Reviews Gifts

28 best high school graduation gifts for him

A side by side image of a watch and a man with a backpack.
The best high school graduation gifts for him are practical essentials for his next steps. MVMT; Bellroy/Business Insider
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Graduating high school is a major milestone — not just in terms of education, but also as a step towards adulthood. When shopping for the best high school graduation gifts for him, look for useful, practical items to help him on his next steps. If he's going to college, dorm essentials and college gear are a must. If he's going into the workforce, look for pieces to help him look and feel put together at his new job or internship.

For more graduation gift ideas, check out our overall list of the best graduation gift ideas, as well as the best high school and college graduation gifts for her and the best college graduation gifts for him.

A nice leather wallet with his initials

4 monogrammed Leatherology Bifold Wallets in different colors on top of each other.
Leatherology

Leatherology Bifold Wallet

He's probably outgrown the scuffed wallet he has now — and anyway, Velcro doesn't transfer as well to 19 as it did to 12. You can gift him a nice new leather wallet to enter adulthood with, and you can even monogram it for him for added personalization.

A weekender for trips back home

A Patagonia duffel bag on a lakeside dock.
Kara Thurmond/Business Insider

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel

Whether visiting home for the weekend or going on a celebratory graduation trip, he'll need a good duffel bag to keep his essentials close at hand and organized. This bag from Patagonia can be carried like a traditional weekender or a backpack, so it's a versatile option for any trip.

A matching laundry bag and shower caddy set

A matching laundry bag and shower caddy from Pottery Barn Dorm.
Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn Teen Classic Shower Caddy & Laundry Bag Set

For the college-bound grad, help him check something off his dorm shopping list with this matching laundry bag and caddy set. The laundry bag has backpack-style straps for easy carrying, and the caddy topped our list for the best dorm shower caddies.

A custom rambler

A silver Yeti Rambler tumbler cup with a University of Michigan logo on it.
Yeti

Custom College Logo Yeti Rambler

Yeti makes the kind of powerfully insulated mugs built for cold mornings outdoors, and they hold up exceptionally well around campus. They also offer just over 180 colleges to choose from to help him show some collegiate spirit. 

A Switch 2

Someone playing "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" on a Nintendo Switch 2 in the grass.
William Antonelli/Business Insider

Nintendo Switch 2

The Switch 2 is arguably the best game console for versatile on-the-go and at-home play, since it can be played in both handheld and TV mode. If he's off to college, he'll appreciate that he can play his favorite games just about anywhere.

A durable suitcase

A side by side of a red away carry-on.
Maliah West/Business Insider

Away The Carry-On

Especially if he's headed more than a car's drive away after high school, he'll be extremely grateful for a nice carry-on. Luggage brand Away is more than just a social media darling — its suitcases also consistently perform well in our packing and durability tests. It'll come in handy if he's planning on studying abroad, too.  

School spirit merch for game days

A group of young people wearing USC merch from Fanatics.
Fanatics

Fanatics Gift Card

If your graduate is headed to college, give him the college gear he'll wear on game days, like a sweatshirt, tee, or baseball cap. We recommend browsing Fanatics — it's full of clothing, hats, bags, games, and drinkware for NCAA schools. 

An iPad for easy, lightweight note-taking or watching shows

the apple ipad showing a campus quarterly magazine on the screen
Amazon

Apple iPad

$399.00 from Amazon
Originally $449.00Save 11%

It's up to his personal preference whether he wants to use a laptop in class, but it can be a huge blessing to only need to carry an iPad. This newer model features an upgraded A16 chip and increased storage at an entry-level price.

A 10-pack of t-shirts

A man in a black Fresh Clean Threads t-shirt.
Fresh Clean Threads

Fresh Clean Threads Best Sellers 10-Pack

$180.00 from Fresh Clean Threads
Originally $240.00Save 25%

High school graduation is the perfect time for a wardrobe refresh — after all, he probably won't get much use from those high school sports and club shirts anymore. Fresh Clean Threads is one of our favorite places to buy men's t-shirts, and this 10-pack will help him completely reset his closet.

A fun Lego set

Lego R2-D2
Amazon

Lego R2-D2

Just because he's graduating high school doesn't mean he's too old for a good Lego set. Any "Star Wars" fanatic is sure to love this R2-D2 set, but you can also find collections for his other interests like Pokemon, Minecraft, One Piece, or Lord of the Rings.

