JBL Go 3
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JLab Go Pop+
JLab Go Pop+
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Logitech Pebble 2 M350sLogitech Pebble 2 M350s
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Logitech Keys to Go 2Logitech Keys to Go 2
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iPad 11th GeniPad 11th Gen
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Arzopa Z3FC Portable MonitorArzopa Z3FC Portable Monitor
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Life360 Tile ProLife360 Tile Pro
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Samsung T9Samsung T9
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Anker Nano 10,000mAh 30W power bankAnker Nano 10,000mAh 30W power bank
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Anker 341 USB-C HubAnker 341 USB-C Hub
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Back-to-school season is already underway, and for many students, that means shopping for the best tech to support their studies. (And for professionals, it can mean looking to update your office environment before a busy Q4.) Buying a new laptop is a great first step, but a computer is only the foundation of a productive student. The right accessories will transform the way you learn and enjoy campus life throughout the semester.
Also: Need a new laptop for school? Here are 14 models I recommend to students
To speed up your search, I’ve put together a list of the best back-to-school (and office) accessories worth your consideration. It covers a variety of different devices, from a wireless mouse to a charging bank to keep your gadgets topped up. Some are a little pricey, some are cheap, but they’re all great. You will notice that some brands appear more than once. They create some of the most reliable accessories for students on the market, so they have earned multiple spots.
Also: 15+ gadgets that can upgrade your dorm room from basic to better
Best gadgets to upgrade your school or office setup
The JBL Go 3 is proof that big things can come in small packages. This Bluetooth speaker features JBL’s signature Pro Sound technology, delivering powerful audio and punchy bass. It is an excellent buddy for students relaxing on the quad between classes or listening to online lectures.
Built tough, the Go 3 boasts an IP67 resistance rating, meaning it can survive accidental spills, dusty environments, and brief submersion underwater. It also has an impressive battery life. I purchased this speaker during Black Friday 2025 and have used it sporadically since. As of this writing, the speaker has not run out of power. It has maintained its charge for nearly a year.
At just under $30, the JLab Go Pop+ are an impressive pair of wireless earbuds. I especially like them for the gym, where I use them regularly. Their curved design conforms to the ear canal, creating a tight seal that blocks out a good amount of outside noise. From my experience, this seal is so strong that it gives the Go Pop+ a form of active noise canceling.
They also deliver strong bass. It adds extra weight and energy to music tracks. Plus, they have an IPX4 water-resistance rating, which protects them from sweat and light splashes of water. Battery life is a major strength; even with frequent use, they can last several days on a single charge.
Logitech’s Pebble 2 is an excellent wireless mouse for those who want a comfortable way to navigate the internet. It sports a lightweight, ergonomically sound design that is small enough to slip into your pants pocket. Over Bluetooth, the mouse can pair with up to three separate devices simultaneously. You can hop between your laptop, tablet, and desktop with just the push of a button. It also supports a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS, just to name a few.
One of its standout features is Logitech’s Silent Touch, which reduces click noise by up to 90%. That makes the mouse a great choice for quiet environments. Through the Logi Options+ app, you can even reconfigure the middle button to launch certain apps or perform shortcuts.
There are plenty of great tablets, from budget models to premium flagships. But if you’re going to splurge on one, make it an 11th-Gen iPad. Powered by the A16 chip, the tablet provides enough processing power to handle heavy creative tasks while remaining responsive enough for smooth multitasking. Its 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display is bright and vibrant, well-suited for streaming movies or reading digital textbooks. Above the display is a 12MP selfie camera, perfect for video calls and group meetings.
There are a few compromises. This iPad doesn’t support Apple Intelligence or the Apple Pencil Pro, but I don’t think those omissions will matter to most students. It is still a fast, reliable tablet with access to one of the best app ecosystems available.
