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When you’re looking for the best gifts for 18 year olds, you might have no idea what to purchase. There’s a lot of transition at this age: graduating high school, heading off to college, and maybe living away from home for the first time. So what can you get your 18 year old that they’ll actually love? There are plenty of great options.
From practical items to things that are all over social media, we’ve put together a list of gift ideas for 18 year olds who have a wide variety of interests. Here are 23 of the best gifts for 18 year olds.
The Best Gifts for 18 Year Olds
1. For the Hardcore Studier: Bose QuietComfort Noise Canceling Headphones
If you’re looking to splurge on a great quality, long-lasting tech gift that your teen will use for years to come, look no further than a pair of Bose QuietComfort Noise Canceling Headphones. They connect via Bluetooth to their phone or computer, making them ideal for studying, working out, and anything in between. Plus, they come in a selection of muted colors that aren’t too flashy for a cool 18 year old.
2. For the Stanley Fan: insefocc Stanley Cup Snack Bowl
One of the biggest recent trends for teens is the Stanley tumbler, which means they probably already have one. Help them do more with their trusty water bottle with an attachable snack bowl. The divided tray is made of silicone and fits perfectly over the top of their Stanley, so they can sip and snack in style. Bonus points for the fact that it’s dishwasher safe so it’s easy for Mom to clean.
3. For the On-the-Go Girl: Frienda Daisy Flower Air Vent Clips
If you’re looking for a gift for 18 year old girls, these fun floral car vent clips are a great way to customize her car and keep it smelling fresh. Simply slide the cute flowers onto the included scent cartridges, clip one to the air conditioning vent, and enjoy the decor and the fresh air! Each package comes with six scent cartridges—two each of peach, lavender, and ocean aromas—and the flowers come in many different colors for every kind of floral vibe.
4. For the Dorm Dweller: Avinyl Art Wall Tapestries
A large wall tapestry is one of the best gifts for an 18 year old who is headed off to college (or already there). These fine-art-inspired wall tapestries are a great, easy way to customize any space and make it more their own, and they can be hung without damaging walls (a big plus when it comes to dorm rooms). We’re partial to the Monet Water Lilies print, but they come in a selection of other designs, too.
5. For the One Who is Crafty: Lego Mini Orchid Set
Lego botanical kits come in a wide variety or designs but we think this orchid plant would be a great gift for a crafty 18j-year old. With 274 pieces, it will be a project that they’ll love and feel a sense of accomplishment when it is completed.
6. For the One Who is a Fitness Buff: Garmin Forerunner Running Watch
Whether you need gifts for 18 year old boys or girls, fitness-savvy teens will love tracking their workouts, runs, steps, and more with a Garmin Forerunner Watch. This popular sport watch is easy to use and has different workout settings as well as heart rate monitoring. Teens can even track their runs and customize the watch face.
7. For the One Who is Super Organized: Smirly 6-Shelf Hanging Closet Organizer
If keeping their space neat and tidy is something they love, these hanging closet shelves are great gifts for 18 year olds. Whether they’re moving into their dorm room or just want to give their room at home an upgrade, this six-compartment organizer has built-in shelves as well as drawers and dividers.
8. For the One Who Loves Cottagecore: LoveShackFancy Bow Jewelry Box
LoveShackFancy is the designer for the cottagecore look, and their collab with PB Teen is totally slay (as the teens say). We love the bow detail on this sweet jewelry box that looks like it could double for Cinderella’s carriage. 18 year olds will love displaying their favorite baubles on the tufted pillow tucked inside this glass and brass display.
9. For the One Who is the Life of the Party: JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
One thing that will always get people together: Music. The JBL Flip 6 Portable Speaker is perfect for listening to music in their dorm room or while they’re out with friends. They’re even waterproof, so they can take their favorite playlist to the beach or the lake. Plus, the JBL Flip 6 has a long lasting battery—12 hours—so they won’t have to worry about running out of music before the party is over.
10. For the One Who is a Bookworm: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
If your 18 year old is flipping through a new book every time you see them, a Kindle Paperwhite is naturally the perfect gift. The Kindle Paperwhite is not backlit, so there’s no screen glare when they’re reading outside, and it’s super lightweight and portable, so they can take them anywhere. They can fill their digital library with hundreds of titles, so they can keep reading without interruption wherever they go.
11. For the One Who is On Trend: Hoka Bondi Walking Shoe
HOKA running shoes are popular choices amongst marathon runners and casual walkers alike, and for good reason: They’re both comfortable and fashion-forward. Whether they want a pair of kicks for everyday wear or for exercising, a pair of Hokas is a thoughtful gift. They come in a wide range of colors so your 18 year old can show off their personality everywhere they go, whether they’re exercising or on a “hot girl walk.”
