I'm a father of five and grandfather to two. I'm also a full-time digital nomad, working remotely while traveling to see the world. In the past, long-distance solo trips could mean going weeks or even months without interacting with my family, but thankfully, today's technology allows me to stay in touch with just the touch of a button.
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Because I mostly only keep in touch with my kids through Zoom or FaceTime, I miss out on the everyday IRL moments when a parent overhears small talk or notices things their kids use or leave around the house. Luckily, my kids are all tech nerds like me, so they're happy to tell me about the gadgets that will most help them in their lives as they navigate their early adulthood.
Officer Kimanzi
My kids range in age from 21 to 29, so a lot has happened over the last few years with them starting college, moving into their first apartments, and getting ready for the new school year.
With back to school fast approaching, if you're looking for a little (or even extravagant) gift for the youngsters in your life, these tech-related gifts have been the best for me and my family.
Airfly/CNET
Working as a digital nomad means spending a lot of time on airplanes, and one of the experiences I haven't enjoyed on planes is using wired headphones with the entertainment system.
Since I bought the AirFly Bluetooth adapter, I have no regrets. This Bluetooth wireless audio transmitter and receiver works with AirPods or wireless headphones. Plug this gadget into the entertainment center of an airplane or train and you can pair your wireless device. A Bluetooth connection will be established anywhere there is a regular headphone jack.
Your graduate will probably want to travel at some point (or, even better, travel with you!), so this is a gift they'll love.
Lori Grunin/CNET
As for my kids, 3 out of 5 prefer Apple laptops. I've bought a 14″ MacBook Pro, a 15″ MacBook Air, and a 16″ MacBook Pro.
Our 22-year-old daughter likes the 14″ MacBook Pro shown here because it's the right size of the three devices. She codes but travels so doesn't need a big screen. Our 24-year-old son prefers the 16″ MacBook Pro because he does both coding and graphics work and wanted a bigger screen. And our 21-year-old daughter likes the 15″ MacBook Air because of the bigger screen and lighter laptop.
JBL/CNET
I travel with headphones, but I often use a Bluetooth speaker when watching shows or listening to music. I like the JBL Flip 5 portable Bluetooth speaker because it's small enough to fit in my travel bag and easy to use.
This is a mid-range speaker for the price, the sound quality is good enough for me, and it's durable and waterproof.
Alienware/CNET
Two of my kids are gamers and prefer PCs over Apple computers, so I bought them the Alienware x16 R2 gaming laptop, which they both love because it's fast, has a great Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics card, and has a good refresh rate for gaming.
I've learned from personal experience that surprising your gaming kid with an Alienware laptop will earn you major parenting points.
Bose/CNET
Battery life: up to 20 hours Noise cancelling: yes (ANC) Multipoint: yes Headphone type: over-ear wireless headphones Waterproof: no IP rating:
Strangely, when Dad was buying them, all of the kids opted for over-the-ear headphones rather than earbuds.
I love the Bose Headphones 700 for traveling, and my kids seem to love them too. They sound great, fit comfortably in the ear, and are wireless. Some of my college-aged kids are Apple people, some Android people, but they're united by their shared love of Bose.
Read our review of the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700.
Apple/CNET
I'm an Apple user, so the Apple MagSafe portable charger is perfect for my iPhone 15 Pro Max. It's small and light enough to fit in a pocket. I bought Apple's MagSafe chargers for all three of my kids, and they love the ability to just place their phone down and have it charge without having to constantly look for the cord.
Numi Prasarn/CNET
Tablets are great gifts because they are a mobile device that can do most of the work of a laptop. I use my iPad on planes and in hotels because it is easier to use than a laptop. All five of my adult children prefer Apple products when it comes to tablets. They use them mainly for taking notes and streaming shows in a comfortable space.
Tablets have come a long way in terms of speed, screen clarity, and powerful processors inside. Now you can perform business tasks on the go with your iPad, which is more convenient than pulling out your laptop.
Anchor/CNET
This Bluetooth speaker is inexpensive but still good, so I bought one for myself and my kids. This mobile speaker is perfect for watching movies in a hotel or Airbnb (and not to mention blasting your favorite Taylor Swift songs).
My kids also love this affordable speaker and say it's a gift they'll actually use, which is always a plus.
Read our Anker SoundCore 2 review.
Anchor/CNET
Mobile energy is essential to power gadgets on the go. When traveling on a plane, train, bus, or ride-hailing, outlets aren't always available. Anker's MagGo power bank is my go-to mobile power source for traveling.
Luckily, my kids agree. They love the Anker MagGo because it's portable and not too bulky. Being able to power their gadgets at school, work, or on the go is a great gift for older kids.
Bose/CNET
Some of my kids want the best sound quality from external speakers, so we ended up relying on Bose. They like the Bose Bluetooth speaker because it's small but has a powerful audio output. Not only can it play loud at a party, but it also fits easily in a backpack or carry-on.
Technology gifts are a win-win
Tech gifts are an easy way to give your kids a quality of life when they don't yet have a salary to support themselves. They'll be happy, and you'll be happy to give them a gift they'll actually want and use. You can't go wrong with these gifts as you send your youngsters off on their next adventure.
