Teenagers love keeping up with the latest trends, but with the retail market constantly changing, it can be difficult to pinpoint a perfect gift they’ll truly cherish. This holds especially true for any 18-year-old in your life who is entering young adulthood.
Whether they’re about to start their first year of college or celebrating a birthday around the corner, think about everyday basics every 18-year-old should have. That said, finding unique gifts for 18-year-olds that are practical and sophisticated, yet trendy and maybe even funny is the key to putting a smile on their face. From a coffee machine for the caffeine fiend to a smartwatch for the fitness guru, these gifts will help you do just that.
Best tech gifts for 18-year-olds
This colorful cord will ensure they'll never confuse their phone charger with their friend's.
This gift will cover your teen on long school days or nights with their friends. Having a battery pack on them helps to ensure their safety wherever they go, because they'll never have to worry about their phone dying on them.
This lap desk comes complete with a mousepad, dock for a phone and enough space to place a laptop. Created with comfort in mind, this lap desk will allow teens to get their work done on the couch or from the comfort of their bed.
Need a good gift for an 18-year-old birthday? If you know someone who takes their music seriously, get them this JBL portable Bluetooth speaker with “punchy” bass. Besides delivering “surprisingly big audio” for its petite size, it provides up to five hours of playtime on a single charge.
Your favorite gamer can now play their go-to Playstation titles wherever they are, courtesy of this mobile controller designed for the iPhone.
These come with noise-canceling features for enhanced sound clarity. The model was also made to be compatible with various gaming stations.
Best foodie gifts for 18-year-olds
Don't compromise on healthy meals just because of a hectic schedule. This book makes it easy and less time-consuming to cook meals they’ll actually want to eat.
Treat the 18-year-old in your life to a Masterclass subscription so they can take this virtual cooking class with Gordon Ramsay. With their membership, they can also peruse other cooking and baking classes!
For the young adult who runs on caffeine, a personal coffee maker is perfect. This Keurig model can make multiple serving sizes, from 6-12 ounces. It also brews a single cup of coffee in under a minute, according to the brand, to save them some extra time.
If your teen is an avid gym-goer, then they may appreciate a personal blender to make their favorite smoothies and protein shakes. This one was designed to crush through ice and frozen fruit with ease.
Best fashion and accessory gifts for 18-year-olds
Fuzzy socks are a must, and the best part is they are perfect to wear around the house.
From first interviews to attending formal events, owning a pair of cufflinks is key to completing a dressy look. Rather than go for a traditional plain style, personalized gifts for 18-year-old boys go the distance with these. Use their initials or write a special message they can cherish.
Comfort is always a must, especially on early class days. Give your teenager a pair of reliable sweatpants that are fashionable and comfortable. The jogger provides ventilation and breathability no matter how hot or cold it is outside. It even comes with an adjustable waistband.
Associate Editor Shannon Garlin says this sling her her new “go to” personal item for travel.
“The pouch portion features two zipper pockets that fit my passport, portable charger, sunscreen, credit cards, sunglasses, some beauty items and my phone,” she says. “And there’s even a secret compartment, accessed via the backside, which features a zipper that hides against your body. This is where I safely stashed some cash and my hotel room key.
This style comes in 30+ different colors to stock up on and uses material that aims to move with you throughout the day.
Everyday basics are a closet must-have. This sweatshirt aims to provide style and comfort for even your laziest days. It was made with a cotton and polyester blend for added softness and has adjustable drawstrings to fit your needs.
Created with a contoured footbed and dual-density foam, these shoes look to move with you and even have a soft strap for added comfort.
Wallets are everyday essentials you don’t really think about upgrading until they’re already falling apart. They’ll appreciate this thoughtful and practical gift that you can even personalize (for no extra charge!) with their initials.
Who doesn't love a classic? Teens are bringing back some staple style and white Vans are just one of them. The color block detail on these Old Skool canvas shoes is just on trend, too.
This classy gold-plated bracelet that includes monogrammable disc charms. Represent their birthday month by adding their birthstone to this charm bracelet.
