The 45 best college graduation gifts for him

A sleek wallet he can keep forever

Bellroy Apex Slim Sleeve

A good wallet is one of those "adult purchases" that makes an excellent college graduation gift. Bellroy wallets last pretty much forever, which is one reason why they take the top spot in our buying guide to the best men's wallets. This Apex Slim Sleeve is our favorite. It's compact but big enough for 6-8 cards and folded bills.

Find out more about why we love these wallets in our Bellroy review.

A pair of cufflinks

The Tie Bar Cufflinks

Cufflinks are a great college graduation gift because they're practical — think his new job or post-graduation interviews — and also serve as a memento of his accomplishment. We love the options at The Tie Bar, whether you're wanting a classic option like textured silver or something more cheeky, like T-Rex fossils or Miller High Life cans. Pair them with a new tie to fully accessorize his suit.

A starter watch

Citizen Classic

A watch is a classic graduation gift. This option from Citizen has a simple silhouette with subtle detailing and a leather band, so it's a versatile choice that looks good and matches his personal style.

A great weekend bag

Dagne Dover Landon Carryall

Dagne Dover has earned a spot as one of our default recommendations for great bags. Their weekender/carry-on Landon Carryall is made out of a cool neoprene material and has ample organization. It has an internal laptop sleeve, an exterior phone pocket, and a detachable key leash, plus a few other helpful design features.

Read our full Dagne Dover Landon Carryall review.

A handy multi-tool

Leatherman Skeletool

Everyone needs a good multi-tool. This option from iconic brand Leatherman took the top spot in our guide to the best multi-tools. It features seven different tools and a carabiner for easy transport.

A pillow that pays homage to their alma mater

Embroidered College Pillow

They may have graduated, but their school spirit will last forever. These decorative pillows are covered in university logos, mascots, and icons. It's a sweet gift that helps them embark on their next chapter of adulthood, while also keeping a part of their last chapter close.

A stylish suitcase

Quince Carry-On Hard Shell Suitcase

Oh, the places they'll go! A suitcase is a particularly thoughtful gift to let grads know the world is their oyster. Quince's carry-on bag has all the features we love in suitcases from premium luggage brands like Monos and Away, but at a fraction of the cost. It's a sleek, durable roller that he'll feel confident carrying for both personal and business travel.

A nice set of dinnerware

East Fork 7-Piece You're-All-Set Set

Gone are the days of dorm meal plans and frozen food on paper plates. This stoneware set from East Fork includes everything one person needs to stock their cabinet, including bowls, plates, and a mug in a range of earthy colors.

A history of their favorite football team

Historic Newspapers Personalized College Football History Book

If he's going to miss tailgating and cheering from the student section, treat him to a personalized history of his favorite team, told with historical newspaper articles. You can even add his name to the book's gorgeous, school-spirit-filled cover.

A rugged backpack for traveling and outdoor adventures

Cotopaxi Allpa 50L Adventure Travel Pack

For the outdoorsy, help them ditch their old school backpack for a roomy, sturdy bag that's perfect for traveling, hiking, and camping. It's one of our favorite travel backpacks, since it also doubles as a crossbody. Read our Cotopaxi Allpa review for more information.

A titanium pan

Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro

A good pan is a must for any new college grad. The Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro tops our list of the best titanium pans, with a non-stick surface and tall, sloped sides that can handle anything from scrambling eggs to making sauces.

A set of glasses full of school spirit

Show Your Spirit! College Rocks Glasses

This set of two glasses is emblazoned with his college's chant and logo. He'll be reminded of his college days every time he pours a drink.

The newest AirPods

Apple AirPods Pro 3

The AirPods Pro 3 have a comfy ear fit, improved audio, and a longer playtime. If he's been using an old model, this upgrade will make a great gift.

An espresso machine

Gaggia Classic Evo Pro Espresso Machine

If he's ready to graduate from the basic drip coffee maker, splurge and treat him to an excellent espresso machine. Gaggia's espresso machine made some of the best espresso in our testing — and it's a great value compared to similar models, too.

A Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2

If he's a gamer who hasn't made the upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2, this will make an excellent gift. Pair it with a game he'll love, like Mario Kart World or Pokopia.

A classic grill

Weber Original Kettle Grill

If he's moving somewhere with enough room, consider gifting a grill to celebrate his graduation. The Original Kettle from Weber is one of our all-time favorites, doubling as both a charcoal grill and a smoker. Plus, it's super easy to move — it's small, lightweight, and wheeled.

