24 Valentine's Day gifts your husband won't see coming

Get him something he never even knew he needed.
By
Miller Kern
and
Haley Henschel
 on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Love it or tolerate it, Valentine’s Day is the ideal time to right the gift-giving wrongs of the holidays. Were you sure your husband would love that faux-vintage turntable, only to find out later that what he really wanted was a weighted blanket? Did you misinterpret his months of hint-dropping about homebrewing, ponying up for the perfect craft beer kit, when he was actually talking about kombucha? The best Valentine's Day gifts for husbands give you a second chance to get it right. Instead of opting for something cliché or overly trendy, spend some time reading between the lines of his interests and hobbies. With that in mind, we’ve come up with a list of Valentine's Day gift ideas for over a dozen different kinds of husbands. Some are luxe versions of everyday items, while others are special-occasion splurges. And if you're still stumped for ideas, then dive deeper into our guide on unique gifts for men or peruse our list of the best gifts under $50.

A YETI Collegiate Cooler

For the college football fan

There's no season like tailgate season, baby. Grab him a customized cooler from YETI's officially licensed Collegiate series so he can rep his alma mater at home and on the road — they're rotomolded for durability and sport extra-thick insulated walls to keep his beer cold all day. You can choose from several different sizes, from an 18-can "Roadie" cooler to a "Tank 85" ice bucket that can fit a whole keg.
Buying Options
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a theragun mini against a light gray background
Credit: Theragun

A Theragun mini

For the gym rat

We don't doubt the quality of your back massages, to be clear, but when your husband's extra sore from a workout, a massage gun will provide the muscle relief he needs for a speedy recovery. The ultra-portable new Theragun mini features three speeds, Bluetooth connectivity, a 120-minute battery life, and a brushless motor with "QuietForce" technology that makes its rumble super faint. Plus, it comes with three attachments for different kinds of treatment.
Buying Options
$199.99 from Amazon Amazon Prime

A Lego bouquet that lasts forever

For kids at heart

We're low-key obsessed with the Lego Icons flower collection, which now includes this gorgeous bouquet of roses. Forever roses are actually a big gifting trend right now, and this is your chance to surprise your husband with flowers for once.
Buying Options
$58.95 from Amazon Amazon Prime
a collage of an inflatable kayak with a photo of a lake and wave-shaped line drawings
Credit: Retrospec

An inflatable kayak

For the outdoorsman

Don't have the storage space or roof rack for a traditional kayak? The Retrospec Coaster is a lightweight inflatable model made from durable, puncture-resistant ripstop polyester that's easy to assemble and dog-friendly. Both of you can fit in the Tandem version, which comes with two paddles, a dual-action pump, a removable fin (skeg) that holds its course steady in the water, and a carrying bag.
Buying Options
$699.99 from Amazon Amazon Prime
a behind view of a man in a denim shirt wearing a black herschel little america backpack
Credit: Herschel Supply Co.

The Herschel Little America Backpack

For the commuter

Featuring tons of storage and dozens of different colorways, Herschel's signature backpack looks just as good on the train as it does on the trail. Your better half can stash his gadgets inside its protective laptop sleeve and media compartment when he's between home and the office; some contoured shoulder straps and breathable mesh back padding make sure it won't mess with his posture.
a backbone one mobile playstation controller against an orange background
Credit: Backbone / Mashable composite

A Backbone One

For the gamer

If he's already bought himself a next-gen console, grab him a mobile gaming controller that'll let him play it on the go. The Backbone One is a top-rated pick with analog triggers, clickable thumbsticks, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and pass-through charging. There are two versions available — one for PlayStation (compatible with iPhones), one for Xbox (compatible with iPhones and Android devices) — and both work with any controller-supported games for their respective platforms.
Buying Options
$99.99 from Amazon Amazon Prime
a stack of a24 screenplay books against a gray background
Credit: A24 Shop

An A24 screenplay book

For the movie buff

A chic addition to any coffee table that screams "I have extremely good taste," these hardcover Screenplay Books feature the scripts of popular A24 flicks alongside companion essays and behind-the-scenes extras (including concept art, shot lists, set photography, and production sketches).
Buying Options
$60 from A24 Shop

