The 63 best gifts for college students in 2026

Joggers that can be worn to class or the gym

lululemon ABC Jogger

There's nothing wrong with wearing pajamas to class, but these pants — with a classic jogger fit and stretchy, breathable fabric — are certainly an upgrade.Plus, the brand's back-to-school section is stocked with backpacks and athleisure wear.

A cute bag charm for their favorite tote

Coach Cherry Bag Charm

A nostalgic favorite for Gen Z, Coach has officially made a massive comeback and is now a must-have bag brand for college students. If your favorite student already has a favorite Coach bag, treat them to a Coach bag charm. Crafted from sparkly glitter resin and brass, this adorable cherry bag charm is the perfect gift to elevate any handbag.

A steady supply of healthier snacks

Thrive Market 1-Year Membership

College students live off good food and snacks. A subscription gift to Thrive Market means access to healthier snacks that can help them feel more energized and focused.

A pouch that shows off their school spirit

Uncommon Goods Collegiate Pouch

If they're all about school spirit, go for a gift that celebrates all of the little things that make their college a special place. These pouches do just that. Each pouch features a woven design that was hand-drawn with input from each school's community (alumni, fans, faculty, etc.) to ensure it accurately encompasses the essence of that place. It's a super cute way to store cash, toiletries, or any other trinkets with a touch of campus pride.

A cozy throw blanket

Marshmallow Cloud Fleece Throw Blanket

From dorm floor movie nights to visiting high school friends, an extra throw blanket will always be an appreciated gesture. This puffy marshmallow design is available in three colorways and will add major dimension to their bed or sofa.

Statement earrings for sensitive lobes

Ana Luisa Ash Double Earrings

Those with sensitive skin who can't usually wear chunky jewelry will appreciate these hoops — they're hypoallergenic and even comfortable enough to sleep in.

" […] I've been wearing Ana Luisa pieces for over a year with absolutely no issues. The pieces still feel great, and I've never once felt even a whiff of irritation, let alone a rash," writes style editor Samantha Crozier in her Ana Luisa jewelry review. "I'm also a fan of how lightweight the jewelry, particularly the earrings, are. Even with somewhat chunky hoops, I can forget that I'm wearing them."

A Korean skin care wand

Treat the skincare enthusiast in your life to the ultimate at-home facial with the latest version of the Medicube beauty wand. This 7-in-1 Korean beauty device features customizable modes that amplify the effects of their favorite serums and sheet masks for a radiant glow. It's the perfect high-tech beauty gadget.

A Kindle for the avid reader

Kindle Paperwhite

It's important to make time for hobbies — especially in a stressful time like college —and there's nothing more relaxing than sitting down with a good book. The Kindle Paperwhite is our favorite e-reader, with a crisp display and fast performance. You can also bundle it with Kindle Unlimited to give your recipient access to thousands of free titles.

A custom sweatshirt for when they're missing their furry friend

Pupsentials Custom Pet Embroidered Sweatshirt

One of the hardest parts of being at away at college is being separated from your childhood pets. Help your favorite college student keep their furry friend close to their heart with an embroidered sweatshirt emblazoned with the face of their cat or dog.

A savvy suitcase for traveling on holiday breaks

Béis The Carry-On Roller

A good suitcase is a must-have for any college student, whether they're using it for spring break travels or trips back home from the holidays. The Béis suitcase is the best carry-on for extra space, with an expandable two inches of storage that can fit all their clothes, plus some souvenirs. Read our Béis Carry-On Roller review.

A cozy pillow for the dorms

Coop Home Goods Original Pillow

Make sure they're optimizing their sleep with the best pillow. Thanks to the shredded memory foam, they'll get the support and comfortable "sinking in" sensation of a traditional memory foam pillow, but none of the excessive heat or firmness that can be a problem with solid foam.

A picnic blanket for nice campus weather

Baggu Puffy Picnic Blanket

I remember strolling around my college campus on beautiful, breezy days and feeling ridiculously jealous of the students who had set up shop on a picnic blanket. They're great for hanging outside with friends, studying on the quad, or a springtime picnic. This lightweight, portable blanket from Baggu is the best picnic blanket for one to two people and comes in tons of fun prints.

