We know — it's painful to think about a new school year starting. After all, didn't summer just begin? Time flies, but you can stay ahead of the curve by stocking up on back-to-school essentials that will ensure you have an easy-breezy fall term. For your convenience, we've rounded up some top picks for laptops, school supplies, backpacks, and beyond. These deals will make you feel good about saving some money and (hopefully) motivate you to get those study hours in.
Our top picks: Best laptop deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (Apple M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB) (opens in a new tab) $899.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal (opens in a new tab) Best backpack deal adidas Excel 6 Backpack (opens in a new tab) $44.43 at Amazon (save $15.57) Get Deal (opens in a new tab) Best deal on school supplies Sharpie S-Gel, Gel Pens, Medium Point (0.7mm), 12 Count (opens in a new tab) $9.99 at Amazon (save $19.38) Get Deal (opens in a new tab) Best tech deal Apple Pencil (1st Generation) (opens in a new tab) $79 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal (opens in a new tab) Best retailer back-to-school deal Apple BTS sale (opens in a new tab) Shop MacBooks or iPads (get a gift card up to $150, 20% off AppleCare+, and more) Get Deal (opens in a new tab)Your head is probably full of summer memories in the sun, careless hours spent by the pool, and BBQs with friends right now, but that academic reality check is going to creep up on you soon — and you better start preparing for it. To make that process as unthreatening as possible, we've searched far and wide for some not-to-miss deals on school essentials, at retailers like Amazon and Walmart. Stock up on a MacBook, backpacks, and more with the sales below.
Best retailer back-to-school deal
Opens in a new tab Credit: Apple Apple BTS sale (opens in a new tab) Shop MacBooks or iPads and get a gift card up to $150, 20% off AppleCare+, and more Get Deal (opens in a new tab)Why we like it
Each year, Apple rolls out amazing education pricing on its top products to treat students to some much-needed, pre-semester TLC. This year is no different. Apple's BTS sale ("back-to-school," not the South Korean boyband) includes MacBook Airs from $899 (plus a free $150 gift card upon purchase), MacBook Pros from $1,199 (also with a $150 gift card), iPad Airs from $549 (plus a $100 gift card), and beyond. Crazily enough, Apple's sale operates on the honor system: meaning you don't have to verify your student status with an ID to take advantage of the deals. Honesty is the best policy, but we're all scholars at heart, aren't we? If you want to score students-only savings on Apple Music ($5.99/month with three months of free listening and free Apple TV+ access), you will have to verify your identity via UNiDAYS, though.
More retailer back to school deals
Check back soon for more retailer back to school deals
Best laptop deal
Opens in a new tab Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (Apple M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB) (opens in a new tab) $899.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal (opens in a new tab)Why we like it
The 2020 Apple MacBook Air (13-inch) is currently selling for $100 cheaper at Amazon than at Apple, so we're putting this deal front-and-center to grab your attention (and save you some $$$). Its M1 chip is powerful enough to give you up to 3.5x faster performance than the previous generation's MacBook Air — while its crisp, large Retina display provides true-to-nature images in stunning resolution. 8GB of memory means that even with a billion tabs open, your laptop is not going to lag and you can download all the applications you need for it. Take notes in class, collaborate on assignments, complete graphic design projects, and so much more: all with the help of this mighty Apple computer.
More laptop deals
HP Stream, 14-inch (Intel Celeron N4020 Dual-Core Processor, 4GB DDR4, 192GB) — $269.95 $399.90 (save $129.95)
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i (Intel Core i5 12th Gen, 8GB RAM, 512GB) — $489.99 $649.99 (save $160)
Acer Swift 3 (Intel Core i7-1165G7, 8GB LPDDR4X, 256GB) — $549.90 $849.99 (save $300.09)
Dell Inspiron 15 (11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4, 8 GB DDR4, 256GB) — $329 $429 (save $100)
Best backpack deal
Opens in a new tab Credit: adidas adidas Excel 6 Backpack (opens in a new tab) $44.43 at Amazon (save $15.57) Get Deal (opens in a new tab)Why we like it
Though canvas tote bags might be all the rage right now, backpacks really are a timeless school essential that will spare you back pain and shoulder bruises. This adidas Excel 6 Backpack, for instance, has loadspring shoulder straps that ease the load of carrying heavy textbooks. It also comes with two main compartments and two smaller zip pockets — making on-the-go organization a breeze. One of the aforementioned compartments has an interior sleeve that fits a 15" laptop securely, in case you're already eyeing the laptop deals we listed above.
More backpack deals
adidas Originals Trefoil 2.0 Backpack — $37.75 $50 (save $12.25)
adidas Prime Backpack — $45.37 $70 (save $24.63)
adidas Foundation 6 Backpack — $40.80 $50 (save $9.20)
Under Armour Unisex Hustle 5.0 Backpack — $40 $55 (save $15)
Justice Girls 17" Laptop Backpack 3-Piece Backpack Set — $24.98 $40 (save $15.02)
Justice Girls 17" Laptop Backpack with Pom Pom Dangle — $19.98 $30 (save $10.02)
Best deal on school supplies
Opens in a new tab Credit: Sharpie Sharpie S-Gel, Gel Pens, Medium Point (0.7mm), 12 Count (opens in a new tab) $9.99 at Amazon (save $19.38) Get Deal (opens in a new tab)Why we like it
Let's face it: you always start a school year off with full sets of pens, pencils, and other writing utensils. By the end of it, you're lucky if there's one pencil in your case (and even that's probably in rough condition). Eliminate the woe of having to borrow school supplies from classmates by taking advantage of this deal on Sharpie S-Gel Gel Pens. Sharpie's "no smear, no bleed" technology will allow you to write without worry, while the pen's high-quality rubber grip and intense colors will make you run back to Amazon for more.
More deals on school supplies
TI-30XIIS Scientific Calculator — $9.88 $21.95 (save $12.07)
BIC Brite Liner Highlighters, 5 count — $1.72 $3.99 (save $2.27)
Elmer's Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks (22 grams) 3 count — $2.70 $6.99 (save $4.29)
Mr. Pen Erasers for Pencils, 120 Pack — $6.95 $9.99 (save $3.04)
Crayola Classic Broad Line Markers (10 count) — $0.97 $2.54 (save $1.57)
BAZIC Elementary School Kit Bundle Supplies Box — $36.59 $47.99 (save $11.40)
Best tech deal
Opens in a new tab Credit: Apple Apple Pencil (1st Generation) (opens in a new tab) $79 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal (opens in a new tab)Why we like it
The 1st generation Apple Pencil is perfect for all the sketching, painting, and note-taking that goes on during your school day. With this tech tool, you'll be able to adjust line weight, shading, and other artistic effects to your liking. The Apple Pencil can be paired with a wide range of iPad models like the iPad Pro (10.5-inch), but you will need the included adapter to pair it with a 10th-generation iPad. Happy doodling!
More tech deals
Apple iPad (10th Generation) — $413 $449 (save $36)
Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen)— $84.90 $109.99 (save $25.09)
Apple AirPods with Charging Case (2nd Generation) — $99 $129 (save $30)
Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) — $149.00 $279.00 (save $130)
Dell Mobile Wireless Mouse, Midnight Green — $19.99 $26.99 (save $7)
