Celebrating a Graduation? Here Are Some Gifts the Class of 2023 Will (Actually) Use
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
It’s graduation season, and if you’re scrambling to find something for your favorite member of the class of 2023, we’ve got you covered with some of the best graduation gifts of the year.
Gifting for graduation is somewhat unique: Your loved one will only graduate two or three times in their life, so we think big-ticket gifts are worth it. But the best graduation gifts should also reflect and help your graduate’s entry into the real adult world (or college from high school), free of safety nets and support systems. That means practical gifts — as well as thoughtful, long-lasting items — are great choices to celebrate your loved one’s achievement.
Whether you’re shopping for a photography graduate, a fashion lover, or an aspiring cook, here are some of the best graduation gifts to order online this year.
-
Tudor Black Bay Watch
Image Credit: Jomashop Watches are a classic graduation gift for good reason. It’s something most young folks don’t splurge on — but they’ll appreciate it for decades (if you pick the right piece).
We like this Tudor Black Bay because it comes from a well-known brand (Tudor is the sister brand to Rolex), it will likely last for a long time (and hold its value), and it looks great with your graduate’s new suit.
The Black Bay isn’t too flashy, and it’s adequately durable for a new watch owner (500-feet water resistance), making it a fantastic first grown-up timepiece. Plus, with a 36-millimeter bezel, this Black Bay is well-sized for both men and women. (If the Tudor is out of your budget, consider this excellent M79 from Timex).
-
A Trip
Image Credit: Sushiman/stock.adobe.com The best graduation gift might be an experience. Whether it’s hiking in Machu Picchu, eating in Paris, exploring Tokyo, or just visiting friends on the other side of the country, post-graduation/pre-job is a great time to do it.
We suggest checking Skyscanner for low prices on flights and hotels, whether domestic or international. The website has a sophisticated search engine that often finds cheaper flights than other aggregators, ensuring you’re getting the best deal on your graduate’s adventure.
-
iRobot Roomba Vacuum
Image Credit: Amazon Most graduates aren’t the best at cleaning. Give them a (robot) hand with this iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaner. Using the iRobot app or a voice assistant, turn on the vacuum or schedule a cleaning for later when you’re out of the house. It works on both carpets and hard floors thanks to strong suction and multiple brushes that lift debris.
-
The Balvenie Caribbean Cask Whisky
Image Credit: The Balvenie After cheap beer and plastic bottle vodka, it’s time to introduce your graduate to grown-up drinking. This Balvenie 14 year is a great way to do just that. Aged in ex-Caribbean casks, the single malt is very approachable and comes from a highly-respected distillery. A palette of fruit, vanilla, and just the right amount of bite make it easy to put back, and it’s likely to turn any Scotch newbie into an aspiring connoisseur.
-
Canon EOS Rebel T7
Image Credit: Amazon Whether your graduate recently finished a photography degree or just loves the art form, a nice camera is a great gift idea. This Canon Rebel T7 is a good one for gifting because nice enough to satisfy a camera geek, but still relatively affordable.
The T7 features a 24.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 4+ processor, letting you quickly capture crisp, professional photographs in a range of environments. The interface is very intuitive and adaptive autofocus does what you want, making the camera very approachable for beginners. It can also shoot HD video at 60 frames per second if your graduate is looking to make some premium video content.
-
Breville Barista Espresso Maker
Image Credit: Amazon Most of us can use an upgraded cup of joe each morning, which is why we love a nice espresso machine as a generous gift. The Barista Express from Breville is one of the best, letting you make barista-level espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos at home (instead of racking up bills from the local coffee shop).
To get that authentic espresso quality, the Barista Express features digital temperature control (PID) technology, nine-bars of pressure, and a high-dose system for full, rich espressos.
-
J. Crew Crosby Suit
Image Credit: J. Crew Workplaces are getting more casual, but every graduate should still have a reliable, versatile suit to wear to job interviews and events. This J. Crew Crosby suit is a great option, showcasing a high-quality Italian wool build and a straight fit (remember, Gen Z doesn’t do slim fit).
-
Master & Dynamic MW75 Headphones
Image Credit: Master & Dynamic We just named Master & Dynamic’s MW75s the best headphones of the year, and we stand by it. They obviously look better than most with a lambskin and aluminum build, but they’re even more impressive under the hood. Finely-tuned 40mm Beryllium-coated drivers generate rich, full sound without sacrificing detail, creating a lavish listening experience no matter what you’re listening to. And with effective noise-cancellation powers, the headphones are a great way for new grads to relax and enjoy some music or an uninterrupted call with their parents.
