Gift Guide

The Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Our Editors

From earplugs to guitar lessons, here’s how to make any music lover happy this holiday season

By Oscar Hartzog

Oscar Hartzog

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November 3, 2026

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Shopping for music lovers isn’t an easy task. Music obsessives have a penchant for snobbery, which can make them some of the most difficult giftees to shop for come holiday season. Luckily for us here at Rolling Stone, music lovers are everywhere. And luckily for everyone else, we also know how to find the best gifts for music lovers.

To help find the best gifts, we had our staff of music-obsessed shopping editors round up gifts that any music nerd in your life will not just appreciate this holiday, but actually use throughout 2027 and beyond. These run the gamut from affordable custom wall art and earplugs to the latest and greatest headphones if you’re really looking to treat the music lover in your life.

The Best Gifts for Music Lovers

Ahead are the best gifts for music lovers during the 2026 holiday season.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

Stubhub Gift Card

Buy Now at doordash

One of the safest gift ideas for music lovers (and almost anyone else, for that matter) is a gift card to StubHub, which will let them see the show of their choice for less. You can go low to help offset the ludicrous ticket prices we’re now used to, or go high if you really want to cover a whole show.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

Loop Experience 2 Earplugs

$34.95

Buy Now at loop

Earplugs are a must for anyone attending shows regularly, and Loop has become the industry go-to. Options like these Experience 2 earplugs work to lower the volume of live music while retaining all the detail, keeping ears safe while letting the wearer enjoy the show as normal.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4 Controller

$329

Buy Now at pioneer

DJ controllers are the new guitars. If you have an aspiring DJ on your list — or anyone who likes to host parties — they’ll be thrilled to unwrap this Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4. The entry-level controller is a great introduction to the technology, and it’s relatively affordable as far as music gear goes.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

This Is Your Brain on Music

$11.00 $22.00 50% off

Buy Now On Amazon

This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession has been out for two decades, but it’s still one of the best reads for anyone interested in the art. Written by neuroscientist, musician, and record producer Daniel J. Levitin, the book explores how we hear music and why it moves us.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

Custom Vinyl Lyrics Print

$39.23 $52.31 25% off

Buy Now at etsy

If you know a song that your giftee loves, this wall art is a thoughtful gift. It presents the song lyrics as a vinyl record, and the whole design is minimal and tasteful enough to fit most interior decor looks. You also get several size and frame options to choose from.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

Custom Leather Guitar Strap

$29.99 $59.98 50% off

Buy Now at etsy

For guitar players, pick up one of these customizable straps. They’re made using soft calf leather, and your message is engraved (instead of painted or printed on). Besides the actual message, you’ll be able to choose the font and the position, and you can even add a photo.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

Retro Vinyl Record Coasters

$11.99

Buy Now On Amazon

An easy, affordable gift for music lovers (or white elephant parties) is these cute record coasters. They’re made of vinyl to feel like the real thing and feature unique album covers on each one in the pack of six.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

Sonos Play Speaker

$299

Buy Now at sonos

Sonos’ new Play speaker bridges the gap between a home device and a portable, offering great sound everywhere. This makes it ideal for college students and recent grads setting up a first apartment.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

Technics A1000 Headphones

$449.99

Buy Now at technics

One of the best pairs of headphones to come out this past year is Technics’ A1000. The cans are based around an advanced 40mm Magnetic Fluid Driver that produces the kind of crisp, natural sound audiophiles will appreciate.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

Mini Karaoke Machine

$24.99

Buy Now On Amazon

A mini karaoke machine like this one can turn any hangout into a party. The little machine includes two microphones and surprisingly loud sound for its size.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

Grateful Dead x Knicks T-Shirt

Buy Now at NBA Store

If you’re shopping for a music lover who’s also a sports fan, this summer’s Grateful Dead x Knicks merch is a slam dunk.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

Fender Play Subscription

$149.99

Buy Now at fender

A subscription to Fender Play is a great choice for aspiring guitar players. The online learning platform helps beginner and intermediate players improve through high-quality, bite-size videos and exercises.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

Rolling Stone Subscription

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A subscription to the authority on music and culture is a great gift for anyone. And no, we’re not biased.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

Audio-Technica AT-SB727 Sound Burger

$199

Buy Now On Amazon

Vinyl has been back for a while now, and brands are putting out some very cool record players, including ones with reasonable price tags. Our favorite budget-friendly record player — which also makes a great gift — is this unique Sound Burger from Audio-Technica.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

Gueray Portable Bluetooth Desktop CD Player

$36.09 $39.99 10% off

Buy Now On Amazon

CD players also made a comeback recently. Luckily for us gifters, there are some very fun, affordable options out there, like this colorful player from Gueray.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

Minimalist Acoustic Wall Panels

$119.99

Buy Now On Amazon

If your giftee plays music at home (especially drums) or just likes their speakers loud, these acoustic wall panels will let them do it without disturbing others.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers, According to Rolling Stone Editors

Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!

$13.37 $37.00 64% off

Buy Now On Amazon

One of the best music-book releases of the year was Liza Minnelli’s autobiography, Kids, Wait Till You Hear This! The book gives readers a look at the EGOT winner’s life and career, including her Hollywood upbringing and reflections at nearly 80 years old.

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