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Whether he’s a stepbrother, half-brother, brother-in-law, or biological brother, he’s probably special to you. (Special enough, at least, that you’re reading a story on the best gifts for brothers.) With that uniqueness comes the need for an equally exceptional present that shows how well you know him — and his very specific interests. My own brother is very particular. But after years of gifting him birthday presents and Christmas gifts — some winners, some duds — I’ve learned that the more the gift speaks to one of his specific hobbies or tastes, the better. (He’s a comic-book nerd, and the best gift I’ve gotten him was an ultrarare Batman figure.) And as a brother myself, I can say that all the best gifts I’ve received have been hyperspecific.
Maybe your brother is a fitness fanatic, like mine, or a plant enthusiast who likes to listen to records in his spare time, or someone who is always traveling. His hobbies may range from cooking and baking to hiking, or maybe he’s the type of brother who just got into pickleball. He may be a bookworm — or maybe he’s the biggest Star Wars fan that you know.
Whatever the case, finding the perfect gift for your brother (or brothers) can be tough. To help save you time, I pulled together a list of products we love and have written about before, plus a few more gift ideas any brother would appreciate.
Update on December 15, 2024: Noted products that won’t arrive in time for Christmas; checked stock and updated prices on all products.
Under $25
For the brother who prefers a watch that’s just smart enough
This retro-looking calculator timepiece is casual enough for everyday wear, and it won’t break the bank if he loses it.
[Editor’s note: This watch may arrive after Christmas.]
For the brother who’s been using the same 3-in-1 body wash since high school
I’m somewhat of an evangelist for this energizing peppermint-and-eucalyptus bar soap, which has little bits of pumice in it that help exfoliate the skin.
For the brother who’s too busy for coffee some days
These espresso-filled chocolates deliver caffeine with a little sweet kick. Senior editor Jen Trolio gave her brother two packs for his birthday. “He’s a personal trainer and loves them as a pre-workout treat-slash-boost,” she says.
For the brother who volunteers for spider catch-and-release duty
With this magnifier, he can inspect each bug he catches — and release it into the wild safely. It’s one of our favorite toys.
For the brother with a desk job
Who knew cleaning up crumbs could be actually fun?
For the artistic brother
This watercolor set is small enough to fit in a jacket pocket and pairs well with these water-bearing brush pens.
For the outdoorsy brother who likes to show off his cool gear at camp
This sleeve fits on a standard lighter, and turns it into a multi-tool — perfect for having around camp. It’s one of writer Ali Slagle’s camping-van essentials.
For the brother who adopted a cat
For the brother who wants to pack a bowl with his multitool
The Geekey comes with the usual tools: a screwdriver, bottle opener, ruler, serrated edge, and more. But our favorite feature is the bowl and pipe stem built into the tool’s body.
For the outdoorsy brother who gets his gear soaked
I take a dry sack on most hikes and backpacking trips so I can keep my valuables dry — even if my backpack gets drenched by a storm.
For the brother who’s always on a bike …
I’ve used these bike lights as my main set for three years. Despite their small size (either can fit easily on a keychain or in a pocket), they help me stay visible at night and during the day. They come in a bunch of colors and make great gifts for cyclists.
[Editor’s note: This bike light may arrive after Christmas.]
… Or on his feet
Jason Stewart can’t live without these massage balls, which can be used for working on the feet, the back, and basically any other muscle in the body.
For the brother who’s always prepared
For the brother who just moved into a new apartment
A woody incense that will make the place feel more homey.
Under $50
For the brother who finally got some grown-up furniture …
These felt coasters help absorb moisture and come in a wide variety of colors.
[Editor’s note: These coasters will arrive after Christmas.]
… and the brother who’d probably lose those coasters anyway
Glasses that stay cool to the touch with hot beverages and don’t sweat with cold ones because of their double-walled design.
[Editor’s note: These glasses will arrive after Christmas.]
For the musically inclined brother
A pint-size synth that produces analog sounds. Great for recording and mixing or just noodling around.
For the productivity-obsessed brother
This visual timer is handy for toddlers and procrastinators or anyone who wants to get things done, and it’s one of our 100 favorite products.
