When the back-to-school time rolls around, it brings excitement but also stress over outfitting your student with everything they need to be ready for the school year. Gone are the days of only needing crayons, notebooks, and folders — now students thrive with laptops, smartwatches, and everything in between. Fortunately, there are plenty of back-to-school deals to be had, especially on Amazon. Though you can still find sales on crayons, notebooks, and folders, you can also find discounts on all the tech a student might need.
Ahead, find the best selection of back-to-school deals on Amazon for high school and college students. Products come in a range of price points so you can decide what suits your budget and get inspired to sift through Amazon for even more deals.
Specs:
Available in 4 GB or 8 GB1920x1080 4-way NanoEdge display
Intel Core m3-8100Y Processor
14″ touch screen
2 USB Type-C (Gen 1) and 1 Type-A (Gen 1) ports
Backlit keyboard
The ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 2-In-1 Laptop has a full touch screen and a versatile design that easily goes from a laptop to a tablet. Available in 4GB or 8GB, this Google Chromebook is suitable for students of all ages and makes it easy to take notes in class and bring them home at the end of the day.
It’s lightweight enough to slip into a backpack and has a 14″ screen. Students can even prop it up as a tablet on their desks for a different experience.
Pros:
Lightweight, so it’s easy to carry aroundThe sleek design also makes it compact
Cons:
Flippable laptop hinges can weaken over timeIt’s so light that it’s a bit delicate
$443 at Amazon
Specs:
4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10+ streamingAudio with Dolby Atmos
Voice-controlled remote
Access to prime streaming apps as well as live TV
8 GB storage
Quad-core processor
Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi
Make just about any TV into a smart TV with an Amazon Fire TV Stick. This device is budget-friendly and provides access to all your favorite streaming apps, like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Apple TV+, and so much more.
This device is also voice-activated so that you can use it with Alexa.
Pros:
Smart TV experience without a smart TV priceSmall enough device to hide behind a TV
Cons:
The menu is a bit full with Amazon promoNo Google Play apps available
$39 at Amazon
Specs:
11-mm woofer and 6.5-mm tweeterWireless charging case included
Touch-enabled to control music and take calls
Noise-cancelling capabilities
Available in black, silver, and violet
Water-resistant
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are small enough to keep in a pocket but powerful enough to block noise. These noise-cancelling earbuds will pump high-quality sound into your ears while paired with your Bluetooth device. Plus, they’re water-resistant and available in three different colors.
They’re perfect for wearing on the bus on the way to and from school or for strolling around campus.
Pros:
Water-resistant works wellConvenient wireless charging
Cons:
Touch controls are easy to trigger when you don’t want toSome features only work with Samsung devices
$169 at Amazon
Specs:
Available in 500GB, 1TB and 2TBAvailable in blue, gray, and red
Reads up to 1,050MB/s / Writes up to 1000MB/s on USB 3.2 gen 2 supported devices
Shock-resistant up to 6 feet
Password protected
Heat control
Having an external hard drive or solid-state drive is crucial for students. This is the place to store everything. Not only will it keep your computer from getting too gunked up with files, but it provides a backup for everything in case of emergency.
The Samsung T7 Portable SSD functions faster than a standard external hard drive comes in three colors and is available in three storage sizes.
Pros:
Runs incredibly fastCompatible with Type A and Type C USB
Cons:
Best affordable Bluetooth speaker
Specs:
Available in 11 colors12W full-bodied stereo
Water-resistant
Touch control
Built-in Li-Ion rechargeable battery powers up to 20 hours of play at 50% volume
A Bluetooth speaker is always handy in a dorm room or to grab and go when out with friends. Because a Bluetooth speaker can get jostled around and used pretty heavily, having one that doesn’t cost a lot makes it a little more acceptable to be hard on it.
This DOSS SoundBox has an affordable price tag but still provides high-quality sound. Plus, it comes in a wide range of colors to suit any taste.
Pros:
360-degree soundBudget-friendly
Cons:
Specs:
Available in 8 colorsAvailable in 128GB or 256GB
Reads at 80MB per second, writes at 40MB per second
USB 3
Password protected
Compatible with Apple products and Android products
Every student needs a flash drive, and this isn’t a back-to-school purchase that needs to be pricey. You just need something that functions (and probably more than one). The Sunany flash drive comes in a bunch of different colors and two size capacities.
