Keeping up with the latest trends among college students can be difficult. They change from time to time, so it can be tricky to find a gift your college student will actually use and appreciate. However, it doesn’t have to be.
To make your life easier, we’ve reviewed 60+ best gifts for college students in this guide.
Our list contains basic living necessities, study aids, gadgets, dorm room life hacks, and more. Overall, they are functional and fun gifts. To ensure you buy a gift that the undergrad will use, let our list of 60+ gift ideas guide you.
Best Gifts for College Students Under $25
#1. Reusable Utensils Set
These utensils include a spoon, knife, fork, chopsticks, two straws, and a straw cleaner. Each of these utensils is made of stainless steel and is easy to clean. The set ensures students have the right utensils for all meals at all times.
The Eco-Friendly Utensils Set is an affordable gift for college students.
#2. USB-Powered Desk Fan
The temperature in a dorm room can rise and get uncomfortable many times. So, gifting college students a desk fan will make their lives easier and more comfortable. Our pick is the SmartDevil Desk Fan, and it is compact, wireless, and recharges quickly with a USB cord. It also offers three fan speeds.
#3. Handheld Sewing Machine
This constantly ranks high as one of the best handheld sewing machine as reviewed by sewing experts. This Singer heavy duty mending machine helps with quick repairs, is easy to operate, and portable. It is battery operated and works on all fabrics. This is a very functional college gift for both girls and guys.
#4. Extra-Long Charging Cord
An extra-long power cord is essential for convenience. If the outlets close to the student’s bed, desk, or chair are limited, a long cord will help them charge their devices within arm’s reach. It simply makes the student’s life easier.
Get the Amazon Basics Double Braided USB Cable.
#5. LED String Lights
LED string lights are a fun gift. They allow the college student to personalize their dorm room with photos, small artwork, and notes. It is thirty-three, waterproof, and easy to bend. It functions as both a decorative piece and a softer lighting option. The string is powered by a USB cable and easily hung from windows, walls, or ceilings.
#6. Earplugs
There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to sleep while your next-door neighbors are making a hell of noise or having a party. With these Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs, your college student can get the needed rest no matter how noisy the dorm is.
#7. Laundry Backpack
The Dalykate laundry bag comes with adjustable straps that make it comfy. The last thing your college student would want is to drag a huge hamper while going down the stairs or to the next street to do their laundry.
Check out the Dalykate Backpack Laundry Bag on Amazon.
#8. Himalayan Glow Natural Pink Salt Lamp
According to several college students, adding warm lighting to a room brings life to a dull dorm room. This pink Himalayan salt lamp not only brings life to the room; it also calms the atmosphere and eases stress.
This salt lamp is available on Amazon.
#9. Electronics Organizer
This electronics organizer from Bagsmart lets students pack away all their chargers, cables, and devices in one convenient place. It’s ideal for traveling but is also useful for reducing clutter in a dorm room. It comes in three colors with a slender design that can easily reduce the size.
Get BAGSMART Electronic Organizer Travel on Amazon.
#10. First Aid Kit
Minor injuries are inevitable through the course of college. But, this first aid kit will make sure your student is prepared to take care of them when they happen.
You can get this kit on Amazon.
#11. Low-Maintenance Plants
Plants are an incredible way to make a dull dorm room feel homely. However, considering college students’ tight schedule, we recommend something hard to kill and low-maintenance when buying plants for a college student. These potted succulent plants are an excellent choice. They can survive even if you forget to water them for days or even weeks.
You can get these plants on Amazon.
#12. Underbed Storage Bags
A dorm room or mini-apartment usually have small storage space. A foldable under-bed storage bag provides an organizational option that won’t take up other usable space in the student’s living space.
Our pick is the Onlyeasy Foldable Underbed Bag, and it’s available on Amazon.
#13. Personal Safe
Students can set their own combination words. New college students are active already on the 12th of February. A personal safe from Master Lock allows them to store away important items, like cash, smartphones, credit cards, or identification.
Get the Master Lock 5900D.
#14. Rapid Ramen Cooker
A microwave-safe ramen cooker will come in handy on stressful days or nights. Using the Rapid Ramen Cooker is the fastest way they can prepare the ramen and save the day.
