Summer break is officially reaching its end, which means the back-to-school season is upon us yet again. And though I’m not looking forward to pulling all-nighters and cramming for finals and midterms in just a few weeks, there’s one thing that always hypes me up about this season — splurging on new tech products.

But like most students, I’m always on a budget and don’t exactly want to blow all the money I saved over the summer in one go. Strangely enough, all the tech products I see people purchasing this season are brand-new MacBooks and iPads. I already have those covered, and getting new ones isn’t within my budget right now.

So, I’ve been hunting for affordable gadgets that won’t break the bank but still make a real difference, and I managed to find some solid picks under $100 that I’m picking up this back-to-school season.

5 Rocketbook Core

The days of rushing to get new pens, highlighters, notebooks, and binders are long, long gone. Digital note-taking has taken over almost entirely now. Though a lot of people prefer typing out their notes on laptops, that's something I've never been able to adjust to. I retain the most by writing things down by hand.

While I already have an iPad Air, I've been looking for a dedicated tech product that I use only for my college notes. I have an E-ink tablet too, the Boox Note Air4 C (which I've pretty much ditched my iPad for), but since it runs Android and I use it for reading too, I wanted something more focused and streamlined just for note-taking.

I came across a reusable notebook, the Rocketbook Core, which seems like exactly what I’m looking for. A lot of the note-taking devices I come across are well over my budget or come with features I don’t really need. Fortunately, the Rocketbook Core is available for under $40 (price varies depending on your configuration) from its official website and comes with the Frixion Pen and a cleaning cloth. You can customize the page layout, size, and the color of the device.

The Rocketbook Core is a reusable notebook that'll never run out of pages. You can simply use the Frixion Pen to jot down all your notes, and then use the Rocketbook's mobile app to "digitize" what you wrote. On the app, you can save your notes or even upload them to your cloud storage of choice. Once you're ready to take more notes, all you need to do is dampen the included towel to wipe the pages.

4 Paperlike screen protector

Since I’ve had my iPad, I’ve always used a glass screen protector, which I think is the biggest reason why I haven't been the biggest fan of the writing experience. Writing on it feels slippery and nowhere near as natural as pen on paper. So, I figured back-to-school season is the best time to finally get a Paperlike screen protector.

If you aren’t familiar with it, the Paperlike is a special screen protector designed to mimic the texture of real paper. It adds a slight grit to the screen, making writing and drawing with a stylus feel way more natural and satisfying. They're also designed to reduce glare and fingerprints, which makes long study sessions a lot easier on the eyes. You can get a 2-pack from Paperlike's website for $44.49, and it comes with everything you need to apply it yourself, including wet and dry screen wipes, dust catchers, and sticker guide sheets.

3 Baseus PicoGo Ultra-Slim Qi2 Magnetic Power Bank

During my semester, I spend more time on campus than in my own room. Carrying multiple chargers or searching for outlets between classes is a hassle I’d rather avoid. So, getting a good portable power bank is non-negotiable for me. I’ve been using the same power bank for years, and it’s definitely due for an upgrade.

The last one I had was pretty bulky, which is exactly why I opted for the Baseus PicoGo Ultra-Slim Magnetic Power Bank this time. It retails for $49.99 on Baseus's website and is currently available with a 29% discount. The power bank has a 0.58-inch profile and weighs only 7.8 ounces. It packs a 10,000 mAh battery and can charge magnetically as well as via USB-C.

Baseus claims it can offer up to 1.8 charges for an iPhone 16 Pro, and though that’s not the strongest battery capacity out there, the combination of its slim design and magnetic charging convenience makes it a perfect everyday carry for students like me. Baseus also claims it can recharge the power bank in just 2 hours and 35 minutes with a 20W input. It can also be used to charge iPhones, AirPods, and iPads, making it incredibly versatile for all my devices on campus.

2 The Logitech POP Icon Combo

I’ve been wanting to get a new keyboard and mouse for the school year. Recently, I came across the Pop Icon Combo on Logitech’s website, and it immediately caught my eye, especially since I used Logitech’s Pebble Keys for years. The combo is available for $69.99 and comes with a keyboard and a mouse.

Logitech claims the keyboard has a battery life of up to 36 months, while the mouse can last up to 24 months. Both devices are lightweight enough to slip easily into my backpack or laptop bag, making them perfect for on-the-go use between classes. What I love about the Pop Icon specifically is that it comes in fun, vibrant colors.

There was a time when I’d only stuck to boring black or gray tech gear, but now I’m all about adding a pop of personality to my setup. Having gear that looks good and feels good to use just makes study sessions a little more enjoyable. Like most Logitech keyboards, this one has Easy-Switch keys, which let you seamlessly switch between up to three connected devices. That means I can easily toggle between my laptop, tablet, and phone!

1 Sony WF-C710N

One product I can't imagine surviving a day at college without is earbuds. Whether it's tuning out the noise during my commute by listening to my favorite tracks or podcasts, or catching up on lectures in a packed library, having reliable earbuds makes a massive difference.

My AirPods Pro I’ve been rocking since 2020 have pretty much given out on me. Apple’s AirPods with Active Noise Cancellation are way above my budget, but thankfully, there are a ton of solid alternatives out there.

The first option I settled on was the Beats Solo Buds, but since they lacked noise cancellation, I kept looking. I then came across the Sony WF-C710N, which have Active Noise Cancellation and are currently available on Sony's website for $89.99.

Sony claims that you get up to 8.5 hours of playtime on the earbuds themselves, and up to 21.5 hours when using the charging case, totaling 30 hours of use.

The Sony WF-C710N also has a Voice Pickup feature that allows you to take calls clearly even in noisy environments. They're available in four colors, including Glass Blue, Pink, White, and Black.

Great back-to-school tech doesn’t have to break the bank

What better way is there to start the semester than with smart, budget-friendly gadgets that make life easier and study sessions more productive? I spent hours searching through all the latest gadgets and deals to find affordable, reliable products that actually make a difference for students like me! And with the products listed above, I’m confident I’ll be starting the new school year fully prepared!