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Back-to-school essentials for every student
Back-to-school shopping can be challenging. From clothing to classroom supplies and backpacks for carrying gear to and from school, there are numerous items that students need to get the new school year off to a successful start. To help you shop for this busy time of year, we’ve put together a guide that’s packed with must-haves.
Whether you need crayons for a preschooler or a mini fridge for dorm life, our back-to-school supplies list has something for students of all ages. What’s more, we’ve organized our favorite products into easy-to-follow categories to simplify your back-to-school shopping goals.
In this article: Midea 1.6-Cubic-Foot Compact Refrigerator, JanSport Cortlandt Backpack and Bose Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones 700.
Top back-to-school buys
This backpack has everything a student needs to tote their belongings to and from school — spacious pockets, a laptop sleeve, and comfortable straps. Dual side pockets come in handy for carrying water bottles. It’s also durable and available in several stylish patterns.
Dorm dwellers have limited options for preparing meals, but the Instant Pot Duo Plus significantly increases the possibilities. It’s a multicooker that has nine functions in one appliance. It’s available in several sizes, but the 3-quart model is ideal for students with limited space.
Midea 1.6-Cubic-Foot Compact Refrigerator
A mini fridge is a must-have for dorm life. This compact model doesn’t take up much space but has enough interior room for a small stash of groceries. The door can fit tall bottles and the interior shelf is removable to maximize space. It also has a small top freezer compartment.
If your college student’s dorm is extremely small, that doesn’t mean they have to give up on having a fridge. The Cooluli mini model offers just enough space for a few beverages, leftovers, or skin care products. It can be powered with the included standard or USB cords.
Elegant Comfort Four-Piece Bed Sheet Set
These microfiber sheets are available in twin and twin XL sizes that are suitable for most dorm beds. They resist fading and wrinkling, so they are easy to launder. You can choose from a large selection of attractive colors.
Many college students need coffee in the morning, and whenever they require an energy boost for late-night studying. A French press brews quickly and has a compact design, which are great features for busy scholars. This popular model also keeps coffee warm for as long as an hour, and is available in a choice of several fun colors.
Clothing and shoes
Hanes Boys’ Eco Smart Pullover Hoodie
This kid-safe hoodie is cord-free but still blocks the wind on cooler days. It’s made of a cotton/polyester blend, with 5% of the polyester coming from recycled bottles. The fabric also features a high-stitch density for improved durability and pilling resistance.
Crocs Unisex Child Classic Clogs
These versatile, comfy Crocs are perfect for school because kids can quickly get them on and off. They’re also flexible, so they let your child move freely. Best of all, they’re available in more than 20 colors to please any kid.
These soft, lightweight jeggings pair well with tees, sweaters, and more. They have a slim fit from the hip to the ankle and feature a comfortable elastic waistband. They also have five pockets to give your child plenty of room to keep their essentials.
Dickies Boys’ Short-Sleeve Pique Polo
With a three-button collar and dyed-to-match buttons, this Dickies polo shirt gives kids a more polished look for school. It’s made of a wrinkle-resistant cotton and polyester blend and comes in 10 colors.
Hey Dude Girls’ Wendy Youth Linen Shoes
These sharp-looking linen shoes are comfortable enough for a full day at school. They have a rounded toe and a flexible design that allows the feet to move freely. They also feature elastic laces, making it easy for kids to slip them on and off.
Wonder Nation Girls’ Graphic Tutu Dresses 2-Pack
From the first day of school to picture day, there are certain times that students want to wear a dress when heading to classes. Not only is this duo fashionable, but it’s also ideal for budget-minded shoppers since you get two attractive dresses for a reasonable price. You can choose from sizes 4 to 16.
Other clothing and shoes worth checking out
- The Amazon Essentials Zip-Up Hoodie is perfect for layering and features a well-sized kangaroo pocket, so kids can carry small must-have items.
- These Champion Woven Shorts work well for those early back-to-school days when the weather is still hot.
- These Nautica Twill Pants are a dressed-up alternative to jeans. The fabric has some stretch to make them more comfortable for school.
- These Paw Patrol Sneakers are a must-have for fans of the heroic canine characters.
- A comfortable stretch denim jacket by Levi’s can help ward off the fall chill as kids head back to school.
- “Star Wars” fans will appreciate this Amazon Essentials Fleece Pullover Hoodie with Darth Vader artwork.
- Fruit of the Loom Girls’ Cotton Briefs are available in affordable multipacks.