A guide to junk journaling

A Year of Junk Journaling by Martina Calvi

For the crafty or sentimental college student, this guide to junk journaling by Martina Calvi has 52 prompts for each week of the year. Pair it with a notebook or a set of pens so they have everything they need to start their very own junk journal.

A bead kit to make bag charms and bracelets

BaubleBar The Ultimate Custom Bead Kit

Making friendship bracelets or bag charms is the perfect activity for college students and their friends or roommates. It's custom, so you can add their name to the front of the box and they'll receive plenty of beads to spell out their name, too.

A hammock for chilling outside

ENO DoubleNest Camping Hammock

When strolling around campus on a nice day, you're sure to find plenty of students camped out studying and hanging out with friends in a hammock. This option from Eagle Nest Outfitters is big enough for two people and comes in fun colors and patterns.

An umbrella to keep them dry on rainy days

An umbrella is one of those things that college students forget about until the first rainy day on campus. This pick from Blunt is the best umbrella we tried, with a unique, compact design that dispels water, keeping the user and their backpack dry under the canopy.

A Nintendo Switch 2

If you really want to be a college student's favorite person this holiday season, grab them a Nintendo Switch 2. The newest console improves on the original Switch in every way — perfect for rounds of Mario Kart with friends in their dorm or apartments.

A sunrise alarm clock for a gentle, phone-free wakeup

Hatch Restore 3

Using your phone as an alarm clock makes it a lot more tempting to start scrolling on your phone first thing in the morning, which isn't the healthiest habit. A sunrise alarm clock can help your student have a much better start to their day than immediately checking emails or scrolling on Instagram. The Hatch Restore 3 is a great sunrise alarm option with a ton of special features to help them develop a new sleep routine.

A spacious, colorful lunch bag

This spacious mini-cooler can hold plenty of snacks and goodies when your favorite college student has a long day on campus. It's our favorite lunch bag, but there's also plenty of space to tote it along to tailgates or outdoor adventures.

A pocket-sized projector

Happrun 1080P Bluetooth Mini Projector

This tiny, affordable projector can connect to a game console, iPhone, or computer via Bluetooth, WiFi, HDMI or USB-C. and create a big, bright screen without taking up wall space. It's super lightweight, with built in speakers, so it can be taken anywhere you may want to entertain a group.

A set of versatile travel pouches

Whether they have spring break vacation plans or frequently make the trek back home to visit family, these premium leather pouches will be their new favorite travel accessory. This set from Quince made the list for the best travel makeup bags, but it can be used to store so much more than concealer. It's also the perfect size to stow away toiletries to electronics.

A reusable notebook

Rocketbook Core Notebook

Encourage your recipient to take excellent notes with the reusable Rocketbook notebook. After writing notes with the special pen, they can upload notes to an app and reuse the notebook pages. Help them say goodbye to disorganized notes in docs or easy-to-lose physical notebooks.

A small travel photo printer

Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Bluetooth Photo Printer

Mini portable Bluetooth printers make turning iPhone photos into tangible memories quick and easy — which is especially convenient for decorating their room. Within the app, you can also edit photos with special effects and themed collages including augmented reality features.

Jeans that are secretly sweatpants

Rag & Bone Miramar Wide-Leg Pants

For those 8 AM classes, these are a must-have. Our style editors reviewed Rag & Bone's viral sweatpant jeans and were delighted to find that they're really worth the hype. They're made with a soft terry-cloth fabric that drapes like real lightweight denim, and got so popular that Rag & Bone made a men's version, too.

A fuzzy fleece that helps fund nature conservation

Parks Project High Pile Fleece

When you purchase a Parks Project fleece jacket, you're not only getting a cozy top layer made with 100% recycled materials — you're also helping the B-corp company send funds to habitat and wildlife restoration efforts to national parks around the country.

A good leather wallet

Bellroy Apex Slim Sleeve

Wallets are one of those "real adult" products that college students forget to buy for themselves. If it's been a while since their last wallet upgrade, we recommend the Bellroy Apex Slim Wallet, the best overall pick in our best wallets for men guide (though, it'd certainly make a great wallet for just about anyone). It opens with one hands and fits nicely in a pocket or bag. Read our Bellroy review for more.