For the brother who’s ready to start cultivating his green thumb
For the brother who likes to keep his protein shakes cold
This is the superior shaker bottle. It’s made of stainless steel, so it keeps smoothies and shakes cold for hours, and its mixing ball is integrated into the lid, which shuts tight and doesn’t leak.
For the brother who’s getting into foraging
I gave this field guide to a friend last Christmas after he got sick from making a soup with some mushrooms he foraged in Colorado — help for picking out the right ones in future foraging sessions. In general, the National Audubon Society Field Guides are great gifts for any nature lovers (I recently bought the field guide to the night sky for myself), and the flexible vinyl cover gives them a timeless feel.
For the brother who’s a creative
An illumination of the artistic process, from the germ of an idea to the finished work, as recounted by writers, musicians, painters, filmmakers, choreographers, and many other creative luminaries.
[Editor’s note: This book will likely arrive after Christmas.]
For the brother with a stiff neck
This massage cane is one of the ten things that director Daniel Kwan can’t live without.
For the brother who took up cooking (and went plant-based)
A book packed with delicious, inventive, and easy ways to prepare vegetables (sometimes as complements to meat and seafood), divided by season.
For the brother who loves adventure photography
Featured in our roundup of the best gifts for outdoorsy types, this book showcases photos taken by director and mountaineer Jimmy Chin, who co-directed Free Solo with his wife, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. In it, he documents his journeys in Nepal, Antarctica, and Tibet, among other destinations.
For the brother who can’t talk right now because he’s golfing
These are Rob Lowe’s all-time favorite golf balls because they offer a solid combo of distance and control.
For the brother who watches every Knicks game
Written and illustrated by the co-hosts of the podcast Cookies Hoops, Ben Detrick and Andrew Kuo, this encyclopedia is filled with hot takes that are accompanied by colorful graphics, illustrations, and charts.
For the brother who lost his wallet this year
This leather card holder and stand snaps onto the back of his phone so he doesn’t have to carry — or lose — his wallet.
For the brother who likes to watch his shows in bed
With this charger, he won’t need to plug a cable in his phone’s charging port — this Belkin gadget charges his iPhone battery from the back, plus it has a kickstand.
For the brother with hoop dreams
Instead of daydreaming about hitting buzzer-beating shots, he can actually practice them in his bedroom.
For the aspiring pizzaiolo brother
This recipe book from chef Chris Bianco is refreshingly simple and easy to follow. It’s the book I referred to when I first started making pizza.
Under $100
For the brother who is happiest in the winter
Rick Steves can’t live without these socks, which he says “feel like a Norwegian handwoven sweater with a leather bottom.”
For the brother who’s in his element around the campfire …
This attachment is a handy way to use up leftover camp fuel, and a satisfying way to start a fire without a lighter.
… Or who likes to be extra comfortable when car camping
This puffy polyester-fill cover is like a down jacket for his camp chair.
For the athlete brother whose feet are constantly sore
If your brother is the active type, he will appreciate the soft, cushioned support of these Hoka slides, which feel like walking on clouds, according to Timothy Grindle, co-founder of Canoe Club. We picked the Oras as the best overall men’s slipper in our roundup.
For the brother who grew up glued to his Game Boy
A pocket-size handheld console that can play games from all the old Game Boys, as well as the SNES, Dreamcast, and even PS1.
[Editor’s note: This console may arrive after Christmas.]
For the brother who always stuffs his running shoes with newspaper
For the brother who has to fly home to see the family
This gadget makes long flights a little more bearable by allowing you to connect your wireless headphones to the in-flight entertainment system.
For the brother who would enjoy a new food project
If your brother has ever mentioned how cool it would be to pickle vegetables or make kimchee, consider giving him this kit, which we featured in our list of the best gifts for gardeners. It has everything he needs to get started, including a recipe book.
For the brother with a sweet tooth
He might love candy, but if your brother wants to maintain a dazzling smile, a water pick could make all the difference. This one is Dr. Inna Chern’s (of New York General Dentistry) model of choice for those who want to see “massive improvement in stains and between-teeth plaque buildup.”
For the brother who will challenge you to any lawn game
If your brother’s still in grade school, chances are they’re familiar with Spikeball, the sport that combines elements of volleyball and foursquare and is played in elementary- and middle-school P.E. classes across the country. While we featured the portable set in our roundup of the best gifts for 9-year-olds, Spikeball is also a great lawn game for brothers of all ages.
