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Illustration depicting various tech products for back to school and the words Mashable Smart Shopper
Our highly curated shopping guide for students heading back to school.

Stock up for the school year

Premium Pick

Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch Laptop (M2)

Slimmer than your average textbook, this zippy MacBook has a snappy keyboard for writing papers and an accessible sticker price.

Budget Pick

Dell Chromebook 3110 Laptop

With rubbery edges and a spill-resistant keyboard, this cheap Chromebook can handle almost anything kids (literally) throw at it.

HP Chromebook Plus x360 14b Laptop

A flippable touchscreen and 10-hour battery life mean this stylish laptop can go from class to post-homework YouTube marathons.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 Laptop

A slick Chromebook for big kids with a QHD webcam, a speedy new processor, and a "grown-up" looking aluminum design. (No plastic!)

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 Laptop

Small enough to chuck in a duffel bag during practice, and a detachable keyboard that lets it do double-duty as a tablet.

Apple MacBook Pro Laptop (M3)

For when they're ready to graduate from TikTok-making. An industry favorite with a vivid screen, tons of power, and ports galore.

Best PC option

Dell XPS 16 Laptop

Crush video-editing projects with a high-end big-screener. Aspiring creatives can upgrade it with Nvidia graphics for extra oomph.

Budget Pick

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3

Polished-looking and plenty portable for busy students, with a keyboard our reviewer deemed "one of the best I’ve ever used."

Razer Blade 14 Laptop

You wouldn't know it by its compact size, but this splurge-worthy gaming laptop is hiding beefy internals for new AAA titles.

Premium Pick

Apple MacBook Air Laptop

For studious, app-juggling multitaskers, the 15-inch M3 Air is a chipset upgrade with a spacious screen and dual monitor support.

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Laptop

This mid-ranger is a low-key "gaming beast," per our reviewer. Bring it to class, then tackle the "Elden Ring" DLC after the bell.

Budget Pick

Acer Nitro V 15 Laptop

Mashable's favorite gaming laptop under $1,000 skips fancy extras in favor of sheer power for playing graphically demanding games.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE Laptop

This cloud gaming laptop with a pretty 120Hz display and an RGB keyboard has a price that will appeal to cash-strapped freshmen.

Amazon Fire 7 Kids

A budget tablet that comes with age-suitable content for little tykes, plus a warranty and case for parents' peace of mind.

Premium Pick

Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2)

Get more done between lectures with this lightweight, long-lasting laptop alternative. It also comes in a new 13-inch size.

Top Pick

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro

Geared toward learning and entertainment for ages 6 to 12, with built-in parental controls to make sure screen time is productive.

Kindle Kids

Young bookworms will appreciate this tiny ereader's long battery life and ample storage. Parents can set goals and controls.

Kindle Paperwhite

A battery life of up to 10 weeks and an adjustable light for after-hours reading make it easier to keep up with BookTok.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

An affordable iPad alternative, this svelte Android tablet comes with its own stylus for jotting down notes or drawing on the go.

Mashable Choice

Apple Pencil

No. 2 pencils are so last semester. Apple's smooth stylus pairs effortlessly with iPads for doodling and note-taking.

EarFun K2 Kids Headphones

Comfy and nice-sounding cans for kids that won't leave a huge dent in a back-to-school budget. Choose from seven fun colors.

Puro Sound Labs JuniorJams Plus Headphones

Available in a rainbow of hues, these pint-sized Bluetooth headphones have a volume limit of 85 dB to protect little ears.

Puro Sound Labs BT2200s Plus Headphones

A good first pair of big-kid headphones with a safe noise limit and interchangeable ear cups for the perfect fit.

Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet Plus Headphones

Make it easier for your student to focus on homework. These noise-limiting headphones for kids and tweens have noise cancellation.

Sony ULT Wear Headphones

For jammer-outers, these chunky new headphones have "booming sound" and "deep bass," our reviewer said. Plus, the price is right.

Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones

Sony's flagship headphones sound better than any other cans we've tried and can make a buzzing classroom quieter than a library.

Apple Airpods Pro Earbuds

Iconic wireless earbuds with excellent ANC, a battery life of up to 30 hours (with their case), and perennial cool points.

Beats Fit Pro Earbuds

Stellar sound, great battery life, and a comfy, sweat-resistant design — these tick all the right boxes for student athletes.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

Ideal for heads-down study sessions, our reviewer said these are "the most comfortable over-the-ear headphones I've tried."

Bark Phone

If your student isn't quite ready for an iPhone, Bark Phone lets you monitor usage, approve apps, and more.

Gabb Phone

The Gabb Phone 3 Pro has no internet or social media access — just a straightforward phone with built-in safety features.

Mashable Choice

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Whether its their first phone or an upgrade, the iPhone 15 is one of the best smartphones out there.

Top Pick

Loftie Clock

Go beyond a phone alarm with this clock stacked with white noise, meditations, and bedtime stories.

Hatch Restore 2

Equipped with sleep sounds and a sunrise alarm, the Hatch Restore 2 can help students master their sleep routine.

LittleHippo Mella Alarm Clock

Start good sleep habits early with six night light colors and three sleep sounds built in to this adorable alarm clock.

Echo Dot

Whether they want to listen to music or need homework help, the Echo Dot is a universally useful device for students.

Echo Dot Kids

Designed with kids in mind, this Echo Dot includes parental controls and a year of Amazon Kids+.

Echo Studio

Crank Alexa up a notch with the best-sounding Echo speaker — great for sleepovers or dorm room parties.

Roomba j7

Make your student's chores a little easier with a Roomba equipped with smart mapping and obstacle avoidance.

Roborock S8+

This splurge-worthy robo vac also mops, making it ideal for virtually any floor type.

Budget Pick

Roomba Combo i5

A budget-friendly robot vacuum/mop combo can set your student up for a tidy environment.

Ryobi ONE+ cordless wet/dry vacuum

This portable vacuum is great for teaching younger kids to clean or for older kids to keep in their cars or bedrooms.

Top Pick

Coway Air Purifier

This powerful air purifier eliminates odors, allergens, and pullutants — keeping your student's room fresh and breathable.

Levoit Air Purifier

Eliminate smoke, pollen, dust, and pet dander with one of our favorite air purifier brands.

Premium Pick

Dyson Purifier Cool

No one can concentrate in a hot, stinky space. Use your voice (or an app) to power this well-reviewed air purifier and fan combo.

GE 6-outlet surge protector

Multiply the amount of available outlets so everyone in the group project can keep their devices charged and at the ready.

Outlet Extender Surge Protector

For when dorm room outlet options are limited, this adapter includes multiple ports and even protects against power surges.

Philips Hue Smart Bulbs

Whether it’s time to study, sleep, or somewhere in between, a set of smart light bulbs means instant ambiance.

GE LED color changing speaker lightbulb

Sync lights to music with this smart light bulb and speaker combo that doesn’t require a hub or even WiFi to work.

Amazon Basics Mesh Back Desk Chair

Doing homework on the bed or couch is just an invitation to doze off. Invest in a proper chair to stay in study mode.

Gaiam Ultimate Balance Ball Chair

For students who can’t stop moving, a ball chair provides an invitation to bounce and jiggle while also staying on task.

Top Pick

Secretlab Titan Evo

An ergonomic and sturdy choice that topped our list of the best gaming chairs and doubles as a great everyday seat for studying.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Lift Top Desk and Chair

Test-cramming sessions may be a ways off, but your kiddo will still love a dedicated space with a desk and chair sized just right.

Budget Pick

Under-Desk Treadmill

Slim and lightweight enough to be stored under a bed or desk, this low-profile treadmill gets an A+ from motivated multitaskers.