12. For the One Who is Creative: Apple iPad Air
The sleek, thin iPad Air is a great tablet option for artsy and creative teens. They can draw, write, and create graphic design masterpieces, especially when paired with Apple Pencil. They can also use their iPad Air for studying and taking notes, and even for watching movies and FaceTiming their friends and family.
13. For the One Who is Decor Obsessed: Command Strips Variety Pack
While it may not be incredibly flashy, there is nothing more convenient than having all of the hanging supplies you need to make your space truly yours. The Command Strip Variety Pack contains everything they need to hang up all their decor—without ruining paint or wallpaper. The package includes six small picture hanging strips, four large picture hanging strips, three medium-size utility hooks, two large utility hooks, three small utility hooks, six small wire hooks, and 20 strips of adhesive.
14. For the One Who Loves Movie Night: WiMiUS Mini Projector
If you’re looking for gifts for 18 year olds who love movies and/or gaming, consider getting them a mini wall projector. The WiMiUS Mini Projector has a reliable adjustable stand, WiFi and Bluetooth capability, and works indoors and outdoors. They don’t need a giant TV when they can use this portable projector in any room for a cozy night in or a game night with friends.
15. For the One Who Loves Comfort: lululemon Scuba Oversized Half-Zip Hoodie
If your teen loves trendy style and prefers comfort over everything, they will be thrilled with the gift of a lululemon Scuba Oversized Half-Zip Hoodie. This hoodie is great for both lounging and working out, and it’s tailored to be flattering while also comfy. Plus, it comes in a range of sizes and colors, so it makes an ideal gift for 18 year old girls of all types.
16. For the One Who is Always Caffeinated: Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker
Don’t send your 18 year old Starbucks lover off to college without their very own coffee maker. The Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker is just the right size for small spaces (like dorm rooms), and it brews a delicious cup of java at the touch of a button. The machine comes in a variety of fun colors and is easy to clean and maintain.
17. For the Designated Driver: WedFair LED Cup Holder Lights
The trend of customizing the inside of your car with fun accessories is big among teens and young adults, and cup holder customization is no exception! These LED lights have seven color options: white, red, blue, green, yellow, purple, and ice blue. They’re also motion sensitive, so they automatically turn on in the dark, and teens can easily change the color with a push of the button located on the back of the light.
18. For the One Who Always Loses Their Keys: Apple Airtags
Have a teen who can never seem to find their keys? Make their life easier with the gift of an Apple AirTag. When they attach an Apple Air Tag to their keyring and sync it with their phone, they’ll be able to locate their keys, whether they’ve fallen under the bed or were left in the car…again.
19. For the One Who is a Music Lover: Laurensory Vinyl Record Shelves
For teens who adore music and have an affinity for vinyl records, displays are a great way to showcase their collection. They can get one shelf to put above their record player to show what record they’re currently playing or get multiple to display their favorite albums.
20. For the Retro Lover: MOFII Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
Some people are just old souls, and that goes for 18 year olds too! If your teen loves retro vibes and spends a lot of time on the computer, the MOFII Wireless Keyboard is a thoughtful gift. The keyboard and mouse sync to their computer via Bluetooth, and comes in multiple colors to fit their vibe.
21. For the One Who Stays Hydrated: Owala FreeSip Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is important to anyone, but teens on the go also express themselves with their water bottles. If they’ve always got one attached at the hip—or should— an Owala FreeSip water bottle is a practical gift they actually want. They’re insulated, so drinks stay cold for hours, and they come in a large variety of fun colors and sizes.
22. For the One Who Puts Comfort First: Crocs Classic Clogs
Love them or hate them, Crocs are popular gifts for 18 year old boys and girls alike, thanks to their comfort and ease. They come in a huge range of colors and can be worn with almost anything—teens are styling them to be fashionable additions to their outfits! They can even customize their Crocs with a set of “Jibbitz” to show even more personality.
23. For the Unique Fashion Lover: Aelfric Eden Oversized Sweater
For the colder months, give your teen the gift of a trendy, oversized sweater. This sweater can be paired with just about anything and comes in sizes from XS to XL. We love this vintage look in beige but there are several colors and prints to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that fits the style of your 18 year old.
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
Why You Should Trust Me
I’ve been writing about fashion and culture throughout college where I was editor on my school newspaper. having recently graduated from college I understand what this age group enjoys and could use in a dorm or first apartment.
