Must-Have Back-to-School Gadgets for 2024
As the new school year approaches, students need to ensure they are well-equipped with the right tools and gadgets to enhance their learning experience. Here’s a comprehensive list of must-have items for high school and college students, including recommended products in each category. And we provided some of the deals on recommended products to make it easier for you to find and buy the right one for your high school or college student:
Laptops or PCs
Features of the new MacBook Pro with M2 chip
A reliable laptop or PC is essential for taking notes, completing assignments, and researching. Here are some top recommendations:
- MacBook Air M2: With its powerful M3 chip, excellent battery life, and sleek design, it is perfect for students who need a portable yet powerful device. See pricing on Amazon.
- Dell XPS 13: Known for its stunning display and performance, the Dell XPS 13 is an excellent Windows alternative with a compact design. See pricing on Amazon.
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: Ideal for those who prefer a durable laptop with a great keyboard and robust performance. See pricing on Amazon.
Software
Equipping your laptop with the right software can significantly improve productivity and efficiency.
- Microsoft Office 365: A must-have for creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. See pricing on Amazon.
- Adobe Creative Cloud is essential for students in design, photography, or media studies. See pricing on Amazon.
- Grammarly: Helps improve writing by checking for grammatical errors and providing style suggestions. Sign up
Portable Power Banks
GearBrain
CASETiFY Powerthru Fast Chargers 33W and 67W
Keeping devices charged is crucial, especially on long days.
- Anker PowerCore 10000: Compact yet powerful, it can charge a smartphone multiple times. See pricing on Amazon.
- Belkin Power Bank, BoostCharge Plus 10k mAh Portable Charger: Great for charging multiple devices simultaneously with its large capacity, including iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and iPhone 1. See pricing on Amazon
- CASETiFy Powerthru Chargers - CASETiFY's PowerThru Fast Chargers, available in 33W and 67W options, have various charging needs with their advanced technology, safety features, and portable design. Whether you need to charge a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, these chargers provide a reliable and efficient solution. See pricing on CASETiFY.
Portable Hard Drives for Storage
Amazon
SanDisk Professional 5TB G-Drive ArmorATD External Portable Hard Drive.
Backing up important files and expanding storage is essential.
- SanDisk Professional 5TB G-Drive ArmorATD: A reliable, durable, portable storage solution with ample space. See pricing on Amazon
- Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB: Slim design and large capacity, perfect for storing large files. See pricing on Amazon.
Headphones or Earbuds
Quality headphones or earbuds can help students concentrate and enjoy their music or lectures.
- EPOS IMPACT 1061T ANC Wireless Headset and Stand The EPOS IMPACT 1061T features advanced Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology, making it ideal for students who need to focus in noisy environments. Its wireless design ensures mobility, and the included stand offers convenient storage and charging. These headphones provide clear audio quality, perfect for online classes and studying.
- SoundPEATS Space Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Over-the-Ear Headphones The SoundPEATS Space headphones offer hybrid ANC, effectively reducing background noise, which is perfect for busy campus life. With over-the-ear comfort and long battery life, they are great for extended study sessions and commuting. These headphones deliver high-quality sound and are budget-friendly, making them a practical choice for students.
- Poly Voyager Free 20 True Wireless Earbuds Poly Voyager Free 20 earbuds are compact and provide a snug fit, ideal for students on the go. They feature excellent sound quality and noise isolation, ensuring a distraction-free experience during lectures and study periods. With a portable charging case, these earbuds are always ready for use, making them a reliable companion for daily campus activities.
- Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen are popular among students due to their superior noise-canceling capabilities and seamless integration with Apple devices. They offer a comfortable in-ear fit and high-quality audio, making them perfect for listening to music, attending virtual classes, and making calls. The MagSafe charging case ensures they are always ready for use, and their compact design fits easily into any backpack or pocket. These headphones and earbuds cater to different needs, whether noise cancellation, comfort, portability, or integration with other devices, making them essential tools for students to enhance their learning experience.
Webcams
A good webcam is essential for virtual classes and meetings.
- Logitech MX Brio Ultra HD 4K Webcam: This camera delivers sharp and clear video quality, perfect for online classes. Read our full review.See pricing on Amazon.
- Anker PowerConf C200 2K Webcam for PC—This 2K ultra-clear resolution webcam for PCs and laptops brings sharp clarity to every meeting. With its high-quality video calls, you can be seen by your fellow students or professors. See pricing on Amazon.
- Razer Kiyo: Includes a built-in ring light, enhancing video quality in low-light conditions. It is also the more affordable of the webcams on our recommended list. See pricing on Amazon.
Smart Air Purifiers
Maintaining clean air is vital for a healthy study environment.
- LEVOIT Air Purifier Core 400: Effective at removing allergens, dust, and pollutants. See pricing on Amazon.
- Dyson Pure Cool TP01: Combines air purification with a cooling fan, making it perfect for dorm rooms. See lowest pricing on Dyson.
- Rabbit Air A3 Ultra Quiet Air Purifier: This smart air purifier is designed to bring you the freshest air possible with unparalleled convenience and efficiency. It is equipped with next-generation HEPA filtration, ensuring the most effective capture of allergens and pollutants. Read our full review.See pricing on Amazon.
- Airthings Renew Smart Air Purifier: The perfect smart air purifier that will always clean your air and not wake your roommate up if sleeping. Read our full review.See lowest pricing on Amazon.
Robot Vacuum and Mop
Keeping living spaces clean without much effort.
