Gifting has been difficult over the past couple of years. You may still be working with a tight budget, but you also want to give that grad in your life something that can help make the transition to post-school life a bit easier. The tech gifts that come to mind immediately are not budget-friendly. There are gadgets out there that will not drain your wallet completely. There is a list of the best tech gifts for new graduates.
The latest 20W charge will be a good gift for a grad. The new gadgets we buy today don't come with AC adapters, so having an extra on hand can hurt. The smallest Apple accessory is the 20W adapter, but the Nano Pro can fast-charge the latest iPhones to 50 percent in 25 minutes. It has features like a Dynamic Temperature Sensor, which keeps the charger from overheating, and a power tuning chip, which adjusts power output depending on the connected device. It isn't thetrendiest graduation gift, but it is one that your grad will likely take with them to work, on vacations and elsewhere.
Buy Nano Pro 20W at Amazon - $20
A streaming device is a great gift for a recent grad, whether they are still mooching off their parents, or have finally sprung for their own account. Adding a physical remote to the mix makes the original Chromecast experience much better. The software will serve up TV and movie recommendations based on your subscription, and the remote makes it easier to navigate. It will stream in 4K HDR with the help of the Chromecast with Google TV. You can still use your mobile device to show more content to your TV.
Buy Chromecast with Google TV at Walmart - $50
The new, $50 Pro 2 is an affordable, multi-platform controller that we have been fans of for a long time. You can use it with the Nintendo Switch, on Windows, macOS, Android, and Raspberry Pi, and you can map functions to buttons using its companion app. The previous version of the Pro 2 did not have bumper buttons under each arm. 8Bitdo's controllers are more comfortable than using a keyboard and mouse when playing PC games. They're a huge improvement over the Joy-Cons which are not the most comfortable controllers to use for long stretches of time. If you know you won't be able to charge up frequently, you can remove the battery pack and replace it with AA batteries.
Buy 8Bitdo Pro 2 at Amazon - $50
A portable change is a gift that keeps on giving, and the 16,750mAh brick of RavPower is strong enough to charge up phones and tablets alike. It's enough to top off your iPad Air once. It has two iSmart output ports so you can power up two devices at the same time, and its indicator lights will give you an idea of the brick's remaining power level. Even with a larger-than-average capacity it's surprisingly compact, measuring 5 x 3.15 x 9 inches, and its built-in flashlight can help you find lost items in a pinch.
Buy portable charger at RavPower - $36
While we often recommend AirTags to Apple users to keep track of their things, Tile's trackers are another great option that's more universal. Unlike Air tags, these tiny AmazonAlexa trackers are compatible with both Amazon and the Google Assistant. Your grad can unbox it, hook it onto their keys, set it up in the mobile app and get going with the latest Tile Mate. With a range of 250 feet, these trackers can help them locate their lost stuff quickly, and they can add their contact information to the Tile just in case someone else finds their things first. Even when it is exposed to the elements on rainy days, the Mate's design should protect it.
Buy Tile Mate at Amazon - $25
A wireless mouse is a must-have when on a computer all day, whether your grad will commute to their first office job or work from home. The slim profile of the Pebble makes it easy to disappear into a bag, and it will run for up to 18 months on its single AA battery. They will have to worry about charging up each night. Unlike other mice, it makes little noise when you click and scroll away. There are a number of fun colors to choose from, and you can connect it via a receiver.
Buy Logitech Pebble at Amazon - $30
It is important for grads to stay hydrated while busy with job applications, internships, new jobs and side hustles. Green Steel's Beast insulated tumblers are good for hot and cold drinks and come with metal straws and a splash-proof lid. They will fit into standard sized cup holders regardless of the size you get. A 20-ounce model has been my morning companion for the past year or so and it still looks fresh. If you're willing to give a bit more to your grad's new favorite mug, we recommend Yeti's Ramblers.
Buy Greens Steel tumbler at amazon - $29
If your grad is a coffee or tea lover, elevating their brewing game can make a big difference in their daily lives. While the Chambord French Press is marketed as a coffee maker, it could also be used as a tea press. The container is made of borosilicate glass and you can choose between plastic or steel for the frame. A french press uses a mesh filter and a plunger to push coffee and tea down into the water. It should save you money over time.
Buy Chambord French Press at Amazon - $38
Tribit's XSound Go is the only speaker that is simple. It is nearly pocketable and can stay on your desk all day long, and then you can go to a backyard party. It's waterproof so it can be dunked in the pool, and it can be used all day long without interruption. It has good sound quality with deep, but not overpowering, bass and it has a built-in mic with which you can take calls. You can pair it with your phone or tablets, choose your tunes, and the speaker will do the rest.
Buy Tribit XSound Go at Amazon - $48
A good umbrella is an unexpected gift. If you use public transit, getting stuck in a rain on your way to work is worse. Repel's travel umbrella is just the right size, not too big or small, and its nine reinforced fiberglass ribs prevent it from being blown inside out. The single-button design allows you to open or close it with one hand. Repel's umbrella is one of those practical gifts that your grad will be glad to have at the most crucial times, and they will save money in the long run by not needing to buy a new, cheap umbrella every time the skies open up.
Buy Repel umbrella at Amazon - $32
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