A timeless pair of sunglasses

A close-up of the Ray-Ban round metal sunglasses
Ashley Phillips/Business Insider

Ray-Ban Round Metal Sunglasses

A great pair of sunglasses never goes out of style. Ray-Ban sunnies stand the test of time. The brand has been making quality eyewear for over 80 years and this pair checks all the boxes on both functionality and style.

An external battery

a hand holding an anker external battery
Amazon

Anker PowerCore External Battery

Perhaps the most convenient gift is as simple as a solid external battery. He's bound to use this countless times, and it's sure to come in handy in a pinch.

A waterproof speaker that's built to be durable

a person holding the jbl flip 7 on a biking trail
JBL

JBL Flip 7 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

This rugged, portable Bluetooth speaker should be able to take whatever is thrown at it or, perhaps more accurately, spilled on it in the years to come. He'll be thankful for something convenient, compact, highly-rated, and durable.

A backpack he can carry to work or school

Person shown from behind wearing a black Bellroy backpack.
Bellroy

Bellroy Transit Workpack

Gift them a comfortable, no-nonsense backpack he can take from school to an internship. Learn more in our Bellroy review.

Stylish button-up dress shirts

A model wearing a white Tie Bar Dress Shirt with a plaid tie.
The Tie Bar

Tie Bar Dress Shirts

$27.50 from Tie Bar
Originally $55.00Save 50%

While graphic T-shirts and hoodies are perfectly fine for wearing every day in high school, a new graduate is going to need some fresh button-up shirts. The Tie Bar makes it very affordable to stock up on different colors and styles — and you'll find troves of other accessories for him, too. 

A cool pair of sneakers

adidas sneakers on a gray background
Adidas

Adidas Gazelle Shoes

Every guy needs a great pair of everyday sneakers he can pair with just about every outfit. The Adidas Gazelles are extremely popular — and for good reason. They're comfortable, classic, and look great with everything. They come in over 30 colors, too, so you can be sure you'll find a pair he loves. 

A fun game for summer

Four people play Spikeball on a grassy field, focusing on hitting a small yellow ball onto the round net.
Amazon

Spikeball Set

Spikeball is a fun, simple game that brings people together. He'll get plenty of use of this game come summertime — and he can even bring it up to college to play on the quad or during game day tailgates.

Money for ordering takeout

A burger with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions and bacon with fries on the side on a table with napkins.
Seamless

Grubhub Gift Card

This just might be the most useful gift he receives for graduation. After all, no one wants to cook a well-rounded meal every night after work or school.

A coffee maker for their morning cup

A 12-cup Braun BrewSense Coffee Maker against a white background.
Molly Allen/Business Insider

Braun BrewSense Coffee Maker

$89.95 from Amazon
Originally $129.95Save 31%

If his future includes work or study (or, honestly, just everyday life), he'll probably love a brand-new coffee maker. This one is the best version you can buy on a budget, but you can read more about it — and other models we like — in our buying guide to the best budget coffee makers.

A convenient bedside caddy

The Za Fit Five Pockets Beside Caddy hanging off the side of a bed with assorted electronics inside it.
Amazon

Zafit Five-Pocket Bedside Caddy

This is the ideal gift for the graduate who loves to lounge in bed. This five-pocket bedside caddy keeps his computer, water, snacks, and more within arm's reach. 

A multicooker

The Instant Pot DUO surrounded by various dishes like cheesecake, rice, macaroni, and vegetables.
Amazon

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Multicooker

$69.99 from Amazon
Originally $99.00Save 29%

The Instant Pot is great because it makes delicious meals accessible to anyone, no matter their experience or space constraints. Plus, it comes with an app that features hundreds of easy-to-follow step-by-step recipes, including roast chicken and mac-and-cheese. And, don't worry: today's pressure cookers are much safer than the old-fashioned stovetop models.

Check out our guide to the best pressure cookers.

Comfortable pants for lounging

A model shown from the waist down wearing the MeUndies Lounge Pant.
MeUndies

MeUndies Lounge Pant

No matter if he's living at home and commuting to college or living in a dorm room on campus, a good pair of sweatpants has a place in every man's wardrobe. When he's not caught up in the rigors of schoolwork, he can wear these to relax.

