The season for back to school sales is here. While most students continue to enjoy the summer, retailers like Best Buy, Apple, and Amazon are offering the year’s first back to school sales right now.
Back to school season typically runs from July through early September. During this time frame, shoppers can find deals on laptops, backpacks, apparel, and tablets. Even if you’re not a student or have a child in school, back to school sales can help you save money on a variety of devices ranging from sneakers to gaming monitors.
Currently, one of our favorite back to school sales comes courtesy of Amazon. It’s offering the Editor’s Choice MacBook Air M1 for just $899. That’s $100 off one of the best laptops we’ve tested this year.
Meanwhile, Dell’s back to school sale is knocking laptop prices down to just $399. Gaming rigs also start from $699, whereas 27-inch monitors are going for as little as $179.
So whether you’re shopping for a new laptop or a cheap pair of headphones, here are today’s best back to school sales right now. (And make sure to check out our list of VPN deals to keep your laptop safe).
Back to school sales — quick links
- Amazon: deals on supplies, backpacks, tech from $5
- Alienware: up to 25% off gaming monitors
- Apple: buy a Mac/iPad, get free AirPods
- Beats headphones: up to 40% off deals from $91
- Bed Bath & Beyond: college deals under $25
- Best Buy Student deals: up to $300 off Windows laptops
- B&H Photo: up to $250 off iMac and Mac mini
- Chromebooks: HP, Lenovo, Acer from $209 @ Amazon
- Dell: laptops from $399
- Forever 21: tops from $7
- Gap: up to 75% off apparel
- HP: laptops up to $180 off
- Lands’ End: up to 60% off online orders
- Lenovo: up to 68% off ThinkPads, Yoga, and IdeaPads
- Macy’s: up to 50% off backpacks from Nine West, The North Face, more
- Newegg: save on external storage, RAM, LCDs
- Nike: up to 40% off sneakers and apparel
- Office Depot: save on office chairs, desks, printers
- Old Navy: 70% off jeans and tees from $5
- PS5: check stock @ Amazon
- Staples: school supplies from 50 cents
- Target: save on desks, desk chairs, supplies
- Under Armour: men’s and women’s clothes from $12 @ Amazon
- Xbox Series X: check stock @ Amazon
- Zappos: save on sneakers, backpacks, more
Best back to school sales right now
Chromebooks
Lenovo Chromebook 3: was $219 now $189 @ Best Buy
The cheap and kid-friendly Chromebook 3 is perfect for elementary school students. It features an 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 LCD, 1.8GHz AMD A6 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 32GB eMMC. The laptop also has a built-in webcam and mic for remote learning. View Deal
Dell Chromebook 11 3100: was $377 now $259 @ Dell
This durable Chromebook is built to withstand drops and spills. It has rubberized edges that minimize impacts from drops and bumps. It features an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display, Celeron N4020 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB eMMc. It’s one of the cheapest back to school laptop sales we’ve seen. View Deal
Lenovo Chromebook Duet: was $299 now $269 @ Lenovo
Rarely discounted, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is now on sale at Lenovo. It features a 10.1-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS touchscreen, MediaTek Helio P60T 2GHz CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 64GB SSD. It’ll happily run all your web apps, some games, video calls, and double-up as a very capable tablet. It’s one of the best Chromebooks you can buy. View Deal
HP Chromebook 14: was $377 now $299 @ Adorama
Adorama has the HP Chromebook 14 in stock — and on sale — for $299. It features a 14-inch 1366 x 768 LCD, 1.6GHz AMD A4 APU, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB eMMC storage.View Deal
Galaxy Chromebook 4K: was $999 now $729 @ Amazon
For a limited time, Amazon has the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2-in-1 on sale for $729. This machine is one of the few Chromebooks to pack a 13.3-inch 4K screen. It also features a Core i5-10210U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. View Deal
Laptops
HP 15z: was $379 now $329 @ HP
Back to school sales have started at HP and the 15z is the most affordable laptop in the manufacturer’s ongoing sale. It packs a 15.6-inch 1366 x 768 LCD, 2.4GHz AMD Athlon Gold 3150U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB SSD. Recommended upgrades include a 1080p LCD (+$30) or a Ryzen 3 CPU (+$20).View Deal
Surface Laptop 3 (128GB): was $999 now $799 @ Best Buy
The Editors’ Choice Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is on sale for just $799 at Best Buy. That’s the lowest price we’ve ever seen for Microsoft’s premium laptop and one of the best back to school sales we’ve seen for this machine. This configuration packs an Intel Core i5-1035G7 CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. It may be the previous-gen laptop, but it still packs a powerful punch at this price point. View Deal
HP Omen 15t: was $1,079 now $899 @ HP