#15. Microwave Popcorn Popper
Popcorn is a delicious and healthy snack and the perfect way to satisfy late-night cravings. The Colonel BPA-free silicone popcorn popper allows students to make popcorn in the microwave. They only need kernels and their preferred seasonings. The popper also features side handles and is dishwasher-safe.
You can get the Colonel Popper Microwave Popcorn Maker on Amazon.
#16. A Personal Development Book
What better gift can you get a student than a personal development book that helps them break bad habits and build good ones. The book ⎼ Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, does just that.
Many college students are still trying to figure out what they want out of life and how to build the habits that help them achieve their goals. James Clear, a professional on habit formation, teaches practical techniques for building lasting habits in the famous book “Atomic Habits.”
This book is available on Amazon.
#17. Blue-Light-Blocking Glasses
Phones, tablets, and computer screens emit harmful blue light which can cause eye strain and disturb sleep cycles. These stylish blue light blocking glasses filter out the harmful light.
They are available on Amazon.
#18. Bormioli Rocco Essential Decor Glassware
A combination of high quality drinking glasses and wine glasses is an incredible gift. However it should be easy to clean. The Bormioli Rocco Bodega tumblers are “easy to clean and store. They function as both double duty as wine glasses and drinkware.
The Bormioli Rocco Glassware is available on Amazon.
#19. A Book on Issues Students Might Run Into in College
The book ⎼ The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run into College can help prepare students for college life and remove the fear of the unknown. It contains both expert and student advice on all issues from finances, dorm life, to relationships.
The advice is relayed in an amusing manner, which makes it an easy and u=interesting read. It covers everything from social network do’s and don’ts to sharing a bathroom with forty strangers. Overall, every student needs this funny but useful book while taking their first steps into college life.
The Naked Roommate is available on Amazon.
#20. Dry-Erase Sticky Notes
These dry-erase sticky notes offer a reusable method to keep track of assignments, take notes, and write reminders. They stick to several surfaces, like fridges, mirrors, and laptops. This sticky notes are available on Amazon.
#21. Smartwool Hiking Crew Socks
This pair of wool socks are comfortable and practical. They are perfect with boots and are especially practical during winter.
You can get them on Amazon.
#22. Phone Mount
This phone holder clips easily to the side of a table, desk, or bed frame. It adjustable and can fit most smartphones. The flexible gooseneck allows students to place their phone at the most convenient angle to watch their favorite show or make video calls.
This phone holder is available on Amazon.
23. A Personal Finance Book
Your Money: The Missing Manual by J.D. Roth – This personal finance book contains sensible and practical tips that will help your college student get the most from their money.
From budgeting and learning how to track expenses; to spending wisely and making smart financial decisions; you’ll find it all in this book.
24. Amazon Prime Student Membership
Another great gift you can give your college student is an Amazon Prime membership. Prime members get unlimited free two-day package delivery on Amazon products (with no minimum order size), thousands of eBooks, a massive music library to stream, and loads of free movies.
There are also exclusive promotions and deals for college students. Your student will save money when they rent textbooks through Amazon’s rental service either with short-term or semester-long rental agreements.
This is a perfect last minute gift or for those who have it all.
Best Gifts for College Students Under $50
#25. Wi-Fi Range Extender
It may challenging to access Wi-Fi for homework or streaming on a busy college campus. However, a Wi-Fi range extender can eliminate this issue by providing a better signal. Installment is, easy and it features a signal indicator that can help students find the best location. Also, it comes with a two-year warranty and 24/7 tech support.
The TP-Link AC750 WiFi Extender is available on Amazon.
#26. Voice Recorder
The EVISTR 16GB digital voice recorder is a must-have for all college students. It can hold up to 1,160 hours of audio, depending on the file quality and type. College students can record class lectures for future reference. They can also send the audio files to their computer.
This voice recorder is available on Amazon.
#27. Bedside Caddy
This bedside caddy is ideal for keeping essential items next to the bed. It comes super handy for students whose living space doesn’t give enough room for a bedside table. Also, it has a phone, laptop, pens, and books compartments. It is flexible and can simply hook over the student’s bed frame.
Get the Lib Bedside Caddy on Amazon.
#28. Burrito Blanket
This blanket incrediblybly soft and has a warm fleece. It also offers a dash of humour. Students will enjoy wrapping themselves up in it on a cold day. It’s perfect to be used as a sofa blanket, camping blanket, travel blanket, and bed blanket.
