For decades, the most complex technology parents would have to deal with during the back-to-school season was reluctantly buying a new TI-83 for their rising math students. Today, modern caretakers have an ocean of tech to wade through, from laptops and tablets to school-specific apps, Bluetooth headphones, mechanical keyboards, streaming equipment and other accessories. To be clear, tons of science supports that kids under 13 shouldn’t have their own cell phone, so we’ve focused on gadgets and tech for high schoolers, college and beyond. We’ve slipped in a few recommendations for the parents as well.
A Better Keyboard
Glorious has become a favorite for gamers and tech industry folks thanks to customizable features, adaptability and precision of their keyboards and desktop accessories. With the release of their GMMK3 line, the company has taken customizability to the next level. It integrates Hall Effect tech, using magnets and electrical conductors to measure their position, distance, and movement when in use, which means faster response times and less wear. Other features include metal casing options, wireless configurations, a million ways to decorate and high performance including a 8,000 Hz Polling Rate.
Desktop Decor
Well designed and powerful, the Opal Tadpole was created by co-founders Veeraj Chugh and Stefan Sohlstrom in 2022, after the pair set out to create a minimalist 4k camera users could take on the go. Slim and sleek, the Tadpole weighs less than 50 grams, boasts a directional microphone, a mirrorless Sony sensor and a single-tap mute switch.
Designing your physical desktop is also an important step in gearing up for a new year of school. Minimalist, natural and beautifully simplistic, Oakywood has engineered some of the best desktop tools we’ve ever used, from the company’s MagSafe iPhone Stand to its Wooden Desk Shelf, the Polish company continues to innovate office products.
TV Tech
Whether you’re in the dorms or situated off-campus, there will be a time when having a large TV will come in handy at college. Whether it’s watching the Superbowl with roomates, binging the new season of your favorite show via headphones or just playing some Fortnite to relax after finals, Roku has mastered the all-in-one TV, now fully integrated with local channels, HDMI, bluetooth and a whole host of other features that allow you to connect to your phone, laptop or tablet. Additionally, from October 6 to 12, the company is cutting prices on all their TVs and hardware on Amazon and Roku.com.
Home Tech
Seeing a child off to college is a monumental change for parents, marking a point where some are finally able to refocus on their personal life. Just a few weeks ago, a day after our neighbors said goodbye to their kids who were going to college, they celebrated by sipping Cheladas, showing us several upgrades they were going to order, including a new Ledge Halo fire pit and this Linxura smart controller for their home. They’ve been slowly modernizing, adding outdoor LED lights, a Roomba robot vacuum and remote controlled HVAC. Looking for a simple controller for it all, they turned to Chicago-based Linxura after finding them on Amazon. Small, fashioned like a first-generation iPod wheel, the company’s Smart Controller can link up with more than 50 devices, including smart locks, lights, speakers, thermostats and switches. It also lasts more than three months on a single charge.
Breathe Better
Even after a summer of dust is wiped away at the start of September, dorm rooms have a way of staying dirty. At home, we’ve relied on a few different filters for our kids who happen to have allergies. We chose the AirDoctor 3500, which circulates the air in 630 sq. ft. about four times per hour for our eldest, and the Levoit Core Mini, for the baby. Perfect for travel, it also comes with a fragrance sponge to help with bedtime.
Upgrade Your Grip
Simplistic and multifunctional, the Snap Grip Luxe can serve as a phone stand, fidget spinner of sorts, a magnetic holder and a crutch for your poor pinky finger. Compatible with all magnetic chargers, this grip is incredibly thin yet strong, built with aluminum to withstand constant fidgeting, spinning and snapping into place.
Noise Blocking Headphones
The industry standard, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones offer immediate quiet even before being switched on. Perfect for studying at the library or just ignoring whatever your roommate is doing a few feet away from you, a good set of noise-canceling headphones is so important to navigating through your first year of college. Recently, the company also released their new Quiet Comfort earbuds, for runners and those on the go.
A Second Screen
A second screen can be a lifesaver if you’re frequently on the go, making presentations, meeting on zoom or just playing tending to your village on Animal Crossing for Nintendo Switch. MSI, who released a great back to school computer in the Modern 14, also recently released their PRO MP161 E2 for students who study at the library or coffee shop but don’t want to sacrifice their added monitor desktop space.
Relaxation Tech
As legalization of recreational marijuana continues across the United States, social consumption has experienced a much needed facelift. Alongside products like live resin cartridges, the industry has pushed forward better functioning and more aesthetically pleasing consumer tech. It’s time for parents to toss that glass bowl bought during Dave Matthews Band’s Crash Tour in 1996 and upgrade.
In terms of concentrates, Puff Co.’s Plus and the newly revamped Peak, stand above the rest for their ease of use, small size and cleanability. For fans of both flower and concentrate, DaVinci’s IQC Vaporizer, the PAX Plus and The Chalice, which slowly evaporates your stash into an elegant glass cup, offer high performance while staying stylish. For traditionalists looking to combine modern aesthetics, New Jersey-based NWTN has created an incredible line of functional glassware and ceramics, including the gorgeous Vesper gravity bong.