- Yeedi C12 Pro Plus: The Yeedi C12 Pro Plus is a smart robot vacuum cleaner that comes with a self-emptying station, which includes several unique and practical features for vacuuming and mopping our home's floors and carpets. It's ideal for dorm rooms and bedrooms. Read our full review. See Pricing on Amazon.
- iRobot Roomba Combo i3+ (3574) Robot Vacuum & Mop: Affordable and effective, ideal for keeping floors clean, especially if your student will have pets in their room. See pricing on Amazon
- eufy L60 Robot Vacuum with Self Empty Station,: Great storage capability, good suction power, and Wi-Fi connectivity for easy control. See pricing on Amazon.
Charging Cables
Belkin
Belkin BoostCharge USB-C cables
Having the right cables can prevent connectivity issues and keep devices charged.
- Belkin BoostCharge USB-C cables - Explore premium USB-C cables from Belkin, designed for Apple, Samsung, and other USB-C devices, offering fast charging and durability. Enjoy peace of mind with USB-IF certification, a two-year warranty, and free shipping on orders over $50.See pricing on Belkin
- Anker Powerline+ II USB-C to USB-C Cable: Durable and fast charging for compatible devices. See pricing on Amazon.
- Amazon Basics Lightning Cable: Affordable and reliable for Apple devices. See pricing on Amazon.
Smart Lights and Plugs/Power Strips
Smart lights are an essential smart device for students. Smart plugs will come in handy when you want to make a smart appliance, like an AC or coffee maker, smart. Smart surge protectors work well in rooms that don't have a lot of outlets, and you want to make your devices work seamlessly together. All of these smart devices can enhance the study environment and manage power usage efficiently.
Here are the smart lighting systems, smart plugs, and smart surge protectors we recommend:
- Philips Hue Smart Bulbs: Philips Hue is a leading name in smart lighting, known for its versatility and extensive range of features. These smart bulbs offer a spectrum of colors and shades of white, allowing you to create the perfect ambiance for any occasion. Compatible with major smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, Philips Hue lights can be controlled via voice commands, mobile app, or smart switches. They also integrate seamlessly with other smart home devices, offering advanced features like routines, geofencing, and sync with music and movies for an immersive experience.. Read our full review. See pricing on Amazon.
- Lifx Smart Lights:LIFX smart bulbs are known for their exceptional brightness and vibrant color range. With no hub required, these Wi-Fi-enabled lights are easy to set up and control directly from your smartphone. LIFX bulbs offer advanced features like scheduling, effects, and integrations with smart home systems such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. They also boast high energy efficiency and a long lifespan, making them a sustainable choice for smart lighting. See pricing on Amazon.
- Cync Dynamic Effect A19 Smart Bulbs: GE's Cync Dynamic Effect A19 smart bulbs combine high-quality lighting with smart control capabilities. These bulbs offer a full spectrum of colors and tunable white light to match any mood or activity. Controlled via the Cync app, these lights can be scheduled, dimmed, and set to routines. They are compatible with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The Reveal line specifically enhances color contrast and clarity, making it excellent for spaces where true-to-life color representation is important, such as in kitchens and living rooms. See pricing on Amazon.
- TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini A15: Easily control appliances remotely. The smart plug works with Siri, Alexa, and Google Home, is UL Certified, offers App Control, and offers Scheduling and a timer. However, it works on a 2.4G WiFi connection only. See pricing on Amazon.
- Eve Energy Strip: This smart power strip works with Apple HomeKit. It comes with a triple outlet and power meter with built-in schedules and switches. It can protect devices from power surges and provide additional USB ports. See pricing on Amazon.
Trackers
Chipolo trackers can locate an iPhone by pressing on the device
Trackers like Chipolo and Tile are essential tools for high school and college students during the Back to School buying season. These compact and efficient devices help students keep track of their essential items, such as keys, wallets, backpacks, and even electronic devices, ensuring they don't lose valuable time searching for misplaced belongings.
Recommended Trackers:
- Chipolo ONE:
- Locate Everyday Items: Easily check the location of keys, wallets, and bags and see the distance in the Find My Device app.
- Ring to Find Nearby: Play a sound to locate nearby Chipolo finders quickly.
- Fast Pair: Seamless setup by pressing the Chipolo button with a pop-up guide on your Android phone.
- Sharing: Share your Chipolo with loved ones to track shared items.
- Long Battery Life: ONE Point offers a 1-year battery life with a replaceable battery, while CARD Point boasts a 2-year battery life and a renewal program.
- Water Resistance: With an IPX5 rating, these trackers are splash-proof.
- Designed to Fit: ONE Point attaches directly to keyrings, and CARD Point's thin design fits perfectly in wallets.
- Color: Available in Off White.
- Buy: Pre-order on Chipolo site
- Tile Pro:
- Battery Life: Up to 1 year, replaceable battery
- Range: Up to 400 feet
- Water Resistance: Water-resistant
- Colors: Black and white
- Special Features: Loud ring, works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, community find feature
- Buy: Back to School Sale - up to 30% off.
Summary
Equipping yourself with these essential items will ensure you’re ready to tackle the new school year efficiently and effectively. From powerful laptops and essential software to handy portable power banks and smart devices, these recommendations will help create an optimal learning environment, whether you’re studying at home or on the go.
Check out The GearBrain, our compatibility find engine, to see the other compatible products that work with your smart devices for school as well as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.
