The average college student has to juggle lectures, extracurriculars, work experience, friends, grades… the list goes on. It’s no surprise that so many students feel burned out.
The truth is, there are loads of tech accessories and gadgets that can help you set the tone for the day and streamline your routine. You don’t have to spend thousands or buy the latest tech to stay one step ahead of the competition.
Let’s look at the best tech accessories and gadgets for students.
Quick list:
- Matte screen protector
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- Sunrise alarm clock
- Smartwatch
- Electric mug warmer
- Extra monitor
- Smart speaker
- Power bank
- Flash drive
- Cord organizer
- iPad stand
Get a matte screen protector for your iPad
Many college students use iPads to write essays, fact-check, and build digital workflows. But there’s one catch: most people struggle to get used to their slippery iPad screen.
To comfortably transition from pencil-on-paper to stylus-on-screen, you need a matte screen protector. They’re made with teeny tiny nodes that add texture to your writing experience, reducing the amount of slippage and improving control.
There are matte screen protectors, and then there are paper-like matte screen protectors. The latter are specifically designed to make writing on your iPad feel more comfortable — ideal for college students who want to take digital notes.
We recommend: Rock Paper Pencil
Our top pick is Rock Paper Pencil, the matte screen protector with a difference. It’s the only paper-like iPad accessory that includes a screen protector and Apple Pencil replacement tips, creating a holistic solution to the problem of slippery screens and stylus nibs. You can take notes or revise your next exam with tech that replicates the drag and feel of a piece of paper and a pen. Even better, the matte finish minimizes glare, so you won’t find yourself squinting at your screen.
Unlike other screen protectors, Rock Paper Pencil is super easy to install. It uses static cling instead of adhesive, allowing you to simply tap the protector onto your iPad. You can install, remove, and reuse this cost-effective screen protector as many times as you want. That’s what makes it one of the best tech accessories and gadgets for students!
Invest in noise-cancelling headphones
No matter which college you go to, you will be surrounded by chatter, footsteps, and other background noise. And if you’re anything like us, it doesn’t take much to distract you. Before we know it, we’re scrolling through TikTok or texting friends while our work fades into the background.
That’s why you need noise-cancelling headphones. They’re a real lifesaver, especially if you want to study anywhere other than the library.
Our pick: Soundcore by Anker Q20i Hybrid Headphones
Headphones can be pricey, but if you choose the right brand, you can bag yourself a bargain. That’s exactly what we did with Soundcore by Anker. This brand is known for its high-quality but affordable headphones.
Soundcore Q20i Headphones are comfortable, affordable, and long-lasting. The battery lasts all day and, to top things off, the Bluetooth feature allows you to connect to your phone and laptop at the same time. Over 30,000 happy customers can’t be wrong, right?
These headphones are available in black, pink, and white. And for $69.99, we think they’re a good mid-range option.
Set yourself up for success with a sunrise alarm clock
We can’t talk about the best tech accessories and gadgets for students without mentioning the most difficult part of college: waking up.
A sunrise alarm clock could be the answer to your problems. These types of clocks, also known as wake-up lights, emit light that mimics a sunrise. They often have a red-tinted light that gradually grows into white light, helping you wake up naturally.
In essence, sunrise alarm clocks replace annoying phone alarms that force you to jolt wide awake. Instead, they offer a more relaxed approach to waking, making those 8 AM classes feel less unbearable.
Our pick: Sunrise Alarm Clock
We’ve picked this Sunrise Alarm Clock because it has a built-in sound machine. Alongside the gradual lighting, you can choose from 30 soothing sounds, including birdsong, white noise, and ocean melodies.
There are 13 levels of brightness to choose from, and you can even customize the light to suit your temperament. Heavy sleeper? Sensitive eyes? No problem. For $36.99, you can expect a personalized experience.
And did we mention the wood grain exterior? It perfectly matches the calming sounds, introducing a slice of nature to your relaxing morning.
Order a smartwatch to stay connected
The freshman 15 is very real, but it’s part of a larger problem. With so much going on at college, many students neglect their health and end up feeling fatigued when the semester finishes.
Smartwatches offer a great way to track your fitness. Some can even send you reminders to drink water, stand up, and take breaks from your studies.
They’re also a great way to stay connected to family members who live in different states. And the good news is that you don’t have to break the bank to get all these benefits. There are plenty of affordable smartwatches out there.
Our pick: TOOBUR Smart Watch
We’ve picked this smartwatch by TOOBUR because it’s very versatile. All you need to do is download the VeryFit app on your phone, connect it to your watch via Bluetooth, and then you’ll have Alexa on your smartwatch.
You can make and receive phone calls and get email and SMS notifications, but that’s just the basics. You can even control smart devices in your home, set reminders for class deadlines, and get weather updates.
Here’s another benefit: you can also track your health and fitness goals. The watch monitors your heart rate and stress levels and will notify you if anything seems strange. There are over 100 sports modes that allow you to track calories burned, steps taken, and more. It’s neat to see how those cross-campus walks add up.
Treat yourself to an electric mug warmer
This gadget is pretty self-explanatory — who doesn’t want to keep their coffee warm?
An electric mug warmer will keep your favorite coffee blend at the perfect temperature for hours during those long study sessions and save you endless trips to the microwave.
Our pick: Kepwam Coffee Mug Warmer
At $25.99, this coffee mug warmer is a little on the expensive side, but it has a few handy features. First of all, we appreciate any electrical appliance that has an auto shut-off. Then there’s the aesthetic stuff, like the night light that switches between red, purple, and blue depending on the temperature of the hot plate.
