With the fall semester approaching, our tech reviewer has tested and selected 25 essential tech items to help college students navigate campus life, covering everything from laptops and headphones to writing tablets and smartphones. The list includes budget-friendly options alongside premium picks, ensuring there is something for every student's needs and wallet.
Laptops for Every Need and Budget
For students seeking a high-end machine, the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Pro (from $1,300, originally $1,800) offers a spacious screen, a powerful Intel processor suitable for gaming, and a battery that lasts a full 24-hour day of schoolwork. Recommended minimum specs include 16GB memory, 512GB storage, and a 14in screen, with customization available directly from Samsung.com.
Those who primarily work online may prefer the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 ($599 at Best Buy), a Chromebook with an excellent keyboard and a 360-degree hinge, ideal for watching movies between classes. Recommended specs are 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, and a 14in screen.
Apple users can consider the new MacBook Neo (from $699), powered by the A18 Pro processor. Our reviewer notes it is “highly performant” and will only slow down on tasks requiring large amounts of memory or multicore processing, which typical buyers are unlikely to need. However, students in memory-intensive majors like film or graphic arts might look to the MacBook Air line instead.
Audio Essentials: Earbuds and Headphones
For noise-cancelling earbuds, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 ($130) and Apple AirPods Pro 3 ($200) are top picks. The Galaxy Buds work best with Samsung devices, but are compatible with other Android phones, though multi-point connectivity is limited to Samsung devices. The AirPods Pro 3 offer a better fit for iPhone users.
The Nothing Headphone (a) at $159 provides excellent Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and a distinctive look in fun colors like pink and blue. Our reviewer notes they cost less than half of other high-end ANC headphones from brands like Sony and Bose, yet sound just as good. For sleep, the Soundcore Sleep A20 buds ($101) are tiny, comfortable for side-sleepers, and feature onboard white noise tones that can be streamed from a phone, with automatic switching to save battery.
Tablets and Smartwatches for Productivity and Creativity
The Apple iPad Air M4 (11in) at $710 is ideal for Apple users, with a fast M4 processor and a lightweight design under 1kg. Our review notes that “the Apple Pencil stylus turns it into a fantastic note-taking device or digital sketch pad,” and with a magic keyboard, it becomes a second laptop. For artists, the Wacom MovinkPad 11 ($500) is a full-color tablet designed for drawing, with on-board software to organize artwork. The iFlytek AInote Air 2 (from $399) is an e-ink tablet with a long-lasting battery and an AI recorder that can summarize lectures while you take notes.
The Amazfit Active 3 Premium smartwatch ($170) works with both Apple and Android phones, offers health and sleep tracking, and includes a smart AI assistant. Alternatives include the Apple Watch SE ($219), Pixel Watch 4 ($350), and Galaxy Watch 9 ($380).
Power, Connectivity, and Entertainment
To keep devices charged, the Mophie Power Station Plus 5K ($40) is a 5,000mAh power bank with an integrated USB-C cable. For laptop charging, the Baseus Laptop Power Pack ($60, originally $80) outputs 145W with a retractable USB-C cable and a 20,000mAh capacity. The Baseus Picogo Air ($50, originally $70) is a MagSafe-compatible battery pack, just a quarter-inch thick, providing around one full charge for an iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The Anker Power Strip with 2100J Surge Protector ($29) offers 12 outlets, two USB-A ports, and one USB-C port, with a 5ft or 10ft cable. The Anker Nano Laptop Docking Station ($112) connects a laptop to a monitor and includes a detachable smaller dock for on-the-go use. For entertainment, the JLab Pop Party speaker ($23) has a silicon strap for attaching to bags or bikes, and the Xgimi Mogo 4 Portable Projector ($479) turns any blank space into a TV with built-in Google TV and battery power up to 2.5 hours.
The MSI MAG 255F E20 monitor ($100) is a compact gaming monitor with a 200Hz refresh rate, ideal for dorm desks. Gamers can also consider the Oh Snap MCON MagSafe Gaming Controller ($130), which attaches to a phone via MagSafe and slides out controls, or the Nintendo Switch 2 ($449 for console only, $499 with game bundle). Our reviewer calls it “the zenith of Nintendo’s quest to make a hybrid handheld/home console,” with a larger screen, 4K output on TV, improved controllers, and a better kickstand. Due to a memory chip shortage, its price will increase by $50 on 1 September.
Mobility and Communication
The Kingbull Ranger e-bike ($799) offers a detachable battery and a comfortable seat for two, reaching speeds up to 28mph on flat campuses, though it may lack power for hilly areas. For smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 ($1,900) features a folding screen ideal for multitasking, while the iPhone 17 ($799) provides a powerful processor and excellent cameras, with easy file sharing via Airdrop. The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2026) at $500 includes a stylus for note-taking, and the Gregory Terros 28 Backpack ($110) offers a laptop compartment, a large main compartment, and a detachable bungee system for carrying extra items like a coat or shoes.
