Best Gifts For College Students | 2022
27 Gifts College Students Will Appreciate
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College students are juggling multiple projects, extracurriculars, exams, jobs and internships, and social life. They deserve a much-needed break, but a useful present wouldn't be so bad either. Whether they're an incoming freshman or a senior embarking on their last university adventure, college students deserve a gift that will bring them joy. From the coolest tech on the market to self-care finds, we've rounded up the best gifts you can give the college student in your life.
Help them relax and unwind with cozy essentials like a pair of soft pajamas, an eye massager to knead the stress away, or a weighted blanket. Level up their study habits and note-taking with the Rocketbook Everlasting Notebook or the new Apple iPad Air. If they've been spending too much time at Starbucks, treat them to a cool new coffee machine. We even included some fun finds like a home-theater projector set they can use in their dorm, a pair of adorable heated slippers to keep their feet warm, and even a smart water bottle that will keep track of their water intake and remind them to stay hydrated. Keep reading to shop our top picks!
— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano and Haley Lyndes
@popsugar Replying to @popsugarwellness We're not saying these products are perfect for a lazy Sunday with your roommates, but we're also not NOT saying that. 👀 Check out some of our fave gift ideas for college students in our POPSUGAR holiday gift guide at the 🔗 in bio. #HolidayGiftGuide #GiftIdeas #CollegeStudent #CardGame #IceRoller #Comfy
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1 Cozy Lounge Gift: The Comfy Original
They'll love lounging in their dorm in The Comfy Original ($63). Yes, it's both a blanket and a sweatshirt, and it comes in a variety of colors. It has a giant hood, an oversize fit, and a giant pocket in the front. Plus, there's a teddy version for those extra-cozy vibes.
2 For Feeling Secure: YnM Weighted Blanket
This YnM Weighted Blanket ($60) will keep them warm and comforted while away from home. It's the perfect thing to grab for college students. The weight is evenly distributed throughout the blanket, and it comes in a variety of colors and weights as well.
3 A Dorm-Friendly Game: That's What She Said Game
If they have the same sense of humor as Michael Scott, they'll get a laugh out of the That's What She Said Game ($25). All it requires is matching a white card's phrase to a red card's phrase to create a hilarious innuendo. It's a great way for them to stay entertained and bond with their college friends.
4 A Trendy Gift For the College Student: Stanley Adventure Quencher Tumbler
Just like the rest of the internet, Peloton instructor, Kendall Toole, and Studio McGee designer and co-founder Shea McGee both are huge fans of the Stanley Adventure Quencher Tumbler ($40). It's a gift that every college student will enjoy using in the classroom, at the gym, or even in their dorm room. It's an insulated stainless steel cup that actually fits in most cup holders. It keeps drinks hot for seven hours, cold for 11 hours, and iced for nearly two days! They can drink it from the straw opening or the wide mouth opening.
5 Gamer Gift For the College Student: Meta Quest 2
The Meta Quest 2 ($400) is the ultimate gift for the gamer in your life. It's a virtual-reality headset that will let them fully immerse themselves in video games, concerts, and more. With 3D positional audio and hand tracking, the Meta Quest 2 will make the virtual worlds feel real.
6 Noise-Canceling Headphones: Apple AirPods Max
Every college student will benefit from a pair of noise-canceling headphones, and these Apple AirPods Max ($450, originally $549) are an editor favorite. They're designed with comfort in mind with a knit-mesh band and memory-foam ear cushions. They have active noise cancellation and transparency modes, so they can choose between an immersive experience or hearing their surroundings. The headphones have on-head detection and a built-in microphone that lets them seamlessly switch between devices. They come in space gray, silver, sky blue, pink, and green. Read our in-depth review of the Apple AirPods Max here.
7 A Stylish Speaker For the College Student: Marshall Stanmore III Bluetooth Speaker
The Marshall Stanmore III Bluetooth Speaker ($380) is something that will level up every dorm room or apartment with its vintage vibe. It'll fill their space with melodies for an immersive, concert-like experience. It's perfect for the ones who live for music. They can adjust the bass and treble for a customized sound. The Bluetooth speaker comes in three colors: black, vintage cream, or a relaxed rustic brown. It's also an editor favorite; read our in-depth review of the Marshall Stanmore III Bluetooth Speaker.
