Anika Begay
Maruman Mnemosyne Notebook N196 B6
A simple and compact notepad is like a trusted companion, which can help you organize your thoughts and tasks. The real functional beauty of this Maruman Mnemosyne notebook is its spiral binding facing up, which makes it lie flat and offers corner-to-corner writing, even for left-handed people.
Price: $5.40+
Belkin BoostCharge 5K Wireless Magnetic Power Bank + Stand
If you own a MagSafe-compatible iPhone, you’re doing yourself a disservice by pairing it with an old-school power bank that relies solely on cables. All you have to do with Belkin’s portable charger is attach it to the back of your phone, giving you enough juice to charge even a Max-sized iPhone on the go. The kickstand and fun color options are just a bonus.
Price: $30.71+
Timbuk2 Custom Prospect Backpack
Choosing a bag that you’ll carry all day, every day, for years to come can be tough. Timbuk2 offers in-depth customization options for its 22-liter Prospect backpack, however, allowing you to choose colors for up to six exterior panels. Needless to say, you can go as bold or as subtle and elegant as you like.
Price: $112.59+
Beats Studio Pro Headphones
Noise-canceling headphones can help you focus by blocking out distracting sounds, and the Beats Studio Pro are a good choice for anyone who doesn’t want to be locked into a single ecosystem. They offer good sound, a useful transparency mode designed to let the outside world in, and most importantly, native support for iOS and Android features.
Price: $179.95+
OLED Vapor Bridge
The Steam Deck OLED is the perfect way to relieve stress between classes. Valve’s portable PC plays all types of games, from a wide range of indie titles to some open-world 3D titles like Ring of Fire AND Cyberpunk 2077. It’s definitely better than trying to play on a school-issued Mac or Chromebook, as long as you can keep procrastination to a minimum.
Price: $549+
Majohn A1 “Moonman” Retractable Fountain Pen
The true OG of retractable fountain pens is Pilot’s Vanishing Point (which you should get if you can afford its very high price tag), but this imitator is a fine substitute for us regulars. The Majohn A1 writes beautifully and makes taking notes or journaling with a traditional pen quicker and more casual, especially since its steel nib appears with satisfying speed. click.
Price: $36.79
Logitech MX vertical wireless mouse
Hand and wrist pain, often the result of marathon computer sessions, can really get in the way of your work. The Logitech MX Vertical may not pull double duty for gaming like most wireless mice, but its tilted, vertical positioning can help keep those long days of library research from coming back to haunt you.
Price: $81.99+
Owala FreeSip Water Bottle (40oz)
Owala’s insulated bottles keep drinks cold all day, and their flip-top lid keeps dirt away from the spout while also hiding a hidden straw inside for easy sipping. It’s like having the best parts of a regular water bottle and those super popular Stanley mugs, all without feeling like you’re succumbing to yet another trend that might one day get old like milk.
Price: $32.94+
Apple AirTags
If you’re an iPhone user, Apple’s AirTags are a great way to help you find your keys, backpack, or purse in case you lose them. Those textbooks are expensive enough, you don’t want to have to buy them twice.
Price: $22.99+
Kindle Paperwhite (2021)
Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite is an easy e-reader choice for just about anyone. It has a huge ecosystem of books, an easy-to-read 6.8-inch display with adjustable heat for nighttime reading, and a battery that can easily last a month. It’s even waterproof, which allows for some poolside reading or, at the very least, a little “oops” protection.
Price: $149.99
Glocusent Book Lamp
Late-night study sessions can be a huge strain on your eyes, especially if you don’t want to turn on the lights and disturb that idiot roommate of yours who had the audacity to finish studying on time. Luckily, the ultra-nerdy Book Light from Glocusent is a discreet, dim alternative that isn’t nearly as limiting as a clip-on reading lamp.
Price: $17.99+
MacBook Air 2024 (13-inch)
Regardless of what Google might tell you, Apple’s latest MacBook Air is the ultimate student laptop. The M3 machine offers a great display and enough battery life to get through a full day of classes, along with enough performance headroom to handle everyday tasks and light creative work for years to come.
Price: $849.98+
Keychron V1 Max mechanical keyboard
If you’re a student, chances are you’ll spend countless hours tapping away on a keyboard. So why not make the experience as enjoyable as possible with a touch of nerdy fun? The Keychron V1 Max might be the best gateway to mechanical keyboards we’ve seen, with a satisfying typing feel and sound, hot-swappable switches, and tons of customization.