The comfiest hoodie of all time

Popflex Cloud Hoodie

I literally just bought this hoodie for my college-aged sister. This oversized zip-up sweatshirt is one of the comfiest things I've ever worn, and it's perfect for chilly campus mornings. It also has huge pockets to fit their phone, wallet, and student ID. Get it in their school color for some totally real gifting extra credit points. Read our Popflex review.

A reusable bag that fits in their back pocket

Baggu Reusable Shopping Bag

"I received my first Baggu as a gift last Christmas, and now I never leave home without it," writes senior associate style editor Gabrielle Chase. "The convenience of a reusable shopping tote bag goes without saying, but this one is my favorite for schlepping odds and ends — plus, I love that it comes in so many fun prints and patterns. The standard size I use can carry up to 50 pounds of groceries, and folds up into a neat little pouch that slips into my purse."

An easy-to-install bedside shelf

BedShelfie DormEssential

No tools required — this bedside shelf simply slides and clamps onto a bunk bed frame and serves as a floating nightstand. It has a phone shelf, a cup holder that can fit a 40 oz tumbler, two hooks, and bungee cords for attaching a power strip.

A colorful water bottle

Owala FreeSip Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Owala's FreeSip has earned its place as one of the most popular water bottles, with bright colors and handy features like a built-in straw and a leak-proof cap. If you want to get even more ahead of the curve, the next iteration of the water bottle, the FreeSip Sway, was designed around customer feedback; it's cup-holder friendly and features a convenient carrying strap.

A stylish midcentury modern college poster

Sandgrain Studio Midcentury Modern Art Print

For a tasteful way to show their school spirit, this decorative art print can be hung in a dorm and held onto as a keepsake even after graduation. It's the perfect intersection for sports fans and vintage design enthusiasts.

A nourishing lip tint

Rhode Peptide Lip Tint

College kids are always up to date on the latest trends. Any beauty-obsessed student is sure to have heard the hype about Rhode's nourishing lip tint that moisturizes dry lips but looks like a gloss with a nice burst of pigment. Beauty contributor Julia Guerra complimented the "color payoff" and how it looks good on all skin tones when she reviewed it.

A pair of cozy, vintage-look socks for the dorm halls

Bombas Vintage Stripes Half Calf Socks

Dorm floors are notoriously cold and, frankly, a little gross for bare feet. These socks from Bombas have a vintage collegiate look and will keep your student's toes warm and clean. Senior associate style editor Gabrielle Chase called them "the softest socks I own" in our Bombas socks review.

Some cozy UGG slippers

UGG Tasman Slipper

These UGG Tasman slip ons are so comfy for wearing around the dorm, and we wouldn't be surprised if they trek all over campus in them too.

A seat cushion for long study sessions

Purple Royal Seat Cushion

We love this seat cushion because it employs the same technology found in Purple mattresses to softly cradle achy tailbones. It's essential for getting through those hours spent hunched over the computer. "Its signature GelFlex Grid design makes sitting at a desk all day a lot more comfortable and even helps me to maintain my posture," writes executive editor Sally Kaplan.

This version has a cover with side handles, making it easily portable to wherever they set up to study. They can even plop it on the ground because the cover is washable.

Our favorite backpack for college students

The North Face Recon Backpack

The top tested pick in our guide to the best college backpacks has all the organizational and comfort features we could want. The North Face Recon's suspension system was the best at balancing weight evenly, and its rugged exterior means it'll last them from the first day of classes to graduation.

Inside are intuitively placed pockets for a laptop, charging cords, writing utensils, and a front mesh pocket for their phone. Plus, it has two deep pockets on the side for carrying water bottles.

A small massager with a big impact

Therabody Theragun Mini

This small-but-mighty massage gun is Theragun's smallest and most inexpensive model. The Mini offers impressive power and easily fits into a small bag, so it's great for the active student on-the-go.

