Eighteen-year-old boys are at a transitional phase in their life, still growing up but also taking on responsibilities as an adult. Let’s take a look at some great gift ideas for 18-year old boys below.
Functional Gifts for an 18-Year Old Boy
Laptop Backpack
The Borealis Laptop Backpack by The North Face is perfect for an 18-year old boy who needs somewhere to keep all his stuff. It features a 28L capacity, so he never has to be without he needs. Some other cool features include a suspension and front elastic bungee system, easy-access pockets, and a dedicated laptop sleeve to keep his device safe. It also comes in several different color options.
In addition to plenty of storage, this is designed to be comfortable to wear. It has a sternum strap for added support when the bookbag is full, a breathable lumbar panel, and a padded mesh back panel, which allows breathability and stops sweating. Finally, he’ll love that this North Face backpack is built to last, being made of polyester, nylon ripstop, and ballistic nylon with a water-repellent finish. He’ll be using this backpack for years!
The Manual to Manhood
Eighteen-year olds are brand new to the world of being an adult. The The Manual to Manhood is perfect for that young man who may not know everything he needs to survive in the real world just let.
The book is broken down into sections like Grooming & Personal Hygiene, Women & Dating, Tools & Fix It, Wealth Management & Money, and so much more. It’s easy for him to navigate when he needs to learn something new. As an added benefit, each new skill is broken down into easy steps. This is a must-have for the soon-to-be-man who might be legally an adult, but who is still learning just how to take care of himself.
Slim Leather Wallet
The Mens Wallet by EGNT has a minimal, bifold design but enough room to carry all his essential. This has an ID window and room for 5-7 cards, as well as a zipper pocket and 2 cash compartments. It’s made from premium cow leather that has a smooth, matte finish and durable design.
He also won’t have to worry about theft with this wallet. These use RFID technology that blocks RFID signals that hackers might use for electronic pickpocketing or identity theft. As an added benefit, these come with a 1 year warranty on workmanship and materials, so you can be sure that he’s getting a quality wallet.
Organizer and Wireless Charger
This Organizer and Wireless Charging Dock is a must-have for his nightstand. It gives him a place to store his keys, wallet, pens, and other important things, as well as a charging dock for his phone at night. Young adults aren’t always the most together when they wake up in the morning, so having everything where he needs it is something that he’ll really appreciate.
The wireless charger is super-easy to use, just set your phone down. It works with iPhone and Android devices and even has a smart design so it shuts charging off once the device is full.
YETI Tumbler
Whether his preferred beverage is hot or cold, this 30-ounce Tumbler by Yeti keeps it at the perfect temperature all day long. It features double-walled insulation and an 18/8 stainless steel body to lock in heat or cold. Additionally, they prevent condensation so his hands stay dry.
Something nice about this tumbler is that it’s designed to fit inside his vehicle cup holder, regardless of the model of his car. It also comes with a clear, shatter-resistant lid that lets him see his drink inside. Finally, he’ll appreciate that this is dishwasher safe.
Polarized Sunglasses
Any 18-year old needs a good pair of sunglasses, whether he’s just driving around or he’s spending a day at the beach with friends. These Polarized Sunglasses by Costa Del Mar have a rectangular design with mirrored, polarized lenses. The blackout and grey-blue color is pictured here, but it’s available in several other colors as well.
These have 100% polarization, which reduces eye strain by eliminating reflected glare. The lenses are surrounded by bio-based nylon material that is comfortable against the skin, but also super durable. As an added benefit, these Costa sunglasses come with a limited lifetime warranty.
Beard Grooming & Trimming Kit
The Beard Care Kit is a great gift for an 18-year old trying to grow his beard out. It comes with everything he needs to take care of it, including a beard brush and comb, barber scissors, leave-in condition, and butter wax. As an added benefit, it’s made from natural ingredients like jojoba oil, argan oil, and vitamin E.
The included conditioner has ingredients that will soften and moisturize his beard, keeping it touchably soft and providing nourishment for growth. He can also use beard butter to shape his beard and mustache, for that perfect look. This kit makes it super easy for him to care for and style his beard.