Back to school sales wouldn’t be the same without discounts on gaming rigs. HP currently has its Omen 15t for just $899. It includes a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS LCD, Core i7-10750H CPU, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, and a GTX 1660 Ti GPU. View Deal
HP Omen 15t w/ RTX 3060: was $1,199 now $1,149 @ HP
Perfect for the student who enjoys PC gaming, this HP Omen 15t configuration includes a powerful RTX 3060 GPU. You get a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS 144Hz LCD, Core i5-10300H CPU, 8GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and an RTX 3060 w/ Max-Q 8GB GPU.View Deal
Microsoft Store laptop deals: up to $500 off @ MS Store
The Microsoft Store is taking up to $500 off a wide range of laptops including budget machines, gaming rigs, and mainstream laptops. After discount, prices start at just $349 for the budget, whereas gaming rigs start at $599. View Deal
Black Friday in July: laptops from $249 @ Lenovo
Lenovo is celebrating Black Friday in July with sitewide discounts on laptops, accessories, monitors, and laptop sleeves. After discount, laptops start at $239, whereas ThinkPads start at $509. View Deal
MacBooks
MacBook Air (M1/256GB): was $999 now $899 @ Amazon
Editor’s Choice deal: The new MacBook Air offers fantastic performance, thanks to its new Apple Silicon. It also lasted over 14 hours on our battery test. Both configs are now on sale at Amazon. It’s one of the best MacBook deals of all time as this model is rarely on sale. In fact, it’s now at its second-lowest price ever. Meanwhile, the 512GB model is $150 off .View Deal
MacBook Pro (M1/256GB): was $1,299 now $1,199 @ Amazon
Save up to $150: The new MacBook Pro with Apple’s M1 chip delivers performance that runs circles around Windows laptops, and you get a brighter display than the MacBook Air and beefier 8-core graphics. Even better, the system lasted over 16 hours in our battery test. Need more storage? The 512GB model is $150 off at Amazon.View Deal
16-inch MacBook Pro: was $2,399 now $2,249 @ Amazon
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is $150 off at Amazon. This model comes with a Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and AMD Radeon Pro 5300M graphics. It’s the second-cheapest price we’ve seen for this machine. View Deal
Buy a Mac or iPad, get free AirPods @ Apple
Back to school sales have arrived at Apple. Students and educators who purchase an eligible Mac or iPad will get a free pair of AirPods. The free AirPods are in addition to Apple’s educational discounts, which take up to $200 off select Macs and iPads.View Deal
Tablets
10.2″ iPad (32GB/2020): was $329 now $299 @ Amazon
Cheapest iPad: Apple’s entry-level iPad is perfect for anyone. It features an A12 Bionic CPU, 10.2-inch (2160 x 1620) LCD, 8MP camera, 12MP front camera, and an epic 12:57 battery life. Currently, Amazon has has the 32GB model on sale for $299, which is the cheapest deal available right now. (The 128GB model is also on sale for $395). View Deal
10.9″ iPad Air (64GB/2020): was $599 now $539 @ Amazon
Editor’s Choice deal: The current-gen iPad Air sports a larger 10.9-inch display, speedy A14 Bionic CPU, and support for USB-C charging. Plus, with Magic Keyboard support, it’s as close to a laptop replacement as you can get. Right now it’s at its second-lowest price ever. It’s one of the best back to school sales of the moment. (If you don’t see the sale price, try choosing different color models). View Deal
11″ iPad Pro (128GB/2021): was $799 now $749 @ Walmart
Editor’s Choice deal: The new 11-inch iPad Pro sports Apple’s M1 CPU for record-breaking speed and performance. It features a stunning 11-inch Liquid Retina display with 120Hz Pro Motion, TrueTone, and P3 wide color. You also get 12MP wide and 10MP ultra-wide cameras and Wi-Fi 6 support. Walmart is taking $50 off various models, which makes this one of the best iPad deals you’ll find for Apple’s new tablet. View Deal
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: was $349 now $279 @ Amazon
The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 10.4 is a compelling tablet for anyone who’s in the market for an iPad alternative. Like the iPad in can be used for gaming, productivity, or streaming. It’s now on sale and one of the best back to school sales you can find. View Deal
Fire HD 8 Plus w/ wireless dock: was $149 now $139 @ Amazon
The Fire HD 8 Plus packs the same features found on the Fire HD 8, but houses 3GB of RAM (instead of 2GB), which means you’ll get much snappier performance. It also supports wireless charging. This bundle includes the tablet and the wireless charging dock.View Deal
MS Surface Pro 7: was $959 now $699 @ Best Buy
This Microsoft Surface Pro 7 packs a 12.3-inch (2736 x 1824) PixelSense display, 10th-gen Core i3 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. It’s currently $260 off and one of the cheapest prices we’ve seen for this configuration.View Deal
Kindle Paperwhite Bundle: was $189 now $169 @ Amazon
The Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle includes a Kindle Paperwhite along with a leather cover and power adapter. Normally on sale for $189, it’s now $169 ($20 off). A great back to school sale for the avid reader. View Deal
Kindle Unlimited 2 months: was $19 now $4 @ Amazon
Already own a Kindle? Right now you can get 2 months of Kindle Unlimited for $4.99 ($15 off). Kindle Unlimited gives you access to over 1 million titles, magazines, audiobooks, and more. It will renew at $9.99/month after your 2 months are up. View Deal
Backpacks
Mancro Laptop Backpack: $20 @ Amazon
The Mancro Laptop Backpack has over 10 compartments, one of which can house a 15-inch laptop. It also has a combination zipper lock, which ensures no one will open your laptop bag and steal its contents when you’re not looking. View Deal
Matein Laptop Backpack: was $31 now $25 @ Amazon
Don’t let its cheap price fool you. The Matein Laptop Backpack is one of the coolest laptop bags on the market. The 27-liter bag features a padded laptop sleeve that fits up to a 17-inch laptop. It also has a USB-charging port, which connects to a battery backup in the bag that lets you charge your devices without having to open your backpack. (Battery not included). View Deal
Osprey UL Stuff Duffel: was $39 now $37 @ Amazon
The Osprey UL Stuff Duffel is the type of bag that’s small when collapsed, but huge when fully open/expanded. It features a padded shoulder strap, 30L capacity, and can be stuffed into its own built-in storage pocket. View Deal
Backpack sale: up to 55% off @ Macy’s
Macy’s is taking up to 55% off select backpacks during its early back to school sales kick-off. The sale includes backpacks from Nine West, Fila (pictured), Kipling, Michael by Michael Kors, Vera Bradley, and more. View Deal
Headphones
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus: was $149 now $99 @ Best Buy
The Samsung Galaxy Buds are a great AirPods alternative for Android users. They offer seamless device pairing, water/sweat resistance, and long battery life. They’re now on sale for $99 at Best Buy. View Deal
Apple AirPods Pro: was $249 now $197 @ Amazon
Amazon has the AirPods Pro on sale for $197. That’s $52 off and one of the best back to school sales you’ll find for these premium Apple earbuds. The AirPods Pro offer both sweat and water resistance (IPX4 certified) along with built-in noise cancellation. View Deal
AirPods w/ Charging Case: was $159 now $119 @ Amazon
Looking for slightly less expensive earbuds? Amazon has the AirPods with Standard Charging Case for $119. That’s the cheapest back to school sale we’ve seen for AirPods. The headphones feature Apple’s latest H1 chip for fast wireless connectivity with Apple devices.View Deal
AirPods w/ Wireless Case: was $199 now $159 @ Amazon
Amazon has the AirPods with Wireless Charging Case on sale for $159. That’s one of the best back to school sales we’ve seen for these buds. They come with a Qi-compatible case that allows for wire-free charging. View Deal
Sony WH-1000XM3 Headphones: was $349 now $249 @ Amazon
Despite being a generation old, the Sony WH-1000XM3 are among the best wireless headphones you can get. These over-ear style headphones offer superb sound, industry leading noise-cancellation, and up to 30 hours of battery life. They’re now $100 off and one of the best back to school sales we’ve ever seen for Sony’s ‘phones. View Deal
Monitors
Dell 27″ 1080p Monitor: was $259 now $149 @ Dell
The Dell S2721HN is a big-screen monitor that won’t cost a fortune. This 27-inch display offers 1080p resolution, 4ms response time, and two HDMI ports. Its chic and modern design is a complement to any desktop or laptop. View Deal
Dell 24″ Curved Gaming Monitor: was $289 now $199 @ Dell
Get a more immersive experience with this curved gaming monitor, capable of handling full HD content at a whopping 165Hz frame rate. It comes with DisplayPort, HDMI, and AMD FreeSync Premium support, so you know you’ll get great visuals when you game.View Deal
LG 32″ QHD monitor: was $299 now $256 @ Amazon
If you require a large monitor this QHD offering from LG is a great pick. It’s 32-inches in size with AMD FreeSync technology and HDR 10 support. Plus, it offers two HDMI ports, a virtually borderless design, and an adjustable stand. This one is great for school or work.View Deal
Dell 27″ 4K Monitor: was $449 now $299 @ Dell
Upgrade your setup to 4K for just $299. The Dell S2721Q has a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz, 4ms response time, and supports HDR content playback. It’s now $150 off and one of the best cheap back to school sales we’ve seen. View Deal
Dell 27″ Gaming Monitor: was $609 now $379 @ Dell
With this monitor, you’ll be able to run your games at a smooth lightning-quick 165Hz refresh rate. This model features a 27-inch QHD display and it’s Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro compatible. View Deal
Acer Predator XB271HU: was $599 now $419 @ Amazon
