5 Back-to-School Gadgets Under $50 We at Tech Today Recommend to Every Student (and How They Come in Handy)
Navigating the academic year demands more than just textbooks and highlighters. It requires smart, efficient tools that streamline learning and boost productivity. At Tech Today, we understand the student budget, which is why we’ve curated a list of five essential gadgets, all under $50, that will revolutionize your academic experience. These are inexpensive, lightweight, and compact, making them ideal for students on the go.
1. The Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger: Your Uninterrupted Study Buddy
Running out of battery on your phone or tablet during a crucial study session or exam is a student’s worst nightmare. The Anker PowerCore 10000 portable charger alleviates this anxiety, ensuring you stay connected and powered up throughout the day. This compact powerhouse provides multiple charges for your devices, eliminating the need to constantly hunt for outlets.
Key Features & Benefits:
- High Capacity: The 10000mAh capacity offers enough power to charge most smartphones at least twice, and tablets once. This means you can rely on it for all-day use without worrying about running out of juice.
- Compact and Lightweight: Its slim and lightweight design makes it incredibly portable. It easily fits into any backpack or even a large pocket, ensuring it’s always readily available when you need it. Dimensions are approximately 3.6 x 2.3 x 0.9 inches, and it weighs around 6.35 ounces.
- High-Speed Charging: Equipped with Anker’s PowerIQ technology, the PowerCore 10000 intelligently identifies your device and delivers the fastest possible charging speed, up to 2.4 amps. This drastically reduces charging time, getting you back to studying faster.
- MultiProtect Safety System: Anker’s MultiProtect safety system provides surge protection, short circuit prevention, and temperature control, ensuring the safety of both the charger and your devices. You can charge with peace of mind, knowing your valuable electronics are protected.
- Versatile Compatibility: The PowerCore 10000 is compatible with a wide range of devices, including iPhones, iPads, Android phones, tablets, Bluetooth headphones, and more. It’s a universal charging solution for all your portable electronics.
- LED Indicator: The built-in LED indicator displays the remaining battery level, so you always know how much power you have left. This allows you to plan your charging accordingly and avoid unexpected power outages.
- Included Accessories: The package typically includes the PowerCore 10000 portable charger, a Micro USB cable (for charging the power bank itself), a travel pouch for convenient storage and protection, and a welcome guide.
How it Comes in Handy:
Imagine being stuck in a library with limited outlets or on a long commute where charging is unavailable. The Anker PowerCore 10000 becomes your lifeline, providing the necessary power to continue studying, researching, or communicating. It’s also invaluable during power outages, ensuring you can still access important information and stay connected with classmates and professors. It is particularly helpful during long lectures where you are using a tablet for note-taking, ensuring your device doesn’t die before the end of the session.
2. The Mpow HC6 USB Headset: Crystal-Clear Communication for Online Learning
In today’s increasingly digital academic landscape, clear and effective communication is paramount. Whether it’s online classes, group study sessions, or virtual office hours, the Mpow HC6 USB Headset provides exceptional audio quality for seamless communication, free from distractions.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Noise-Cancelling Microphone: The Mpow HC6 features a unidirectional noise-cancelling microphone that effectively reduces background noise, ensuring your voice is heard clearly and distinctly. This is crucial for online classes and meetings, where clarity is essential for understanding and participation.
- Crystal-Clear Audio: Equipped with high-quality drivers, the headset delivers crisp and clear audio, allowing you to hear every word spoken by your professors and classmates. This enhances comprehension and improves overall learning outcomes.
- Comfortable Design: The lightweight design and adjustable headband provide a comfortable fit, even during extended use. The soft ear cushions minimize pressure on your ears, preventing discomfort during long study sessions or online classes.
- Easy to Use: The plug-and-play USB connection makes the Mpow HC6 incredibly easy to use. Simply plug it into your computer’s USB port, and it’s ready to go. No drivers or software installation are required.
- Inline Controls: The inline controls allow you to easily adjust the volume and mute the microphone without having to access your computer’s settings. This provides convenient control over your audio experience.
- Durable Construction: The Mpow HC6 is built to last, with a sturdy construction that can withstand the rigors of daily use. It’s a reliable headset that will serve you well throughout your academic career.
- Rotating Microphone Boom: The microphone boom can be rotated 270 degrees, allowing you to position it for optimal voice pickup. This ensures that your voice is always heard clearly, regardless of your head position.
How it Comes in Handy:
The Mpow HC6 is indispensable for online learning. It ensures you can participate actively in virtual classes, hear lectures clearly, and communicate effectively with classmates during group projects. The noise-cancelling microphone blocks out distractions, allowing you to focus on your studies even in noisy environments like dorm rooms or coffee shops. It’s also perfect for virtual office hours, allowing you to ask questions and receive guidance from your professors without any audio issues. Further, the Mpow HC6 provides a far superior audio experience than using the built-in microphone and speakers on a laptop, which are often prone to echoing and feedback.
3. The SanDisk 128GB Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive: Portable Storage for All Your Academic Files
In the digital age, students accumulate a vast amount of files, from research papers and presentations to lecture recordings and e-books. The SanDisk 128GB Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive provides ample portable storage for all your academic needs, ensuring you can access your files anytime, anywhere.
Key Features & Benefits:
- High Capacity: The 128GB capacity provides plenty of storage space for all your documents, presentations, multimedia files, and other academic resources. You can carry your entire library with you wherever you go.
