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Picking out the perfect gift for a 16-year-old can be an intimidating task. Not only are they old enough to know exactly what they want, but they're also old enough to happily tell you if you got it wrong. With the popularity of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, trends are cycling through faster than ever, and what was cool three days ago is already way out of style. Instead of trying to go undercover to figure out what's popular with the Gen Z crowd or suss out what's cool on that TikTok app they're so obsessed with, we've done the work for you to find the best of the best gifts for 16-year-olds right now.
To find the best presents for sweet 16 birthdays, we spent hours on TikTok, scoured the internet, sourced recommendations from our product-testing experts and spoke with real 16-year-olds (and parents who frequently buy things for them) to compile a best-of-the-best list. From trendy TikTok gifts to tech products they'll never want to put down, these are the best sweet 16 gifts on the market today.
Keep reading after our list for more gift recommendations for kids and teens based on their ages. Want an even broader selection of options? Check out our top picks for gifts for teens and the best gifts for tweens.
1
For Aspiring Photographers
Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
1
For Aspiring Photographers
Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
Available in a variety of colors and bundles (including a holiday bundle, gift bundle and bundle with 120 pieces of film), you can personalize this camera for any teen. It's perfect for a novice photographer — or one who's just looking to capture some cute pics with their friends.
This cute belt bag from Lululemon is the perfect understated piece for trendsetters who don't want to sacrifice style for comfort. The Good Housekeeping Institute even rated it as one of the best fanny packs out there. Plus, teens can wear it however they want: over the shoulder, across the body, around the waist and more.
Makeup gurus will be obsessed with this trifold vanity mirror that has three different magnification options, LED lights with adjustable brightness and a space in the base to hold jewelry, makeup products or hair ties. Our GH Institute testers appreciated the fold-up design and that it can swivel 180 degrees.
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Compact and portable, this battery-powered Bluetooth speaker can turn any outing into a party. It easily clips right onto a bag (or beach chair) for hands-free music. Plus, it's water-resistant, lightweight and can be bundled with a charger or charging cable for hours of tunes.
5
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation
5
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation
With noise-canceling tech, Bluetooth abilities, a customizable fit with four different sizes of silicone tips and up to 30 hours of listening time with the charging case, these wireless headphones prove why many people are ride or die when it comes to AirPods. This set is great for taking to the gym, quiet listening at home or popping in during free time at school.
6
Best Last-Minute Sweet 16 Gift Idea
Visa Gift Card
6
Best Last-Minute Sweet 16 Gift Idea
Visa Gift Card
Trends come and go some quickly, but a Visa gift card is always a good choice, since it can be spent at many different retailers, even if you don't know which store is their favorite. Plus, you can customize the card to the exact amount you want (perhaps a figure ending in $.16?) and be confident the money is going toward something they really, truly want.
RELATED: 30 Creative Gift Card Ideas
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7
For LEGO Lovers
LEGO Vincent van Gogh's 'The Starry Night'
7
For LEGO Lovers
LEGO Vincent van Gogh's 'The Starry Night'
LEGO fans will adore this unique set that uses 2,316 pieces to recreate one of Vincent van Gogh's most famous paintings, The Starry Night. Not only is it fun to build, but it's great for displaying in their room once construction is done.
8
For the Skincare-Obsessed
Starface Hydro-Stars Pimple Patches
8
For the Skincare-Obsessed
Starface Hydro-Stars Pimple Patches
A cute way to cover and heal a pimple, these star-shaped pimple patches use hydrocolloid, a substance made of natural polymers that promotes healing. Starface's pimple patches are one of our favorites because they're designed to be worn while you're out and about.
9
For Always-On-the-Go Teens
Stanley Adventure Quencher Travel Tumbler
9
For Always-On-the-Go Teens
Stanley Adventure Quencher Travel Tumbler
Stanley's giant stainless steel 40-ounce tumbler isn't just a social media favorite — it also helps maintain the temperature of your drink. According to the brand, it keeps hot beverages hot for up to seven hours and cold beverages cold for up to 11 hours. Plus, it's designed so the bottom fits in most cupholders. Time to meet those hydration goals!
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Turn any basic white wall into a futuristic dreamscape with this LED lamp projector. Teens can use the little device to create dramatic, cozy ambiance in their room. It is portable, can be rotated 180 degrees, has an adjustable base and features 16 different colors to choose from.
11
Sweet 16 Gift for Boys and Girls
Nike Air Max 270
11
Sweet 16 Gift for Boys and Girls
Nike Air Max 270
Comfy, stylish and trendy, these Nikes are not only one of the most popular pairs of shoes for teens right now, but they're also versatile — great for everything from working out to lounging. Available in a variety of colors and sizes for men and women, this sweet 16 birthday gift is a slam dunk.
12
Sweet 16 Gift Set
Fenty Beauty Mini Skin Must-Haves 5-Piece Face + Body Set
12
Sweet 16 Gift Set
Fenty Beauty Mini Skin Must-Haves 5-Piece Face + Body Set
Touted as founder Rihanna's "holy grail" skincare products, Fenty Beauty's Skin Must-Haves Set includes its wildly popular cleanser, toner, sunscreen, night cream and body moisturizer in travel-friendly mini sizes. It all comes packaged up in a cool box set for easy gifting.
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These squishy slides are TikTok famous, and it's pretty clear why. They're incredibly comfortable, with their pillowy texture and lightweight foam material, easy to clean and ideal for wearing around the house. (They're also one of our top picks for TikTok's trending pillow slides.) Snapping up a pair of these will have teens staying stylish and keeping comfy.
14
Sweet 16 Unique Gift Idea
Kodak FunSaver One-Time-Use Camera
14
Sweet 16 Unique Gift Idea
Kodak FunSaver One-Time-Use Camera
Flash back to the '90s with this two-pack of disposable Kodak cameras. Great for vacations, parties or weekends away, these are fun for teens to use and a reminder of the pre–digital photo era: There's something special about taking a picture when you have only one chance to get it right. The cameras can take 27 pictures each, so tell them to use 'em wisely!
If you're looking for a more substantial sweet 16 gift, the Apple Watch Series 8 is a great option. The Good Housekeeping Institute's Tech Lab rated the Series 7 as one of the best smart watches. According to Apple, the newest model, the Series 8, has everything people love about the 7 and a few extra safety and health features, such as a wrist temperature sensor, menstrual cycle tracking and crash detection.
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A cool gift in more ways than one, a mini fridge is great for storing drinks, snacks and other treats for teens to grab while studying, playing video games or having friends over. This option is our pick for best value mini fridge, since it's larger than the typical skincare/six-can mini fridge but more compact than some of the robust dorm room mini fridges on the market.
Plantifique has a solution for de-puffing skin and looking bright and awake for that early school day. This jade roller and gua sha set comes with an e-book to help teach you how to use the tools properly. Plus, according to the brand, both are made out of solid jade, so they're sturdy and relatively cool to the touch.
18
Personalized Sweet 16 Gift
Birthdate Co. Birthdate Candle
18
Personalized Sweet 16 Gift
Birthdate Co. Birthdate Candle
Let them know that you really think they're one of a kind with this unique birthdate scented candle. Each candle burns for 60 to 80 hours and includes information about their astrological sign, strengths and more.
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Turn their entire library into a seven-ounce device. It's a space-saving way for teens to bring their favorite books on vacation, take them to school or just slip them into their bag for easy access when they have a free minute to read.
This slim battery pack from Anker is the perfect size for a teen to tote along next to their smartphone. It can hold enough power to charge most phones up to three times, according to the brand, and despite all that power, it weighs less than half a pound, so they'll barely even notice it's there.