Dating Awards 2023: Dating & Relationship Products

Crush Date Night With the Top Dating and Relationship Products of 2023

November 8, 2023

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The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

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There’s no series of cool products that will make someone fall in love with you if you’re fundamentally not compatible, of course.

But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a few that could nudge things in the right direction for you. After all, first impressions can be lasting ones, even if they’re based on somewhat superficial attributes.

Wearing a nice outfit, smelling fresh, and having a hairstyle that works for you — these things may not be important to everyone, but they could help you convince the right person to give you a shot.

That’s why we put together a list of our favorite dating and relationship products, because — as Shakespeare said — the course of true love never did run smooth, but that doesn’t mean it has to run as bumpy as possible.

Without further ado, here are our picks for the 2023 AskMen Dating Awards, dating and relationship products edition:

Date-Night Products

Best Date Night Shirt

Untuckit Wrinkle-Free Veneto Shirt

Given the number of first dates that take place with two people sitting across the table from one another at a bar or restaurant, what you’re wearing on your torso will be the primary — if not only — article of clothing for the other person to look at as you chat. Meaning, you want to wear something that makes you look good. You don’t want to go overly formal and weird your date out — you want something that blends formal and casual in a chic, effortless way. That’s when you want a dress shirt with some texture to it, like Untuckit’s wrinkle-free Veneto shirt, which mixes style and substance without being so thick that you’re likely to overheat.

Finalists: Ministry of Supply AeroZero° Dress Shirt, Charles Tyrwhitt Cutaway Collar Twill Shirt

Check out the Untuckit Wrinkle-Free Veneto Shirt

Best Date Night Pants

Duer Smart Stretch Tech Pant

It’s no secret that we at AskMen are against the first-date jeans. Jeans are a versatile, perfectly good option, but their very ubiquity works against them in a dating context — in short, they’re boring and don’t tell the other person very much about you. By contrast, we love Duer’s Smart Stretch Tech Pant — a perfect hybrid pant that mixes a professional look with a casual feel, all while being extra comfortable.

Finalists: Flint and Tinder 365 Pant, L.L. Bean Venture Stretch Pants

Check out the Duer Smart Stretch Tech Pant

Best Date Night Low-Top Shoes

Allbirds Tree Piper

Given that most dates are not a black tie affair, they tend not to require a pair of spiffy dress shoes. However, show up in a pair of worn down beaters, and your date may start looking at you differently. The trick is finding a good sweet spot in the middle: something like the Allbirds Tree Piper, which are casual in an understated, yet elegant way, and comfortable enough to allow for some moving around, if that’s what’s in the plans.

Finalists: Wolf & Shepherd Cruise Lace-Up Sneaker, Cole Haan ØriginalGrand Wingtip Oxford

Check out the Allbirds Tree Piper

Best Date Night Boot

Taft Model 010 Boot

Low-cut shoes are nice and all, but some dates take place in cold or inclement weather, and wearing high-top basketball shoes to cover your ankles isn’t exactly the move. That’s when you want to have a first-date boot in your toolkit. We love Taft’s Model 010, a dressy, classy Chelsea boot that mixes style with a hint of ruggedness, and whose laceless construction means easy on and off for extra smooth points.

Finalists: Doc Martens 2976 Chelsea Boots, Allen Edmonds Freeport Weatherproof Lug Boot

Check out the Taft Model 010 Boot

Best Date Night Jacket

Levi’s Type III Sherpa Trucker Jacket

What were we saying about cold or inclement weather? Apart from boots, there’s a decent chance you’ll want a jacket along for the ride. Guys look dashing as hell in a good jacket, and the people who date men, regardless of gender, are well aware of this. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel — a shearling-lined jean jacket like this classic from Levi’s will have you looking handsome, and have your date wondering if they’re cold enough to ask for you to put it around their shoulders, too.

Finalists: Carhartt Duck Blanket-Lined Detroit Jacket, Nobis Maize Bomber Jacket

Check out the Levi’s Type III Sherpa Trucker Jacket

Best Date Night Blazer

Wills Stretch Wool Blazer

Unless you’re going on a date with a member of the nobility from a small European nation, chances are very low that you’ll be wearing a suit on a first date. However, that doesn’t mean that a blazer isn’t the right move in some circumstances. If you’re going to an upscale bar or restaurant, or any place that has some form of dress code, a blazer is a must. This one from Huckberry’s Wills communicates a distinct, professorial vibe, and in a way that’s, dare we say, a bit sexy. (Just don’t go telling your date you’re going to dock their grade if they’re late.)