A pizza oven

For the home chef

It's not delivery *or* DiGiorno: It's an outdoor pizza oven that bakes up restaurant-worthy Neopolitan pies. The bestselling ooni Karu 12 is a lightweight multi-fuel model, meaning it works with wood, charcoal, or a gas burner attachment (sold separately). It heats up to a blazing-hot 950°F in just 15 minutes and cooks pizza in just 60 seconds with the help of a custom-designed tray that maximizes airflow. Bone app the teeth.
Buying Options
$299 from Ooni
an ad for a smoky cocktails class next to a cocktail-smoking kit
Credit: Uncommon Goods / Mashable composite

A cocktail-making class

For the beverage connoisseur

Led by Brooklyn bartender Matt Levy, this live online class digs into the latest mixology trend: smoke-infused spirits. Your husband will learn how to make three different kinds of drinks (plus some non-alcoholic adaptations) over the course of an hour and a half on an evening of his choosing. Uncommon Goods's Oak Glass Topper Cocktail Smoker, kitchen torch, and smoking chips (an $80 value) will be mailed to you ahead of time so you have something physical to wrap.

A Chemex

For the caffeine fiend

This is more than just a coffee maker — it's contemporary art. (No, really: The Brooklyn Museum, the Corning Museum of Glass, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York all have one in their permanent collections.) Crafted from tempered lab-quality glass that doesn't absorb funky odors or chemical residue, it'll make the cleanest, brightest cups of coffee your husband's ever sipped.
Buying Options
$48.93 from Amazon Amazon Prime

A Bose SoundLink Flex speaker

For the audiophile

Bose's latest Bluetooth speaker offers unrivaled sound quality and up to 12 hours of battery life per charge. But more importantly, it's lightweight, durable, and completely waterproof — meaning your husband can bring it just about anywhere. (It even floats, so outdoor jam sessions and bathtub karaoke are both a go.)
Buying Options
$149 from Amazon Amazon Prime

Apple's second-gen AirPods Pro

For the podcast person

Wired earphones may be trendy and all, but when your husband's putzing around the house while catching up on his latest podcast obsession, a cord will only get in the way. As far as wireless options go, the second-gen AirPods Pro are stellar: They offer fantastic audio quality, improved Active Noise Cancellation, up to 30 hours of listening time with the help of their charging case, and USB-C charging (!).
Buying Options
$249 from Amazon Amazon Prime

A Kindle Paperwhite

For the avid reader

He can take his entire library on the road with Amazon's latest Kindle Paperwhite, a bestselling e-reader with an adjustable warm light, a 12-week battery life, and a glare-free display that looks like real paper even in bright sunlight. It's also completely waterproof for beach and poolside reads.
Buying Options
$159.99 from Amazon Amazon Prime
a close-up of a man wearing gray thursday boots
Credit: Thursday Boot Company

A pair of Thursday boots

For the dapper dresser

Handcrafted with durable, high-quality materials and priced below $300 per pair, Thursday shoes are an excellent bang for your buck. Their slip-on, Chelsea-style "Cavalier" boot is a versatile wardrobe staple that comes in genuine leather (in two colors) and WeatherSafe suede (in four colors). Both versions have leather interior linings and cork-bed midsoles that form to the feet for comfort.
Buying Options
$190 from Amazon Amazon Prime
a collage of two men modeling the ugg robinson robe
Credit: UGG / Mashable composite

An UGG Robinson robe

For the lounger

A fancy robe is one of those things your husband's probably never thought to buy for himself, but once he's wearing it, he'll wonder how he ever got by without it. Go ahead and splurge on this luxurious little number from UGG since it's a special occasion. Made from lightweight jersey and ultra-soft fleece, it comes in four sizes and six colors. Your joint spa day awaits.
Buying Options
$145 from Amazon Amazon Prime
"escape the crate" boxes laid out on a wooden table in a dark library next to a red umbrella
Credit: Escape the Crate

An Escape the Crate subscription

For date nights in

Escape the Crate brings the excitement of an escape room to the comfort of your home with a totally different adventure shipped to your doorstep every other month. Each box is filled with themed puzzles, riddles, and mysteries you'll have to solve together over the course of a few hours. It's a fun way to shake up date night without having to leave the house (or put on real pants, if we're being realistic here).
Buying Options
See Details
a cheese gift basket
Credit: Ideal Cheese Shop

