As the school year approaches, preparing for the academic season often means more than just buying notebooks and backpacks. Currently, it also involves purchasing tech gadgets.
For today’s teens, technology plays a vital role in their educational success and day-to-day life. Whether it’s enhancing productivity, organizing tasks, or staying connected with classmates, the right tech gadgets can make all the difference.
Here are 9 must-have back-to-school tech gadgets that can help teens stay ahead, both academically and personally:
1. Laptops and Chromebooks
A reliable laptop or Chromebook is essential for students in this digital age. Teens use it for everything from taking notes and completing assignments to conducting research and attending virtual classes.
Laptops give teens the flexibility to work from anywhere. Fortunately, with so many lightweight and affordable models available, they can easily carry them to school.
- Best options: The MacBook Air is ideal for students who need a powerful, long-lasting laptop with an intuitive interface. On the more affordable side, the Google Pixelbook Go is a lightweight Chromebook with a simple design, perfect for note-taking and basic school tasks. It offers excellent battery life, ensuring students can get through a full school day without needing a charge.
- Why it’s useful: Having a personal laptop ensures students can complete assignments. It also helps them stay connected with teachers and access digital learning platforms conveniently. Many schools are transitioning to digital work, and having this tool is crucial for success.
2. Smartphones
Smartphones are no longer just a communication tool; they are mini-computers that students use to organize their lives. Apps for time management, study aids, and collaboration with classmates make smartphones a must-have gadget for any teen heading back to school.
- Best options: The iPhone SE is a budget-friendly option that still offers the latest iOS features and great performance. For Android lovers, the Samsung Galaxy A54 provides a balance of powerful specs and affordability. Both phones have impressive cameras, long battery life, and access to a wide range of educational apps.
- Why it’s useful: Teens can use their smartphones to manage their schedules, access school-related apps like Google Classroom or Microsoft Teams, and stay in touch with friends and teachers. Features like voice assistants, reminders, and note-taking apps add to the device’s utility for students.
3. Noise-Canceling Headphones
Studying in noisy environments can be challenging, especially for teens who need to concentrate on their homework or attend online classes. Noise-canceling headphones are a perfect solution to help them focus and eliminate distractions.
- Best options: The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are widely regarded for their exceptional noise cancellation and sound quality, making them great for studying in loud environments. For a more affordable option, Anker Soundcore Life Q30 provides good noise-cancellation features and is budget-friendly.
- Why it’s useful: With these headphones, teens can block out distractions, whether they’re studying at home, in a library, or at a café. Noise-canceling headphones are also useful for improving focus during online classes or group study sessions conducted via Zoom or other platforms.
4. Smart Backpacks
Gone are the days of traditional backpacks—smart backpacks are the new trend for students on the go. These backpacks come equipped with USB charging ports, dedicated laptop compartments, and anti-theft features to keep devices secure.
- Best options: The Matein Travel Laptop Backpack is an affordable, functional option with a built-in USB charging port and water-resistant material. For those seeking a more premium option, the Kopack Anti-Theft Backpack features hidden zippers, excellent padding, and a minimalist design.
- Why it’s useful: A smart backpack not only makes carrying tech devices safer but also allows teens to charge their gadgets on the go. Whether they’re moving between classes or hanging out with friends, students will appreciate not having to worry about their phone or tablet running out of power.
5. Tablets
Tablets have become versatile devices for students, offering the portability of a smartphone with the functionality of a laptop. From taking notes with a stylus to reading eBooks and accessing learning apps, tablets are a great tool for any student.
- Best options: The iPad Air is an excellent choice for students who need a powerful, versatile device that supports Apple’s wide range of productivity apps. For Android fans, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 offers a high-resolution display and comes with an S Pen for note-taking and sketching.
- Why it’s useful: Tablets allow teens to easily access digital textbooks, write assignments, and collaborate on group projects. With the ability to run multiple apps simultaneously, a tablet can replace bulky books and notebooks, making it easier for students to keep all their materials in one place.
6. Portable Chargers
With all the tech gadgets teens rely on throughout the day, running out of battery can be a real problem. Portable chargers (power banks) ensure that students can keep their devices powered even when they don’t have access to a wall outlet.
- Best options: The Anker PowerCore 10000 is a compact and reliable power bank that provides enough charge for multiple devices. The RAVPower 20000mAh Power Bank is another solid option, offering high capacity for those with multiple gadgets.
- Why it’s useful: Whether they’re using their phones to check assignments, laptops to finish homework, or tablets to read digital books, portable chargers ensure that teens never have to worry about running out of power during a busy school day.
7. Fitness Trackers
As part of a balanced lifestyle, staying physically active is just as important as academic success. Fitness trackers can help teens stay on top of their health goals, track sleep, and encourage them to remain active throughout the school year.
- Best options: The Fitbit Charge 5 is a popular fitness tracker that monitors heart rate, steps, sleep, and more. For a budget-friendly alternative, the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 offers similar features at a fraction of the price.
- Why it’s useful: Fitness trackers promote a healthy lifestyle by encouraging students to stay active, which can improve both physical health and mental well-being. Some fitness trackers also monitor sleep patterns, helping students manage their energy levels and perform better in school.
8. E-Readers
Carrying physical textbooks can be cumbersome, but an e-reader allows teens to carry hundreds of books, articles, and study materials in one lightweight device. E-readers are designed to be easy on the eyes, making them ideal for extended reading sessions.
- Best options: The Kindle Paperwhite remains a top choice for students due to its glare-free display, waterproof design, and long battery life. For those who prefer a color screen, the Kobo Libra H2O offers more customization options and supports more file formats.
- Why it’s useful: With e-readers, students can download digital versions of their textbooks, highlight important sections, and take notes directly on the device. E-readers also reduce eye strain compared to traditional tablets or smartphones, making them perfect for long reading sessions.
9. External Hard Drives or Cloud Storage Solutions
As students create and save countless files throughout the school year, having a reliable storage solution is essential. External hard drives or cloud storage services provide students with a safe place to back up their work and ensure they never lose important assignments.
- Best options: For physical storage, the Seagate Backup Plus Slim is a lightweight and portable external hard drive with ample space for all school projects. For cloud storage, Google Drive or Dropbox provide flexible, easily accessible storage that can be shared across devices.
- Why it’s useful: Backing up school projects, essays, and other important files is crucial for avoiding data loss. External hard drives offer a simple offline solution, while cloud storage provides access to files from anywhere, which is especially useful for group work and collaboration.
Conclusion
For teens heading back to school, having the right tech gadgets can enhance their learning experience. It can also help them stay organized and productive.
From laptops and smartphones to noise-canceling headphones and smart backpacks, these tools are designed to support academic success and make the school year more enjoyable.
By investing in these gadgets, students can stay ahead of the curve and better manage the demands of modern education.