60+ best back-to-school deals for students on a budget

Back-to-school season is in full swing. We’re ready for new backpacks filled with freshly sharpened pencils and clean, colorful folders. Unfortunately, the older you get, the less fun (and more expensive) shopping gets — like spending over $100 on a calculator. However, plenty of back-to-school deals are here to bring oodles of savings on laptops, headphones, and more.

All the big retailers are hosting back-to-school sales, including Amazon, L.L. Bean, Best Buy, Target, and more. You’ll find savings on the small stuff, like colored pencils for just $0.99, or hundreds of dollars off laptops, including the M3 Apple MacBook Air.

Best laptop deal

Credit: Apple

Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$899.00
at Best Buy

$1,099.00
Save $200.00

Why we like it

Read Mashable’s full review of the Apple MacBook Air (M3).

The MacBook Air with M3 chip is a great college laptop — especially if you’re on a budget. It comes in a light package, weighing 2.7 pounds versus a MacBook Pro’s 3.4 pounds, but it holds the same M3 processing power as the Pro. During back-to-school season, the M3 MacBook Air has been under $1,000 at Best Buy. We’ve been tracking the price at $899 for weeks, but as of August 20th it’s now $849 for $250 off and 23% savings. (Note that you can save an extra $50 with a paid My Best Buy membership, bringing it under its Prime Day price.)

More laptop deals

Acer Chromebook 315, 15.6-inch (Intel Pentium N6000, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $199 $349 (save $150)

Acer Aspire 3 (AMD Ryzen 3 7320U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $299.99 $329.99 (save $30)

HP, 15.6-inch touchscreen laptop (AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $349.99 $579.99 (save $230)

Dell Inspiron 15 touchscreen laptop (Intel i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $479.99 $629.99 (save $150)

Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $649 $699 (save $50)

Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1, 14-inch (AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $649.99 $899.99 (save $250)

HP Envy 2-in-1, 14-inch touchscreen laptop (Intel Core Ultra 5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $699.99 $999.99 (save $300)

Lenovo Yoga 7i, 14-inch (Intel Core Ultra 5 125U, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $719.99 $999.99 (save $210)

Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $799 $999 (save $200)

Dell Inspiron, 16-inch (Intel Core Ultra 7, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,499.99 (save $400)

Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,249 $1,499 (save $250)

Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M3, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD) —$1,499 $1,999 (save $500)

Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M3, 36GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $2,399 $2,899 (save $500)

Best headphone or earbud deal

Credit: Sony

Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones

$399.99
at Amazon

Why we like it

If you’re headed to college, you need a pair of headphones to accompany you so you can listen while walking across campus to class or focusing during a library study session. A pair of noise-cancelling headphones is especially important when you’re dealing with noisy roommates. Luckily, Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are a phenomenal option now that they’ve dropped under $300.

Tested by Mashable deputy editor Miller Kern, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones earned our Mashable Choice award, striking the right balance of stellar noise cancellation and audio that satisfies even the pickiest audiophiles. Normally $399.99, the Sony WH-1000XM5 are down to $298 at Amazon. That gives you 25% off for $101.99 in savings.

More headphone and earbud deals

Soundcore by Anker A20i earbuds — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10)

JBL Vibe Beam earbuds — $29.95 $49.95 (save $20)

JBL Tune Flex earbuds — $49.95 $99.95 (save $50)

Soundcore by Anker P40i earbuds — $49.99 $69.99 (save $20)

Skullcandy Hesh Evo headphones — $59.88 $104.99 (save $45.11)

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) — $89 $129 (save $40)

Sony LinkBuds S earbuds — $128 $199.99 (save $71.99)

Beats Solo 4 — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)

Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) — $149.99 $169 (save $19.01)

Jabra Elite 8 Active — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)

Beats Studio Pro — $199.99 $349.99 (save $150)

Bose QuietComfort headphones — $249 $349 (save $100)

Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds — $249 $299 (save $50)

Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones — $349 $429 (save $80)

Best school supply deal

Credit: Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Graphing Calculator

$99.00
at Amazon

$150.00
Save $51.00

Why we like it

It’s a rite of passage to get your hands on a clunky graphing calculator for high school math. Luckily these days, the new generation of TI-84s are slim, sleek devices with colorful graphics. Ahead of the school year, get the Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE for just $99, saving you $51 for 34% off.

