Best back-to-school deals to shop this week

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It's still July, but if you're a parent, you're likely already starting to think about back-to-school deals for your kids. Believe it or not,  mid-summer is a great time to save money on back-to-school supplies and helpful tech gear students of all ages will likely need.

To help you save money during your annual back-to-school shopping trip, we rounded up deals on a variety of necessities, ranging from classroom and dorm essentials such as a laptop , towels and of course, plenty of notebooks and pens . Shop now and you can save up to 58% off from retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Target today.

• Back-to-school tech deals
• Deals on dorm room essentials
• Save on school supplies

Save big on back-to-school items

From low-cost Windows laptops and Chromebooks, headphones, dorm room bedding, TVs and other essentials, to school supplies and other back-to-school necessities, we found the best deals at your favorite retailers.

Check out these deals on laptops, tablets, wireless earbuds and more.

Apple iPad (9th generation): $250 (24% off)

At the moment, the iPad (9th generation) is the least expensive iPad you can buy. It relies on older technology, but it runs the latest version of the iPadOS operating system and comes with the same collection of preinstalled apps included with all current model iPads. This model also allows users to download and install additional apps from the App Store.

Its performance is a bit slower than newer models, and its screen offers a lower resolution. And the tablet also runs using an older processor. Yet, for a young user, this version of the iPad is more than adequate.

If you plan to give the iPad to a young child, we highly recommend a kid-friendly, full-body case to protect it from accidental spills, drops and other potential damage.

For a younger user, the iPad 9th generation is a great entry-level option. For more help choosing the perfect iPad for the person you're shopping for, be sure to read our 2024 Apple iPad buyer's guide .

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation): $199 (20% off)

Right now, the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) are Apple's most advanced and best-sounding wireless earbuds. These were our top pick within our 2024 Apple AirPods buyer's guide , and for good reason. They also fared well in our roundup of the six best wireless earbuds with spatial audio in 2024 .

These earbuds are ideal for Apple enthusiasts and students of all ages. Key features include spatial audio with dynamic head tracking and support of Dolby Atmos. Their noise-canceling technology works exceptionally well.

The design of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) is fairly similar to the previous generation, but Apple has introduced touch controls to the stems of these earbuds. Plus, you can also now choose between a USB Type-C or Lightning-compatible charging case.

These are powerful, general-purpose, wireless earbuds that offer spacial audio with dynamic head tracking to make music and audio from TV shows and movies that support it sound truly immersive. The audio instantly adapts when you move your head.

Apple 13" MacBook Air M1 laptop: $649 (save $50) at Walmart

Looking for a bargain on a laptop from an elite brand? Walmart has the Apple MacBook Air with the M1 chip for just $649 this week as a back-to-school deal. Though this is an older model compared to the just-released MacBook with the M3 chip , the configuration is powerful enough to handle today's computing tasks (and more tasks for years to come).

The Apple MacBook Air with the M1 chip features a 13.3-inch Retina display, 8GB of unified memory, 256GB of storage, an 8-core CPU and a 7-core GPU. Choose between a space gray, silver or gold casing. As part of the MacBook Air product line, this budget-minded laptop weighs in at a mere 2.8 pounds and offers a battery life of up to 18 hours per charge.

This computer is equipped with a TouchID sensor that can unlock the laptop and authorize Apple Pay payments while shopping online. When surfing the web, you'll enjoy Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. Like all current MacBooks, this one runs using Apple's MacOS 14 Sonoma and comes equipped with a generous collection of preinstalled apps.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: $1,100 (22% off, includes $200 Amazon gift card)

Among high school and college students who use Android smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip phones are extremely popular and have been for several years. They're full-featured Android phones with a folding display, so the phone fits nicely in a pocket when not in use.

Enhanced durability, improved displays, a better camera system and integrated Google AI are some of the key upgrades offered by the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6. It's now thinner and lighter, with a 4,000mAh capacity battery so you can expect all-day battery life.

The AMOLED cover display measures 3.4 inches, has a maximum brightness of 1,600 nits, a 60Hz refresh rate and offers 720 x 748-pixel resolution. When unfolded, the main Dynamic AMOLED 2x display provides 6.7 inches of on-screen real estate, with a 2,640 x 1,080-pixel resolution, a maximum brightness of 2,600 nits and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The phone weighs a mere 6.6 ounces. It measures just 3.35 x 2.83 x 0.59 inches when folded, so it easily fits in a pocket.

The phone runs using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy processor which has a processing speed up to 3.4GHz, so it's the fastest folding Samsung phone yet. The phone is IP48 rated for water resistance. And since AI is evolving so quickly, Samsung has pledged to support the phone with new OS and security updates for seven years. Choose from six casing colors.

This new phone begins shipping on July 23, well before students go back to school. As an incentive to pre-order the new phone from Amazon, it's currently being discounted, plus you get a free memory upgrade (a $120 value) and a bonus $200 Amazon gift card you can use for future Amazon purchases.

HP Smart Tank 6001 wireless all-in-one Supertank Inkjet Printer: $220 (36% off)

Tired of buying ink for your printer? This phenomenal Best Buy back-to-school deal nets you a great printer with up to two years' worth of ink, ready to go when you are. On top of that, the HP Smart Tank 6001 printer is all about speed, value, and eco-friendly tech.

With print speeds up to 12ppm black and 7ppm color, plus auto two-sided printing, it can zip through any task quickly with deep blacks and crisp text. Plus, you get an ultra-low cost-per-page, thanks to its high-capacity ink tank – it can print up to 8,000 color pages with the ink included. And if you need to refill, you can look forward to spill-free replenishment (and clean clothes).

