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Finding the best gift for a husband who has everything (and doesn’t want anything) is hard — whether you’ve been married for five months, five years, or five decades. To make things a little easier for you, we’ve scoured our archives to find the best picks for all types of guys with all kinds of interests at many price points (from coffee mugs to sweaters, headphones, and more). Everything below has been vetted — either recommended by cool people like Brendon Babenzien, Jeremy Denk, T-Pain, and Danny Trejo or by our picky staff of editors and writers. And husband or not, there’s a lot of gift inspiration here for all to enjoy.
$25 and under
For the husband who reads before bed
This tiny light is one of our favorite gifts for bookworms. It comes recommended by writer Molly McGhee, who says “the amber hue keeps the blue-light blues at bay” and that it allows her to read without waking up her partner.
For the husband who needs a little extra light
This Edison-style smart light is easy to install and set up and can be programmed to pulsate different colors for a nighttime light show.
For the husband who wants to impress dinner guests
This electric corkscrew comes recommended by T-Pain, who is admittedly “bad at getting cork out of wine.” It removes corks with the push of a button.
For the husband who relaxes with a shower beverage
This silicone can holder grips onto a shower wall (or mirror) and holds a standard 12- or 16-ounce drink.
For the husband who’s finally going on vacation
These space-saving packing cubes made New York associate editor Jenna Milliner-Waddell a believer. When Milliner-Waddell, a self-described chronic overpacker, moved into a tiny apartment, she had to embrace the “carry-on-only life.” These cubes allow her to take a few just-in-case outfits that she wouldn’t otherwise have been able to bring on trips.
For the husband who likes to savor his White Claw
If he’s more of a sipper when it comes to beer or hard seltzer, Strategist writer Dominique Pariso recommends this bottle cooler: “The BrüMate Hopsulator Slim Double Insulated Can Cooler will keep your beverage of choice frosty year-round — especially if that drink is packaged in a slim can.” And even if he doesn’t partake, it’ll work just as well for energy drinks or Liquid Death.
For the husband who’s in denial about needing readers
If he took the latest news from his eye doctor hard, these barely there reading glasses from ThinOptics will come in handy. Strategist contributor David Pogue raves about their thin, light frames. “You don’t feel it; these things weigh less than a nickel,” he writes.
For the husband whose hands are always moving
If he has trouble staying still and focusing, this fidget cube is a handy tool that can keep his hands busy without distracting him.
$50 and under
For the husband who likes his coffee to stay hot for hours
We think the Yeti Rambler is one of the best travel mugs you can buy. Will Pratt, founder and owner of Tandem Coffee Roasters in Portland, Maine, thinks there’s “nothing worse” than a mug that holds coffee flavor over time. Luckily, this Yeti tumbler is made of stainless steel, so it’s a breeze to clean — you can even put it in the dishwasher.
For the husband who’s always dropping his phone
Replacing an iPhone isn’t cheap, but this funky case can keep it protected while giving it a unique blocky look that’ll be sure to turn some heads.
For the husband with smartphone pinky
If he’s always clutching his phone, this magnetic grip makes it more comfortable to hold for long periods of time, and he can easily remove it to use with other MagSafe accessories like a wireless charger.
For the husband who always loses his wallet
If he’s always forgetting his wallet at home, he’ll probably be less likely to do so if it’s hooked onto something he never forgets, like his phone. Moft’s faux-leather Flash Wallet and Stand attaches to the iPhone magnetically, holds up to three cards, and folds out to double as a kickstand for casual viewing or, in Strategist writer Jordan McMahon’s case, playing a few rounds of Marvel Snap.
For the husband who’s a borderline prepper
Homesteader and actual prepper Morgan Rogue carries this pocketknife, which works just as well for “heavy-duty chopping and slicing and close-up, detailed work, like whittling.” (And just so he’s prepared for anything, we’ve got a guide to everything the budding prepper needs.)
For the husband who’s a fitness freak
Foam rolling comes with a whole host of benefits, from helping to prevent injuries by loosening tight spots to soothing sore muscles after a tough workout. This TriggerPoint foam roller is “just the right density to be effective without bruising,” says Radan Sturm, founder of the strength-training studio Liftonic. “A lot of rollers are too hard and will bruise rather than release. It’s the perfect size that allows you to target all major parts of the body.”
For the husband who needs help staying on task
If he’s always struggling to manage his time, this handy timer can give him a visual way to see how much time he’s spending on a given task, and move onto the next thing when he needs to.
For the husband whose favorite part of the meal is the bread basket
Like bottles of wine, different olive oils have distinct notes — experts have explained to us that some are milder, while others are more peppery. This tin comes recommended by James Beard Award–winning chef Jonathan Waxman, who uses it for roasting meats and making marinades. And if you need even more reason to try this olive oil, New York City institution Zabar’s stocks it, describing it as “bright and fruity with just a hint of pepper.”