- This simple T-shirt with the classic Levi’s logo pairs well with jeans, leggings, and more.
- A pair of comfortable Fila Jogger-Style Sweatpants is perfect for gym days or other events when kids will be active at school.
- If your child’s school requires uniforms, this classic Tommy Hilfiger Sleeveless Jumper is comfortable and stylish.
- These Sperry Washable Sneakers have breathable uppers to keep feet cool and are easy to clean if your kids put them through the wringer.
- Kids can wear these DKNY Leggings on their own with tunic-style tops or under skirts or shorts for extra coverage.
- This classic oxford collar button-down shirt by Tommy Hilfiger is a perfect base piece for a school uniform.
- A comfortable Polo Ralph Lauren Cable-Knit Cardigan can layer well over T-shirts, button-downs, and more.
- Stock up now on Nike Ankle Socks and you’ll have plenty for your youngster when classes begin.
- A pair of soft, stretchy straight-leg jeans by The Children’s Place is a school wardrobe staple that kids can wear with T-shirts, hoodies, and sweaters.
- These classic Timberland Boots are ideal for wet, muddy school days.
- These super-soft Hanes Long-Sleeve T-shirts make excellent transition pieces as the weather cools at the start of the school year.
College dorm room essentials
Most college dorms have twin XL beds, so it can be trickier to find bedding in the correct size. This comforter set comes in twin XL and features a comforter and matching pillow sham. It’s available in 24 colors, including gray and aqua.
Coffee-loving students will appreciate having a quick way to make coffee so they don’t have to pick some up before class. Since the Keurig K-Mini is a pod coffee maker, there’s no hot plate, so it’s allowed in most dorms.
Dorm rooms can sometimes be stuffy or musty, but an air purifier improves air quality, making them more pleasant places to spend time. This model is also great for filtering out airborne allergens. It’s energy-efficient and quiet, so you can run it all night.
Highland Dunes Pettis Rattan Accent Chair
This chair doesn’t take up a lot of space, which makes it a good option for a dorm dweller. But don’t let the size fool you, as it has a thick cushion that’s soft and comfortable. The stylish round design is available in 18 colors.
Bose Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones 700
One of the latest versions of over-the-ear headphones by Bose, the 700 wireless model stands out for offering 11 noise-canceling settings so you can block out sounds in noisy areas. The trim design is lightweight and comfortable to wear. Another feature busy students love is the battery life, which lasts as long as 35 hours with each full charge.
Other college and dorm life picks worth checking out
- A Black + Decker Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum is perfect for cleaning up small messes and keeping your dorm room clean and tidy.
- Attmu Mesh Shower Caddies are perfect for toting toiletries into shared bathrooms and storing them between uses.
- Large laundry hampers by HomeHacks feature reinforced handles for holding dirty clothes and transporting them to the laundry room.
- This digital alarm clock by Jall will help you get to class on time, even if your phone dies during the night.
- A Hydro Flask Reusable Water Bottle with an integrated straw makes it easy to stay hydrated in your dorm room, in class and when you’re out and about.
- Simple Houseware Over-Door Pocket Organizers help make the most of the limited space available in dorm rooms.
- A compact fabric steamer by Conair easily removes wrinkles from creased clothing without the need to find space for a bulky ironing board.
- Silver Buffalo Ramen Bowl and Chopstick Sets with “The Mandalorian,” “Star Wars” and Marvel designs to make eating instant noodles more of an event
- Dash Miniature Waffle Makers not only cook waffles but also hash browns, quesadillas, cookies and more.
- A set of Ailtec Glass Food Storage Containers will keep food fresh in the fridge and come in handy for packing lunches.
- This Goodfill Silicone Microwave Popcorn Maker is great for quick healthy snacking and spicing up movie night with roommates and neighbors.
- Quick-drying Shower Shoez will help dorm dwellers avoid getting foot fungus or stepping on something nasty in shared shower blocks.
- The JBL Flip Bluetooth Speaker is an excellent device for listening to music in your dorm or out on the lawn around campus.
- A Goodful Travel Mug makes it possible to pour yourself a coffee and head straight out of the door if you’re running late for class.
- The American Soft Linen Towel Set contains bath sheets, hand towels and washcloths to cover all your bases.
- This organic cotton Lane Linen Twin XL Sheet Set includes bedding essentials that are breathable, comfortable, and wash well.
