Tech gadgets are indispensable for college students, enhancing productivity and easing the demands of academic life. A 2023 survey by Educause found that 94% of U.S. college students use technology daily for educational purposes. With over 1.2 million students enrolled in online courses (NCES, 2022), gadgets like laptops and tablets are critical tools.
The average college student spends $1,200 annually on tech, per the National Retail Federation (2023), reflecting its growing necessity. For instance, 85% of students own a smartphone, and 70% rely on it for schoolwork (Pew Research, 2023). Noise-canceling headphones, used by 62% of students for focus (Statista, 2024), exemplify practical innovation. This article explores the 17 best tech gadgets for college students.
What Are Tech Gadgets?
Tech gadgets are varieties of technological devices or appliances that help one complete a task easier, faster, and better.
These devices are useful in all facets of life, including education, government, household, business, and the cooperative world. In fact, their usefulness is enormous. In education, they help students learn better and also aid effective teaching.
These devices range from smartphones, laptops, portable hard drives, Bluetooth speakers, printers, Bluetooth, headphones, battery packs, and many more.
A few people still find it difficult to understand how useful these electronic gadgets are and how they help students improve their studies. If you are one of them, worry no more, the answer is right here. If you’re aspiring to study in the United Kingdom, see an expert guide on How to Move to The UK For Studies.
Why College Students Need Tech Devices
Modern devices have huge relevance and functionality, which several years ago was difficult to imagine. Below are reasons why the use of these devices should be encouraged.
- Devices like smartphones connect students, parents, and professors more efficiently
- The use of gadgets reduces physical load; it reduces the number of books that you have to take to school each day.
- Enables both students and their teachers to develop skills essential for improving motivation and productivity.
- The use of tech devices encourages individual learning; thereby helping you review difficult concepts, learn at your own speed, or skip ahead if the need arises.
- Modern gadgets such as laptops and tablets are easier to use and more intuitive than textbooks.
You cannot totally understand how important educational gadgets are until you purchase one. As you read further, you will discover the best places to purchase any kind of tech device that you want at an affordable price.
Even with your gadgets, you should also learn how to study in college. See the 15 best study tips every student should adopt.
Can I purchase electronic devices without running into debt?
Tech gadgets are a smart investment, especially when it comes to replacing outdated information.
For instance, if you invest in a tablet, it will give you access to as many textbooks as you want on one device and full scalability.
Most of these items are quite affordable. However, you don’t necessarily need to get a student loan or grant before you can buy any educational gadgets
So, to get a few needful devices that cost a bit higher like laptops, you can take up a side hustle, sign up for a students loan program, or better still sell off the used clothes in your closet to get them.
List of Top Electronic Gadgets For College Students
- Smartwatch- USD $18.30
- Portable Hard Drive- USD $20.00
- Laptop Tray- USD $64
- Lamp- USD $59.99
- Smart backpack- USD $39.86
- USB fan USD- $2.99
- Portable printer- USD $49.82
- Bluetooth speaker- USD $76
- Kindle Paperwhite- USD $99.99
- PowerPack- USD $19.99
- Wireless Headphones- USD $11.50
- Camera- USD $37
- Kindle Paperwhite- USD $384
- Laptop- USD $435.66
- Alarm clock- USD $44.95
- Belkin Surge Protector- $129.98
- USB multiport adapter- $7.88
- Brita plastic water filter bottle- US$22.99
#1. Smartwatch
As a student, you sit 90% of the day. You can use a smartwatch or fitness tracker to track your daily activities while also keeping an eye on your health. When you find yourself with a large number of tasks to complete, it’s time to get help. And the best way to do that is to hire a professional writer. Get a smartwatch from eBay.com.
#2. Portable Hard Drive
A portable Hard Drive is one of the cool gadgets every tech-savvy should own. Are you running out of space on your laptop’s hard drive? Need to back up your essay, photos, and lecture videos? Backing up your work regularly is a wise idea.
