Things which teenagers like

There's a lot of debate about what types of phone cases are best and why, but the general consensus is that they're necessary. I've used a Velvet Caviar case for years—I like it because it's beautiful and sturdy, but it doesn't add a ton of bulk.

There are hundreds of styles, so you should have no trouble finding a good fit for your giftee. Casetify is another tried-and-true company that makes teen-friendly cases, and we've had great luck with Speck too. When hunting for the perfect case for the teen on your list, keep a streamlined footprint and designs worthy of a mirror selfie in mind.

An iPad is seemingly superfluous—until teens start using it to watch content, do homework, or hop on Zoom meetings. They're actually quite handy to have around. It offers a lot of flexibility for different interests like drawing or reading. There are other good, less expensive tablets out there too, if an iPad is outside your ideal budget.

Check our guides to the Best iPad and the Best Tablets for additional picks. This is our favorite cheap laptop. The nice display and sleek footprint belie its palatable price point, and the internal specs and battery life are good too. It can be converted into a tablet for watching movies or streaming whatever's popular on Twitch these days. This computer can handle homework, streaming, and late-night rounds of college applications.

Your teen won't look like a dork when they pull this laptop out in front of their friends, and you won't be breaking the bank on the device. If your kid is constantly bellowing in the basement to their Discord pals about boss raids and teamfights, a good headset can help calm things down. This is a pick from our best gaming headsets. It'll work with consoles, phones, and computers.

Thanks to its crystal-clear volume and removable mic, gamers will be able to hear what's going on and hopefully stop shouting about Minecraft at 3 a. Starface's hydrocolloid blemish bandages are undeniably cute. The unisex star shapes help normalize acne—if you treat pimples as an excuse to decorate your face, they're less likely to damage your self-esteem—and refills are inexpensive.

The packaging is portable, and adorable as well. It's easy to stash the case inside a purse or backpack, and a built-in magnet keeps the compact closed.

Hydrocolloid patches work to absorb fluid, which helps deflate zits and reduces both redness and irritation. They also act as a physical barrier to shield the skin from external bacteria and picking.

Hydro-Stars are compatible with all skin types. Simply stick a star on top of a blemish, wear it for a few hours, and remove it to reveal flatter, calmer skin. Maybe your teen is already into skin care and stealing copious amounts of your expensive under-eye cream, despite the fact that they don't even have dark circles yet.

Bubble is a gender-neutral teen-friendly company that makes products specifically designed for adolescent skin concerns, like acne and sweating. The ingredients are simple, but there are Bubble products for every step of a skincare routine, except for SPF. All of them are cruelty-free, vegan, fragrance-free, and gentle enough for sensitive skin. This set includes the full lineup, but there are other kits available in smaller sizes and combinations.

Bubble also has a fantastic resource called Skin School that will teach teens about things like skincare myths, skin types, and how to safely add products into a routine.

Hopefully it'll help save your teen from the long-term consequences of using harsh cleansers or aggressively popping zits. In case you haven't heard, Crocs are Gen-Z approved. Jibbitz charms allow for self-expression in the form of characters, memes, symbols, and other doo-dads attached to the clogs.

There are hundreds of options available, so if you're unsure, a multi-pack or gift card can help ensure that the custom charms are aligned with whatever else is Gen-Z approved. Like a good set of sheets or your first tools , a wallet is a gift that you only get excited about when you're almost an adult. SlimFold makes great gear—my partner has used this wallet daily for over seven years, and it's still going strong. It has just enough room for cash and cards, preventing it from becoming bulky or obtrusive or leaving a wear mark on pants pockets.

The material is durable, stretchy, and flexible, and even when stuffed full the wallet remains lightweight. If your teen is preparing to fly the coop, this is a gift they'll use almost every day. The first is that I don't love SlimFold's RFID blockers, which are basically removable cards that cause a nuisance when you're trying to store bills or credit cards.

The second is that RFID-based crimes related to skimming credit cards are nearly nonexistent. Skip it and save your money. Herschel backpacks meet at the sweet spot between what's trendy and what's good. Not sold on the Patagonia option? Teens are a notoriously picky bunch, so you can never go wrong with a gift card.