Built-in security features like encryption and password protection keep documents safe, too. Plus, Bluetooth LE connectivity and smart buttons make it easy to set up print jobs and keep them flowing.

Regularly $345, you can get this printer for $220 at Best Buy this week.

A comfortable, well-decorated and nicely equipped dorm room is essential for any student. Here are some must-have dorm items currently on sale before back-to-school season.

Amazon 55" Fire TV 4-Series: $330 with Prime (save 37%)

Many college students use their laptop or tablet to stream TV shows, movies, YouTube videos and other content for entertainment, but this provides a more private viewing experience. To binge-watch shows, movies and sports with roommates and college friends, a traditional TV is more suitable.

This 55-inch smart TV from Amazon is an affordable option for a dorm room that's short on space. It's currently on sale for 37% off, so it can be added to a dorm room for just $330. As a smart TV that runs using the FireTV OS, it can access any popular video streaming service your college student subscribes to, such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix or Hulu.

This is a 4K resolution, 55-inch, LED smart TV. However, if you're looking for a TV that's even less expensive, the Amazon Fire TV 2-Series has a starting price of just $130 for the 32-inch model (now that it's also on sale for 35% off).

CGK Unlimited twin XL 3-piece sheet set: $28 (save 52%)

For the college student who already has a comfortable pillow and comforter, this three-piece sheet set comes in a variety of solid color options and the popular twin or twin XL size. Each set includes a pillowcase, flat sheet and fitted sheet.

These microfiber sheets are wrinkle-free. The fitted sheet offers deep pockets to provide a snug fit around any twin or twin XL-size mattress.

Now that this sheet set is on sale for an incredible 52% off, you can purchase it for just $24. At this price, it makes sense to buy a college student two or three sets in their favorite colors.

Ailbton LED neon rope light (32.8 feet): $30 (save 25%)

This Ailbron LED neon rope light offers a low-cost way to decorate a dorm room using programmable and color-changing smart lighting . The light rope can be controlled using the supplied handheld remote or any smartphone. While it's not bright enough to fully light up an entire room, this light strip is perfect for creating a vibe.

This flexible 32.8-foot long LED rope light is IP65 rated to be waterproof. And it has a built-in feature that allows it to animate itself and sync with music.

Based on the dimensions of a dorm room, similar LED rope lights are available in a variety of lengths, from 20 feet up to 120 feet. This 32.8-foot version has 300 mini LED lights built in, each of which can showcase several hundreds of selectable colors.

Currently, you can get this rope light for just $30, which is 25% off its normal price.

American Soft Linen six-piece towel set: $43 (save 34%)

It's surprising how expensive towels can get, which is why we are so into the discount on this set from American Soft Linen. The set includes two bath towels, two hand towels and two wash clothes. Each is made of Turkish cotton, a premium cotton known for being soft, absorbent and long-lasting. The towel set also boasts an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, meaning that this product has been verified to have been made without harmful substances.

You can get this set in your choice of 20 color options. These range from neutrals such as white and gray to vibrant colors such as yellow and lilac.

The American Soft Linen six-piece towel set has a 4.6-star rating on Target. One reviewer wrote , "They are a nice shade of gray, have a good texture and are very comfortable. Highly recommend them and I might get a second set for my other bathroom!!"

PowerXL Vortex pro air fryer: $80 (save 38%)

This air fryer is a great cooking tool that allows you to cook in your dorm without having to put a lot of effort into cooking. The size is quite generous; at eight quarts, the pro air fryer can serve more than six people (depending on the serving size, of course). It also has ten cooking settings, including options dedicated to specific foods. These include French fries, fish, eggs and chicken. You can also reheat, defrost, bake, broil and even dehydrate food.

The PowerXL Vortex pro air fryer has a 4.5-star rating on Target. One reviewer wrote , "This is the best thing yet. I love how this cooks my food. It gives the best taste. All the seasonings come through when using this fryer."

Another customer said , "Perfect size for our family of five! Easy to use and clean. Also like that there is a removable shelf if you want to cook more than one item at a time."

The smaller items that add up... unless you seek out sales. There are plenty of fantastic deals to be found on common school supplies from Amazon and Walmart.

• Five Star spiral notebook (5 subject, college ruled paper): $6.14 (save 53%)
• Sanmadrola large clear backpack : $21 (save 58%)
  
• Firefly! Outdoor Gear Aspen the Wolf Kid's reusable lunch bag : $7.70 (save 33%)
  
• Paper Mate Clearpoint mechanical pencils (10 pack, assorted colors): $17 (35% off)
• Paper Mate InkJoy gel pens (10 pack, medium point, assorted colors): $10 (17% off)
• BIC Brite Liner Grip highlighter set (12 pack, chisel tip, pastel colors): $7.97 (48% off)
• Paper Mate Flair Nature Escape scented felt tip pens (16 pack, 0.7mm point, assorted colors): $16 (34% off)
• Oxford loose leaf notebook paper for three ring binders (500 sheets, 8 x 10-1/2 inch wide ruled paper, 3 hole punch): $10 (28% off)
• Scotch Magic Tape (6 rolls with dispenser) : $13 (47% off)
• Ohome Sticky Notes (12 pads, 3 x 3 inches, multiple colors): $6 (40% off)
• Mead Spiral Notebook (24 Pack, one subject, wide ruled paper, 7.5 x 10.5 inches, 70 sheets per notebook): $34 (18% off)