8 A Cozy Gift For the College Student: Threshold Faux Fur Electric Throw Blanket
Keep them warm and cozy this winter with the Threshold Faux Fur Electric Throw Blanket ($50). It'll elevate their dorm room or apartment with its super-soft and plush faux fur. It has four heat settings, so they can adjust the warmth accordingly. It comes in three neutral-toned colors. It's an editor favorite as well; read our in-depth review of the Threshold Faux Fur Electric Throw Blanket.
9 For Ultimate Relaxation: Renpho Eye Massager With Heat
The Renpho Eye Massager With Heat ($70, originally $130) is an electric shiatsu eye massager that will help relieve the tension from eye fatigue and eye strain. It has built-in heating pads that provide a relaxing experience and help reduce eye puffiness and dryness. Plus, these have built-in speakers, so they can listen to a relaxing playlist and truly unwind. It's a gift that will actually help out.
10 Gamer Gift For the College Student: Nintendo Switch OLED Model With White Joy-Con
The Nintendo Switch OLED Model With White Joy-Con ($350) is perfect for gaming on the go and in the dorm. It has three modes of playtime — TV mode, tabletop mode, and handheld mode — for gaming whenever, wherever. When played in handheld and tabletop modes with the seven-inch OLED screen, they can enjoy an enhanced experience with the system's built-in speakers. It comes with a wide adjustable stand, a dock for TV mode, and 64 GB of internal storage.
11 A Thoughtful Gift For the College Student: Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2
With the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 ($130), they'll be able to print out and hang any picture they took from their phone. Plus, they can customize their photos with fun details and text before printing to give them a personal touch. They can even print photos from videos as well! It comes in three colors.
12 A Smart Notebook: Rocketbook Multi-Subject Smart Notebook
This Rocketbook Multi-Subject Smart Notebook ($35, originally $44) will be their go-to for lectures. It's a scannable multisubject reusable notebook equipped with dividers so that they can stay organized while getting through a day of back-to-back classes. They can export the pages of the notebook to their email or Google Docs and then just wipe them clean and start all over. It comes in plenty of cool colors as well.
13 For Coffee-Lovers: Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker
Dorm life means living with limited space. Although they probably won't be able to fit a whole espresso machine in their room, this Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker ($69, originally $100) is perfect for their coffee needs. Not only does it come in a variety of cute colors, but its sleek design also lets them enjoy coffee without the clutter. It's only five inches wide, so it can fit in narrow spaces.
14 An iPad: 2022 Apple iPad Air
The 2022 Apple iPad Air ($649, originally $749) will make juggling their campus life a little easier. The 11-inch screen is perfect for recording lectures and taking notes, as well as for catching up on Netflix. It's equipped with Apple's powerful M1 chip, so it's as fast and productive as a laptop with an all-day, long-lasting battery life. It can run apps like Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office, so they can stay productive and creative. It's lightweight, making it easy to carry from classes to student activities to internships.
15 For a Healthy Lifestyle: HidrateSpark Pro Smart Water Bottle
If you're shopping for someone who loves to live a healthy lifestyle, the HidrateSpark Pro Smart Water Bottle ($65-$70) will be their new best friend. It's a smart water bottle that will remind them to drink water throughout the day by glowing. It even tracks their exact water intake and lets them know their progress on daily goals. Read our in-depth review of the HidrateSpark Pro Smart Water Bottle.
16 For Apple Fans: Apple AirPods Pro Wireless Earbuds With MagSafe Charging Case
Get them these Apple AirPods Pro Wireless Earbuds With MagSafe Charging Case ($229, originally $249); they're the number-one bestseller on Amazon. They'll get good sound quality and up to 24 hours of listening with the MagSafe charging case. Perfect for those who already have Apple products, these will let them block out noise for immersive sound or switch to transparency mode to hear what's happening around them. The AirPods are also sweat and water resistant, so they can work out with them.
