The Best Gifts For College Students
19 Gifts For College Students They Will Absolutely Appreciate
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College students are always juggling multiple projects, extracurriculars, exams, jobs, internships, and social life. And honestly, while they deserve a much-needed break, a useful present wouldn't be so bad either. Whether they're an incoming freshman or a senior embarking on their last university adventure, gifts for college students should be practical and helpful. To help you come up with some ideas, we've rounded up the best gifts for college students — from the coolest tech on the market to self-care finds.
Help the college student in your life relax and unwind with cozy essentials like a pair of soft pajamas or a weighted blanket that looks and feels so comforting. Level up their study habits and note-taking with a Rocketbook notebook. And 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 the Nintendo Switch and useful noise cancelling headphones. Keep reading to shop our top gifts for college students — and maybe even for yourself too.
— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano and Haley Lyndes
1 Best Virtual Gift For College Students
MasterClass Subscription ($10+)
If they have a particular hobby or skill set they're interested in becoming experts on, they can choose from 200+ streamable video lessons on MasterClass, from business and leadership categories to photography, cooking, writing, acting, music, sports and more. What's more, each video lesson is only about 10 minutes long, so it'll be easy for them to sneak one in between classes and other commitments. MasterClass is particularly useful if the school itself doesn't offer quite as many courses on the topic they're interested in. Right now, the site is running a Labor Day sale from Aug. 26 to Sept. 2 with all memberships discounted 50 percent off. (The discount code is automatically applied at checkout.)
2 Best Self-Care Gift For College Students
Ice Roller for Face and Eyes ($19)
Whether they are prone to facial tension or love a good pamper session, this ice roller 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.
3 Best Skin-Care Gift For College Students
I Dew Care Let's Get Sheet Faced Face Sheet Mask Pack ($19, originally $27)
This sheet mask set is perfect for those who love to indulge in some self-care. 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.
4 Best Sleep Gift For College Students
Sleep Headphones ($23)
If they have trouble sleeping with the light on, they'll get a lot of use out of these Sleep Headphones. 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.
5 Best Cozy Gift For College Students
Sioro Long Sleeve Silk Pajama Set ($26, originally $30)
You can't go wrong with a pair of trendy, luxe PJs, and this Sioro Long Sleeve Silk Pajama Set is 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.
6 Best Gratitude Gift For College Students
"The Five Minute Journal" ($29)
You've probably seen "The Five Minute Journal" 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 our in-depth review of the The Five Minute Journal.
Editor Quote: "It's a great way for me to set an intention for my day, start with gratitude, and remind myself of what's really worth prioritizing. I find that when I write down my intentions, I really am more mindful throughout the day, and I use the nighttime prompts as a way to reflect on the good, and bad, parts of my day. It truly is a five-minute (max!) commitment, and I have seen my gratitude levels markedly improve since I started using it." — India Yaffe, former associate editor, Commerce
7 Best Practical Gift For College Students
Rocketbook Multi-Subject Smart Notebook ($39, originally $44)
This Rocketbook Multi-Subject Smart Notebook 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.
8 Best Tumbler For College Students
Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler ($45)
Just like the rest of the internet, we are huge fans of the Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler — and so are Peloton instructor Kendall Toole and Studio McGee designer and cofounder Shea McGee. 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. Read our in-depth review of the Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler here.
Editor Quote: "I've had it for a while now, and it's become my day-to-day companion, which is saying something because I'm the dehydrated one of the friend group. I'm low-key shocked to admit that it's earned a spot on my bedside table in case I wake up thirsty in the night, it spends all day on my desk throughout the day (filled with sparkling water from my apartment building), and I've even been bringing it to Orangetheory classes in the evening." — Marisa Petrarca, contributing editor, Commerce
9 Best Coffee Gift For College Students
Mr. Coffee Iced and Hot Coffee Maker ($48, originally $60)
If they can't go without their coffee, they need the Mr. Coffee Iced and Hot Coffee Maker, which comes with a reusable tumbler and coffee filter. Not only does it brew hot coffee, but also a perfectly chilled cup in less than four minutes for iced drinks. Just add water and your favorite coffee grounds to the machine, fill the tumbler with ice, and brew. Finish off with milk, sweetener, and syrup.
10 Best Lounge-Worthy Gift For College Students
The Comfy Original ($50, originally $60)
College students will love lounging in their dorm in The Comfy Original. 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 huge pocket in the front. Plus, there's a teddy version for those extra-cozy vibes.
11 Best Coffee Pod Gift For College Students
Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker ($60, originally $100)
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 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.