It’s compatible with your Apple products and your Android products, so it’s a pretty universal product for everyone.
Pros:
Affordable price pointCompatible with a large number of devices
Cons:
Specs:
14 backlit modes on the keyboard and 7 backlit modes on the mouseErgonomic keyboard with detachable wrist rest
Compatibility with Windows 2000/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10/MAC/Linux for gaming pc
Available in black, white, and pink
The mouse has 7 programmable keys
All-key rollover on the keyboard
Mechanical keyboards are quite the trend right now for gamers and non-gamers alike. These keyboards that make extra noise are good for more than just that — the Havit keyboard has sensitive keys and a backlighting feature. Perfect for high school and college students, this keyboard is as fun as it is functional.
Plus, it comes with a matching mouse.
Pros:
Backlighting on both the keyboard and mouse are aesthetically pleasingWrist rest provides maximum comfort
Cons:
Specs:
Available in two colorsWorks with Amazon Alexa
Streams in 1080P HD
Has SD and cloud storage
Two-way audio and night vision
Whether it’s a college dorm or a high school boarding school, these rooms are often not fully secure and could benefit from a security camera. The Wansview security camera is super simple to set up and use in a dorm to keep an eye on any potential mishaps with roommates or classmates.
It’s Wi-Fi enabled, has two-way audio, and fully functions with night vision.
Pros:
Can see up to 16 feet in dark conditionsSyncs with your phone for easy viewing
Cons:
Specs:
Google Assistant and Google Chromecast built-inStreams in 720p HD
Bluetooth, Ethernet, HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi enabled
LED screen
2 HDMI ports
With the popularity of streaming apps, it makes sense to skip a regular TV and just get a smart TV. This 32″ TCL is a great size for a dorm room because it won’t take up too much space. It comes loaded with popular streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, and it streams in high definition.
If you want something slightly bigger, this model is available in a 40″ as well.
Pros:
Has all the smart functionality at an affordable priceVoice-enabled
Cons:
Specs:
Available in four colorsHeart rate monitor available as an add-on
1GB storage
Bluetooth and GPS enabled
Tracking estimates steps, calories, and intensity minutes and reminds you when to move.
Automatically uploads data to Garmin Connect
A smartwatch is an awesome resource for a lot of students. Not only will it hopefully keep them punctual, but it can also help keep their fitness in check. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut studying for hours, but the Garmin will help keep them active and healthy.
Plus, it uploads everything to the Garmin app, so it’s easy to keep track of.
Pros:
Can connect to your smartphone easily for notificationsAffordable price point
Cons:
Which deals are right for you?
Taking budget into consideration is the first step in deciding which products are for you and your student. Once you have a budget in mind, you can decide which products are necessary. Will the student be living in a dorm? If not, then things like the security camera aren’t necessary.
Will the student plan to use a larger computer monitor for learning? If not, then the keyboard probably isn’t a necessity either. If you have a student, though, who plans to do a lot of computer work and has a computer-related major, these computer accessories (or similar alternatives) will most likely be a huge help in their education.
Are there other deals worth considering?
There are plenty of alternatives to all the products listed. Though all of these products selected are great deals on Amazon, you might find something at an even better price.
On the flip side, if you’re willing to splurge, you might find an alternative at a higher price point. Amazon does a great job of offering its best alternatives when you look at a product, but a few of our top contenders for alternatives for what we listed include:
What kind of computers do high school and college kids need?
This really comes down to the school, the student, the budget, and the education plan. If you have a student who is studying something computer-centric and you have the budget for a higher-end setup, consider investing in that if your student is still in high school and can’t bring a laptop to school, factor that into what kind of computer they’ll use at home.
Which products are best for high school students?
High school students should need far less for back-to-school than a college students. Unless you have a student who is living in a boarding school, they most likely already have the majority of what they need at home. Get them set up with all the school supplies they’ll need and check in with them to see if any of their tech is out of date or in need of an upgrade.
Useful products include a laptop or tablet, flash drive, and external hard drive. Plus, these are products that will transition to college with them, too.
Should I get a smart TV if I have a streaming device?
Though we mentioned deals on streaming devices and smart TVs, you don’t necessarily need both. If a smart TV isn’t in your budget, a streaming device is a great budget-friendly alternative.
If you do want to go all-in on a smart TV, though, you don’t need the streaming device as well.
