Back-to-school season is here and many of us may feel we’ve got no skin in that game anymore — but I urge you to get into the season if for no other reason than the good deals you can grab for your home, office and wherever else. There’s 30% off bedding at Target being marketed to dorm residents that’ll absolutely fit your queen-size bed, half-off sneakers from Reebok that won’t make the schoolyard but can support you on walks and runs, 20% off markdowns on desks at Amazon as perfect for elevating your office as they are for seniors working smarter in undergrad — and more!
From writing needs to handy tech items that make life easier — back-to-school season is everybody’s season when you love saving money. To tap into the deals, check out the best finds across all of your favorite stores below.
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Comfy 100% percale sheets (30% off)
Target might’ve marked these gorgeous 100% percale cotton sheets down for dorm decor in their back-to-school sale, but do those college kids really know the value of good sheets like you do?
These Opalhouse sheets are marked down to 30% off and per the reviews about their comfort, beauty and durability — you really shouldn’t let the students beat you to these. They’re available in five beautiful print options.
Promising review: “You aren’t going to find many 100% cotton percale sheets that are this pretty, unless of course money is no object. The Natalia floral is so good looking, special, classy etc. etc. I feel fortunate to have found these!” — Natalia Floral
BIC pastel highlighter set (20% off)
Reviewers are highlighting with loads more personality and fun thanks to these pastel beauties by BIC. They’re using them on their Bibles, color-coding their notes, and much more. Available in a 12-pack, several folks noted that they love how fast these dry, that the softer colors make text stand out without bleeding through the page. Whether you’re taking notes (or doodling) in a meeting or for class, these’ll add a little more playfulness to any page — and they’re 20% off right now.
Promising review: “The colors are lovely and all of the highlighters work. They don’t seep out a lot of color, which is fine since they’re pastel, and the color doesn’t skip as I highlight. They work great.” — Josh Romero
Expandable organizer files (31% off)
Whether you’ve got papers to grade or important documents in your home or office that need sorting, these file organizers are a lightweight, waterproof option to snatch up while they’re 31% off for a pack of two.
Promising review: “I was looking for a reasonably priced (cheap), good quality file folder and this one is it. I needed about ten slots and got thirteen- good deal!” — Myazz
Reebok NanoFlex TR 2.0 training sneakers (50% off)
Oh, you remember, right? One of the best parts about the new school year used to be the new kicks and August is still the best time to get them on sale. Right now, Reebok is having a huge sale on their coolest designs — 35% off for the full-priced items and an extra 50% off eligible sale items with the “BACKTOSCHOOL” code.
Our favorite pick? The Reebok NanoFlex TR 2.0 that looks like a modern take on the brand’s classic silhouette. They’re under $50 if you use the code and so many sizes and colors are still in stock.
And these cushy Sorel slides for another breathable way to keep your feet comfy (up to 40% off)
It might be August but it’s still pretty hot out and not every day is a sneaker day. These stylish Sorel slides offer premiere arch support and a cushy sole — plus they’re 34% off with plenty of sizes still available. Get them in six different colors in sizes 5-12.
Colorful sticky notes (37% off)
If you love to leave yourself small reminders, stick cute messages in your loved ones’ lunch boxes or work bags, or make to-do lists for the house — then these colorful sticky notes belong in your cart, on your fridge door, and wherever else you can stick them. Right now, this 24-pack is 37% off.
Promising review: “We go through a lot of post it notes at work. We have tried all different kinds/brands and the Amazon Basics are just as good as the Post-It brand and cost less.
They stick well, leave nothing behind when you remove them and are easy to write on.” — Brian P.
An electric height-adjustable desk (20% off list price)
Per the reviews, this electric height-adjustable desk is a back-saving must-have. It’s on sale at Amazon just in time for back-to-school season, sure, but it’s also great for updating your at-home workspace to help you avoid pain from sitting for hours at a time. The desk adjusts to heights ranging from 28.35 to 46.46 inches and comes in a gang of colors — but it’s up to 20% off right now in the all-black versions.
