The buying guide: Best gifts for men under $500

Shopping for the best gifts for men is a fine art — equal parts knowing his habits and anticipating his next obsession. Whether you’re searching for the best gift for your father who already has everything, or the best gift for your boyfriend that’s equal parts thoughtful and cool, this curated list keeps things sharp, stylish, and under $500.

From sleek tech gadgets and design-led essentials to home comforts and statement accessories, these ideas go beyond the usual tie-and-wallet routine. Think best tech gifts that simplify life, coffee gear that fuels creativity, and lifestyle upgrades that feel personal yet polished.

And if you’re already thinking ahead to the holidays, consider this your early shortlist for the best Christmas gift ideas for your boyfriend — the kind that feels luxurious without being over the top.

Here are 10 distinct picks, tailored to different personalities, interests, and lifestyles, each handpicked to deliver a little delight with a lot of taste.

The best gifts for men

For the tech enthusiast: Sony WH1000XM5 Noise Cancelling Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Black

Price: $347.44 ($575, 40% off)

The gold standard for silence. Sony’s WH-1000XM5 refines everything that made its predecessors iconic — now lighter, sleeker, and more intelligent. Powered by the Integrated Processor V1 and HD Noise-Cancelling Processor QN1, it uses eight microphones and advanced algorithms to deliver truly adaptive noise control across frequencies.

Whether you’re on a long-haul flight or a noisy commute, every note stays crisp and uninterrupted.

Its 30-hour battery life (or 40 hours with ANC off) keeps the music going, while Quick Charge gives you three hours of play in just three minutes. The headphones weigh only 250g, with a redesigned synthetic leather headband and fold-flat construction for easy travel.

Add Bluetooth 5.2 multipoint pairing, speak-to-chat, and support for 360 Reality Audio, and you’ve got a listening experience that’s as immersive as it is intelligent — luxury for the ears, engineered for everyday brilliance.

For the fashion aficionado: Acne Studios Black Logo Cap

Price: US$235 ($302.90)

Minimalism done the Scandinavian way. Acne Studios’ black logo cap is cut from mid-weight cotton twill for structure and breathability, and it is finished with the label’s discreet embroidered logo at the front.

The curved brim and tonal top-stitching keep its silhouette clean, while the adjustable strap with a silver-tone metal clasp ensures a tailored fit.

It’s a wardrobe staple that speaks volumes through restraint — the kind of piece that elevates an off-duty look without ever announcing itself.

For the homebody: Sunday Bedding Weighted Blanket

Price: $284

Because comfort is an investment, not a luxury. Sunday Bedding’s weighted blanket uses thousands of micro-glass beads encased in a soft, high-thread-count shell to deliver even, gentle pressure that simulates a calming hug.

Available in weights from 10lb to 25lb (4.5kg to 11.3kg), it’s designed to reduce cortisol and promote deeper sleep through deep-touch pressure therapy. Breathable cotton layers ensure it stays cool even on humid nights.

The perfect companion for men who measure rest as deliberately as work.

For the wellness devotee: Maison Margiela REPLICA 100ml Set (REPLICA 7ml + Personalized Pouch)

Price: $220

A scent wardrobe for the man who treats fragrance as self-expression. Maison Margiela’s REPLICA set pairs a full-size 100ml Eau de Toilette with a travel-friendly 7ml mini spray and a personalised canvas pouch for sleek portability.

Choose from evocative blends like Jazz Club, By the Fireplace, or Lazy Sunday Morning — each crafted with fine-milled accords that echo memory through notes of rum, pink pepper, tobacco leaf, or soft musk.

The result is a gift that balances storytelling and sophistication, transforming daily scent rituals into moments of calm luxury.

For the culinary explorer: Fellow Stagg EKG Pour-Over Kettle 0.9L

Price: From $259

Precision meets poetry in this 0.9 litre 18/8 stainless-steel kettle, a cult favourite among baristas. The gooseneck spout allows fine-flow control for exact pour-overs, while the counterbalanced handle shifts weight toward your hand for effortless stability.

The LCD enables quick access to all functions, and it features a 60-minute hold mode to maintain the water’s heat at your desired temperature. With to-the-degree temperature control and 1200 watts for a quick heat time, it’s equal parts sculpture and science — for the man who views coffee brewing as meditation in motion.

For the adventurer: LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottles with two-stage integrated filter straw for hiking, backpacking, and travel, 1L

Price: $112.31

For the man whose adventures go beyond hotel gyms and well-paved trails. The LifeStraw Go turns almost any water source into safe hydration, using a two-stage filtration system that removes 99.999 per cent of bacteria, parasites, and microplastics while improving taste with an activated-carbon capsule.

Built from BPA-free Tritan or stainless steel, it holds a full one litre yet weighs only 620g, making it ideal for hikes, road trips, or long-haul travel. Each replaceable filter lasts up to 4,000 litres, reducing single-use plastic waste along the way.

Rugged, practical, and responsibly designed — it’s a gift for the man who packs curiosity (and clean water) wherever he goes.

For the creative thinker: Valentino Garavani VLogo Signature Leather Card Holder

Price: $403

A study in restraint. Crafted in supple Italian calfskin, this slim cardholder measures roughly 10 × 8cm and features four card slots plus a centre compartment. The signature VLogo metal hardware is polished yet understated — an emblem of heritage without ostentation.

Finished with heat-sealed edges and tonal stitching, it’s a tactile reminder that form and function can, in fact, coexist. For the creative mind that appreciates clean lines and quiet luxury.

For the modern gentleman: Braun All-in-One Style Kit Series 9 9440

Price: $213.54

For the man who treats grooming like an art form. The Braun Series 9 9440 is engineered with AutoSense technology, adapting its cutting power 13 times per second to the density of your hair or beard. Its ProBlade system stays sharp for life, delivering clean lines and consistent precision whether trimming, edging, or full-body grooming.

With 40 cutting lengths (from 0.5mm to 20mm) and five comb attachments, it offers salon-level control in one sleek device. The trimmer is 100 per cent waterproof, suitable for both wet and dry use, and powered by a Li-ion battery that provides up to 100 minutes of cordless runtime on a one-hour charge.

Ergonomic, travel-ready, and distinctly German in its design philosophy, it’s grooming refined for the modern minimalist.

For the lifestyle connoisseur: Versace Medusa ‘95 Bracelet

Price: $340

Subtle opulence, perfected. This bracelet pairs polished gold-tone brass hardware with smooth black leather, centred on Versace’s signature Medusa ‘95 emblem — a motif that’s graced runways and red carpets for decades.

The clasp mechanism clicks shut with satisfying precision, giving it both substance and comfort. It’s jewellery for the man who recognises craftsmanship not by logos but by how it feels on the wrist: weighty, balanced, timeless. 

For the jet-setter: Bellroy Lite Carry-On

Price: $379

For the man who moves often — and always travels light. Bellroy’s Lite Carry-On is built from the brand’s innovative DuraLite ripstop nylon, a featherweight yet abrasion-resistant fabric that’s 3x lighter than traditional luggage materials. At just 800g, it offers a roomy 38-litre capacity, enough for a weekend getaway or a minimalist week abroad.

Smart internal compression straps and quick-access exterior pockets keep essentials organised, while the soft-shell structure flexes easily into overhead bins or tight car boots. 

The water-resistant coating keeps the elements out, and reinforced seams ensure it lasts the miles. Refined, efficient, and quietly confident — this is the carry-on for the traveller who values ease as much as elegance.

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