Shopping for men can often present two specific challenges: They’re either the unfussy type who doesn’t carry a constantly-updating wishlist around with them in their head and leave no hints, or what they really want is on a bank-account-decimating level of expensive. I mean, we all want to wake up to a brand new SUV in the driveway adorned with a ridiculously oversized red bow, but we live in the real world, not a car commercial.
But there has to be a middle ground when it comes to thoughtful, practical and surprising gifts, right? Yes, there is. May we present the aforementioned middle ground: Affordable gifts for men that run the gamut from organizational accessories to automotive upgrades, kitchen enhancements to just plain fun. No matter what the man (or men) on your list is into, there is something perfect for them this holiday season that won’t completely crater your shopping budget.
Here are some of the fun gifts topping our shopping list this season:
Editor’s Top Picks
Want to know more about these great, affordable gifts? Keep reading!
Crosley Cruiser Plus Vintage Record Player
What You Get: Simply one of the most stylish old-school vinyl record players we’ve ever seen. The Crosley Cruiser Plus is capable of playing three speeds (33 ⅓, 45, and 78 RPM) and offers adjustable pitch controls. Its lightweight, suitcase-like design means it’s portable, and while it’s a living tribute to retro design, it has the modern ability to wirelessly connect to Bluetooth speakers. It also has a headphone jack for personal “zone out” time.
Why the Man in Your Life Will Love It: Vinyl collectors will love the versatility and portability (why not share some of those rare finds?), as well as the 32 different color and pattern options available. From simple black and teal to basketweave, tie dye, and leopard print, there is a Crosley to suit any lounge decor.
Price: $44.96 at Walmart
True Classic Men’s Shirts
What You Get: Plain T-shirts. But wait, don’t shrug it off just yet. The key to True Classic is that their shirts are made from soft, comfortable and durable fabrics that hold up to repeated washings (and repeated wear). Their collections of tees, long sleeve shirts, dress shirts, hoodies, jeans and sweatpants are solid, dependable basics that highlight any guy’s wardrobe. If the man on your list is tired of ill-fitting logo tees and wants to step it up a bit, this is the way to go.
Why the Man in Your Life Will Love It: Did we also mention that True Classic shirts are cut to accentuate a guy’s best attributes (and help cover up the less-than-best)? Designed to fit more snugly across the chest and arms while leaving a little looseness around the midsection, True Classic shirts don’t just fit better, they make you look better.
Price: $59.99 from Amazon
MOFT MagSafe Wallet/Smartphone Stand
What You Get: A magnetic wallet that attaches to your smartphone and doubles as a camera stand, the MOFT is both a way to save on precious pocket space while also allowing for quick, easy FaceTime and Zoom chatting from pretty much anywhere. Forget having to be weighed down with a smartphone and a separate wallet in addition to keys, sunglasses, and whatever else, the MOFT can hold two essential cards (and really, do you need more than, say, a driver’s license and a debit card on a given day?), and features a steel hinge design capable of adjusting from 45-degree to 60-degree angles. It’s compatible with iPhones 13, 14 and 15.
Why the Man in Your Life Will Love It: Anyone who has tried to have a video conference or conversation while holding a smartphone knows how nice it would be to simply prop it up, and the MOFT allows for that option without needing cumbersome additional equipment. It also cuts down on unnecessary wallet bulk.
Price: $34.99 from Amazon
Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer
What You Get: An air fryer that lets you cook, serve and store all in one! With counter space at a premium and time even moreso, this device will quickly become a workhorse in any kitchen. Its ingenious design is compact and efficient, allowing you to cook food directly into a glass container that can then be used to serve the dish at the table and then, thanks to its snap-on lid, easily store your leftovers.
Why the Man in Your Life Will Love It: Who doesn’t love a cool device that can do it all? Easy to store, easy to use and (most importantly) easy to clean, it will be a life-changing device. Imagine being able to freshly air fry a meal and then pack it up to come with you to the office or school? The Crispi may quickly become one of those “how did we live without this?” items.
Price: $159.99 from Amazon
Ridge rings
What You Get: The danger in being an active, married guy is that either you have to keep removing your wedding ring in order to pursue an activity – and therefore constantly risk it being lost – or else you have to leave it on and subject it (and your hand) to a lot of punishment. Ridge rings are designed for maximum comfort and durability, with a “Built For Life” guarantee that also brings peace of mind.
