After years of hard work and dedication, the long-awaited (and long) graduation ceremony is the perfect way to mark the transition from closing one chapter of life and beginning a new one. And while the workforce awaits, or perhaps university, or even a summer of relaxing to realign goals, every graduate deserves the best to set them up for success. For whatever life brings next, whether you’re celebrating yourself or spreading love to a graduate in your life, the best gadgets can help get you there. Here are the best tech gifts for graduates, in no particular order, ready for your next adventure.
GoPro HERO8 Action Camera
In a first summer of freedom, the best action camera will help capture precious moments and keep them safe for years to come. The GoPro HERO8 Action Camera is a high-quality, affordable companion that won’t let you down this summer.
The GoPro HERO8 Action Camera has video stabilization, is waterproof up to 33 feet, connects via the cloud, and can shoot video in 4K. GoPro’s Quik app allows you to edit, share, and manage all your content while you’re on the go, so you never have to waste time transferring your files over to your computer if you don’t want to.
If your summer will take you to the great outdoors, there isn’t a camera as reliable and durable as the GoPro HERO8, making it one of the best tech gifts for new graduates.
13 Inch Apple MacBook Pro (8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD)
No matter where life takes your favorite graduate next, they’ll need a powerful laptop to manage productivity, future education endeavors, or career. The 13 Inch Apple MacBook Pro (8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) is a workhorse of a laptop, powered by Apple’s M1 Chip. The chip was designed by Apple specifically for the MacBook, boasting an 8-core CPU and GPU, bringing great processing and graphics performance.
If you or your loved one need a little more power or storage, StockX offers a vast catalog of Apple MacBooks for all your needs, some of which are available below retail. The 13 Inch Apple MacBook Pro is a sweet spot in the MacBook catalog — great performance and power for the price.
JBL Flip 5 Portable Speaker
Rain or shine, the JBL Flip 5 Portable Waterproof Speaker is the perfect companion for all your adventures. The JBL Flip 5 delivers high-quality audio without compromise, featuring up to 12 hours of playtime, and allows you to connect your speaker to other Flip 5s for a deeper sound.
The rugged rubber material means the speaker can take a beating without compromising sound quality. If you need a go-to speaker for your next hike, a day at the beach, or cookout with family and friends, the JBL Flip 5 is the perfect gift for the summer.
Dyson Airwrap Styler Complete
As the world returns to some sense of normalcy, so will nights out with friends, crushing in-person (or virtual) job interviews, and looking your best throughout the summer. The Dyson Airwrap Styler is one of the most innovative hairstyling tools ever created, powered by Dyson’s science and engineering-led design philosophy. (And you don’t need to be a graduate to get one for yourself.)
The Dyson Airwrap Styler utilizes a technology Dyson has dubbed the Coanda Effect, which enables fast-moving air to attach to a surface without heat, an issue most hair stylers have historically struggled to solve. Not relying on heat to create curl and volume in hair ultimately protects your hair from damage. The styler is also a versatile machine, featuring a traveling case and multiple attachments perfect for all hair types.
While the Dyson Airwrap Styler does trade for a price premium on StockX, the product remains sold out at all major retailers, a testament to its popularity. If you’re looking to splurge on yourself, the Airwrap is one of the best tech gifts you can give yourself this summer.
You can also find other Dyson hair stylers on StockX, including the Supersonic Hair Dryer and Corrale Hair Straightener.
Nintendo Switch (OLED)
Wherever your summer takes you or your fave, the Nintendo Switch OLED will always be by your side, bringing all of Nintendo’s latest titles to the airport, a long car ride, or from the comfort of your home.
Released in October 2021, the Nintendo Switch OLED features a 7-inch OLED screen, providing stunning visuals and a much-appreciated upgrade to the original Switch models. The vibrant colors and rich contrasting hues are great for media consumption too, guaranteeing great visuals at home or on the go. You’ll need some great games to play, which are also available to purchase on StockX.
9th Generation Apple iPad 10.2″ (wifi)
Artists and creatives, we didn’t forget you. The 9th generation Apple iPad 10.2″ is the most affordable iPad model Apple offers, but that doesn’t come with many compromises. The iPad features Apple’s vibrant Retina display, 8MP wide back camera, 12MP ultra-wide front camera, and compatibility with the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. All this power comes from Apple’s A13 Bionic chip, great for multitasking on the iPad, working on creative projects, and general media consumption.
The 9th generation Apple iPad is one of the best tech gifts for new graduates, providing some of the best value for money on this list. If you’re looking for something more powerful, StockX has various iPad Pro models and the necessary accessories to keep you productive, like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil.
