- 9.00/10 1. Premium pick: Fitbit Versa 3
- 8.40/10 2. Editors choice: Jabra Elite 4 Active
- 9.60/10 3. Best value: JBL Clip 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- 9.40/10 4. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
- 9.40/10 5. Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)
- 7.60/10 6. Lenovo Smart Clock Essential
- 9.40/10 7. Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive
- 9.20/10 8. Anna Bella Digital Photo Frame
- 9.20/10 9. Facebook Portal
- 9.60/10 10. Philips Hue Smart Plug
- 9.00/10 11. Philips Hue Lightstrip
College students have a lot going on, from juggling studying, classes, and trying to fit in a social life. Finding them a gift that can help in any one of these areas is a great idea, be that to help them with their studying, or just kick back and enjoy what little free time they have. Either way, they're going to appreciate a useful tech gift.
But with so many tech gift ideas for students out there, it can be a nightmare trying to work out the best gift.
Here are the best tech gifts for college students available today.
Premium pick1. Fitbit Versa 3
9.00 / 10 Read ReviewsThe Fitbit Versa 3 is a great gift for college students to help them maintain their health during their busy lives, with tons of features designed around improving their physical health, and even to help maintain better sleep patterns, something many college students often struggle with.
With the Fitbit Versa 3's built-in GPS, you can see your real-time distance and pace, it even offers a great workout intensity map that shows you your workout in great detail.
Fitbit Versa 3's readiness that comes with the premium membership identifies if you are ready to exercise yet, or if you should concentrate on taking a break from working out until your body has had some time to recover.
Key Features- Built-in GPS
- Sleep tracker
- Voice assistant
- Fast charge
- Brand: Fitbit
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Color Screen: Yes
- Notification Support: Yes
- Battery Life: 6 days
- Integrations: Amazon Alexa, MyFitnessPal, Strava
- Color: Black, Blue / Gold, Pink / Gold, Thistle
- Workout detection: Yes
- Multiple color options
- Stunning display
- GPS tracking is great
- Spotify doesn't work offline
2. Jabra Elite 4 Active
8.40 / 10 Read ReviewsEvery college student needs a good pair of earbuds to help get them through the day, and there are few that can beat the outstanding quality of the Jabra Elite 4. Packed full of incredible features and designed to look as good as they sound, these really are the ultimate tech gift for college students.
The Jabra Sound + app is what separates the Jabra Elite 4 Active earbuds from the competition, with several sound modes designed to improve your listening based on your environment, as well as multiple ANC settings, it doesn't matter if you are home alone or on the train, they sound incredible anywhere you go.
HearThrough mode is another great feature designed to help keep you safe while using the Jabra Elite 4 Active earbuds, helping you to hear traffic, or people around you to keep you safe while listening to your favorite tunes.
Key Features- Mono mode
- HearThrough mode
- Companion app with equalizer
- Voice assistant
- Brand: Jabra
- Battery Life: 7 Hours, 28 with case
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.2
- Noise Cancellation: Active Noise Cancellation
- Charging Case: Included
- Mono Listening: Yes
- IP rating: IP57
- Microphones: 4
- Weight: 0.176oz
- Dimensions: 6.22 x 4.53 x 1.57 inches
- Great sound quality
- Powerful companion app
- Bluetooth 5.2
- Awkward button controls
3. JBL Clip 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
9.60 / 10 Read ReviewsTheir love of music is one thing that most college students have in common, and while there are plenty of gift ideas for earbuds, the JBL Clip 3 is a great option thanks to the built-in carabiner, allowing them to clip it to their bag and share the joy of music with their friends.
You might think that with its compact size the JBL Clip 3 would lack in audio quality or volume, but you would be wrong. For such as small speaker, it really does pack a punch, it's the perfect gift for college students looking to relax and enjoy good music with those around them.
The JBL Clip 3 has an IPX7 water-resistance rating, which means it can withstand submersion into the water, and with the built-in carabiner that makes a perfect combination for those who love to sing in the shower without worrying about their speaker suffering water damage.
Key Features- Built-in carabiner
- Noise cancelling
- Echo-cancelling speakerphone
- Brand: JBL
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.1
- Integrations: No
- Battery: Up to 10 hours
- Water Resistance: Yes
- Power: Battery (Rechargeable)
- Voice assistant: No
- Colors: Various options
- Dimensions: 4.33 x 2.17 x 4.3 inches
- Buttons: Play / pause, Volume
- Ultra-portable
- Can be used in the shower
- Great sound quality
- Tons of design options
- Lacking in bass
4. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
9.40 / 10 Read ReviewsThe Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is a compact e-reader that can store thousands of books, while maintaining an incredible battery life that is measured in weeks, rather than hours. To put it simply, owning an Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is comparable to owning an entire library that you can fit into your pocket and whip out whenever you get the chance for a read.