Psssst… If you’ve already got a thermos, save yourself some money and use that instead. It should work just as well!
Expand your horizons with an extra monitor
Have you ever wished your study space were a little bigger? Home renovations cost an arm and a leg, so we’ve got an alternative. By investing in an extra monitor, you can double your digital space and feel much freer to explore your ideas.
Our pick: Luna Display
Luna Display is a tiny piece of hardware that seamlessly extends your workspace across two screens. Simply plug the Luna hardware into your primary Mac or PC, launch the apps, and your iPad or Mac is instantly recognized as a true external display.
The benefits are endless, giving you more digital real estate to write notes, explore ideas, and reference information. Some say that dual monitors are the secret to their success, massively boosting productivity and focus.
Luna offers 3 different modes:
- Computer to iPad: Turn your iPad into a second display for Mac or PC
- Computer to Mac: Use any Mac as a second display for your Mac or PC.
- Headless Mode: Use your Mac or iPad as the main display for Mac mini and Mac Pro.
This is a great way to get use out of your old Macs or to create a portable dual monitor setup with your iPad.
Get a smart speaker
A speaker might not be at the top of most lists of the best tech accessories and gadgets for students, but we think that it should be. Nowadays, speakers do far more than just play music. They’re like digital butlers, waiting to answer questions and complete tasks for you.
But, on the off chance that you do want to just play music, they’re great for that too. You can connect a lot of smart speakers to your accounts, so you can say things like “Play my relaxed study playlist”, or “I want to hear rainfall while I work”, and your speaker will jump into action.
Our pick: Google Audio Bluetooth Speaker
At $99.95, Google’s Audio Bluetooth Speaker is a little on the expensive side, but we think it’s a worthy addition to the list of the best tech accessories and gadgets for students.
Let’s start with sound. This little speaker promises powerful bass, clear vocals, and far-reaching treble, so your study music will start to sound like an exclusive concert. You can even pair it with Nest Audio speakers for a true stereo-like experience.
It also has great smart home controls. You can ask the built-in assistant (Google Assistant, of course) to dim lights, turn on your TV, and even activate other voice-controlled smart devices.
Last but not least, it’s worth mentioning that this speaker is made from 70% recycled plastic, a big tick for eco-friendly college students.
Overall, this speaker is an excellent helper. It’s a great way to eliminate admin tasks and make your life easier, either day-to-day or during exam season.
Avoid disaster with a portable power bank
Chances are, you already have a portable power bank. But if you don’t, it might be time to invest in one. Because, let’s face it, we’re living in a digital world. If you’ve forgotten your iPad charger and can’t borrow one from a friend, you’ll be locked out of all your note-taking templates, folders, and Zooms.
Our pick: Anker Power Bank
Anker’s impressive power bank has a massive 20,000mAh battery, which should be more than enough to keep your iPhone alive until you get home.
The genius thing about this tech accessory is that it’s compatible with a range of devices. It supports iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, as well as Samsung, Apple Watch, AirPods, and iPad Pro. So, even if you don’t need it, you might be able to help your friend in their time of need.
Protect your data with a flash drive
Lots of lists of the best tech accessories and gadgets for students forget about flash drives altogether because, let’s face it, they’re just not as fun as iPad accessories. But believe it or not, a flash drive could be the most important piece of tech that you buy for college.
If you want to save your hard work from a glitch or a crash, you need to invest in a flash drive. Flash drives store all your data. In other words, all those essays that you spend hours and hours perfecting.
Good to know: A flash drive isn’t the same as an external hard drive. Both store data, but via different mechanisms. External hard drives also have a much bigger storage capacity.
Our pick: Amazon Basics Ultra Fast Flash Drive
Sometimes the basics get the job done. That’s the case with Amazon Basics Ultra Fast USB Flash Drive — at just $14.99, it’s an absolute bargain. It has 128GB of storage space, which is more than enough for the average college student.
However, if you’re studying something like photography or film, you might need more space for larger files.
Stay sane with a cord organizer
Following on from our earlier point about living in a digital world, you’ve got to invest in a cord organizer. This small but mighty accessory allows you to start your day off on the right foot by keeping all your cords in one place.
Our pick: Miavers Electronic Organizer
We love this cord organizer pouch because it has more sections than the other options, making it much easier to visualize how you might organize your cables.
Reduce wrist strain with an iPad stand
One of the side effects of using an iPad — or any tablet, really — for too long is that you could develop wrist, neck, or back strain. You might even feel twinges all over! iPads are relatively lightweight, but the problem can have a big impact on your life.
That’s why we love iPad stands. Choose the right one, and you could transform your day-to-day routine. The newfound comfort will give you the space to utilize your iPad without worrying about pain, which has the power to massively boost your productivity.
Stands transform your iPad into a quasi-second monitor, so you can watch shows, look up references, and FaceTime friends while you’re studying.
Our pick: Compact Easel
Compact Easel is a stand for iPads, tablets, and laptops. The aluminum alloy construction creates a sturdy base for drawing and typing, and the X-shaped construction encourages rapid heat dissipation. There are seven angle options to choose from, which range from 8.7° to 32.5°, so you can draw, write notes, or type comfortably no matter where you are.
Once you are done with Compact Easel, you can simply fold it up and store it away from sight. This accessory is super lightweight, so carrying it around will never be a problem. You probably won’t even feel the weight of it in your backpack.
Final thoughts
There you have it, our picks for the best tech accessories and gadgets for students. These gadgets and gizmos can help you stay more productive, organized, and comfortable while you tackle college life.
