28 best high school graduation gifts for him

A nice leather wallet, which you can monogram for him

Leatherology Bifold Wallet

He's probably outgrown the scuffed wallet he has now — and anyway, Velcro doesn't transfer as well to19 as it did to 12. You can gift him a nice new leather wallet to enter adulthood with, and you can even monogram it for him for added personalization.

A weekender for trips back home

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel

Whether visiting home for the weekend or going on a celebratory graduation trip, he'll need a good duffel bag to keep his essentials close at hand and organized. This bag from Patagonia can be carried like a traditional weekender or a backpack, so it's a versatile option for any trip.

A matching laundry bag and shower caddy set

Pottery Barn Teen Classic Shower Caddy & Laundry Bag Set

For the college-bound grad, help him check something off his dorm shopping list with this matching laundry bag and caddy set. The laundry bag has backpack-style straps for easy carrying, and the caddy topped our list for the best dorm shower caddies.

A custom rambler

Custom College Logo Yeti Rambler

Yeti makes the kind of powerfully insulated mugs built for cold mornings outdoors, and they hold up exceptionally well around campus. They also offer just over 180 colleges to choose from to help him show some collegiate spirit.

A Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2

The Switch 2 is arguably the best game console for versatile on-the-go and at-home play, since it can be played in both handheld and TV mode. If he's off to college, he'll appreciate that he can play his favorite games just about anywhere.

A durable, attractive suitcase for his travels

Away The Carry-On

Especially if he's headed more than a car's drive away after high school, he'll be extremely grateful for a nice carry-on. Luggage brand Away is more than just a social media darling — its suitcases also consistently perform well in our packing and durability tests. It'll come in handy if he's planning on studying abroad, too.

School spirit merch for game days

Fanatics Gift Card

If your graduate is headed to college, give him the college gear he'll wear on game days, like a sweatshirt, tee, or baseball cap. We recommend browsing Fanatics — it's full of clothing, hats, bags, games, and drinkware for NCAA schools.

An iPad for easy, lightweight note-taking or watching shows

Apple iPad

It's up to his personal preference whether he wants to use a laptop in class, but it can be a huge blessing to only need to carry an iPad.This newer model features an upgraded A16 chip and increased storage at an entry-level price.

A 10-pack of t-shirts

Fresh Clean Threads Best Sellers 10-Pack

High school graduation is the perfect time for a wardrobe refresh — after all, he probably won't get much use from those high school sports and club shirts anymore. Fresh Clean Threads is one of our favorite places to buy men's t-shirts, and this 10-pack will help him completely reset his closet.

A fun Lego set

Lego R2-D2

Just because he's graduating high school doesn't mean he's too old for a good Lego set. Any "Star Wars" fanatic is sure to love this R2-D2 set, but you can also find collections for his other interests like Pokemon, Minecraft, One Piece, or Lord of the Rings.

A timeless pair of sunglasses

Ray-Ban Round Metal Sunglasses

A great pair of sunglasses never goes out of style. Ray-Ban sunnies stand the test of time. The brand has been making quality eyewear for over 80 years and this pair checks all the boxes on both functionality and style.

An external battery

Anker PowerCore External Battery

Perhaps the most convenient gift is as simple as a solid external battery. He's bound to use this countless times, and it's sure to come in handy in a pinch.

A waterproof speaker that's built to be durable

JBL Flip 7 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

This rugged, portable Bluetooth speaker should be able to take whatever is thrown at it or, perhaps more accurately, spilled on it in the years to come. He'll be thankful for something convenient, compact, highly-rated, and durable.

A backpack he can carry to work or school

Bellroy Transit Workpack

Gift them a comfortable, no-nonsense backpack he can take from school to an internship. Learn more in our Bellroy review.

Stylish button-up dress shirts

Tie Bar Dress Shirts

While graphic T-shirts and hoodies are perfectly fine for wearing every day in high school, a new graduate is going to need some fresh button-up shirts. The Tie Bar makes it very affordable to stock up on different colors and styles — and you'll find troves of other accessories for him, too.

A cool pair of sneakers

Adidas Gazelle Shoes

Every guy needs a great pair of everyday sneakers he can pair with just about every outfit. The Adidas Gazelles are extremely popular — and for good reason. They're comfortable, classic, and look great with everything. They come in over 30 colors, too, so you can be sure you'll find a pair he loves.

A fun game for summer

Spikeball Set

Spikeball is a fun, simple game that brings people together. He'll get plenty of use of this game come summertime — and he can even bring it up to college to play on the quad or during game day tailgates.

Money for ordering takeout

Grubhub Gift Card

This just might be the most useful gift he receives for graduation. After all, no one wants to cook a well-rounded meal every night after work or school.

A coffee maker for their morning cup

Braun BrewSense Coffee Maker

If his future includes work or study (or, honestly, just everyday life), he'll probably love a brand-new coffee maker. This one is the best version you can buy on a budget, but you can read more about it — and other models we like — in our buying guide to the best budget coffee makers.

A convenient bedside caddy

Zafit Five-Pocket Bedside Caddy

This is the ideal gift for the graduate who loves to lounge in bed. This five-pocket bedside caddy keeps his computer, water, snacks, and more within arm's reach.

A multicooker

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Multicooker

The Instant Pot is great because it makes delicious meals accessible to anyone, no matter their experience or space constraints. Plus, it comes with an app that features hundreds of easy-to-follow step-by-step recipes, including roast chicken and mac-and-cheese. And, don't worry: today's pressure cookers are much safer than the old-fashioned stovetop models.

Check out our guide to the best pressure cookers.

Comfortable pants for lounging

MeUndies Lounge Pant

No matter if he's living at home and commuting to college or living in a dorm room on campus, a good pair of sweatpants has a place in every man's wardrobe. When he's not caught up in the rigors of schoolwork, he can wear these to relax.

A nice watch

MVMT Men's Watches

Shop all men's watches at MVMT.

Traditional watches can be expensive, but startups are changing that. MVMT is probably the best-known watch industry disruptor.

You can get this classic, work-appropriate accessory that makes outfits look a bit more competent and established for as little as $95, and he'll be happy he didn't have to shell out for this small but meaningful luxury.

A new signature scent

Dior Sauvage

Now that he's graduated high school, he's definitely old enough to have his own cologne. Dior Sauvage is a popular scent with notes of bergamot, pepper, and amber. Scent is highly personal though, so if he doesn't like an earthy, woody fragrance, peruse the selection to find something more his taste.

A microwave-safe ramen cooker for the most rushed nights

Rapid Ramen Cooker

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

A pair of Airpods

Apple AirPods (4th Gen)

Whether he commutes or is heading back to school and, therefore, the library, he's bound to use Bluetooth earbuds a fair amount (especially now that all the new iPhones more or less require them). The Apple AirPods are a popular choice he's likely to love.

Read our full AirPods 4 review.

A card game he can share with friends

Cards Against Humanity

An easy way to make friends in college (or anywhere) and the best way to pass a snow day, he'll get more use out of this classic and irreverent card game than you probably think.

A custom map print to remind him of home

Grafomap Custom Map Print

If your high school grad is leaving home for a new place, it doesn't hurt to give him some cool, low-key decorations for his dorm that will remind him of his hometown (or another special place). It can be tough to find the right decor for a teen's room, but this is one you can feel confident about giving.