Premium Pick

2-in-1 Folding Treadmill

Serious about sports and studying? Keep up with assignments while logging some miles — all from the comfort of your room.

Anker Surge Protector Power Strip

One plug is never enough. This beefy power strip and surge protector (with a smart layout) fixes that and then some.

Power strip cover and outlet cover box

Keep little fingers away from power cords and plugs with this tamper-proof set that’s complicated for kids, but easy for adults.

Microsoft 365

A family plan gains you access to the entire suite of Microsoft programs for up to six people and five simultaneous devices.

Dribble Up Smart Soccer Ball

App-powered practice sessions and virtual training improve skills and confidence — your own personal coach in your backyard.

Top Pick

Fitbit Ace 3

Teach your kid about time and inspire them to keep active via activity tracking and step competitions on this friendly smartwatch.

Fitbit Charge 6

All the standard fitness tracking, plus stress management scores, a readout on sleep quality, and a battery that lasts all week.

Budget Pick

Biggerfive Fitness Tracker

A super simplified system means no motivational games or digital rewards, but the basics are covered at an A+ price point.

Tempura Paint Sticks

The effect of paint but with the ease of a crayon, these (relatively) mess-free paint sticks get high marks from budding artists.

Crayola Twistibles Colored Pencil Set

Never sharpen a colored pencil again.

Sketch book

One hundred pages of possibility, with a lay-flat spiral binding to make things easier on your Picasso in training.

Top Pick

Wacom Cintiq 22

Durable design, a paper-like feel, and an anti-glare screen make this professional-level drawing tablet a worthy investment.

Roy Licthenstein Watch

Top marks for this slick timepiece from Swatch, which features art from the iconic Roy Lichtenstein on its face.

Mondrian Lunch Box

An understated, insulated lunch box that says “art class is my favorite” to anyone paying attention.

Adobe Premiere Pro

A suite of tools ideal for creators of all levels, plus students save more than 60% on the Creative Cloud All Apps plan.

Movie Power Lunch Box

In between takes, they’ll be grateful for some fresh snacks from craft services (AKA mom & dad) in this movie-themed lunch bag.

Disney Princess Backpack

Keep books and supplies organized in this sturdy backpack decorated with an allover pattern of Disney’s most beloved heroines.

Star Wars Backpack

Keep books and supplies organized in this sturdy backpack decorated with an allover pattern of Disney’s most beloved heroines.

Express VPN

A great choice for working on a laptop over public WiFi or circumventing geo-based streaming restrictions while studying abroad.

Leather Journal Notebook

Whether they fill it with scene studies or calculus class notes, this leather-bound notebook will speak to aspiring playwrights.

Broadway Lunch Box

Is it tech week or another rehearsal? Just pack the snacks. When they snag a Tony someday, you’ll be the one they thank.

Grammarly

A web-based writing assistant that can catch typos, grammar mistakes, and more doubles as a teaching tool for students.

Academic Planner

The spiral binding on this sleek, simple planner helps it lay flat — a must for multi-taskers with lots to keep track of.

Apple Watch

Set reminders, keep tabs on schedules, and track workout performance. Oh yeah, it also tells the time.

Lunch box

Smart lines, a classic design, ample pocket space, and an easy-to-clean interior put this lunch box at the head of the class.

Editor Pick

Highlighter Post-It Pens

Annotating a text is an art form. Skip the screen and mark up pages IRL using a highlighter with Post-Its built in.

Pencil Case

Enough pockets and compartments to hold every last lucky pen and trusty highlighter for the student who gets an A in organization.

Steam

Unwind after a long day of classes by diving into a new game (or playing Minecraft for the hundredth time).

Gamer Lunch Box

Trade cheat codes over sandwiches with this insulated lunch box remnicscent of the Nintendo Switch.

Budget Pick

Roccat Gaming Keyboard

A whisper-quiet gaming keyboard is ideal for dorm rooms and sleeping siblings — and you can’t beat that price.