Promising review: “I’ll start by saying a riser desk is a health requirement! After 3 years of sitting and working from home I developed a SEVERE case of sciatic pain and probably some nerve damage. I started going in the office once a week and started standing with my office riser desk… This riser desk is perfect in many ways: it rises higher than I expected (definitely higher than the one in my office), probably goes lower than I need, has 3 self-programmable settings, is easy to assemble, has storage hooks on both sides of the desk, a cable management “tray” and is a third of the price for a similar riser desk at a brick and mortar store… Not much else to add except I would recommend getting a drafting stool for health reasons and for easier transitioning from sitting to standing and an anti-fatigue mat to stand on. Hope this helps anyone reading it…” — Mojo [Note: This review has been condensed for length. Read the full review here.]
Convenient flocked hangers (20% off)
Target put these flocked hangers in their Back To School sale for dorm organization and I promise these are about way more than aesthetics. Flocked hangers hold on to clothing much easier than the smooth plastic or metal kind so you don’t have to worry about things falling to the floor in your closet. They’re also flatter than the thicker plastic kind, allowing you to fit more pieces in.
Promising review: “I’ve been looking for hangers that will hold fabrics in place. These are perfect for clothing items that are made of slippery and shiny fabric; you know the kind. It slips off plastic hangers, and might get snagged by the hangers with cutouts. Or even some boatneck cuts and wide neck options, thin straps, etc. These were the perfect solution.” — Hhawes
Ever-handy iPhone chargers (17% off)
If you’re always losing your chargers, hate moving them from room to room or the people in your house always steal them — then grabbing this dual-pack with an impressive 4.4-star rating from Amazon’s back-to-school grabs is a no-brainer.
Not only do the blocks come in 13 fun, distinctive colors to keep everybody honest, but they’re also under $10 for two — 24% off their regular price.
Promising review: “I’m very pleased with this phone charger. The cord length is ideal, and it charges my phone quickly. I’ve purchased other non-Apple chargers in the past, but they were not of good quality. Moreover, they typically only lasted a few months before ceasing to work. However, this charger has endured for a considerable time. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone seeking an economical option without compromising on quality.” — Eirol Bernadino
Tile Bluetooth tracker (32% off)
Always losing stuff? I’m a card-carrying member of the same club but that isn’t the only thing I carry. Now, I keep up with my keys, wallet and phone with this Tile tracker device. I can make it ring via an app on my phone OR I can make my phone jingle with a press of the “Tile” button in the center. The best part: Unlike the AirTags, it works for Android and iPhones. The second-best part: It’s 32% off its list price right now in Amazon’s Back To School sales.
Stick this handy tracker inside a backpack, workbag, on keyrings, or on whatever or whoever you need to keep up with.
Heavyweight shower liner (30% off)
As hoards of college kids shop for shower shoes, caddies and other things to make communal dorm showers a little less icky — just bask in the beauty of having a personal bathroom that you can make as cute and clean as you need it. And then, accept this reminder: It’s probably time to change your shower liner.
This option from Target comes in four colors, features magnets at the bottom to keep it in place and prevent water puddles — and best of all, it’s 30% off in Target’s Back To School sale. (Join Target Circle for free to take advantage of this deal.)
Easy smart plugs (extra $2 off)
You’re about to juggle all the devices in your home better than you ever did a class schedule. These smart plugs are a cheap investment that’ll probably pay for themselves with all the energy and time you can conserve. With these, you can always turn things off and on in your house from your phone, no matter where you are. Forgot to turn off the desk lamp or unplug an iron? Just whip out your phone and put yourself at ease. Want a lamp on when you walk into the house but forgot to leave one? Same thing.
You can even set timers to power things off and on based on your schedule. Just connect these plugs to whatever smart home app is already on your phone (it’ll work with them all so you don’t have to download anything different). Even better? These are an extra $5 off if you clip the on-page coupon.