With a bigger screen, better battery, and faster processor than the older versions, there has never been a better time to buy the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, and with new features such as the new color warmth that puts much less strain on your eyes when reading at night, everything you could possibly want for the perfect read is all under one roof.
There are two options available for the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, one comes at a slightly cheaper price but shows book-related ads on the lock screen, or for an extra $20 you can go for the completely ad-free experience.
Key Features- Water-resistant
- Bluetooth
- USB-C charging
- Brand: Amazon
- Screen: 6-inch, e-ink
- Resolution: 1072 × 1448
- Storage: 8GB/32GB
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi/Cellular, Bluetooth
- Front Light: Yes
- OS: Kindle firmware
- Battery: 1,500mAh
- Buttons: No
- Weight: 182g
- Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.6 x 0.3 inches
- Warmer colors reduce eye strain
- Bigger screen than older versions
- USB-C fast charging
- No content outside of Amazon's store
5. Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)
9.40 / 10 Read ReviewsThe Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) is a great gift to not only help keep college students entertained but also help keep them organized. There are tons of voice commands that can help them plan their time, set reminders, or even control other smart devices in their college dorm.
But, aside from being useful for music and reminders, the Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) can be used as a way to control other smart home accessories. Whether you're staying on campus or returning home, you can use your voice to turn on/off your smart lights, lock doors, and much more. This small device packs quite a punch, especially since it's so affordable.
The Dot is also a great way to stay connected with friends and family, allowing you to call others with an Echo device. Alternatively, you can use it to respond to messages that will echo throughout your entire home, letting your parents know you'll be down for dinner once you've finished the song you're listening to.
Key Features- Smart home control
- Motion enabled routines
- Hands-free calls
- Voice assistant
- Brand: Amazon
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Integrations: Alexa
- Battery: None
- Water Resistance: None
- Colors: Twilight Blue, Glacier White
- Great value for money
- Good privacy controls including mic off button
- Clock version is a great addition
- Bass isn't great
6. Lenovo Smart Clock Essential
7.60 / 10 Read ReviewsEvery student needs an alarm clock, with late nights studying, parties, or the worries of student life keeping them awake, sometimes they need a little encouragement to wake up on time for classes. The Lenovo Smart Clock Essential does just that, and more.
With Alexa built-in, you can use your voice to set the alarm, or even reminders to help you get through the day, as well as using the built-in speaker to listen to music, making it so much more than just a simple alarm clock.
The Lenovo Smart Clock Essential comes with a large display that doesn't just show the time, it also gives you weather updates as well as other helpful information, and at night, the display will automatically dim itself to ensure a restful night.
Key Features- Alexa built-in
- Bold LED display
- Mute button
- Brand: Lenovo
- Display: LED
- Dimensions: 4 x 3 x 3 inches
- Weight: 1.15lbs
- Alarm Clock: Yes
- Integrations: Alexa
- Privacy button
- Also streams music
- Great for audio books in bed
- Not the best sound quality
7. Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive
9.40 / 10 Read ReviewsThe Seagate Portable 2TB External hard drive is a great gift for college students, as it's perfect not only for storing college work, but can also be used with gaming consoles such as the PS4 and Xbox One.
At just 18 inches, the Seagate Portable 2TB External hard drive fits into the palm of your hand, making it an ideal solution for college students that need to carry their work around with them in their bags, or even pockets.
Simply plug your new Seagate Portable 2TB External hard drive in, and it will work straight away, a hassle-free storage solution that makes the ideal college tech gift.
Key Features- Windows and Mac compatible
- USB 3.0 cable included
- Plug and play
- Brand: Seagate
- Capacity: 2TB
- Power: USB 3.0
- Speed: 120MB/s
- Connection: USB
- Portable: Yes
- Fits in your pocket
- Multiple size options
- Great value for money
- Doesn't work for PS5
8. Anna Bella Digital Photo Frame
9.20 / 10 Read ReviewsThe Anna Bella digital photo frame is a great tech gift for a college student that might be missing home. It's easy to use and simple to set up, within minutes it can be ready to use, displaying pictures of their friends and family from back home.
One of the best features of the Anna Bella digital photo frame is the instant sharing feature which allows you to send pictures straight to the photo frame, letting them feel like they are still with you, even from their college dorm.
With 8GB of storage built-in and an extended SD slot that can hold a maximum of 128GB, the Anna Bella digital photo frame can hold a nearly endless amount of photos without any subscriptions or hidden charges.
