22 Gifts the 16-Year-Old in Your Life Will Adore
Teens get a bad rap for being moody and hard to please, but shopping for the 16-year-old in your life doesn't need to be agonizing; all you really need to do to put a smile on their face is to lean into their personal passions and sense of style. That being said, if your birth year begins with a 19, there's a chance that the teen you know will think your taste is cheugy. So, when it came time to curate our list of the best gifts for 16-year-olds, we made sure to check in with some actual teens.
Lila, age 17, is a high school senior living in New York. She's interested in math, biology, and economics, and tells PS that her favorite class is multivariable calculus and differential equations (aka advanced girl math). Lila is also a member of her school's Spanish-speaking debate club and the founder of a club called Women in Business Leadership, which, she says, "holds forum discussion on financial and business topics as well as methods to achieve female equity in corporate positions." (Impressed yet?) Lila is also a foodie and a reader and loves a good beauty product.
Here, Lila gives us insight into 2025's hottest products. In addition to Lila's must haves, she and other teens have also vetted every item you'll find below, which include top tech picks for teens (like the Nintendo Switch and iPad Air), the best in beauty (PS editors also can't get enough of the Hey Dewy Portable Cool Mist Humidifier), and some covetable fashion finds. Happy shopping!
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Best Gift For the Teen Who Loves Harry Styles
"Harry Styles: And the Clothes He Wears" by Terry Newman ($15, originally $30)
Stay with us: considering how much of a megastar the former One Direction member is, this gift is a lot less niche than you might think. This coffee-table book by journalist and fashion industry vet Terry Newman includes fun facts about Styles's most-loved looks, alongside gorgeous photography.
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Best Gift For the Teen Who Loves Photography
Fujifilm Fujicolor QuickSnap Flash 400 35mm Camera ($22, originally $26)
Sometimes, only analogue will do. This disposable camera is preloaded with 24 exposures of 35mm color film. It has a built-in dual-flash system and large viewfinder for perfect framing, every time. It's such a fun way to capture memories, then and there.
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Best Gift For the Lip Balm-Obsessed Teen
Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Hydrating Peptide Lip Treatment ($22)
Ole Henriksen's Pout Preserve Hydrating Peptide Lip Treatment has probably been all over their TikTok feeds, thanks to Suni Lee's viral lip routine. This bestselling nonsticky glossy balm has a hydrating formula that will be their new favorite lippie. The four tinted shades are pigmented enough to give your budding beauty maven a flush of color, but it also comes in a clear shade. Read more in our Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Hydrating Peptide Lip Treatment review.
Editor Quote: "The lip treatment has a thick, creamy texture that delivers a smooth glide, but it's not sticky. Unlike other lip balms on the market, the Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment doesn't sit on top of the lips like an occlusive. Instead, the formula actually sinks into the skin and delivers hydration to every layer. It's one of the few lip balms that I don't have to constantly reapply because the moisture and conditioning are layers deep and, therefore, long-lasting." - Anvita Reddy, assistant editor, Shopping
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Best Luxe Undereye Patches For Teens
Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Under Eye Patches ($26)
These eye masks contain calendula extract, hyaluronic acid, a blend of 17 amino acids, and aloe leaf extract to hydrate and calm the undereye area. Camu extract brightens the eyes for a more awake appearance. One PS editor claims these are the only eye patches on the market that don't slip down her cheeks. They're soaked in a deeply hydrating serum that helps reduce the appearance of puffiness and gives a more awakened appearance. Read our full review of the Wander Beauty eye patches here.
Editor Quote: "When I use these eye patches, I look more awake and less tired and exhausted, my eyes are less puffy and more wide-eyed and bright, and my undereye area has a healthy glow. I use them when I'm getting ready for a party or an event, when my undereye area feels too dry, or when I just feel like pampering myself." - AR
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Best Gift For the Teen Who's Always on the Go
Calpak Luka Key Pouch ($28)
Teens often go straight from sports practice to school to extracurricular activities — which means they're lugging a ton of stuff. This cutie pouch from Calpak is key (pun fully intended) to help make their valuables easy to find in that black hole of a backpack. It's the perfect size for stashing your keys, AirPods, some cash, and a lip balm; then, your teen can use the carabiner to clip it to the inside of their bag to keep within reach. The key pouch also has a convenient elastic that allows you to wear it an your wrist while going for a hike or a run.