Best skin care and makeup gifts for 18-year-olds
Designed with flexible beads and a plush lining that contours to the face to help relieve tension and eye puffiness, this sleep mask is perfect for winding down after a long day of classes.
From moisturizer to SPF lip balm, this set from Jack Black has all of the basics for the teen who hasn't quite established a skin care routine yet. One reviewer even wrote this all-too-relatable sentiment about her boyfriend: "The essentials for your man when you’re trying to convince him to stop using bar soap on his face."
If your teen is TikTok and IG obsessed, there's a definite chance they've heard of the brand Rhode. Surprise them this year with a kit of bestsellers, and they'll think you're the coolest person on Earth.
All the skin care essentials they'll need when they're traveling with friends are packed into this adorable jelly pouch that's perfect for on-the-go.
Best game gifts for 18-year-olds
For the young adult who wants to take the escape room experience to the next level without leaving their dorm room, this game is ideal for playing with roommates, new friends and those who want to prove their survivalist skills.
This game is loved by Amazon shoppers; it has over 20,000 ratings. It's made from the same maker as What Do You Meme? and thus has a similar objective: players compete to create the funniest text message thread by matching up an inbox card with a response card.
They’ve probably seen this fast-paced game all over their TikTok For You Page and watched along in anticipation to see how each player will beat the timer. It’s the perfect game to play with friends (up to eight people can participate comfortably) and the rounds are quick, keeping everyone engaged.
Another great gift for the TikTok lover is this hilarious game in which your loved one competes with their friends to create TikTok-themed memes.
Best fitness gifts for 18-year-olds
When you're in college it's hard to find time to go to the gym after a long day of school, and regular Pilates classes don't always work with a student budget. With this kit, however, they'll be able to get their exercise in, right from their room, every day.
Most of us don't have enough space for an entire gym set in our homes, which is why this workout bar is great for the fitness fanatic in your house. It installs in any doorway in seconds and can be used to do pull-ups or chin-ups at any time.
Want your teen to size down on their workout equipment? Save space in your home and their room by gifting this five-in-one adjustable dumbbell kit. With no assembly needed, reviewers say this sturdy kit is a great bang for your buck.
Unique gifts for 18-year-olds
They're this close to being a full-blown grown-up, but may still be lacking a few critical life skills. Enter famed YouTuber Arden Rose who penned the ultimate how-to guide on everything they need to know to be a proper adult on their own terms.
"After using one tablet, I said goodbye to scrubbing and hello to grime-free hydration," wrote former production coordinator Bella Druckman. "I’m a proud owner of a Stanley Tumbler, Lululemon Hot/Cold Bottle, S’well bottle and glass coffee tumbler, and these tablets have cleaned coffee, wine and mold stains without fail."
Heatless hair curlers have been having a moment on TikTok, so chances are they may already have this Kitsch set on their wish list. Featuring a satiny foam headband and two satin scrunchies to secure their tresses while they sleep, Commerce Studios associate producer Alexa Arent previously said that these curlers "have revolutionized [her] morning routine."
This discreet personal safety alarm will easily blend in amongst the rest of their keychains while providing peace of mind. When the top pin is pulled, it activates a loud siren and flashing strobe lights to help draw attention to the situation and hopefully deter an attack, according to the brand.
Upgrade their cup situation with this unique glasses set. They can be personalized with their alma mater’s campus and is a fun way to showcase their school pride.
Keep your young adult warm with this wearable blanket. The oversized piece is made from a luxurious fleece microfiber that feels fluffy and cozy.
This Polaroid camera creates instant memories with the press of a button and aims to instantly print photos from the moment they're taken. This version comes with a bundle that includes a six-pack of white boarded film, a photo album and a carrying case.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team works hard to find the best products and coolest gifts out there. We use our own personal experiences with brands and shopping to find the most unique gifts for 18-year-olds that are sure to be a hit.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for every kid in your life including babies, 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, 9-year-olds and 10-year-olds.
