2023 Back-to-School Tech | College | Middle School | High School |
Back-to-school shopping lists look a bit different in the digital age. Pencils, spiral notebooks and lunch bags still make the list, but so do laptops, earbuds and Office 365. According to the National Retail Federation, spending on electronics has grown more than any other back-to-school category — and it doesn’t show signs of stopping.
The problem? Back-to-school tech ain’t cheap. Whether you’re a frugal parent or a student managing your own finances, spending on the latest electronics can take a serious bite out of your budget. So if you’re on the hunt for tech buys that are affordable yet fast, durable and reliable, we’re here to help. We’ve rounded up a carefully curated selection of essential electronic gadgets, as well as Chromebook and laptop deals, to help you (or your kids) ace the upcoming school year.
Note: Products reflect the price and availability at the time of publication.
Best Back to School Tech for College
— Editors’ Pick —
LG XBOOM Portable Bluetooth Speaker
A reliable speaker is an excellent companion for any college kid’s journey. It can set the tone for studying, make the campus green more lively on a Friday night with friends and accomplish everything in between. This model is Bluetooth-enabled, portable and even has 24-hour battery life so that charging isn’t a chore. Plus, it’s on sale! Now through August 27, LG is running up to 50% off select back-to-school items from speakers to earbuds and more. Save even more by activating 10% cash back for purchases sitewide when you shop with RetailMeNot.
Pros
- Voice command hotkey
- Flashing LED lights that sync to music
- IP67 dust and water resistance rating
Cons:
- Increased bass capabilities could be too powerful for dorm space
Apple AirPods Pro, 2nd Gen
![](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/apple-airpods-1.jpg)
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 hit the market in late 2022 with significant upgrades, including superior noise cancellation and sound quality. The Apple earbuds feature a new H2 chip that improves their overall audio performance and makes them a serious contender for the best noise-canceling earbuds available today. If you’re an iPhone-using student (or the parent of one) on the hunt for a top-notch pair of earbuds to help you stay focused in noisy common areas or study halls, the AirPods Pro 2 is worth the investment.
Pros
- Superior noise cancellation
- Excellent sound quality
- Apple device-friendly
Cons:
- High price
- Limited functionality and sound quality with Android devices
Twelve South StayGo Mini Portable USB Hub
![](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/Portable-USB.png)
If you or your student has a limited number of ports on their laptop, you’ll need a hub that expands your connectivity options. The StayGo Mini from Twelve South features an audio jack as well as a USB-A, HDMI and USB-C port. The ultracompact device can be plugged directly into a laptop or connected via cable.
Pros:
- Ultracompact
- Aluminum shell dissipates heat
Cons:
- Only supports one external monitor
- Low refresh rate
Asus Chromebook Flip CX5
![](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/asus-chromebook.jpg)
Dubbed “the best Chromebook of 2023″ by The Verge, the Asus Chromebook is on the more expensive side of Chromebooks — but well worth the splurge. This Chromebook’s powerful performance means it can juggle multiple tabs and applications, so you can take a chemistry test while playing Spotify and chatting with your mom on Zoom without it crashing. The battery life is around 10 hours, and it’s sturdy enough to rattle around your backpack without damage.
Pros:
- Excellent performance
- 10-hour battery life
- Wide port selection
Cons:
- Higher price-point
NexiGo N940P 2K Zoomable Webcam
![](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/nexigo.jpg)
Whether taking online college classes or in person, a quality webcam is an essential gadget. Known for its performance in low light, the N940P captures bright and crisp video using a highly sensitive image sensor for extra clarity and sharpness. Use the remote control to control video calls even while away from your desk.
Pros:
- 36- to 90-degree adjustable view
- Autofocus
Cons:
- No built-in ring light
- The built-in zoom is only usable at 1080p resolution and 30fps
Dell XPS 13 Laptop
![](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/XPS-13-Laptop.png)
For students or parents looking for a computer with robust performance, the Dell XPS 13 laptop comes with a zippy 12th-gen Intel processor as well as some highly competitive pricing on the lower-spec versions. If you can splurge on a more powerful model, you can get even speedier performance, a higher-resolution touch display and more storage. The Dell XPS 13 laptop is lightweight, thin and highly portable, with a handsome brushed aluminum chassis.
