The 30 best college graduation gifts of 2024

Every year, a new class of college graduates says goodbye to homework and hello to adulthood with a diploma in hand. Figuring out what's next can be overwhelming, as so much of the future is unknown.

That said, we've compiled a list of graduation gift ideas that will help you help them with that whole "adulting" thing.

Here are the best college graduation gifts this year to make the transition from plucky student to dutiful worker easier.

The 30 best graduation gift ideas for your favorite college grad

1. Apple Watch Series 9

For the graduate on-the-go

The Apple Watch Series 9 is one of our favorite smartwatches. Its large, always-on display, health and fitness features, and quick-charging capabilities offer a usefulness we can appreciate, especially when we’re on the go.

2. Chef IQ Smart Cooker

For quick and easy dinners

New graduates aren’t likely to know how to cook very well, and, even so, they might not have a schedule conducive to preparing dinner daily. A pressure cooker, like the Chef IQ Smart, means they won’t have to.

Our favorite pressure cooker for the money has a full-color LCD touchscreen, a companion app with countless recipes, and even a built-in scale for precision cooking of everything from sushi rice to chickpeas.

3. Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7420

For the grad with an old laptop

The only thing that takes a worse battering than physical constitution during the college years is a student’s laptop. But with a fresh start in life upon graduating, a fresh laptop might just be what the doctor ordered for your new grad.

Our experts suggest going with the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7420 (2022) for its portability, power and dependability.

4. Custom photo art from Minted

For the sentimental grad

Help them cherish their college memories as they head into the real world. Grads moving into new apartments or even those still in their childhood bedrooms will appreciate some fresh wall art, especially when it's customized.

You can fill the collage with photos of the graduates over the years and add a couple of pictures with friends.

5. Johnston & Murphy Leather Briefcase

For the business school-bound grad

Men's Warehouse is a great place to shop for recent graduates who are moving into corporate careers, from wardrobe staples to accessories like this leather briefcase from Johnston & Murphy. It's a sweet gift for someone that might not want to invest in a bag themselves, especially if they pursued a business degree.

6. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones

For audiophiles

A great pair of headphones is an excellent gift for work and play, and the Sony WH-1000XM4 over-the-ear headphones are our pick for the best headphones on the market right now.

Our reviewers found that these Sony headphones are unmatched regarding audio quality, noise cancelation, and all-day comfort.

7. Hisense 65U8K QLED 4K Google Smart TV

For a versatile screen

You can’t job hunt 24-7, and young adults these days, well, they game and stream during downtime. The Hisense 65U8K QLED 4K Google Smart TV is our pick for the best value TV for the money because it packs plenty of the features of a much pricier screen into one that’s much more affordable with excellent color and contrast and a fantastic UI.

8. Gourmia Digital French Door Air Fryer toaster oven

For smarter snacking

Snack foods are king when you’re in your 20s, and air fryers offer the healthiest way to cook french fries, mozzarella sticks, and chicken tenders while still maintaining crisp and crunch with no added fat.

But, we all need a well-balanced diet, and the Gourmia Digital French Door Air Fryer is large enough to do some serious cooking, too. Its ease of use, versatility, and attractive French doors make it one of our favorite air fryer toaster ovens.

9. Leatherman Wave+

For a useful tool

While Gen Z is incredibly tech savvy, it’s less so with hands-on projects around an apartment or a home. But when small stuff pops up, the Leatherman Wave+ multitool comes to the rescue when needing a screwdriver, pliers, a small saw, and more tools.

Thanks to its smart design, durability, and handy storage pouch, it will easily keep assisting your grad as they age.

10. Renpho Eyeris 2

For relaxing sleep

The Renpho Eyeris 2 is more than just a simple eye mask that helps promote sleep. It also applies heat while massaging the area around the eyes for an unfathomable level of stress relief. It's also great for use before bed or during a fresh-from-work decompression session. They’ve got to make a good impression at the office.

11. Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select

For the caffeine addict

We’ve all talked about the price of coffee and how much a daily coffee shop trip can really blow a monthly budget. When coffee is essential to getting through the day, it pays to own a great coffee maker. The retro-looking Moccamaster is our top coffee maker and is a fabulous investment your college grad can use for years to come.

12. Home Chef

For the grad who lived by the dining hall

Home Chef is one of our favorite meal delivery services at Reviewed, and it makes a fantastic gift for the college graduate who needs help adjusting to life after the dining hall.

With Home Chef, they will have to cook, but easy instructions and high-quality ingredients are provided, taking some of the stress out of knowing what to buy and how to cook it. There's also an option to have low or no-prep meals shipped for even easier dinners.

13. Bowflex SelectTech 552 adjustable dumbbells

For slimming down and getting swole

Students can get a little doughy during senior year—stress eating, anyone? Get them primed to put a pep in their step while job-hunting with the Bowflex SelectTech 552 dumbbells. These weights will turn those extra pounds into muscle.

They are easy to use, easier to store, and can be manhandled in the comfort of a bedroom or home office, which is why they're our favorite set of adjustable dumbbells.

14. Lara Laser personalized tumbler

For the grad who likes personalized gifts

Perfect for the college graduation afterparty and the summer, these water tumblers make a sweet personalized gift. Each one pictures a graphic of a graduate that you can customize with several different skin, hair, and cap and gown colors. You can also add the graduate’s name, diploma, and an inspirational quote.