Smart Electric Toothbrush
Moving away from home means that his parents won’t be there anymore to brush his teeth every night. The Pro 5000 Smart Series by Oral-B is a rechargeable electric toothbrush. It connects via Bluetooth to his smartphone to provide feedback using a pressure sensor if he’s brushing too hard. He can also adjust the sensitivity of the pressure sensors using the different modes; daily clean, whitening, sensitive, gum care, and deep clean.
In addition to giving him info on his brushing habits, this also provides a superior clean. It has 3D cleaning action to remove more plaque on his teeth and gum line. It also has FlossAction, a round brush head that provides a much deeper clean. He’ll love receiving this useful gift.
Gaming & Tech Gift Ideas for an 18-Year Old Boy
Solo3 Headphones
The Solo3 Headphones by Beats are a gift that any 18-year old would appreciate. They connect via Bluetooth to Apple and Android devices and have a wireless design, so he won’t get tangled up. As an added benefit, this comes with a built-in mic so he can easily take calls even when he’s listening to music.
The Solo3 Beats Headphones also have an impressive 40 hours of listening time after a full charge. They also have Fast Fuel, which lets them charge for up to three hours of listening after just five minutes on the charger. Since these have comfort-cushioned ear cups and an adjustable fit, the biggest challenge with these headphones might be getting him to take them off.
Madden NFL 21
This makes a great gift if he is a PlayStation player. This is the MVP Edition of Madden NFL 21. While this comes with the version of the game for PS4, it also comes with the game for the PlayStation 5. This means that he’ll be able to enjoy this gift even after he has upgraded. He can even transfer his progress over once the new game comes out!
It’s great that he gets two games for the price of one. You can also be sure he’ll get to play this even if he does decide to upgrade his gaming system.
Portable Charger
This Portable Charger by INIU is something he’ll be able to use no matter where he is. Even being super powerful, it’s incredibly lightweight and slim, so it easily fits into his pocket. The charger uses a USB connector that plugs directly into the device, so he can use this with the chargers for his phones, tablets, and other devices that he already has.
Another awesome feature of this device is that it can charge up to 3 devices at once, using the same speed that it charges a single device. It charges up to 1.4x faster than the average charger and even comes with a flashlight for emergencies. This portable charger is also made from durable materials and comes with a 3-year warranty. It’s always a plus when a company stands behind their product that much!
Madden NFL 20
Madden NFL 20 for the Xbox One is a great gift for the 18-year old boy that loves gaming and football. As he plays, he gets to simulate a full NFL career and become a player, coach, or owner. He can also build a fantasy team using his favorite players from the past and present.
He’ll love this game whether he’s playing on his own or with friends. There are single and multiplayer options. He can also play online with real other players or go head-to-head against the computer. It’s definitely a gift that will give him lots of entertainment when he gets some free time!
Gaming Headset
The Gaming Headset is a must-have for the teen that spends a lot of time playing online games with his friends. Even though he won’t have as much free time as he moves on to his next big adventure in life, he will get to enjoy crystal-clear sound quality when he plays. The noise-canceling headphones make it easy to hear when he’s playing team games and the microphone ensures everyone can hear him as well.
Since this connects via AUX cord, it can be used with Xbox, PlayStation, computers, and even his phone. He’ll also love that these are super comfortable to wear. The headphones have padding on the earpieces and the headbands, and the headband is adjustable for the perfect fit.
HERO8 Camera and Accessory Bundle
The HERO8 Camera and Accessory Bundle by GoPro is the perfect addition to all his new adventures. This camera and the accessory bundle come with a battery and a sleeve lanyard to go along with the GoPro Hero8 camera. It is also compatible with over 45 other GoPro mounts and accessories, should he decide he wants a more hands-free way of filming his adventures.
