14 Best gifts for Mechanical Engineers (in 2024)

Mechanical Engineers are tough to shop for. They lean toward gifts that are practical, functional and unique. Being an engineer myself, I wanted to assemble what I think are the best gifts for mechanical engineers and mechanical engineering students.

Whether it’s a graduation gift for a student, birthday present or Christmas gift, I hope this gift guide helps you finish your gift shopping faster than ever and brings a smile to a mechanical engineer’s face. Show them you understand their passion for engineering and support them when they geek out over your perfect gift.

This list is a compilation of my favorites from around the internet. Some are our own Genius Lab Gear inventions and some we’re just jealous we didn’t think of first! Some external links in this page are from affiliates, which means that any purchase of the items after clicking the link will result in a small monetary referral fee paid back to Genius Lab Gear at no cost to you. We appreciate your support which allows us to continue inventing and testing the best tools for engineers on the planet!

Gifts for Mechanical Engineers under $50

1. The Pocket Engineer Wallet Ruler and Unit Conversion Reference

The most practical and unique pocket tool for any student or professional in mechanical engineering. It’s the size of a credit card and packed with functionality and information that a mechanical engineer will need on daily basis both in school and on the job.

The laser-cut and laser-engraved stainless steel has a thick black enamel coating to prevent scratching and stand up to years of abuse. One of the best cheap gadget gifts that any mechanical engineer will geek out over. You can order directly through our site or on Amazon with the links below.

You can also add a custom logo to this for events, networking, or promotional giveaways! Custom orders start at 100 pieces - just email us for more info.

The Pocket Engineer at Genius Lab Gear

The Pocket Engineer from Amazon

2. rOtring or Staedtler Mechanical Pencil

Mechanical pencils are considered the #1 daily essential for mechanical engineers. They let you precisely draw diagrams for homework or professional work with the option to make fine adjustments with the eraser. In the new digital age, mechanical pencils are still required but mechanical engineers often find themselves using touchscreens as well.

That’s why my new favorite is the rOtring 800 Retractable Mechanical Pencil, (0.5 mm). This one turns from a pencil to a stylus on the fly, and also ensures the tip isn’t poking holes in your pocket all day like most other models. This is truly the top-end mechanical pencil and will make a special gift.

Check price on Amazon

Staedtler is another brand much-loved by engineers. This model is cheaper and will last a long time, but just isn’t convertible to a stylus. You can’t go wrong with either one.

3. Funny Engineering-themed Word Magnets

We recently launched a full line of science and engineering-themed word magnets and of course made a set specifically for engineers! Each specialty pack comes with 144 tiles carefully designed by a PhD in that field for technical accuracy and tacit absurdity. These make for a funny mechanical engineering gift for students for a dorm, lab or office that lets them express their technical side but isn't work-oriented.

You can also bundle it from our site with our newest "Engineering is for Everyone" sticker and The Pocket Engineer above!

4. Lab Coat Pocket Protector

In their rigid world where gears dance and machines come alive, you would think the grandest gift is the way to go for gifting these mechanical geniuses. But the truth is, gifts that seamlessly blend into their workflow, striking the perfect balance of functionality and style, are often overlooked but end up being just the right choice.

The venerable Pocket Protector became a cultural icon in the 1960's and 1970's, but somewhere along the way the newer generation of STEM researchers forgot about them. Mechanical Engineers need these back in their labs to stay organized, stay efficient, protect their lab coats, and finish their experiments without being late to lunch. So we researched and tested every type ever made to methodically solve each problem and come up with this refreshed design.

Available in spruce green, sapphire blue, and faded pink - the top 3 colors voted on by our fans! You can even get it from our Amazon page if that's easier.

pocket protector gift for scientists and engineers

5. Rocketbook Matrix cloud-connected reusable paper notebook

This is my favorite clever invention. It was inevitable. Rocketbook finally solved the problem of merging your hand-written notes into your favorite digital services. You simply use their app to take a photo of your pages of notes and the QR code and marked symbols on each page trigger the app to send the digitized page to any of the 9 pre-set digital destinations you choose. This includes OneNote, Evernote, Google Drive, Dropbox and even specific emails. Want a shortcut to send notes via email straight to your colleague or boss? This is what you’re looking for.

The Rocketbook Matrix is my personal favorite because it's designed for more technical work. It's got 30 pages of graphing paper and one regular lined page for taking notes, plus a built-in ruler on the inside cover. Did I mention they are reusable? Use their "Pilot Frixion" pens and then wipe the page with a damp cloth after uploading your notes to use it all over again (and win one for the environment!).

If it's sold out on their website (it's very popular) - you can also get it on Amazon.

rocketbook matrix reusable scientist lab notebook

6. BOSCH Laser Distance Measure

Another tool that mechanical engineers use is the tape measure. Regular tape measures can be inaccurate and awkward to use. Fortunately, those problems can be solved with a newer technology called laser distance measurement. It’s truly a perfect gift for a civil engineer! We love that it’s accurate up to 65 feet, fits inside a pocket, and it provides live measurements that adjust as you move closer or further from the target.

Check the price on Amazon

7. Books for mechanical engineers to read for pleasure (not textbooks!)

Engineers often get stuck in a loop of always reading technical documents, textbooks and journal articles. It’s important to occasionally break that cycle and dive into a book for pleasure. Below are a few of our favorite science-related books that will be an enjoyable read for any scientist or engineer.