Promising review: “Great smart plugs. Easy setup. Great value for the 4 pack. Love that we can set a schedule and control them from my cell phone. Added layer of security to be able to set a light schedule when we’re not at home to make it look like we are.” — Jill Valero
A collapsible storage cube (15% off)
De-clutter your space when you need to with these collapsible storage cubes I found marked down in Walmart’s dorm deals. Just pop them open if you need to store extra blankets, snacks, pillows or whatever else. When they’re not in use, they can be easily folded back up and slid underneath your bed or a couch. The cubes are 15% off at Walmart and available in seven cool colors — including this sage one I love.
Amazon
One Line A Day journal (14% off)
Your days of taking notes during a teacher’s lesson may be over but you can still jot meaningful things down. Consider a low-lift One Line A Day notebook that allows you to journal just a few thoughts each day. In five years (the amount of days this little book covers), it’ll be so cool to go back and see exactly where your head was, at least for a portion of the time. It’s 14% off right now on Amazon.
Promising review: “At my last well visit, my doctor mentioned trying this journal as a way to let “stress” off. She uses this exact book, thought I’d give it a try. I like that there isn’t pressure to write pages and pages and pages, but it takes seconds to minutes to be done for the day but I can get the biggest stressors or great things in life down. Even if I miss a day, I can go back and quickly jot down those thoughts/feelings/memories. Pages are very durable and the book is great quality. Highly recommend and will keep these in mind for gifting.” — Georgia
Dash egg maker (12% off)
If you’re looking for quick at-home breakfast options that allow you to get out of the house faster, then consider the Dash egg maker, on sale for under $20 in the dorm offerings of Target’s Back To School sale. It’ll make up to six eggs in 15 minutes. Just add water using the cup that’ll come with it. The amount of water you add even helps you control how soft or hard you’d like the eggs boiled. It’ll also come with a small tray to make omelets on.
When it’s done, the egg maker will even sing a song so you won’t forget about them before running out to a class or zipping off to work.
Promising review: “Looove this cooker. Got it for my mom after having mine for years. Easily cook eggs in various ways. I use it for meal prep, large salads, and snacks for potlucks. So easy to use and keep clean.” — Rylee
A money-saving Brita water filter 6-cup pitcher (20% off)
I might’ve lost my ability and pure will to pull all-nighters but the one survival skill I’ll always hold on to from college years is the desire to save a dollar. It’s why my Brita pitcher (and the water bottle) is one of my favorite budget-friendly things in my house.
These babies pull triple-duty. Not only do they help filter water to remove unhealthy substances like chlorine, mercury and copper while improving taste — but they also help you cut money spent on cases of water.
Currently, both Target and Amazon have them in Back To School sales for up to 20% off. They come in an assortment of colors (lilac’s only at Target though) with a filter that only needs replacing every two months.
The Ninja Fit single-serve blender (36% off)
The Ninja Fit single-serve blender is perfect for whipping up shakes and smoothies from a dorm room, office or from home. It’ll take up minimal space and come with two 16-ounce cups plus lids so you can sip on the go. The blender is 36% off right now in the dorm appliance section of Target’s Back To School sale. And you know Amazon couldn’t be too far behind their competition so they’ve slashed the price, too.
Promising Amazon review: “I bought this little compact blender because I read that it can blend ice and frozen fruit well and it does! I went grocery shopping as soon as it arrived and bought a ton of fruits and seeds and yogurt and overnight oats for smoothie making. I’ve only had this baby for 3 days and I’ve already made 6 smoothies with it. I love being able to quickly throw together something and then just replace the blades with a lid and take it to go. Really simplifies breakfast and it’s also SO EASY to clean! I don’t usually leave reviews on things but I just had to with this one because it has made my life that much easier.” — Heather
A Vornado desktop fan (25% off)
The cult-favorite Vornado fans are beloved for their intentional, heavy-duty design that puts out cooler air than fans that pretty much just blow the hot air around a room. Per Tessa Flores, HuffPost writer and owner of her very own Vfan, “Vornados are built with the brand’s signature dual-injector air cones at the base of the fan head. These interlaid aerodynamic cones, coupled with five strategically designed propeller blades, powerfully circulate and cool air faster.” (Check out Flores’s full review and more Vornado options here.)
