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A great Valentine’s Day gift strikes the balance between personal and indulgent, which is a very different measure depending on whom you’re shopping for. Some guys may be yearning for a high-quality turntable; others may want nothing more than a reliable chef’s knife. Some want a trip to the spa and fancy skin care. (And, of course, there are the guys who truly just want a nice dinner and chocolate.) To help you find the right Valentine’s Day gift for the man in your life, I combed through the Strategist archives to find tried-and-true items that would make thoughtful presents for any type of guy. Many are things Strategist staffers have gifted (or were thrilled to receive) themselves. All of the things on this list are available on Amazon but I’ve found some of them elsewhere, too, for those who like to shop around. And if you’re looking for more ideas, we have gift guides for everyone, from the person who just wants flowers to foodies and wine lovers.
Update on February 11, 2025: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
Under $25
For the man with a sweet tooth
Do him one better than a heart-shaped sampler from the drugstore with this six-pack from Tony’s Chocoloney, which the Strategist named a status Halloween candy after speaking to in-the-know parents and candy experts.
For the man who’s on his feet all day
This analog foot massager was recommended by immunologist Lina Velikova in our roundup of the best gifts for doctors — it’s even compact enough to fit under a desk.
For the man with a stockpile of scented candles
This is my favorite incense from Japanese brand Nippon Kodo — it smells better than a scented candle and is less expensive. (And it comes in a very giftable box.)
For the man who read The Mushroom at the End of the World
A glowy cluster of mushrooms are a perfect nightlight for the amateur mycologist.
For the man who takes great vacation photos
These disposable cameras are easy to use, portable, and produce surprisingly high-quality black-and-white prints.
For the man with a preferred canned-tomato brand
A made-in-Italy pasta board to get his gnocchi alla sorrentina restaurant-level perfect.
For the man who camps out at oyster happy hour
Buy a man an oyster and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man how to use an oyster knife and you’ll feed him for life.
For the man with a curated sweats drawer
Comfy sweats are a foolproof gift, and in our guide to the best loungewear for men, Adidas’s sweatpants were recommended several times. “I would generally never wear sweatpants out,” says Matthew Malin, co-founder of Malin+Goetz, “but I’ve had these track pants with a stripe down the side for a couple of months now and I find myself wearing them pretty regularly.”
For the man who plays with fire
Heat things up with this cookbook for cooking over an open flame from chef Francis Mallmann — it’s one of our favorite gifts for grilling enthusiasts.
For the man who’s trying to cut down on screen time
According to chess players, nothing beats an affordable, portable, roll-up chess set. Grandmaster Susan Polgar, a three-time chess world champion, likes this one, praising it as an “an inexpensive but durable set that’s perfect for casual or tournament play.”
Editor’s note: This item will arrive after Valentine’s Day.
For the man who’s training for a half-marathon
Novelist Haruki Murakami’s meditative book on running “is about so much more than just what is running, how to run, and how to run fast,” says runner Rich Roll.
For the man who bakes
This French butter is beloved by Dominique Ansel, inventor of the cronut. “You have to experience it to be able to understand it,” he says. “It’s higher quality than most butter you can find in the U.S. because of the cows and what they eat in France.” (And yes, it’s great for making croissants.)
For the man with threadbare sweatshirts
Model-actor Miles Garber told us he lives in his Gildan sweats: “They’re cool because they look vaguely ’90s, which is the best era of sweatwear, I think.” (Pair with matching elastic-hem sweatpants for a true Seinfeld-era gym look.)
For the man who never has a hair out of place
This is podcaster Marc Maron’s favorite comb — it’s handmade and folds into an efficient pocket-size package.
For the man who watches music documentaries
He’ll love this book on the creative process by legendary producer Rick Rubin. “It’s just as much about mindfulness and awareness as it is about creativity,” says Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa.
For the man with a woodshop in the garage
If he keeps sending you links to biscuit joiners, he’ll appreciate this introduction to Japanese carpentry written by architect Kiyosi Seike that highlights 48 different joint styles.
Under $50
For the man who has trouble falling asleep
One of our favorite weighted blankets, this cotton-and-glass-bead weighted quilt is a game changer, according to Strategist assistant editor and (formerly) restless sleeper Jenna Milliner-Waddell. “I now define my life as pre–YNM blanket and post–YNM blanket,” she says.
