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The best back to school deals to shop at Amazon before term starts, from laptops to AirPods and stationery
For uni students, school kids and people who just love new stationery
Back in our school days, it felt like the back-to-school buzz started the moment we broke up. Going into M&S and seeing the school uniforms lined up was slightly soul destroying as an eight-year-old. However, there was some saving graces: namely, getting to choose a new lunchbox and stocking up on fresh-out-of-the-box stationery.
So, to humour our inner eight-year-old and to help you grab some bargains if you need an affordable laptop for uni, or want to get a great deal on fun stationery for your back-to-schooler, we've trawled Amazon to find the best deals on back-to-school essentials – grab them before term starts. And maybe pop in a box of new pens for yourself while you're at it.
Best Deal
If their school bag doesn't even bear looking at after it was dumped in the hallway at the start of the summer holidays, why not cut your losses and pick up this lightweight one for 55% off right now. It comes in a range of colourways as well as regulation black, and the main pocket can fit a 15.6 inch laptop.
Soundcore Anker Q20i Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
These are our favourite noise-cancelling headphones under £50, making them a great pick for students who want to get their heads down and study. They silence background noise effectively and are comfortable to wear for long periods. A great buy for the price.
To keep them hydrated on the go, this 2-for-1 deal on water bottles is handy. It means you can always have a clean one in reserve, or it could be one for each sibling.
This is a solid pick for students who don't want to spend a fortune, but need something reliable for coursework and research. it's a quick ChromeOS machine with an Intel processor and 256 GB of storage and impressive battery life. It's also lightweight and easy to. use, making it a good choice if you need to cart it to lectures and back.
Mountain Warehouse Pakka Kids Waterproof Rain Jacket
This Mountain Warehouse packable rain jacket is made for downpours on the school run and comes with its own packaway packs for sudden showers.
It's super lightweight, made from breathable, water-resistant fabric, goes from 2 years to 13 years, comes in over 10 colourways and features reflective accents for dark mornings. Note, reviewers say it comes up a little tight, so we recommend sizing up.
When only Apple will do, opt for the AirPods 4, which are currently reduced. These are our tech editor's favourite entry-level AirPods, making them great for students. The sound quality is great, they come with Adaptive Audio (so you can still get their attention when you need to!) and they have improved battery life over their predecessors, too.
Amazon Basics Amazon Basics Highlighters Set of 8
Ah, the joy of highlighting paragraphs of text that you return to weeks later and have no idea what the significance of it was! With this pack of 8 for under £5, you can highlight to your heart's content and there are some additional shades for next-level colour coding.
For students or anyone who just loves to get organised, these A4 spiral notebooks are a joy. With coloured tabs for different subjects or to-do lists, they'll help you get September started on the right foot. They come in a range of colours and you can also get A5 versions if you prefer.
YPLUS Geometry Maths Set for Students - 12 Pcs
YPLUS Geometry Maths Set for Students - 12 Pcs
Speaking of protractors, everyone needs one of those metal tins full of sharpeners, compasses, rulers and right angles.
We love a gel pen and these come in pretty pastel shades and a soft silicone finish. Very chic.
This one doesn't have a deal on but when it's this cute, we think it's worth it. Who doesn't want a monster pencil case and it's less than £10. It's also machine washable for practicality.
All-new Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet
With 40% off right now, this deal is going fast. For winding down after school, the Pro tablet is our best buy. It comes with a protective case, has robust parental controls, you get Amazon Kids+ free for a year and it has a good, long battery.
The Pro model has a slimmer case, feels more grown up and has greater access to apps and online content, subject to your approval.
Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds
If you're looking for decent affordable earbuds, these are our top pick. The buds themselves and the case are compact and there's good sound and app compatibility. There isn't any ANC and they don't feel massively premium, but they're our top value buy if you want a balance of affordability and good sound quality.
Alison is head of content for the Good Housekeeping Institute, responsible for product reviews across homes, beauty, wellness, family and food & drink. She lives by the William Morris quote that you should “have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
Alison has over 15 years' experience as a lifestyle editor and has written features on everything from misophonia to how to dress like Claudia on The Traitors. She has also interviewed everyone from Dame Joanna Lumley to the Kardashians.
In her spare time, you'll find her hanging out with Monty the cocker spaniel and refreshing the Sezane website every five seconds.