Why the Man in Your Life Will Love It: Replacing a lost or damaged wedding ring can get really expensive really fast. Ridge rings are made from premium metals but are still surprisingly affordable. They have real heft and a high shine, so no matter what style you choose they are sure to look great. Ridge also ships each metal ring with a companion silicon ring, which can be worn when exercising or working with your hands for more comfort and to avoid damaging the metal ring.
Price: $140+ at Ridge.com
Well Told Rocks Glasses
What You Get: Drinkware with a little personality. Well Told sells an array of drinkware and kitchen/home products that either feature original, stylish designs or can be customized. They offer a slate of rocks glasses that pay elegant tribute to great works of literature, from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans.
Why the Man in Your Life Will Love It: Not only are Well Told glasses well made and worthy of your finest vintage, they allow men to entertain with a little panache. If you have a book lover on your list, there is nothing better than letting them sip the beverage of their choice while mulling over quotes from Charlotte Bronte, Victor Hugo or Herman Melville.
Price: $17.95 at Well Told
Custom Docking Station
What You Get: A handmade, customized MDF wood docking station, with cutouts and slots for all your basics like smartphone, pens, watch, cards, keys, glasses and wallet. You get to choose the wood color, font/design and customize with their name or logo. The item is made in Turkey and cannot be returned.
Why the Man in Your Life Will Love It: It’s a thoughtful gift that is personalized just for them with their name, which in itself shows some planning was made on their behalf. Beyond that it’s a practical item to help keep their most important everyday items organized.
Price: $39.42 at Etsy.com
Ring Doorbell Camera
What You Get: A doorbell cam that provides added security, convenience and even occasionally some wacky conversation fodder – and who doesn’t want that? The Ring doorbell camera has a built-in rechargeable battery, head-to-toe video views, night vision, and motion-activated alerts. It’s even easy to install and start using right away.
Why the Man in Your Life Will Love It: For one, the added security is key feature. Knowing they’re doing the most they can to secure their homes and protect their families is something every man wants to feel, and a doorbell cam like this goes a long way towards achieving this goal. Plus, you never know what the camera will capture – maybe some funny critters running through your yard at night will make you the next viral social media sensation!
Price: $50.20 at Amazon
MineBrick Custom Brick Figurines
What You Get: It’s no secret that you never, ever outgrow LEGO. Right now, there are middle-aged collectors who have their perfect set in mind. But what do you do if you want to satisfy their love of brick building but don’t want to shell out $300 for the wrong intergalactic starcruiser? Get them a LEGO-like figurine of them (and their families and friends)!
Why the Man in Your Life Will Love It: MineBrick is simple: You send them a pic of yourself, your friends, and/or your family members (sets can be individual figures or groups) and they design a custom brick set that mirrors LEGO in sturdiness and ease of construction. They even give you a chance to fine tune before anything is made – you’ll get a link allowing you to adjust hair color, skin tone, etc. before the set is designed. A thoughtful, unique way to give the LEGO obsessed something they won’t find anywhere else.
Price: $15.95+ at MineBrick
resqme Emergency Keychain Car Escape Tool
What You Get: A handy keychain that might just save your life (or at least a lot of headache). A small device with a bright – and therefore easy to find – mold, it’s designed to help you get out of messes from electrical system failure to jammed seatbelts to car fires.
Why the Man in Your Life Will Love It: It’s one of those “you never know when you might need it, but you’re glad you have it when you do” kind of things. Cut through jammed seatbelts, break tempered glass, or hammer dented or damaged door parts, the resqme is a practical gift for the car guy, or anyone who wouldn’t mind a little extra help before they hit the road.
Price: $9.84 at Amazon
RENPHO Smart Jump Rope
What You Get: The jump rope is one of the most basic pieces of workout gear, going all the way back to when gyms were windowless brick rooms with a few scattered dumbbells and maybe a punching bag. But RENPHO has upgraded the experience for the new gym goer, and it’s the perfect mix of old and new school they’ll appreciate.
Why the Man in Your Life Will Love It: How is this a “smart” jump rope? It has a built-in counter in the handles and also syncs with a smartphone app to give you detailed analysis of your workout. Rather than just jumping until you can’t feel your arms anymore, the RENPHO smart jump rope allows you to set and measure goals, and generally makes the whole experience feel more holistic and effective.
Price: $19.99 at Amazon
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