This 27-inch Acer gaming monitor comes with a WQHD resolution and Nvidia G-Sync support to help eliminate any frame tearing. It also comes with a fast 144Hz refresh rate and sports an IPS panel. This back to school sale knocks over $100 off its original price. View Deal
Gaming
Razer Kraken Tournament Edition: was $99 now $58 @ Amazon
Save $40 on this striking neon green gaming headset from Razer, one of the biggest names in gaming peripherals. It has THX 7.1 support and comes with a USB audio controller so you can switch your volume on the fly, ideal when you need to mute your team mates for that clutch 1 vs 5. View Deal
Corsair HS60 Pro: was $69 now $47 @ Amazon
You’ll love the Corsair HS60’s solid construction and snug but comfortable fit. It boasts a crystal-clear mic and solid audio quality. It’s a freat value at $69, and an absolute steal at $47.99.View Deal
Xbox Series X: $499 @ Amazon (check stock)
The Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s new flagship console. It features 12 teraflops of graphics power, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and Blu-ray drive. It runs games at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second with a max of 8K at 120 fps. The Editor’s Choice console represents the pinnacle of Microsoft’s gaming efforts. It’s currently out of stock.View Deal
Xbox Series S: $299 @ Amazon (check stock)
The more affordable next-gen Xbox Series S is limited to 1440p output, but still delivers fast loading, ray tracing, and high frame rates. It sports a GPU with up to 4 teraflops of output, 10GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD for storage. (There’s no disc drive). It’s currently out of stock.View Deal
PS5: check stock @ Amazon
Sony’s flagship gaming machine, the PS5 is one of the most in-demand tech products currently available. For good reason: this powerful console boasts 4K visuals, an innovative DualSense controller, and a 4K Blu-ray drive. It’s currently out of stock.View Deal
PS5 Digital: check stock @ Amazon
The PS5 Digital console lacks a 4K UDH Blu-ray disc drive. As a result, it’s slightly thinner than its counterpart. It also sells for $399 ($100 less) and includes a PS5 DualSense controller. It’s coming in and out of stock at Walmart. It’s currently out of stock. View Deal
Face Masks
Disposable Masks 50-Pack: was $5 now $3 @ Amazon
Amazon is selling this 50-pack of disposable face masks for just $3. That’s the cheapest price we’ve seen for ANY 50-pack of masks. The 3-layer masks have an elastic earloop and nose bridge. Even if you’re not going back to a classroom, this back to school sale is an amazing deal for everyday use. View Deal
DSBJ Face Masks 50-Pack: was $19 now $9 @ Office Depot
Office Depot has a 50-pack of disposable face masks on sale for $9.99. That’s among the cheapest 50-packs we’ve seen at Office Depot. The 3-ply masks have elastic ear loops and a metal nose clip. View Deal
PopFunk Pleated Face Masks: from $9 @ Amazon
While not a sale per se, Amazon has a wide variety of PopFunk face masks with prices from $9. The masks feature licensed characters and logos from Marvel, DC, Harry Potter, and more. The one-size-fits-all masks feature adjustable ear loops and are machine washable. View Deal
Face Mask Filters 30-Pack: was $10 now $7 @ Amazon
Need to restock on filters for your face mask? Amazon has this 30-pack of face mask filters for $7.99. The filters offer five layers of protection and can be used with most masks that offer an insert for filters. View Deal
UA Sportsmask: was $30 now from $18 @ Amazon
The UA Sportsmask isn’t cheap. However, this is the face mask to beat when it comes to indoor/outdoor workouts. The water-resistant mask is adjustable, washable, and light enough to let air through so you can workout hard without feeling like you’re about to pass out from lack of air.View Deal
Webcams
Green Extreme T200 1080p Webcam: was $49 now $24 @ Adorama
Due to the webcam shortage, Adorama manufactured its own webcam. The Green Extreme T200 is a 1080p webcam that can be used with anything from Zoom calls to Skype meetings. It features a widescreen mode, autofocus system, and two built-in mics. View Deal
Logitech C270: $39 @ Adorama
The Logitech C270 is one of the least-expensive webcams we could find in stock. It offers 720p video streams and can take 3MP stills. Adorama has it for $39. View Deal
Lenovo 500 FHD Webcam: was $69 now $58 @ Lenovo
The Lenovo 500 FHD webcam records in 1080p and also features facial recognition technology. It features a 75-degree lens plus 360-degree pan-and-til controls. View Deal
Logitech C930e: was $129 now $69 @ Amazon
The Editor’s Choice Logitech C930e is one of the best webcams you can buy. It features a wide 90-degree field of view, which lets you fit more into the frame. The C930 also has omnidirectional mics, which allows it to pick up more of a conversation in the room. In our review, we loved the quality of the video, which made our laptop’s webcam look far worse by comparison. It’s one of the top back to school sales we’ve seen for webcams. View Deal