"On its own, it provides enough power to suffice as an everyday massager and quickly became a go-to for all my pre- and post-workout recovery," writes former fitness tech editor Rick Stella.

A lululemon lookalike fanny pack

Quince Revive Nylon Belt Bag

Among our favorite belt bags we've tested is Quince's dupe for lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag.

"It's a bit too bulky to jog with, but it's the perfect size for travel and concerts," writes senior associate style editor Gabrielle Chase. "If you're shopping for gifts, you can put lip balms, a unique keychain, and other mini accessories inside this fanny pack as its own little gift basket."

An organizing container for displaying shoes

The Container Store Large Drop-Front Shoe Box

When working with limited closet space, it's hard to keep your shoes organized. Our men's style editor Amir Ismael owns over 200 pairs of shoes and keeps them stacked in these see-through bins in order to maintain his collection and a tidy living area.

"The best part is that you'll never have to unstack them in order to get a pair of shoes out," he writes. "Compared to normal shoeboxes that have a top lid, the drop-front lid gives you easy access, and you won't have piles of shoes toppling over each other." Read more in our full review.

A great pair of headphones

Apple AirPods Max 2

Long days in the library call for a pair of great headphones to stay in the zone. The Apple Airpods Max 2 have noise cancelling technology to drown out the background noise, a cushiony design for comfort, and come in a variety of fun colors.

A portable power bank to keep devices charged

Anker 621 MagGo Portable Charger

Keep them juiced for long days on the go, from class to clubs and social plans with Anker's MagGo portable charger. It easily attaches to MagSafe phone devices without the need to keep track of cables.

A mini Keurig that fits into their dorm room

K-Mini Single-Serve Coffee Maker

College likely involves a lot of caffeine, and they're not always going to be able to trek to the dining hall or local coffee shop in the late, late hours of finals prep. Help them out with this mini Keurig, which is tiny enough to fit into even the smallest dorm room kitchens.

A silk eye mask

Slip Silk Contour Sleep Mask

For the nights when their roommate needs to stay up late studying, this silk eye mask will help them get some quality rest. Read our best sleep masks guide.

A reusable film camera

Kodak Ektar H35 Half Frame Film Camera

The Kodak Ektar camera is a great gift for college students who have an interest in photography or want to explore film photography. The Ektar camera is known for its exceptional image quality and vibrant colors. It provides a manual shooting experience, allowing students to learn and experiment with different settings and techniques.

An air purifier for their dorm

Levoit 300S Air Purifier

For college students living in traditional dorm rooms, a breath of fresh air is more than welcome. This air purifier creates cleaner air by clearing pollen, dust, smoke, pet dander, mold spores, and germs for easy breathing. We named it our top pick for small rooms in our guide to the best air purifiers.

A versatile yet compact iPad Mini

iPad Mini A17 Pro (2024)

If you visit a college campus today, you'll probably see iPads all over the place — and for good reason. These slim rectangular boxes make notetaking, reading, Netflix, and leisure drawing easy to do all in one place. The iPad Mini A17 Pro (2024) is our favorite small iPad, making it perfect for stashing away on their commute to class.

If they already have an iPad, you can think about getting them an Apple Pencil ($129), which will level up their gadget even more.

A gift card for meals outside of the dining hall

Uber Eats Gift Card

No matter how good their dining halls are, chances are they're sick and tired of being on a meal plan. An Uber Eats gift card will let them indulge on something new and exciting to eat every once and a while. If they go to school in a more remote area where Uber Eats isn't accessible, go for a gift card from a local restaurant instead.

Staple tees for everyday wear

Cuts is the perfect brand for college students who value both style and comfort. With their high-quality clothing, Cuts offers a range of essentials that are versatile and easy to wear. Whether you're rushing to class or hanging out with friends, their pieces are designed to keep up with your busy college lifestyle. From their signature T-shirts to their cozy sweatshirts, Cuts combines modern aesthetics with premium fabrics for a perfect blend of style and comfort. Upgrade your wardrobe with Cuts and experience clothing that is tailored to your needs as a college student.

