Popular wireless over-ear headphones for quality noise-canceling during studying, traveling, and working out
If there's one thing every college student needs, it's good wireless headphones. They'll use them at the gym, at the library, and commuting to class and internships. This pair has great sound, cushioned ear cups, and 40 hours of battery life so they have one less thing to think about. And if they let the battery run out, a five-minute charge is the equivalent to three hours of play time.
If they like to study in public spaces, you can't go wrong with Bose's pricey but unbeatable QuietComfort headphones for noise-cancellation. If they're a runner and need something lightweight and in-ear, you should opt for Jaybird RUN.
An Amazon Echo Dot for hands-free calls, alarms, music, updates on the weather, recipes, and more
The Amazon Echo Dot is the most popular Amazon device for a reason — it's compact and has all the capabilities of Alexa (weather updates, recipes, music, news), which is the main reason most people buy an Echo device. The newest version — the third generation — has a speaker that's 70% louder than the second, and comes in a fabric design that's more unobtrusive to their interior. Find an Insider Picks comparison of the Echo devices for fast reference here.
An inexpensive way for them to get the iced coffee they love at home
The Takeya Cold Brew Maker is an inexpensive, easy way to make cold brew from home — something that can save them hundreds of dollars per year. Find a full review here.
The world's most comfortable shoes
Startup Allbirds makes wildly popular shoes out of soft, sustainable materials. Their Runners made out of super-soft merino wool have been nicknamed "the world's most comfortable shoes." You can find a full review here.
A great game for a night in with friends
Grab a fun card game they'll inevitably end up pulling out to play with friends on the weekend nights and snow days. Check out What Do You Meme, too.
A professional, compact backpack that can go from school to internship
A backpack is the most versatile bag for a college student that's transitioning from internship or job to classes — but they probably don't want to bring their banged-up Jansport into the office. A plush, faux-fur padded sleeve keeps their laptop safe, and the exterior is professional, sleek, and slim enough to be work- and public transportation-friendly. Find a full review here.
A splashproof portable Bluetooth speaker for messy college events that call for music
Beach days, tailgates, outdoor parties of any kind — grab this under-$100 Bluetooth speaker with over 3,700 five-star reviews on Amazon for the many occasions when loud music and a spill-friendly speaker are going to come in handy.
A box of college merchandise for game days, tailgates, and spirit events
Particularly if they're going to a school with a big sports team, you can be sure they'll both need and appreciate all the fan gear.
One of the all-time best facial cleansers for a clean and effective routine
FOREO's cult-favorite Luna 2 cleansing device gently and effectively cleans with thin, antimicrobial silicone touch points, and it removes 98.5% of dirt and makeup residue without irritating the skin. Plus, it's 100% waterproof and the battery life lasts for a few months per charge. Find a full review from a female reporter and a male reporter here.
The newest version of the most popular Fitbit for fitness and sleep tracking
A wireless charging case for their Bluetooth devices
This travel-friendly case charges wireless devices on the go — perfect for students with packed schedules and a lot of tech that they love using.
An iPad for Netflix binging in their room, as well as for quick trips home that don't warrant a laptop
They won't want to lug their laptop everywhere, and they may either already have a TV in their college house or not have the room for one. A tablet is small enough to be travel-friendly, but large enough for convenient Netflix binging or note-taking. If you want more iPad options, find them here. For a breakdown of the different Fire tablets, check here.
A five-minute breakfast that will save them money and time
This looks gimmicky, but it makes breakfast sandwiches in as little as five minutes and takes up little space in a crowded college house.
A media streamer that transforms a normal TV into a smart one — so it plays shows and movies from Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and other streaming services
Most college students aren't forking over a monthly payment to cable. This streaming player is the best one you can buy overall, and it transforms an otherwise 'dumb' TV into a smart one that can stream shows and movies from their Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Prime Video, and others all in one spot.
A candle to remind them of their favorite place or hometown while they're away at school
If they're away from family and friends while at school, a reminder of home is a wonderful thing to have around.
A funny but useful book full of expert and student advice on everything from finances to relationships and dorm life
For everything from sharing a bathroom with 40 strangers to social network do's and don'ts, this funny but useful New York Times best seller runs the gamut.
The best electric toothbrush overall
We rated this the best electronic toothbrush you can buy overall. If you're looking for something a little trendier, you should pick up a Quip toothbrush for an electrical version, or a Boie brush for something manual. Find a full review of the Boie toothbrush here.
A monthly subscription of personalized makeup, hair care, and skin care samples delivered to their door so they can try new things and be pampered once a month
College students like to look and feel good, but tight budgets aren't conducive to trying a lot of new, often expensive grooming products. Birchbox sends samples of new and beloved products once a month, so they can test out new finds and discover products they may want to buy a full size of in the future. It's also just fun to get a monthly gift that's all about them.
A monogrammed leather shave bag so they can keep all their things in one place that isn't a plastic shower caddy
The dreaded truth of college is that you'll most likely need to schlep your shower belongings to a communal area if you live in the dorms. No one wants to rely on a plastic shower caddy to do that. Grab them a leather shave bag that they'll use for years to come — they probably wouldn't justify the expense on their own, and they'll be grateful to have it.
A cosmetics/toiletry bag from an up-and-coming women's handbag startup
Leatherology's shave bag is a great purchase if you want a bag that will age gracefully. But, if you're looking for a chic aesthetic, Dagne Dover also makes a great neoprene toiletry bag that's built to accommodate makeup. If they have a lot of toiletries, you'll probably want to get the large size for $55 (shown above).