- A quality Nest Reed Diffuser will come in handy since scented candles aren’t allowed in most dorms
School supplies
The Happy Planner 18-Month Daily Planner
Keeping track of assignment due dates and after-school activities is easy with a daily planner. This one is designed for 18 months and has ample space to fill in and organize daily activities on each date. It also has an appealing pattern.
Samsill Earth’s D-ring View Binder, Four-pack
Kids always need binders for projects, assignments, and other important documents. Each of the binders in this pack of four has the capacity for 350 sheets of paper. They’re made of recycled and renewable materials, which makes them a good choice for eco-conscious students.
BentoHeaven Premium Bento Lunch Box
With multiple compartments in one convenient unit, this bento lunch box makes it possible to pack a nutritious lunch with several courses. The lids feature silicone seals to prevent leaks. It includes a compartment for storing utensils.
HP DeskJet 2755e Wireless All-in-One Printer
Students who like the convenience of being able to print their assignments at home will appreciate the features that this versatile printer has to offer. It’s compact, affordable, and has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile printing. It’s able to print in black and white and color, and it comes with a six-month subscription of Instant Ink to support these capabilities while saving money.
Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Graphics Calculator
When it comes to classes such as algebra, geometry, and statistics, a standard calculator just won’t do. The TI-84 graphing calculator is packed with features for solving complicated equations. Its impressive features include a lightweight build, a large and vivid screen, a rechargeable battery and a choice of several colors.
Other school supplies worth checking out
- School supply kits like this bundle for Grades K-5 offer all the essentials for the new school year.
- Bostich Twist-n-Sharp Pencil Sharpeners are perfect for keeping pencil tips sharp and ready to work.
- Classic Paper Mate EverStrong #2 Pencils come in handy for numerous types of schoolwork
- A SanDisk Ultra Flair Flash Drive is what you need for saving important assignments and working on them on school and home computers
- Kinia Hand Sanitizer comes in fun keychain holders and keeps germs at bay.
- A cloud-driven model, the Rocketbook Reusable Notebook features pages that wipe clean with ease.
- Hammermill Printer Paper is a top-quality option for printing important assignments from a home printer.
- The Bentgo Classic Bento Box has numerous compartments for keeping food items separated until lunchtime.
- A Trapper Keeper has lots of space for assignments and a cool throwback design.
- Paper Mate Profile Retractable Ballpoint Pens have an extra smooth design and a soft grip that prevents hand fatigue.
- These Crayola colored pencils are an art class staple and come in a 36-pack.
- Multiple Five Star Spiral Notebooks are great for students who need one for each class for taking notes, writing assignments, and more.
- These Mead composition books have wide ruling ideal for younger students who need more space when writing between the lines.
- These Crayola Washable Paints are made for art class.
- Small packets of Lesbin Tissues are simple to stash in bags, backpacks or pockets.
- A budget-friendly pack of 40 BIC Mechanical Pencils is likely to last all school year.
- Emoji erasers by Mr. Pen are great for kids to use, share and collect
- The Five Star Zippered Binder provides extra protection for important assignments and paperwork.
- Bulk Crayola Crayons are perfect for kindergartners and young art students.
- A set of Learning Resources Calculators will inspire kids to learn math.
- AdTech Dot Glue Runner Tape is effective and easy to use when adhesive is required for class projects
Computers and tech
Apple 12.6-Inch iPad Pro, 6th Gen
An iPad is a versatile tablet computer that’s great for creative individuals. A student can use one for writing papers, taking notes, keeping track of assignments, doing research, and more. However, they’re also excellent tools that allow a student to flex their creative muscles when it comes to making art, movies, and musical compositions. If you are going to invest in one, we recommend the latest 6th-generation model that has the fast iPadOS with an M2 chip, a gorgeous display and secure Face ID.
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is a popular Samsung tablet that features Microsoft 365 integration, which lets your student work on Excel, PowerPoint, and Word files. The all-day battery means the student won’t have to worry about running out of power halfway through the day, and the S pen is the company’s fastest, most responsive model to date.
Apple AirPods Pro Wireless Earbuds
Wireless earbuds that have active noise cancellation, like the Apple AirPods Pro, are great for a student. They can block out environmental noise and allow them to focus on their studies. Additionally, they can be used to listen to educational podcasts or instructional videos. If the student needs to hear what’s going on around them, they can switch to transparency mode. What’s more, the second-generation AirPods Pro have been revamped to deliver even better sound than the previous generation.
