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You can save money on back-to-school essentials with these deals
There are lots of essentials to shop for when kids head back to school. Laptops, shoes, clothing, pencils, backpacks and more are on the shopping lists of parents and caregivers as they prepare K-12 students for the first day of class.
It can be challenging and expensive to find the items kids need to start the school year off right. But the BestReviews team can help with our roundup of back-to-school deals for K-12 students. We tested a few of these products ourselves, including the Apple AirPods Max and Rocketbook Fusion.
In this article: Puma Evercat Contender Backpack, HP Chromebook 14-Inch Laptop and Samsil Earth’s Choice Plant-Based 3-Ring Binders.
Back-to-school shopping tips
Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to be stressful. Following a few key tips will simplify the task and ensure that the students in your life will have everything they need when the bell rings on the first day.
Make a list
Before you ever browse the websites of your favorite retailers, it’s a good idea to compile a school supplies list. In addition to the obvious such as clothes and classroom supplies, things such as a printer, tablet or laptop will help students complete assignments. Class-specific items such as a gym bag and art supplies may also be required. Most schools will provide a list of items needed during the school year so families know what to buy.
Know clothing and shoes sizes
Even if you think you know your kids’ sizes, double-checking them will help you find clothes and shoes that fit and won’t have to be returned. This is especially important for youngsters in the pre-teen and early teen years that have frequent growth spurts.
Shop together
Kids will be more enthused to head back to the classroom when they like their new clothes and school gear. Working together to find back-to-school must-haves will make the process fun and help them find items they are excited to own.
Look for deals
Back-to-school deals are everywhere this time of year, but you have to know where to look. Shopping online for top items from trusted retailers will help you save on school supplies. BestReviews will also help you find deals through informative articles on our website and by signing up for email alerts.
Best K-12 back-to-school deals
Whether doing homework or taking a break, the right wireless headphones will come in handy frequently throughout the school year. Although an investment, AirPods offer a lot for the price. In the Testing Lab, we found these AirPods fit comfortably, have outstanding sound quality and reliable noise-canceling technology.
Puma Evercat Contender Backpack
Having a reliable backpack for school is a must, and this affordable Puma offering is a solid option. It’s comfortable to wear, lightweight and has a roomy design. There’s a main compartment, a front pocket, two mesh side pockets that can fit a water bottle and a padded electronics sleeve. It comes in 12 color schemes and patterns.
A basic laptop may be all your student needs to do research and complete assignments. This HP Chromebook offers a trim 14-inch design that fits well in most backpacks. The vivid screen is ideal for working on papers or joining virtual meetings.
BIC Xtra-Strong Thick Lead Mechanical Pencils
These mechanical pencils have leads that are thicker than many other brands, so they hold up well to frequent use. They are convenient too, since there is no need for a pencil sharpener to give them sharp points. That pack includes 24 pencils in a variety of colors.
Samsil Earth’s Choice Plant-Based 3-Ring Binders
Made with plant-based and recycled materials, these binders provide an eco-friendly way to keep important papers and assignments protected and organized. Along with durable rings, each binder has interior pockets for additional paper storage.
Epson EcoTank ET-2803 Wireless All-in-One Cartridge-Free Printer
Dealing with printer cartridges can be a hassle, but you won’t have these issues with this cartridge-free model. This wireless printer works with an ink tank that’s easy to fill and is long lasting. It also copies and scans.
Bentgo Classic All-in-One Bento Box
Bento boxes are great for taking lunch to school, as they are compact yet spacious with dividers to keep foods separate. This model features a two-tier design and comes with plastic utensils that store in the lid. The materials are free of bisphenol A.
Rocketbook Fusion Reusable Smart Notebook
Ditch paper notebooks and go with this reusable smart notebook. It offers a variety of useful features for students, including lined and dotted pages, weekly planners, calendars, to-do lists and page templates. Our tester appreciated that you still get the sense of putting pen to paper with the erasable ink pen. Notes are easily backed up to the cloud with the smartphone app’s character recognition. The Rocketbook Fusion comes in 15 colors.
This large-capacity pencil pouch has a variety of compartments, pockets, pen slots and open storage for keeping school items organized and easily accessible. It’s made of durable canvas and comes in nine colors.
Contigo Aubrey Kids Cleanable Water Bottle
Kids can stay healthy and hydrated with this water bottle designed for youngsters. It has a silicone straw and a spill-proof lid. You can toss it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. This water bottle is available individually or in sets of two, in 14- or 20-ounce sizes. There are a variety of colors and fun kid-friendly patterns to choose from.
More K-12 back-to-school deals worth checking out
- If your high school student is planning on college next year, consider splurging on the new Macbook Air.
- The Apple 12.6-Inch iPad Pro (6th Gen) is great for writing papers, taking notes, tracking assignments, doing research and more when used with a stylus pen.
- These Wildkin insulated lunch boxes come in over 40 cute patterns for elementary school students.
- The Casio Touchscreen Graphing Calculator is a must-have for advanced math and algebra classes.
- This bulk pack of Mr. Pen emoji erasers make schoolwork mistakes fun.
- You can save by stocking up now on these Mead composition books.
- These Paper Mate Profile Retractable Ballpoint Pens write smoothly with a soft grip that prevents hand fatigue.
- This 36-pack of Crayola Colored Pencils is a must for art class.
- The Children’s Place Boys Basic Short Sleeve Tee comes in multipacks in a variety of color schemes.
- The Columbia Benton Springs Fleece Jacket is available in numerous colors to fit every child’s unique style.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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