If they're in the market for new glasses or sunglasses, we recommend Warby Parker because of its versatility, size flexibility , and free at-home try-on program. The Amazon Echo Dot is the most popular Amazon device for a reason — it's compact and has all the capabilities of Alexa weather updates, recipes, music, news without any of the bulk.

It connects to devices via Bluetooth, and multiple devices can connect at once personalized LED lights indicate who's currently printing. Perfect for creating the archetypal teen room that's most often seen in Netflix movies and old Taylor Swift music videos, the photo clip string lights combine warm light and Polaroids or other memorabilia.

Like Fila , Champion is a brand that's had a resurgence as of late. If you want to get them something they'll end up wearing all the time, this is a good candidate. They can use these at the gym, for studying, and for zoning out during family road trips. This pair has great sound, cushioned ear cups, and 40 hours of battery life so they have one less thing to think about. And if they do let the battery run out, a five-minute charge is the equivalent to three hours of listening time.

If they're really into video games, all other gifts may pale in comparison to a really good new one. There's no greater joy than adding to a record collection or playing a new album for the first time. Your recipient gets to choose from three different types of tracks each month and will also receive extra goodies in each package. They'll also get one bonus record as part of the three-month gift membership. FOREO's cult-favorite Luna 3 cleansing device gently and effectively cleans with thin, antimicrobial silicone touch-points, and it removes This newest generation also offers an array of massages to tighten the skin for a youthful look.

Find a full review on the previous generation Luna 2 from a female reporter and a male reporter here. MeUndies is a popular LA startup that makes some of the most comfortable underwear we've ever tried. Their lounge pants, however, are the real hidden gem — perfect for lounging around on weekend mornings or heading to the dining hall when they get to college yep, they'll last that long while still looking sleek.

If your teen is a bookworm, Book of the Month is an especially cool gift. It's a book club that has been around since , and it's credited with discovering some of the most beloved books of all time like "Gone with the Wind" and "Catcher in the Rye" to name a couple. If you gift them a subscription, they'll receive a hardcover book delivered once a month. Books are selected by a team of experts and celebrity guest judges.

If they're really more into audiobooks or e-reading now rather than hardcovers, check out a gift subscription to Scribd full review here. If you have a little extra to spend on your teen, consider getting them a smartwatch.

The Apple Watch SE is like a smartphone, fitness tracker, and music player all in one. Just like on their phone, they can customize the watch to show their favorite apps to pick, including social media.

This fun iPhone case is funny and unique, and most of their friends probably won't have the exact same one. Help teens do their part to keep single-use plastics out of trash bins, landfills, and the ocean by giving them this pack of reusable silicone drinking straws. They come in various colors and include a few cleaning brushes as well. Another trendy gift is as many scrunchies as you can carry. This pack comes with 12 options in enough colors to work with virtually any outfit or mood.

These trendy lightboxes are inspired by cinema marquees, and they come with letters and symbols for personal messages. This one also has color-changing LED lights for further customization. PopSockets have become their own cultural phenomenon in recent years, and they're surprisingly useful. Get your teen one for their own phone or tablet, and depending on their age, you may find it's the gift they're most excited about.

Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite is its thinnest, lightest version. It also has double the storage, a built-in light that adjusts to accommodate reading indoors or outdoors, and is waterproof for reading anywhere, including the beach or bath. Plus, a single battery charge lasts weeks rather than hours. State bags are increasingly popular thanks to their versatile, laid-back aesthetic and characteristically bright nylon colorways.

They're also known as GiveBackPack s , because for every State bag purchased, State hand-delivers a backpack — packed with essential tools for success — to a local child in need.

The Lorimer and Bedford are two of the company's best sellers. Teens are usually among the most interested in the latest and greatest beauty or grooming products — but may lack the funds to try all the full-sized versions.

Birchbox sends samples of new and beloved products once a month, so they can test out new finds and discover products they may want to buy a full size of in the future. It's also just fun to get an ongoing gift. Nike makes great stuff, but it's nice to get the benefits of a great shoe without forsaking what makes something unique. You can customize a pair of Nikes for them , or give them a gift card so they can get creative making something one-of-a-kind on their own.