A pleasant way to wake up every day

Hatch Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock

Help them transition to earlier mornings with an alarm clock that wakes them up by mimicking sunlight.

A fresh pack of socks

Bombas Men's Running Quarter Sock, 6-pack

You know you're an adult when you get excited about new socks. If he isn't going to splurge on them himself, do it for him. Bombas makes some of the best socks around. They're high-quality, super comfortable, and sure to become mainstays in his collection.

Learn more in our Bombas socks review.

A toiletry bag to use at home or for travel

Rains Hilo Wash Bag

Rains is a Denmark-based company chiefly known for making high-quality, stylish raincoats. This wash bag is of the same spirit. It's completely waterproof, which is a necessity for any good toiletry bag. The pouch features adjustable buckles that enable him to alter the volume of the bag to his needs.

A fancy messenger bag

Leatherology Henderson Laptop Brief Bag

This Leatherology bag is an option that inspires a bit more confidence than a JanSport. The startup makes great leather accessories for much less than you'd expect to pay, like this $300 messenger bag.

A 6-in-1 kitchen gadget

Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer

After years of getting fed at the dining hall, adjusting to making his own food at home is no easy feat. Whether he loves to cook or can't fry an egg, an air fryer is a great addition to his kitchen. It's super versatile and can be used to cook proteins, veggies, and more with ease. It's pretty much a foolproof gadget; the Instant Vortex Plus is our favorite because it's affordable, easy to use, and has a viewing window so he can make sure he's not burning anything.

See why this product is the top pick in our best air fryer guide.

A made-to-measure suit

Indochino Gift Card

Suits — especially the nice ones — are a large yet ultimately useful expense for most men, even if it's only for special occasions rather than his everyday job. This is one gift he'll likely wear for years to come — and something he will likely need before he has the budget to afford it.

A spa-like robe

Parachute Cloud Cotton Robe

A high-quality robe makes lounging at home and getting ready feel like main events. This gauzy option from Parachute is soft, airy, and lightweight. Learn more in our tested guide to the best men's robes.

A pair of cozy slippers

L.L. Bean Wicked Good Slipper

If his slippers got battered up in college, or he doesn't yet have a pair in his repertoire, the L.L. Bean Wicked Good Slipper is a classic. These slippers are incredibly plush, cozy, and durable. Read more in our guide to the best slippers for men.

A handheld massager

Theragun Mini Massage Gun

For the college grad who loves exercising and cares about recovery, a Theragun Mini makes a great gift. This travel-sized device may be compact, but it delivers big on benefits. He can use it to relieve muscle pain, soothe tension, and help his body recover after a hard workout.

A Fitbit he can use while exercising

Fitbit Charge 6

If he loves being active, a Fitbit will keep track of interesting metrics such as heart rate, sleep quality, and exercise stats for him. We like the Fitbit Charge 6 the most, but you may find another option that works best for your graduate.

You can read about all of the best Fitbits in our tested guide.

A pair of joggers he can wear anywhere

Lululemon ABC Jogger

These joggers look nice enough to wear to work or out to dinner, but feel comfortable enough for lounging. They're sweat-wicking, wrinkle-resistant, and quick-drying to boot.

A record player for his new home

Victrola Automatic

For the one who's constantly listening to music, a turntable for his new abode makes for a functional and decorative gift — perfect for setting a good mood in the home and elevating the aesthetic in any room. He can jam out to all of his favorite tunes, whether it's while he cooks in the kitchen or works in the office.

A Kindle for post-grad reading

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

Learning is an ongoing process, and graduation shouldn't be the end of it. Giving them a Kindle means they'll have the tools to keep being curious in their lives by having the device that makes it an easy and affordable process.

If they already have a Kindle or they read on their phone or iPad, you might look into gifting them a Scribd membership. It's lesser-known than apps like Audible, but it's a better deal and will give them access to hundreds of thousands of books and audiobooks.

See why this is our top pick for the best Kindle.

A must-read financial guide book

"I Will Teach You to be Rich" by Ramit Sethi

Instead of skimping on lattes, it's wiser to choose the right accounts and investments so your money grows for you — automatically. Best of all, it frees you up to spend on the things you love.

Former executive editor for Personal Finance Libby Kane says she regularly buys a new copy of this book just to give it away, and it's an excellent introduction to making the most of your personal finances — especially if your graduate is young or new to managing money.