For the brother who likes to host
Hedley & Bennett aprons are beloved by chefs for their sturdy construction and lifetime guarantee. Plus, they’re available in many different (non-boring) colors and patterns, like jalapeño orange, aubergine purple, or classics like this one in midnight blue. The brand also offers custom embroidery.
[Editor’s note: This apron may not arrive in time for Christmas.]
For the brother who still loves LEGOs
This set, inspired by the famous Japanese woodblock print, can be hung on the wall once he’s completed it.
Under $200
For the brother who likes to prepare steak dinners
Tom Colicchio says the smart thermometer from Meater is the best one he’s ever used.
For the brother who always borrows your gloves during ski season
These cowhide leather gloves are stylish enough to wear when he’s not on the slopes. Plus, they come with a removable wool liner.
For the brother who’s always training for a marathon
Massage guns tend to be bulky and loud, but not this one — it’s my go-to recovery tool, especially when I’m traveling. It packs a punch for its relatively small size, and its motor is whisper quiet.
For the brother who lives far away
One of our most-recommended gifts, this digital picture frame allows you to view and share photos with loved ones no matter where you are. It also works with the iCloud photo library and Google photos.
For the brother who always dresses in athleisure
These premium sweatpants are a major upgrade to the standard cotton pair that he’s been wearing since high school.
For the brother who’s had to call AAA one too many times
I recommend keeping a portable jump-starter in your car for any road trips or outdoor adventures, because you never know when your battery might crap out (or your road-trip buddy might accidentally leave a light on overnight).
For the brother who loves to travel
This carry-on backpack is our favorite. The newest version of the Allpa is made entirely out of recycled fabrics and has a few new features, like a water-bottle sleeve and phone pocket.
Over $200
For the brother who tracks everything
When I rounded up the best fitness trackers, I picked the Whoop as the best for recovery. It uses heart, respiratory, stress, and sleep data, it paints a holistic picture of your health. It’s also a favorite of many athletes, including Sue Bird and Aryna Sabalenka.
[Editor’s note: This may not arrive before Christmas.]
For the brother who likes to write in the margins
Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon prefers his Elipsa over his Kindles because it allows him to jot down notes on articles and books, which make his thoughts “a part of the text and easy to take in at a glance, rather than something hidden that I have to dig up later,” he writes.
For the brother who wishes his Kindle fit in his pocket
The Palma’s e-ink screen is easy on the eyes like other e-readers, but it’s more portable — about the size of an iPhone. Plus, it runs Android.
[Editor’s note: This will arrive after Christmas.]
For the brother who just started collecting vinyl
If your brother is starting a vinyl collection and needs a turntable, go with this one from Audio-Technica. We picked it as the best-overall turntable. Jake Sullivan, co-owner of Wooden Tooth Records in Tucson, Arizona, says it’s great for beginners. “Somebody who has no experience with records can look at it, figure out how to play a record, and get good sound out of it,” he says.
For the brother who loves throwing pizza parties
Ooni’s ovens make excellent gifts for aspiring chefs because they’re great at achieving temperatures above 900 degrees — that’s hot enough to cook a pizza in well under two minutes. This model can be powered by either gas, wood, or charcoal, and if your brother can operate a barbecue grill, he’ll be able to cook with the Karu easily.
For the brother who lives for podcasts
Apple’s widely beloved pair of headphones (with noise canceling) will help him catch up on politics, basketball, or true-crime podcasts — or get a little privacy for his Zoom calls.
For the brother who’s more of a tea guy
This electric kettle comes with a built-in metal-mesh basket that robotically dunks loose leaves in boiled water for the exact steeping time and then removes them for the ideal brew.
For the brother who loves a design object
A really nice-looking high-fidelity portable speaker that can record what he’s listening to and remix it, too.
For the brother who had Michael Jordan posters in his childhood bedroom
This arcade set comes loaded with three games: NBA Jam, NBA Jam Tournament Edition, and NBA Hangtime.
For the brother who wants to go treasure hunting
This metal detector comes recommended by two real-life treasure hunters. While you can’t ensure he’ll actually find anything, experts think this is a pretty good model for the money, and it’ll definitely get him started.
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 acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
