The Best Tech Gifts for College Students This Year
Black Friday sales officially kick off on Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1. Before they end, Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price tracking tools.
-
Subscribe to our blog to stay up to date with the best sales we find.
-
Check out our Editors’ Picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.
-
Sign up for our Add to Cart shopping newsletter to get the best deals delivered to your inbox.
-
Sales data is current at the time of publication, but prices and stock levels are subject to change.
Finding the perfect gift for a college student can be tricky. They’re adults, but not quite, and their academic needs range from “serious academic tools” to “things that will brighten up dorm life.” Whether you’re preparing a freshman for the spring semester at a public university or updating a Yale senior’s gear, the right tech, accessories, and comfort items can make a big difference in their daily lives. Here’s a curated list of tech-related gifts that any student will appreciate, from productivity boosts to dorm room improvements and just little treats—many of which are currently on sale.
Academic and industrial foundations
Good grades require good equipment. All of this is designed to help with the “academic” part of college, because education is everything.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook
A reliable laptop is a crucial device for most students. The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook is powerful enough for note-taking, Google Docs, and streaming, and at under three pounds, it’s easy to carry around campus.
Surge Protector with USB, Surge Protector 2100J
No dorm room is short on outlets, and few surge protectors are equipped with enough USB ports. This surge protector solves both problems by combining 12 (!) outlets and 6 USB ports—both Type-C and Type-B—in a single compact unit. It’s incredibly practical.
Urbanista Noise-Canceling Headphones
These over-ear Urbanista headphones are perfect for blocking out roommates, hallway noise, and the general chaos of a college dorm. They also allow you to truly immerse yourself in the world of Pink Floyd. These are excellent quality headphones at a great price.
Scientific calculator Ipepul
A calculator on your phone won’t help you on exams. Obviously, students studying math, science, business, and engineering will need a reliable scientific calculator , but even humanities students will likely need one for that damn statistics course.
Kindle Paperwhite
Just as English students need calculators, STEM students will need to take at least a literature class, and the Kindle makes all of this as painless as possible with its bright screen, compact size, and lightweight design.
Amazon Fire Max Tablet
The Amazon Fire tablet is the perfect option when you don’t need a laptop. This versatile entertainment (and study) device lets you stream lectures, take notes, watch movies, and surf the web, all while costing much less than an iPad. It’s also a much neater option than a stack of notebooks.
Amazon Fire Max Stylus
If you want to take your tablet to the next level, don’t forget the stylus . It’s great for taking notes, drawing, highlighting text, and annotating PDFs.
Life and entertainment in the hostel
College isn’t just about lectures, reading, studying, and exams. It’s also about coping with your first trip away from home, figuring out how to live comfortably, making friends, and realizing that extracurricular activities can be just as rewarding as classes.
Keurig K-Express Single Serve K-Cup Capsule Coffee Maker
For many students, caffeine is vital for productivity, well-being, and fun. The cafeteria may have coffee, but it’s scattered throughout campus. This dorm-sized, single-serve Keurig coffee maker is sure to please.
Annual subscription to a streaming service
Whether you sign up for Amazon Prime , Netflix , or The Criterion Collection , it’s a treasured gift they’re sure to enjoy. Plus, subscribing is super easy. Just be sure to check for student discounts to avoid overpaying.
JBL Charge 6 Bluetooth Speaker
Portable and loud enough for dorm meetings, study playlists, and small outdoor get-togethers, the JBL Charge 6 sounds great and is durable enough to withstand spilled drinks, drops, and more. It’s a great Bluetooth speaker for college life.
Govee LED Flashlights
These LED strips will instantly transform a bland dorm room into a cozy study. What’s more, the simple installation is unlikely to violate dorm rules regarding room remodeling.
Electronic drink cooler
A dorm room with a mini fridge stocked with midnight snacks and cans of soda is the kind of room everyone would love to hang out in, but before you buy one, make sure the fridge’s placement doesn’t violate any rules.
Dyson Hot+Cool AM09 Jet Focus Heater and Fan
Maintaining the temperature in a dorm room can be challenging, but this Dyson heater/cooler is ideal for the small space of a typical dorm room. It’s quiet, discreet, and can be used to cool or warm one person or an entire room.
Echo Glow Lamp
Color-changing light can make any dorm room feel calmer and more inviting, but this attractive Echo lamp has a secret: it’s Alexa-compatible, so you can control it with voice commands and even work as an alarm clock.
Meta Quest 3S
The Meta Quest 3S is a popular choice for VR gaming, fitness, and intense workouts between classes, and it’s also a great option for virtual get-togethers with friends back home after school.
Personal well-being and lifestyle
Student life can be stressful, so maintaining physical and mental fitness is crucial. These gifts, designed to support well-being and style, can help you develop healthy habits and take better care of yourself while balancing studies, work, and social life.
Chamelo Music Shield Smart Glasses
The color-changing feature at the heart of these musical glasses is ideal for those who engage in a lot of outdoor sports, and Music Shields are also ideal for those who want to make a unique impression in the fashion world.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
This versatile device is perfect for managing notifications, tracking fitness, and maintaining healthy sleep—all essential aspects of college. Plus, the Galaxy Watch will help them get to class on time while looking stylish.
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Headphones
These Shokz headphones are perfect for students who enjoy listening to music or podcasts while walking, running, or cycling. The open-back design allows you to hear your surroundings while still delivering excellent sound.
Oral-B iO Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
A truly durable and high-quality toothbrush like the Oral-B iO is unlikely to be purchased by a student struggling financially, but it will play a huge role in their daily life. In other words, even if it’s “just” a toothbrush, it’s the perfect Christmas gift.
Oura Ring 4
This discreet finger ring is simply amazing: it tracks sleep, stress, exercise, and recovery. The Oura Ring 4 is perfect for students trying to balance school, work, fitness, and their personal lives while avoiding burnout—in other words, any college student.
Does Apple have Black Friday?
Yes, Apple is participating in Black Friday deals, but you might want to compare their sales to those of other retailers like Best Buy and Walmart . Apple is offering an exclusive $250 gift card for eligible purchases, but the best Black Friday Apple deal right now is the MacBook M4 at an all-time low .
Does Amazon have Black Friday deals?
Yes, Amazon does have Black Friday sales, but the prices aren’t always accurate. Use a price tracker to make sure you’re getting the best deal, or consult guides like our price-tracking blog . And if you have an Amazon Prime subscription, make the most of it .
Which stores have the biggest discounts on Black Friday?
With both large retailers and small businesses competing for Black Friday shoppers, you can expect sales at virtually every store until Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” discounts depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to be offered by large retailers that can afford lower prices, such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our blog .
Are Black Friday deals worth it?
In short, yes, Black Friday still offers deals you rarely see the rest of the year. If you’re shopping or looking for gifts, now is the time to look for deals on essentials, especially tech , home goods , and fitness equipment . Of course, if you’re looking to save money, the best way to save is to buy nothing.
Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?
Black Friday used to favor large retailers and higher-end appliances, while Cyber Monday favored cheaper appliances and gave small businesses the opportunity to compete online. However, today, this distinction has become virtually meaningless. Every major retailer runs sales on both days, so it’s best to know what you need, use price trackers, or consult guides like our blog, which uses price trackers, and not worry about finding the perfect time.