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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