A lot of college students go for the Toshiba Canvio Basics because it is handy. The Portable hard drive typically has 1TB, 2TB, and 500GB varieties, and this device will store the entire library of your media projects, movies, photos, and music. You can purchase a quality hard drive on eBay.com from $20.00 to $150.00
#3. Laptop Tray
When you use your laptop and often put it on the couch or on your knees, you can feel how warm and sometimes even hot it is. If you want your device to last longer, you should buy cooling laptop support and always put your laptop on it. Visit amazon.com and buy a quality Laptop Tray.
#4. Lamp
A lamp is one study gadget every student should acquire. A reading lamp sets the right atmosphere for studying, especially during the dark and cold winter months.
There is light therapy for students who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and light therapy is recommended by the American Psychological Association.
However, this lamp counters the symptoms of SAD, such as moodiness or trouble sleeping. It is one of the most widely used treatments. That is because it mimics natural, outdoor light to make your body feel like it’s getting more sun than it is. You can buy light therapy from amazon.com for $59.99.
#5. Smart backpack
A smart backpack is not a new gadget, but not everyone has heard of it. Different models of such backpacks have different functions, so you can choose the one you like. Most have the ability to charge devices, which is good protection against theft. In addition, these backpacks are very comfortable, so you also feel relaxed when you wear them for a long time. Visit aliexpress.com and purchase a smart backpack.
#6. USB fan
Spring and summer are great times of the year, but not if you’re in college. Spending all day in the heat is a challenge that not all students can handle. It’s hard to keep a clear mind when you’re sitting in a humid atmosphere and dying of thirst. USB fans are very cheap but can help you get through a rough day in college. You can buy a portable USB on aliexpress.com.
#7. Portable printer
Don’t want to buy a printer because you think it’s too big? There are many small and compact models that do not take up much space but help you in difficult situations. Stop relying on a library printer to let you down so often. Print out your homework assignment and have more time to sleep in the morning. Buy now on aliexpress.com.
#8. Bluetooth speaker
A Bluetooth speaker is another recommended study gadget for students. It produces quality audio. A must-have item for students who love music is a good speaker. You should go for Anker Bluetooth Speaker if you need an option that isn’t too expensive or excessive for a dorm room or apartment.
It features a balanced, clear, and loud sound and also has a 24-hour battery life and easy Bluetooth connectivity. Buy now
#9. Kindle Paperwhite
Kindle Paperwhite is one of the most efficient note-taking gadgets for college students. The Kindle Paperwhite saves you the struggle of hauling books around. With this item, you can read wherever you are.
This e-reader has great features like the built-in front light that won’t strain your eyes, unlike your phone or tablet. People go for it because it’s sleek and lightweight, and it adjusts for reading in a dark bedroom.
Another added feature is the awesome battery life; it can last for weeks on a single charge. You can purchase a paperwhite for $99.99 from amazon.com.
#10. PowerPack
Powerpacks are highly electronic gadgets treasured by every college student. They house the world’s most sophisticated batteries. It contains everything you need for school and traveling in general, including a battery pack, a four-port USB charger, and a micro USB cable.
The 3-foot-long cable can help you charge your device at inconvenient places. Opt-in for Anker PowerCore, If you decide to go for a PowerPack. it is sold at amazon.com for just $19.99.
#11. Wireless Headphones
Wireless Bluetooth headphones come in a bunch of different colors and often contain built-in Wi-Fi.
College dormitories contain a lot of noise; in order to stay focused, you need to block out such distractions with a pair of noise-canceling headphones and immerse yourself in your work.
Sony’s WH-XB900N Wireless Noise Canceling headphones are recommended for you because they have the ability to instantly shut off external noise.
It also offers great features like touch-sensitive ear cups for music control and an Attention Mode for when you’d like to talk to someone. The Sony WH-XB900N headphones can last a day on a single charge, and you can charge them with a USB Type-C cable. Buy here
#12. Fitness Tracker
A fitness tracker like the Fitbit Alta is one of the best tech gadgets for college students. With a fitness tracker, you maintain healthy habits by tracking all your activities and exercises. in addition to your sleep, so you can better understand how much (or little) you’re actually sleeping.
Unlike other basic fitness trackers, Alta is a great option for most students because it connects to your phones via Bluetooth, so you can check incoming calls and text messages in class without having to take your phone out. Get it at amazon.com.
