for birthdays, graduations, etc. Pretty much everything was selected because it’s useful year-round, not just in December.
Our biggest gift guide ever.
What is Primer Approved?
On some of the gift ideas there’s a small “Primer Approved” badge. This is a classification we've used since 2008 for some of the products we’ve tested hands-on and feel they’re worth the money. Companies can’t pay for this distinction: The product we used must have met both the advertised promises and our expectations.
Jump to Price section:
Gift Ideas Under $30
2.25 Inch Ice Mold
Improve your home cocktail and whiskey drinking.
Gerber Mullet Keychain Multi-tool
Full size multi-tool overkill for your EDC? Carry 9 tools on your keychain and lose the pocket bulk.
8 Piece Grooming Kit
Do you even know where or when you acquired the clippers you have??
ROQ Silicone Wedding Ring
Never worry about sweat, dings, or scratches on your wedding band again – this silicone ring is built for it.
Saphir Rénovateur Shoe Balm
You’ve invested in great leather boots, now use the right tool to care for them.
Straight Razor with 100 Blades
Give this old school shaving technique a try with this highly rated entry.
American Made
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
Tell me this doesn't sound like the most perfect pan ever: It's nonstick properties get better the more you use it. It can be used on a stove, in an oven, or over flame. It's American-made. It'll make an amazing steak with the reverse sear technique. It'll last multiple lifetimes and if you mess it up you can strip it down and start over. And it's only $15. What else do you need?
NATO Straps (4-Pack)
Quadruple your watch aesthetic with durable straps with a 007 pedigree. Four gifts in one, perfect for the watch guy you know.
Wood Guitar Wall Mount
This sturdy hardwood bracket cradles your prized acoustic and electric guitars, keeping them safe from pets, kids, klutzy guests, and other hazards.
Stomp Rocket
Never, ever gets old.
3 Pack Microfiber Gym Towels
I won’t shame you for being the guy that doesn’t wipe down the bench, but let’s correct that moving forward?
Grooming Upgrades
Premium hair products work effortlessly, smell better, and last longer – the only problem is they cost more money. Higher priced grooming gear makes a great gift. Find out which hair product is best for your hair and style with our guide.
Stainless Steel and Glass Salt and Pepper Mill Set
A handsome replacement to the paper packs you've been hoarding.
Bushcraft Illustrated
Can you start a fire with anything less than a gallon of lighter fluid? Dave Canterbury has written the ultimate reference guide for seasoned adventurers and indoor kids alike.
Ultralight Watertight .5 Medical First Aid Kit
Throw this well-stocked kit in your car, backpack, or briefcase so you can step up any time its needed.
Sugru Moldable Glue
Moldable glue that sets into silicone rubber. A million uses for fixing and upgrading things.
Anker Powercore External Battery
3 charges for high-end smartphones makes this a must-have to extend your day.
American Trench Merino Socks
Moisture-wicking wool blend that will keep your feet warm and dry, a substantial weave for all-day comfort, and vintage styling for added interest.
Repel Automatic Travel Umbrella
66 hours of testing by the New York Times revealed this to be the best all-around umbrella, period.
Black Truffle Infused Hot Sauce
A hot sauce getting rave reviews that adds subtle flavor – not just heat – to your dishes.
Goodthreads Long Sleeve Henley
A versatile, lightweight slub henley you can layer or rock solo for a classic look.
Mini Water Filter
Make water safe to drink anywhere in an easy-to-carry package.
Rotary Tool Kit
80 piece accessory set for cutting, burr removal, polishing, shaping, and drilling.
Watch the Time
Cufflinks are out, but watches remain as one of the only traditional men's gifts that we get excited about. Looking for more? Find all the best watch brands by price in our guide.
20 Pack Wooden Hangers
Who wants to BUY hangers? But nice wooden ones like these extend the life of your clothing and helps maintain their shape.
Magnetic Wood Bottle Opener
A stylish kitchen piece that catches your bottle caps
Utopia Bedding Gel Pillow (2-Pack)
Plush (but not TOO plush!) these soft yet supportive gel fiber pillows will help 5 hours of shut-eye feel like a solid 8.
Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser & Humidifier
This two-in-one gadget moisturizes dry air and soothes your home environment.
SOG Folding Shovel
From digging your car out of the snow to building a sand castle, this high carbon steel folding shovel is up to the task.