The Hero8 has a rugged design that can stand up to the elements and is waterproof up to 10m, or 33ft. It takes stunning 12MP photos to capture memories perfectly. The camera also comes with HyperSmooth 2.0 video stabilization and advanced noise reduction to filter out wind, so his videos have crystal clear pictures and sound.
Novelty and Decor Gifts for an 18-Year Old Boy
18th Birthday Mug
This 18th Birthday Mug says, “OMG I’m an adult now!” in big, bold letters on both sides of the cup. It’s the perfect gift for this coming-of-age year.
This mug holds 11-ounces of his favorite beverage and features a C-shaped handle that is easy to hold. It’s made from durable ceramic and is dishwasher and microwave safe. He’ll love starting his mornings with a laugh when he pulls this mug out of the cupboard.
LED Light Strip
This LED Light Strip by Tenmiro is an incredible 65.6-feet long, making it big enough to add a splash of color to any room he wants to put it in. It’s great whether he wants to set the mood for relaxation or fun, especially with all the color options. The light strip even comes with a remote that he can use to program up to 6 DIY settings and operate the light from across the room.
The remote has 44 different buttons and plenty of lighting options. It flashes in many colors of reds, whites, blues, greens, and yellows. The remote also has options to jump colors, fade between colors, and speed up or slow down the transition. As an added benefit, these lightweight LEDs work like a sticker. All he has to do is press the sticky back against the wall, plug the lights in, and they are ready to go!
Engraved Wooden Watch
This Engraved Wooden Watch is the perfect personalized gift for an 18-year old boy. The wooden watch has a classic, timeless appearance and is handcrafted from natural wood attached to a black leather band. This particular watch says, “To Our Son, Love Mom and Dad” with a sweet message about being safe and finding his way back home when he needs to.
In addition to this engraved message here, this can be fully personalized with a message. In addition to looking beautiful and being sentimental, this gorgeous watch has reliable, versatile watch calibers made from Miyota quartz.
18th Birthday Shirt
Though an 18-year old is legally an adult, it’ll probably still take some time before he feels the part. This 18th Birthday Shirt says, “Adult(ish)”. It’s a funny reminder that while he’s an adult now, he’s just barely there.
This shirt is made from 100% cotton for a lightweight, breathable fit with a double-sewn hem for added durability. He’ll need to wash this on low heat to prevent it from shrinking (which you’ll probably need to remind him), or you could just buy a size bigger than he needs.
Stranger Things Chia Pet
The Stranger Things Chia Pet is a great conversation starter, especially since this is available in so many varieties. In addition to the Dustin from Stranger Things Chia Pet pictured here, some of the other characters available include Deadpool, Rick or Morty from Rick & Morty, Pennywise, Groot, and more. He can show off one of his interests and add a little brightness to his dorm room or apartment.
This comes with everything he needs to get started, including the planter, a plastic drip tray, and enough chia seed packets that he can do three separate plantings. It will grow a lush, green coat in just 1-2 weeks. Since the chia pet is durable, he can also wash the planter and grow it out again and again!
Sports, Outdoor, & Fitness Gifts for 18-Year Old Boys
Spikeball
Spikeball is a super fun game he can pack up and take anywhere his friends are. It’s a 2-on-2 game where players dive for the ball and try to spike it to score points. Even though this comes with three balls, you only need one for gameplay. That makes it easy to keep playing if a ball heads toward the water or goes over the fence.
Something else that is great about this game is that it’s super compact, even the legs fold in. It also all comes in a convenient carrying bag, so he can bring it to the park, beach, parties, and more.
Weight Set
Eighteen-year-olds lead busy lives. This Weight Set by CAP Barbell makes it easy for him to get his workout in even when he doesn’t have time to go to the gym. It comes with five pairs of hex-shaped dumbbells, including 5 pound, 10 pound, 15 pound, 20 pound, and 25 pound weights, as well as an A-frame vertical rack to hold them all.
Once assembled, this vertical A-frame minimizes the amount of space the rack takes up. He’ll also appreciate the rubber inserts on the rack, which prevents his dumbbells from getting scratched when they’re set on the rack, and the rubber grips that make these more comfortable to use.
