This graduation season is a big one for me personally, as both of my kids are finishing high school in 2026. Their future paths fill me with both hope and anxiety, but my responsibility now is making sure they enter into the next phase of their young lives well-equipped. Graduation gifts can be an effective way to make that happen.
For this grad gift guide, I checked in with PCMag's other product experts to find out what they'd recommend for the new crop of high school and college grads, and they delivered. We've got everything from the new budget-minded MacBook to party-forward Bluetooth speakers, a fitness-oriented smartwatch, and a high-tech mug that keeps coffee hot.
We even spotlight some software subscriptions that will help in both higher education and the corporate world. If you want a more PC-focused list of giving suggestions, check out our guide to the Best Laptops for Each Type of Graduate.
For the Privacy-Seeking Grad
One of the most important skills to learn in school is how to carve out some undisturbed space to work on your assignments, and a good pair of over-ear headphones can serve as a visual signifier that you don't want to be disturbed. We gave the Bose QuietComfort Ultras an "Excellent" rating in our review, noting that they deliver rich, satisfying audio with good bass response while blocking out ambient noise. Battery life tested at 30 hours on a single charge.
For the Caffeine-Dependent Grad
Ember Smart Mug 2
If your grad has grown coffee-dependent, help them keep it piping hot with the Ember 2 smart mug. This clever cup uses precise sensors and internal heating elements to keep whatever beverage it contains at the perfect temperature all day. It can keep a drink at 120°F to 145°F for 80 minutes on battery power, or indefinitely when docked to its charging coaster. Encouraging fewer trips to the coffee shop is a good way to help them budget for their future.
For The Fitness-Focused Grad
Samsung's Galaxy Watch FE takes almost everything we love about its flagship wearable and packs it into a budget-friendly but stylish casing. In our review, we gave it an Editors' Choice award for its accurate biometric sensors that measure ECG, SpO2, body fat percentage, and more, along with great sleep tracking and a massive app selection. This smartwatch gives your new grad a robust suite of tools to optimize their workouts and stay connected.
For the Note-Taking Grad
Scientific research shows that handwriting notes is key to creating strong neural pathways for understanding and remembering. That's why the ReMarkable 2 tablet is on this list. The large-screen eInk device has low latency and great responsiveness, letting you annotate, sketch, highlight, and more. An optional subscription unlocks even more features, including cloud storage syncing, OCR handwriting-to-rich-text conversion, and more.
For the Power Typist Grad
Corsair K65 Plus Wireless 75% Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard
There's nothing that beats the tactile feedback and satisfying sound of a mechanical keyboard. We raved about the Corsair K65 Plus in our review, saying that the compact but spacious unit felt solid, was magnificently responsive, and boasted stunning RGB effects. Connectivity is also a strong point with this one; it features some of the most seamless macOS integration we've seen on a third-party keyboard. Throw in hot-swappable switches, and you've got a grad gift-worthy keyboard.
For the Sleepyhead Grad
The Echo Glow nightlight is more than just a soft source of illumination. With access to the Alexa virtual assistant, you can set schedules, customize your light profile, and interface with a galaxy of compatible smart home devices. It doesn't have an onboard speaker or microphone, so you need to use a phone or other device to talk to it, but it's a charming little lamp with a lot of attractive features. And if it does ward off the monsters under the bed, so much the better.
For the Apple-Loving Grad on a Budget
Apple's MacBook has been the laptop of choice for college students thanks to its impeccable styling, ease of use, and unbeatable cool factor. The recently released MacBook Neo takes everything you love about the MacBook and drastically reduces the price. With the best screen we've ever seen in a budget laptop, a great webcam, and a long battery life, it's a top pick for grads.
For the Life of the Party Grad
When it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers, the Beats Pill is the best in class, with powerful bass response, angled speakers for broad spatial audio, and an IP67 waterproof build that can handle depths of up to a meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. Battery life and charging speed are also exceptional, with just 10 minutes plugged in giving you a full hour of playtime, and a full charge giving you 24 hours. Most importantly, the sound quality is great.
For the On-the-Go Grad
This generation of grads is more connected to their phones than ever before, and if hunting for plugs and adapters drives yours crazy, this magnetic Anker charger is the solution. With wireless charging compatible with any Qi-certified device, it's as easy as setting the phone down on the stand. With 10-watt high-speed charging for Samsung Galaxy phones and 7.5-watt charging for iPhones, it's versatile as well, and even charges through most phone cases. The angled stand lets your grad doomscroll while it's refueling.
For the Transcribing Grad
Otter
There are a few AI transcription services on the market right now, and we're most impressed by Otter, which takes your audio and not only gives you clean, editable copy but also accurate summaries that highlight key points and action items. We gave it an Editors' Choice award, praising the top-notch user experience on every platform, including dedicated mobile apps. There's a very capable free tier, but the Pro version is on sale for 50% off right now, at just $8.33 a month.
For Absent-Minded Grads
Apple AirTag (2nd Generation): Tracker for Keychain, Wallet, and More; Locator with Sound; Simple One-Tap Setup with iPh
In the transitional period between graduation and what's next, it's easy to lose things. That's why Apple's AirTags are among our most frequently gifted items. The compact little disks piggyback on Apple's massive Find My network to ping your connected devices, with precise turn-by-turn directions and a surprisingly loud alarm noise you can trigger from your phone or Apple Watch. The battery lasts a full year, and it's easy to replace if needed.
For Grads Who Want to Keep Learning
Learning doesn't stop after the final bell rings, and if your grad isn't sure what they want to do with the rest of their life, MasterClass can give them some ideas. We consider this the top online learning service on the market because its faculty is composed of creative and technical elites at the top of their game, from Martin Scorsese to Tony Hawk. Pricing is also extremely fair, with just $10 a month getting you access to all of its content without restriction.