Premium Pick

Razer BlackWidow Gaming Keyboard

Alternate between writing that term paper or book report and playing Fortnite with this feature-rich PC gaming keyboard.

Staff Paper Notebook

Will your mini Mozart compose their first requiem? Even if Taylor Swift is more their speed, a staff paper notebook is a must.

Garageband

Allows you to transform an iPhone, iPad, or Mac into a fully functioning audio studio — great for students just getting started.

Logic X

An advanced, powerful audio editor beloved by student musicians and professional performers alike.

Midi Keyboard

For music majors and mini maestros, this MIDI keyboard is beginner friendly and sized just right for dorm rooms and desks.

Microphone

Anyone serious about recording music or starting a podcast will need a high-quality mic that’s up to the task. This is it.

Fender Amp Lunch Box

For when you have to go right to lunch from band practice. This retro-style box may lack insulation but it has style in spades.

NASA lunch box

Officially licensed by NASA and modeled after the orange flightsuits that the astronauts wear. Freeze-dried food not included.

Astronaut lunch box

Every day can feel like space camp with this astronaut-themed lunch box that includes a top buckle for affixing it to a backpack.

Field Notes Graph Paper Notebooks

Keep lab notes and science project observations within reach at all times with these pocket-sized, graph paper notebooks.

Graph Paper Spiral Notebook

Think outside the lines and opt for a graphed notebook, which is especially great for kids interested in science, gaming, and art.

Graphing Calculator TI-84

Thinner and sleeker than the TI-84 you remember, with new features (like a rechargeable battery) and available in fun colors.

Editor Pick

Pentel RSVP pens

Comfortable, hefty (in the best way), with a smooth glide. Lefties can even write freely without fearing the smudge.

Monster Pencil Case

Put a smile on your kiddo’s face each time they reach for their colored pencils, then pop it in the wash when it gets yucky.

Highlighters

Bright, no-smear highlighters make late-night study sessions more bearable. Each set includes 12 markers in six colors.

Crocs

Against all odds, these waterproof slip-on (some may say “ugly”) shoes are once again a must-have for teens and tweens.

Stanley

Keeps drinks cold for 11 hours (or iced for two days) and is also a coveted status symbol for kids of a certain age.

Cross body fanny pack

The 90s are back, but with a twist. Fanny packs get the cross-body treatment for those in the know, and this one works great.

Pillow Slippers

Lightweight and super squishy, comfort is the incentive behind these pillow slippers that will be walking the halls all year.

Apple AirTags

Eliminate the before-school chaos as you try to locate literally everything: AirTags send off a signal with the push of a button.

Starface pimple patches

Hydrocolloid patches help combat acne, and yes, it IS cool to wear these on your face to school. Everyone is doing it, okay?

Premium Pick

Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch Laptop (M2)

Slimmer than your average textbook, this zippy MacBook has a snappy keyboard for writing papers and an accessible sticker price.

Premium Pick

Apple MacBook Air Laptop

For studious, app-juggling multitaskers, the 15-inch M3 Air is a chipset upgrade with a spacious screen and dual monitor support.

Premium Pick

Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2)

Get more done between lectures with this lightweight, long-lasting laptop alternative. It also comes in a new 13-inch size.

Mashable Choice

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Whether its their first phone or an upgrade, the iPhone 15 is one of the best smartphones out there.

Echo Dot

Whether they want to listen to music or need homework help, the Echo Dot is a universally useful device for students.

Roomba j7

Make your student's chores a little easier with a Roomba equipped with smart mapping and obstacle avoidance.

Microsoft 365

A family plan gains you access to the entire suite of Microsoft programs for up to six people and five simultaneous devices.

Stanley

Keeps drinks cold for 11 hours (or iced for two days) and is also a coveted status symbol for kids of a certain age.

Apple AirTags

Eliminate the before-school chaos as you try to locate literally everything: AirTags send off a signal with the push of a button.

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