The 26 Best High School Graduation Gifts (2024)

Fancy footwear

Nike’s Air Force 1 sneakers are the most ubiquitous teen footwear in the US. They’re also one of our favorite white sneaker picks of all time. We could attribute their popularity to the durably stitched overlays or the comfy foam midsole. But it’s more likely due to the sneakers’ streamlined aesthetic and the undeniable power of trends. White on white is what you’ll most often see in the wild, and it’s probably the safest bet for a grad gift. But we love Air Force 1s even more in snazzy color combos (check out the UNDEFEATED version). Nike also has a design-your-own option, so your grad can combine patterns, colors, and soles until their shoes are a perfect reflection of their soul. If you go this route, there are gift cards at the ready.

A concert of their choice

Concerts are expensive, and a teen rarely has that kind of money. So a Ticketmaster Gift Cardwould undoubtedly be a welcome item. Despite this year’s unsavory Ticketmaster news, if your grad wants to see big acts, this is still the place music and sports lovers go. The amount is up to you, of course, but be aware that large tours don’t come cheap. Taylor Swift tickets in Houston start at around $565, and tickets to see SZA in Philly start at $305. Luckily, there are plenty of sporting events and tickets for smaller acts that start around $30, before fees.

Get-around money

The price of freedom is currently about $3.60 a gallon (make that $4.80 in California), and it adds up fast. Give teens what they really want: money for gas. This cute bubble card makes handing over cash a lot more ceremonial, and you can choose the amount.

A reminder of home

No matter how much your grad is looking forward to leaving home for college or a far-flung adventure, they will experience homesickness from time to time. Engraved with the coordinates of home, this delicate cuff bracelet will be a reminder of where they came from. Made from recycled materials and available in gold, rose gold, and silver tones, this subdued bracelet is subtle enough for every day and shiny enough for fancier affairs.

Text-friendly gloves

Teens love to text, and it appears that love doesn’t fade as the years go by. So give your grad these toasty Moshi Digits Touchscreen Gloves, which will keep their fingers warm even while they text (especially important if they’re heading off to a colder climate). Of the 80-plus pairs we’ve tried, these gloves are among the very best for precise screen-swiping.

A comforting blanket

The jury is still out on whether weighted blankets have actual physical or mental health benefits, but the anecdotal evidence shows that many people swear by them. The crisp, 100% cotton Baloo Weighted Throw Blanket is weighted by tiny glass balls that are well distributed throughout. One of our weighted blanket picks, the Baloo also comes in standard bed sizes. It can go in the washer and dryer, and it comes in four colors, so a cover isn’t strictly necessary. (Sold separately, the gorgeous linen duvet covers are soft and luxurious.) For grads who are missing snuggles with pets or family members, this blanket could be a nice stand-in.

A unique laptop case

Your grad will be lugging a laptop all over campus, and they’ll want to protect it. We tested dozens of laptop sleeves, and we found the one from Society6 to be the best option for a tough case in a seemingly endless variety of designs. Sized to fit both 13-inch and 15-inch laptops, Society6 sleeves come in thousands of prints designed by independent artists. It can take a while to scroll through all of the designs, but you can filter your search for different categories, like photography, nature, or vintage. We love these city maps designs, and one of them might give your grad a constant reminder of home. These cases look cool, and the canvas-style polyester material is great at protecting against scratches and dust.

Headphones for limiting distractions

Dorm rooms and even libraries can get really noisy, so new college students may find it hard to focus. A pair of noise-cancelling headphones can be the difference between having a calm study session or seething with rage over the one person who inevitably comes to the library with a 10-decibel bag of chips. Our top pick from Bose, the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 excel for their sound, portability, and adjustability, but they aren’t cheap. Testers also love that the active noise cancellation (ANC) level can be adjusted from 0 to 10. So if your grad’s ears are feeling too much pressure or discomfort (what we call “eardrum suck”), or if they just want a little more awareness of their surroundings, they can find the ANC level that works for them.

