Remember when your school supplies list was just crayons, pencils, notebooks, and folders? Nowadays, gearing up for a new school year often means getting the latest tech gadgets. But don’t worry, you can get these without spending a fortune.
Even though remote learning isn’t as common now, spending on electronics still tops the list for back-to-school shopping. To help you find affordable tech, we’ve put together a list of eight budget-friendly devices for the new school year.
**LENOVO CHROMEBOOK DUET**
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is a versatile choice, often seen as the best ChromeOS tablet on the market. It’s great for students using cloud-based tools, browsing the internet, gaming, or watching videos. Plus, it’s suitable for family use. You can find it for $299 at Best Buy.
**SAMSUNG GALAXY A32**
Having a mobile phone is almost a necessity for students. The Samsung Galaxy A32 is affordable and comes with Android 5G, a 6.5″ display, 64 GB storage, and both front and rear cameras. Its durable design includes a plastic body and Gorilla Glass display, all for just $204.99.
**iPAD AND TABLETS**
Tablets are incredibly useful for students due to their portability and multifunctionality. Whether you need one for reading, note-taking, online classes, or creating digital art, there are plenty of options. You can find discounts on popular models like the Apple iPad 9 or Samsung Galaxy Tab for under $300, or get an Amazon Fire tablet for just $75.
**AMAZON KINDLE**
If you have a lot of reading to do, the Amazon Kindle is a great e-reader. It features an adjustable front light for reading in any lighting condition and a 6-inch 167 PPI display for clear text. It also supports Audible audiobooks. This Kindle is currently available for $89.99.
**KEYBOARD AND MOUSE COMBO**
The K380 Multi-Device keyboard and M350 Pebble mouse from Logitech are portable and Bluetooth-enabled, making them convenient to use anywhere. They are priced between $24.99 and $69.98, offering great value for money.
**NOISE-CANCELING HEADPHONES**
Good headphones are a back-to-school essential. The Buddyphones Cosmos Plus are affordable noise-canceling headphones that come in various colors and designs. They limit volume to protect hearing, have a 24-hour battery life, and still work when the battery is low. They cost $99.99 on Amazon.
**LENOVO SMART CLOCK**
For those who have trouble waking up on time, the Lenovo Smart Clock with Google Assistant is a helpful tool. It has soothing alarm tones and a 4-inch display that adjusts brightness based on the time of day. It’s available at Best Buy for $39.99.
**ROUND-UP**
With families planning to spend 30% more on school electronics this year, finding ways to save is crucial. You don’t have to sacrifice quality when shopping for budget-friendly tech. You can save 30% to 60% on items like refurbished laptops, tablets, phones, or headphones. Check out stores like Best Buy for deals on open-box and remanufactured tech, or websites like Newegg, eBay, and Dell Outlet for certified refurbished gadgets with warranties.
What budget-friendly back-to-school tech items are you planning to buy?