17 A Gratitude Practice: The Five Minute Journal
You've probably seen this The Five Minute Journal: A Happier You in 5 Minutes a Day ($29) everywhere, but it really does work. If they love to journal or want to embrace being more mindful in their daily life, they'll appreciate this gift. There's something so satisfying about starting and ending the day with gratitude and reflection. Read the in-depth review of the The Five Minute Journal.
18 A Cozy Find: Sioro Long Sleeve Silk Pajama Set
You can't go wrong with a pair of trendy, luxe PJs, and these Sioro Long Sleeve Silk Pajama Set ($24-$33) are so soft and lightweight, you'll probably end up buying yourself a pair, too! It is delicate on the skin and won't cause friction or irritation. These come in a variety of colors as well.
19 For Music-Lovers: JBL Flip 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
The JBL Flip 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker ($80, originally $130) comes in a variety of color choices, like black, gray, and blue. This speaker is dust proof and waterproof and allows for 12 hours of wireless playtime. Whether it's rain, spilled drinks, or beach sand, this speaker can handle it all.
20 For Photography Enthusiasts: Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera ($77) is such a fun and sentimental way to capture candid moments in real time. The photos are such thoughtful mementos that friends and family can keep forever. It's a great find for those who want to explore photography beyond an iPhone. Plus, they can hang the pictures in their room for a cute little photo wall.
21 For Restful Sleep: Sleep Headphones
If they have trouble sleeping with the light on, they'll get a lot of use out of these Sleep Headphones ($20, originally $31). The eye mask is cushioned and contoured to support the delicate eye area and blocks out light for a pitch-black environment. It's equipped with built-in speakers, so they can listen to music without wearing additional headphones. It comes in other colors as well.
22 A Soothing Ice Roller: The Skinny Confidential Hot Mess Ice Roller
Whether they are prone to facial tension or love a good pamper session, The Skinny Confidential Hot Mess Ice Roller ($69) is a lifesaver. They can keep it in their dorm-room fridge for a moment of cooling, soothing relief. It's something they'll use all the time to relax or minimize that inflamed zit. Read the in-depth review of The Skinny Confidential Hot Mess Ice Roller.
23 A Dorm-Friendly Game: We're Not Really Strangers Game
Whether it's close friends and family or a truly complete stranger, the We're Not Really Strangers Game ($17, originally $25) is an interactive game that lets them get to know the people they are playing with on a deeper level. It's all about empowering meaningful connections and growing the relationships in their life. Read our in-depth review of the We're Not Really Strangers Game.
24 For the Astrology-Lover: "Seeing Stars: Harness the Power of the Zodiac" by Stella Andromeda
If they're into astrology, we know they will love "Seeing Stars: Harness the Power of the Zodiac" by Stella Andromeda ($12). You can get them the book on their sign and maybe another one for a fun collection. It makes for fun decor or a cute coffee-table book as well.
25 For Iced-Coffee Fans: Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker With Reusable Tumbler and Coffee Filter
If they can't go without their iced coffee, rain or shine, they need the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker With Reusable Tumbler and Coffee Filter ($20, originally $35). It brews a perfectly chilled cup in less than four minutes. Just add water and your favorite coffee grounds to the machine, fill the tumbler with ice, and brew. Finish off with milks, sweeteners, and syrups.
26 For the Skin-Care Fan: I Dew Care Let's Get Sheet Faced Face Sheet Mask Pack
The I Dew Care Let's Get Sheet Faced Face Sheet Mask Pack ($21, originally $27) is perfect for those who love to indulge in some self-care with a nourishing face mask. It includes 14 masks that they will love to pamper themselves with after a long, stressful day. Whether they need to hydrate the skin, add some radiance, or calm irritation, there's a sheet mask for every concern.
27 For the Couch Potato: Smoko Tayto Potato USB Heated Slippers
How adorable are these Smoko Tayto Potato USB Heated Slippers ($26, originally $38)?! They're perfect for embracing their inner couch potato. These USB-powered slippers can be plugged into any compatible USB port, like their laptop. If they want to walk around, they can just unplug them and take the warmth all around their dorm.