Disposable cameras

Your graduate can already take great-quality photos on their smartphone, but the surprise of film still holds an unbeatable allure. There’s something exciting about having to wait for photos to develop and come back—it just feels more special and spontaneous than hastily uploading an image to Instagram. (But chances are good that your favorite teen will post the best film snaps on Instagram, too.) The Fujifilm QuickSnap Flash 400 is our favorite disposable camera because it is easy to use, has a flash option, and creates better-quality photos than other cameras we tried. Of course the next step—getting it to a drugstore for developing—is on them (and currently costs about $16 per camera).

Blingy lights

One of the best things about moving into a dorm room is decorating it to reflect personal taste and style. Your grad will have no trouble finding a Starry Night poster, but they might not think of smart strip lights (which are made of a flexible, rubbery material with LEDs embedded). The TP-Link Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Light Strip, our top pick, is a cinch to set up and stick to walls, and it can even be trimmed down with scissors. And this set connects to all of the smart-home systems, including Amazon Alexa and Google Home. So your grad can use their smartphone to set timers, change brightness and colors, and even make lights pulse to the beat of music.

Late-night snacks

Just picture it: Friends crowd a dorm room to indulge in a big bowl of popcorn after a long night at the library (or, ahem, a bar). When it’s made from scratch, popcorn is much tastier than any prefab microwavable option. Of all the methods we’ve tested, the Presto PopLite Popcorn Popper is the best one for a young crowd. Stovetop methods require constantly shaking or stirring the kernels … and a stove. And microwaving can result in burnt kernels if it goes even seconds too long. But this air popper blows out the kernels after they pop, and it perfectly produces an entire batch in under two minutes. The Presto PopLite also allows for culinary experimentation: Butter and salt are classic pairings, but for the gourmet grad, we also suggest paprika, olive oil, and pepper.

A dorm cleaner

There will be spills. And grit. And grime. And grads headed off to dorm rooms are going to have to deal with those on their own. The cordless Ryobi 18V One+ is our pick for the best all-around handheld vacuum. Our testers appreciated this vac’s powerful suction, quick charging, and useful attachments. Plus, it has a three-year warranty, which may come in handy after everyone on the dorm floor borrows it.

A plush pillow

If the grad you know isn’t allowed to steal their parents’ bed gear, get them a pillow all their own. The Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam Pillow is one of our favorites (out of 120 we tested). And we’ve recommended it since 2016, thanks to support that never feels stiff and breathable fabric that doesn’t overheat. Its medium loft and shredded-foam filling (which is adjustable and moldable) make it comfortable for a variety of body types and sleep positions (it offers firm support for back-, side-, and some stomach-sleepers). The company offers a 30-day no-questions-asked return policy.

Dorm decorating

Dorm room walls are invariably bland or painted some awful institutional color. Removable wallpaper could be just the answer to this problem. For temporary room upgrades, we love Milwaukee-based Chasing Paper’s peel-and-stick fabric wallpaper (it will easily last through the school year). This company offers hundreds of designs and patterns, and to narrow it down, your grad can sort by styles like abstract, floral, or geometric. Our testers picked Chasing Paper’s wallpaper for its easy installation and pleasant, tactile feel. The best part: When it’s taken down, there won’t be charges for damage. Be aware that peel-and-stick wallpaper doesn’t work well on textured walls (think cinder blocks), and it can peel off fresh paint.

A portable chair

For outdoor concerts and impromptu hangouts, a portable chair will keep your graduate seated more comfortably than if they had to rough it on damp grass. And a low-to-the-ground model will ensure they’re not blocking anyone’s view or awkwardly looming over their friends. We love the GCI Outdoor Everywhere Chair. It’s comfortable, has great back support, and folds up easily, and it’s adjustable for sitting on uneven ground.

Stylish flip-flops

Whether your graduate will be sharing a gross dorm bathroom or just a regular bathroom with gross roommates (or perhaps moving to the tropics), they’ll want an excellent pair of flip-flops to protect their feet. Our favorites are the Havaianas Top Flip Flops. They don’t squeak when wet, they’re grippier on wet surfaces, and they’re available in seemingly endless color options. You’ll get big bonus points if you pair them with a ticket to an island destination.