-
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Image Credit: Amazon Whether they’re entering college or the working world, Apple’s AirPods Pro earbuds are sure to be used constantly. They’re our go-to earbuds for just about every activity where headphones are too much, blocking out noise and lending impressive audio quality. You can go with the cheaper AirPods, but the addition of noise-cancellation with the Pros is well worth the extra cost.
-
Instant Pot Duo
Image Credit: Amazon Feeding yourself without a dining hall and meal card is a learning curve for many graduates; think of this Instant Pot as training wheels (although adults still use them too).
The famous pressure cooker can do everything from slow cooking to steaming, rice to meats, and everything in-between. This versatility makes it great as a starter appliance in any new kitchen.
-
Playstation 5
Image Credit: Walmart If your graduate is into video games (or just tech in general), there’s arguably no better gift than the latest from Playstation, the PS5. They were hard to come by for some time due to supply chain shortages and massive demand, so even die-hard gamers are still patiently waiting to get the new console. We were able to find a few PS5s in stock at Walmart, as of writing, so be sure to grab one now and reward your gamer-grad for their hard work.
-
Levoit Air Purifier
Image Credit: Amazon It’s rare that recent grads invest in proper cleaning supplies — including those that clean the air of dust, smoke, and other harmful particles. This best-selling air purifier from Levoit ensures that the air in their new space will be clean and safe. The device very compact but surprisingly powerful, quickly purifying a 1,095-square-foot space in around an hour.
-
Apple iPad Air
Image Credit: Amazon iPads are another great grad gift because your giftee can use them for work as well as downtime fun. And unlike a laptop, an iPad is a luxury that your giftee might not buy on their own (but they’ll certainly use it if given one). This 2022 model is the fastest iPad to date, thanks to an M1 chip, a crisp front-facing camera, and even fast 5G connectivity (which is great for Facetiming family, for example).
-
Tribute Video Montage
Image Credit: Tribute Want to show your new grad some support from their family and friends? Tribute is a service that helps you create a video montage to bring people together, sharing their love, admiration, and respect.
It simplifies the collaborative process—no need to track down family members for their videos, request different file formats, or email reminders. Just choose the occassion and set a date for clip submission. You can use their suite of tools to email family, collect videos and edit yourself, or let their concierge service handle the entire process for you.
Either way, Tribute will give you more than just a video; you’ll get a lasting memory too. There’s also the option to send a special 7″ video card of your clips if you want a physical gift.
-
Uplift V2 Standing Desk
Image Credit: Amazon Here’s a way to deck out your graduate’s new apartment and encourage a healthier body: Standing desks have blown up recently (as many people continue to work from home), reducing back and shoulder pain while making users more productive.
We like this standing desk from Uplift as a thoughtful, useful grad gift. When lowered, it’s just like any good desk with a wood-grain top and a sturdy base. But, at the push of a button, the desk raises up with a quiet motor. There are even pre-set buttons that raise the desk to your preferred height, rounding out a helpful, healthy piece of furniture.
-
The Kindle Paperwhite
Image Credit: Amazon Graduating can be bitter-sweet for bookworms: No more free library right on campus. If that sounds like your loved one, get them this Kindle Paperwhite.
Amazon’s mid-range e-reader has a high-resolution display that makes text look crisp, and won’t glare in the sun. Its battery can last weeks on a single charge, and its IP8X certification means it’s totally dust- and waterproof, able to survive in up to three feet of water for an hour.
The Paperwhite’s five backlights make it easy to read in the dark, and the 32GB model we recommend can hold thousands of digital books or dozens of Audible audiobooks. Whether they love the classics or keep up with new releases, it’s a good way to help them continue reading.
-
Apple MacBook Pro
Image Credit: Amazon If your graduate is lugging around an old laptop or used to depend on school-supplied computers, a MacBook is probably the best thing you can give them. This MacBook Pro is the latest model, complete with an ultra-fast M2 Pro chip and 512GB or 1TB of storage space. It also has a bevy of physical ports, which Apple recently brought back after (foolishly) removing on a recent MacBook model.
-
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera
Image Credit: Amazon An instant camera combines the immediate feedback and gratification of taking a smartphone picture with a physical result.
Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 9 evolves the concept of the classic Polaroid by including a built-in flash, adjustable 35-50cm macro lens, and a viewfinder to frame shots properly.
The photos will get printed on photo paper inserted into the back of the camera, and pop through a slot on the top.
The camera’s prints are 3.4 inches long and 2.13 inches wide — great for tucking into your wallet, framing on your desk, or sticking on the fridge. We recommend getting the Film Twin Pack bundle, which includes both the Instax Mini 9 and 20 sheets of film, so your graduate can start taking shots right out of the box.
-
Ride1Up Prodigy Electric Bike
Image Credit: Ride1Up E-bikes have become a go-to for commuters and pleasure cruisers alike, and the benefits are just as useful, if not more attractive for recent grads. They’ll spend less money on gas, get some time outside, and skip traffic getting to their new job.