Get the CASOFU Burritos Blanket on Amazon.
#29. Snacks Care Package
This is a variety care package that includes popular snack items. It is a 45 count care package and its a mix of sweet, salty, savory, and healthy snacks. The snacks are perfect for grabbing while running out the door to class. It requires only for someone on dependent.
This package is on Amazon.
#30. Fujifilm QuickSnap Flash 400 Disposable 35mm Camera
If you are looking for a great gift idea for a student who loves photography, this is a fantastic gift. The best part is it is super affordable.
#31. Homesick Candles
Homesick candles are thoughtful gift ideas for students who miss home. It’s only natural for college students to get a bit homesick even if they don’t admit it. You can remind them of home by getting them a candle that smells like their hometown. These candles have scents peculiar to different US states.
#32. Electric Kettle
Nothing slaps harder than a warm cup of tea on a cold night. This electric kettle is one of the best gifts for college students that love tea. It is safe and comfortable to boil water, make a warm drink, or fix a quick meal – the borosilicate glass and anti-slip handle add to its durability.
Our favourite electric kettle is the Mueller Premium 1500W Electric Kettle. It is a perfect fit for a dorm room and we love how it boils water really fast.
Get the Mueller Premium 1500W Electric Kettle on Amazon.
#33. Amazon Fire TV Stick
With the Amazon Fire TV Stick, students can access all their favorite streaming services through one device. This is the newest version, and it comes with an Alexa Voice Remote. You can pair this gift with a gift card to a popular streaming service.
Get the Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote on Amazon.
#34. Laptop Cooling Pad
This cooling pad is a useful accessory that can help keep the student’s laptop from reaching high temperatures during use. It is lightweight, thin, portable, and easy to carry. It also uses five quiet cooling fans that won’t make any noise, and a USB port that enables connection to additional devices.
Get the HAVIT 5 Fans Laptop Cooling Pad on Amazon.
#35. Planner
College calls for students to plan for the rest of their lives, and a planner that allows them to keep track of their assignments, tasks, and errands is a great way to start. Clever Fox’s premium planner offers students a fun and creative way to keep track of their classes, goals, and finances.
You can get the Clever Fox Planner Premium on Amazon.
#36. Portable Charger
For busy college students, the last thing they want to deal with between attending classes, club meetings, and having dinner with friends is a dead battery. This Anker portable power bank gets rid of that concern. It can charge a smartphone multiple times and has two USB ports to recharge two devices at a time.
The slim and portable size makes it easy to fit into a pocket or backpack. Overall, when you gift a college student this portable charger, you save him or her from having to worry if their phone battery will last the entire day and night and from the inconvenience of looking for a charging outlet while in class.
Get the Anker 20000mAh Portable Charger at Amazon.
#37. Smart Notebook
Help your college student take note-taking to the next level with this Rocketbook smart notebook. The dotted grid uses Pilot Fricion pen to write notes and it has erasable pages so no need to waste paper.
Students can also send their notes to popular cloud services like iClouGoogle drive, Evernote, Dropbox, using the free Rocketbook app.
It is available on Amazon.
#38. Minifridge
Every college student needs mini-fridge to store food, snacks, and medication. The AstroAI fridge contains space for up to six 12-ounce cans, food, size by ramen off, and medication. It also offers the ability to cool or warm depending on what the student needs. The mini size makes it perfect for dorm rooms.
Get the AstroAI Mini Fridge on Amazon.
#39. Insulated Water Bottle
Between running from class to class, club meetings, and other daily college activities, it is easy for college students to forget to drink water throughout a day. You can help your college student stay hydrated by gifting them an insulated water bottle they can use on the go. This insulated water bottle can keep cold drinks cold for 24 hours and hot drinks hot for 12 hours. It is dishwasher safe and BPA free.
Get the Hydro Flask Skyline Series Water Bottle on Amazon.
#40. Electric Toothbrush
You can help your college student keep their teeth healthy always with this electric toothbrush. The Oral-B Pro 1000 removes plaque along the gumline and has a timer that ensures users brush for the recommended two minutes twice daily.
Get the Oral-B 1000 CrossAction Electric Toothbrush on Amazon.