A nice watch

A model wearing the MVMT watch on their wrist while holding the edge of the jean jacket they are wearing.
MVMT

MVMT Men's Watches

Shop all men's watches at MVMT.

Traditional watches can be expensive, but startups are changing that. MVMT is probably the best-known watch industry disruptor. 

You can get this classic, work-appropriate accessory that makes outfits look a bit more competent and established for as little as $95, and he'll be happy he didn't have to shell out for this small but meaningful luxury.

A new signature scent

Christian Dior Sauvage Cologne
Dior

Dior Sauvage

Now that he's graduated high school, he's definitely old enough to have his own cologne. Dior Sauvage is a popular scent with notes of bergamot, pepper, and amber. Scent is highly personal though, so if he doesn't like an earthy, woody fragrance, peruse the selection to find something more his taste.

A microwave-safe ramen cooker for the most rushed nights

Ramen noodles being pulled upwards out of a Rapid Ramen Cooker.
Amazon

Rapid Ramen Cooker

There will be plenty of late nights filled with cheap and tasty ramen. If he's going to eat it anyway, at least let them make it quickly and perfectly every time.

A pair of Airpods

The AirPods 4 in case resting on an iPhone.
Tyler Hayes/Business Insider

Apple AirPods (4th Gen)

$99.00 from Amazon
Originally $129.00Save 23%

Whether he commutes or is heading back to school and, therefore, the library, he's bound to use Bluetooth earbuds a fair amount (especially now that all the new iPhones more or less require them). The Apple AirPods are a popular choice he's likely to love.

Read our full AirPods 4 review.

A card game he can share with friends

Cards Against Humanity card game box.
Amazon

Cards Against Humanity

An easy way to make friends in college (or anywhere) and the best way to pass a snow day, he'll get more use out of this classic and irreverent card game than you probably think.

A custom map print to remind him of home

A framed custom map of Amsterdam printed in blue ink set on a kitchen counter.
Grafomap

Grafomap Custom Map Print

If your high school grad is leaving home for a new place, it doesn't hurt to give him some cool, low-key decorations for his dorm that will remind him of his hometown (or another special place). It can be tough to find the right decor for a teen's room, but this is one you can feel confident about giving.

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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@bjinnox.com.

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Amir Ismael
Amir Ismael
Amir Ismael was an editor on Business Insider’s Reviews team specializing in men's style and grooming products. He joined the team (then called Insider Picks) in 2017, initially covering a wide range of subjects, including deals of the day, clothing, phone cases, headphones, and more, before leaning into his true passion — men’s style.ExperienceAmir began his journalism career at Complex Media in 2015, working as an intern and freelance writer for Complex Sneakers and Sole Collector. He joined Business Insider in July 2017. During his time on the Reviews team at BI, he’s covered all aspects of menswear and footwear, including the latest startups you should know about, brands focusing on sustainability, where to buy affordable work clothes for men, outerwear, watches, and more. He’s also continued to lead on style deal coverage for multiple key seasonal events each year, such as Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Why you can trust AmirAmir’s expertise in style is rooted in his personal love for collecting fashion, from vintage finds on eBay to new, innovative designs that spark his interest. Some of his favorite brands include Ralph Lauren, Timberland, The North Face, Nike, and Air Jordan. His enthusiasm focuses less on the materialistic side of consuming fashion, as he prefers delving into the stories behind them, be it their cultural significance, sports history, or impact on the outdoor/adventure space.Amir’s a passionate sneaker collector (and can tell you how to clean and restore them so you’re always looking your best), and he has you covered head-to-toe for everything you need to know in men’s style and grooming. He’s extensively tested glasses, wallets, watches, razors, skincare, and both casual and formal wear. For Amir, hunting for deals goes far beyond his coverage during shopping events like Black Friday. He prides himself on always being able to find great deals and attributes most of his personal collection to his deal-hunting prowess. If he says it’s a good deal, then it is!Expertise
  • Men’s street fashion
  • Footwear, including significant release dates, design history, construction, and materials
  • Menswear staples, including workwear, casual clothes, underwear, T-shirts, and more
  • Brand founder or designer interviews
  • Men’s grooming and shaving products
  • Prescription eyewear
EducationAmir graduated from William Paterson University with a BA in print journalism and public relations. Outside of workAmir has been a lifelong resident of New Jersey. When he’s not working, he enjoys working on and driving his small collection of classic BMWs.