The best birthday gift ideas for men, from practical to posh

So there’s a man in your life who needs a birthday gift. Fear not: Whether he’s your husband, dad, grandpa, son, cousin, situationship, or friend, we’ve got you covered.

As with any great birthday gift, the key to success is to focus on what he’s into. Is he an audiophile? Opt for headphones or a speaker. Is he an outdoorsman? There’s plenty of outdoor gear ripe for the gifting. Does he love to entertain? Some fancy new kitchen accessories might be just the ticket.

If you don’t know him well, we’ve also included some excellent crowd-pleaser picks, including a self-warming mug, board games, an instant camera, cool Lego sets for adults, and more. Whether you go the posh or the practical route, you’re sure to find something that will make his day — and hopefully set him up for a great year ahead.

Here’s our promise to you: This list will never include whiskey stones. We know they’re probably great for the whiskey drinker, but if you’re looking for a gift, we assume you already know about them. They are truly on every list.

Here are our picks for the best birthday gift ideas for men.

Ember Mug 2

Credit: Ember / Amazon

For the Coffee Drinker: If he’s particular about his morning coffee, help him keep that expertly brewed cup at the optimal temperature with an Ember Mug. It even has an LED indicator that lights up when his drink is ready to go.

YETI Rambler Mug

Credit: Yeti / Amazon

For the Outdoor Coffee Drinker: This insulated Yeti mug is great for folks who like to take their coffee into the great outdoors. Since it’s large enough to be used as a bowl, it’s especially great for campers.

Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Credit: Takeya / Amazon

For the Iced Coffee Drinker: If he’s the type to drink iced coffee all year round, help him cut down on coffee shop spending with his very own cold brew maker. This pitcher can make up to two quarts of the good stuff.

Instant MagicFroth

Credit: Instant / Amazon

For the Latte Fan: Yes, the Instant Pot company makes a frother. It’s fancy, too: It can froth and steam milk at three different temperatures and make quick hot chocolate and matcha. Its pitcher is also dishwasher safe.

Owala FreeSip Water Bottle, 40 oz 

Credit: Owala / Amazon

For the Hydration King: The Owala FreeSip is the talk of the water bottle town, not least because it has a built-in straw and a standard spout opening. An easy toggle between chugging and sipping? That’s the dream.

AirPods Max

Credit: Apple / Amazon

For the Audiophile: Looking to splurge? Consider the iconic AirPods Max. Former Mashable reporter Brenda Stolyar praised them for their “excellent noise cancellation” and “impressive audio quality” — plus, they look really, really cool. 

AirPods Pro (2nd gen)

Credit: Apple / Amazon

For the Public Transit Commuter: Make his bus or train commute easier with a pair of AirPods Pro. They have noise cancellation and “transparency” modes, so he can choose how much of the world he wants to let in.

Marshall Acton III Bluetooth Speaker

Credit: Marshall / Amazon

For the Aesthete Audiophile: We’d wager there is no cooler-looking speaker than this one, with its sleek, retro design and smart gold details. It’ll look great sitting on his bookshelf, credenza, or coffee table. 

ZIMASILK Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Credit: ZIMASILK / Amazon

For Better Beauty Rest: Add a hint of luxury to his nighttime routine with a mulberry silk pillowcase. It’ll help with bedhead, minimize skin irritation, and (most importantly) feel incredible to sleep on. We recommend snagging a set of two.

Brooklinen Super Plush Robe

Credit: Brooklinen / Amazon

For the Friend Who Needs Some R&R: We can attest that this is the coziest robe ever. It comes in a range of calming, spa-like colors (we like Eucalyptus and Ocean in particular) and is made of ultra-soft cotton for a truly comfy lounging experience.

Rigwa Life Insulated Bowl

Credit: Rigwa Life/ Amzon

For Salad Enthusiasts: A prime pick for people who pack their lunch for work, this insulated bowl is ideal for keeping salads crisp and fresh until lunchtime. It’s also useful for summer trips to the lake or beach.

Maelstrom Cooler Backpack

Credit: Maelstrom / Amazon

For the Dad (or Dad of the Friend Group): If he likes to plan ahead and be prepared, help him in his snack-packing endeavors with a trusty cooler backpack. It’ll work for beach trips, hikes, afternoons in the park, and more.

Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket

Credit: Rumpl / Amazon

For the Parkgoer: Speaking of the park, if he loves to lounge on the grass with a book, this blanket is the gift for him. It’s comfortable, packable, water-resistant, and machine-washable — and there are lots of interesting patterns to choose from.

Graf Lantz Bierfilzl Felt Coasters

Credit: Graf Lantz / Amazon

For the Entertainer: Help him protect his coffee table from the dreaded moisture rings. This set of wool coasters is both elegant and practical. According to the brand, each coaster can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling wet to the touch.

ThermoPro Digital Meat Thermometer

Credit: ThermoPro / Amazon

For the Griller: Help him master the fine art of grilled meats with a digital meat thermometer. If he’s new to the game, this will also make it less stressful for you to eat dinner at his house. A win for all involved! 

Le Creuset Stoneware Mini Cocotte

Credit: Le Creuset / Amazon

For the Chef: Le Creuset’s stoneware collection is a more affordable way to enjoy the iconic brand. This eight-ounce cocotte makes an adorable gift. Bonus: Unlike Le Creuset’s cast-iron offerings, it’s dishwasher-safe.

Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron Heart Cocotte

Credit: Le Creuset / Amazon

For the Chef (Fancy Edition): If you want to go the bougie and romantic route, consider Le Creuset’s enameled cast-iron cocotte in a delightful heart shape. Color-wise, we like the classic Cerise, but you really can’t go wrong.

Polaroid Now Camera

Credit: Polaroid / Amazon

For the Amateur Photog: Help him document his life with an easy-to-use Polaroid instant camera. This bundle even comes with a roll of color film so that he can start snapping pics immediately.

Kindle Paperwhite

Credit: Amazon

For the Reader on the Go: If he’s the type to read multiple books at once, help him declutter his tote bag with a lightweight, anti-glare Kindle Paperwhite. His spinal column will be so thankful for the much-needed relief.

Lego Icons Tiny Plants Building Set

Credit: Lego / Amazon

For the Lego Fan: Tiny tropical, desert, and carnivorous plants made out of Lego in tiny terra-cotta Lego pots. Could this be the most romantic gift of all time? We certainly think so, and we think he’ll agree. (Just look at the Venus fly trap!)

‘Scattergories’

Credit: Hasbro / Amazon

For the Game Night Host: Plenty of new board games are out there, but sometimes you can’t do better than a classic. Scattergories works equally well for friend-group get-togethers and family game nights: It’s easy to learn but will keep players on their toes.