Get back-to-school ready with these major sales on school essentials

It's still summer, but academia is right around the corner.

Aug. 17, 2023

Get back-to-school ready with these major sales on school essentials

We know, it's painful to think about a new school year starting. 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 an easy-breezy fall term. For your convenience, we've rounded up some of the best deals on 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.

Your head is probably full of summer memories in the sun, careless hours spent by the pool, and barbecues 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 not-to-miss deals on school essentials at retailers like Amazon and Walmart. Stock up on a MacBook, backpacks, Amazon Basics essentials, and more with the best back-to-school deals below. Act quick though — these won't last forever.

Best overall back-to-school sale

Our pick: Apple back-to-school sale

Why we like it

Each year, Apple rolls out 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. 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.

Best laptop deal

Our pick: Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (Apple M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB)

$749.99 at Amazon (save $249.01)

Buy On Amazon↗

Why we like it

The 2020 Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB) is currently selling for $249.01 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. 8 GB 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, 14-inch Chromebook (Intel Celeron, 4GB Memory, 64GB eMMC) — $159 $299(save $140)
ASUS CX1500 Chromebook (Intel Celeron N3350, 4GB RAM, 64GB) — $169 $217.99 (save $48.99)
HP Stream, 14-inch (Intel Celeron N4020 Processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB) — $179 $209.00 (save $30)
Samsung,15.6-inch Chromebook (Intel Celeron, 4GB Memory, 64GB eMMC Flash Memory) — $219 $269 (save $50)
ASUS VivoBook Go 14 (Intel Celeron N4500 CPU, 4GB RAM, 64GB) — $230 $349.99 (save $119.99)
HP Stream, 14-inch (Intel Celeron N4020 Dual-Core Processor, 4GB DDR4, 192GB) — $269.95 $399.90 (save $129.95)
IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook (Intel Core i3-N305 Processor, 8 GB LPDDR5,128GB) — $414.99 $549.99 (save $135)
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i (Intel Core i5 12th Gen, 8GB RAM, 512GB) — $489 $649.99 (save $160.99)
Acer Aspire 5 (Quad-Core Mobile Processor, 8GB DDR4, 256GB) — $489 $649.99 (save $160.99)
HP ENVY 2-in-1 15.6-inch (AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB Memory, 512GB) — $749.99 $1,049.99 (save $300)
Apple MacBook Air 13.6-inch (Apple M2, 8GB Memory, 256GB) — $949 $$1,099 (save $150)
IdeaPad Pro 5i (13th Generation Intel Core i5-13500H Processor, 16 GB LPDDR5-5200MHz, 1TB) — $949.99 $1,499.99 (save $550)
Apple MacBook Air, 15.3-inch (Apple M2 Chip, 8GB Unified Memory, 256GB) — $1,234 $1,299 (save $165)
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (12th generation Intel Core i5-1240P Processor, 16 GB LPDDR5, 512GB) — $1,249.99 $2,909 (save $1,659.01 with coupon code THINKPADCLEARANCE2)

Best backpack deal

Our pick: Adidas Excel 6 backpack

$42 at Amazon (save $18)

Buy On Amazon↗

Why we like it

Though canvas tote bags might be all the rage right now, backpacks are a timeless school essential that will spare you back pain and shoulder bruises. This Adidas Excel 6 backpack, for instance, has load spring 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-inch laptop securely, in case you're already eyeing the laptop deals we listed above.

More backpack deals

Adidas Prime backpack — $49 $70 (save $21)
Under Armour Unisex Hustle 5.0 backpack — $40 $55 (save $15)
Justice Girls 17-inch laptop backpack 3-piece backpack set — $24.98 $40 (save $15.02)
Justice Girls 17-inch laptop backpack with pom pom dangle — $19.98 $30 (save $10.02)
SwissGear 5358 ScanSmart laptop backpack — $89.98 $129.99 (save $40.01)
Champion Manuscript Backpack — $29.95 $40.00 (save $10.05)
MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack — $29.99 $39.96 (save $9.97 + $6 with coupon)
Dickies Signature Lightweight Backpack — $46.99 $59.99 (save $13)
Adidas Creator 2 Backpack — $35.70 $45 (save $9.30)
Under Armour Hustle Sport Backpack — $33.75 $45 (save $11.25)
Under Armour Adult Loudon Backpack — $26.25 $35 (save $8.75)
Under Armour Women's Favorite Backpack — $30 $40 (save $10)
Under Armour Adult Halftime Backpack — $33.75 $45 (save $11.25)
Under Armour Adult Hustle Pro Backpack — $48.75 $65 (save $16.25)
Under Armour Unisex-Adult Hustle Lite Backpack — $26.25 $34.95 (save $8.70)
Under Armour Loudon Backpack Small — $22.50 $30 (save $7.50)

Best deal on school supplies

Our pick: TI-30XIIS scientific calculator

$9.88 at Amazon (save $12.07)

Buy On Amazon↗

Why we like it

Owning a dependable scientific calculator is as important in some courses as showing up to class. This TI-30XIIS calculator model from Texas Instruments has your back when it comes to measuring angles in radians, taking the logs of numbers, and other math-related operations you might have to perform. Plus, it's permitted in ACT, AP, and SAT testing, so you can also use it as a lucky charm to get those perfect scores.

More deals on school supplies

Crayola Classic Broad Line markers (10-count) — $0.97 $2.54 (save $1.57)
BIC Brite Liner highlighters, 5-count — $1.63 $3.99 (save $2.36)
Elmer's disappearing purple school glue sticks (22 grams) 3-count — $2.70 $6.99 (save $4.29)
ban.do Rough Draft mini notebook — $4.99 $11.95 (save $6.96)
Amazon Basics Premium colored pencils — $5.04 $7.75 (save $2.71)
Mr. Pen erasers for pencils, 120-pack — $6.95 $9.99 (save $3.04)
ban.do Rough Draft subject notebook — $6.97 $19.95 (save $12.98)
BIC Gel-ocity Quick Dry Assorted Colors Gel Pens — $11.87 $19.99 (save $8.12)
Post-it Transparent Notes, 12 Pads — $14.04 $18.97 (save $4.93)
russell+hazel Medallion Bookcloth Signature 3-ring binder — $23.80 $28 (save $4.20)
Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Color Graphing Calculator, Mint Small — $115.05 $149 (save $33.95)

Best tech deal

Apple Pencil (1st generation)

$79 at Amazon (save $20)

Buy On Amazon↗

Why we like it

The Apple Pencil (1st gen) 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!