The best portable charger you can buy, which charges an iPhone twice as fast as the original iPhone charger
I said before that college students primarily need a good pair of wireless headphones. They also need a portable external charger. This gift is extremely convenient — whether for traveling, stalled subway rides, or nights out trying to connect with friends. It will also give you peace of mind to know the odds of them getting stuck somewhere unfamiliar with a dead phone are lessened.
We rated this model by Jackery the best portable charger iPhone users can buy. It reportedly charges iPhones twice as fast as the original iPhone charger. If you're shopping for an Android user, pick up this one.
A nice watch they can wear to internships from a popular startup
MVMT makes beautiful watches for men and women at great prices, and they feel more contemporary to wear than most on the market. It's a versatile, sentimental gift you can feel good about giving because you know they'll feel good — and perhaps more put-together — wearing it.
A cult-favorite tumbler to keep their drinks just the right temperature for hours spent in the library
This Tumbler will keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for hours. YETI products were built for the outdoors, and they perform like it — that's why the tumbler's Amazon page has over 3,600 five-star reviews.
A laundry hamper with adjustable straps so they don't need to drag laundry blocks or flights of stairs
Not all dorms have elevators, and if they have to travel downstairs or across the street to do their laundry, they're not going to want to drag a hamper.
A cookbook made for mornings where food is necessary but complicated recipes are absolutely not
This cookbook is filled with everything they need to know to assess and improve a hangover, including dozens of comforting recipes.
Tools they will undoubtedly need and be grateful to own, but likely won't buy themselves
They're going to need tools at some point, and they're probably going to be underwhelmed by the prospect of spending money on such an unexciting purchase. You could also send them off with a First Aid Kit.
A hyper-useful extra-long, reinforced phone charger
If they're going to be tethered to devices, you may as well make it a long leash. Dorms often have sparse or inconvenient outlets or a lack of space, so everything is pushed up against and covering any would-be useful outlets. This long charging cable means no matter where one is, they'll have power — and they won't have to sit at the foot of their bed to reach it.
The most comfortable lounge pants we've ever tried for lazy weekend mornings
MeUndies is a popular LA startup that makes some of the most comfortable underwear we've ever tried. Their lounge pants, however, are the real hidden gem — perfect for lounging around on weekend mornings or heading to the dining hall, and they're sleek enough to avoid looking too unkempt for the comfort.
An undated planner that uses efficiency hacks to break down a 10-year plan into daily stepping stones
The Best Self Co. Journal breaks down daunting long-term plans into bite-size steps that make forming good habits easy, efficient, and stress-free. College invites you to plan for the rest of your life — and decide all of a sudden what you want to be — and the question can feel ambiguous and daunting. This should help. Plus, it has no dates so you can give it for any occasion — not just the New Year.
A comfy Patagonia pullover they'll rely on a lot
It's a good bet that many of their peers will also have this Snap-T pullover from Patagonia. It and the Better Sweater are long-held favorites, and both are comfortable classics that they'll no doubt come to rely upon.
An instant coffee maker for busy mornings
If they drink coffee, they're going to appreciate having easy, fast access to it for the many rushed mornings ahead. A Keurig is intuitive and ubiquitous. If you'd rather steer them away from single-use plastic K-Cups, grab these reusable and compatible cups as an accompanying gift.
A gym bag that can transition to a professional setting
Just like bringing a beat up Jansport into an office, lugging a multi-colored nylon gym bag in isn't ideal for anyone looking to prove their gravitas despite being the youngest person there. Herschel Supply Co. makes reliable, versatile bags, and this one has a separate compartment for gym or dress shoes. If you think they'd like something a bit more chic or unique, check out Dagne Dover's unisex Carryall. If they bring a backpack to the gym, you can't go wrong with Aer's popular Convertible Backpack.
A bedside caddy for all their stuff, especially if they're sleeping in dorm bunk beds
One of the surprises of dorm living is how inconvenient it is — especially if you're already up in your top bunk bed when you realize you need a pen. Bedside caddies are helpful, and preference is given to those that don't look too industrial and utilitarian, like this one from Dormify.
A microwave-safe ramen cooker for the most stressful or time-crunched nights
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 super soft throw blanket they'll find themselves cocooned in many times
Grab their favorite candy, this sherpa-lined fleece blanket with over 3,000 five-star reviews, and a Hulu gift card to make sure they spend at least a few nights in, relaxing and watching movies with friends.
Gift cards — perhaps the best gift you can give a cash-strapped college student
What a stressed, broke college student needs most is money and probably a hug. If you're looking for a way to gift maximum convenience, gift cards are a surprisingly thoughtful way to do that — either for their favorite restaurant, transportation, school books, or music to keep them occupied during long library hours. Check out more gift card gifts here.
Everything: Visa Gift Card / Amazon Gift Card / Gift Amazon Prime Membership Coffee: Starbucks Gift Card School books: Amazon Gift Card Entertainment: Netflix Gift Card / Hulu Gift Card / Sling Gift Card / StubHub gift card Transporation: Uber Gift Card Decoration: Framebridge Gift Card Furniture: Amazon Gift Card / Wayfair Gift Card Music: Spotify Gift Card Sheets: Brooklinen Gift Card Groceries and food: Whole Foods Gift Card / Chipotle Gift Card Clothes: Nordstrom Gift Card / Everlane Gift Card Tech: Best Buy Gift Card Travel: Delta Gift Card / Away Gift Card
