The new school year is upon us, and if you were hoping to grab some fresh Android tech before heading back to class, you're in luck: a bunch of my favorite devices for students have just gone on sale, and I've dropped a selection of the best deals below.
The best devices for students need to be fast enough to handle most tasks with ease, durable enough to throw into a backpack, and affordable enough that they won't break your budget. Good battery life is also essential, as you'll need the device to last through those long lectures and study sessions.
I have recommendations that check all of those boxes, whether you're in the market for a new smartphone, laptop, or wearable, so keep reading for all of my favorite Back to School deals on the web today.
Best smartphone: Google Pixel 10a
📚Why it's great for students: We chose the Google Pixel 10a as the best overall phone for students because it's durable, long-lasting, and cheap. The device's IP68 water-and-dust resistance rating means that it can handle the occasional spill, while the Gorilla Glass 7i construction means that you won't need to worry about throwing the phone into a backpack or briefcase.
The Pixel 10a also boasts up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge (which is better than the more-expensive Pixel 10), while the Tensor G4 chipset with 8GB of RAM can handle all-day web browsing and video streaming without skipping a beat. Furthermore, the camera system is just as versatile as you'd expect from a Pixel phone in 2026, and the seven years of guaranteed OS updates means that you can use this phone throughout your entire educational journey and beyond.
Best smartwatch: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
📚Why it's great for students: the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is a perfect smartwatch for students because it's lightweight, durable, and full of useful Wear OS software features. The device's four-year update promise also means that it will feel cutting-edge throughout your entire high school or college experience without becoming sluggish or outdated.
The AMOLED display is bright and fun to use, the on-device AI features are useful for instant study assistance and calendar management, and the 24/7 health and fitness tracking capabilities ensure that you're getting enough sleep and staying sufficiently active.
For younger students, the device also boasts 'Galaxy Watch for Kids' support that lets you easily turn the Galaxy Watch 8 into a kid-friendly smartwatch with parental controls, activity tracking, and more.
Note: It's worth mentioning that the Galaxy Watch 8 has technically been supplanted by the next-gen Samsung Galaxy Watch 9. If you can afford it, the Watch 9 is a better Android smartwatch. But if you're looking for bang for the buck, it's currently easier to find good deals on last year's model.
Best Chromebook: Acer Chromebook Plus 515
📚Why it's great for students: if you just need a simple laptop for class that won't break the bank, the Chromebook Plus 515 by Acer is an excellent pick. The 2026 model boasts great battery life (up to 10 hours), a vibrant 15.6-inch touchscreen display, and military-grade durability so you can take it with you wherever you go.
The laptop is also incredible thin and weighs just under four pounds, while generous USB and HDMI ports ensure that you can connect all of your favorite devices in an instant. You also get a few premium features that you might not expect in this price range, such as a backlit keyboard, 1080p webcam with privacy shutter, and DTS-powered speakers. Your purchase will even come with a free one-year subscription to Google AI Pro, giving you advanced AI-boosted software features, 5TB of cloud storage, and more.
Best wireless headphones: Beats Studio Pro
📚Why it's great for students: I wouldn't say that the Beats Studio Pro are the best wireless headphones for students, but they're comfortable, regularly discounted, and full of enough features to justify the approachable asking price.
The active noise cancellation is powerful enough to block out sound when studying or commuting, the sound profile is crystal-clear and customizable in the companion app, and you even get premium features like spatial audio support. The battery life is where the Beats Studio Pro really shine, however, as you'll get up to 40 hours on a single charge before you need to juice up again.
If you can afford them, premium cans like the Sony WH-1000XM6 will offer a better all-around experience, but if you're looking for a good deal on wireless headphones this semester, look no further than the Beats Studio Pro.