An air fryer for the snack lover

Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven with ClearCook

Air fryers are all the buzz for how they can turn just about anything into a warm, crispy delight. Plus, they save a ton of time, which every college student can appreciate. Instant makes some of the best on the market today, the Vortex Plus snagging the top pick in our guide to the best air fryers.

An aroma diffuser to set the mood

Asakuki Premium Essential Oil Diffuser

An essential oil diffuser delivers calming, in-home aromatherapy and is a great fragrance option for dorms where candles usually aren't allowed. Our favorite from Asakuki disperses essential oils for up to three hours at a time, has LED light options, and elegantly blends into any room.

A custom necklace to celebrate their birthday

Birthdate Co. Birthdate Pendant

A perfect birthday gift for any astrology lover, this custom necklace includes four gemstones and crystals (chosen for their birth date) embedded in a gold or silver pendant, along with their birthdate, zodiac sign, and initials engraved on the back.

A candle to remind them of their favorite place or hometown

Homesick Location Scented Candle

If they're away from family or friends, a reminder of home is a wonderful thing to have around. Make sure to check the rules of their dorm or living situation before buying them a candle.

A Trader Joe's-inspired cookbook

"The I Love Trader Joe's College Cookbook" by Andrea Lynn

This quirky cookbook contains 160 easy recipes for busy (and usually broke) college students, drawing from some of the brand's favorite ingredients to create mouth-watering hors d'oeuvres, party-worthy appetizers, and nourishing meals.

Does your student prefer to cook with the air fryer? Check out this equally nifty "I Love Trader Joe's Air Fryer Cookbook."

A powerful and portable speaker

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4

Whether they're hanging with friends in the quad or getting ready for a party, good music is essential to the college experience. That's why a great speaker will serve them well. The Wonderboom 4 is a great option for its quality sound, portability, and waterproof and dustproof construction, which ensures it can withstand any college antics.

A memory foam neck pillow for traveling

TravelRest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow

It's easy to be deterred from bringing a neck pillow on long trips because they take up so much space, but then you end up with a stiff neck. One of the best things about one of the favorite travel pillow we tested is how compact it is. With a flat back, it's designed to help you sleep even when seated upright and uses plush memory foam to cradle the head.

A silk scarf inspired by their school's architecture

The Clearly Collective

They can show their school spirit in an unexpected and very classy way, with these artful silk scarves influenced by their university's architecture. There are a handful of campuses to choose from, and growing, including Georgetown, University of Georgia, University of North Carolina, Princeton, and more.

A microwave-safe ramen cooker for stressful or time-crunched nights

Rapid Ramen Cooker

There will be plenty of late nights filled with cheap and tasty ramen. If they're going to eat it anyway, at least let them make it quickly and perfectly every time.

A fun card game for nights in and parties

What Do You Meme? Game

College students will love playing this game with friends or roommates. This set includes 75 of the funniest memes plus 360 caption cards to make the wonkiest combinations for a game during study breaks or chill wine nights.

An instant camera for instant memories

Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Camera

Going analog with an instant camera is not only totally retro, but exciting. Sure, they probably are already documenting every moment on their camera roll, but actually taking and printing a photo out makes for memories they'll never forget.

A taste of home delivered to their door

Goldbelly Restaurant Meal Kits

Goldbelly makes it possible to satisfy their most specific and nostalgic cravings no matter where they live in the US — a cheesecake from Junior's, deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati, and more. Browse the iconic gifts section for inspiration.

A Brooklinen gift card for really nice sheets

Brooklinen Gift Card

Few things sound as nice as comfortable, beautiful sheets they don't need to buy for themselves. Brooklinen is one of our favorite startups to shop at, and we ranked its sateen cotton sheets as one of the best sheets you can buy.

An inexpensive way to get the iced coffee they love at home

Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker

If the student you're thinking of drinks coffee — and there's a very good chance they do — having access to one of the best cold brew contraptions will be a gift that keeps on giving. A cold brew machine means you can go 4-5 days in a row without brewing another pot. It's also easy to clean.

A reusable sandwich bag

Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bag

College means lots of library snacks or quick meals between classes. These eco-friendly, reusable, and leak proof bags make packing a lunch easier than ever.