Finalists: Ministry of Supply Kinetic Blazer, Rag & Bone Prospect Peached Cotton Blazer

Check out the Wills Stretch Wool Blazer

Best Date Night Sweater

Patagonia Recycled Cashmere Crewneck Sweater

Sometimes the right move for keeping you warm on a date is a comfortable sweater. They’re not as formal as a blazer or as cool as a jacket, but sometimes the vibe you’re trying to communicate is a down-home, cozy, approachable one. That’s when you wear a sweet first-date sweater, like this incredibly comfy recycled cashmere number from Patagonia.

Finalists: Sunspel Luxury British Wool Jumper, Buffalo Walima Sweater

Check out the Patagonia Recycled Cashmere Crewneck Sweater

Best Date Night Watch

G-Shock GMB2100PC-1A

At this point in history, the watch is primarily a fashion accessory, rather than a means of telling time. As such, it’s useful to think of it in those terms — you’re wearing wrist jewelry. Casio’s legendary G-Shock brand has just the one for you — from their new “Polychromatic Accents” collection, their iconic 2100 silhouette’s pastel gradients give your wrist just the right amount of eye-catching color to become a conversation piece.

Finalists: James Wines Terra-Time Watch, Vincero Chrono S

Check out the G-Shock GMB2100PC-1A

Best Date Night Breath Freshener

Sen Cha Naturals Moroccan Mint

Many a promising first kiss has been undermined by a pedestrian fact of life: bad breath. Make sure that you’re staying kissably fresh by applying good smells to the area pre-date and, ideally, during the date. Breath mints are the best approach here, since you don’t have to spit them out, like gum, and you don’t need to carry a small bottle of mouthwash around. We particularly love Sen Cha’s Moroccan Mint flavor.

Finalists: Snow Arctic Frost Teeth Whitening Mouthwash, Therabreath Mild Mint Mouthwash

Check out the Sen Cha Naturals Moroccan Mint

Best Date Night Hair Styling Product

American Crew Forming Cream

Unfortunately, way too many guys don’t know how to make their hair look nice. Don’t be one of them — supplement a haircut with a little bit of product before you head out on your date, and find yourself looking way better than expected. American Crew is a bastion of men’s hair greatness and their Forming Cream is a classic product that offers just-right amounts of hold, pliability and shine that will have you looking way better than the next guy — unless he also uses the same product.

Finalists: Imperial Barber Fiber Pomade, Kevin Murphy Touchable Wax Spray

Check out American Crew Forming Cream

Best Date Night Deodorant

Native Honey & Saguaro Deodorant

The armpits are like the mouth of the torso — in that they are not infrequently a source of bad smells. Head that peril off at the pass with a good date-night deodorant like this one, from Native, a leader in the natural deodorants space that’ll have your pits smelling like a gorgeous moonlit night in the American Southwest.

Finalists: Oars + Alps Aluminum-Free Deodorant, Dove Men+Care Ultimate Refillable Deodorant

Check out Native Honey & Saguaro Deodorant

Best Date Night Shaving Tool

Braun Series 9 Pro+

Whatever gender of person you’re going on a date with, there’s a decent chance, if they date men, that they’re spending some time pre-date spiffing themselves up. It’s only polite to return the favor, and a multi-purpose shaving tool like Braun’s new Series 9 Pro+ means turning a thicket-like beard into a clean-shaven face — or simply doing a little trim job to showcase the best version of your facial hair — will be a snap. It runs great on a wet or dry shave, self-cleans, and its precision shaving elements can handle even the toughest stubble.

Finalists: Dr. Squatch Safety Razor, Philips Norelco Shaver 7700

Check out the Braun Series 9 Pro+

Best Date Night Manscaping Tool

Gillette Intimate Pubic Hair Trimmer

What were we saying about taking care of your facial hair? Frankly, the same applies to your body hair. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to shave it all off, but getting rid of a few stray shoulder hairs, and trimming your pubes into a neatly maintained flower bed, rather than an overgrown forest, can really impress the person who put in the effort to see what you look like sans clothes. Gillette’s new Intimate Pubic Hair Trimmer is a strong option in this category, given that it’s waterproof, cordless, and designed to produce minimal skin irritation.