A mask for shut-eye

Since your grad will be sharing a room (maybe for the first time), they’re going to discover the hard way that people operate on very different sleep schedules. Whether they’re paired with a night owl or a morning lark, a comfortable, light-blocking eye mask will help them snooze through whatever’s happening. The lightweight Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask—our favorite—fits comfortably, and it effectively blocks light on a wide variety of face shapes. And this eye mask has deep eyecups, so eyes can flutter during sleep.

A wrinkle remover

It’s probably fair to say that many Gen Zers have never picked up an iron. But that doesn’t mean they have to traipse around as rumpled as an unmade bed. With our fabric steamer budget pick, your grad can relax those wrinkles in way less time than it takes to assemble a clunky ironing station. This diminutive version from Conairworks best for travel and occasional use—and, let’s be honest, that’s probably what it’s going to get from most college students. Still, it will come in handy before that formal or job interview.

A surge protector

The three truths of life are death, taxes, and that a dorm room won’t have enough outlets. To help your grad safely plug in all of their devices, give them the Accell Power Air, our surge protector pick. This round version comes with six outlets and two USB ports, and it fits nicely under a bedside table or desk. Due to the round shape, larger plugs (like computer chargers) won’t block other outlets, as they do on a standard strip. It has a 6-foot cord, which should be long enough for any standard suite.

Durable luggage

Since they’re leaving home for the first time, many high school grads won’t have a suitcase—or at least not a good one. For all of their future travels, the Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Expandable Spinner is a great choice. It features smooth-rolling wheels (which you can replace as needed), a solid and comfortable-to-hold telescoping handle, and a hard-wearing nylon exterior propped up by a solid internal chassis. And it’s all backed by a lifetime warranty, which covers airline damage and shipping to the repair facility.

An organized toiletry bag

For exciting travels abroad, or even just travels across the hall to the communal bathroom, a good toiletry bag can make all the difference. One of our favorites is the water-resistant Topo Designs Dopp Kit. Like our other toiletry-kit recommendations, this one has space to hold all of your grad’s essentials. And due to its unusual triangular prism shape and color-blocked design, this bag will stand out from the crowd.

A blanket for outdoors

Your traveling graduate’s best bet will be a puffy blanket, whether it’s used for an impromptu picnic in Paris, an on-the-spot nap in Yellowstone, or an extra layer on an overnight train. Waterproof, durable, and warm, puffy blankets are relatively new additions to the outdoor scene, but they are primed to secure a permanent spot. Our favorite is the Rumpl Down, which comes in sizes for one or two people. It combines durability and softness better than any other puffy blanket we tested—which is a good thing, since the price itself might make you want to lie down.

Power in their pocket

A dead phone battery is a real bummer. That’s especially true if your grad’s social life is tied to their phone. Or maybe you still pay the bill, and you take solace in location tracking. Either way, it’s wise to have a bit of extra juice at the ready. To make good use of this powerful charger, your grad doesn’t have to know a watt from a mAh. The Zendure SuperMini 20W is our portable power bank pick for its exceptional charging capabilities (it can revive an iPhone about three times on one charge), as well as for its size and shape (about the size of a deck of cards).

A sophisticated backpack

This simple, streamlined backpack holds up over time, and it might just get your grad all the way through college. Our testers chose it as one of Wirecutter’s favorite laptop backpacks. Due to its sleek lines and minimalist hardware, Everlane’s ReNew Transit Backpack can easily transition from university library to office job, and its flat-to-the-body shape is great for those who have to commute. It’s made from recycled polyester and available in five muted colors, from army green to ecru.

A movable workspace

Whether your graduate is starting college or a new job, they’ll likely be doing most of their work on a laptop. Free them from being tied to a single workspace by giving them a lap desk, which will allow them to comfortably work from under a tree or even from their own bed. The LapGear Designer Lap Desk is our favorite. It comes in several colors and patterns and rests comfortably on the lap. And it has a slot to hold a phone, a handle for carrying or hanging, and an elastic strap for storing index cards or a pen.

A card carrier

It’s true that teens don’t often carry cash, but they should have a grownup way to carry a license, a debit card, coffee punch cards, and a student ID. Leatherology’s Slim Card Case—which our testers picked for its simplicity and good looks—has four card slots and a cash pocket. It comes in 10 colors and can be engraved (for an extra $10).

We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend.

This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.