10 best back-to-school gadgets for students (2024)
As educational institutions are reopening, many students might be looking for the best back-to-school gadgets that can make their lives a little easier. We understand that most of the items you might be looking for are those belonging to a low-budget category, which is why we have capped most of the items on this list to less than $100. You could surely go for more expensive options based on your budget, but we've included low-cost options.
There are tons of options to choose from, so we get that it can be quite confusing to pick the right one. Thus, we have compiled a list of the best back-to-school gadgets to buy in 2024.
Note: This list is subjective and solely reflects the opinions of the writer
The best back-to-school gadgets for students in 2024
1) Laptop
Price: $399.99 (Asus Vivobook 16), $999 (M2 MacBook Air)
Laptops are one of the most essential back-to-school gadgets for students and can help you big time. As a student, you don't necessarily need a high-end gaming laptop, unless, of course, you don't mind the higher price tag.
I think for Windows users, the Asus Vivobook 16 or the Vivobook S 16 Flip are the best options, as they come equipped with the Ryzen 7 processor and sufficient RAM for smooth operation. Dell Inspiron laptops are also great choices.
Those who prefer an Apple interface can go for the latest MacBook Air, albeit it does come at a premium price tag, starting at $999 for the base model. I also highly recommend the M1 MacBook Air, as it is still among the best MacBooks ever produced.
Check out: Best budget-friendly laptops for students in 2024
2) Smartphone or tablet
Price: $495 (Pixel 8a), $429 (iPhone SE)
Smartphones are another essential, and it's come to a point where you can't really attend school or college without them. Having a decent smartphone can really go a long way and can really help you keep up with what's happening around you.
For Android users, the Pixel 8a would be the best buy as it offers the best performance and camera in a mid-range smartphone.
Those who prefer iOS could choose the iPhone SE, as it is the best at an affordable range. It has good performance and a great camera, making it a decent all-rounder. However, if you want a more powerful iPhone that's also not too expensive, you could go for the iPhone 13 or 14 depending on your budget.
The best option for tablets would be the Apple iPad Air M2, which comes to around $599. However, if you feel that it exceeds your budget, you could go for the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+, which costs around $179. Both are solid options for productivity and daily use. Pair it up with a stencil, and you're all set to make notes on the go.
Check out: 5 best Android phones under $500 (2024)
3) Smart Watch/Fitness Tracker - SAMSUNG Galaxy FIT 3
Price: $54.87
Even if you're more of an analog watch guy, having a smartwatch can be quite helpful in tracking fitness. Apart from time, you'd be able to track heart rate, steps, and even your sleep cycle, which can be super helpful if used the right way.
The Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 is an amazing option for this, as it's very affordable and offers a great list of features. You could also go for the Amazfit Band 7 or any of Garmin's watches, but they might be a little more fitness-focused. The Galaxy Fit 3, on the other hand, is a mix of everything.
Check out: 5 best smartwatches to buy in 2024
4) External Hard Drive - Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB
Price: $70.99
Students come across a lot of data every day, whether that's assignments, large presentations, or just pictures you click every day. These things add up, and storing them just on your phone or laptop isn't advisable unless absolutely necessary.
External hard drives are excellent back-to-school gadgets and we recommend you get at least 1TB of storage. There are many options online, with prominent brands like Seagate and Sandisk providing the best ones. However, from an affordable standpoint, I feel the Toshiba Canvio Basics is an excellent option as it features two terabytes of storage and fast USB 3.0 connectivity.
Check out: 5 best 2TB HDDs in 2024
5) Headphones - Sony WH-CH720NW
Price: $92.99 (Sony WH-CH720NW), $18.99 (Apple Earpods)
Next on our list of the best back-to-school gadgets is a pair of headphones. Students listen to music almost every day, with some listening to ambient sounds to help with their studies. Having a good headphone can go a long way, and we recommend you get one with a noise-cancelling feature.
The Sony WH-CH720NW is a great buy at $92, offering some of the best audio quality at less than $100. If you're a fan of Apple products, you could go for the Earpods, which you can get for around $18. The audio may not be as good as the Sony headphones, but it is a great budget option.
6) Power Bank - Anker PowerCore 20100
Price: $49.99
Any student who has a phone with a bad battery life knows the struggle of finding a charging point from time to time. Power banks come super handy in times when there's no power source. We recommend you choose one that has a high mAh and a good range of device compatibility so that it goes well with both mobiles and laptops.
The Anker PowerCore 20100 is one of the best back-to-school gadgets that you can buy due to its 20,100 mAh battery size and fast-charging capabilities. You could also go for other options from Belkin and Spigen, which are slightly more expensive.
7) Ergonomic laptop stand
Price: $17.99
Most students spend hours on their laptops doing assignments and projects, and prolonged typing can get quite taxing on the wrists. Getting an ergonomic laptop stand can help reduce the strain on your hands. An elevated position promotes a more natural typing position, thus saving you from the pain.
The one we recommend is the Besign aluminum laptop stand or any generic option you can find online. Make sure to look for one with a good customer rating and a decent amount of reviews. Try looking for a stand that's detachable or foldable so that it's easier to carry.
8) Smart backpack - BANGE Anti-Theft Backpack
Price: $86.99
Next on our list of the best back-to-school gadgets is a smart backpack. Students have to carry a lot of things and leave their backpacks unattended at times. We recommend you get an anti-theft backpack to stay on the safe side. Most anti-theft backpacks also have a sturdy and rigid build, making them safer to keep laptops.
We recommend you get the backpack from BANGE, as it is affordable and also well-received by customers. The backpack is waterproof and has enough room to store a 17.3-inch laptop. Moreover, you also get a charging port to help charge your phone from the outside. However, the power is derived from a power bank, so that is a prerequisite.
9) Kindle or e-Reader - Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Price: $85.22
Kindles are super popular among both students and older readers. They're a good alternative to carrying large books and also great to read on the go. They've come a long way in terms of their displays and battery life.
The latest Kindle Paperwhite has a 6.8” display with 8GB storage. This should be enough to store an incredibly large number of books, and the paperwhite display means it is almost identical to an actual book. You get a warm display mode, which is easy on the eyes, and a large battery life that could last weeks, as claimed by Amazon.
Check out: 5 best e-readers for digital bookworms
10) Electric kettle - Amazon Basics Electric Kettle
Price: $24.99
An electric kettle is a crucial appliance that will surely come in handy in high school or college dormitories. This utensil can be useful for heating up water or even having a late-night coffee to pull those all-nighters. It isn't that expensive and makes a great buy for students who are going to be living in dormitories.
We recommend the Chefman Electric Kettle as it has an adjustable temperature setting, which you don't get on the Amazon Basics kettle. You also get a 1.8L capacity, which can come in handy if you want to fill a whole bottle of hot water.
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