The new Sonos One smart speaker fills any room with clear, rich sound, and they can use Alexa to play and control their music without ever lifting a finger. Find a full review here.

Aquis' cult-favorite hair towels can cut the amount of time it takes your hair to dry in half — a claim we're happy to report holds up. The proprietary fabric also means there's less damage to wet hair while it dries.

If they've ever complained about frizzy hair, this and a silk pillowcase are thoughtful gifts they'll actually use. Disney Plus is the new Disney-centric streaming service. If you'd rather test Disney Plus out before buying, you can sign up for a free weeklong trial. Travel startup Away makes a great carry-on thanks to an ejectable battery that can charge devices seamlessly on the go, degree wheels, and a lightweight build that travels easily. In other words, it takes a lot of the angst out of travel and may make family trips far more enjoyable and stress-free.

This color-changing alarm clock radio will charge their devices and play soothing nature sounds at the same time. They can also use the aux-in port to play music from their phone. Who better to make a pair of durable, performance-based sunglasses than the company known for innovating the ski goggle? The Lowdown2 features bio-based materials for the frame, ChromaPop lens technology which creates high contrast and vibrant colors, and an anti-reflective smudge-resistant coating.

Plus, the brand offers peace of mind with free shipping, day returns, and a lifetime warranty. We think Brooklinen makes the best high-end sheets at the best price on the market , and most of the Insider Reviews team uses Brooklinen on their own beds. It's perfect for lazy Saturday mornings or the rare occasion sleeping in is encouraged. The Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle comes in 15 colors and patterns that range from classic to fun, and you can mix and match them to suit their preferences.

Grab a gift card delivered digitally if you want to give them more freedom. Speks 2. Made from rare earth magnets, these tiny balls can be molded into an infinite number of shapes and designs.

The size of Speks balls makes them ideal for teens to keep with them for those unpredictable moments of nervousness that fill those teenage years. Whether they're wondering if they turned off their hot iron or just don't want to get up to turn off the TV, a smart plug lets them control devices from a distance.

You can connect to them using any smart device. It may not be able to take them back in time or help them be in two places at once, but this Time-Turner clock will help them stay on top of their schedule. It even has a functional hourglass on the back so they can time their study breaks. Rigorous dental hygiene isn't usually on the top of the list of things teens care about, which is all the more reason a rechargeable toothbrush with a timer is a fantastic gift.

It's in the car, the house, and their pocket these days, but many hand sanitizers can smell a little like household cleaner. Touchland comes in scents like Vanilla Cinnamon and Forrest Berry, or keep it simple and choose unscented. When you gift this lottery card, you're actually giving the gift of charity.

When you "win big," you're winning a charitable prize that gets donated to nonprofits in one of four categories: Clean water, solar light, nutritious meals, or literacy tools. To date, LottoLove and its partners have impacted lives in over 70 countries. You can't go wrong with money for their favorite things, especially for teens who are often relying upon part-time jobs to fund their frequent Chipotle meals and concert trips with friends.

Check out more gift card ideas here. We recommend two from Glossier: Boy Brow, the brand's bestselling eyebrow pomade, which fills in brows without making them look overdone, and the Body Hero duo, which gets you shower gel and lotion in the brand's signature scent. Crocs are cool again no, seriously—they are.

The lightweight rubber clogs are all over Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, so chances are pretty good that they're already on a teen girl's wish list. Browse through Crocs' vast color selection, which includes lavender, teal and blush pink, to find the best pair for your giftee. It also can't hurt to throw in some Jibbitz that match your teenager's personality. Our best value pick for reusable straws are the Sipwell stainless steel straws and for good reason. They're easy to clean, are great for sipping water and iced coffee and don't carry that annoying metallic taste most other options do.

Smartphones are way too easy to drop. Help your teen girl keep hers intact, even when it slips out of her hand, with one of Lifeproof's Wake cases.

It's also available in different sizes for Apple, Samsung, and Google phones and comes in green, gray, purple, and black colors. Our best value tablet , an iPad , can come in handy for just about everything, from schoolwork to reading books to a secondary—or even replacement—laptop.

