As summer melts<\/span> away like a fruity Popsicle left on a poolside deck chair, our thoughts turn to the coming school year.<\/p>\n Whether they\u2019re prepping for middle school, high school, or college, all students heading back to class will need the right gear. The WIRED Reviews team has spent years extensively testing consumer tech for students\u2014giving it to our own youngsters to abuse, or putting it through the paces ourselves\u2014and we\u2019ve compiled this list of items we consider truly essential. Not all of these products are guaranteed to help you learn better, but they\u2019ll make note-taking, homework, arriving on time, and self-care much easier.<\/p>\n See all of our Back to School<\/a> buying guides, from the Best Backpacks<\/a> and Best Laptops for Students<\/a> to our guides on paper planners<\/a> and using your .edu email address<\/a> for discounts and deals. The products in this buying guide were tested by members of the WIRED Reviews team: Julian Chokkattu, Christopher Null, Boutayna Chokrane, Henri Robbins, Luke Larsen, Simon Hill, Kat Merck, and Louryn Strampe.<\/em><\/p>\n The Best Laptop for Students<\/p>\n The MacBook Air was once the go-to laptop for college, but over time, the price has gone up as Apple aims for a more high-end market. Now we have the MacBook Neo as the entry-level option. And even with the recent $100 price increase, it remains the best overall college laptop to buy. The design feels every bit as premium as a MacBook Air, with the added fun of different color selections. The standout feature, however, is definitely the high-resolution display, which is brighter and sharper than any other laptop you can get for less than $1,000. The trade-off is in performance, especially the limit of 8 GB of RAM, but that should be enough for most students.<\/p>\n Bonus tip: You\u2019ll get $100 off if you buy using your college email address through Apple’s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Best Windows Laptop for Students<\/p>\n Photograph: Christopher Null<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If you want a light laptop for class that won\u2019t break your back lugging it across campus, the Zenbook A14 (8\/10, WIRED Recommends)<\/a> is for you. At just 2.18 pounds, it\u2019s one of the lightest laptops around, over half a pound lighter than the MacBook Air. That doesn\u2019t mean it feels flimsy, as Asus has used its patented Ceraluminum material to build a machine that\u2019s extremely lightweight yet sturdy. You\u2019ll be astounded by just how light this laptop feels. It\u2019s reasonably priced too\u2014especially considering the specs, OLED display, and great battery life.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a next-gen model<\/a> that comes with the more powerful Snapdragon X2 chips, but it\u2019s much more expensive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Best Portable Monitor<\/p>\n Photograph: Christopher Null<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Arzopa<\/p>\n Most college students probably don\u2019t have room in their dorms for a full-size monitor\u2014nor would one help you when you\u2019re studying at a coffee shop or the library. That\u2019s where a portable monitor comes into play. It gives you access to a second screen on the go, which can be really useful depending on your area of study. There are tons of different portable monitors out there to choose from, but this is a large 16.1-inch screen with a sharp 2560 x 1440 resolution. It even comes with a 180Hz refresh rate, making it a solid gaming screen when needed. Of all the portable monitors<\/a> we\u2019ve tested, the Arzopa Z3FC is the best to take to college with you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Noise-Canceling Headphones for Studying<\/p>\n Sony\u2019s flagship headphones have been on the top of our list since they launched (9\/10, WIRED Recommends<\/a>). The WH-1000XM6<\/a> have seven times the processing power of Sony\u2019s previous XM5 model (9\/10, WIRED Recommends)<\/a>, which allows for the best noise reduction on earth. Couple that with 30 hours of battery life, multipoint Bluetooth pairing, and a brand-new set of dynamic drivers with bold and joyous tuning, and these are the best wireless headphones we\u2019ve ever tested.<\/p>\n The latest model features a new, smaller case and folding ear cups, which make them even better for dropping into your school bag, and the replaceable faux leather ear pads are very comfortable, thanks to a liberal use of memory foam.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Cheap Earbuds for Walks Across Campus<\/p>\n This is our favorite pair of cheap earbuds<\/a>. Former WIRED reviewer Ryan Waniata called it a \u201cshockingly loaded pair for less than a takeout dinner for two.\u201d He was really impressed not only by the clear sound but also the noise-canceling capabilities. In particular, he also noted the earbuds\u2019 ability to cut out even the deepest rumbles and highest-pitched noises. The Go Pop ANC even has an effective transparency mode if you don\u2019t want the fully isolated effect. Pair that with eight hours of battery life, and you have an absolutely killer pair of wireless earbuds for only $25.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Best Water Bottle<\/p>\n If reusable water bottles bring out your inner germaphobe\u2014nobody wants to miss class because they\u2019re stuck in bed with the yucks\u2014then get the Larq. It uses a nontoxic UV-C LED light in the lid to sterilize your water every two hours (or when prompted), which reduces funky odors and bacterial buildup. It\u2019s double-insulated and made from BPA-free stainless steel, and a full charge is good for up to three weeks of tech-assisted sanitation. Plus, the app lets you track your water intake goals\u2014though honestly, it didn\u2019t inspire us to drink more water.<\/p>\n The company also sells the PureVis 2<\/a> with a filter, but that model is a bit of a hassle. The filter tends to slip into the bottle when full, and it chokes the water flow, which isn\u2019t ideal when you\u2019re wheezing in the middle of a hot yoga class. It also eats up a lot of space inside the bottle, so you\u2019re left with less water than you\u2019d think. The mouthpiece is not the easiest to clean. So, while the idea of better-tasting drinking water is appealing, we just prefer the OG, filter-free version.<\/p>\n Care Instructions:<\/strong> Hand-wash with warm, soapy water every so often.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Extra Power Outlets for Crowded Desks<\/p>\n Monoprice<\/p>\n Once you use this surge strip, you\u2019ll wonder where it\u2019s been your whole life. Each outlet sits on a rotating wheel, meaning you won\u2019t ever have to feel frustrated that your chunky plug won\u2019t fit next to your other chunky plug. It\u2019s ingenious. It\u2019s also perfect for dorm rooms, caf\u00e9s, and other shared spaces packed with gadgets; bring this to the library to split one power outlet into eight and everyone will want to be your best friend.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also a handy LED that indicates the surge protector is indeed offering protection.