Wirecutter
Skip To Content
Wirecutter
Left, a closed backpack. Right, an unzipped, overflowing luncbox and an alarm clock.
Photos: Wirecutter Staff

40(ish) Wirecutter Picks for Heading Back to School

40(ish) Wirecutter Picks for Heading Back to School

DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clock
Top-pick budget alarm clock
Read review
$16 from Amazon
Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie
A kids' backpack that comes in a variety of styles
Read review
Buy from Pottery Barn
Herschel Classic Backpack XL
A classic upgrade backpack for older students
Read review
$65 from Amazon
L.L.Bean Lunch Box
Top-pick steadfast, insulated lunch box
Read review
$20 from L.L.Bean
Thermos Hydration Bottle (24 ounces)
Top-pick budget plastic water bottle
Read review
$13 from Amazon
Built Prime Lunch Bag
A large but cute lunch box
Read review
$16 from Walmart
Thermos Funtainer Stainless Steel Water Bottle With Straw (12 ounces)
Top-pick steel water bottle for younger kids
Read review
$17 from Amazon
Name Bubbles Custom School Supply Labels
Top-pick labels for kids gear
Read review
$39 from Name Bubbles
Maruman Mnemosyne N194A Notebook
Top-pick spiral-bound notebook
Read review
$10 from Amazon
Paperage Hardcover Lined Journal Notebook
A weatherproof notebook for outdoor learning
Read review
$10 from Amazon
Agendio Planner
Top-pick customizable planner
Read review
$10 from Agendio
Filofax The Original Organizer (A5 size)
Top-pick large ring-bound refillable planner
Read review
$119 from Amazon
Uni-ball Jetstream RT
Top-pick everyday ballpoint pen
Read review
$10 from Amazon
Uni Jetstream Slim Multi-Color
A great multicolor pen for enhanced note-taking
Read review
$10 from Amazon
Blick Premier Mechanical Pencil
Top-pick mechanical pencil
Read review
$10 from Blick
Prismacolor Scholar Colored Pencils (24-count)
Budget-pick colored pencils
Read review
$12 from Amazon
Palomino Golden Bear #2 Pencil (Blue)
Top-pick pencil
Read review
$5 from Pencils.com
Expo Low-Odor Dry-Erase Markers
Good markers for whiteboards we like
Read review
$4 from Amazon
Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022, 13-inch)
Top-pick Mac laptop
Read review
$849 from Best Buy
Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 (A3SP14-31PT)
Top-pick budget Windows laptop
Read review
$432 from Amazon
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
Top-pick Chromebook (that's also under $500)
Read review
$500 from Best Buy
Apple iPad (10th generation)
Top-pick tablet for most people
Read review
$329 from Amazon
Google Pixel Tablet
Top-pick Android tablet for most people
Read review
$399 from Amazon
Soundcore Space One
Budget-pick noise-cancelling headphones
Read review
$99 from Amazon
Verizon Gizmo Watch 3
Top-pick smartwatch for younger kids
Read review
$150 from Verizon
Apple Watch SE GPS + Cellular
Top-pick smartwatch for older kids
Read review
$249 from Amazon
Anker PowerConf C200 2K
Budget-pick HD webcam
Read review
$60 from Amazon
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Top-pick noise-cancelling headphones
Read review
$349 from Amazon
Brother HL-L2350DW
Budget-pick home printer
Read review
$220 from Amazon
Tripp Lite TLP1208SAT
Top-pick surge protector
Read review
$43 from Amazon
IKEA Forså Work Lamp With LED Bulb
Top-pick affordable and timeless desk lamp
Read review
$35 from IKEA
LapGear Designer Lap Desk
Top-pick lap desk
Read review
$30 from Amazon
Veelink Bamboo Wireless Charger with Organizer
Staff-favorite desk organizer and charger
Read review
$40 from Amazon
Velcro One-Wrap Thin Ties (black)
Top-pick reusable cable ties for cord organization
Read review
$11 from Amazon
Mack’s Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs
Top-pick earplugs for sleeping
Read review
$15 from Amazon
Target Threshold Performance 400 Thread Count Sheet Set
Budget-pick sheets good for college dorms
Read review
$35 from Target
Garnet Hill Essential Down Comforter
Top-pick comforter
Read review
$279 from Garnet Hill
Azhido Laundry Backpack Bag
A sturdy laundry backpack
Read review
$23 from Amazon
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (low-top, unisex)
A classic unisex white sneaker
Read review
$60 from Converse
Clorox Free & Clear Compostable Cleaning Wipes
A great EPA-certified cleaning wipe
Read review
$7 from Home Depot
Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean CHV1410L
Budget-pick handheld vacuum
Read review
$63 from Amazon

You made it to the end!

Edit