Pros:
- Excellent performance
- Lightweight and portable
- Competitive pricing on lower-spec models
Cons:
- Only two USB-C ports
- Lower quality webcam
Best Back-to-School Tech for High School
Google Pixel Buds A-Series Wireless Earbuds
![](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/google-pixel-buds.jpg)
For students without iPhones, it may make more sense to seek an alternative earbud option (FYI: You can use AirPods with non-Apple Bluetooth devices, but you’ll miss out on certain features and sound quality). Android-using students and those shopping for them should consider the Google Pixel Buds, which come with an adaptive sound function that masks the noises occurring in the world around you. Another perk? Google Buds are a lot more affordable than AirPods.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Handy touch controls
- Android-device friendly
Cons:
- Some users find adaptive sound distracting
- Limited functionality and sound quality for Apple devices
Anker Power Strip Surge Protector
![](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/anker-power-strip.jpg)
Any power strip can add extra outlets to your dorm room or office, but only one with a reliable surge protector will keep harmful power surges from roasting your electronic devices or starting a fire. The Anker power strip offers top-notch protection against surges and comes with a lengthy five-foot cord. It features 12 outlets, as well as two USB-A ports and a powerful USB-C port for high-speed mobile device charging.
Pros:
- Protects against powerful surges
- Fire-resistant
- 12 outlets, two USB-A ports and one USB-C port
Cons:
- Some users report ports working intermittently
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
![Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/Microsoft-Surface-Laptop-Go-2.png)
Of course, Chromebooks are far from the only affordable option out there for price-minded students and their parents. There are plenty of back-to-school laptop deals that make purchasing a high-quality computer more affordable. Case in point: the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2. This budget-friendly compact notebook features a stylish aluminum lid and comes in a variety of color choices. Thanks to premium features and the 11th Generation Intel Core i5 processor inside, the Surface Laptop Go 2 delivers a near-high-end experience at a low price.
Pros:
- Powerful performance
- Low price
- Sleek, colorful design
Cons:
- Low-resolution display
- Lower-quality webcam
SAMSUNG Galaxy Chromebook 2
![](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/SAMSUNG-Galaxy-Chromebook-2.jpg)
The premium-but-affordable Galaxy Chromebook boasts a sleek design in a choice of bright, eye-catching Fiesta Red or a more traditional Mercury Gray. The ultralight, ultra-portable laptop can handle just about any web browsing-based activity, including streaming videos. The Galaxy Chromebook 2 comes with a 13.3-inch touchscreen with a QLED display, as well as nearly eight hours of battery life.
Pros:
- Sleek design with bright red color option
- Eight hours of battery life
- Vibrant QLED touchscreen
Cons:
- Lower-quality webcam
Best Back-to-School Tech for Middle School
Lenovo Flex 3i
![](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/Lenovo-Flex-.jpg)
If you’re hunting for an even more budget-friendly option, the Lenovo Flexi 3i is one of the best affordable Chromebooks for the back-to-school season. The mighty, low-cost laptop is powerful enough to support essential student tasks, including internet browsing, attending online classes and binge-watching season seven of “Riverdale.” The Lenovo Flex 3i also includes handy features like a responsive touch screen, a backlit keyboard, decent speakers and a webcam with a privacy shutter.
Pros:
- 12-hour battery life
- Low price point
- Responsive touch screen
Cons:
- Slower performance on gaming and other heavy-duty tasks
Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Noise Cancelling Headphones
![](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/soundcore-anker.jpg)
For affordable, top-notch, over-the-ear headphones, the Soundcore Anker Life Q20 is the one you should reach for. Designed to be comfortable for extended wear, it delivers a balanced, clear sound. With its noise canceling ability, ambient noise is reduced, making it convenient in noisy environments like schools.
Pros:
- Low price
- Foldable design
- Long battery life
- Fast charging
Cons:
- Single mic
- Oversized headband
Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook
![](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/rocketbook.jpg)
The reusable notebook is an environmentally friendly writing tool designed for digital note-taking and organization, combining the traditional feel of writing on paper with the convenience of modern technology. The Rocketbook app uses built-in Optical Character Recognition technology to convert handwritten text into digital, searchable content. Plus, the notebook can be used over and over again by just wiping it off with a damp or microfiber cloth.
Pros:
- Digital notes
- Easy-to-use app
Cons:
- Scanning each page before erasing
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Laptop
![Lenovo — IdeaPad 1 14-Inch Laptop](https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/Lenovo-—-IdeaPad-1-14-Inch-Laptop.png)
If you’re looking for a decent, non-Chromebook computer at a rock-bottom price, look no further than the Lenovo IdeaPad. The 14-inch Windows laptop offers a full HD display with a small-capacity solid-state drive (that’s opposed to the slow EMMC flash storage drives of many traditional budget laptops). The Lenovo IdeaPad’s AMD Athlon Silver processor is definitely on the slow side but gets the job done if you’re looking for a laptop for writing up assignments and web browsing if you can stick to a few tabs.
Pros:
- Ultralow price
- Crisp display
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Fairly slow processor
- No USB-C ports
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