- Fast Transfer Speeds: The USB 3.0 interface delivers blazing-fast transfer speeds, allowing you to quickly transfer large files between your computer and the flash drive. This saves you valuable time and reduces waiting time. Read speeds can reach up to 100MB/s.
- Compact and Portable: The compact and lightweight design makes it incredibly portable. It easily fits into your pocket or backpack, ensuring it’s always readily available when you need it.
- SanDisk SecureAccess Software: The included SanDisk SecureAccess software allows you to create a password-protected private vault on the flash drive, protecting your sensitive files from unauthorized access. This is especially important for storing confidential research data or personal information.
- Durable Design: The SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive is built to last, with a durable construction that can withstand the rigors of daily use. It’s a reliable storage solution that will protect your valuable data.
- Backward Compatibility: The flash drive is backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports, so you can use it with older computers that don’t have USB 3.0 ports. However, transfer speeds will be slower when using a USB 2.0 port.
- Retractable Design: Some models feature a retractable design, which protects the USB connector when not in use. This prevents damage and extends the lifespan of the flash drive.
How it Comes in Handy:
The SanDisk 128GB Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive is an essential tool for students. It allows you to easily transport your files between home, school, and the library. You can back up important documents, share files with classmates, and store large multimedia files without filling up your computer’s hard drive. It’s also ideal for creating a portable workspace, allowing you to work on your projects from anywhere. In situations where internet access is limited or unavailable, the flash drive becomes invaluable for accessing downloaded research materials and assignments.
4. The Yootech Wireless Charger: Cord-Free Convenience for Charging on the Go
Tired of fumbling with tangled charging cables? The Yootech Wireless Charger offers a convenient and clutter-free way to charge your smartphone, keeping your desk organized and your devices powered up.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Universal Compatibility: The Yootech Wireless Charger is compatible with a wide range of Qi-enabled smartphones, including iPhones, Samsung Galaxy devices, Google Pixel phones, and more.
- Fast Charging: The charger supports fast wireless charging, delivering up to 10W of power to compatible devices. This allows you to charge your phone quickly and efficiently.
- Sleep-Friendly Design: The LED indicator is designed to be dim and non-intrusive, so it won’t disturb your sleep. This makes it perfect for use in dorm rooms or bedrooms.
- Safe Charging: The charger features built-in over-voltage, over-current, and short-circuit protection, ensuring the safety of your device during charging.
- Slim and Lightweight: The slim and lightweight design makes it easy to carry with you wherever you go. It’s perfect for use at home, in the office, or on the go.
- Case-Friendly Charging: You can charge your phone without removing your case, as long as it’s not too thick (typically less than 5mm).
- Anti-Slip Design: The anti-slip design on the bottom of the charger prevents it from sliding around on your desk.
How it Comes in Handy:
The Yootech Wireless Charger simplifies your charging routine. You can simply place your phone on the charger to begin charging, without having to plug in any cables. This is especially convenient when you’re in a hurry or when you’re studying late at night and don’t want to fumble with cords. It also helps to reduce wear and tear on your phone’s charging port, extending its lifespan. Having a wireless charger on your desk also promotes a tidier and more organized workspace, which can contribute to improved focus and productivity. The convenience is particularly noticeable when studying in libraries or coffee shops where outlets may be awkwardly placed.
5. The Tile Mate (2022): Never Lose Your Essentials Again
Losing your keys, wallet, or backpack can be a major disruption to your academic routine. The Tile Mate (2022) is a small Bluetooth tracker that helps you keep track of your valuable possessions, saving you time and stress.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Bluetooth Tracking: The Tile Mate uses Bluetooth technology to connect to your smartphone. You can use the Tile app to locate your items within a range of up to 250 feet.
- Loud Ring: If you can’t find your item, you can use the Tile app to make the Tile Mate ring loudly. This helps you locate your item even if it’s hidden under a pile of books or buried in your backpack.
- Find Your Phone: You can also use the Tile Mate to find your phone. Simply double-press the button on the Tile Mate, and your phone will ring, even if it’s on silent.
- Tile Network: If you lose your item outside of Bluetooth range, you can use the Tile Network to help you find it. The Tile Network is a community of millions of Tile users who can help you locate your lost item. When another Tile user comes within range of your lost item, you’ll receive an anonymous notification with its location.
- Water-Resistant: The Tile Mate is water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged by rain or spills.
- Replaceable Battery: The Tile Mate features a replaceable battery that lasts for up to one year.
- Compact and Lightweight: The Tile Mate is small and lightweight, so you can easily attach it to your keys, wallet, backpack, or other valuable items.
How it Comes in Handy:
The Tile Mate (2022) is a lifesaver for students who are prone to misplacing their belongings. By attaching it to your keys, wallet, or backpack, you can quickly and easily locate them using your smartphone. This saves you valuable time and prevents unnecessary stress, especially during busy mornings or when you’re rushing to class. It also provides peace of mind, knowing that you can easily track down your valuable possessions if they get lost or stolen. Imagine the relief of finding your lost keys just before a crucial exam, thanks to the Tile Mate.
These five gadgets offer a significant boost to any student’s academic life. By investing in these inexpensive, lightweight, and compact tools, students can optimize their learning environment, improve communication, and maintain organization. At Tech Today, we strive to provide the best tech recommendations to support students in their educational journey.