Whether the teen you give it to uses it to download textbooks or mainline Netflix, it's sure to be appreciated. Getting out of bed with a nice pair of snuggly socks on can start the day off just right, and this particular pair, available in 11 patterns including plaid, chevron, hearts and more, are just what she needs. Faux shearling lines the interior, giving them a cozy, luxurious feel—and a cool, jaunty look if she wants to fold them over—and silicone treads dot the soles, so she can walk around the house without fearing a slip.

Treat the teen girl in your life to a classic with this pair of aviators —available with black, silver or gold frames—which should work in her wardrobe, no matter what her personal style is. But a phone dies even quicker if, throughout the day, the user jostles between text messaging, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat on a near-constant loop—which, for many teens, tends to be the case. Help the teen in your life keep their phone alive with this Anker power bank , which is small and compact but holds several charges' worth of juice and can prolong the battery life of any phone for at least a few hours.

As any person with breasts knows, bras can be the worst kind of prison, especially the kinds with unforgiving straps and underwires. This one from Aerie makes a great gift, with its pretty lace material, eight color options and cool-looking strappy back. Whether it's in a bedroom or stuffed in a backpack for an impromptu DJ sesh outside, a portable speaker is always good to have around.

We like the JBL Flip 5 , which has great sound quality, a long battery life and solid waterproofing. Because of these factors, it's sure to be a speaker that will stick around for years, even as her music taste changes into college. Whether she plans to embark on that international study abroad trip or a summer backpacking excursion, this is the gift she needs. For her trip through Europe or that road trip across the country, this scratch-off map will help her keep track of all her timeless adventures.

Rubbing the shiny gold surface with a coin or fingernail , reveals a bold pop of color, making each map totally unique to the person who owns it. Not all teen girls shave. But for those that do—or are just starting out—it's hard to imagine a better way to do it than with our favorite razor, the Gillette Venus Deluxe Smooth Swirl Razor. We loved the "swirl" component, which allowed the head of the razor to swivel and rotate to accommodate the knees and ankles readily.

But more importantly, it was readily able to remove hair. The razor isn't all that expensive—but it's more than some teenage girls may want to spend on themselves, making it a great gift. Plus, the kit itself comes with three additional cartridges, though you can purchase them separately, too. Trends come and go, but monograms are forever. That's why we love this simple block letter monogram necklace from Anthropologie, which allows the wearer to hang a letter—their first name, last name or that of someone they love—around their neck.

The letters hang individually, which makes it great for layering with other pieces of jewelry or wearing on its own. Plus fans of Schitt's Creek will recognize this necklace as nearly identical to Alexis's from the series.

If you know, you know. Fortunately, a lot of teens are into The Office , and will know the not-so-secret meaning behind this sweatshirt, which references the farm owned by resident Office oddball Dwight Schrute. Reviewers of the sweatshirt love its soft, warm material and the fact that it often gets them appreciative nods and smiles from fellow fans of the series.

Bowie and The Beatles sound great through a pair of AirPods. But if you know a teen who's becoming a true audiophile—or just watched High Fidelity for the first time—she'd probably love to hear her favorite artists on vinyl yes, that includes Billie Eilish and Harry Styles. Reviewers love the appearance of the Crosley suitcase record player, and some claim it's a great starting point for those looking to get into record players.

Plus, it's got a starter-level price—many record players ring up in the triple digits. With a record player, she'll be able to listen to the classics the way they were originally heard—and some motivation to support her local record shop. Pair it with a record crate and she'll be well on her way to starting an impressive music collection. A fitness tracker can be a great gift for almost anyone.

But the Fitbit Versa 3 is an especially great option for any active teen girl. It supports both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, which allows the user to check the weather or get reminders with just their voice.

It also tracks all kinds of workouts, from runs to bikes to hikes, in addition to measuring step count all day long. The Versa 3 also allows the user to connect to Bluetooth headphones and control Spotify or Pandora, which makes it possible to listen to tunes and podcasts during a workout without lugging around another device. Part of the teenage experience is getting your menstrual period in the middle of academic third period and having to excuse yourself to the bathroom to wad up some toilet paper in your underwear and pray that it holds up for the rest of the day.

Or, at least, it was—until period underwear came along.