40 Great College Graduation Gift Ideas Your Grad Will Actually Appreciate (2024)

One of the Best Laptops reviewed by BestProducts editors, this Microsoft Surface Pro computer offers the touchscreen convenience of a tablet with a detachable keyboard for a traditional laptop. This 2-in-1 laptop has a 13-inch screen with the thinness and light weight of a notebook and a built-in kickstand to use it with or without a keyboard.

To complete the full laptop gift package, add the Microsoft 8WV-00001 Surface Slim Pen 2 and Microsoft Surface Pro Signature Keyboard (with backlit keys) so they can get the most out of this best-selling tablet-turned-laptop.

Even if they’ve slowly been acquiring business attire over the last few semesters, soon, much of their wardrobe will need to be office-appropriate. Help them start their closet makeover with a Stitch Fix credit that makes for a great college graduation gift idea.

Stitch Fix is a stylist-curated clothing box picked for their specific tastes. They’ll fill out their own style profile on the site and set a date for their first shipment. And anything they don’t like, they can send back. If they love the service, they can sign up for recurring boxes.

You know what's always a great college graduation gift idea? A gift card that they can use for anything.

Have them treat themselves to a household item or some new tech on your dime. Your grad will appreciate the extra help as they adjust to life without the conveniences of a campus. This gift card even comes with an adorable graduation cap box.

More: Gifts for High School Graduates to Prep Them for College

If the computer your college graduate used during undergrad is on its last leg (aka it sounds like a plane about to lift off anytime it’s on) it’s time to upgrade their old system for something new.

For the dedicated Apple shopper, BestProducts reviewed the best MacBooks that you should buy and chose this MacBook Air as the best overall. The updated MacBook Air has the most revised features with an 18-hour battery life, a vivid LED screen, two USB-C ports, and a headphone jack.

One of the most convenient features is the incredibly lightweight feel (4.97 pounds) of this laptop which is easy to travel with (between work trips, overnights with friends, or a long weekend at home).

Little Words Project re-envisions the beaded friendship bracelets of your childhood with upgraded designs and patterns, so you can wear an affirmation or honor an occasion with style. It's a great college gift idea for Swifties who have wrists stacked to the brim with bracelets from the Eras Tour.

Customize a beaded bracelet to say a specific word or phrase that honors your graduate's time at university, or with a simple word to remind them of how far they’ve come and all that’s yet to be achieved. Add to their new Little Words Project bracelet stack a few beaded designs from their sorority bracelets and collegiate bracelets collections.

As our tech writer Stefan Vazharov put it in his tech gift guide, "The sleek PureVis water bottle by LARQ — the maker of our favorite pitcher — is a surprisingly high-tech gift, thanks to an onboard UV-C light. The nontoxic technology will allow users to seamlessly sanitize the bottle’s interior, as well as the water inside it."

Choose from a few different color options and gift it to your grad to keep liquids hot or cold all day long.

The last thing a new college graduate (with all the adult responsibilities) wants to worry about is misplacing their keys, a runaway pet, or getting their luggage lost at the airport. Gift them an Apply AirTag that they can place on their keys, on the collar of their furry friend, or even in their suitcase to keep track of its whereabouts.

These GPS tags are compatible with Apple devices and will easily show up under the “Find My Friends” app on your phone for quick access. Pair the useful tracker with a pack of Waterproof Airtag Holders in four bright colors on a key ring, so they don’t lose the tracking device itself.

Another great college graduation gift idea? A cordless vacuum that'll keep their first adult apartment clean. This Shark model won Best Cordless Vacuum for our Spring Cleaning Awards thanks to its expert backing.

Lifestyle expert Megan Winoker said of all the best spring cleaning products and appliances out there, this vacuum is her absolute favorite. It's got a bunch of great attachments, a slim design, and can hold a lot of gunk for up to a month.

Thousands of hours (from studying and partying — it’s all about balance) went into getting this degree and you should help your newest college graduate honor it with this memento display frame.

This multi-layered frame includes a tassel holder, gold and black matting base, and a glass panel for the look of an expensive shadowbox, without the high price tag. Go an extra step with your gift and make the installation part easy with a pack of Command strips to quickly hang their diploma, without the need for nails or screws.

Upgrade your college graduate's old speaker with a wallet-friendly option that’s waterproof and durable — making the perfect music companion for hikes, picnics, or random hangouts with friends.

This device from Soundcore was chosen by BestProducts as the best budget speaker from the long list of top portable Bluetooth speakers available on the market. Its sleek design, long battery life (up to 13 hours), and high-quality sound won over our testers.