We researched the best gift options, considering age appropriateness, safety, educational value, and compatibility so you can easily narrow down your list. Our favorite pick is the Retrospec Zed Longboard. It can inspire him to learn a new skill or hone with hobby with a stable, smooth, and stylish ride. Here are our top picks for 15-year-old boys. Retrospec’s Zed Bamboo Longboard Cruiser is one of the most popular and highly reviewed boards online, and it’s also one of the most stylish. With 15 colors and designs, from its colorful Zuma Sundown to its sleek White Marble, you can find a look that your teen will love. The recommended weight limit is 220 pounds and the wide deck ensures this board will suit your teen for years to come. Reviewers love how how stable the board feels while riding. Some found that this board requires a lot of pushing and can slow to a stop quickly, but for the affordable price and stylish designs, it’s a must-buy. It also pairs with nearly any Bluetooth-enabled device, so your teenager can pair their smart device easily and enjoy their favorite songs at their desired volume. Just be sure they don’t pump the music too loud… Add your favorite tripod to the tripod mount for steady viewing—just be sure you are watching in a pitch black room for the best picture quality. This is a great tech gadget for movie or tv show enthusiasts that the whole family can enjoy together. Combine it with an outdoor movie screen for the ultimate bonding experience. More expensive than competitors, Ray-Bans need to be taken care of, so be sure your teen keeps a carrying case and cleaning cloth nearby so they can prolong the life of their shades. The Pop Quiz is spacious, measuring 17.5 x 11.75 x 6 inches, and perfect for storing everyday essentials. There’s a padded laptop sleeve for a 15-inch laptop, plus a range of other pockets for sunglasses and other media. It’s a trendy backpack guaranteed to fit your teen’s style, as it’s available in 13 colors, from basic black to more vivid colors like wine and deep ultramarine. For a busy teen, a Hydroflask is a functional present that he will get extended use out of, whether he brings it to school or sports practice. Kay Jewelers has the same chain in various sizes to perfectly fit your teen and hang at just the right place. Or opt for a gold option for a slightly higher price tag, but a look more tailored to their taste. The best part of Spikeball is that you can take it anywhere. The legs fold up for easy storage so teens can take their new game to friends’ houses or even the beach. Get your teen active and bonding with a fun and portable outdoor game. There are several reasons why this is an especially great sports camera choice for teens: it’s waterproof up to 100 feet, able to connect to a smartphone or tablet with its built-in WiFi (perfect for quick social media posts) and it’s an affordable alternative to GoPro. It also has a 170-degree wide angle lens offering stunning quality shots and remote control capability to turn the lens on and shuffle through camera modes. This is perfect for teens who want to film themselves doing anything from skateboard tricks to bits for their YouTube channel. Teen boys will love bringing this heavy-duty cooler to tailgates, backyard parties, or beach days. With proper care, this is a gift they can enjoy for years to come (but the whole family can utilize now). The watch band is interchangeable, which is another plus for teens who want to change up the color for various occasions. The 42-millimeter watch face is one of the smallest hybrid smartwatches Fossil offers, a size that won’t dwarf the wrists of thinner, younger customers. Not only does it send you notifications and track your workouts, but it also allows you to text, browse social media, and even control your music for a great splurge option to spoil your teen. The Theragun Elite has different speed and pressures for a personalized massage, and the design makes it easy to target any muscles that need it. Once completed, they will love showing off this poster as a piece of wall decor for their room. Just be sure to check the ratings of each film before viewing! For starters, AirPods can sense when they’re in your ears and automatically pause when you take them out. You can also adjust the headphone volume, change the song or call someone by merely saying, “Hey, Siri,” and making your request. Apple’s speech-detecting microphones block out external noise, come in a convenient charing case, and allow your 15-year-old to listen to their favorite music or podcasts completely hands-free. The hats are fleece-lined, one-size-fits-all. Each hat is embroidered with a team logo on the front, the NFL logo on the back and the team’s city scripted across the forehead. While these kicks span all age groups, teens will love the comfort and durability of the Air Force 1’s and the fact that they match any outfit. It’s easy to find a pair that perfectly fits your teen’s style, too, as these sneakers are available in dozens of colorways and designs, ranging from classic white-on-white to eye-catching floral patterns. You can even customize your sneakers by choosing the colors and materials perfect for your teen. The turntable features three different speed options for spinning vinyl and has an RCA and auxiliary port to connect additional speakers or devices. Even when not in use, it makes a unique addition to a bedroom and comes in a variety of different colors. This set has 1,685 pieces, so they are guaranteed to spend time on this gift. Once they are finished, they will have a new decor pieces to display in their spaces to show off their hard work. Teens can tilt the chair back between 90 and 150 degrees for their ideal gaming style, and the wheels move easily on carpet or hard wood. The sleek red and black design fits with any bedroom decor and adds the perfect seating to gaming setups. While won’t get them away from their screens, Game of Phones is a great bonding option for teens to play together at birthday parties or for families to compete in as it is designed for ages 13 and up. The popcorn maker uses the hot-air popping method, so no oil is required for a quick snack. The whole mechanism is super easy to master and takes about two to three minutes in total. Additionally, the top cover doubles as a bowl for easy cleanup. This sign uses a USB power supply and has a convenient on and off switch, so set up and use is stress-free. This would make a great statement piece above a gaming computer, or instead brighten up any empty wall space with the funky lighting option.
Safety
Fifteen-year-old boys can start taking more responsibility for their own safety, with everything from helmets and protective gear to stylish cases for tech products available for them. Consider including one with your gift if you have a good idea of their personal style. You could also add a gift card to their favorite retailer so that they can pick one out themselves. If you’re purchasing a gift with an online component, it’s important to talk to your teen boy about online safety and make sure that he knows what to do if he feels unsafe or uncomfortable.
Educational Value
Consider how your teen will use their gift. For example, bags should have enough space for a laptop, school books, and other things that they need to be ready for their day. Look for tech that they can use with educational apps to maximize their learning.Chuck English, Virginia STEM Coordinator at the Science Museum of Virginia, says that engaging with electronics has changed over the years. “Screen time now is not all passive. There is some active engagement—games, social interactions—we need to consider some of that.”
Compatibility
Many teens use their tech in a variety of ways, so make sure that any tech gifts that you choose are compatible with the gear that they already have and love. Most work with multiple platforms, such as Apple or Google, but some have specific models for each. Check with your teen or their parents to see which they prefer.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was originally written and researched by Derek Rose, a Brooklyn, New York-based product writer for The Spruce who has been working for the brand since 2019. Additional research was done by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays. She’s also covered similar topics in other roles, including toy reviews, product round-ups, interviews with experts, and more.
