Buying gifts for your brother is always a little tricky. Sometimes my brother is clear about what’s on his wish list; other times I pull my hair out trying to find something he may like. To help people in the same predicament, we have gift ideas for your brother (or brother figure) across categories like home and kitchen, tech, apparel and more.
SKIP AHEAD Gifts for brothers under $25 | Gifts for brothers under $50 | Gifts for brothers under $100 | Gifts for brothers under $150 | Gifts for brothers under $200
Best gifts for brothers in 2023
To recommend the best gifts for brothers, we asked NBC Select staff for their recommendations and included products from brands we’ve previously covered. We also included products we’ve tried ourselves, including NBC Select Wellness Award and Pet Award winners. Below, gift ideas for brothers are divided into price ranges to help you find options that fit your budget.
Best gifts for brothers under $25
For the DIYer: BinyaTools Magnetic Wristband
If your brother is handy or just loves to fix things, this neoprene wristband will help them achieve any task with ease. Magnets inside the wristband allow it to function as a portable toolbox so your brother can grab screws, nails and more when they need them. The band is lightweight, breathable and fits most wrists, according to the brand, and it can also be looped around a belt.
For those who need a new razor: Harry’s Truman Razor Set
My dad is a fan of Harry’s durable, thoughtfully designed razors, and they’re a practical gift idea for the brother who wants to elevate their grooming routine. The brand’s Razor Set includes its Truman Handle, which has a textured grip and weighted core. It also comes with four blade cartridges, a travel cover to protect blades on the go and shave gel.
For the barware collector: Stanley Liquor and Spirit Flask
Stanley’s pocket-sized flask stores your brother’s favorite liquor or spirit so they can take it to a party, outdoor hangout and more. It stores up to 8 ounces of a beverage and has a leak-resistant twist-off cap. Like the brand’s TikTik-famous Quencher water bottle, the flask is made from durable stainless steel, allowing it to keep beverages at whatever temperature your brother prefers. If you order through Stanley’s website, you can customize the flask with text, your brother’s monogram or an image for an additional fee.
For the college student: GrubHub Gift Card
The best gift I could give my brother, a senior in college, is a meal he doesn’t have to cook or pay for himself. Food delivery services like GrubHub allow you to send your loved ones digital or physical gift cards in any amount for meals or groceries.
Best gifts for brothers under $50
For the spice lover: Fly By Jing Triple Threat Variety Pack
Fly By Jing — one of our favorite AAPI-owned businesses — offers a variety of spices, sauces and other ingredients your brother can use to flavor whatever they’re whipping up in the kitchen. The Triple Threat Variety Pack includes the brand’s Sichuan Chili Crisp, Zhong Sauce and Mala Spice Mix. Your brother can use these spicy condiments as they would hot sauce by adding them to eggs, dumplings, salads and more. The compact jars also make great stocking stuffers.
For the amateur chef: FinaMill Pepper Mill & Spice Grinder
FinaMill’s battery-operated grinder comes with interchangeable pods your brother can fill with their favorite spices and swap out as they’re cooking. Operating the grinder, as well as adding and releasing pods from it, only takes one hand, says NBC Select social media editor Sadhana Daruvuri. “I can flip the meat I’m cooking with one hand and just press a button to season with the other,” she says. One full charge gives the grinder up to two months of battery life, according to the brand, and you can choose from multiple grind sizes. The FinaMill’s pods also serve as storage for spices. You can purchase the kitchen gadget in colors like black, green, red, gray and more.
For those establishing a skin care regime: Every Man Jack Skin Revive Set
Every Man Jack’s Skin Revive Set comes with everything your brother needs to establish a low maintenance skin care routine — a number is printed on each item to help them apply everything in order. It comes with face wash, face scrub, face lotion and eye cream, and they’re made with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, as well as caffeine, green tea and more.
For the coffee connoisseur: Atlas Coffee Club World of Coffee Sampler
Introduce your brother to coffee from all over the world with this sampler box from one of our favorite coffee subscription programs. It comes with four or eight bags of specialty coffee from different countries, each of which is accompanied by a postcard and tasting note information. You can choose whether coffee comes as whole beans or ground.
For the music lover: Wockoder Vinyl Record Player
This record player was once the number-one item on my brother’s wish list, and now he uses it constantly. While playing vinyls, your brother can choose from three speeds, or connect their phone, tablet or laptop via Bluetooth to play music through the device’s speakers. The record player has a vintage suitcase design and stands on foot pads, keeping it sturdy on tables or shelves.
