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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.
An absolute must-have for the skin-care obsessed, this cooling fridge can keep products chilled around 40˚F making it ideal for storing moisturizers, serums and more. It's compact size and easy-to-use USB port makes it ideal to set up almost anywhere, and it's light enough at only four pounds that you can move it with ease. It's because of this that our Lab experts even voted it the "best mini fridge for the car." Want to really wow the birthday girl? Get a couple of our top-tested favorite products at the link below so she can get started on building up her beauty stash.
RELATED: Good Housekeeping's 2023 Beauty Awards
This is a gift for both you and your teen. Cut down on the clutter by eliminating the need for multiple charging cords with this 3-in-1 wireless charging stand. Not only will your teen appreciate a one-stop place to charge their phone, Air Pods and Apple watch, but it's a great way to cut down on the tangle of charging cords that always manages to overwhelm your countertops.
Even if they aren't planning a vacation anytime soon, a travel backpack is essential for the kid who is always on the move — sports practice, sleepovers, after-school clubs, you name it. This waterproof bag, available in five additional colors and two different sizes, has a specialized compartment to store a pair of shoes in, as well as a clip-on pouch for extra storage that can be removed and used as a shoulder bag.
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Teens might not tear up magazines and cut up their colorful pages to create collages the way we used to, but that doesn't mean they can't create their own versions thanks to this DIY wall collage kit. The kit features 154 design cutouts, 66 letter cutouts, 769 stickers, 41 quote sticks, 10 markers, string, paint-safe double-sided tape, and foams squares, so the collage can create wall art that's reflective of her personality and style. The kit even encourages adding your own personal photographers to give it a more personal touch, so perhaps you print out some of her favorite memories to give with her in addition to the kit.
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Sophauteem "F**k The Patriarchy" Keychain
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Sophauteem "F**k The Patriarchy" Keychain
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A small but impactful gift that any Swiftie will love — whether there's a car key to go along with it or not.
RELATED: 31 Best Taylor Swift Gifts That Will Never Go "Out of Style"
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For The Music Lover
Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones
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For The Music Lover
Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones
Although one of the pricier gift picks on this list, these Beats Solo3 headphones are certainly worth the investment for the music lover who has been begging for an upgrade. Not only do these wireless Bluetooth headphones have up to 40 hours of battery life, but with the Fast Fuel five-minute charge, the listener can easily juice up the headphones for up to three hours of play when the battery is low.
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DAYBETTER SMD 5050 Remote Control Color Changing Led Strip Lights
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DAYBETTER SMD 5050 Remote Control Color Changing Led Strip Lights
A teen's bedroom isn't just where they sleep. It's their sanctuary, a cozy space for homework, hangouts with friends and overall relaxation. These color-changing LED strip lights, which can be attached along the baseboard, under a bedframe or frankly anywhere they want can easily transform a room at the click of a button into the ultimate oasis. All they need now is some fluffy pillows and snacks and a laptop to cue up their favorite TV show on.
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For The TikTok Trend Follower
STANLEY Quencher H2.0 FlowState Stainless Steel Insulated Tumbler
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For The TikTok Trend Follower
STANLEY Quencher H2.0 FlowState Stainless Steel Insulated Tumbler
You don't have to have a TikTok to know that the Stanley cups have taken online shoppers by storm after blowing up on the social media app. Sure, it might be a bit pricy for an insulated tumbler, but if it's been on her wishlist forever, what better a time to splurge than her Sweet 16? Choose between five different size options and over forty colors.
RELATED: 52 Best TikTok Gifts for Everyone on Your List
Honestly, what is more fun than a custom neon sign they can hang or mount on their wall? One that you can customize! Personalize a neon sign with a name, logo, group of words or emoji of your choice. You can even choose the font, color and backboard shape to create a sign that is as unique as the birthday boy or girl themselves! You can even get a mock-up of your design before it's made so you can make any last-minute changes.
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For Aspiring Photographers
Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
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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.
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For Always-On-the-Go Teens
Stanley Adventure Quencher Travel Tumbler
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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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Sweet 16 Gift for Boys and Girls
Nike Air Max 270
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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.
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Sweet 16 Gift Set
Fenty Beauty Mini Skin Must-Haves 5-Piece Face + Body Set
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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.
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.
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Sweet 16 Unique Gift Idea
Kodak FunSaver One-Time-Use Camera
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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.