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The 8 best back-to-school deals: Top student deals from Best Buy, Walmart, and more

Get the latest and greatest deals for back to school, including everything from new computers to the electronics you need to study.
Written by Hedy Phillips, Contributing Writer and  Josh Slate, Contributor
Reviewed by Allison Murray
Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ | Save $330
Microsoft Surface Pro 7+
Microsoft Surface Pro 7+
Save $330
View now View at Best Buy
ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 2-In-1 | Save $170
360-degree view of Asus Chromebook laptop spinning
ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 2-In-1
Save $170
View now View at Walmart
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro | Save $80
Purple Galaxy Buds Pro earbuds against a black circle background
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
Save $80
View now View at Walmart
SAMSUNG T7 Portable 1TB SSD | Save $10
Person working on a laptop with a blue Samsung external hard drive plugged in next to them
SAMSUNG T7 Portable 1TB SSD
Save $10
View now View at Best Buy
Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Bluetooth Speaker | Save $20
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Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Save $20
View now View at Walmart
Insignia 50-inch Class F30 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV | Save $160
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Insignia 50-inch Class F30 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV
Save $160
View now View at Best Buy
Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular) | Save $111
Navy blue Apple watch
Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular)
Save $111
View now View at Walmart
Beats Studio Buds | Save $50
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Beats Studio Buds
Save $50
View now View at Best Buy
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Back-to-school time brings excitement and anticipation, but it also comes with stress over outfitting your student with everything they need to be ready for the school year. Gone are the days of only needing crayons, notebooks, and folders—now, students thrive with laptops, smartwatches, and everything in between. Fortunately, there are plenty of back-to-school deals to be had, especially on Amazon. Though you can still find sales on crayons, notebooks, and folders, you can also find discounts on all the tech a student might need. 

We've rounded up the best back-to-school deals online and in-store for high school and college students. Products come in various price points, so you can decide what suits your budget and get inspired to sift through Best Buy, Walmart, and Target for even more deals.

  • Current price: $600
  • Original price: $930

With so much school work being completed virtually, you need a laptop that can keep up. This Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ doubles as both tablet and computer with its touch-screen capabilities. With an Intel 11th Generation Core i3 processor and a 12.3-inch QHD display, get high speeds with high-quality visuals this school year. 

This laptop goes on sale quite often, but we could see the price increase as we get closer to the first day of school, so make sure you secure your new laptop before the deal is gone.

  • Current price: $429
  • Original price: $599

The ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 2-In-1 Laptop has a full touch screen and a versatile design that easily goes from a laptop to a tablet. Available in 4GB or 8GB, this Google Chromebook is suitable for students of all ages and makes it easy to take notes in class and bring them home at the end of the day. 

It's lightweight enough to slip into a backpack and has a 14" screen. Students can even prop it up as a tablet on their desks for a different experience.

  • Current price: $119
  • Original price: $200

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are small enough to keep in a pocket but powerful enough to block noise. These noise-canceling earbuds will pump high-quality sound into your ears while paired with your Bluetooth device. Plus, they're water-resistant and available in three different colors. 

They're perfect for wearing on the bus to and from school or strolling around campus.

  • Current price: $110
  • Original price: $120

Having an external hard drive or solid-state drive is crucial for students. This is the place to store everything. Not only will it keep your computer from getting too gunked up with files, but it provides a backup for everything in case of emergency. 

The Samsung T7 Portable SSD functions faster than a standard external hard drive comes in three colors and is available in three storage sizes.

  • Current price: $129
  • Original price: $149

Is it really a college dorm if you don't have a Bluetooth speaker? This Bose SoundLink Flex speaker has a battery life of 12 hours and a wireless range of 30 feet so you never have to worry about losing your music in the middle of a jam-sesh. 

This speaker is at one of the lowest prices we have seen in the last three months and the deal won't last long. 

  • Current price: $240
  • Original price: $400

With the popularity of streaming apps, it makes sense to skip a regular TV and just get a smart TV. This 50-inch Insignia TV is a great size for a dorm room because it won't take up too much space. It comes loaded with popular streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, and it streams in high definition.

If you want something slightly bigger, this model is available up to 75 inches.

  • Current price: $389
  • Original price: $500

A smartwatch is an awesome resource for a lot of students. Not only will it hopefully keep them punctual, but it can also help keep their fitness in check. With the Apple fitness app, you can connect with your friends to motivate one another to complete their workouts or close their rings. 

This Apple watch hasn't seen a price tag this low in over four months and the deal won't last long.

  • Current price: $100
  • Original price: $150

Whether it's cramming for an exam in the library, working out in the campus gym, or drowning out your obnoxious roommate, a pair of noise-canceling earbuds is a college essential. These Beats Studio Buds provide high-quality Beats audio without the outside noise.

With 8 hours of battery life and IPX4 waterproof capabilities, you can take these earbuds anywhere without worrying you'll go without your favorite tunes. These earbuds are at the lowest price we have seen them at in a few months; right in time for back-to-school season.

What kind of computers do high school and college kids need?

This really comes down to the school, the student, the budget, and the education plan. If you have a student who is studying something computer-centric and you have the budget for a higher-end setup, consider investing in that if your student is still in high school and can't bring a laptop to school, factor that into what kind of computer they'll use at home.

Which products are best for high school students?

High school students should need far less for back-to-school than college students. Unless you have a student who is living in a boarding school, they most likely already have the majority of what they need at home. Get them set up with all the school supplies they'll need and check in with them to see if any of their tech is out of date or in need of an upgrade. 

Useful products include a laptop or tablet, flash drive, and external hard drive. Plus, these are products that will transition to college with them, too.

Should I get a smart TV if I have a streaming device?

Though we mentioned deals on streaming devices and smart TVs, you don't necessarily need both. If a smart TV isn't in your budget, a streaming device is a great budget-friendly alternative. 

If you do want to go all-in on a smart TV, though, you don't need the streaming device as well. 

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