Hi friends! Today, I’m sharing with you 21 tech gifts for college students! These are items that all college students either need or should have, will make their lives easier, or help save them from nightmare situations. You may be surprised by what’s on this list, but remember – technology does not mean electronic!
This post shares tech gifts for college students.
How to Shop this Post:
If you see an item you want to check out, just click on the image to be taken to the product listing – yep, it’s that easy! At the end of the post, there will be a list of all of the products shared with current prices that you can also click to shop that item. Almost every item in this list comes in multiple colors and sizes, so don’t let the color of something put you off if it piques your interest!
Earbuds
Earbuds are essential for college students. In my opinion, a backup pair is also essential. I keep the earbuds that came with my phone on hand in case anything happens to my good pair, along with a backup lightning adapter.
Phone Wallet
Phone wallets make college life so much easier! All students always need to have their student ID on them. You know they’ll always have their phone on them, so its a perfect place for a student ID!
Apple Watch
If you’re looking to splurge on a present, Apple Watches are a common sight across college campuses. They’re great for encouraging healthy habits and tracking exercise, as well as communication and all of the ordinary perks of having a watch. They also don’t age the way typical Apple products do, which makes them an even better investment.
Apple Watch Bands
If you know the student you’re shopping for already owns an Apple Watch, some new bands may be the perfect present! An athletic band, a more formal band, something in their school colors, a multipack for variety, there are tons of options!
All of these watch bands come in tons of colors, so if you’re interested in one be sure to click on the image to be taken to the product listing and choose a color that suits your fancy! These are all also really affordable, much more affordable than the bands you might purchase directly from Apple.
External Hard Drive
You’ve heard the horror stories of lost essays, exams, and photos. How do you avoid them? Having an external hard drive to back up your computer is essential for college students. An external hard drive and case both make great gifts!
Portable Charger
If I’m out and about, I have my portable charger on me. I personally use the Anker PowerCore 10000 and love it! I highly recommend this lightweight portable charger to everyone –
Wireless Speaker
Wireless speakers are a great asset for any college student to have. Perfect for hanging out on campus in a hammock, having some nice music to study to and help block out any unwelcome noise while in your room, or to take on adventures.
Surge Protector
Surge protectors are super helpful. On one hand, they protect your electronics. On the other, rooms rarely have enough outlets! This surge protector has spots for you to plug cords in as well as USB spots.
Cord Protectors
Maintaining the integrity of the edges (for lack of a better word) of your phone chargers is important, whether you’re a college student or not. Maybe even slightly more important for a student who can’t necessarily go grab a new charger at a moment’s notice. These are a few options that work great for protecting your phone chargers!
If you’re shopping for the holidays, these cable bites are a great option!
Extra Long Phone Chargers
These are such a game-changer for college students! As mentioned earlier, outlets tend to be in short supply. They also are rarely in a spot that’s convenient. Enter: 6 to 10-foot long phone chargers.
These are micro USB chargers, while these are iPhone lightning chargers!
Gear Ties
This may very well be the most inexpensive item on this whole list, considering that these gear ties will cost you less than $3. We all know the struggle of cords getting everywhere and tangled up. This product helps you avoid that! Perfect for college students who are carrying around a lot of power cords, along with their earbuds and any other tech they need!
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Another splurge item, but spending money on this product is worth it. I’m seriously wearing mine right now! I purchased this Sony pair after testing a bunch of different brands and models in the store before my first year of college, my mom and I both agreed that this pair of headphones is by far superior to the more popular brands that students will usually splurge on.
Humidifier
Come colder weather, a lot of rooms can become quite dry. For me, a humidifier makes a huge difference! I also noticed a lot of my residents would get humidifiers too when dryer seasons roll around. Some of the mini humidifiers they have out there are just too cute! This humidifier isn’t considered a “personal” humidifier but was made for small rooms so it is a more compact option than most on the market.
Tile Tracking Device
If you have a student who is constantly misplacing things, a Tile tracking device is probably the way to go. At my university, it costs $250 to have your room key replaced. Yes, you read that properly: $250.00. I know a lot of schools have similar systems, some even charge $50.00 if you get locked out of your room! Whether you put it on your keys or in your wallet, or with any other valuables, a Tile will help you keep track of those items you can’t afford to lose. If having one on a keychain doesn’t make sense, they also come in sticker form!
Related: 7 Useful High School Graduation Gifts
Wireless Mouse
Most students use laptops, and using a laptop trackpad can get frustrating – especially if you’re using the Adobe suite! A wireless mouse is a thoughtful gift that will help make life just a bit easier for the student you’re shopping for.
Mini Projector
Not all dorms have space for a TV, and that is where a mini projector comes in. These are great for movie nights outside, setting up shop in a classroom with friends to do work or watch a show and not having to worry about figuring out how the class projector system works (is that a thing at all universities or just mine?), as well as just hanging in your dorm, watching a movie on the wall. I used my projector for so many things last year, but most notably I used it to host Bachelor Monday at the end of the hall in our common area for my residents. They’d bring homework and make brownies and chill out in their pajamas for an hour or two, which made for some great memories.
Fire TV Stick or Roku
These are two of the choice means of streaming for college students. If they have a TV, a Fire TV Stick or Roku system is a great way to give them access to more streaming services! Not all schools offer cable hookups in dorms these days, and while some do, it doesn’t always apply to all buildings. I actually don’t have a TV but plug my Roku streaming stick into my projector and it works just as it would in a traditional television!
There are a few types of Roku systems available, so I highly suggest exploring your options with those if that is what you’re interested in!
HDMI Cable
HDMI cables are quite valuable in college. They give you the ability to mirror your computer screen on a tv or hook it up to a projector! Great for class presentations or movie nights in common areas.
Wireless Photo Printer
I’ve noticed quite a few residents have these, and its no wonder why! They’re easy to use and make updating your room decorations a breeze. You don’t have to take the time to find a ton of pictures you like, order the prints, and then go pick them up. Instead, you simply select the image you want on the printer’s app and wait for your print to appear before your very eyes!
Polaroid Camera
Now, I know a lot of people will say Polaroid but really be referring to an Instax camera. I am referring to an actual camera from the Polaroid brand here, that has both digital and photo printing capabilities! My sister received this camera for Christmas a
A case to keep it safe is also a good idea!
Film/ZINK Paper
For the college student who already has a Polaroid or wireless photo printer,
And there you have it! 21 Tech Gifts for College Students
Is there anything you would add to this list? Let me know in the comments below! I hope you found this list helpful. If you’d like to check out some more gift guides from Patience and Pajamas, click here!
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December 17, 2020 at 10:47 am