Need the perfect gift for the high school grad? We asked our team of gear obsessives to recommend their go-to products for grads moving away from home, beginning college or starting a new job. Here’s their list, starting at $10.
Morris 4×4 Off-Road Center Gift Card
Got a Jeep lover for a kid? Don’t agonize over what parts to buy them for their Wrangler; just get them a gift card to Morris 4×4 and let them choose for themselves.
Smittybilt LED 8″ Glove Box Flashlight
Anyone hitting the road ought to have a good flashlight in the glovebox in case something happens after dark. This lightsaber-like model spreads a wide beam that’s great for helping change flat tires or looking for dropped keys, while an integrated magnet and laser pointer add extra versatility.
Anker Roav SmartCharge
Does your kid’s old car lack the modern tech to play the tunes on their phone? This 12-volt plug lets them stream Bluetooth audio through the FM radio, and provides two extra USB charging ports to boot.
Mazama Wares Sandstone Mug
Slip-cast stoneware coffee mugs that are more durable and more beautiful than buying a set of 12 from Macy’s. Designed in Japan, made in Mexico.
Casio G-Shock Watch
A hyper-accurate and legible G-Shock watch will help responsible graduates stay on time for both college classes and part time jobs. It’s also got a no-nonsense vibe and will be more than ready for the physical rigors of any weekend adventures.
La Trapeze Sunglasses
Great style doesn’t have to blow out your wallet and these Izipizi sunglasses will elevate any outfit on the cheap. They’ve got a classic pantho shape with rakish tortoise shell frames — hard to beat for under $50.
Blunt Umbrella
Buy an umbrella that won’t crumble when the weather kicks up. Getting a decent one now saves you from buying five cheap ones down the road.
Twelve South Curve Laptop Stand
No matter the situation, whether you’re working from home or in a college dorm, this ergonomic laptop stand is an ideal addition. It’s perfectly designed to match with any MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.
Billykirk Bi-Fold Card Case
A good wallet can go a long, long way. Billykirk’s Bi-Fold is slim enough to stash a front pocket, but has enough storage for all the cards you really need on your person. Plus, the natural veg-tan leather will age almost as fast as your high school grad has grown up.
Intension Design Valey Tray
This intuitive valet tray has ports that allows easy accomodation for charging cords. And the handsome Ultrasuede finish will give their desk an elevated look — even if the rest of their dorm room could use some help.
Bonavita Metro Brewer
A small, quick-brewing coffee maker from one of the best coffee brewing companies in the game. Get this, a decent hand grinder and buy whole bean coffee and you’ll be miles ahead of your Keurig-using friends.
Oakley Frogskins Sunglasses
Whether your grad can get to a beach this summer or not, these classics offer ample UV protection alongside timeless style. It’s not all about the looks, though: Frogskins are light and tough and stay put on boardwalk bike rides, too.
Madewell Laptop Sleeve
Madewell isn’t a tech company, but it makes some of the nicest accountraments for our favorite accessories. Take this laptop sleeve. It’s elegant, classy and practical. Bing, bang, boom.
Made In 12-Inch Fry Pan
A frying pan large enough to cook virtually anything saves you from buying a full cabinet’s worth of pans in one go. Plus, stainless steel doesn’t demand too much maintenance, and Made In makes all of theirs in U.S. factories.
Ten Thousand Interval Pant
Instill this knowledge in your grad’s cranium before they leave home: sweatpants are not to be worn 24/7. At the very least, help them upgrade to joggers like Ten Thousand’s Interval Pant — they’re more stylish, more flattering and offer just as much comfort.
Logitech MX Master 3 Wireless Mouse
The MX Master 3 might just be the perfect wireless mouse for most people. It has a nice ergonomic design, a superb battery life, and an addicting and satisfying scroll wheel.
Battenwear Battenpack
Graduating senior year should also come with a carryall to carry them through another four years of higher education (or backpacking through Europe). This one’s got that iconic rucksack design with upgraded materials all around.
VSSL Compact First Aid Kit
Sending them off to college with a dependable, fully-packed first aid kit is always a good idea.
Mophie 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad
They’ll be eternally grateful for the ability to wirelessly charge all their devices at once and never have to fumble with cords again.
Away Weekend Bag
A handsome weekender is not only a necessity for going off to college but it’s also a reminder to come home for the holidays.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
When there aren’t any parents around to remind your grad to wear a damn coat, the jacket will have to do the talking for them. Patagonia’s Torrentshell, freshly updated with a three-layer waterproof construction, is an expert voice on this topic.
Bell MX-9 MIPS Helmet
If your grad plans on taking their dirt bike out this summer, they’ll need a good helmet. This Bell will keep the head they spent 12 years filling with knowledge safe — at least, when they’re riding.
New Balance 990v5 Sneakers
A pair of dress shoes might make sense, but let’s be honest — a solid pair of sneakers is way more practical. They might as well be a pair that’ll last a long time and pair well with just about any outfit.
Seiko 5 Sports Watch
The new generation of Seiko 5 Sports watches are ridiculously inexpensive for what they offer — but they don’t feel like it. Sporty, handsome and a little edgy, they work as well as a young graduate’s first mechanical watch and even offer something a seasoned collector can appreciate.
Theragun Mini
Thanks to its packable size, the new Mini can go anywhere a grad does. And yet it still boasts enough muscle-massaging power to make its big brothers proud: the highest setting of three pounds out 2,400 percussions per minute.
Timex Marlin Handwound Watch
We’ve been championing the handwound Timex Marlin since its reintroduction back in 2017. Now that it’s available in six different versions, however — all for the same great price of $199 — it’s more approachable than ever for the recent grad.
Apple AirPods Pro
The AirPods Pro are just about the best wireless earbuds you can buy for anybody with an iPhone. They sound great, pair perfectly with any iPhone and have active noise-cancellation. Plus, they’re a serious step up from regular AirPods.
Bulova Hack Automatic Watch
A throwback to a military watch design from World War II, Bulova’s handsome Hack Watch perfectly blends vintage influences with more modern tech, namely a 21-jewel automatic movement and a domed mineral glass crystal.