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Surprise your grad with a smart home gift

Keep things smart even after graduation with these connected home gadgets.

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David Priest
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1 of 10 Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Amazon Echo

So your grad is heading off to college, or their first apartment. The first thing you'll want to get them is a digital assistant. Alexa can help them manage their schedule, plus the Echo's speaker is great for music and games.

See more from CNET's Grads Gift Guide

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2 of 10 Taylor Martin/CNET

Google Home

If the kid is Team Google, then a Google Home might be a better option than the Echo. If you get them the right Chromecast devices, your grad will even be able to cast music and videos to other speakers and TVs around their room.

See more from CNET's Grads Gift Guide

3 of 10 Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Nanoleaf Aurora

If you really want your grad's new living space to shine, the Nanoleaf Aurora offers cool lighting panels for a striking addition to the formulaic decor.

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4 of 10 Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Braun BrewSense KF7150

Of course, whether they're heading to college or to their first job, life isn't just about having the coolest room. Step 1 for classes or work: coffee. The Braun BrewSense is a great machine for those new to coffee. It's affordable, compact and reliable.

See more from CNET's Grads Gift Guide

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5 of 10 Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Homeboy

Is your grad worried about a roommate they don't know well? The $149 Homeboy is a solid, low-maintenance smart cam. They can use it to know for sure their belongings stay secure.

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6 of 10 Chris Monroe/CNET

Abode Starter Kit

If a single smart cam won't cut it, the $299 Abode DIY security system offers the flexibility to fit your grad's security needs in their new digs.

See more from CNET's Grads Gift Guide

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7 of 10 Chris Monroe/CNET

August Smart Lock

Of course, when it comes to smart security, the best starting point is a reliable lock. The August Smart Lock is controllable with Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant.

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8 of 10 Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Neato Botvac Connected

If you're more worried about your grad maintaining a decent living space, a smart vacuum might be in order. The Neato Botvac Connected is one of the best deals on the market for its performance.

See more from CNET's Grads Gift Guide

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9 of 10 Chris Monroe/CNET

D-Link Wi-Fi Water Sensor

If they want something that's a little less obtrusive than a robot vacuum, a flood detector might help keep them from waking up knee-deep in water after a burst pipe. The D-Link Wi-Fi Water Sensor doesn't need batteries, and it'll send push notifications in the case of floods.

See more from CNET's Grads Gift Guide

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10 of 10 Chris Monroe/CNET

Fizzics Waytap

Your grad is growing up, and while taking early professional steps is important, so is having a little fun. Fizzics is a clever beer machine that lends bottled beverages the mouthfeel of their tapped counterparts.

See more from CNET's Grads Gift Guide

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