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Best Emotional Support Water Bottle For Teens
Owala FreeSip Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($30)
This viral water "bottle" is an insulated stainless steel cup that actually fits in most cup holders. It comes in so many different colorways and has a leak-proof design. It keeps drinks hot for seven hours, cold for 11 hours, and iced for nearly two days. Your hydration queen can drink it from the straw opening or the wide mouth opening. Read more in our
Owala FreeSip Water Bottle review.
Editor Quote: "Beyond its aesthetics, I fell in love with the dual-function straw. What makes it so great is that you can either sip through the built-in straw (ideal for avoiding spills when it's full) or swig from the spout opening when you need a lot more water at once (perfect for those intense Sculpt classes)." — Marisa Petrarca, contributing editor, Shopping
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Best Stylish Sunglasses For Teens
Fifth & Ninth Ainsley 68mm Cat Eye Sunglasses ($30)
Your teen will want to wear this stylish pair of sunnies all the time. They go with any style or aesthetic, and while they look luxe, they're actually pretty affordable; you'll want to get a pair for yourself too. Plus, Kate Hudson cited a similar pair as one of her must-have items.
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Best Gift For the Teen With a Sweet Tooth
DIY Mochi Ice Cream Kit ($35)
If your teen loves to cook and experiment with new recipes, they'll love trying out this DIY Mochi Ice Cream Kit. This Japanese dessert is the perfect treat: sweet and chewy on the outside, cold and creamy on the inside. The kit makes four batches of eight in total.
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Best Self-Care Gift For Teens
Hey Dewy Portable Cool Mist Humidifier ($60)
Make your teen feel pampered with this editor-favorite humidifier for skin. The rechargeable device is portable, so your teen can hydrate their skin during their morning routine, take it with them on the go, or breath a little easier while studying at their desk. It comes in three colors. Check out our review of the Hey Dewy Portable Cool Mist Humidifier to learn more.
Editor Quote: "The benefits of having one in my home have been endless — from clearing my sinuses to helping me sleep better at night and even making my skin feel better throughout the day." - Kyley Warren, assistant editor, Shopping
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Best Makeup Gift For Teens
Patrick Ta Major Dimensions Eyeshadow Palette ($70)
Every makeup-loving 16-year-old needs the perfect neutral eyeshadow palette in their vanity. Lila says that she and her friends think Patrick Ta's formulas are great (they're free of parabens and phthalates and are cruelty-free), and she loves how versatile this range of hues is. The PS team are also big fans of the brand — check out the results when one beauty editor took the Patrick Ta line for a spin, courtesy of the makeup artist himself.
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Best Personalized Gift For Teens
BaubleBar All the Beige iPhone Case ($72)
Sixteen-year-olds are notoriously glued to their phones. If you're shopping for the iPhone user in your life, get them something cute and personalized like this case from BaubleBar. It features raised acrylic letters (and can fit up to 12 characters) with a pearl-like finish for a luxe 3D effect. It's perfect for someone who loves a neutral vibe.
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Best Fashion Gift For Teens
JW Pei Mini Flap Crossbody ($80)
This adorable faux-croc handbag is a PS reader rave for a reason: it's timeless, high-quality, and the perfect size. It comes in plenty of colors, whether you want to get them a staple neutral like black or brown, or something bold like an ombré light-green-and-blue shade or a stunning lavender. Read our editor review of the JW PEI Women's Mini Flap Crossbody.
Editor Quote: "This purse has ample room for my wallet, phone, keys, and hand sanitizer — but it's not so big that I have to spend an embarrassing amount of time locating a mere tube of lipstick." - Kelsey Mulvey, former contributing editor, Shopping
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Best Gift For the Nostalgic Teen
HP Sprocket Instant Smartphone Photo Printer ($80)
Your teen's Instagram feed isn't the only place for cute pictures: they can print out their favorite memories with friends and family and even show off their photography skills with this smartphone printer from HP.
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Best Gift For the Teen Who Loves Doing Their Nails
Olive and June The Gel Mani System ($85-$115)
Shopping for the teen who loves to do their own nails at home? This gel mani kit is something they'll use all the time. It has everything they'll need for DIY gel manicures, including a five-finger LED curing lamp, gel nail polish peel off and regular base coat, and a gel top coat, along with your choice of either one or six gel polish colors. Plus, you get the basics like a nail filer, buffer, nail clippers, a clean up brush, a poppy holder, and an acetone remover pot. It even comes with cuticle care accessories like a pusher, a remover, and a serum. The system is easy to use, HEMA-free, and manicures last up to 21 days.