A Man & His Car
Stories of the iconic cars driven by iconoclastic men
Horween Chromexcel Leather Moleskine Cover
A reusable cover for your EDC notebooks.
Portable Garment Steamer
More efficient than an iron and small enough to chuck in your carry-on, this powerful garment steamer eliminates wrinkles in minutes. Read why this is one of the best steamers we've used at this price.
Woodford Reserve Bitters 5-Pack
Dive into the world of cocktail bitters and take your home imbibing to new levels.
24 Function Showerhead
Upgrade that sputtering rental head!
Smart Home Camera
Maintain visual contact with base at all times with the Wyze Cam. Live stream footage directly to your smartphone, and pair with a digital assistant to add voice control.
Iron Gym Pull-Up Bar
Transform any doorway into the most challenging, rewarding single piece of exercise equipment you can own
Wallets Worthy of Your Money
Kevlar Gloves for BBQ/Oven
Take a break from welding to pull a red hot cast iron from the oven.
Obe Fitness
Disrupt your same-old fitness routine with live & on-demand workouts … and the music isn't bad, either!
Sony Noise Canceling Headphones
From a noisy office to a crowded commute, these headphones will help you hear what you want to hear-and only what you want to hear.
16 Piece BBQ Set
Every man should have the right tool for the job.
Waxed Canvas Work Apron
Whether your medium of choice is wood, metal, paint, or pastry, this durable apron wipes clean of all but the messiest splatters.
Whisking: A Tasting Course
If you find whiskey intimidating vs. intoxicating, pick up this tome written by a whiskey insider.
Bluetooth Smart Scale
Take control of your weight tracking.
Denmark 7-Piece Whiskey Gift Set
I’ve had this set for years and love it.
Merkur Double Edge Saftey Razor
No, your razor doesn't need five blades. It only needs one. And when it looks this gorgeous too, it's hard to complain.
Beardbrand Beard Oil
Give your face fur the care it needs from our go-to trusted supply co.
4pc Glass Food Storage Set
Safe from the freezer to the fridge, microwave, and oven, these airtight containers will help you show food prep who's boss.
Bamboo Spice Rack
Organize that jumble of spices in style. Fits 18 spices.
Gift Ideas $30 – $50
Solid Wood Record Stand
Store your beloved vinyl collection properly to avoid excessive wear and warping. This low-profile record holder lets you organize and quickly access up to 50 LPs.
Weber Charcoal Chimney Starter
Get your grill piping hot, fast.
Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
Over 15,000 reviews with a 4 star rating
BottleLoft Magnetic Bottle Hanger
Maximize valuable storage space in your fridge and keep your favorite beverages handy with these super strong magnetic strips.
YETI Rambler Bottle
America loves Yeti coolers. Find out what the hype is about with this grab-able intro piece.
USA-made Full Grain Leather Belt
Upgrade the pleather strap that you’ve been using functionally, to something that will earn a beautiful patina in the decades to come.
Nike Pro Long Sleeve Top
Lightweight and moisture-wicking, this fitted top moves with you from warm-up to workout to cool-down.
Whiskey Rebellion
Upgrades to day-to-day luxuries are the perfect gift idea for the man who doesn't know what to ask for. For more affordable but highly respected options, read our guide The 10 Best Whiskies Under $50 That Don't Start With Jack, Jim, Johnnie, or Jameson. For some bottles that will truly impress:
Hibiki Japanese Whisky, $79.99 / Aberlour 16 Year Old Scotch, $70 / Blanton's Bourbon, $89 / Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky, $69
Home Plate Doormat
If you don’t declare, “And he’s SAFE!” in your best sports commentator voice every time you set foot on this sturdy palm fiber mat, what are you even doing with your life?
J.Crew Shawl Collar Sweater
A cold weather essential, this wool blend pullover looks great alone or under a sports coat, and is machine washable.
Victorinox 8 Inch Chef’s Knife
This solid kitchen workhorse is Amazon's top-selling chef's knife for a reason
Designer Wood Table Lamp
Ditch your dorm room desk lamp for something more stylish and functional.
Secura Milk Frother
Enjoy that perfect cappuccino from the comfort of your own bathrobe.
Genuine Leather Dopp Kit
Toothpaste and deodorant has never looked so badass.
TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller
After a long run, heavy lifting session, or day of moving furniture around, roll it out–your tight muscles and knots will thank you.
Hand Crank Emergency Radio & Power Bank
This isn't your dad's in-flight magazine novelty radio. We searched for the latest & best and found this multi-function beauty.
Under Armour Base Layer Compression
Up your gym style or extend your workout to the chilly outdoors.
Shoe Trees (2-Pack)
If you're going to make the investment in a pair of nice shoes, you really should be taking care of them!
Black + Decker Cordless Drill
Powerful 20-volt model from a trusted brand makes any home project possible.
Cable Knit Sherpa Throw Blanket
Bears have the right idea, but they don’t have this ultra-soft blanket. Hibernate in style.
80s Movie Cars Print
Show your movie appreciation with something that still looks great on your wall.
Cashmere Ribbed Cuffed Hat
Wagyu is to meat as cashmere is to wool. This luxuriously soft cap is highly insulating yet light, for warmth without overheating.
Joby GorillaPod
A super flexible and versatile camera tripod that's easy to lug around.
Kiwi Shoe Care Valet
Let those dazzling oxfords bask in the glory of a quality shine.
Made in USA
Men's Home Haircutting Kit
Cutting your own hair can be surprisingly doable – this hefty clipper from 100 year old brand Wahl will last you the rest of your life.
Gift Ideas $50 – $75
Carbon Fiber Watch Case
Display your horological taste and keep your timepieces free of dust with this glass top case.
Gentleman Jon Complete Wet Shave Kit
All the elements needed for a classic barbershop-style shave.
L.L. Bean Chamois Shirt
Outdoorsy yet polished, this soft, substantial shirt jacket works as an outer layer on warmer days, or as a mid-layer under a canvas trucker jacket.
Hands-free Dog Leash
Whether you run with your dog or watch Youtube on walks, free up your hands!
Canvas Weekend Bag
This is the bag you'll never want to leave home without. Perfect for weeklong getaways, trips to the gym, and all in between.
Yamazaki Home Wall Clock
Sometimes the marriage of form and function simply requires a single AA battery.
Pro-Lift Z-Creeper Seat
Make all your maintenance tasks a little easier–this rolling creeper quickly converts to a low, sturdy seat.
Tomons Scandi Dome Lamp
Bring some warmth and illumination into your living space.
25 lbs Kettlebell
You can get ripped in your living room with nothing more than a kettlebell … just sayin'.
Water Flosser
Floss is for chumps. Waterpik those pesky nooks & crannies!
Portable Espresso Machine
Get your espresso fix when you're nowhere near a cafe.
Black Diamond Apollo Lantern
Design and high light output make it perfect for camping or power outages.
Levi’s Denim Trucker Jacket
Accept no substitutions. This quintessential American classic belongs in every closet.
IceMule Hands Free Cooler
This over the shoulder cooler is built for the outdoors and can hold 12 cans plus ice.
Kenneth Cole Hardshell Carryon
This highly rated carryon will make your boarding and packing much smoother.
Sports History Books
A deep dive into the pages of The New York Times' archives.
Disney Plus Subscription
With originals like The Mandelorian and the Marvel catalog, it's well worth the annual subscription.
Marcato Atlas Wellness 150 Pasta Maker
Make bistro-quality pasta from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Gift Ideas $75 – $125
Brio Beardscape Beard Trimmer
Tired of burning through cheaper trimmers? This one features a ceramic blade which is 4x harder than steel and has over 1,600 reviews.
KomalC Buffalo Leather Briefcase
An astonishing 5 star rating with over 1,000 reviews.
Waterproof Canvas Camera Bag
Two bags in one, this carryall has a padded divider system to organize and transport all your gear; remove the liner to convert it into a day pack.
Cast Iron Dutch Oven
The best kept secret for easily cooking almost anything, including Primer’s super easy artisan bread recipe.
Jabra Elite 65t Bluetooth Earbuds
Water and dust-proof, with an app to adjust your EQ give you premium features at a lighter price.
Fitbit Inspire 2
Make every step count… by letting a Fitbit count every step for you.
Walnut Valet Stand
No need to hire Jeeves when this all-in-one valet stand keeps your suit and accessories organized and clean-looking.
Cosori Digital Air Fryer
The hottest kitchen gadget of the last several years uses 85% less fat than regular frying with all the flavor.