For the husband who never knows what day it is
The Hobonichi Techo will ensure he never misses a deadline or date night. The cult Japanese planner has been a favorite among Strategist staffers, especially for how well it holds up. The “light gridding on each page grants every day some order but still gives me the space to dash off notes, lists, and doodles,” says writer Dominique Pariso.
For the husband who consistently burns his fingers on the grill
These insulated gloves will protect your grilling newbie from any potential accidents as they learn their way around the grill. Writer Caitlin M. O’Shaughnessy mentioned that she was introduced to these gloves from her mother, who would use them to take a turkey out of the oven. These are “designed for true-blue barbecuers who have to handle hot meat on the smoker — that means they’re waterproof, stainproof, and (most importantly) greaseproof,” she explained.
For the husband who still loves LEGO
Through essays, interviews, and photos, this coffee-table book takes you on a guided tour of the LEGO house in Billund, Denmark, where the building brand was born. The house “features colorful zones dedicated to building skills like problem-solving, social interaction, and creativity,” says former Strategist senior writer Karen Adelson, and if he won’t be traveling there anytime soon, this book is “the next best thing to an in-person visit.”
For the husband who’s decidedly not a sneakerhead
… Or into any fancy footwear, frankly. Serving the purpose of both a slipper and quick-errand shoe, these shearling-lined Crocs are perfect for the guy who would just rather stay in socks.
For the husband whose stir-fry is legendary
We’ve long loved the Lodge cast-iron skillet, which is both affordable and incredibly high quality. This one, with double handles and gently sloping sides, resembles a wok, and according to chef Daniel Cutler, it will last you forever.
For the husband whose phone is always plugged in
This cable is pricier than Apple’s, but you can measure its longevity in years, not months. I’ve had mine since 2020.
$100 and under
For the husband who likes to game on the go
Whether he likes to play a game or two on his commute to work or needs something to pass the time while the kiddos are at practice or in an appointment, the Backbone One turns an iPhone or Android device into a Switch-like device that can play games from the App Store as well as stream games via cloud services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming.
For the husband who needs a break
If he likes to take a break from work to play a few rounds of a fun game, this turn-based strategy game for the Nintendo Switch can be paused and picked up at any time, so he can quickly get back to what he needs to do.
For the husband who wants a better night’s sleep
If he’s struggling with neck or back pain or just needs something that’ll cut down on the snoring, this wedge pillow, which has a removable bamboo cover for easy washing, should do the trick.
For the husband who likes to stay hydrated
This hefty water bottle has a nice handle that makes it easy to lug around.
For the husband who likes a good shower jam session
The UE Wonderboom 3 has long been a Strategist favorite, and for good reason: It’s tiny enough to toss in a bag, loud enough to fill a room, and durable enough to withstand a rainy day. It comes in a variety of vibrant and understated colors, and has a nice little loop to latch it onto something, or you can just carry from room to room. It’ll even pair with multiple devices, so you can blast your own tunes when he’s not around.
For the husband who needs a reminder to floss
There are some spots where a toothbrush just can’t reach. A water flosser can help keep pearly whites in tip-top shape. When we talked to dentists and dental hygienists about them, 23 out of 29 preferred flossers from Waterpik. “They are the holy grail of Waterpiks and flossers, and I recommend their product to all my patients,” said Brooklyn-based dentist Elliot Eskenazi. The brand’s Aquarius flosser got several shout-outs, especially for its ten different pressure settings and strong engine for cleaning in between teeth.
For the husband who needs to relax
If he’s feeling a little on edge, he might appreciate the comforting embrace of a weighted blanket. Milliner-Waddell calls the YNM blanket a worthy dupe of Gravity Blanket’s (much pricier) option. “I now define my life as pre–YNM blanket and post–YNM blanket. Pre-YNM, it took me what felt like forever to fall asleep,” she writes. This blanket is cooling too. Dani Donovan, creator of ADHDDD, a community platform for adults with ADHD, told us that it “gently cools me off without being too cold.”
For the husband who could use a razor upgrade
If he’s still using the $8 bag of razors you can get at the pharmacy, or even a pricier blade with replaceable cartridges, he might want to try a safety blade instead, which many professional barbers recommend. Not only is it less likely to cause irritation or pesky cuts, the replacement cartridges are significantly cheaper too.
For the husband who’s perfecting Grandma’s pasta recipe
Italian company Marcato Atlas has pretty much solved the problem of pasta that’s prone to tearing — this machine, which comes recommended by two professional pasta-makers, can make lasagna, fettuccine, and tagliolini.