Finalists: Manscaped Lawn Mower 4.0, Meridian Trimmer Plus

Check out the Gillette Intimate Pubic Hair Trimmer

Best Date Night Aftershave

NIVEA MEN Sensitive Post Shave Balm

NIVEA MEN took this category in last year‘s Dating Awards with last year‘s version of the same product. They are good at what they do, which in this case is making bottles of goop that, slapped on your face, a) feels nice, b) soothes any post-shave irritation, and c) keeps your newly smooth face smelling nice. 10/10, no notes.

Finalists: Harry's Post-Shave Mist, Dollar Shave Club Post Shave Dew

Check out the NIVEA MEN Sensitive Post Shave Balm

Best Date Night Cologne

Parfums de Marly Althaïr

It’s important not to overdo it, but the right amount of scent, properly applied, will make you all the more enticing to a date. Parfums de Marly’s enchanting Althaïr fragrance is an ode to the olfactory beauty of Bourbon vanilla, with notes of praline, cinnamon and orange blossom in the mix, that’ll make the prospect of cozying up to you one that’s hard to resist.

Finalists: Bad Boy Extreme by Carolina Herrera, Cologne Butter Gratitude

Check out the Parfums de Marly Althaïr

Best Date Night Mood Lighting

Globe Electric Smart Color Changing RGB Tunable White Bulb

Bringing your date back home after a night out? Don’t underestimate the power of mood lighting. While it may verge into tech geekiness to own a device that can light your place any color you want — including all of them — it’s a power that will set you apart from the competition when it comes to creating just the right ambience. That’s what the Globe Electric smart bulb does for you. It really is a brilliant piece of technology

Finalists: KooPower Indoor Fairy Lights, Aerangis Aging Spirits Candle

Check out the Globe Electric Smart Color Changing RGB Tunable White Bulb

Date-Night Beverages

Best Date Night Liquor

Hayman’s Sloe Gin

Once you’ve set the lights to just the right shade, there’s a decent chance you’ll want to mix a drink for you and your date. Gin is a classic for a reason — a gin and tonic is a very pleasant, straightforward way to loosen up, and one made with Hayman’s Sloe Gin has the added benefit of being visually beautiful on top of being extremely tasty.

Finalists: The Kraken Black Spiced Rum, Heaven's Door Double Barrel Whiskey

Check out Hayman’s Sloe Gin

Best Date Night Wine

Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon

Not up for mixing a whole cocktail? Absolutely fair. A glass of wine, perhaps, then. Show your date what a suave gentleman you are. Bread & Butter’s cab sauv belies its down-home, humble name with a wine that’s actually very impressive, showcasing notes of mocha, black pepper and berries in a dry, full-bodied package.

Finalists: Babich Sauvignon Blanc Black Label, Field Recordings Skins Orange Wine

Check out Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon

Best Date Night Beer

Modelo Negra Amber Lager

Look, not every date you bring home will want wine — and you might not want to bust out a whole bottle yourself. There’s nothing wrong with cracking a couple of beers when the mood is right. Modelo’s darker, amber version, the Negra, is a delicious exercise in the power of malt, with tasty caramel notes that’ll have you coming back for more, just rare enough to give it some indie cachet while still being easy to track down — the perfect date beer.

Finalists: Blue Moon Belgian White Wheat Craft Beer, 1664 Kronenbourg Blanc

Check out Modelo Negra Amber Lager

Best Date Night Seltzer

Play Hard Grapefruit Yuzu Vodka Seltzer

Admittedly, we wouldn’t have predicted that a Playboy-branded hard seltzer would be good. (Or that it would exist, period.) But the truth of the matter is that Play Hard, well, goes hard. The grapefruit yuzu flavor is legitimately great, a breath of fresh air in hard seltzer form; light and delicious without an unpleasant aftertaste. (If necessary, tell them you bought it for the articles.)

Finalists: Topo Chico Strawberry Guava, White Claw Black Cherry Hard Seltzer

Check out Play Hard Grapefruit Yuzu Vodka Seltzer

Best Date Night Non-Alcoholic Drink

Suntory All-Free

Luckily for people who don’t drink — or who don’t drink anymore — the non-alcoholic beverage category has exploded in size in recent years. So there’s no need to pour yourself a glass of fruit juice when you want to share a drink with someone. Unlike some very low-ABV options, Suntory’s beer-mimicking All-Free is completely absent of alcohol, meaning you can have as many as you want, guilt-free.