Doorway Multi-Gym
The Doorway Multi-Gym by Perfect Fitness is another way he can get in a workout wherever he is. This multi-purpose gym system can be used as a pull-up bar in a driveway, or it can be flipped to do push-ups, sit-ups, and dips. It’ll help him keep good form while working out and is great for helping him stay in shape.
Even with its 300-pound weight limit, this multi-gym bar only weighs 8 pounds. It has an adjustable width to fit a wide range of doorways and the handles are padded for more comfort during the workout. Additionally, with its ergonomically designed handles, it can be used for close, wide, or hammer grip pull-ups.
BucketBall
BucketBall Yard Pong is a fun, lightweight game that he can bring along anywhere for some fun. It comes with three sets of 2 balls each, which lets you adjust the difficulty of gameplay. It comes with bucket pong bongs, tailgate balls, and hybrid balls. As an added benefit, it only weighs 7 pounds and it’s super compact when packed together and inside the included carrying case.
This particular set is the team colors edition, and you can choose two colors from a wide variety of selections. This makes it easy for you to choose his favorite colors or even the colors of his favorite sports team. He’s sure to be enjoying this for years to come, especially since Bucketball comes with a lifetime warranty.
Hydrobolic Water Launcher
You’re never really too old to get a laugh out of blasting your friends with water. They won’t even see it coming with this the Stream Machine Water Launcher by Water Sports that shoots water an impressive 70-feet through the air.
The 24″ water blaster is the perfect way to remind him that he can still have fun, even as he enters adulthood. He’ll love being able to sneak up on people with the accuracy of this shooter. As an added bonus, it only takes 2-3 seconds to refill because of the pull-back action, so if he does miss it won’t be long before he’s aiming for his target again.
Clothing and Accessories for 18-Year Old Boys
Stainless Steel Watch
The Black Stainless Steel Watch by Victorinox is a piece that makes a statement. It features a bold face with a black background and white hands and numbers. The Swiss Army Watch is made using a 42mm stainless steel case and a nylon band. The band is super comfortable and has a buckle closure, so it’s adjustable for the perfect fit.
This is water-resistant up to 330 feet, so it’s no big deal if he forgets to take it off while showering or swimming. It uses Swiss quartz movement for accurate timing. As an added bonus, it comes in a beautiful box that is ready to be gifted.
Light Blocking Glasses
If the 18-year old boy in your life is headed off to college, these Blue Light Blocking Glasses make a great gift. The fake square lenses are clear with anti-glare and UV400 protection. They’ll prevent eye strain those nights when he has to stay up late writing papers or doing research. He can even use them to prevent eye strain in his free time, like when he is watching movies or gaming.
This is a 2-pack, so he’ll have a backup if he misplaces a set. As an added benefit, the frames are super lightweight but still durable. They are both stylish and comfortable to wear.
Pullover Hoodie
You can never have enough comfort items. The Pullover Hoodie by Champion is super comfortable with a stylish athletic fit. He’ll love that this is perfect for his busy lifestyle, having 1×1 rib side panels that give him a wide range of motions even though he’s in a hoodie and features like a pouch pocket and drawcord.
In addition to the Oxford gray color pictured here, this is available in lots of other options including blue, gold, heather, pink, and more. The hoodies have double-needle construction and they’ll maintain their color in the wash. As an added benefit, they are cut on the cross-grain, which significantly reduces shrinking.
Elmer Beanie
Whether he’s trying to keep his head warm or covering up a bad hair day because he woke up late, this makes a great gift. The Elmer Beanie by Herschel is perfect for this. It has a stylish, rolled-up style and a simple but stylish design with a sewn-in Herschel label at the front.
This is great for an 18-year old regardless of the time of year. It’s made from acrylic material in a marled knit style. In addition to the Heather Black pictured here, this is available in other heather shades and solid black.
