Graduation 2020 is a little different. COVID-19 means high school and college grads are accepting diplomas via Zoom, saying goodbye to teachers from their cars, and putting off big bashes until it's safe to gather in large groups.
But while it may not be safe for your graduate to walk in person this year, that doesn't mean they don't deserve something special. PCMag reviews thousands of products each year, and only a select few earn the designation of Editors' Choice. These are the best of the best, and are sure to delight your graduate. From speakers and headphones that will help them concentrate and relax to computers and tablets that will come in handy as they start new jobs or head college in the fall, we've got you covered.
For Alexa Fans Who Want to Pump Up the Jams
If you're looking for a smart speaker, the surprisingly robust Amazon Echo Studio delivers just as much power as smart speakers that cost twice as much. It is an Editors' Choice and a great option for music lovers, thanks to the speaker's Dolby Atmos-compatible directional audio.
A Sleek Wireless Speaker That Won't Break the Bank
The second-generation Sonos One is also a versatile wireless speaker with excellent sound quality, support for multi-room audio, and Amazon Alexa voice control.
Stay Focused With Impressive Noise-Cancellation
Sony's WH-1000XM3 headphones feature some of the best audio performance we've heard paired from a pair that also boasts excellent noise cancellation.
Portable Tunes for (Socially Distanced) Summer Gatherings
A portable outdoor speaker is a great item to have for socially distancing in the backyard, local park, or beach. The Sony SRS-XB12 packs a powerful punch for such a tiny speaker, and its waterproof build adds value to its already affordable price.
AirPod Style on a Budget
If your grad has been looking for a good alternative to Apple's AirPods, get them the Soundcore Liberty Air from Anker. There might not be anything flashy about these true wireless earphones, but they deliver better sound performance than some earbuds that cost twice as much.
For Cord-Cutting TV Fans
On the entertainment front, a subscription to YouTube TV is a great alternative to paying for cable. The service offers an excellent variety of channels, top-notch DVR features, and solid performance, making it our top choice for live TV streaming.
For Windows Fans Who Need a Lightweight PC
For the grad who needs a lightweight computer, the Surface Pro 7 2-in-1 is a laptop that doubles as a tablet. As an Editors' Choice for college students, it's a worthy upgrade from past iterations, thanks to a USB-C port and peppy Ice Lake CPUs. Unfortunately, the keyboard comes separately, but there are some solid options.
Chrome OS for Less Than $300
If you're shopping for a Chromebook, the Asus Chromebook C523 is out Editors' Choice for students. Its sleek design and big 1080p touch screen is an unusual bargain in this space.
Protect Your Grad's Gear From Malware
Protect that nice new PC you got them for college with strong antivirus software, like our Editors' Choice Kaspersky Anti-Virus. It swept the anti-virus testing labs, with excellent scores across the board in protection against malware and phishing attacks.
Protect Your Grad From Prying Eyes on the Web
Everyone should be using a VPN to protect their privacy online, but it's a good idea for a college student who might be tapping into insecure Wi-Fi connections. A subscription to the easy-to-use TunnelBear VPN will keep them safe while online.
For Grads Looking to Get or Stay Fit
The Fitbit Charge 4 fitness tracker builds on its predecessors with the addition of standalone GPS, Spotify support, more sleep tools, and Fitbit Pay.
Monitor Your Fitness Journey
Keep track of your fitness progress with the QardioBase 2, which adds some welcome improvements to one of the smartest scales on the market.
An Apple iPad That Won't Break the Bank
With its larger display, support for Apple's Smart Keyboard, and iPadOS, the least-expensive iPad is a terrific tablet and potentially even a laptop replacement, making it a top choice in the field of cheap tablets.
Apple iPad (2019)
With its larger display, support for Apple's Smart Keyboard, and iPadOS, the least-expensive iPad is a terrific tablet and potentially even a laptop replacement, making it a top choice in the field of cheap tablets.
A Slimmer Switch for Nintendo Fans
Reward your grad! The Nintendo Switch is the home console that can also double as a mobile gaming system, but it's the less expensive and slimmer Switch Lite that we recommend for a new grad. As a dedicated handheld device, it's ultra-portable and gets better battery life than the original model. The Switch has enough games to make this gift last a long time, but here are our favorites for the Switch Lite.
A Solid Camera for Shutterbugs
A creative grad needs something to create with, so why not a brand new digital camera? The Canon PowerShot SX70 HS captures views ranging from ultra-wide to extreme telephoto. It's a solid camera for wildlife observers, families, and shutterbugs in search of a lightweight bridge model.
For On-the-Go Grads With Power-Hungry Devices
Hopefully your grad will soon be walking around a busy campus or traveling in a big city, and when they are, they'll need some power while on the go. A power bank makes for a great gift, if it means their phone, tablet, or computer can get a little extra juice. The Anker PowerCore II 20000, for example, is a reasonably sized battery with lots of power for charging two mobile devices at once.
An Affordable Robot Vacuum for Your First Apartment
If your graduate is moving into a new place, help them keep it clean with a robot vacuum. The Ecovacs Deebot N79S offers powerful cleaning, app control, and Alexa voice command support for an unbeatable price.
The Ultimate Splurge
If you really want to spoil your grad, the particularly pricey Apple iMac Pro is a beautiful ode to creative professionals, combining remarkable computing power with the same brilliant 5K display and sleek design of the iMac. It's an Editors' Choice among desktop workstations, and the only macOS device to make the list.