9 essential under-$50 gadgets you need in your back-to-school arsenal
Heading back to school and decided this is the year you hit the ground running with your studies? You'll want to equip yourself with the right kit to set yourself up for success. I'm talking about the little extras that will help you focus and improve your efficiency, whether you're studying in your dorm or out and about. Below, I've rounded up nine gadgets designed for just that — and all of them come in under $50.
For studying on the go, a great pair of noise-cancelling headphones will help nix background sounds, and a good power bank will ensure your gadgets don't run out of juice at an annoying time. Staying physically healthy is essential to keep your brain running at its best, so I've included a smart band to help you keep an eye on your sleep and fitness habits. You'll also find remote working peripherals like a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard, which can make a huge difference to your comfort and efficiency levels when working on a laptop.
Read on for my sub-$50 study essentials — hit the 'View details' button to find out more about that product. And if you haven't sorted out your big tech purchases yet, we also have a guide to the best laptops for students.
Productivity essentials
Loop Experience 2 ear plugs Soundcore Q20i Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Logitech POP Mouse
Pros
- Satisfying clicks
- Good customizations
- Easy three-way switching
Cons
- No side buttons
- No wired or 2.4GHz wireless
- No rechargeable battery
Amazon Echo Dot (newest Model)
JBL Go 5 Bluetooth speaker
Pros
- Great sound for its size
- Attractive edge lighting
- Highly waterproof and durable
Cons
- Can be beaten for battery life
- Limited bass due to compact form
- Can't change color of the lights
Xiaomi Smart Band 10
Pros
- Lots of fitness modes
- Handy lifestyle features
- Still very cheap
Cons
- Weak clasp
- Price increase over predecessor
- Limited upgrades
UGREEN Uno 10000mAH Magnetic Power Bank
Soundpeats Clip1
Pros
- Fantastic listening test
- Comfortable build
- Competitive value
Cons
- Low max volume
- Cheap-feeling case
- Touch control issues
Logitech K380 pebble keys keyboard
Pros
- Comfortable to type on
- Thin and compact
- Great, useful shortcuts
- Arrow keys are great
Cons
- Surprisingly cheap
- Keys might be too small for some
- Not rechargeable
Bump up the budget...
Got a slightly higher budget? These are the back-to-school extras I'd recommend in the $60-$100 price bracket...
Samsung Galaxy Fit3
Pros
- One of the cheapest trackers
- Bright and responsive touchscreen
- Accurate heart rate readings
Cons
- Doesn't work with iPhone
- Deep stats only viewable on app
- Uncomfortable sensor
Nothing Ear (a)
Pros
- Fun, zealous, expansive sound
- Vastly improved active noise cancellation
- Smaller, more pocketable case
Cons
- No wireless charging support
- No flagship sound profile curation
ASUS ROG Harpe Ace Mini
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Discreet aesthetic
- Small, comfortable size
Cons
- Small size isn’t for everyone
- High price
- Scroll wheel is a bit stiff
Anker 87W 20000mAh Power Bank
Pros
- Large power output
- Well-made
- Integrated USB-C cable
Cons
- Some rivals are smaller
- Unnecessarily powerful for many
- Display lacks detailed information
Instant Pot 4QT Vortex Plus 6-In-1 Mini Air Fryer
CMF Headphone Pro
Pros
- Excellent hearing tests; unexpected at the level
- Emotive, circumaural sound
- Exemplary battery life
Cons
- ANC isn't amazing
- Energy slider feels a tad gimmicky
- No hard carry case or USB-C charger in the box
Sony WH-CH720 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones
Pros
- Great sound balance
- Lots of detail in audio
- Effective noise cancellation
- Full of useful features
Cons
- Sound feels constrained
- Noise cancellation leaks in low sounds
- Plastic feels a little cheap
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