15 Grade-A Gifts for Engineers With Exacting Taste
Engineering is complicated. Gifting for engineers doesn't have to be.
Buying a gift for an engineer isn’t easy. Whether they’re mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, chemical engineers, civil engineers, or even engineering students, they can tend to be pretty picky about their possessions, often evaluating things based on their utility or specific aesthetic qualities. If you’re not an engineer yourself, it can be hard to know what an engineer friend might like.
That’s why we put together this list of 15 perfect gift ideas that will exceed the expectations of any engineer you know! From lower-priced products that highlight the rituals of their work to more premium selections sure to revolutionize the ways they do it, this gift guide has you covered! Read on for some of the best gifts for engineers on the market today.
Get an engine for the engineer in your life! They’re into those, aren’t they? This 250-piece model set comes with instructions and all of the parts and tools necessary to assemble a stunningly realistic replica Haynes V8 engine and makes for a funny engineer gift idea. See-through parts display moving camshaft, crankshaft, and pistons as well as light-up spark plugs, and an onboard sound chip reproduces engine start and run noises. Mechanical engineers in particular will love putting together this miniature version of their profession’s namesake!
The Anycubic Vyper is one of the best 3D printing solutions in the game right now, with an intuitive out-of-the-box experience that makes it quick and easy to turn concepts into finished prints - and a great gift idea for the engineer in your life! The Anycubic Vyper sports a number of user-friendly features like a one-touch auto-leveling print deck, an extra-large 4.3” touch screen interface, and silent stepper drivers for noiseless printing. And it’s not a budget half-solution either - with a print volume nearly 25 centimeters on each side and a high-precision nozzle capable of an 0.1mm print resolution powered by a 32-bit Cortex M3 chip, the Vyper is an excellent gift they’re sure to get plenty of use out of.
PowerLitre Multitool
Because they know how and when to use all of them.
An engineer can never have too many tools, but often the best tool for the job is the one you have on hand. Equip them for any task with an SOG PowerLitre! This everyday carry multitool packs a whopping 19 tools in a durable 4.6 oz stainless steel form factor, including a can opener, #1 Phillip screwdriver, bottle opener, scissors, inch ruler, needle nose pliers, bolt gripper, soft wire cutter, straight-edge blade, awl, jewelry driver, hook cutter, corkscrew and foot, millimeter ruler, magnetic bit holder, bevel gauge, and wire crimper. It's a perfect present for the engineer you know, and makes a great Christmas gift or stocking stuffer!
Measuring technology didn’t just end with the invention of the retractable tape. The engineer you know likely has to measure things almost every day, so why shouldn’t they use the most cutting-edge tool for the job? Give the unique gift of a Tomahawk T1 by Reekon Tools, a versatile measuring gadget that upgrades traditional measuring tape with an e-paper measurement list, laser line projector, and mobile app integration. Zoom in on the tape using the thumb display for precision measurement, then quickly save measurements to the grip display with the press of a button. Perfect for DIY modding and construction tasks, the Tomahawk makes measuring twice almost as fun as cutting once!
All engineers need to make a cut eventually. For when they do need to trim something down to size, the Maker Knife presents a highly-functional cutting edge with an elegant, unthreatening design. It’s a compact, lightweight, quick- and easy-opening sliding razor utility knife with a unique button- and leverless locking mechanism, and its ceramic blade excels at maintaining an edge through extensive moderate use. And at just 7.7mm thick and weighing 65g, the Maker Knife quietly disappears into a bag or pocket until it’s needed - and then gets the job done right.
Chances are good that the engineer you know spends a fair amount of time working with a screwdriver. Optimize the efficiency of their screw-related work with a Kinetic Driver! The Kinetic Driver refines screwdriver design to near perfection, with a contoured ergonomic profile and knurled aluminum grip for superior control. A precisely-weighted brass cylinder spins effortlessly on ceramic bearings to create a flywheel effect that applies just enough force to do the job so they don’t have to - and the case neatly stores a full set of included precision bits. The spinning cylinder makes for a fun gift that doubles as a fidget toy, and its virtually corrosion-proof construction will fascinate tool nerds and gadget geeks alike!