#13. Camera
A camera is one of the many cool gadgets for college students. You need a camera to take DSLR-quality photos for research papers and projects. A high-quality camera like the Canon EOS M6 offers excellent features like a 24-megapixel sensor, in-built wifi and Bluetooth, and dual pixel autofocus.
The Canon EOS M6 can deliver photos that’ll blow your social media followers away, then comfortably disappear into a backpack or purse. You can purchase it at amazon.com.
#14. Laptop
Schoolwork is handled online nowadays, in other words, a laptop is one of the most important educational gadgets for students. Microsoft Word and Google Docs have effectively replaced the once-mighty pen and paper, while most research is done using the internet instead of the library.
#15. Alarm Clock
The Wake-Up Alarm Clock is an important educational gadget for students who have trouble waking up early in the morning for classes. Circular lamps like the Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock can naturally wake you up and help you prepare for your early morning classes.
How it works: It begins gradually by increasing its brightness 30 minutes before your alarm is set to go off. You can also use it as a bedside reading lamp. It contains a lot of great features, such as dedicated buttons, for snoozing the alarm and tweaking the light’s intensity. Get it for $44.95 from amazon.com.
#16. Belkin Surge Protector
With this electrical equipment, you don’t want to risk a fuse blowing in your growing Jenga socket tower. Fortunately, Belkin is the gold standard in surge protection devices that put safety first. With 12 plugs, including rotatable plugs for easier access, and more than 4,000 joules of power, you won’t be short of options. It’s even available in 6-foot, 8-foot, and wall-mounted versions.
#17. USB multiport adapter
This device is one of the best college tech essentials for students. It can transfer documents, pictures, videos, and music without a laptop, so you can easily transfer files from your phone to a USB stick, hard drive, or other device. In addition, you can transfer your files with a data transfer speed of up to 5 Gbps in no time.
#18. Brita plastic water filter bottle
This Brita drinking bottle is the perfect companion for all students on the go. Its built-in filter, which must be replaced every 40 gallons, reduces chlorine and odor from tap water and has a close-fitting straw, handle, and easy-open lid. This is a great way to cut down on single-use plastic and also save money.
The use of these devices can enable you to easily acquire a visa for a major Study Abroad Program.
Where Can I Buy Quality Education Gadgets?
There are lots of offline and online stores that sell electronics and gadgets, but only a few will get you much better deals.
Here is a list of online stores that offer cool education gadgets at affordable prices.
- Overstock.com
- Ebay.com
- NewEgg.com
- Banggood.com
- Amazon.com
- BestBuy.com
- Walmart.com
- AliExpress.com
- GearBest.com
- NewFrog.com
What are the Dangers of Using Tech Gadgets by College Students?
Although the idea of using modern gadgets at schools offers great advantages and gives a lot of opportunities to students, we can’t ignore the fact that these devices can also lead to sad consequences if misused. For example, gadgets can cause dependency.
Below are the dangers of using tech gadgets by college students.
- The use of technology causes cancer problems as a result of radiation from electronic gadgets.
- Electronic gadgets like laptops, and smartphones, allow us to have access to violent shows and other illegal content. These can result in a huge impact on a student’s life.
- Keeping the volume of headphones and earphones high tends to damage the ear.
- Students are so addicted to mobiles and laptops that they spend a lot of time on social media, playing games, and even chatting at night. which causes sleep disorders.
- The use of tech gadgets causes back pain, especially when you spend a lot of time on them.
- Continuously watching electronic devices for a long time may lead to being visually impaired.
Conclusion
The use of gadgets by college students makes numerous tasks like attending tests, classes, assignments, projects, and social activities a lot easier. There are many tech gadgets recommended for students, and you will find the ones listed in this article very useful. Ensure you look out for online stores or marketplaces like Amazon.com that offer quality at affordable rates.
FAQ on Best Tech Gadgets for College Students
Where Can I Buy an Alarm Clock?
You can get an alarm clock for an affordable price of $44.95 from amazon.com.
Is Power pack a Study Gadget?
A Powerpack of one of the best electronic gadgets a student should own. It enables them to power up their devices
Where can I buy a Portable printer?
Buy on aliexpress.com at an affordable price of $35.51
Leave a Reply