For those with a green thumb: Easy Plant Green Snake Plant
Add to — or start — your brother’s collection of indoor plants by gifting them this low-maintenance Snake Plant. It comes in Easy Plant’s self-watering pot, which has a reservoir you fill with water about once a month. The pot slowly carries water to the plant’s roots as needed, making it easy to take care of, says NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio, who’s been an Easy Plant customer for years.
For the gym rat: Quince Flowknit Performance Jogger
Your brother will get plenty of use out of Quince’s Flowknit Performance Jogger if they regularly hit the gym or play sports. The jogger — made from a recycled polyester and spandex blend — has a relaxed fit with a tapered leg, a drawstring tie at the waist and a zippered back pocket. The flexible material won’t restrict your brother’s movement, and it’s quick-drying and moisture-wicking, according to the brand. It’s available in sizes small to extra extra large and you can purchase them in three colors: Heather Navy, Black and Heather Grey.
For those with a sweet tooth: Seattle Chocolate Truffle Palette Chocolate Gift Box
My brother’s day isn’t complete if he hasn’t eaten something sweet. If your brother is similar, they’ll appreciate this pack of over 30 truffles from Seattle Chocolate, one of our favorite women-owned businesses. Six different flavors are included: Mexican Hot Chocolate, Hazelnut Butter, San Juan Sea Salt, Salted Almond (my personal favorite), Pink Bubble and Blackberry Créme. The truffles are soft, rich and creamy when you bite into them, and as they melt in your mouth, you taste all the different flavor notes, in my experience.
For those who prefer to be in slippers: Bombas Men’s Gripper Slipper
Bombas’ slippers are the ideal footwear for your brother to sport while relaxing or working from home. They’re designed with a cushioned footbed and silicone grippers on the bottoms to help prevent slipping on slick floors. The interior is also lined to keep feet cozy and warm. Bombas’ slippers are machine-washable and fold flat, making them easy to pack in a suitcase or weekender bag while traveling. You can purchase them in M, L or XL sizes, and in three colors: Great Lake (blue), Medium Gray and Taupe.
For those who need to drink more water: Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler
This 32-ounce tumbler can encourage your brother to stay hydrated at home, the office and the gym. Its double-wall vacuum insulation helps beverages stay cool for hours — I fill mine up with cold water at the beginning of the work day and it’s still chilly four or five hours later, in my experience. The dishwasher-safe tumbler fits most cup holders, according to the brand, and its flexible straw lid stays secure in transport. It’s also designed with a handle, giving your brother a convenient place to grip. You can purchase it in colors like Birch (gray), Indigo, black and white, plus it comes in a larger 40-ounce model.
Best gifts for brothers under $100
For the jetsetter: Trtl Travel Pillow
Trtl’s Travel Pillow can make flights, road trips and train rides more comfortable for your brother, and it’s one of our favorite options for neck support. Its hidden inner support piece keeps the head and neck in an upright position during sleep, preventing neck and shoulder stiffness, according to the brand. The travel pillow is made from soft fleece and foam padding, and available in colors like black, red and gray.
For the outdoor adventurer: Osprey Daylite Everyday Backpack
This backpack, available in multiple colors, ensures your brother is always ready for their next adventure, whether that’s a hike, a camping trip or a day spent in nature. There’s a large main compartment to hold the majority of your brother’s belongings, as well as an interior sleeve for a laptop, tablet or hydration reservoir. The backpack also has two side pockets and a front zip pocket for additional storage, as well as adjustable shoulder, hipbelt and chest straps.
For those who think they’re handy: Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman Knife
My brother swears by his Swiss Army Knife, relying on it when he’s putting furniture together, building car parts and fixing things around his apartment. The multi-use tool has a screwdriver, bottle cap opener, scissor, corkscrew, multiple blades and more, all of which fold into a compact plastic handle.
For the reader: Amazon Kindle
The latest Kindle model is the lightest and most compact one yet, and it comes with 16 GB of storage for downloading thousands of books and audiobooks, according to Amazon. It has a glare-free display and offers light and dark modes, allowing your brother to change how the font looks depending on their reading environment. The Kindle — available in Black and Denim colors — is built with a USB-C port, and a full battery gives you up to six weeks of use, according to Amazon.
For the little brother: Hugimals Sam the Sloth
Weighted stuffed animals function similarly to weighted blankets — they provide gentle pressure against your body to induce feeling calm, safe and cozy, experts told us. And since they’re smaller and lighter than weighted blankets, they’re great for kids. Hugimals offers weighted puppy, elephant, sloth and cat characters, so you’re bound to find one your little brother loves. They can snuggle with it in bed, hold it while traveling or squeeze it when they need a little extra comfort. Hugimals’ 4.5-pound stuffed animals get their weight from non-toxic glass beads, which are contained in a pouch you can remove to wash the toy.