12 Best Fashion Gift For College Students
Ugg Classic Slipper ($80, originally $100)
If there's one It item every college student needs, it's a pair of Ugg slippers that they can wear around the dorm, dining hall, or to class. This silhouette comes with a front lip at the ankle that provides more support and also adds a touch of style. You can shop it chestnut, black, or gray, and trust that their feet will be cozy from semester to semester. Uggs are pretty season-less, after all.
13 Best Alarm Clock For College Students
Hatch Restore 2 ($170, originally $200)
Those 8 a.m. classes hit hard in college. For that reason, college students need an alarm clock that doesn't wake them up in the same disruptive tone their iPhone does. Enter: Hatch Restore. This alarm clock is the best tool for waking up feeling rested each morning. It offers soothing alarm sounds like "forest birds" and "morning singing bowl," and also wakes people up with a sunrise. According to their site, 83 percent of customers reported that their sleep improved after purchasing the Hatch Restore — what more could a college student ask for?
14 Best Portable Speaker For College Students
Sonos Roam 2 ($179)
The Sonos Roam 2 comes in a variety of color choices, like black, white, green, coral, and blue. This speaker is dust-proof and waterproof and allows for 10 hours of wireless playtime. Whether it's rain, spilled drinks, or beach sand, and even a few drops, this speaker can handle it all.
15 Best Earbuds For College Students
Apple AirPods Pro Wireless Earbuds With MagSafe Charging Case ($190, originally $249)
Get them these Apple AirPods Pro; 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.
16 Best Comforting Gift For College Students
Bearaby Cotton Napper ($199-$269)
A weighted blanket like the Bearaby Cotton Napper will keep them warm and comforted while away from home. It's made out of organic cotton and perfect for anyone who has trouble sleeping at night or just loves the relaxing effects of a weighted blanket. The weight is evenly distributed throughout the blanket, and it comes in a variety of colors and weights. It's the perfect gift for college students. Read more in our in-depth review of the Bearaby Cotton Napper.
Editor Quote: "As a hot sleeper, I was glad that the knitted weighted blanket didn't have me sweating in my PJs. The feeling of lying down underneath the 25-pound blanket felt like I was at the spa about to get a massage. Calm, grounded, and giddy are the words I'd use to describe my initial feeling." — Angelica Wilson, former associate editor, Fitness
17 Best Wellness Gift For College Students
Theragun Sense Percussion Massage Gun ($299)
From muscle soreness to a moment of zen, the Theragun Sense will be there for all their wellness needs. Perfect for someone in need of R&R, it comes with four distinct attachments for targeting specific areas and knots with five preset muscle massaging treatments. You can use the accompanying app to tailor and customize treatments according to your needs, including meditation programs. Our editors love how it alleviates tension. Read more in our Theragun Sense review.
Editor Quote: "What makes the Therabody Theragun Sense different from all other massage guns on the market is the ability to practice breathwork through guided sessions on the app. The Sense uses vibration cues to guide you through the breathwork sessions, and will show your minimum heart rate post-session to show you how much you relaxed. The breathwork is particularly great for those of us who easily get distracted while meditating. It removes the stress of having to close your eyes and block out the rest of the world, which, personally, put me more at ease." — Sarah Wasilak, associate content director, Commerce
18 Best Gamer Gift For College Students
Nintendo Switch OLED Model With White Joy-Con ($349)
The Nintendo Switch 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.
19 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones For College Students
Apple AirPods Max ($499, originally $550)
Every college student will benefit from a pair of noise-canceling headphones, and these Apple AirPods Max 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.
Editor Quote: "The sound on the AirPods Max is extremely clear — I've never had any issues with music sounding far away or 'tinny.' I can hear every single word of Death Cab For Cutie's 'Title and Registration' as if Ben Gibbard himself were singing into my ears. The headphones also have a 'Digital Crown' button where you can control the volume, answer phone calls, skip music, and use Siri. I love that I don't have to pick up my phone every time I want to turn up the volume." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer
Anvita Reddy is an assistant editor for PS Shopping. She has a passion for products and is an avid reviewer of everything including furniture, mattresses, home gadgets, cookware, tech, and more. Having dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood, her expertise lies in beauty. She has tried and tested plenty of skin care, makeup, hair care, and countless other beauty products.
Haley Lyndes was an assistant editor for PS Shopping where she found and tested the best home, beauty, and fashion products. She is a graduate of Northern Vermont University and has nearly five years of experience in both written and broadcast journalism.
Lauren Harano is a contributor for PS and was formerly an editor for the Living, Beauty, and Shop departments. She's a Southern-California-native-turned-New-Yorker with a passion for skin care, murder mysteries, and online shopping. Aside from PS, her work can be found in the pages of Cosmopolitan and Seventeen as well as online at InStyle, Esquire, NBC, and various food and travel sites.
