The Verge’s 2026 back-to-school shopping guide highlights gadgets and gear for students
The Verge has released a new back-to-school shopping guide with a mix of practical and aspirational products for students. The list includes laptops, calculators, stationery, bags, and dorm accessories across various price points.
The Verge has published its 2026 back-to-school shopping guide, featuring a selection of useful and desirable items for students of all ages. The recommendations span laptops, cameras, calculators, stationery, bags, and dorm-room accessories, with prices ranging from under $10 to several hundred dollars.
Among the technology picks is the MacBook Neo at $589, a straightforward laptop for note-taking and essay writing that outperforms comparably priced Chromebooks and Windows machines, though it lacks the power needed for demanding engineering work. For those who prefer handwriting, the Remarkable Paper Pure ($399) offers a matte glass display that mimics paper and supports note import, export, and search. Gamers and productivity users may appreciate the Alienware AW2726DM, a 27-inch 1440p QD-OLED monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate and a three-year burn-in warranty, available for $350.
Other devices include the Anbernic RG Rotate ($95), an Android-based handheld with a swiveling screen for emulation; the Texas Instruments TI-84 Evo ($99), an updated calculator with a color display and USB-C charging; and the Canon PowerShop ELPH 360 HS ($379), a compact camera with a 20.2-megapixel low-light sensor, 12x optical zoom, and optical stabilization. The waterproof Kindle Paperwhite ($160) can hold thousands of books and lasts more than a month per charge.
The guide also covers everyday essentials. The Owala FreeSip bottle ($35) keeps drinks cold or hot throughout the school day, while Loop Quiet 2 earplugs ($21) reduce noise without fully blocking it, making them suitable for studying in busy libraries. The Razor kick scooter ($140) folds for easy storage on campus, and the Aer Duffel Pack 3 ($179) fits a laptop, gym clothes, and shoes for weekend trips.
Stationery lovers are well served with Blackwing pencils ($20), which feature a square eraser and multiple hardness options; the Pusheen 10-in-1 pen ($10); the Midori Paintable Stamp ($11); and the Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 ($32), designed with bullet journal creator Ryder Carroll.
For dorm life, the Govee Table Lamp Classic ($60) is a cordless lamp with adjustable colors, the LectroFan Classic ($55) generates natural-sounding white noise, and the VidaBay NFC E-Paper Fridge Magnet ($36) lets students change photos using a phone. The Sonic Bomb alarm clock ($45) includes a vibrating pod for heavy sleepers, while the Xgimi MoGo 4 Laser projector ($669) brings Google TV and a built-in battery to any room.
