A curated list of practical and aspirational products for students, ranging from tech gadgets and stationery to dorm room essentials.
Key facts
- •The MacBook Neo is recommended for basic student tasks like essay writing and notetaking.
- •The Sonic Bomb alarm clock features a vibrating pod designed to wake heavy sleepers.
- •The Igloo cooler bag has a 108-ounce capacity, fitting up to nine 12-ounce cans.
- •The Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 contains 204 pages with a dot-grid layout.
- •The Aobopar steel bookends are adjustable and can expand up to 18 inches.
The Verge has released its 2026 back-to-school shopping guide, featuring a variety of items designed to assist students in and out of the classroom. The list includes a mix of practical tools for organization and study, as well as lifestyle products intended to make dorm life more comfortable and efficient. The guide covers categories such as computing, stationery, audio equipment, and room accessories.
By the numbers
Tech and Computing Essentials
The guide highlights the MacBook Neo as a value-focused laptop for writing and notetaking, noting its iPhone-grade CPU and 8GB of RAM. For digital note-taking, the Remarkable Paper Pure is recommended for its paper-like writing feel. Other tech recommendations include the Boox Tappy Wireless Page Turner for e-readers and tablets, the Xgimi MoGo 4 Laser projector for entertainment, and the Anbernic RG Rotate gaming handheld.
Stationery and Organization
For students focused on organization, the guide suggests the Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 and Hobonichi Techo planners. Stationery items include Blackwing pencils, the Pusheen 10-in-1 Ballpoint Pen, and the Midori Paintable Stamp. To manage desk clutter, the guide points to Aobopar’s adjustable steel bookends, which expand up to 18 inches.
Dorm and Lifestyle Gear
Dorm room comfort is addressed through items like the Shark TurboBlade Bladeless Tower Fan, the LectroFan Classic noise machine, and the Sonic Bomb alarm clock for heavy sleepers. For travel and daily use, the guide features the Aer Duffel Pack 3, the 32-ounce Owala FreeSip water bottle, and the Razor kick scooter. Personalization options include VidaBay’s NFC E-Paper Fridge Magnet and the Fujifilm Instax Mini 13.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Verge.