For the golfer: Stitch Golf Contender Knit Head Cover
A head cover like this one can protect your brother’s favorite golf club or make it stand out in their bag. The cover is made from a machine-washable knit acrylic wool, a water- and stain-resistant material, according to the brand. It’s available in a variety of sizes for different clubs like a driver, fairway wood and hybrid. You can purchase the cover in colors like Black Heather, Purple, Orange and Navy Heather.
Best gifts for brothers under $150
For the dad: Aura Carver HD Smart Digital Picture Frame
Aura’s Wi-Fi-connected digital picture frame is one of the best gifts I’ve ever been given, and now I buy it for loved ones every holiday season. The frame has a 10.1-inch screen and built-in speakers, as well as free unlimited storage for their favorite photos and videos. It also pairs with a companion app, where your brother can upload content to display or invite others to do the same.
For the pet parent: Petcube Bites 2 Lite Pet Monitoring Camera
Pet parents naturally worry about their furry friends when they’re not home. If that sounds like your brother, ease thier anxiety with Petcube’s camera, a NBC Select Pet Awards winner. It provides a wide-angle view of rooms and live streams video to a companion app, ensuring your brother can always keep an eye on their cat or dog. The pet camera also offers two-way audio and a built-in treat dispenser.
For the gamer: Kinesis Gaming TKO Mechanical Keyboard
Because this keyboard is made without a number pad, function row, modifier keys and arrow keys, it has a small footprint, giving your brother more room to move their mouse around while playing video games. The keyboard’s adjustable feet can be propped up or tilted at different angles, and it comes with a carrying case for safe storage. Your brother can also customize the keyboard’s modular space bar and the keys’ backlighting, as well as the lighting around the edges of the device.
For the wine aficionado: Usual Wines Mixed Pack
Usual Wine’s Mixed Pack comes with bottles of red, rosé and brut (a sparkling wine), all made from sustainably grown grapes and without added sugars or artificial ingredients like flavors or colorants, according to the brand. Each bottle contains enough wine for a single glass (6.30 ounces) — an ideal choice for those who don’t want to break open an entire bottle. You can send your brother a box of six, 12 or 24 bottles.
For the football fanatic: Sh*t That I Knit NFL Beanie
Any football fan is grateful for products that help them show off their team pride, like these handmade beanies that are officially licensed NFL products. They’re available with dozens of teams’ names, colors and logos so you can purchase your brother’s favorite — browse teams like the Eagles, Jets, Patriots and Chiefs, for example. The brand’s beanies are knit with 100% merino wool and come with detachable yarn pom poms.
Best gifts for brothers under $200
For those who need help getting out of bed: Hatch Restore 2
Rebecca Rodriguez, NBC Select editorial operations manager, says the Hatch Restore 2 sunrise alarm clock is a “lifesaver, especially during the winter months when you don’t want to get out of bed because it’s so dark outside.” Using a companion app, your brother can program what sound, light color and light intensity gradually wakes them up. The device’s wind down mode also allows your brother to set up a relaxing nighttime soundscape and lightscape before bed. The Hatch Restore 2 acts as a noise machine as well, and it’s covered in linen, so it looks nice on a nightstand, Rodriguez says.
For those looking to revamp their wardrobe: Rothy’s The Monty
Rothy’s is one of my favorite shoe brands — I own three pairs of its machine-washable sneakers, which I comfortably wear for hours to work, while running errands and while walking around New York City. Rothy’s The Monty men’s sneaker blends a sophisticated design with comfortable wear, making it a great office shoe for your brother. The lace-up shoe’s upper is made from merino wool, and its contoured foot bed supports feet while its outsoles add traction. The Monty comes in six colors like Vintage Brown, Timber Brown and Mountain Grey, and it’s available in men’s sizes 7 through 16 (including half sizes).
For those who prefer a night in: Brooklyn Bedding Chunky Knit Weighted Blanket
Your brother can use this weighted blanket — a NBC Select Wellness Award winner — during a relaxing night in. Its has an open-knit design, which allows air to flow through the soft polyester jersey fabric to keep your brother cool. The blanket is available in 10-pound or 12-pound weights, both of which I find manageable to move by myself around my apartment. You can purchase the blankets in cream and gray colors.
Why trust NBC Select?
Zoe Malin is an associate updates editor at NBC Select who has written gift guides like the best gifts for bakers and the best advent calendars. To write this article, she recommended products she’s purchased for her own brother, products NBC Select staffers have given to their brothers and products from brands NBC Select has previously covered. Main also included products NBC Select staffers have tried themselves, including Wellness Award and Pet Award winners.
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