Genius Boost Lithium Ion Jump Starter
A super powerful and tiny jump starter trusted by car museum caretakers.
Cotton Hammock with Stand
This year, upgrade your naps.
Minnetonka Moccasin Slipper
Iconic style and comfort in a durable indoor/outdoor slipper.
Samsung 1TB External Solid State Drive
You saved all that stuff on your computer for a reason. Now guarantee that you'll always have it with a reliable backup drive.
Eikei Washed Cotton Chambray Bedding Set
A man’s home is his castle, and this soft, sophisticated duvet cover and shams will have you sleeping like a king. One of our picks.
20lb Weighted Blanket
Whether you want it for anxiety relief or the best naps of your life, it will change the way you sleep.
Celestron Refractor Telescope
Let’s make 2020 the year we all do less navel-gazing and more star gazing.
Home Weight Bench
12 positions and an 800 lbs capacity make this the perfect home or apartment gym starter bench.
Ghostbusters Plasma Series Spengler's Neutrona Wand
A new casting of our favorite nuclear accelerator, display it on a shelf or add it to your overly-detailed, screen-accurate DIY Ghostbusters costume.
Folding Cornhole Set
A regulation set to take your BBQ to the next level.
Sous Vide Machine
Lose the guesswork with this sous vide, a fast-heating tool that syncs with your smartphone to display the exact degree of doneness.
J.Crew Cashmere Hoodie
The ultimate upgrade for every hoodie-loving man, or the perfect style pull for the well-dressed man looking to nail casual a little more comfortably. Read our complete guide to sweater types for more.
Gift Ideas Over $125
Mini Projector
Now you have gaming/movie/Youtube/photo sharing night just about anywhere with this portable projector.
23&Me DNA Ancestry + Health Test
Discover where you came from.
Reebok Nano X Cross Trainer
The right amount of support for cross-training, crossfit, and lifting – indoors or out.
54-Quart Steel-Belted Coleman Cooler
From cookouts and camping trips to tailgating, this leak-proof cooler's classic design will keep your food fresh and your drinks frosty.
Midcentury Accent Chair
A comfortable and stylish addition to your living space that's deep enough to relax into.
ARC Welder
Your DIY projects just went from hot glue to surviving the apocalypse.
10 Piece Cuisinart Cookware Set
A hallowed brand in stylish stainless steel.
Made in USA
Flint and Tinder Flannel-lined Waxed Trucker Jacket
Not only do we have and love this jacket, it's consistently super popular with Primer readers as well. Read why it's one of our best field jackets.
Ninja Professional Blender
Make those expensive smoothies at home.
Monogrammable LL Bean Canvas Briefcase
Solid construction, timeless style, and a padded laptop sleeve make this a 10+ year piece.
Apple AirPods
Free your ears from wires, with these buds that perfectly integrate with iOS.
Everlast Home Heavy Bag Kit
A traditional heavy bag kit to hone your skills at home.
iRobot Roomba 675
Save time and hassle by outsourcing your vacuuming to this sensor-packed floorbot.
Audio Technica Record Player
Your favorite bands never sound better than on vinyl. This sleek turntable blends vintage quality with a modern aesthetic.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A
Big screen, big sound, and loads of performance for bingeing all your favorite content.
Stagg Copper Pour Over Kettle
The gold standard for function-meets-style electric coffee pour over kettles now in handsome copper.
Pendleton Shelter Bay Blanket
Made in the USA by the famous woolen mill that goes back centuries. You'll have it forever.
Dyson V7 Cordless Vacuum
This cordless will dominate pet hair as well as a traditional upright.
Industrial TV stand
Industrial chic hasn't gone out, and neither will this eye-catching piece.
Osmo Pocket 2 Camera With Stabilizer
This petite and powerful camera takes top-quality photos and videos; the dedicated app helps you edit and enhance your content like the pros.
Oculus Quest 2 VR Headset
This new advancement in VR doesn't require a computer.
Go Pro Hero 9
It does everything but the ill-advised stunts themselves … now in 5K.
Seagull Acoustic Guitar
Seagull is a well-regarded Canadian brand that uses genuine hardwoods in all their guitars for a warm, bright sound. We featured it as the best budget guitar in our buyer's guide.
DJI Mini 2 4k Drone
With this highly rated drone from the top maker, your weekend trips jut got a lot more epic.