For the man who loves a spa day
Claus Porto, a brand that barbers love, has been making its luxe soaps in Portugal since 1887. This soap from the company’s Musgo Real line has notes of sandalwood and patchouli.
Editor’s note: This item will arrive after Valentine’s Day.
For the man who already has NBA League Pass
These mesh shorts are one of our favorite gifts for basketball fans. (They also come in a blue colorway with “Los Angeles” embroidered across the front, but I prefer New York.)
For the man who listens to synthwave
This cute little gadget is half-toy, half-instrument, winner of the “High Target Toy Prize” at the 2010 Japanese Toy Awards. Use the slider on the “tail” to make notes and squish its silicone cheeks for changes in tone.
For the Pauline Kael of Letterboxd
Taxi Driver screenwriter Paul Schrader’s book of film theory is a great gift for a cinephile. (Buy the 1988 edition at Abe Books if you want the more interesting cover; you can also find it at Thriftbooks.)
For the man with aches and pains
Sometimes, the most romantic gift you can give is to help unknot his back. The TriggerPoint foam roller is our best-in-class pick for its firm-but-not-stiff density: “It’s the first foam roller I recommend to everyone,” says Strategist fitness writer Jeremy Rellosa.
For the man with a Crunchyroll Premium subscription
For anime fans, a Gundam action figure is the Valentine’s equivalent of a box of chocolates.
For the man who loves indie sleaze
This book contains more than 300 photographs by party chronicler the Cobrasnake — valuable Y2K fashion inspiration.
For the man who wants to match with his dog
For the man with a passion for graphic design
I discovered this design-y, silly, almost SFW nude from Milton Glaser, the co-founder of New York magazine, via my co-worker Liza Corsillo’s roundup of the best butt-themed home décor.
Under $100
For the man you travel the world with
This useful device plugs into a headphone jack and connects via Bluetooth to your AirPods, eliminating the need for headphones on flights (and for unplugging your setup when your seat partner stands). This model can be paired with up to two sets of AirPods in case you’re watching something together.
For the man who’s getting into skin care
Our absolute favorite body oil will help keep winter dryness at bay — it’s “nongreasy and fast-absorbing, and it leaves my skin feeling bright and bouncy all day long,” per Strategist writer Brenley Goertzen. (LeVar Burton is also a fan.)
For the man who forgets to lift from the legs, not the back
A cult-favorite neck and back massage pillow (with heat!) will unknot his back and relieve aches and pains.
For the man who already has a gnocchi board
Continue his fresh pasta journey with this chef-favorite, hand-operated appliance from a company that has been making pasta machines since the 1930s.
For the man who games on the subway
This easy-to-use console for the iPhone is one of our favorite gifts for gamers. Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon writes that its portability has “turned gaming on my iPhone into a first-class experience that can follow me nearly anywhere.”
For the man who puts potato chips on his sandwiches
A paint can full of gourmet Spanish chips will last him longer than a bag of Utz. (“They’re the best potato chips I’ve ever had in my life,” says Amy Sedaris.)
For the man who kept his quarantine beard
The Wahl Magic Clip is “the top product to own if you want to re-create a barbershop experience in the comfort of your home,” says Miles Wood-Smith, master barber at Murdock London. It’s popular among barbers for its power, sharp blades, and a good range of guard options for getting his beard length just right.
For the fragrance nerd
This is my absolute favorite scented candle; it smells like “rainwater in eucalyptus groves off Highway 1.”
For the man who has cursed out his charcoal grill
This powerful clip-on fan is “a firestarter’s best friend,” according to chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois. It’ll get tons of air to the coals and get the fire burning hotter faster.
For the man who gets competitive about bird-watching
This pair of bins comes highly recommended by Strategist contributor and bird enthusiast Steven John. Their durability and light weight make them a favorite pair for hiking and camping adventures.
For the man who would rather watch TV
These comfy, cork-soled woolen slippers are a splurge, but they last forever, according to chef and farmer Phoebe Cole-Smith.
Editor’s note: Some sizes and colorways will arrive after Valentine’s Day.
For the man who searches eBay for vintage Italian lamps
This Alessi stovetop coffee maker is a design classic and will make his coffee-making ritual a little more indulgent.