More school supply deals

Crayola Kids Crayons (24 count) — $0.50 $1.49 (save $0.99)

Elmer’s Washable School Glue Sticks (two pack) — $0.50 $1.39 (save $0.89)

Crayola Broad Line Markers (10 count) — $0.99 $2.59 (save $1.60)

Crayola Kids Pre-Sharpened Colored Pencils (12 count) — $0.99 $1.99 (save $1)

BIC Brite Liner Highlighters (five pack, assorted) — $1.79 $2.19 (save $0.40)

BIC Brite Liner Pastel Highlighters (12 count) — $6.37 $15.43 (save $9.06)

Paper Mate Ink Joy Gel Pens (six-pack) — $6.39 $10.99 (save $4.60)

Sharpie S-Gel Gel Pens, 0.7mm (12 count) — $12.14 $16.99 (save $4.85)

Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Markers (40 count) — $17.54 $20.09 (save $2.55)

Crayola Mini Twistables Crayons (50 count) — $13.39 $29.45 (save $16.06)

Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens, 0.7mm (24 count) — $14.79 $19.97 (save $5.18)

Sharpie School Supplies Variety Pack (31 count) — $17.02 $21.26 (save $4.24)

Casio FX 9750GIII Graphing Calculator — $59.99 $64.99 (save $5)

Best backpack deal

Credit: L.L. Bean

L.L.Bean Deluxe Book Pack, 37L

$43.96
at Amazon

$54.95
Save $10.99

Why we like it

Maybe it’s just because I grew up 15 minutes away from the L.L. Bean flagship store, but a back-to-school shopping trip isn’t complete without an L.L. Bean backpack. Rarely on sale, you can find the L.L.Bean Deluxe Book Pack marked down to $43.96. It comes in a variety of delightful prints and with 37L there are plenty of rooms for books, sports uniforms, and more.

This backpack is for the rough and tumble kids. The extra tough stitching keeps it strong, and the waterproof fabric prevents soggy homework. Find it now for 20% off and save $10.99.

More backpack deals

Amazon Basic Laptop Backpack — $26.11 $30.72 (save $4.61)

Under Armor Hustle Sport Backpack — $33.75 $45 (save $11.25)

Under Armor Hustle 6.0 Backpack — $41.21 $55 (save $13.79)

Herschel Supply Co. Classic Backpack — $48.40 $55 (save $6.60)

Lululemon Everywhere Backpack — $54 $78 (save $28)

Best dorm deal

Credit: Casper

Casper Comfy Mattress Topper (Twin XL)

$197.10
at Casper

$219.00
Save $21.90

Why we like it

If you’re headed off to college, your shopping cart is likely exploding with new bedding, towels, and more. But there’s one item we’re begging you not to skip: A mattress topper. Dorm room mattresses are essentially plastic bags full of stiff metal springs guaranteed to give you a terrible night’s sleep, but that’s nothing that several inches of memory foam can’t fix.

Casper’s Comfy Mattress Topper is a favorite and is pricey at $219. Earlier this summer, it was 20% off during its summer sale. While those savings didn’t last, you can still find it for 10% off for $197.10. Those $21.90 are some sweet savings — letting you sleep even more peacefully.

More dorm deals

Amazon Basics 6-outlet power strip, 2-pack — $10.30 $13.88 (save $3.58)

Levoit Core Mini-P Air Purifier — $41.09 $49.99 (save $8.90)

Linenspa 3-inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper — $51.17 $72.99 (save $21.82)

Keurig K-Mini — $59.99 $99.99 (save $40)

Keurig K-Express — $69.99 $89.99 (save $20)

Lucid 4-inch Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam Mattress Topper — $84.91 $94.99 (save $10.08)

Black + Decker Digital Microwave Oven — $84.95 $99.99 (save $15.04)

Laura Ashley Twin Bedding + Towel Set — $99 $124.98 (save $25.98)

InterDesign Bathroom Storage Bundle — $59.99 $118.35 (save $58.36)

Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty — $145.98 $239.99 (save $94.01 with on-page coupon)

GreenPan Valencia Pro Cooking Set — $160.97 $299.96 (save $138.99)

Shark Matrix Robot Vacuum RV2300 — $197 $299.99 (save $102.99)

Best Apple deal

Credit: Apple

$150 gift card with purchase of MacBook or iPad

Why we like it

If you want to save on Apple products, our usual advice is to buy anywhere but the Apple store, as they rarely have sales. That is until back-to-school season rolls around. The Apple Education Store lets students and teachers save on Apple devices. Before September 30, with the purchase of a MacBook or iPad you’ll receive a gift card worth up to $150. Plus, when shopping in the Apple Education Store, you’ll benefit from education pricing that saves you an extra $100 on devices.