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Rapid Campus Transport<\/p>\n Photograph: Julian Chokkattu<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n This is our favorite budget scooter<\/a>\u2014it typically sells for right around $500\u2014making it one of our top picks for students. Just know that the Segway E2 Pro isn\u2019t going to get you very far. I (Julian) traveled less than 10 miles on a single charge; most people weigh less than I do and can get better range, but 10 miles is probably enough to get you across campus and back.<\/p>\n It\u2019s heavier than it looks, at 41 pounds, but it\u2019s quick to fold down and easy to carry by the stem. I\u2019ve had no problem cruising around my neighborhood with this scooter and its 350-watt motor, which has a top speed of 15 mph and does a decent job on small slopes. It\u2019s fairly steady on bumpy roads thanks to the 10-inch tubeless tires, and the front drum brake and rear electronic brake reliably bring this vehicle to a stop fairly quickly. It\u2019s worth noting that, as a safety precaution, you have<\/em> to pair it with Segway\u2019s app to unlock the highest speed.<\/p>\n My favorite addition is the turn signals, which you can easily access on the handlebar\u2014I just wish there were a timer to automatically stop the blinkers after a few seconds, because you have to manually turn them off. Overall, the E2 Pro is a nice upgrade pick over the E2 Plus<\/a>, which was my previous budget recommendation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n A Desk Lamp That Does So Much More<\/p>\n Photograph: Julian Chokkattu<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n This intuitive light accomplishes several tasks at once. There\u2019s a paddle on the circular head that gently moves from the top to the bottom. Start sliding it to turn on the light, then keep sliding it to adjust how bright you want it. Uniquely, there\u2019s also a mirror in the center of the video-friendly ring light, so you can make sure there\u2019s no broccoli in your teeth right before your Zoom session starts. When your call is over, twist the head to face downward and it becomes a gentle reading light.<\/p>\n The lamp charges your phone wirelessly when you plonk your handset onto the grippy base\u2014assuming of course that you have a phone with wireless charging support. The little arm that sticks out from the lamp\u2019s stem just above the base gives you a convenient place to prop up your phone for video calls, selfies, or just to keep an eye on the screen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Best Way to Connect Accessories<\/p>\n Plugable<\/p>\n While you often see 100 watts as the standard amount of power delivery, there are more powerful laptops that need a bit more. Take, for example, a gaming laptop or a 16-inch MacBook Pro. If you have one of those, you need a USB hub with more oomph, which is exactly what the Plugable 9-in-1 Hub is. With 140 watts of power delivery, it has no problem quickly charging up a 16-inch MacBook Pro.<\/p>\n In addition, the Plugable 9-in-1 hub has just about every port you would need, including 10-Gbps USB-C, and it can support a secondary screen, up to 4K resolution at 60 Hz, with its HDMI port. One of the three USB-A ports can even deliver power, which is perfect for charging up a phone, your headphones, or some other small accessory. The best part is it\u2019s all put together in a robust metal chassis with clearly labeled ports. My only complaint is that the large Plugable logo is an eyesore, but you can put a sticker over it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n And Some Good Accessories<\/p>\n Herman Miller<\/p>\n Posture and ergonomics aren\u2019t usually top of mind for young people, but they really should be. There\u2019s no reason to hunch over a table working on your laptop when you don\u2019t need to. This simple stand is not only stylish and sturdy, it also folds down into something that\u2019s easily backpackable. It\u2019ll slide right next to your laptop in a backpack laptop pouch, and give you much better posture no matter where you take your schoolwork.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Front](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/67afb50a7dee8eed7170b1f4\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Asus-Zenbook-A14-Laptop-(front-open)-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Christopher-Null.jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/6a29ba2dc7e49a08659cd448\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/arzopa1-source-Luke-Larsen.jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\nZ3FC Portable Monitor<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Image](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/684734a5666e0a21c8c074e4\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Sony%2520WH-1000XM6%2520source%2520Ryan%2520Waniata.png\"\/)
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![\"JLab](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/6806d84260a0a0fd2e7bc34d\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/JLab-Go-Pop-ANC-Pair-Open-Case-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Ryan-Waniata.jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/6895605403c28453c345541f\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/JLab-Go-Pop-ANC-Pair-Open-Case-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Ryan-Waniata%25202.png\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/68310fb4686c92a7d1df9862\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Larq.png\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Monoprice](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/62c8962ce3e77ad3a9aac6da\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Monoprice-Rotating-Surge-Strip-SOURCE-Monoprice-Gear.jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n8-Outlet Rotating Surge Strip<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Side](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/67ee75f5a817d6549e5a1e4b\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Segway-E2-Pro-Side-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Julian-Chokkattu-(no-border).jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n![\"Steelcase](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/67537a1d515a5795215a1268\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Steelcase-Eclipse-Light-(white)-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Julian-Chokkattu.jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/686d7c9a64238015bc05f94f\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/USB-C%25209-in-1%2520Hub.png\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nUSB-C 9-in-1 Hub (USBC-9IN1E)<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Oripura Laptop Stand<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Image](\"https:\/\/media.wired.com\/photos\/68a919da2f5774de8aa6b020\/4:3\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Razer%2520Joro%2520source%2520Henri%2520Robbins.png\"\/)
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