Surprise your grad with a smart home gift

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.

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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.

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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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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.

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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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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.

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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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