Key Features- SD card slot
- Auto-rotate
- Wireless sharing
- Light sensor
- Brand: Anna Bella
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Color: Black
- Weight: 2.66lbs
- Capacity: 8GB, 128GB with SD card
- Dimensions: 11.93 x 8.62 x 2.91 inches
- Wireless: Yes
- Display: 10.1 Inch, 1280x800
- Expandable storage
- Free companion app
- Great quality
- Big price jump for next size up
9. Facebook Portal
9.20 / 10 Read ReviewsThe Facebook Portal is an easy way to video call friends and family via Messenger, WhatsApp, or Zoom. It doesn't matter whether they have a Portal or not, you can still speak to them. Better still, this device has Alexa built-in, so you can control your smart home gadgets with it, or ask Alexa to set reminders or call someone.
With a large 10-inch display, the Facebook Portal is a more involved way to talk to your loved ones. That's why it's a great gift for college students. And, if you want to make things a little more interesting, it has AR effects so you can have a laugh when it's needed.
If that wasn't enough, the Facebook Portal is also able to play your favorite music through popular streaming apps like Spotify. When it's not in use, you can display your photos directly from Instagram and Facebook.
Key Features- Video calling
- Smart sound voice enhancer
- AR effects
- Brand: Facebook
- Operating System: Android
- Downloadable Apps: Facebook Watch, Spotify, CBS, Food Network, STARZ, Sling Television, Showtime, ABC News Live, Prime Video, iHeart Radio, Pandora, Netflix, BlueJeans, GoTo, Cisco Webex, Zoom
- Resolution: 1280x800
- Ports: Power
- Supported Audio Codecs: N/A
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Dimensions: 10.25 x 0.91 x 7.06 inches
- Display: 10 inches
- Audio: Stereo speakers
- Camera: 13MP
- Integrations: Alexa
- Spotify and other apps built-in
- Fun AR backgrounds
- Works with WhatsApp and Messenger
- Not the best sound quality for music
10. Philips Hue Smart Plug
9.60 / 10 Read ReviewsThe Philips Hue smart range is all about turning your home into a smart home, but the Philips Hue Smart Plug takes it a step further, by allowing you to control any of your power outlets that have a Philips Hue Smart Plug plugged in, remotely without needing to even be at home.
The Philips Hue Smart Plug can be controlled by voice, using any of the major voice assistants, and you can even use the app to set up timers, helping you to save money on bills by turning devices that are not in use off during the night, or while you are at college.
You don't need to be a tech expert to set up the Philips Hue Smart Plug, simply plug it in, and the app will do the rest, it couldn't be easier.
Key Features- Voice control
- Timers and schedules
- Philips Hue app
- Brand: Philips
- Integrations: Alexa, Google assistant
- Dimensions: 2.7 x 1.5 x 2.1 inches
- Weight: 9.6oz
- Hub Reqired: No, optional hub available
- Works with the Philips Hue Hub
- Voice assistant works great
- Extremely easy to setup
- Can't monitor energy usage
11. Philips Hue Lightstrip
9.00 / 10 Read ReviewsLight strips are a great way to light up your room, computer desk, or even around your TV, but the Philips Hue Lightstrips take it a step further with its incredible app, and smart capabilities, giving you tons of features at your disposal from a simple tap on your phone or tablet.
Your phone isn't the only way to control the Philips Hue Lightstrip, you can also use your voice if you have a Google assistant, Alexa, Smart Things, or any other voice assistant in your home. Infact, you don't even have to be at home to control them, if you forget to turn them off when you are out and about, you can still control them remotely.
The Philips Hue Lightstrip is easy to set up and simple to use, and can even be paired with a Philips Hue motion sensor to make them activated by motion, making them one of the coolest tech gifts for a college student out there.
Key Features- Voice activation
- Customizable profiles
- Preset mood profiles
- Light scheduling
- Brand: Philips
- Hub Required: No, optional hub available
- Color Range: Single
- Compatibility : Alexa, Google Home
- Voice Compatibility : Alexa, Apple, Google
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee
- Works with all major voice assistants
- Great app
- They look stunning
- Works with motion Hue sensors
- Compatibility issues with extending older versions
FAQ
Q: What Is the Best Tech for Students?
As students are commonly studying away from home, the best tech gifts for students are to either help them stay connected with friends and family or gifts that will help them relax in their downtime between studies.
There are also plenty of tech gift ideas that will even help them with their studies, making college a little bit easier, or even more enjoyable.
Q: How Do Gadgets Help Students?
There are multiple ways gadgets can help students. Some can help them access their study materials from their dorms, a café, or even while they are visiting home, while others can help with them missing their friends and family back home, by keeping them in touch.
Q: What Tech Should I Have for College?
There are multiple tech gadgets out there that can help with your learning. Laptops of course can help with getting work done, no matter where you are, while smart devices can help you organize your day, or just help you relax during your downtime.
