Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds

Why it's worth it

AirPods 4 pair with an iPhone the instant you open the case, and 87 percent of U.S. teens own an iPhone. They're comfortable enough for all-day wear, and the noise cancellation is genuinely useful for homework in a loud house.

When you don't know much about the kid, this is the pick. Piper Sandler's Fall 2024 survey found 87 percent of U.S. teens own an iPhone, so the compatibility question mostly answers itself. Open the case near his phone and they connect. No setup, no app, no awkward moment where the gift needs troubleshooting on Christmas morning while everyone watches.

Earbuds are also a consumable in teen hands. They get lost in gym bags, left on buses, and dropped in parking lots. That's a strange thing to say about a gift, but it means you're rarely giving someone a second pair they don't need — and if he already has AirPods, a fresher set with active noise cancellation is a real upgrade rather than a duplicate.

From our review of 8 gifts for teen boys

What we like

• +When you don't know much about the kid, this is the pick
• +Earbuds are also a consumable in teen hands
• +The open-ear design is the trade-off worth understanding
• +Five hours of listening per charge, roughly 30 with the case, and a USB-C case that's smaller than the last generation

What to know

• –The tipless fit is a genuine gamble
• –Without an ear-canal seal, the noise cancellation can't match sealed in-ear or over-ear designs