17 Gifts for Men in Their 20s (That They'll Actually Use)

A lot of social life in your twenties happens around someone's coffee table. Codenames is the game that works with any group: two teams, one-word clues, fifteen minutes a round, and rules you can explain in two minutes to people who "don't do board games". It plays well with four people or ten. Unlike most party games, it doesn't get old.

Best for

The guy who hosts game nights, or should.

Skip if

His friends are hardcore board gamers. They probably own it already, so ask what's on their wish list.

The Carhartt beanie is the one piece of workwear that crossed over to everyone. It is warm, it keeps its shape for years, and it comes in dozens of colours. It is a low-risk clothing gift because it is one size fits all. If he already has one, a second colour still gets worn.

Best for

Pretty much any guy who lives somewhere with a winter.

Skip if

He lives somewhere warm year-round. It will sit in a drawer.

Nalgene is nearly indestructible, holds a full litre, fits ice cubes through the wide mouth, and takes stickers well, which matters more than it should to guys this age. Gym, desk, hiking trail, nightstand: it goes everywhere. It is cheap enough to pair with a bigger gift.

Best for

Gym-goers, hikers and the chronically dehydrated.

Skip if

He wants cold drinks to stay cold all day. Nalgene isn't insulated, so choose a steel bottle.

Many guys in their twenties wash their face with body wash, if at all. Two CeraVe basics make a complete routine: the Hydrating Facial Cleanser and the AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30. They are fragrance-free, dermatologist-developed and not fussy. Two steps is a routine he will actually keep, and the daily SPF is the part his forty-year-old self will thank you for.

Best for

Guys starting a skincare routine from zero.

Skip if

He already has a routine he's loyal to. Buy refills of what he uses rather than switching him.

Most guys this age either wear nothing or wear the body spray they picked at 16. A sampler set lets him try several designer fragrances for a week each. Most include a voucher to redeem for a full bottle of the one he likes. Choosing a scent is personal, so this does the choosing without guessing for him.

Best for

Guys without a signature scent yet.

Skip if

He's already found his scent. A full bottle of that is the better gift.

A $5 coffee every morning adds up to well over $1,000 a year. The AeroPress makes smooth, strong coffee in about two minutes, cleans up in seconds and is practically unbreakable, so it travels too. It is a favourite of coffee nerds, but simple enough for a beginner. Add a bag of beans from a local roaster.

Best for

Coffee drinkers on a first-job budget.

Skip if

He wants espresso drinks with milk foam. See the Breville Bambino below.

A dead phone at a concert, an airport or on a night out is a modern emergency. Anker's compact power banks with a built-in cable mean there's nothing extra to forget. They're small enough for a jacket pocket and give a full phone recharge. It is the kind of gift he'll be glad of at exactly the right moment.

Best for

Travellers, festival-goers and phone-heavy users.

Skip if

His phone still charges by Lightning (older iPhones). Check the model or choose a MagSafe power bank.

Keys, wallet, backpack and checked luggage: an AirTag on each means he can find them on his iPhone, and a lost bag at the airport stops being a mystery. It is a small, practical gift that suits the travel-heavy years of weddings and bachelor parties. The four-pack is better value if you're splurging.

Best for

iPhone users who lose things and travel often.

Skip if

He uses Android. AirTags need an iPhone, so choose a Tile or Chipolo tracker instead.

For anyone who types all day, as programmers, remote workers and gamers do, a mechanical keyboard is a satisfying daily upgrade. The K2 is compact, connects over Bluetooth or cable, and works with Mac and Windows. It is a respected entry point to a hobby that can get as deep as he wants.

Best for

Coders, remote workers and gamers.

Skip if

He shares a room or office with people who hate noise. Choose quieter 'brown' switches or skip it.

For a guy who doesn't love cooking, an air fryer is the difference between takeout and a real dinner. Frozen food comes out crisp, chicken thighs take 20 minutes, and the basket is dishwasher safe. The Ninja 4-quart is small enough for an apartment counter and big enough for two.

Best for

Guys who live on takeout.

Skip if

His kitchen counter is tiny or he already cooks seriously. He may prefer a good pan.

A first real watch is a classic gift at this age, and the Weekender is the easy starting point. It has a clean face, the Indiglo backlight and a slip-through strap he can change in seconds to dress it up or down. It looks sharper than its price. If he likes it, he may start caring about watches, which gives you gift ideas for years.

Best for

New professionals and guys with a bare wrist.

Skip if

He wears an Apple Watch or Garmin every day. He won't swap it for an analogue watch.

Gaming with friends online means hours on voice chat, so comfort and a clear mic matter. The Cloud III is known for comfortable memory-foam ear cushions, a sturdy build and a clear detachable mic. It works across PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch.

Best for

Gamers who play online with friends.

Skip if

He plays mostly single-player games on a TV. He probably doesn't need a headset.

Thin, scratchy towels are the most common leftover from college. Brooklinen's Super-Plush towels are heavy, absorbent Turkish cotton and feel like a hotel. It is not an exciting gift on paper, but it is one he'll notice every single day. It is also the kind of thing guys this age almost never replace themselves.

Best for

First-apartment guys and new homeowners.

Skip if

He's a minimalist who uses one towel until it dies. Pick something he'd be excited to open.

Your twenties are full of weddings, bachelor parties and cheap weekend flights. The Farpoint 40 fits airline carry-on limits, opens like a suitcase, and has a proper harness that zips away when he checks it. It is built for "one bag and go" travel and backed by Osprey's well-known repair guarantee.

Best for

Guys who travel light and often.

Skip if

He mostly travels for business with suits. A wheeled carry-on with a garment section suits him better.

The Bambino heats up in seconds, pulls proper espresso and has a steam wand for lattes, all in a machine narrow enough for a small kitchen. For a guy spending $6 a day at a café, it pays for itself within a few months. Pair it with a bag of fresh beans. For the best results he'll eventually want a burr grinder too.

Best for

Latte drinkers with café habits.

Skip if

He drinks black filter coffee. An AeroPress or drip machine suits him better and costs far less.

One pair replaces fifteen pairs of dumbbells. A dial changes the weight from 5 to 52.5 pounds in seconds, and the whole set fits in the corner of an apartment. For guys training at home or cancelling a gym membership, it's the most useful single piece of equipment.

Best for

Home-workout guys with limited space.

Skip if

He loves his gym and goes five days a week. He won't use them.

Most guys in their twenties grew up on Nintendo, and the Switch 2 works on the TV and in handheld mode, so it suits small apartments and long flights. Local multiplayer games like Mario Kart make it a social console as much as a solo one. The bundle with a game is usually the better deal.

Best for

Gamers and guys who host friends.

Skip if

He's a dedicated PC or PlayStation gamer. He'll want games or gear for his platform.