As back-to-school season approaches, it’s the perfect time to stock up on essential tech gadgets. Whether you’re heading to an in-person classroom or setting up remote learning, these recommendations will help you stay well-equipped and productive. Here’s a curated list of must-have gadgets and accessories that combine affordability with performance.

Be sure to check out our handy video that introduces all the elements described in this article:

The M2 and M3 MacBook Airs are the top choice for students who need a reliable and powerful laptop that will easily last 5 years or more. The M2 MacBook Air is a great option for everyday tasks like note-taking, schoolwork, calendar management, online portals, and more. The M3 MacBook Air can also handle these use cases, but offers improved performance with features like voice isolation, ray tracing, and improved microphone clarity. Both models are lightweight, making them perfect for taking around campus.

Price and availability: The M2 MacBook Air is available on Amazon for $799, while the M3 version costs $849. Apple offers these models through its Education Store for $899 and $999, including a $150 Apple Store gift card.

Personally, I would check out the Amazon store for the M2 version to save $50. For the $50 I saved, I could buy an external SSD and be set for my entire college career!

2. iPad

If you know me, you know I love my M4 iPad Pro. However, I realize that the iPad Pro isn’t a computer replacement for everyone. Because of the price alone, I don’t recommend it for people who need a computer and are watching their budget. Instead, I advise people to get a cheaper iPad and use it as a supplement to their MacBook. However, for those who know their needs, the iPad can be a powerful tool, especially when combined with accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil. Right now, Amazon has some absurd deals on iPads that aren’t iPad Pros.

Prices and availability:

For anyone who prefers a flexible workspace, the Mount-It standing desk is a great option. It’s adjustable, sturdy, and supports up to 300 lbs, making it ideal for students with multiple devices. The desk can be adjusted to a variety of heights and allows users to save up to three different height settings, making it an easy recommendation for anyone who commutes from home to school or lives off campus.

Price and Availability: The Mount-It Standing Desk starts at $250, with larger models available for up to $600.

The most expensive aspect of Apple computers and iPads is the internal storage. If you want to upgrade from 256GB to 512GB, you’ll need to spend at least $200. So $200 gets you 256GB of storage. External storage has become so affordable and so fast that there’s no reason to upgrade the internal storage. The Lexar SL500 SSD offers fast transfer speeds with up to 2,000MB/s read and write speeds. It’s slim, lightweight, and durable, making it an excellent choice for students on the go.

Price and availability: The 2TB version costs $180 and the 4TB version costs $290.

This is the easiest recommendation. The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with USB-C are a must-have for iPhone users. The ecosystem features alone make it worthwhile. They also offer excellent noise cancellation and a top-notch Transparency mode, making them ideal for students who need to concentrate in noisy environments.

Price and availability: Available on Amazon for $189, compared to Apple’s price of $250.

The Raycon Magic Flex Cable is an all-in-one charging solution that supports up to 100W of power and has multiple ports for different devices. I’ve used countless cables that tried to combine all the ports into a single one, and this is by far the best made one I’ve used.

I also wanted to include the Raycon Magic Slim Power Bank. This is the only third-party power bank that actually integrates with the iOS battery widget too!

Price and Availability: The Magic Flex Cable costs $30, while the Magic Slim Power Bank costs $40.

Charging multiple devices has never been easier with the Kuxiu 3-in-1 wireless charger. It comes with everything you need including the charger, cable, and charging brick, all in a convenient travel case. It supports Qi2 wireless charging for fast, efficient power. There’s also a cheaper option for under $36 that also includes the charging brick, cable, and travel case!

Prices and availability: The Qi2-enabled model costs $80, while a cheaper version is available for $35.

The Logitech Anywhere S3 Mouse is a compact, powerful mouse for students on the go. It works on virtually any surface, including glass, and lets you effortlessly switch between up to three devices. With a battery life of up to 70 days on a single charge, it’s designed for convenience. As one of the most affordable high-quality mice on the market, it’s the perfect choice for those looking for both reliability and value for money.

Price and Availability: Currently on sale at Amazon for $59.99!

Last attempt

There are plenty of other tech gadgets and accessories that would be beneficial for students. I wanted to narrow this down to a few of my favorites that I use on a daily basis. The key for me has always been, “How do I get the best experience possible without spending a fortune?” I believe these items can help you achieve that goal at a fraction of the cost of other accessories and setups.

Let me know what you think of these accessories. Will you buy one of them? Which products are essential for you? Let’s talk about it!