Finalists: Ritual Zero Proof Gin Alternative, Heineken Non-Alcoholic 0.0 Lager

Check out Suntory All-Free

Relationship Products

Best Engagement Ring

Dewy Diamond Rose Signet Ring

Want to know a dirty little secret in the engagement ring business? A lot of them get returned, either because they don’t fit well, or because they’re not exactly what your significant other was looking for. So 9 times out of 10, the move here is to discuss it first in some form with your partner before pulling the trigger. But, if you insist on going the surprise route, you could do a lot worse than this flowery number from designer Laurie Fleming, which mixes the beauty of gold and diamonds in a delicious way.

Finalists: Melanie Casey Morse Code Ring, Schlumberger Tiffany Rope Engagement Ring

Check out the Dewy Diamond Rose Signet Ring

Best Wedding Ring

Kat Kim Anerise Open Ring

Where the engagement ring is typically more eye-catching, serving as a form of finger-based billboard for the updated relationship status, the wedding ring is more understated — something sturdy, to represent the lifelong commitment being made. Kat Kim’s Anerise ring splits the difference a little bit, in a way that’s eye-catching without being unnecessarily showy, and beautiful without seeming too flimsy.

Finalists: Brilliant Earth Topo Ring, Monica Vinader Siren Muse Wide Ring

Check out the Kat Kim Anerise Open Ring

Best Anniversary Gift Jewelry

The Last Line Tattoo Heart Pendant

Anniversary gifts are a sentimental way to mark the time that’s passed, and the ways you’ve changed since you first got together. Want to celebrate the crazy youth you spent together, whether you’ve left it behind or not? This tattoo-themed necklace, artfully mixes romance and rebellion in a way that’s sure to set your partner’s heart aflutter.

Finalists: Blue Nile Flexible Cuff in 14k Gold, Kleinfeld x Zales Diamond Twist Band

Check out The Last Line Tattoo Heart Pendant

Best Anniversary Gift Flowers

The Million Roses Basic Bordeaux Suede Superdome Box

The frustrating thing about flowers is that they are beautiful and romantic only for a very short period of time. Thankfully, modern technology allows you to fight back against the tide of entropy by getting your partner preserved roses, like these ones from The Million. They’ll be jaw-dropping on day one, and they’ll be jaw-dropping a year later on your next anniversary. Swoon.

Finalists: The Bouqs The Juliet, Venus et Fleur Ela Marble Vase

Check out The Million Roses Basic Bordeaux Suede Superdome Box

Best Romantic Anniversary Gift

Minted Your Vows as a Letterpress Print

Unless you’re a prolific author — and even then — there’s a good chance your wedding vows were the most romantic thing you’ve ever written for or said to your spouse. And why should they be constrained to only a few moments of one day that grows further into the past every year? Mark your anniversary by bringing your vows back in wall art form, thanks to Minted and watch the tears flow anew.

Finalists: Custom Couples Travel Map Art Print, Custom Starry Maps Print

Check out the Minted Your Vows as a Letterpress Print

Best Elegant Anniversary Gift

Copper Patina Prosperity Bowl by Cheryl Williams

If you’re one of those people who goes in for the tradition of certain anniversaries being associated with particular materials, copper is for the seventh anniversary. But if it’s not your seventh anniversary, what the hell — throw tradition to the wind and surprise your partner with this beautiful copper bowl, an elegant set piece that will instantly change the character of whichever room you put it in.

Finalists: Bao Bao Issey Miyake Tote Bag, Nude Glass Alba Whiskey Gift Set

Check out the Copper Patina Prosperity Bowl by Cheryl Williams

Best Fun Anniversary Gift

Tinggly Experiences

Sometimes the best gifts aren’t objects — they’re memories. Especially if your partner’s primary love language is “Quality Time” instead of “Receiving Gifts.” Surprise your love with an experience from Tinggly, like a curated romantic trip to Europe or a hot air balloon ride, instead of getting them something that goes in a box, and look forward to anecdotes you can recount for years to come.

Finalists: Lego Icons Orchid, Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Camera

Check out Tinggly Experiences

Best Sexy Anniversary Gift

Je Joue The Naughty Gift Set

While trying to jumpstart a long-dead sex life with a sexy anniversary gift might not be the move, Je Joue’s Naughty Gift Set is a recipe for a fun and sexy time for most couples who aren’t sorely in need of a sex therapist. It’s got everything you need for a sensual, seductive, playful evening together: a massage candle, a vibrator (with rose gold accents!), a silk blindfold, and a card game of Truth or Dare. Have fun!

Finalists: Zalo Queen Swarovski Vibrator, Upko F*ck Me Leather Handcuffs

Check out the Je Joue Naughty Gift Set

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