Any engineer will marvel at the breathtakingly simple, minimalist design of this Battery-Free Aroma Diffuser! This sublime kinetic sculpture needs a little help to get started spinning, then harnesses the power of a single candle to continue slowly dispensing soothing essential oils in a fine mist. Mechanical engineers will love its elegant, functional form, while chemical engineers ponder the structure They’ll admire its efficiency and recycled material construction - and may come to enjoy using aromatherapy to relax after a long day of engineering!
Almost all engineers need to make a mark on something at some point in their work, but the one you know deserves better than a plain old Bic, designed for mass production instead of user comfort and productivity. The Gravity Ballpoint Pen puts the writer first with a lightweight aluminum design with a lower center of gravity that’s closer to where the pen is held, offering superior comfort and ease of use compared to ordinary pens. Its clean aesthetics and faceted grip make it a pleasure to hold and behold and will help make it your favorite engineer’s new favorite pen in no time!
Good engineering takes good notetaking, and good notetaking takes a good notebook. The Midori MD A5 Notebook is just that - a high-quality 176-page 0.2-inch graph paper notebook with sewn thread binding for easy opening and writing as well as bleed-resistant MD paper for accommodating darker inks. It’ll be their new go-to for jotting down ideas, quick calculations, and more!
Houseplants are a great way brighten up any office or home workspace with a pop of life and color. Get the engineer you know tending to their own plant pet with this jaw-dropping Floating Planter! These wood-finished planting pots can suspend any houseplant up to 200g in midair with the power of electromagnetism, slowly rotating it as it levitates to promote healthy growth. The maker in them will appreciate the precision of its design, and who knows? They might just start to take an interest in plants that aren’t defying gravity! Makes an especially great and unique gift for aerospace engineers and a fantastic conversation starter!
If the engineer you know likes to tinker in the kitchen after work, they’ll love having a Precision Cutting Board! Perfect for perfectionists, this laser-engraved cutting board features exact measurements for a number of common kitchen cuts like julienne, batonnet, brunoise, dice, and more that won’t fade with age. Its thick bamboo wood construction makes for a durable, easy-to-clean cutting surface and looks great too!
Though not all engineers work with robotics, anyone who works with machines or even public works will get a kick out of this Arduino Programmable Robotic Arm! This robotic appendage and manipulator can move through 6 degrees of freedom and support a hefty 25kg of weight with its claw hand, while also being easy to program and control with the included mobile app. Even if it ends up as little more than a fancy headphone hanger, they’ll love putting together this industrial-looking limb and ordering their new robotic servant around!
Graphic t-shirts are timeless gifts for a reason: they communicate understanding and affection through the design or message printed on the chest. This one will remind the engineer in your life that you recognize how amazing they are for figuring out brain-bendingly complicated solutions to incredibly difficult problems that aren’t always fully articulated by clients or management - because that’s what they do, and they deserve credit for it.
Mugs are almost as common a gift idea as t-shirts for the same reason: their designs reflect awareness and appreciation of the recipient’s unique traits - and you can drink out of them! This engineer mug is a great example, detailing many of the particular qualities and experiences engineers know are part of the job, from detail-mindedness to math knowledge and sleep deprivation. It’s a little nerdy, but they’ll love that.
Many engineers begin as children intrigued by physical play, whether taking things apart, putting them back together, or manipulating them. The Intrism Mini is a smaller-scale version of the Intrism Pro and a nostalgia-inducing toy and display piece that your engineer friend will love! Not unlike a DIY Perplexus, this brain teaser is a cross between a 3D wooden puzzle and an old-fashioned labyrinth maze toy, tasking the owner with its assembly before navigating the metal ball bearing inside through the course they built - and once it’s all done, it’s looks great sitting in the included stand. It also makes a great Christmas gift for engineering-inclined youngsters!
No matter which of these cool gifts you choose for the engineer or engineering student you know, they’ll appreciate the thought and effort you put into making their lives a little more special. So go ahead - give it another look, and get them something they’re sure to love!