63 Best Gifts for College Students To Actually Impress Them
<p>We’ve got some Zoomers on staff, and they chimed in on not only what they would like to receive but what they would actually need and use, too. Whether it’s the latest in <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g356/electronic-gift-ideas/” target=”_blank”>tech</a>, <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/tech/g14381053/best-video-game-gamer-gifts/” target=”_blank”>games</a>, or even <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/a43479560/home-awards-2023/” target=”_blank”>homewares</a>, these will make their life easier and maybe even yours. So you can feel good knowing they are just out there surviving on their own for the first time with these in hand. Our top picks: You can never go wrong with an espresso machine, especially for someone who’s about to be on their own for the first time. Or there’s the trusty headphones option, which works as a great gift all the time. Shop our top 63 vetted gifts here.</p>” data-next-head/>
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Best Notebook for College Students
Moleskine Smart Writing Set
It’s proven that handwritten notes make memorization easier. But digital notes are a lot more convenient for organization and test prep. Moleskine’s smart notebook creates digital copies of their notes and organizes them on the cloud. Best of both worlds!
Most Practical Gift for College Students
HP Tango Smart Wireless Printer
An exciting gift? Not at first. But once they get to skip the line at the student union copy/print store during finals week, they’ll love you forever. Plus! It can print photos.
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Best Bedside Gift for College Students
COURANT Catch:3
Honestly, they won’t care about an Italian leather catchall. But nothing on this list will be more useful. This thing charges their phone (most important to them), and it keeps them from losing their phone, keys, and wallet (most important to everyone around them).
Best Mug For College Students
SOMA Double Cold Brew Bottle
Or just get them a bottle to make their own at-home cold brew.
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Best Coffee Maker for College Students
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+
Or, if they’re lazy, opt for an easy machine. Save them hundreds of dollars on Starbucks with a Nespresso pod machine. The new Pop+ is compact enough for a dorm room and comes in a handful of colors to match their tastes.
Best Water Bottle For College Students
Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle
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Best Speaker for College Students
JBL Clip 4: Portable Speaker with Bluetooth, Built-in Battery, Waterproof and Dustproof Feature
Study sessions, dorm-room hangouts, or even just chilling by yourself, every college student needs a good speaker. This JBL is the perfect size and won’t take up too much space. Plus, the sound quality is amazing.
Best Picnic Blanket for College Students
YETI Lowlands Blanket
A packable camp blanket to make their study session on the quad lawn more official.
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Best Earbuds for College Students
Apple AirPods Pro
No teenager or twenty-something will turn down a brand new pair of AirPods.
Best Cookware for College Students
Our Place The Always Pan
On their budget, they need to be cooking at home a little more often. A 10-in-one pan makes that a lot easier. And the fact that it looks great will help.
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best home scent for college students
Homesick New Grad Candle
Nothing says “new grad” quite like a candle that literally says “new grad.” Sure, it’s a little on the nose, but it smells so damn good, no one will really mind.
best audio system for college students
Crosley Alto Record Player & Speakers Shelf System
Equip the college student with some seriously enviable audio equipment—at a damn good price for your wallet.
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best gadget for college students
Kodak Mobile Film Scanner
A memory-maker for you as much as it is one for your college student, this film scanner is all about bringing retro vibes and modernity into one.
best tiktok product for college students
StickyGrippy Suction Phone Case Mount
There’s a reason why this nifty phone accessory has gone so viral on TikTok—it’s useful as hell. For under 15 bucks, it lets your phone stick to virtually anything.
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best tech for college students
Kodak FLIK X7 Home Projector
For college dorm rooms and starter apartments alike, a portable home projector adds to the vibe like nothing else.
best convenient gift for college students
UberEats Gift Card
Honestly, what’s better for a broke college kid than the gift of free meals?
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best accessory for college students
Polo Ralph Lauren RL Classic Paisley Bandana
It’s a cool and classic accessory that’s a universal crowd-pleaser, whether they’re wearing it on their head, around their neck, or tied to a school bag.
best bedding for college students
Quince 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
My life changed for the better when my parents bought me a silk pillowcase when I was in college. Not only is it good for your hair and skin, but it just adds a little bit of luxury to that dorm room twin bed.
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best practical gift for college students
Huanuo Portable Laptop Desk
The gift every college student wants—something that helps them work from the comfort of their bed.
best phone accessory for college students
VRURC Portable Charger
This may not be the chicest gift for a college student, but it will be the most useful one. “My phone was dead!” will be an excuse you never hear again.