The skinny size is convenient for taking on the road, and the stainless steel, double-wall insulated cups are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bottles and cups.

15. Homesick candles

For the grad who will miss their college town

For graduates who plan to relocate away from home, or move back home from their college town, Homesick candles can provide a nice reminder of where they’ve spent large amounts of memorable time. Homesick’s College Towns line features myriad campuses like Baton Rouge LSU and Athens Georgia, while its States and Cities line ranges from Colorado and Iowa to Boston and LA.

16. HP ENVY 6055e All-in-One wireless color printer

For remote work

A good at-home printer like the HP Envy 6055e is essential for the onslaught of paperwork that comes with adulting. Job hunting means resumes and 1040s and everything in between.

The HP Envy handles basic print jobs quickly and easily, which is why it's one of our favorite printers for a home office on the market right now.

17. Sugarfina Congrats Candy Box

For a sweet treat

Simple but sweet, this adorable little box of candy is a perfect little something to send to someone who has just graduated from college. With a combo of gummies and chocolate, you get the best of both worlds. I am a huge fan of Sugarfina candy boxes and have gotten them as gifts for friends and family on multiple occasions.

18. Away Bigger Carry-On suitcase

For the globetrotting graduate

If your graduate wants to travel a bit before entering the workforce, it’s a great time to upgrade from that old backpack to a new suitcase. Away’s Bigger Carry-On is a sleek, hard-shell suitcase that can hold enough for a long trip but is still compact enough to fit inside most overhead compartments. Pick from a variety of colors to suit anyone's style.

19. 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller with Charging Dock

For gamer graduates

The 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller is built with the Nintendo Switch and PC in mind and is compatible with just about any console with built-in Bluetooth, including Android, iOS, Steam Deck, and even Mac.

Its attractive dock not only ensures the controller never runs out of battery life, but it looks great perched on a desktop or gaming rig.

20. Apple Airtag

For the one who loses everything

Is your favorite graduate a bit of a scatterbrain? Help them stay organized and unafraid of losing their keys or wallet as they rush out of the house to a job interview. Apple Airtag allows anyone to track their valuables via a handy iPhone app and provides something priceless: peace of mind.

21. Golden State Art Wood Diploma Tassel Shadow Box

For the proud graduate

Made from solid wood and real glass, this diploma and tassel shadow box with a double mat is a beautiful way to show off that hard-earned diploma. The sturdy frame with three hangers can be displayed either horizontally or vertically, and it makes a great addition to a new office or workspace.

22. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 running shoes

For staying active

A good pair of running shoes will inspire any adult to get in their daily steps. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 are among our favorite running shoes because they are snug and cozy. Available in women's and men's sizes.

23. Kindle Unlimited Subscription

For the grad who reads all the time

Just because there's no more required reading after school ends, doesn't mean one should stop getting lost in a good book. The only issue is that books can get expensive, unless, of course, you have unlimited access to e-books. Kindle Unlimited gives you just that, and therefore, is a perfect graduation gift for bookworms. You don't even need an e-reader to access the books. Everything is available to read right on your smartphone.

24. MasterClass

For graduates who want to continue learning

MasterClass offers in-depth classes on everything from business to cooking, hosted by masters of their craft including Gordon Ramsay, Steve Martin, Mark Cuban, Martin Scorsese, and so many others. Just because your student has a diploma now, doesn't mean they want to stop learning.

25. Our Place Home Cook Duo

For a starter cookware set

The Our Place Home Cook Duo is an excellent cookware set for recent grads who plans to share a kitchen with roommates. This set comes with the Always Pan and the Perfect Pot, which can accomplish all manner of tasks, from steaming to stir-frying, with a reliable non-stick surface that's as easy to cook on as it is to clean. They're even available in eight charming colors including Sage, Azul and Rosa..

26. Lodge Chef Collection Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

For the grad who loves to cook

A cast iron skillet is a kitchen staple. The best one we've tested at Reviewed is the Lodge Chef Collection Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet. It's affordable, lightweight, and will last years to come.

27. Baked by Melissa Graduation Cupcakes

For the grad with a sweet tooth

We love Baked by Melissa cupcakes at Reviewed, and chances are, the graduate you're shopping for will, too. How can you go wrong with cupcakes? This "Congratulations" themed box holds 25 adorable mini cupcakes.

28. Timbuk2 Commute Messenger Bag 2.0

For the grad who will be commuting

Office workers need a good bag that handles a laptop and other tech devices, and the Timbuk2 Commute Messenger Bag 2.0 can do it. It has tons of space to accommodate all professional essentials, and can easily double as a bag for weekend getaways.

29. Gravity Blanket

For the student formerly known as stressed

School is finally out, and new graduates have a bit more time to relax. A gift that helps them do so is our favorite weighted Gravity Blanket, which beat out its competition when we tested it.

30. Amazon Echo Show 10

For the grad moving somewhere new

New adults have a lot of questions. Get them an Amazon Echo Show 10 and they can ask Alexa anything, as well as viewing information on the screen. Great for video calls, cooking along to recipes, and more, the Amazon Echo Show 10 makes a great gift and is our top pick.