20 Best Tech Gifts for Teens on Black Friday
Black Friday sales officially kick off on Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1. Before they end, Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price tracking tools.
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Choosing gifts for teenagers can be challenging—their tastes are very specific and change daily. But the gifts below reflect evolving teen trends, focusing on things that are useful, fun, and/or even (gasp!) educational. Plus, all the items on the list are discounted on Black Friday.
From retro instant cameras to room-transforming LED lights and smart toys, here are the 20 best tech gifts for teens in 2025.
Polaroid Now 3rd generation
Perhaps it’s a teenage rebellion against our scrolling lifestyle or a desire for authenticity, but more and more kids are fascinated with old-fashioned cameras. The third-generation Polaroid Now is a classic analog device that lets you watch your photos develop in real time, lacks megapixels, and produces a physical object that can be saved, cropped, and stored without scrolling.
Beats Solo 4 headphones
For many kids, part of growing up is realizing how amazing music can be. If your child is going through this transition, there’s no better gift than quality audio equipment, like these Beats Solo 4 Bluetooth headphones. They sound great, feature spatial audio and head tracking, and come in five colors, so they look great too. It’s no wonder they have a 4.6-star rating on Amazon .
Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1)
Ray-Ban Metas are stylish glasses packed with smart features, including a camera, open-back speakers, a built-in AI agent, and more. Whether your child wants to quickly take photos, consult with AI, or instantly stream videos using just a mirror, these glasses are perfect for that.
Powerup 4.0 Smartphone-Controlled Paper Airplane
Teens might say they don’t need toys for Christmas, but the truth is, everyone wants toys for Christmas, and a smartphone-controlled airplane is a killer idea. It works like this: you add a sensor and propellers to a foldable airplane, and you get a controllable craft that can fly at speeds of up to 20 mph. It can even do barrel rolls.
Flashforge 3D printer
The ability to 3D print objects at home still seems like science fiction to me, but it’s not only possible, it’s also not that expensive. The Flashforge 3D printer is just $229 on Black Friday. If you have a teenager with artistic, creative, or technical interests, this device is perfect.
JBL Clip 5
It’s no wonder the JBL Clip 5 is so popular among teenagers. This portable Bluetooth speaker is available in nine different designs, is waterproof, virtually indestructible, and can be mounted anywhere. Plus, it sounds great.
Boldever Smart Mini Projector
This mini projector connects to Netflix, YouTube, and other services, allowing you to stream 4K video to any wall or ceiling. It’s a must-have for any teenager tired of watching things on their phone. It connects via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and costs under $100 on Black Friday.
Apple Airtags
If your child is into technology, they’ll likely have a lot of expensive gadgets—cameras, headphones, tablets, and so on—and they’re all prone to getting lost. But don’t put one of those Apple Airtags on them. This four-pack costs $64.99—an investment that will pay for itself the first time you find a lost tablet.
Govee RGBIC 100ft LED Strip Light
LED strip decorations are all the rage among teens, and for good reason: the ability to instantly change colors and sync to music is truly cool. They can be controlled via an app or simply by voice (they’re compatible with Google Voice and Alexa). And what a bargain: $42.99 for 100 feet of LEDs.
Cat ears for headphones
Okay, so pink cat ears that attach to a gaming headset aren’t the kind of gift every teenager would love, but if you even suspect your child is the type who’ll squeal over them on Christmas morning, you can get them for just $8. Even if you’re wrong, the phrase “then Mommy got me those stupid cat headphones” will become a favorite family joke.
Sonos Roam 2 Bluetooth Speaker
The Sonos Roam 2 speaker is a great choice for a music-loving teen: it’s durable, waterproof, has a 10-hour battery, and delivers excellent sound. It’s also compatible with other Sonos devices, so you can expand your listening experience as needed.
Charmast Portable Charger
If your teenager is anything like mine, they have a million devices that need charging and can’t keep track of all the necessary cords. So, by gifting them one of these rechargeable chargers, you’ll save your precious USB-C ports. This portable rechargeable charger has 6 outputs and 3 inputs, so you can charge 6 devices simultaneously.
Galaxy Moon Lamp
Help them decorate their room with this truly galactic, cool moon lamp . Powered by cool LED bulbs, this lamp’s 16 colors smoothly shift, fade, and soothe, creating a calming atmosphere. The shades can be adjusted to suit your mood.
Otamatone
This weird little synthesizer/toy from Japan is sure to get a lot of laughs on Christmas morning, but the Otamatone can actually be played like a real musical instrument, so it’s also a sneaky way to encourage a teenager’s musical talent.
Kaiess Selfie Ring Light
Self-obsession is a hallmark of adolescence, so give yourself the gift of stunning selfies with this ring light set . It has everything you need for a makeshift photo studio for social media: a stand with a phone holder, a dimmable ring light, and a record button. A real find—$22.94 on Black Friday.
Lightning Reaction: Reboot
“Lightning Reaction” is a sinister, very sinister party game that will appeal to a certain demographic of teenagers. Each player holds a pen while an ominous tune plays. When the music stops, players press a button, and the slowest participant receives a mild but painful electric shock. It’s both diabolical and hilarious.
Metapen A8 pencil
If you have an artistically inclined teenager, this stylus will take their digital creativity to the next level. The Metapen works with iPads released from 2018 to present, delivering 0.1mm pixel-level accuracy, high responsiveness, and zero lag. It charges in half an hour and lasts up to 10 hours.
Handheld microscope 1000X
Technically, this device is designed for younger children, but I can’t imagine anyone of any age who wouldn’t be thrilled with a microscope with 1000x magnification and its own 4K screen. It comes with pre-made slides, but there’s nothing stopping you from magnifying anything you want.
Ikarao karaoke machine
Karaoke systems have come a long way. This Ikaro is a true party machine in a compact package. It features two microphones, works with YouTube (essentially giving you access to all your karaoke recordings), and even features a cool LED show. It can also be used as a portable PA system.
Space ball-boomerang-ball
This high-tech LED-lit ball takes throwing into the future. Its unique aerodynamics and built-in motor allow for incredible throws that would be impossible with a regular ball. It’s also perfect for nighttime play. Teens love staying up late at night.
Which stores have the biggest discounts on Black Friday?
With both large retailers and small businesses competing for Black Friday shoppers, you can expect sales at virtually every store until Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” discounts depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to be offered by large retailers that can afford lower prices, such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our blog .
Are Black Friday deals worth it?
In short, yes, Black Friday still offers deals you rarely see the rest of the year. If you’re shopping or looking for gifts, now is the time to look for deals on essentials, especially tech , home goods , and fitness equipment . Of course, if you’re looking to save money, the best way to save is to buy nothing.
Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?
Black Friday used to favor large retailers and higher-end appliances, while Cyber Monday favored cheaper appliances and gave small businesses a chance to compete online. However, today, this distinction has become virtually meaningless. Every major retailer runs sales on both days, so it’s best to know what you need, use price trackers, or consult guides like our blog , which uses price trackers, and not worry about finding the perfect time.