In other words, this desktop fan is very cool for more reasons than one — including it being 29% off right now at Wayfair once added to a cart.
Need a laptop? Here are the best sales to grab before the Back-To-School sales end — starting at $200.
An HP 14″ Chromebook perfect for everyday use ($100 off)
This laptop option has a processor meant to help you work with speed while you answer emails, stream your favorite shows and whatever else you’ve got on your to-do list. Its battery is designed to keep up with you for 12 hours and even if it dies, you can get it to 50% in just 45 minutes.
When you’re occupied and can’t use your hands, this compact Chromebook will still move at your voice command thanks to Google Assistant. If you’re an Android user, you can transfer stuff from your phone to the computer and vice-versa with the Nearby Share feature.
It also has an HD camera perfect for taking video calls with loved ones or for work — and it’s got a visible privacy shutter that’ll cover the camera when it’s not in use so Big Brother will just have to watch someone else.
You can get the regular HP 14″ or the slightly higher-priced touchscreen option.
Apple MacBook Air 2020 13.3-inch laptop with M1 chip
HP Stream 14-inch laptop (12-mo. Microsoft 365 included)
Promising review: “This is an amazing gift for someone, or just for school. I have bought a total of three and to be honest they are better than my MacBook Pro which limits me on what I can do, unlike the HP. This is a huge must-have The pictures below are from my friend who who is so excited to own one, so I’m going to grab one before they’re gone and you should too!!!” — Austin
MacBook Air 2024 13-inch laptop with M3 chip (23% off)
If you do want the latest and greatest MacBook Air, it’s only a few hundred dollars more than its predecessors. This MacBook uses Apple’s latest M3 chip to make its speediest processor to date — with a lightning-fast, 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU for loading multiple apps at once. It’s got a 13.6-inch screen for a beautiful display, terrific sound via its internal speakers, up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge and a 1080p FaceTime HD camera for chatting with friends and family. Like the above Air, you’ll get Apple’s 1-year warranty, 90 days of complimentary tech support and an option to purchase AppleCare for extended coverage. Right now, this one is $250 off its original $1100 list price — but we don’t know how long this deal will last.
Promising review: “I recently purchased the 2024 MacBook Air M3 (base model) and it has completely blown me away. For anyone wondering if the base model is enough, let me assure you – it absolutely is!
Here’s what I love:
Powerhouse Performance: The M3 chip is incredibly powerful. I haven’t experienced any lag, even with multiple demanding applications open. This thing chews through everyday tasks and even handles some light photo and video editing without breaking a sweat.
Featherlight Design: This laptop is unbelievably light. I can barely feel it in my bag, making it perfect for commuting or travel.
Battery Life for Days: The battery life is nothing short of phenomenal. I easily get a full day’s work done on a single charge, and then some!
Stunning Display: The bezels are practically non-existent, giving you maximum screen real estate. And what a screen it is! The colors are vibrant, the text is sharp, and it’s a joy to work on.
Incredible Value: You get so much for your money with this laptop. It’s the perfect balance of performance, portability, and price.
Overall:
This MacBook Air is a triumph. Apple has knocked it out of the park with the M3 chip and refined design. If you’re looking for a powerful, portable, and long-lasting laptop, look no further than the 2024 MacBook Air M3. You won’t be disappointed!” — Matthew Sturdevant
Lenovo Slim 7i Intel 14-inch laptop
If you need power, this Lenovo laptop has plenty. It’s got 16 GB of RAM for quickly jumping between apps and browsers and 1 TB of internal storage in case you need to save large files, like videos or high-resolution photos. Also, like the name suggests, it’s slim for easy carry. Normally over $1,000, Walmart has it on sale at over $100 off.
