Back to School: Tech, Bags and Dorm Picks
Back-to-school shopping is mostly about durable basics: a bag that holds up, a screen for reading and streaming, and a few dorm comforts. Here are the catalog picks that make sense for students, from younger kids to college.
How we pick: we research specs, owner feedback and expert reviews. We haven’t tested these products hands-on. Scores are our editorial opinion, not Amazon customer ratings, and we never list prices because they change. We earn a commission if you buy through our Amazon links.
Comparison at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Who it’s for | HashMonkey score | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herschel Kaslo Tech Backpack | Backpack | Students and casual commuters who want a stylish, organized laptop bag | 4/5 | Check price |
| Amazon Kindle (Newest Model) | For readers | Casual readers, commuters and kids who want a simple, portable e-reader | 4/5 | Check price |
| Fire HD 10 Bundle | Tablet | Families and travelers who want a big-screen entertainment tablet without iPad pricing | 4/5 | Check price |
| Echo Dot | Dorm room | Bedrooms, home offices, kitchens and first-time smart home users | 4/5 | Check price |
| Fire TV Stick HD | Dorm TV | Owners of HD TVs, guest rooms and budget-minded streamers | 3.5/5 | Check price |
| Echo Pop Kids | Younger kids | Parents who want an age-appropriate smart speaker for a child's room | 3.5/5 | Check price |
1. Herschel Kaslo Tech Backpack: Backpack
HashMonkey score: 4/5 ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆
Our take: A tidy tech backpack for laptops and chargers. Herschel is known for clean, casual style, and the Kaslo Tech adds real organization for laptop-carrying commuters. It looks more relaxed than a corporate bag but is just as practical.
Who it’s for: Students and casual commuters who want a stylish, organized laptop bag.
Keep in mind
- At 20L it's compact, so it's not for overnight trips.
- Casual looks may not suit a formal office.
Read our full Herschel Kaslo Tech Backpack review · Check price on Amazon
2. Amazon Kindle (Newest Model): For readers
HashMonkey score: 4/5 ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆
Our take: A light e-reader for assigned reading. The entry-level Kindle used to feel like a compromise. The newest version is thinner, lighter and quicker, and it even has a battery you can swap yourself. For most casual readers it's all the e-reader they need.
Who it’s for: Casual readers, commuters and kids who want a simple, portable e-reader.
Keep in mind
- It isn't waterproof like the Paperwhite.
- The smaller screen fits fewer words per page.
Read our full Amazon Kindle (Newest Model) review · Check price on Amazon
3. Fire HD 10 Bundle: Tablet
HashMonkey score: 4/5 ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆
Our take: A bigger screen for notes and streaming. The Fire HD 10 is the sweet-spot Fire tablet, with a sharp Full HD screen big enough for movies and magazines. This bundle saves you from shopping for a case and screen protector separately.
Who it’s for: Families and travelers who want a big-screen entertainment tablet without iPad pricing.
Keep in mind
- It's limited to the Amazon Appstore, not Google Play.
- 32GB fills fast; plan on a microSD card.
Read our full Fire HD 10 Bundle review · Check price on Amazon
4. Echo Dot: Dorm room
HashMonkey score: 4/5 ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆
Our take: Music, timers and alarms in a small speaker. The Echo Dot is the speaker people buy on a whim and then end up using every day for timers, weather, music and turning off the lights. It's cheap, compact and does the basics really well.
Who it’s for: Bedrooms, home offices, kitchens and first-time smart home users.
Keep in mind
- Sound is fine for a room but thin for real music listening.
- Alexa nudges and upsells are a common complaint.
5. Fire TV Stick HD: Dorm TV
HashMonkey score: 3.5/5 ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆
Our take: Streaming for a small dorm TV. Not every TV is 4K, and not every room needs a premium streamer. The Fire TV Stick HD is a small, simple stick for bedrooms, guest rooms and older HD TVs.
Who it’s for: Owners of HD TVs, guest rooms and budget-minded streamers.
Keep in mind
- It doesn't do 4K; get the 4K Max for 4K TVs.
- The interface shows ads and promotions.
Read our full Fire TV Stick HD review · Check price on Amazon
6. Echo Pop Kids: Younger kids
HashMonkey score: 3.5/5 ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆
Our take: A kid-friendly Alexa with parental controls. The Echo Pop Kids gives children their own Alexa speaker with fun designs and grown-up controls. Bedtime stories, filtered music and sleep routines are the main draws.
Who it’s for: Parents who want an age-appropriate smart speaker for a child's room.
Keep in mind
- The best content needs an Amazon Kids+ subscription.
- Sound is basic, fine for stories but not big music.