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Best Gift For the Teen Adventure Seeker
Impala Quad Skate Skates ($100)
Maybe they were inspired by the "Barbie" movie or maybe they just want to try a new hobby on for size . . . Either way, these retro-inspired skates are sure to get your active teen up and moving. They come in a variety of different colors, so you can get them their favorite shade.
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Best Jewelry Gift For Teens
Astrid & Miyu Cosmic Star Dome Hoops in Gold ($105)
According to Lila, "Mini hoops are so in right now." Astrid & Miyu is one of her fave brands for jewelry because its materials don't irritate her sensitive skin. This pair of star-studded hoops is plated in 18k gold and features cubic zirconia sparklers.
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Best Comfy Hoodie For Teens
Lululemon Scuba Oversized Half-Zip Hoodie ($118)
Lila tells PS she's been eyeing this sweatshirt since she borrowed her friend's for a test drive. "[It's] super cute and such a great color to pair with anything. The quality of these hoodies is super good as well," she says. This comfy hoodie has a relaxed, oversize fit, and comes in a ton of different colors. Plus, the elastic zipper pull doubles as a hair tie. Read more in our in-depth review of the Lululemon Scuba Oversized Half-Zip Hoodie.
Editor Quote: "It's perfectly oversize with a silhouette that's not too short or too long. I'm 5'1", and the hoodie hits me right at my hips, but the ribbed bottom hem doesn't taper in, so it never rides up at the midsection. This small detail makes all the difference between a flattering, put-together look and an awkward fit. It pairs well with leggings, sweatpants, jeans, and even workout dresses and skirts." - AR
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Best Gift For the Teen Music Lover
Marshall Emberton III Bluetooth Portable Speaker ($170)
With more than 20 hours of playtime per charge, the Marshall Emberton Bluetooth Portable Speaker is a must for avid music listeners. Resilient, waterproof, and lightweight — and with a rich, clear, and multidirectional sound — it's perfect for all your adventures. The stylish design is a huge plus.
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Best Headphones For Teens
Apple AirPods Pro ($190, originally $249)
These Apple AirPods 2 are a bestseller on Amazon. They are known for their good sound quality and can provide up to 30 hours of listening with the MagSafe charging case — they block out noise for immersive sound and operate in transparency mode if the wearer needs to know what's happening around them. They're also sweat- and water-resistant.
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Best Gift For the Teen Gamer
Nintendo Switch ($350)
Nintendo's latest drop has three modes of playtime — TV mode, tabletop mode, and handheld mode — for gaming whenever, wherever. It has a battery range of four to nine hours, depending on software usage and conditions. It can even connect over WiFi for multiplayer gaming.
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Best Gift For the Teen VR Enthusiast
Meta Quest 3 ($500)
The Meta Quest 3 isn't for everyone, but for the game-loving teen looking to level up, it's hard to think of a better gift. It's a virtual-reality headset that will let them play games, watch concerts, and more as if they've been transported there. They can experience a whole new world with these.
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Best Tech Gift For Teens
Apple iPad Air ($549, originally $599)
"My backpack is super heavy with all of my notebooks and my laptop, so I've been looking for an easy alternative," Lila says. "Many of my friends use iPads in class to take notes, and there are so many cool functions to help make diagrams and organize online notebooks. I also think iPads can be handy when watching TV in bed."
The iPad Air is a tech gift perfect for productivity and play. On one device, they can stream their favorite shows and catch up on school work. If they have a creative side, they can access illustration programs like Procreate and unleash their digital art skills.
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— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano, Alessia Santoro, and Abbey Stone
Anvita Reddy (she/her) is an assistant editor for PS Shopping. She has a passion for products and reviews home gadgets, cookware, tech, and more. Having dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood, her expertise lies in beauty. She tests skin care, makeup, and hair care, plus countless other beauty products.
Lauren Harano (she/her) is a contributor for PS and was formerly an editor for PS Living, Beauty, and Shop. She has a passion for skin care, murder mysteries, and online shopping. Aside from PS, her work can be found in the pages of Cosmopolitan and Seventeen as well as online at InStyle, Esquire, NBC, and various food and travel sites.
Alessia Santoro (she/her) is the senior SEO editor at PS, where she guides SEO strategy and assists the brand's editorial team in maintaining and creating search-intended content across multiple categories, including health, fitness, beauty, parenting, astrology, and more. Prior to shifting to SEO in 2021, she spent nearly seven years as a family editor for the brand, with focuses on parenting content, baby names, and family entertainment.
Abbey Stone is a former interim content director for PS Wellness.