One of our favorite E-bikes we’ve tested recently is this Ride1Up Prodigy, which brings the comfort of a cruiser and the agility of a road bike. It’s very quick (we got it going close to 30 miles per hour), but the power delivery is smooth and stable for a fantastic overall riding experience.
-
Audio Technica AT LPW40WN Turntable
Image Credit: Amazon A turntable is one of the few gifts that can last your graduate a lifetime, so it’s a good idea to get them a good one. Audio Technica has been making record players for nearly 60 years, and the AT-LPW40WN lives up to that reputation.
It has two speeds: 33RPM and 45RPM, so it can play 12-inch records and 7-inch singles. An anti-skate arm helps to prevent the needle from sliding and scratching the vinyl.
The LPW40WN comes pre-packaged with an AT-VM95E cartridge, which will sound good, but it can be replaced if the graduate who receives it is a vinyl geek who wants an upgrade later on.
This turntable has a built-in phono preamp, so you can plug it directly into a pair of powered speakers (like the pair from Edifier we recommended above). The preamp can be turned off if your graduate would prefer to connect the record player to the one they already own and like.
There are a bunch of turntables to choose from, but the LPW40WN’s mix of built-in features and upgradability help it stand out.
-
Marshall Middleton Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Image Credit: Amazon Portable Bluetooth speakers are one of the best gifts, no matter the occasion or giftee. For graduates, we like Marshall’s new Middleton speaker, which delivers loud, clear sound in a compact, water-resistant package. We’re also big fans of the throwback look, which makes the speaker work as shelf decor when not in use.
-
Hisense U8H QLED Series Quantum 4K TV
Image Credit: Amazon A good TV in your graduate’s new space will get a lot of use. This Hisense U8H is one of the best 4K TVs around and it’s very reasonably priced at $700. At 55 inches, it’s also a good size for the kind of small apartment your graduate will likely be moving into.
-
Tile Mate
Image Credit: Amazon Losing your keys is annoying, but you can save your graduate the frustration of trying to retrace their steps with the Tile Mate.
The small tracker has a loop, so it can be easily attached to a key ring or attached to a backpack or purse. The tracker is set up via an app (iOS and Android) and connects to your phone over Bluetooth.
If you lose your Tile, the app shows its last-known location on a map. If your graduate’s Tile is lost, but close enough to be connected to their device via Bluetooth, they can make it play a chime through the Tile app. If it’s somewhere further away, they can go back to its last known location rather than “retracing their steps.”
The Tile Mate is a great gift for any graduate, but especially those who have just started to drive, or are moving into their first apartment and may not be used to their new set of keys.
-
AeroGarden Black Harvest
Image Credit: Amazon If your graduate has a green thumb, they’ll appreciate AeroGarden’s hydroponic garden. This gadget will allow them to grow up to six herbs and vegetables regardless of the season.
The garden comes with six pre-prepared pods containing basil, parsley, dill, thyme, Thai basil, and mint. These pods fit perfectly into the Aerogarden’s circular chambers, which ensure proper spacing.
The garden’s light will turn on automatically, and buttons on the front of the garden will illuminate when the plants need to be fed (included) or watered. All your graduate will need to enjoy fresh produce is a little patience.
-
Monos Carry On
Image Credit: Monos Monos’ carry-on bag is a stylish, highly functional gift for the graduate who loves to travel.
The suitcase has a hard outer shell to keep your clothes and tech from bumping around, and its long handle was custom designed using aluminum tools for maximum durability.
The luggage’s signature feature is a TSA-approved three-digit combo lock, which makes it easy to keep your belongings safe in case the bag gets lost. The lock features mechanisms that hold the zippers in place to avoid it opening in the middle of your journey.
-
MasterClass Membership
Image Credit: MasterClass A subscription to MasterClass will allow your graduate to continue learning. The difference is that there are no grades, they pick the classes, and each course is taught by one of the most famous people in their field.
Young people can get real-world lessons like cooking with Gordon Ramsey, or career-oriented classes like filmmaking with James Cameron or songwriting with Alecia Keys.
-
Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (3rd Gen)
Image Credit: Focusrite The latest generation of Focusite’s Scarlett 4i4 makes it simple to turn a bedroom into a recording studio.
Plugging the audio interface into the computer supplies power and a data connection, so it doesn’t need to be connected into an outlet. This makes it incredibly portable.
The Scarlett 2i2 has two balanced line inputs, which can be used simultaneously, and two line inputs, so you can record up to four instruments or vocals at a time. This is the perfect gift if your mom’s a musician who wants to make professional-quality demos anywhere.