Unique Gifts for an 18-Year Old Boy
Sparkling Water and Soda Maker
This Sparkling Water and Soda Maker by DrinkMate will make a perfect addition to his dorm room or first apartment. This can be used to turn any type of drink into a bubbly, carbonated version. He can make sparkling water, juice, or soda, and even make flat soda more bubbly.
The carbonated drink maker comes with a 60L carbon dioxide cylinder to get him started, but this can be used with any CO2 cartridge. While this fun, red color is something he’ll be sure to love, it’s also available in matte black and white.
Sushi Socks Box
Does the 18-year old boy in your life enjoy sushi? The Sushi Socks Box by Tamago is a fun, unique gift that he’s sure to appreciate. It comes with three pairs of thoughtfully designed socks. When they come out of the package, they are just like a typical sock. Inside, the package, it’s packaged just like a plate of sushi!
Each of the sushi socks has a unique, patterned design that’s perfect for someone who loves colorful socks. He’ll also love wearing these because of the comfort. They are made from high-quality cotton with detailed patterns that won’t fade with time.
UV Cell Phone Sanitizer
Did you know the average cellphone has 25,127 bacteria per square inch? The PhoneSoap 3 UV Cell Phone Sanitizer will keep one of the germiest things he owns clean. It’s super easy to use and as an added benefit, it doubles as a charger for his phone. This makes it super easy for him to remember to clean his phone at night, all he has to do is put it in the case for charging.
The PhoneSoap 3 is big enough to fit even larger smartphones like the Galaxy S10+ and the iPhone 8+, so you don’t have to worry about it being compatible with his devices. He can even charge smartwatches, headphones, keys, or anything else that fits inside. Since it uses UV rays, it thoroughly kills bacteria and there’s no risk of water damage to devices.
Emergency Survival Kit
If the 18-year old in your life is into the wilderness or survival, this makes a great gift. The Emergency Survival Kit by XUANLAN comes with 13 pieces that ensure he’s ready for anything. It includes many survival essentials, including a paracord survival bracelet, a compact emergency blanket, whistle, Swiss card, scraper, window breaker, fire starter, flashlight, and more. All these things are included in a lightweight, convenient black box that he can easily stow away for when he needs it.
The paracord bracelet rolls a lot of survival tools in one, having a compass, signaling whistle, and fire starter that he can conveniently wear around his wrist, in addition to the ones already included in the kit. He’ll be able to wear his bracelet and have the essentials, then stash his survival kit in his car or somewhere else it’s easily accessible in an emergency.
Coffee + Chocolate Gift Box
Introduce him to adulthood (and gourmet coffee) the right way with this Coffee + Chocolate Gift Box. This set comes with 4 artisan coffees, each of them with 1.8 ounces of gourmet coffee. They also come with 4 chocolate bars, as well as tasting notes for pairing.
This is a gift that any coffee lover is going to enjoy. Whether he’s new to the world of coffee or has already started drinking it, he’ll appreciate this gift. While this is a great gift on its own, it also pairs well with a coffee mug that he can use again and again!
What to Look for in Gift Ideas for 18-Year Old Boys
His Next Steps
As he reaches this critical year between being a teenager and becoming an adult, it may be useful to get him a gift that will help him as he takes his next big steps in life. For an eighteen-year-old going to college, you might get him something he’ll be able to use in his dorm room or for his classes. If he’s getting his first apartment, then a gift for his home is another good idea.
Fun vs. Practical
Giving an 18-year old boy a practical gift is always a good idea, especially since they’ll be taking on a lot more responsibilities as they graduate from high school. However, an 18-year old boy still isn’t 100% mature and it’s also important that he remembers to take time off and relax, especially since life as a new adult can get really stressful. For this reason, we tried to include a variety of gifts for 18=-year old boys that fall into the categories of fun or practical.
His Interests
Something else that you can consider when choosing a gift for an 18-year old is his interests. Most 18-year olds have hobbies that they participate in alone or with their friends. If he is into gaming, spends a lot of time at the gym, or has a favorite sports team, you can pick something within these categories that he’s sure to love.