Everything you need for Back to School

Back to School shopping can feel like chaos. A whirlwind of ads, last-minute lists, and brands claiming everything they sell is absolutely essential. This year, don’t get caught up in the hype. If you’re after the smarter route with less waste and more value, there’s a better way.

Whether you're shopping for your kid’s first phone, kitting out a uni flat, or refreshing your setup as a teacher or postgrad, we’ve got some budget-conscious and planet-friendly, refurbished tech solutions.

Read on for the essential Back to School tech guide and start the new term strong.

Your kid’s first day at high school is a big deal (for them and you). But they don’t need a top-of-the-line device just yet. The best tech for high school students is reliable, durable, and has a solid battery life. It’s also about keeping in touch, so a refurb phone that lets you check in during the day, without opening the floodgates to endless scrolling. Maybe a little gaming too, for the bus ride home or downtime between homework (we’ve picked out a device users say is perfect for kids). Just don’t forget a sturdy case and screen protectors (accidents will happen).

iPhone 13 128 GB

To keep in touch with the little ones at their big new school.

iPhone 13 case and 2 protective screens

For when they inevitably drop that new device.

Nintendo Switch

For when you need some quiet time. (At least it’s not an iPad.)

Uni tech essentials should be simple. Think productivity, portability, and entertainment. You need gear that helps you get work done, fits into your backpack, and keeps you entertained during study breaks. Dorm life is noisy, so we’ve picked out some refurbished headphones with noise cancellation (one of our highest-rated models on our marketplace), a budget student laptop reliable for writing papers, joining lectures, and browsing 35 tabs at once. And something to make the mountains of books a little easier to get through.

MacBook Air (2020) 13-inch 

The all-rounder. It’s powerful, lightweight, and offers good value for money, making it perfect for new students, returnees, and even graduates looking for a reliable setup.

Sony WH-CH720N noise-Cancelling Wireless Headphones with Microphone

To stream ‘Beats to Study to,’ or block out your roommate crying about their failed exam.

If you're a music major, designer, or gamer, your tech needs are a bit more heavy-duty than the average student. You’re running programs that demand more from your machine, whether it’s Logic or Ableton for recording, or graphic-heavy software for design and 3D rendering.

These kinds of tasks can have your laptop in overdrive. That’s where specs start to matter. You’ll want plenty of RAM (Random Access Memory) to handle large files without freezing ( 16GB is a good starting point). And don’t forget a solid GPU (graphics processing unit) – especially if you're gaming or doing visual work. Take a look at these refurbished devices that will help maintain your discipline.

iPad Pro

For the Picassos in training.

Apple Pencil

For sketching during lectures (no judgment)

Mac Mini

For those who need something heavy-duty, this piece of kit is compact and delivers high performance.

Budget doesn’t have to mean basic. We’ve got an affordable student laptop listed that’s ready to handle deadlines without crashing under pressure. Want to go even lighter (and less expensive)? Try a tablet and a keyboard. A refurbished iPad for school is a great option here – portable, powerful enough for everyday tasks, and easy on the wallet. Plus, our customers love the versatility of a removable keyboard. Reviews say they’re small enough for travelling if you’re someone always on the go (fingers crossed that student budget allows).

Dell Latitude 7400 14-inch (2019) 

For budget laptop hunters.

iPad (2020) 128GB

For students who’d rather type on a screen than splurge on a laptop.

iPad Magic Keyboard 

To turn your iPad into a laptop-lite for a fraction of the price.

The real MVPs of the Back to School season. Here are some suggestions for those who need reliable, versatile refurbished tech to juggle lesson planning, grading, classroom management, and everything in between. The stress of classrooms is real, and of course, the right gear can’t fix everything but it can make logistics a little easier.

Apple Watch Series 9 (2023) 

For tracking your steps, and your sanity.

HP DeskJet Plus 4130 All-in-One

For the students who “forgot” to print their test paper.

Get Back to School ready with Back Market

Warranty? Absolutely.

Every device on Back Market comes with a minimum 12-month warranty. That means your tech is covered for unexpected hiccups (not accidental drops, though, so maybe don’t test gravity with your phone).

Changed your mind? No big deal.

You’ve got 30 days to return any item you’re not vibing with, no awkward explanations needed. Just send it back, and we’ll sort the refund.

Quality checks so good, your tech doesn’t even know it’s not new.

Each device goes through a rigorous 25+ point inspection before it ever reaches you. We're talking battery health, camera clarity and port functionality. Only gadgets that pass with flying colors get listed.