Price: $94+
Apple Earphones (USB-C)
Wireless earbuds are great, but sometimes dealing with a little wire seems easier than dealing with another rechargeable battery. Apple’s basic USB-C earbuds work with almost any current phone, tablet, or laptop, even those without a 3.5mm audio jack. Plus, the microphone in these budget earbuds sounds better than what you’d get from a high-quality pair of Bluetooth headphones.
Price: $17+
Lexicon League
Trick kids into learning with League of Lexicon, kind of like Trivial Pursuit was all about words, languages, and their origins. It’s also a beautifully designed trivia game, with great graphics and an easy learning curve for kids as young as 10.
Price: $39.99
Samsung T7 Portable SSD (1TB)
Storing valuable files and documents between classes is not something to be taken lightly, as data loss can be a nightmare. Samsung’s T7 portable drive strikes a good balance between speed, reliability, and price. The aluminum-encased SSD offers plug-and-play functionality for both Windows and macOS computers, as well as iPads.
Price: $99.99+
Philips Hue Solo Lightstrip (10 feet)
In terms of design, dorm rooms range from the mundane to the prison-like. Luckily, a simple LED strip is an easy way to make things more cozy and dramatic. The Philips Hue Solo Lightstrip slides behind or around furniture and can mimic the warmth of the sun (or any shade) throughout the day, making it easy to add a pop of light to any space.
Price: $54.34+
8BitDo Retro 18 Mechanical Numeric Keypad
When it comes to laptops, most keyboards have done away with the classic numeric keypad. But what if it came back as an ambidextrous wireless numeric keypad that also functions as a standalone calculator? That’s what 8BitDo has come up with with this cute little piece of retro tech, sporting classic IBM colors and clicky mechanical switches.
Price: $44.99
Azhido Laundry Backpack
No one should have to lug their dirty laundry home or to the laundromat in a plastic garbage bag, especially when a simple backpack like Azhido’s does the job for so little. The affordable, oversized bag features both shoulder straps and tote handles, making it a handy tool for cleaning or your next trip to the beach.
Price: $22.49+
JisuLife Life8 Portable Fan
The JisuLife Portable Foldable USB Fan has a rechargeable battery that will keep you cool for hours, whether you hold it in your hand or use its built-in stand to prop it up on a table. Plus, it looks like a cute little bear when you pop it in your bag or purse. I don’t think you could ask for more from a cool little puppy.
Price: $14.39+
Ninja Air Fryer (AF101 Series)
Campus life can be full of food waste from the cafeteria, but you don’t want to let those leftovers go unloved. Instead, use a heating method that best preserves flavor and texture. An air fryer is basically just a small convection oven, which makes it perfect for dorm/apartment life, because no one wants soggy french fries or soggy pizza.
Price: $89.99+
Nespresso Vertuo PopPlus
Sometimes, group discussions and late-night study sessions require more than the occasional cup of the black stuff. A Nespresso machine may seem like a bit of a luxury, but it’ll be worth it when you’re running low on gas during finals week and have both coffee and espresso on hand.
Price: $99.99+
Fitbit Ace LTE Watch
Google’s new Fitbit Ace LTE gives parents peace of mind with GPS tracking and a selection of fun, step-activated games that motivate your child to keep moving. The smartwatch requires a $9.99 monthly subscription, but at least it doesn’t require you to go through a carrier or buy a phone for your child before they’re ready.
Price: $229.95
PlanetBox Lunch Box
Making sure your kids actually eat the lunch you send them to school is no small feat. That said, your little students will definitely be proud to carry it in their bags if you let them customize their lunch tray and bag with a custom-ordered PlanetBox (and a pack of magnets).
Price: $25.46+
Votes for Women Board Game
It helps explain to younger people that history is not boring at all when you interact with it and see how it connects to you today. Vote for women is an upcoming card game based on the US women’s suffrage movement, which allows for light instruction and can be played competitively or cooperatively.
Price: $74.99+
Satechi 200W 6-Port USB-C GaN Charger
Rechargeable batteries power so much of our lives these days, and this Satechi charger can handle just about anything, whether you’re working or playing. Plug this 200W hub into a wall outlet on your desk and you’ll have six gorgeous USB-C ports to power everything from your laptop to your phone and all your other accessories.
Price: $149.99
Python Flash Cards
Study your STEM subjects with these Python programming flash cards. These 101 cards quiz you on syntax, vocabulary, and more in the versatile programming language. The beginner-friendly cards are perfect for quick, light study sessions to help you stay focused.
Price: $21.63+