For the man who refuses to get a smart watch
Gift him the chunky, retro watch Lil Nas X is loving right now. “I used to want them so bad when I was in sixth grade, but I couldn’t get them … now that I have money, I can go and get me a G-Shock watch,” he says.
For the man with a display-worthy sex-toy collection
Under $200
For the man who likes to sleep under the stars
Van lifers Megan Hogate and Ciara Ladroma say that this portable, durable loveseat is a “romantic” camping chair — “that’s the reason we got it.”
For the man who tosses and turns
Latex pillows are a splurge, but for restless sleepers, they’re worth it. The material is bouncy and not as easily compressed as foam pillows, and this Naturepedic model is made from organic latex with an organic cotton cover.
For the man who just picked up a new sport
Beloved by doctors, basketball players, runners, and Strategist beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton, this mini percussive massage tool will soothe aches and pains.
For the man with an aesthetic desk setup
This flip clock from Japanese brand Twemco is delightfully analog — and it’s one of our 100 favorite office supplies.
Editor’s note: This item will arrive after Valentine’s Day.
For the man who makes you coffee
A top-of-the-line kettle is a great splurge gift — it’s beautiful, reliable, and will make an everyday task smoother. Fellow’s electric kettle is beloved by so many experts (and Strategist writers) that it made the Strategist 100 — our list of the most-stood-behind products we have written about.
Editor’s note: This item will arrive after Valentine’s Day.
For the man with a New Year’s resolution to fix his sleep hygiene
The Loftie alarm clock is great for removing devices from the bedroom, and it lulls you in and out of sleep with gentler noises than an alarm blaring. “It has greatly improved my sleep quality,” says Julianne Fraser, the founder and CEO of digital-marketing agency Dialogue New York. “I fall asleep to the sound baths and use the breath-work and meditation features instead of scrolling through my Instagram feed.”
For the man who has talked about getting guitar lessons for years
Guitar-store owners say this Gretsch guitar is a great (budget-friendly) choice for both beginner and amateur players: “The small body makes it easy to hold, and the quality is outstanding, especially considering the price,” says one guitar seller.
Editor’s note: This item will arrive after Valentine’s Day.
For the man who does everything on his phone
This app-controlled sex toy is the “the Cadillac of cock rings,” according to Samantha Bard, co-owner of the Williamsburg sex shop and event space Shag. It can be controlled via smartphone app from anywhere, a feature that makes it really popular, she says.
$200 and above
For the man who prefers Mr. Coffee to Chemex
If he’d rather outsource brewing coffee to a machine, gift him the Technivorm Moccamaster. It delivers a “consistently better cup,” according to Jim Munson, founder and president of Brooklyn Roasting Company, and is made with “solid construction and better parts” than similar models, per Suyog Mody, co-founder of Driftaway Coffee.
For the board-game nerd
It was BoardGameGeek’s best game in the world for an unprecedented five-year run. It’s sold out everywhere, but true love is finding a pristine set from a reseller online.
Editor’s note: This item will arrive after Valentine’s Day.
For the man with an art-book collection
The catalogue of a 2018 Morgan Library exhibition of works by photographer Peter Hujar sold out immediately, but you can still find copies from resellers on eBay and on Amazon.
Editor’s note: This item will arrive after Valentine’s Day.
For the man who knows what a hurdy-gurdy is
This tool from legendary synth-makers Teenage Engineering brands itself as “the world’s first medieval electronic instrument.” It comes loaded with a ton of samples and sounds, like sword-fighting, witches, tambourines, and medieval strings.
For the man starting a vinyl collection
When Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon asked professional DJs and vinyl collectors about the best turntables for beginners, this Audio-Technica was one of their go-to recommendations (and the least expensive of the bunch).
Editor’s note: This item will arrive after Valentine’s Day.
For the man on a quest to make the perfect pizza
“If you want to see a grown chef cry, gift them an Ooni,” Strategist food and dining writer Emma Wartzman writes. The steel oven can get to very high temperatures, ideal for a good char on pizza crust.
For the pepper maximalist
Most people don’t need a $200 pepper grinder. But if he is obsessed with pepper and wants to maximize his yield per grind, it’s the best in the biz.
For the man who’s glued to his fitness-tracker apps
Give the gift of less soreness on recovery days. “My legs feel less tired, less sore, and less tight after I use them,” says Queens Distance Runners co-founder Maria Wong.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultra-flattering pants, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
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