A quality webcam is essential for remote learning and study groups that can’t meet up in the same physical space. This model lets you remove, blur, or replace your background without a green screen. It offers 1080p video calling and records at 30 fps. The camera also has HD lighting adjustment and autofocus, so you always look your best, even in low-light settings.
Other computer and tech worth checking out
- This award-winning Samsung Galaxy Chromebook is ultra-thin yet impact-resistant, making it great for the on-the-go life of a student.
- An Apple iPad mini is the perfect size for carrying to class, so you’re always prepared for learning.
- For the student who only wants the very best, the Apple MacBook Pro is the only way to go.
- When it comes time to charge your MacBook Pro, only the MacBook Pro Charger can accomplish the task.
- The Asus Chrome Book Flip is a capable machine that offers four convenient viewing modes: tablet, tent, stand, and laptop.
- An ergonomic Amazon Basics Wireless PC Mouse can help protect a student’s hands when they’re engaged in long hours of work.
- The Logitech Wave is an ergonomic keyboard can help keep a student focused on assignments without worrying about developing aches and pains in the hand and wrist.
- The Fire 7 Kids tablet is a great way to jump-start that thirst of curiosity and love of learning at an early age.
- Believe it or not, an Echo Dot is an extraordinary educational tool that can function as a tutor who’s available whenever you call their name
- The HP Pavilion Plus Laptop is a speedy device with ample storage.
- For the ultimate in durability and portability, consider a waterproof, foldable silicone keyboard like this model by Sungwoo.
- Lenovo’s Chromebook S330 Laptop is a choice option for students on a tight budget.
- Students who learn better by listening will love this remarkable Scanmarker Handheld Scanner that can scan and read pages of text to make learning more natural.
Backpacks and storage
Since it’s designed with premium vegan leather on the bottom and trims, those searching for an eco-friendly option will appreciate this JanSport backpack. A 15-inch padded pocket secures and protects a laptop, while the flap pocket is helpful for organizing cords and other electronic accessories.
Fjallraven Kanken Classic Backpack
With over 35 color combinations and a trendy silhouette, students can finally get a backpack that expresses their style. At 16 liters, it has enough room for every product on the school supplies list. Plus, it features a two-way zipper for functionality and a rain flap for protection.
The North Face Borealis School Laptop Backpack
From school to sports practice to commuting, this backpack features the brand’s flex vent technology to ensure breathability and support. Fill it to the brim with art supplies, tech, or clothing, thanks to its 28-liter capacity and durable padded pockets. You can choose from a nice selection of colors and patterns to suit any student.
Sweetbriar Classic Vintage Canvas Messenger Bag
Some students may prefer the style of this messenger bag for its versatility and spacious main compartment. There are front pockets, side pockets and an interior zippered pouch for storing small items. This bag is made of durable 100% cotton that comes in 17 colors. It fits laptops up to 15.6 inches.
Other backpacks and storage worth checking out
- A padded Puma Backpack with adjustable straps will stay comfortable, even when carrying must-have supplies from morning to night.
- For a lightweight and compact option, the HotStyle Backpack has an 18-liter capacity.
- This Dakine 25-Liter Backpack has a large enough capacity to carry textbooks for a full day of classes or traveling between multiple campuses.
- The HP Renew Backpack is designed from recycled plastic bottles and is built to protect must-have electronics.
- Get the style of this 100% leather messenger bag by Oak Leathers with three pockets to organize electronics and other accessories.
- The High Sierra Loop Backpack is stylish and packed with pockets.
- A Nike Backpack that puts a new twist on a classic favorite with additional features and pockets
- A mini version of the trendy and durable Fjallraven Kanken is ideal for young children or those seeking a compact alternative.
- Simple Modern Kids Backpacks come in an abundance of fun designs including unicorns, bold color patterns and Disney themes.
- Styles always come back around, and this Vans Old Skool backpack is one that never stops being trendy.
- A totepack modeled after the popular Fjallraven Kanken backpack that can be worn as a backpack or carried over the shoulder.
- This Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag makes it easy to do just about anything, including commuting or rushing in between classes.
- This Patagonia Tote Pack is made of water-repellent fabric that shields textbooks, laptops, and tablets from the elements.
- A waterproof and stylish travel school backpack by Himawari is made of eco-friendly canvas.
- This tech-friendly laptop backpack by Matein is made with an external USB port, padded pocket and anti-theft back pocket for valuables.
- This Dakine Backpack is both affordable and practical.
- A durable and water-repellent Carhartt Backpack is tough enough to last through just about anything
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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