49 Best Gifts for 18-Year-Olds That Are Actually Useful & Fun

Gift your 18-year-old a portable projector that connects via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Then insist that they use it for family movie nights with you.

The Owala FreeSip is a Glamour-editor-approved water bottle. It's double-insulated, so it keeps drinks cold for 24 hours. Plus, it has a built-in straw and sip opening as well as a lid so it won’t spill or leak if it tips over. And it comes in 22 colors and four different sizes.

Usher your teen into adulthood with an accessory that’s likely been on their radar for the better part of high school. Lululemon’s beloved belt bag is sized just right for their daily essentials and comes in 14 colors.

Stacked with all the right ingredients for their youthful skin, Laniege’s Besties Set will be a hit with the skin care girlies. The set comes with a hydrating cleanser, a hyaluronic acid serum, a moisturizing cream, and two of the brand’s fan-favorite lip sleeping masks.

What goes around comes around. If these classic Adidas sneaks were your favorite as a teen, share the love by gifting with your 18-year-old a fresh pair.

You’re never too grown for good vibes. This Crosley turntable will keep plenty of their favorite artists in rotation.

Ray-Ban’s classic Clubmaster silhouette looks good on a range of face shapes and comes in a bunch of frame colors and lens tints.

By 18 they’ve most likely proved that they’re responsible enough to keep track of earbuds. This second-generation pair has more advanced noise canceling, so they can zone out when it’s time to study.

Yes, these are technically slippers, but the platform sole gives them the look of a stylish clog. So don’t fight your teen if they decide to wear them to school.

Consider the Dyson Airwrap an investment piece for your teen. The iconic styler comes with five attachments for drying and styling different hair textures, and can all be stashed in the carrying case that’s included.

Here’s a starter set for subtle accessorizing. The necklace and bracelet duo feature a Cuban link design and is made of 925 sterling silver that’s then coated in 14-karat solid gold.

Having a consistent skin care routine is one of the unspoken rites of passage to adulting. This set of Drunk Elephant bestsellers is a good starting point. The six-piece kit comes with a cleanser, a day serum, a cream, a face oil, a sunscreen, and a night serum.

Gamers and aesthetic girls alike will appreciate these highly rated LED lights that come with two rolls to cover a larger area and illuminate brighter thanks to more lights than other versions.

Swap in a designer tote that has ample space for their daily college essentials but still feels elevated from their high school backpack.

Indulge your teen’s love for swiping TikTok with this scrolling ring that effortlessly takes them to the next video, easily hits the clicker on a selfie, and has controls to turn the volume on their device up and down.

A well-stocked snack fridge that has LED lights to match their room vibes makes for uninterrupted gaming or bingeing their favorite shows from bed.

Celebrate their birthday any day of the year with a custom birthdate candle, each made with fragrance notes meant to evoke the traits of their special day.

When the scent of Sol de Janiero’s cult-favorite Bum Bum Cream begins to fade on skin, this more intense perfume version will keep the sweet tropical vibes going.

Young athletes or teens going for gains can get their workouts in at home with adjustable dumbbells that go up to 90 pounds and convert between a barbell, a kettlebell, and a push-up bar.

More stylish than a traditional gym duffel and not as casual as a backpack, this quilted carryall will cover every base. It comes in nine colors and is large enough for a laptop, a yoga mat, and plenty more.

This understated accessory features a constellation of their zodiac sign, accented with white sapphire gemstones.

These embellished hair ties come adorned with charms and hardware, so they double as bracelets.

Help them find their first signature scent with this set that comes with eight of the brand's best-selling perfumes. These will act as the perfect holdovers while they wait for Phlur’s viral Strawberry Letter perfume to restock. IYKYK.

Whether it’s a precollege gift or a bedroom makeover for their birthday, a lap desk with built-in storage will make for more comfortable and organized study sessions.

Few things say adulting more than a pair of cuff links. This personalized accessory will mark a new chapter in their formal dressing era, whether it’s prom or graduation.

Share a bit of nostalgia from your teenage years or unlock a new hobby for them with a pair of retro roller skates. These come in seven color combos, and reviewers suggest sizing up if your teen wears a half size.

Hoodies are pretty much the anchor piece of any teen’s wardrobe. An supersoft oversized version makes for a cozy addition to the mix.

This It bag comes in the best mix of colors and a few surprise styles like a magenta faux fur or a lime green shade with crystal embellishments.

Perfect for their first internship or a more collegiate wardrobe revamp, these slightly chunky loafers are a trendy alternative when they’re ready to give their boots a break.

Sentimental pieces make the best gifts. This cute envelope-shaped locket is engravable and features a tiny metal-printed photo of your choice tucked inside.

Whipping up smoothies before class is a breeze with a personal blender that comes with a spouted lid for sipping on the go.

A nylon cross-body is perfectly sized to fit all their daily essentials including a phone, a small water bottle, and earbuds. This practical pick is also water-repellant and comes in nine neutral colors.

Help your young adult develop good sleep habits with a light-blocking mask that has hollow eye cups to ease pressure or to keep lash extensions intact.

G-Shocks’s GM-110 Series is sporty enough to get knocked around during workouts or games, but features a gold-toned face that gives it a grown-up touch when sweats aren’t in the dress code.

Level up their lounging with a personalized robe, made of a cozy micro-fleece material. It’ll feel like a spa day even if they haven’t left the couch.

This candle trio features three relaxing scents: Lazy Sunday Morning, By the Fireplace, and Bubble Bath, to put them right into chill mode after a busy school week or finals.

One whiff of this cereal-scented candle will stir maybe not-so-distant memories of devouring a bowl of their favorite breakfast food.

Cuddly, cute, and a perfect addition to any teen's dorm or room decor.

Since they can’t take their furry sibling to college with them, this thoughtful custom tee will keep them top of mind. Upload a few pics of your pet and it’ll be printed in a cute concert-style tee.

When their room isn’t set up for late-night reading with bedside lights, this neck light will help keep them on task with all their latest BookTok recommendations.

Help them set their goals and intentions for their personal new year with a birthstone wishing ball. There’s a different color glass for each month, and each kit comes with 52 slips of paper for them to write a goal, wish, or accomplishment for each week of the year.

Put your sentiments in lights with a bright but dimmable “Never Grow Up” neon sign.

Equal parts pretty and practical, this essential oil diffuser features a fine mist with a color-changing LED that gives the effects of a flame.

Cooling hydrogel patches will help with dark circles and puffiness and may come in handy as they crank through midterms and college acceptances.

They can practice their handle any time of day with this illuminated basketball that gets brighter as it bounces.

Nothing will compare to the advice you give your 18-year-old, but this funny guide can help equip them with a bit of real-world smarts. The book includes tips on how to put together an outfit on a budget, how to manifest a healthy relationship, and more.

Keep devices protected with a slim laptop case that converts to an angled stand when they’re ready to work.