A cheese gift basket

For the guy who's not big on chocolate

Valentine's Day presents can be cheesy, but this one takes the cake. Offered through New York City's Ideal Cheese Shop, this "Around the World" sampler basket comes with a tangy Manchego from Spain, a buttery Comté from France, a nutty Parmigiano Reggiano from Italy, a rich Prima Donna from the Netherlands, and a creamy Colby from an upstate New York farm (plus a box of crackers and a jar of jam to eat them with). It's savory snack lover heaven.
national geographic rock tumbler
Credit: national geographic

A new hobby

For husbands with extra time

Does your husband need a hobby that doesn't involve scrolling TikTok? Rock tumbling may not be the most exciting-sounding hobby to everyone, but for the right kind of guy, it will be his new obsession. This is also a great gift idea for husbands with young kids, as they can explore this hobby together.
Buying Options
$119.99 from Amazon
close-up of jack black energizing face scrub on hands
Credit: Jack Black

An invigorating face scrub

For skincare newbies

Even men who are skeptical of skincare products will appreciate this Jack Black scrub. Exfoliating particles slough away dead skin and oil, while also softening up hair for a cleaner shave. Meanwhile, Vitamin C and mint work together to energize tired skin.
Buying Options
$20 from Amazon Amazon Prime

Owala FreeSip

For water enthusiasts

The Owala FreeSip is the water bottle of the moment, and for good reason: He'll be able to drink from the wide-mouth opening if he's in the mood to chug, or he can sip from the built-in straw. Real water drinkers know how big of a deal that is. Plus, look at all the colors to choose from. Cute!
Buying Options
$29.99 from Owala

LEGO Ideas Tuxedo Cat kit

For the proud cat dad

LEGO has plenty of delightful sets for adults, including this tuxedo cat kit. It has 1,710 pieces (!), including two sets of eyes to choose from (yellow and blue). It can also be built with its mouth closed or open. Realistic meowing sounds not included.
Buying Options
$99.95 from Amazon Amazon Prime
a paint by numbers kit featuring mandarin oranges against a blue background
Credit: Paint Like Frida

A paint-by-numbers kit

For artistic types

It's nice to have an indoor project to work on during the cold winter months. A paint-by-numbers kit is an excellent pick for just about anyone: It's soothing, requires basically no skill, and will leave you with a lovely piece of wall decor when you're done.
the mole cards
Credit: Clarendon Games

A party game

For the host

It's good to have a wide variety of party games in your arsenal for when people come over. If he loves to host, add The Mole to his collection — it's an easy-to-learn, bluff-heavy game that's fun even when no one is particularly good at it.
Buying Options
$19.99 from Amazon Amazon Prime
set of National Parks playing cards on a green table
Credit: Underdog Games

National Parks playing cards

For outdoorsy husbands

If he's a fan of the great outdoors — or if you have some cute National Parks-centric memories together — gift him this set of National Parks-themed playing cards. Each card features a different pretty illustration, from Arches to Zion.
Buying Options
$9.98 from Amazon Amazon Prime
woman with short blonde hair smilling
Miller Kern
Deputy Editor, Shopping/Reviews

Miller Kern is the Deputy Editor of Shopping and Reviews at Mashable, where she writes and edits reviews, roundups, deals, and news stories about tech products, including headphones, skincare devices, laptops, sex toys, e-readers, robot vacuums, and more. She has six years of experience writing buying guides, gift guides, and deals, and covering shopping holidays like Prime Day and Black Friday. Miller can tell you which products are actually worth your money. She also explores trends in the shopping sphere, such as dupes and viral TikTok moments.

Mashable Image
Haley Henschel
Senior Shopping Reporter

Haley Henschel is a Chicago-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable who reviews and finds deals on popular tech, from laptops to gaming consoles and VPNs. She has years of experience covering shopping holidays and can tell you what’s actually worth buying on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Her work has also explored the driving forces behind digital trends within the shopping sphere, from dupes to 12-foot skeletons.


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