Also: The 5 best iPads of 2026: We’ve tested every iPad available – these are the best ones
Having a second monitor is a game-changer. Once I added a second screen to my desktop setup, I could never go back. This experience is not limited to desktops, as you can have a similar setup with the Arzopa Z3FC Portable Monitor.
It is a 16.1-inch display with a sharp QuadHD (2560 x 1440 pixels) resolution panel running at a 180Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth animations. The screen also boasts 400-nit brightness, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and support for the full sRGB color gamut. Altogether, you get a monitor capable of producing highly detailed images with vibrant colors. Setting up the monitor is as easy as 1-2-3. All you have to do is plug either a USB-C or an HDMI cable from the laptop to the Arzopa, and you’re good to go. No need to download drivers or an app.
There’s nothing worse than finding out you might’ve lost your keys or bag. That’s where accessories like the Life360 Tile Pro come into play. This compact Bluetooth tracker attaches to essentials and sends out a signal to your smartphone. Using the Tile app, you can make the tracker ring out to find the missing item. It features a powerful 110dB speaker. That’s as loud as a car horn, so it’s impossible not to hear it. Plus, the Tile Pro boasts a Bluetooth signal range of up to 500 feet, letting you find it from far away. To put that into perspective, Apple’s AirTag has a maximum range of 100 feet.
Also: The best Bluetooth trackers of 2026: Our top picks to keep tabs on your stuff
Available in capacities ranging from 1TB to 4TB, the Samsung T9 delivers read and write speeds of up to 2,000MB/s. That’s fast enough to transfer large folders of photographs, videos, class projects, and documents in seconds. The rugged rubber exterior protects internal components from drops and scratches while also ensuring a secure grip. For added peace of mind, it supports 256-bit AES encryption to safeguard sensitive files against malicious actors. You may also be interested to know that Samsung built the drive with robust thermal management to keep components cool and maintain consistent performance.
SSD prices have climbed in recent years, so that is an issue. But the amount of value the T9 drive provides is so good that it’s worth the cost.
Power banks are a lifesaver when your phone hits that dreaded 5% mark, and there’s no outlet in sight. If you’re looking for one, I recommend the Anker Nano 10,000mAh 30W power bank. It is a compact device with enough battery capacity to fully recharge a smartphone, so it’s perfect for long days on campus or commuting.
You don’t have to remember to pack a USB cable with this power bank because it comes with a built-in USB-C that also doubles as a carrying strap. Another standout feature is the built-in OLED screen, which shows the remaining battery percentage and an estimate of how long it will take to recharge a connected device.
Multiple color options are available, from Shell Blue to a cool Ice Lake Blue.
Review: Anker Nano 10,000mAh 30W power bank
Modern laptops are thinner and lighter than ever. While that may be great for commuting, it comes at the expense of having a wide array of ports. That’s where the Anker 341 USB-C Hub comes in. It houses seven ports supporting different standards, including HDMI, USB-A, and USB-C.
The USB-A and USB-C ports provide data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps, allowing users to move files between connected drives and their laptops in almost no time. It even supports pass-through charging, so you can recharge a laptop through the Anker 341 Hub. Graphic design and video production students will appreciate the SD card readers, as they’ll let you directly import your projects from a camera’s storage.
Also: How to qualify for Apple’s education discount – and get a $499 MacBook Neo for school
Why you should trust me
I have spent years testing and reviewing laptops, smartphones, and their respective accessories, evaluating key aspects such as hardware and overall design. But more than that, I remember what it was like to be a broke college student. I remember trying to make every dollar count while balancing classes, assignments, and work.
Rather than recommending nothing but flashy and expensive gadgets, I focused on accessories that provide a lot of great value. College is hard enough as it is. Imagine wasting money on unreliable products on top of your schoolwork. My goal here is to provide guidance toward accessories that’ll make your school year just a little less stressful. I wish I had a guide like this when I was going to college. Having gone through the struggle and received a lot of help along the way, I hope my advice helps you in your journey.
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