Categories Technology

The 15 best back-to-school deals for college students

The black UE Wonderboom 4 against a pink, orange, and green background.

The UE Wonderboom 4 is on sale for $79.99 ($20 off).

Believe it or not, summer break is winding down and it’s almost time to head back to school. It’s sad, I know, but look at the bright side: retailers like Amazon are using the occasion as an excuse to launch yet another sale. We’re not complaining, mainly because the deals encompass a wide range of solid dorm essentials, some of which include a few of our top picks from our back-to-school shopping guide. For example, our favorite laptop — the latest MacBook Air — recently dropped to $799.99 ($200 off), which marks an all-time low price we didn’t even see on Prime Day.

It’s not just big-ticket items like laptops that are on sale, either. We also found deals on other Verge-approved goods, from space-saving coffee makers to help you power through a long day of classes to smart lights that’ll make your dorm feel a little more like home. Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite deals, a few of which regular readers might recognize from previous coverage and some of which are new. So, let’s dig in.

Anker Charging Station (7-in-1, 100W)

A cluttered desk can make it hard to concentrate, which is why Anker’s 7-in-1 charging station is helpful. The 100W hub features a pair of USB-C and USB-A ports on the front and three AC outlets on the back, making it easy to power a 16-inch MacBook Pro, table lamp, phone, and other gadgets while keeping a tidy workspace.

Where to Buy:

Govee Table Lamp 2

Govee’s Table Lamp 2 is way more fun than your average table lamp. The color-changing device boasts built-in scheduling and more than 60 dynamic lighting effects, including preset scenes for various holidays. You can even create custom color combos for when “Dandelion†and other presets just aren’t cutting it.

Where to Buy:

Sony WF-1000XM5

Dorms gets noisy fast, but thankfully, Sony’s WF-1000XM5 offer much needed peace and quiet. Our favorite pair of wireless earbuds combine powerful active noise cancellation with impressive sound and call quality, making them an excellent all-around pick.

Where to Buy:

13-inch MacBook Air (2025)

If you’re going to invest in a new laptop for the new school year, why not spring for one of the best? Apple’s newer M4 MacBook Air deftly balances performance and battery life, culminating in a 13-inch machine that’s as suitable for streaming as it is for banging out that first-year composition paper.

Where to Buy:

UE Wonderboom 4

The Wonderboom 4 is a cute, compact Bluetooth speaker you can use to provide background music while studying or take to a friend’s place for a post-test shindig. Its IPX4 durability rating means it can handle the occasional spill without missing a beat, and its battery can last up to 14 hours. It also has an “Outdoor Boost†button for those times when the standard bass mix just won’t cut it.

Where to Buy:

Keurig K-Mini Mate Single Serve Coffee Maker

There are a lot of fancy coffee makers on the market, but the Keurig K-Mini Mate is a great solution if you need something simple that will fit just about anywhere. The compact, single-serve coffee maker is easy to use — just add water, a K-Cup pod from your favorite brand, and press a button — and it can even churn out tea or hot cocoa if you need a break from the caffeine.

Where to Buy:

Philips Hue Solo Lightstrip (10-foot)

In terms of design, dorm rooms range from the mundane to giving off borderline-prison vibes. Luckily, a simple LED strip is an easy way to make things feel cozier and more dramatic. The Philips Hue Solo Lightstrip tucks behind or around furniture and can mimic the warmth of the sun (or any hue) throughout the day, making it easy to add a splash of light to any space.

Where to Buy:

Sharpie S-Note Creative Markers

Sharpie’s S-Note Creative Marker set adds a bit of color and fun to your notes. You can use the 24 markers to write in your planner, and with their chisel tip, the markers double as highlighters, so you don’t need to buy a separate set.

Where to Buy:

JanSport Laptop Backpack

If you’re looking for a reliable bag that’ll last you for years to come, JanSport’s Laptop Backpack is a great pick. It features a 15-inch padded laptop sleeve, two spacious main compartments, and plenty of pockets, including one for your water bottles and others for smaller essentials like pens. Plus, they come in a variety of fun colors and patterns to suit your style.

Where to Buy:

Glocusent Book Light

Late-night cram sessions can be a huge strain on your eyes, especially if you don’t want to turn on the lights and disturb your jerk of a roommate who had the audacity to get their studying done on time. Thankfully, Glocusent’s ultra-nerdy Book Light is a subtle, low-light alternative that’s not nearly as limiting as a clip-on book light.

Where to Buy:

Dreame D10 Plus

The Dreame D10 Plus is an all-rounder if there ever was one. The robovac’s dual rubber rollers suck up dirt and debris relatively well, and it’s outfitted with mopping, mapping, and lidar navigation for less than $300. That’s a steal, especially when you consider it comes with an auto-empty dock that prevents you from having to lift a finger. Well, almost.

Where to Buy:

Roku Select Series TV (32-inch)

Roku’s 32-inch Select Series TV is one of the few sets that makes sense for a dorm room. The 1080p LED TV is big enough that you and your friends won’t have to sit a couple of feet away to see everything, yet it won’t take up an entire wall. It also runs Roku OS, meaning you’ll be able to access popular streaming services like Netflix and Roku originals, such as The Great American Baking Show.

Where to Buy:

Keychron V1

The Keychron V1 is as much a comfortable keyboard as it is a productivity tool, one with remappable keys and hot swappable switches to better suit your workflow. It’s also a lot more stylish than your average keyboard, with slick RGB backlighting and double-shot PBT keycaps.

Where to Buy:

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025)

The latest Zephyrus G14 is a gaming laptop that moonlights as a great general-purpose PC for students. It has a high-resolution OLED display, a larger trackpad than its predecessor, and ample storage, memory, and processing power. These specs are necessary for playing games, but they also ensure the laptop is well suited for resource-intensive tasks, such as 4K video editing and audio production.

Where to Buy:

Lodge Cast Iron Skillet (12-inch)

Everyone could use a good pan to cook their meals. With a Lodge skillet, you can sear, sauté, bake, broil, braise, and fry all kinds of foods for years to come. Not only does the hardy 12-inch pan offer terrific heat distribution and retention, but it’s also safe to use in the oven or over an open fire. The included silicone handle is just an added plus that lets you ditch the oven mitts.

Where to Buy:

Original Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/715937/back-to-school-dorm-essentials-macbook-air-deal-sale

Original Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/715937/back-to-school-dorm-essentials-macbook-air-deal-sale

Disclaimer: This article is a reblogged/syndicated piece from a third-party news source. Content is provided for informational purposes only. For the most up-to-date and complete information, please visit the original source. Digital Ground Media does not claim ownership of third-party content and is not responsible for its accuracy or completeness.

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