#41. Wireless Charging LED Desk Lamp
This multifunctional lamp offers twenty-five brightness choices i.e., five different lighting modes five-level brightness settings. It comes with USB charging port and an energy-saving timer that turns off the lamp when not in use. This is the perfect lamp for late night studying.
You can get this multifunctional lamp on Amazon.
#42. Oil Diffuser and Dehumidifier
Dorm rooms get cramped and stuffy, but an air purifier can clean the air and make the room feel conducive. This oil diffuser works as a dehumidifier, ionizer, air purifier, and night light. Students can let it run non-stop or set it to run on a timer for one, three, or six hours.
You can get it on Amazon.
#43. Bedside Shelf
This bedside shelf is designed to keep useful items like notepads, a phone, or a cup of coffee or notepads close. The shelf can easily clamp to the frame of the student’s bed or slide under a mattress.
It’s available on Amazon.
Best Gifts for College Students Under $100
#44. Echo Dot (4th Gen) Smart Speaker with Clock and Alexa
The fourth-generation Echo Dot is the latest and most convenient. Students can effortlessly transform their dorm room into a smart space. They can look up information, control lights, connect with others, and play music using the voice commands. It works with Alexa to provide updated information on the weather and reminders of important dates and events.
This latest design features a digital clock to show the time and timer countdowns, a larger speaker for better audio, and every other Alexa’s skills.
Get the All-new Echo Dot on Amazon.
#45. Phone Sanitizer and Universal Charger
The average mobile phone is covered in germs and can easily spread diseases. The PhoneSoap UV smartphone sanitizer is an excellent way you can help your college student reduce germ contact and stay healthy. It can kill up to 99.99% of bacteria with its UV-C bulbs, has a USB and USB-C port, and can accommodate several types of smartphones. So, this device works as both a sanitizer and a phone charger.
Get the PhoneSoap 3 UV Smartphone Sanitizer & Universal Charger on Amazon.
#46. A Compact Backpack
A high quality, compact backpack is the most flexible bag for college students. They can keep notebooks, textbooks, and laptops together, and move around quickly back and for between the class and dorm. This Herschel backpack model has a fabric liner, padded and fleece-lined laptop sleeve, front pocket, internal mesh organizers, and a key clip. Tinteriornal pockets and organizers help keep phones, chargers, and pens easy to reach.
Get the Herschel Pop Quiz Backpack on Amazon.
#47. Portable Bluetooth Speaker
One of the best gifts for college students that love music is a portable bluetooth speaker. Every student needs one to set the music for studying or hangouts. The JBL Flip 3 is waterproof and han excellent sound. The waterproof quality makes it safe from spills, rain and for use at the beach.
Get the JBL Flip 4 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker on Amazon.
#48. Tile Mate Item Tracker
With Tile Mate, students can put a tracker on several items and use a smartphone app to locate them if them if they get misplaced. Tile Mate is compact, thoughtful, and can be put on their wallets, keys, or phones. College comes with many responsibilities, and having to worry about the location of essentials like keys or wallets from time to time compunds it. A Tile Mate tracker would make their life easier.
Get the Tile Mate 4-pack -Bluetooth Tracker on Amazon.
#49. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Studying in the dorm room or in public spaces may not always be conducive due to all the noise and distractions. Gifting your college student a set of noise-cancelling headphones can help them shut out the distractions and zone into a long study session. The COWIN E7 PRO is wireless, has an inbuilt microphone, Bluetooth capabilities, and is super affordable.
Get the COWIN E7 PRO Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones on Amazon.
#50. Single-Serve Coffee Maker Machine
Coffee is quite expensive, and heading to a coffee shop before morning classes will be inconvenient. But, with this single-serve coffee maker, students can easily and cheaply prepare a cup of coffee in their dorm room under three minutes. It allows you to either use a reusable filter or brew K-Cups. The vacuum-sealed and insulated travel mug that accompanies it makes it easy for your college student to brew a cup before morning classes.
Get the Sboly Single Serve Coffee Maker Machine on Amazon.
#51. A Media Streamer
Another great gift idea is a media streamer that can transforms a normal TV into a smart one. Your college student will be able to watch movies and shows from Netflix, HBO, Hulu, and other streaming services. Monthly cable payment is a lot to handle for most college students, and that is why this media streamer is one of the best gifts for college students.
Get this Roku Ultra Streaming Media Player on Amazon.