The Martian by Andy Weir

This is our all-time favorite book that any scientist or engineer will enjoy reading. For such a technical book, it’s got an incredible plot yet isn’t overly dramatized (except a little at the end). No other fiction book has captured this much popularity while running through exact calculations, estimations and scientific principles just to keep someone alive. You’ll be rooting for Mark Watney and inspired by the idea that your technical knowledge could one day save your life.

Check the price on Amazon

Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future

This biography of Elon Musk quickly became a bestseller for its engaging look at the quintessential engineering hero. Biographies are often boring, but not this one. Musk’s life is a roller coaster of visionary undertakings, massive setbacks and outside-the-box thinking that will inspire any engineer to reach further in their own work.

Check the price on Amazon

Skunk Works: A Personal Memoir of My Years at Lockheed by Ben Rich

A popular and highly-rated classic about the top secret “Skunk Works” engineering projects at Lockheed Martin that helped win the Cold War, written by the head of the division for two decades. It covers the pinnacle of high-pressure, high-stakes ultra-secretive engineering projects and the technological game of chess that the USA was playing with the Soviet Union in the 1970’s and 1980’s. It includes anecdotes and testimonials from high-ranking government officials and pilots on revolutionary projects like the SR-71 Blackbird, F-116 Stealth Fighter and U-2 spy plane.

I personally loved this book and laughed out loud in nearly every chapter. It's an enjoyable and inspiring read for any engineer who has a true passion for problem solving and cutting-edge technology. The reader will also take away valuable lessons for managing technical projects and teams of scientists and engineers to achieve nearly impossible goals.

Check the price on Amazon

More recommended books for Graduate Students:

If the person you have in mind is also a graduate student, take a look at our new list of The Best Books to Make You a Better Grad Student.

8. Magnetic wristband for hands-on building and repairs

This magnetic wristband is a cheap but extremely handy add-on that is universally loved by mechanics, machinists, and mechanical engineers who like to build or fix things. Mine has helped stop my constant clumsiness dropping tiny screws or misplacing my drill bit heads.

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9. Professional Engineer Exam Study Guide

Tests for certified engineering licenses like the PE and FE can seem daunting but they are critical in many engineering careers. Luis Duque, a civil engineer who passed the PE on his first try and hosts a podcast called Engineering Our Future, is dedicated to teaching study skills and career skills for young engineers. Luis also launched a very affordable study skills email course to help engineers actively preparing for their FE or PE exam. If your engineer is close to graduation or approaching their PE exam, gifting them this course would be a huge help.

pe exam study guide course

Gifts for Mechanical Engineers under $100

10. Raspberry Pi 4 kit for custom robotics and DIY projects

A Raspberry Pi is a miniature bare-bones computer that is fully programmable using the Python language. There’s a whole ecosystem of “makers” sharing how-to guides and helping each other on special DIY projects using these. Mechanical engineers are the best “makers” out there and often enjoy building and creating unique custom gadgets that the Raspberry Pi enables.

Most mechanical engineers can easily handle the minimal Python coding necessary (following guides). Examples they would love include robotic cars, smart home hubs, and even a real magic mirror. I personally made this one and it was a ton of fun! See a full list of projects on the Adafruit projects page.

Raspberry-Pi-4-kit

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11. Mitutoyo Digital Calipers for precise measurements

Every mechanical engineer (or student) doing hands-on work learns that a good set of calipers is essential to the job. They let you take precise measurements of small objects - this lets you recreate them in 3D modeling, check fit tolerances before assembling parts, or help to design a new product around an existing item.

This particular caliper set measures down to 10 microns and is the gold standard used in most university and industry labs. Mitutoyo is known for precision and durability, and the digital readout helps to save time and reduce errors in recording the measurements. Spend the extra money upfront on this set and your mechanical engineer will be set for at least a decade or two. If this one isn't in your budget, you can go for the analog version or a much cheaper but useful one for less-precise projects.

Check price on Amazon

Ultimate gifts for Mechanical Engineers (under $200)

12. Hakko digital soldering station

Any mechanical engineer that deals with robotics, machinery, or electronics integrated into their builds will need to solder components together, especially for “maker” DIY projects. I personally own this Hakko digital soldering station for these projects. Hakko isn’t the cheapest, but has consistently been the #1 recommended brand from all the “old-timer” engineers I’ve talked to and should last a lifetime.

If you’re going all-in get the full kit (what I have), but just the station is a great start that they can add to as needed. There are much cheaper options that will get you by but may not last as long as the Hakko kits.

Check price on Amazon

13. FLIR thermal imaging camera for smartphones

If you have the budget, this FLIR thermal imaging camera is an amazing tool that any mechanical engineer would find plenty of uses for. Primarily it can identify hot-spots where insulation is cracked, fluids are leaking, or components are overheating. You can also just have a lot of fun around the house and in the kitchen exploring the thermals of your world. Many people buy this and make their money back in heating/AC bills by looking at their doors, windows, and walls for gaps or poor insulation.

Be sure to get the correct version (for Android or iPhone). If that’s out of your price range, a handheld infrared point-and-shoot thermometer is also extremely useful for finding hotspots, even though it doesn’t have the digital display or data collection.

Check price on Amazon

14. Engineer’s Gift Bundle

If you can't decide by now, I can still help! Consider this decision made. I put together a Engineer Gift Bundle just to make it easy for you. It includes the Pocket tool and Word Magnets from above, plus a few fun science stickers. You'll save over 20% by bundling them together, so grab this and you can stop your search here!