A powerful blender

Nutribullet Pro+ Blender

Whether it's used to whip up morning smoothies, big batches of soup to carry him through the week, or any other culinary creations, a great personal blender is a kitchen essential that he'll get plenty of use out of. The Nutribullet Pro is affordable and powerful. We love that it comes with to-go lids, so he can make a smoothie and take it to go without dirtying any more dishes.

A Bonobos gift card

Bonobos Gift Card

No matter what he has in store for life after graduation, he'll surely want to upgrade his wardrobe. Bonobos is a high-quality menswear brand that sells everything from chinos, button-ups, and suits for the office to casual styles like jeans, polos, and T-shirts to wear on the weekends.

Read our full reviews of Bonobos' chinos and Bonobos' Chelsea boots.

A food delivery gift card

DoorDash Gift Card

For the guy who says he doesn't want or need anything, go for a food delivery gift card. Everyone has to eat. This gift will give him the green light to indulge in his favorite eateries and try new dishes too.

A customized business card holder

Vitt Custom Studio Personalized Card Holder

While his company will likely give him business cards, he's not likely to already have a business card holder he can feel good about pulling out of his pocket. A card holder like this monogrammable option from Etsy looks competent and thoughtful.

An Amazon Prime membership

An Amazon Prime membership is one of those things that immediately make life easier and ultimately better. If you decide to gift one, the recipient will enjoy free two-day shipping; access to the Prime Now app, which provides free two-hour delivery on tens of thousands of items; Prime Video, Amazon's streaming video service; Prime Music; the Kindle Lending Library; Prime Reading; Prime Audible Channels; unlimited photo storage, and more.

Read about Amazon Prime member benefits here.

A wireless charging pad

Courant Catch:3 Wireless Charger

He can toss his phone or AirPods onto this tray that doubles as decor and his tech will charge without being plugged in.

A weighted blanket

Bearaby Cotton Napper

The real world can be stressful. While you can't really control that, you can gift them pieces that help soothe their mind and body, like a weighted blanket. The Bearaby Napper is one of the most good-looking weighted blankets out there, and thus our pick for the best weighted blanket overall.

An even easier way to make pasta

Microwave Pasta Pot

When boiling water sounds like too much effort, there's this easy-to-use gadget. All he has to do is add his favorite noodles, water, and then press go. He can even drain and eat it straight from the pot. This gadget ensures he'll always have something good to eat, in literally an instant.

A durable mug made for camping and beyond

Yeti 14 oz. Rambler

The Yeti Rambler is a vessel that can do it all, from holding his morning coffee in the office or a bowl of oatmeal while camping. The durable construction, featuring a magnetic lid to keep things spill-free while on the move, makes this easy to tote around just about anywhere. With double-wall vacuum insulation, hot food and beverages stay piping hot while cold contents stay cold.

A new skincare routine

Brickell Men's Daily Advanced Face Care Routine

If he hasn't already, post-college is the perfect time to get a good skincare routine going.With a face wash, exfoliating scrub, and moisturizer, this set covers all the basics.

A small but powerful speaker

Sonos Era 100

Sonos makes some pretty great speakers for recent grads. They work well, can be used as a sound system, have useful features like a morning alarm that may sound more pleasant than their phone, and aren't so expensive that they can't possibly build upon their collection. If he's planning on entertaining friends, the Sonos Era 100 is a great option, especially since it connects with Amazon Alexa.

An electric pressure cooker

Instant Pot DUO 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

Just in case the idea of tossing tons of ingredients into a pot in the morning and coming home to a nicely cooked meal appeals to him, the Instant Pot is every recent graduate's best friend.

Ultimately, if they spend most of their day at work or commuting, the last thing they'd want to do is come home to devote two of their three free hours to making a lavish dinner for one. Plus, it cuts down on how many dishes he'll have to wash.

We even rank this Instant Pot as the best budget option in our guide to the best electric pressure cookers.

A speaker that talks to you

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

From music and radio stations to trivia and much, much more, your graduate will have ample distractions and helpful, hands-free info (like the weather or quick measurement conversions) while they're busy running around their place.

A fun mug

Playful sports mug

Just because they've graduated college doesn't mean they're too old to play with their food. This mug lets them do just that. From dunking their cocoa puffs to scoring goals with marshmallows, this dish is guaranteed to make mealtime more fun.

An Amazon gift card

Amazon Gift Card

If all else fails, you can always go with an Amazon gift card. Amazon has virtually everything a new grad could desire (really, there is everything), so you know that no matter what they'll be getting something they genuinely want — which, in a lot of cases, is best since they know what they needbetter than anyone.