#52. Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable with Speakers
This is one of the gifts college students which are music enthusiasts with a more eclectic taste will love. This portable turntable suitcase has a handful of features including a 3-speed belt driven turntable, built-in bluetooth to wirelessly stream music from any bluetooth enable device, and more.
#53. A Mini Smartphone Photo Printer
Students can easily turn their smartphone photos into tangible memories through the Fujifilm Instax Mini smartphone printer. All they’ll have to do is download the app and connect via bluetooth. The app also has internal features and Photoshop elements so they can add frames and fun filters to their pictures. Students’ll love this gift as it offers the chance to decorate a dorm room and share memories with their friends.
Get the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Smartphone Printer on Amazon.
#54. Dr. Martens Flora Chelsea Boot
Dr Martens boots are durable and ideal for college campus walks. According to reviews by college students, they’ll likely last all four years in school.
Best Gifts for College Students Under $300
#55. Kindle Paperwhite
If your college student loves to read, then this is one of the “best gifts for college students” that you can get them. It comes in handy if the student is running out of bookshelf space. The latest model is waterproof, light, and glare-free. The battery is powerful and can last weeks on a single charge.
It’s available on Amazon.
#56. Apple AirPods
Apple airpods need no introduction. They are trendy, convenient, and functional. Get your college student these airpods, and you are in to be the relative of the year.
#57. A Portable Projector
The Anker’s Nebula Capsule is a strong and flexible mini projector. It’s portable enough for college students to have a cozy movie-viewing experience right in the comfort of their room or an outdoor space.
They can attach it to a DVD player or play videos straight from their computer or phone. Despite the small size, it has an incredible crisp image quality, 360-degree sound, and a continuous playtime of four hours.
Get the Anker Nebula Capsule Wi-Fi Mini Projector on Amazon.
#58. Smart TV
Any college student would be excited to be gifted the TCL 40S325 40 Inch 1080p smart TV. They can stream everything from Netflix to Youtube to Hulu with an incredible picture quality. It is also compatible with both Google Assistant and Alexa so they can control the TV with their voice.
This TCL Roku TV is available on Amazon.
#59. iRobot Roomba 675 Robot Vacuum-Wi-Fi Connectivity
With the iRobot Roomba Vacuum, your college student can effortlessly make their dorm room cleaner. All they have to do is schedule it to clean up daily dirt, dust, and debris with the iRobot HOME app or your voice assistant. It can do this for hours to effortlessly clean floors.
It is available on Amazon.
Best Gifts for College Students Under $500
#60. Laptop
Every college student needs a portable and reliable laptop. Our pick is the Acer Aspire 5, and we love it because of its has a dual-core processor, lightweight (less than four pounds), and average battery life of over seven hours. It also has a 15.6-inch screen and a backlit keyboard.
It’s available on Amazon.
#61. Smart Watch
According to college student’s, a smart watch came top of the list for the most desired best gifts for college students. This is a perfect gift for a geeky college student.
A smart watch comes loaded with features including a fitness tracker, sleep and heart rate monitor, voice assistant, amongst others. The GPS and cellular models of smatch watches, lets the student call, text, and get directions without their phone.
Our top three recommendations:
FAQs on Best Gifts for College Students
Find the Best Gifts for College Students Today
We hope this detailed guide makes it easy to shop for your college student. Consider their preferences and what you think will make their life in college easier when making your choice.
Read reviews on Amazon USA or Amazon Canada.on the best gifts for college students
Enjoy shopping!
READ ALSO: Best IELTS Preparation Books for Students
Are you a college student that received a gift you love? Comment below and let us know what it is.
Did you buy a gift for a college student and they raved about it? Comment below so that we can add it to the list.
AUTHOR
Charee Oisamoje is the founder of CanadaWiz. She leads the editorial team, which is comprised of subject matter experts that aim to create well-researched, highly detailed content related to studying, working, immigrating, and settling/living in Canada as a newcomer.
Charee's personal experiences as a Canadian immigrant and her professional competencies make her uniquely qualified on the subject matter.
With extensive educational credentials, she is an expert at collecting details, verifying facts, and making complex subjects easy to understand. 
MBA in Finance MScIB CCEA (#CCG 271) CPA Candidate ✔️CIP ✔️BSc Accounting
Learn More >> About Page
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