For the husband who’s perfecting Grandpa’s waffle recipe
This waffle iron is the only one that Moon Juice founder Amanda Chantal Bacon uses to make her favorite grain-free waffles. She went through six other models before she found Cuisinart’s, which she says keeps her waffles fluffy and spongy so that syrup can easily seep through.
For the husband who always handles the aux cord
Bowman initially believed there was no way a speaker this small could be good. To his surprise, its sound was clear even on a California beach with loud waves. Plus the design is perfect for commutes, walks, or just getting around. “The clip design allows you to attach it to nearly anything — it held just as well to a hiking pack as it did a bike basket,” Bowman writes.
For the husband who keeps dropping his phone
It’s cheaper than Apple Care, and it’ll keep his phone safe from the clumsiest of drops.
$200 and under
For the husband who’s ready to dust off his barista skills
While some espresso makers can cost upward of thousands of dollars, this machine is more reasonably priced and gets the stamp of approval from Strategist contributor Siraad Dirshe, who called it “a game changer” for making coffee at home.
For the husband who dreams of RV living
When we asked picnic professionals for their essentials, one of their top tips was to make sure to bring an outdoor chair. This Cliq chair “basically folds up to the size of a Nalgene water bottle,” according to Julie Lindenman, owner of the eponymous event-planning company.
For the husband who loves tracking his workouts
If he likes to track the nitty-gritty details of every workout, a smartwatch can help. Amazfit’s GTR4 is an affordable option that provides all the basics of a good workout tracker. Victoria Song, a reviewer at the Verge, says the GTR 4 can last up to 14 days on a single charge, so he won’t have to worry about keeping it plugged in too often.
For the bookworm
I consider this Kindle the gold standard of e-readers. I’ve tested every Kindle model since 2013, and this model is what I carry with me most often because of its best-in-class reading experience.
For the husband who loves to season everything
Strategist kitchen-and-dining writer Emma Wartzman spotted a handful of chefs and a former Bon Appétit colleague using this pepper mill, which they praised for its burly construction and the sheer amount of pepper that gets dispensed with each twist.
For the husband who starts his day before you
The Loftie is not just a digital alarm clock — it’s more like a calming bedside companion that encourages you to keep your phone away from the nightstand. It comes with soothing wake-up tones, an entire playlist of ambient noise, meditation guidance, breathing exercises, and a soft nightlight.
For the husband who wants to be stylish but comfy
In a world of constantly out-of-stock Birkenstock Boston clogs, senior Strategist writer Liza Corsillo argues that the Tokio Super Grips are the best clog you can get from the brand, calling them “a sleeker, less expected shoe and therefore a less basic, more status-y choice.”
For the husband with a bad back
Strategist contributing writer Alice Gregory turned us on to this kneeling chair as an alternative to the standard desk chair that’s probably contributing to your husband’s bad posture. “Unlike a regular chair, the shape forces you to engage your core and naturally keeps your spine upright,” she says. “Your back muscles strengthen, and circulation improves.”
For the husband with wrinkled photos in his wallet
A digital frame will hold more photos anyway. Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio has purchased multiple Aura frames as gifts for her parents, faraway family members, and her mother- and sister-in-law. She keeps one on her mantel. The best part? “I regularly see some of the thousands of photos that would otherwise be squirreled away in my and my family’s iPhone photo libraries,” Trolio writes.
For the husband who wants to start a podcast
An actual professional microphone might increase the chances of his “super-original idea” taking off.
For the husband who’s the rise-and-grind type
The Baratza Encore rose to the top of the pack in our guide to the best coffee grinders. When Elliott Foos, director of coffee at Daymoves in Brooklyn, used to run a coffee shop, the Encore was a workhorse, “grinding from fine espresso to the most coarse setting for French press or cold brew.” And it’s just as powerful for home use. “It’s simple to use and super-consistent,” according to Joanna Lareau, café manager at Stumptown Coffee.
For the husband who’s more the cuppa type
“The Fellow Stagg EKG is, without question, the gold standard of electric kettles,” says our kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman. It has a loyal fanbase for its precise pour, power (heating up super-quickly), and looks. “For an object you’re going to have sitting on your countertop day in and day out, there is no one else that really touches Fellow in terms of looks,” says Marco Suarez, one of the owners of Methodical Coffee. It’s one of the nine things that classical pianist Jeremy Denk can’t live without.
Over $200
For the husband who likes his brownies with some green
Your husband might know a thing or two about space brownies already, but if he wants to take his tried-and-true recipes up a notch, a cannabis infuser can be easier to use than traditional stove-top methods. Six experts recommended the Lēvo II. (I love mine as well.) “You can even get extra-cheffy and play around with making non-cannabis infusions in it: basil-finishing oil, lavender honey, pandan coconut cream — you’ll find yourself wanting to infuse everything,” says Stephanie Hua, founder and chief confectioner at Mellows. And it’ll look especially stylish on a countertop.
