Creed · Men's Cologne & Fragrance
Aventus Eau de Parfum
The compliment magnet. If he owns one cologne, it should be this one.
$250–$500
Shop the Look →Gifts, by budget & occasion · /gifts-for-boyfriend-under-500/
Gifts for a boyfriend under $500
Under $500 is where the best gift-to-cost ratio on this entire site lives. It buys cashmere, waxed cotton, Italian eyewear, best-in-class headphones and a fire pit — all things that get used constantly and none of which will look dated in five years.
If you are shopping a significant birthday or a serious anniversary and $1,000 feels excessive, everything worth considering is on this page.
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$250 to $500
The strongest band on the site. Very little here can go wrong.
Barbour · Men's Outerwear
Bedale Wax Jacket
The whole aesthetic in one garment. Gets better every year he owns it.
$250–$500
Buy This for Him →
Polo Ralph Lauren · Men's Knitwear
Washable Cashmere Crewneck
Cashmere he cannot ruin in the laundry. Instant Ralph Lauren boyfriend.
$250–$500
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Persol · Men's Sunglasses
PO3330S Polarized Sunglasses
Straight off our JFK Jr. board. The fastest old-money upgrade there is.
$250–$500
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Orlebar Brown · Men's Swimwear
Bulldog Printed Swim Short
Tailored swim shorts. The reason European men look better at the pool.
$250–$500
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Bose · Audio & Hi-Fi
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
The gift he would buy himself if he were better at buying himself things.
$250–$500
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Fellow · Coffee & Espresso
Ode Gen 2 Flat Burr Grinder
Upgrade the grinder before the machine. Everyone learns this backwards.
$250–$500
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Solo Stove · Outdoor & Camping
Bonfire Essential Bundle
A gift that is secretly for both of you. Smokeless, so nobody smells like it.
$250–$500
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TaylorMade · Golf Equipment
Tour Stand Bag
Tour-staff looks in a bag light enough to actually carry eighteen.
$250–$500
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Just under, and worth a look
If the budget is closer to $250 than $500.
Coach · Men's Watches
Jackson Chronograph Watch
First real watch energy without the first-real-watch price.
$100–$250
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Michael Kors · Men's Watches
Slim Runway Three-Hand Watch
The thin black dress watch that disappears under a cuff. Never overdressed.
$100–$250
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Armani Beauty · Men's Cologne & Fragrance
Acqua di Giò Fragrance Set
The blue-bottle classic, plus a travel size and shower gel so it layers.
$100–$250
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Jean Paul Gaultier · Men's Cologne & Fragrance
Le Male Elixir Parfum
Vanilla, tonka and honey. Devastating in cold weather, too much in July.
$100–$250
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Picks from neighbouring collections that fit the same brief.
Tom Ford · Men's Cologne & Fragrance
Oud Wood Eau de Parfum Decanter
Cold-weather cologne in a bottle that looks like it belongs on a bar cart.
$500–$1,000
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Montblanc · Men's Cologne & Fragrance
Explorer Eau de Parfum
The office-safe woody scent. Nobody has ever complained about it.
$100–$250
See Price →
Polo Ralph Lauren · Men's Outerwear
Maxwell Lambskin Leather Jacket
Brown lambskin, cut like a shirt jacket. The grown-up leather jacket.
$1,000+
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TAG Heuer · Men's Watches
Carrera Chronograph Automatic
The fastest way to make him a watch guy. Wears with a suit or a hoodie.
$1,000+
Shop Now →
Gifts Under $500 FAQ
What is the best gift for a boyfriend under $500?
Noise cancelling headphones if he does not own good ones, a washable cashmere crewneck if he does. Both have near-total usage rates and neither requires you to guess a size precisely.
Is $500 too much to spend on a boyfriend?
For a milestone birthday or an anniversary past the first year, no. For a first Christmas, it can land awkwardly — the price says something about the relationship whether you intend it to or not.