Apple AirTag (2nd Gen)

AirTags are especially useful for grads who will be moving to a new place. Help them keep track of their luggage, bike, keys and more. When you purchase AirTags through Apple, you can get them engraved for free with an emoji, initials or numbers, which is a nice way to personalize this gift. If you don't care about personalization, you can usually find them for a lower price at Amazon.

Gerber Gear Armbar Drive multitool

A compact, reliable multitool is something that every graduate should own, whether they use it for outdoor adventures or for random DIY tasks at home. Gerber makes some of the best multitools around, and CNET's David Carnoy especially appreciates its Armbar Drive, one of its more compact models. It's made of stainless steel and includes eight tools: scissors, a fine-edge blade, awl, two-sided 1/4-inch bit driver, bottle opener, pry bar and hammer.

She's Birdie Personal Safety Alarm

If your new grad will be living away from home for the first time, they'll probably find themselves navigating new territory. A personal safety alarm can help them feel more independent and better prepare them for dangerous situations. The She's Birdie personal safety alarm is small, loud and has a flashing strobe light. It's easy to attach to your car keys or slip into a back pocket.

Roku Streaming Stick Plus

If you don't want to shell out for a new TV for your grad, you can still beef up their home entertainment options. Roku's excellent video streamers can turn any HDMI-equipped TV into a gateway to online entertainment bliss, featuring Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, YouTube, HBO Max and literally hundreds of other streaming channels.

Beast Mini Blender

Don't underestimate this compact blender -- it can juice, chop, grind, whip, juice and more. The first thing that comes to mind is making smoothies on the go, but it can also do things like whip up salsa, pesto or even soup. It's ideal for grads who are moving into a dorm or new apartment and want a versatile gadget that doesn't take up tons of space or make a huge quantity of food. 

Blue Apron Meal Kit Subscription

One harsh reality that accompanies graduation is that food doesn't magically appear. Whether your grad has been back home enjoying meals prepared by Mom and Dad or leaning on the campus cafeteria for sustenance, one thing is clear: It's high time they learned to cook. 

One of the easiest ways to do that is with a subscription to one of the many great meal kit services in 2026. Blue Apron is our favorite overall meal kit of the more than two dozen we've tested, with loads of interesting recipes that aren't terribly complicated to execute -- even for a beginner. 

Blue Apron allows you to send a gift any amount over $10 for your grad to use on making healthy meal kits, instead of on a bar bill.

Black & Decker 60-Piece Drill and Tool Kit

It can take years to acquire all of the tools needed for a household. This 60-piece kit is the perfect gift for this major milestone and will give your graduate a leg up by equipping them with everything they'll need. You get an 8-volt drill, a hammer, a level, a tape measure and a bunch of wrenches and screwdrivers -- all neatly packed into a handy carrying case, making it a perfect present for any new grad.

EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus

If you don't want to shell out $249 for Apple's AirPods Pro 3, Earfun's Air Pro 4 wireless earbuds offer premium sound for less than $80. Lightweight and comfortable to wear -- these earbuds deliver strong performance for their modest price, with robust bass, good clarity and a relatively wide soundstage. A CNET Editors' Choice Award winner, they also pack in a lot of features, including a wireless charging case and "multidevice" connectivity. 

Apple Watch Series 11

The Apple Watch Series 11 puts a modern spin on the old tradition of giving a graduate a watch. The Series 11 earned a CNET Labs Award for its accurate heart rate tracking. It's also the recipient of a CNET Editors’ Choice Award thanks to its advanced health tools, brighter display and improved battery life. So your grad can track their health and still tackle basic social needs, too.

Hatch Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock

Waking up is hard, but it's especially hard when you're a young adult and Mom or Dad aren't there to force you out of bed. Help your grad wake up more naturally -- versus a blaring beep-beep-beep -- with this sunrise alarm clock. They can customize elements including the light options (how bright a sunrise would they like?), as well as the sounds they wake up to (such as singing birds) and fall asleep to (soothing rain, anyone?). This model is also CNET's top pick for best sunrise alarm clock of 2026.

DeWalt Digital Portable Power Station Jump Starter

If your grad drives a car, the DeWalt Digital Portable Power Station is a versatile jump starter to have around. At 700 cranking amps, it's rated among the most powerful portables on the market, and it has a built-in air compressor that you can use to pump up your tires. It's also got two USB ports for powering up small electronics like your phone or tablet.

Bose SoundLink Plus

Apple AirPods Pro 3

If your graduate doesn't already have a pair of AirPods, they probably want them. The ultracompact, lightweight AirPods Pro 3 include several upgrades over their predecessor such as improved noise cancellation, fit, sound quality and battery life. And the new Live Translation feature is a cool bonus for grads who are planning on traveling internationally.

Casabrews CM5418 Espresso Machine

You've probably noticed that buying a latte at a coffee shop isn't cheap. Making them at home would be a much better and more budget-friendly option for a recent grad, especially if they have an espresso machine instead of a boring old Keurig. This Casabrews option is perfect for graduates because it's easy to use, takes up minimal counter space and has a built-in milk frother for making those creamy lattes and cappuccinos. Our CNET experts determined it was the best budget espresso machine of the models they tested.

Sony WH-1000XM6

Sony's WH-1000X6, the sixth generation of the 1000X series headphones, tops our list of the best noise-canceling headphones for 2026. While the retail price is over $458, they frequently sell for less. That's still expensive for a set of headphones, but compared with the AirPods Max at $549, this graduation gift seems like a relative bargain.

Theragun Mini (3rd Gen)

Here's a grad gift that's sure to please: a massage gun. There are many to choose from, but the latest Theragun Mini is nice, compact and surprisingly powerful (and pretty quiet). Available in a few color options, it retails for $220.