For the husband with no outdoor space to grill
Former Strategist senior writer Lauren Levy was similarly on the hunt for a “not-too-massive city grill.” She was tipped off to this smoker by grand-champion griller Myron Mixon. “Some people think you can’t cook everything on a smoker, but they’re wrong: This smoker works whether you’re doing hot dogs and steaks or pork and ribs,” Mixon says.
For the husband with a growing wine collection
We named this 12-bottle fridge the best less-expensive model in our roundup, and it comes recommended by Katie O’Byrne, the director of recruiting at Kitchen Culture and former sommelier at Otium in downtown Los Angeles, who described it as “quiet, compact, and super-easy to set up.”
For the husband who wants to “hear” the silence in every A24 movie
The best budget pick in a sea of soundbars, sound engineer Nicholas Radina actually forgoes fancy equipment at home and uses this Yamaha model. “I strive to keep it simple at home and gravitate toward brands I use often,” he told us. “A brand I trust day in and day out is Yamaha.” He tipped us to this trick: Put the subwoofer in a corner to give a “loudness bump” to what you’re listening to.
For the husband who’s on a green-smoothie kick
We’ve long sung the praises of Vitamix. And we’re not the only ones: This model topped our list of the best blenders recommended by chefs and smoothie fanatics. It’s pricey but worth it: “Vitamix is the Ferrari of blenders,” says Jessica Young, founder and CEO of Bubble. It’s an industry standard but works just as well in home kitchens. Take it from nutritionist Molly Alliman, who explains that “it works for blending big chunks of all frozen fruits, heartier vegetables like kale, whole nuts, and anything else that would leave chunks in other blenders.”
For the husband who’s all in on Apple
If he already has a pair of AirPods, he’ll probably appreciate Apple’s better-sounding, over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max, which McMahon loves. They come in four colors to suit his wardrobe, and while they don’t sound quite as good as Sony’s WH-1000XM4, they come pretty close. The trade-off will be the convenience of being able to switch audio between a Mac or iPad and his iPhone, all without having to fiddle with any settings. One caveat: The included case isn’t very protective and looks kind of funky, so he may want a better case to lug them around in, but you can always save that for his birthday.
For the husband who wants a smartwatch that can keep up with his Android phone
Google’s Pixel Watch, the company’s first smartwatch, is a great way for him to better track his workouts, or to help him check his phone less by bringing the notifications straight to his wrist. Its round display looks great and sets it apart from the Apple Watch’s square casing, and the watch will work well with any modern Android phone, so you don’t have to worry about upgrading that too.
For the husband who likes an outdoor movie party
A portable projector can be a good way to take the movie watching experience on the go, whether in the backyard or into the wild on a camping trip. This one from Kodak is tiny enough to tote from place to place and pairs great with a good Bluetooth speaker.
For the husband who misses his lava lamp
JBL’s Pulse 5 is a great-sounding speaker that has a transparent body and LED lights that can change color in sync with whatever music is being played. Its overall effect is like mixing an old Windows Media Player visualizer with a lava lamp, with the end result being that it looks as pleasant as it sounds.
For the husband who hates doing things by hand
If he doesn’t like spending his day off cleaning the floors or has other stuff to take care of, let him hand off some of that responsibility to a robot. Eufy’s Robovac X8 is on the cheaper side for this type of cleaner, but it still does a great job. You can even use the app to identify no-go zones or specific rooms to attack so you can space things out — or schedule it for a specific time to clean the entire house, like while you’re out for a nice dinner.
For the husband who likes to take notes on his phone
If he’s always pulling out his phone to jot down a thought or reminder, he’d benefit from a phone with a dedicated stylus. Samsung’s Galaxy S23 comes with just that, plus the company’s latest processor and a 6.8-inch OLED display, which leaves plenty of screen space for doodling and scribbling notes. It has an arsenal of camera lenses on the back to cover a variety of scenarios, including 3x and 10x telephoto lenses, an ultrawide lens, and a 200 megapixel main camera. It’s a flagship phone with a few extras that make it the perfect companion for anyone who likes to get things done on the go.
For the husband who likes the latest gadgets
These noise-canceling wireless earbuds are the first to feature a screen right on the case, which can be used for things like playback control and mode switching (noise-canceling or transparency).
For the husband who wants to unplug
If his smartphone’s giving him too many distractions, he might appreciate this minimalist phone that makes it easy to focus on your surroundings.
For the husband who’s still rocking an old phone
If his phone’s ready to call it a day but he doesn’t need the latest and greatest specs, Google’s Pixel 7a packs an impressive camera and powerful processor into an affordable package.
Additional reporting by Jeremy Rellosa
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.
