Your guide to back-to-school essentials, from the best backpacks and tech accessories to COVID-19 safety supplies

Updated

2021-08-20T21:24:34Z

best school supply list includes pencils and notebooks

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  • The best back-to-school deals
  • The best classroom essentials
  • The best tech essentials for school
  • The best remote learning essentials
  • Our recommendations for health and safety supplies for in-person learning

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  • We rounded up the best back-to-school essentials for remote and in-person learning in 2021.
  • Whether your child needs a backpack, laptop, or notebook, we've researched and tested the best ones.
  • Below are our favorite classroom and virtual learning supplies, tech, and safety essentials.

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Back-to-school season is stressful at the best of times. Between making sure your student has the right number of notebooks, folders, and every textbook on their list, the sheer amount of essentials to stock up on can be overwhelming.

With remote and in-person classes factoring into the 2021/2022 school year, there are even more essentials to consider to help students stay organized and focused during the school day and beyond. These include products like face masks, hand sanitizer, virtual learning supplies, and even online tutoring services.

Here at Insider Reviews, we've made it our mission to research and test the gear your kids will need for a successful school year, whether they're attending elementary school or junior or senior high. From backpacks and lunch boxes to laptops and printers, we've put together this list of dozens of reviews and buying guides to bring you a comprehensive school supply list.

We've also included a selection of health and safety supplies so kids can stay safe if they're returning to the classroom amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more about our favorite back-to-school essentials for all grades:

The best back-to-school deals

Back-to-school shopping can be an expensive undertaking, but we're tracking discounts on kids clothing, basic school supplies, laptops, tablets, and more. You can save money at stores like Kohl's, Nordstrom, Staples, Target, Apple, and Best Buy.

Here are the best back-to-school sales and deals:

  • The best back to school sales and deals in 2021
  • The best student discounts for clothes, streaming services, tech, and more in 2021
  • The best student streaming discounts

The best classroom essentials

Ariel Skelley/Getty Images

For students headed back to the classroom or learning at home, they'll need many of the usual school supplies, including pens, pencils, notebooks, folders, and planners. Backpacks, lunch boxes, and water bottles will be on many school supply lists too.

Here are the classroom essentials we recommend:

  • The best school supplies for students K-12
  • The best kids' lunch boxes
  • How to pack a nutritious school lunch
  • The best backpacks for students
  • The best school notebooks
  • The best binders
  • The best 2021 planners

The JanSport Superbreak backpack comes in tons of fun colors and patterns and it holds just enough gear for elementary and middle schoolers.

The Five Star Advance 3 Subject Notebook with moveable pocket dividers keeps notes in great shape through the school year and beyond.

The Dixon Ticonderoga Wood-Cased 2HB Pencils write well, sharpen easily, and pass every test.

The Wildkin Lunch Box is insulated, so you can pack hot or cold lunches.

Jen Gushue

Editor, Home & Kitchen Reference

Jen Gushue (they/them) is the Home & Kitchen Editor for Insider Reference, overseeing a team of writers who create how-tos and explainers on everything from plant care and cooking techniques to automotive care and home repair. Previously, Jen served as the Guides Editor on the Insider Reviews team, overseeing the team's testing method development and buying guide standards. Jen also previously reviewed hotels for the travel section. Outside of Insider, Jen writes about theater with bylines in American Theatre Magazine, HowlRound, TDF Stages, and The Brooklyn Rail. Jen is also a voting member of the Drama Desk. Say hello to Jen at jgushue@insider.com

Lisa Sabatini

Senior Editor, Home and Pets

Lisa Sabatini is the senior editor of home and pets for Insider Reviews. She works with reporters to narrow down the best products from new and emerging brands to tried-and-true favorites — with a focus on extensive research, reporting, and rigorous testing. As a new homeowner, Lisa has covered simple but impactful DIY upgrades and clever, affordable products.  She also brings extensive knowledge of animal behavior and health to her role as pets editor and has previously edited books on dog training for young readers. For the last two years, Lisa oversaw Insider Reviews parenting coverage of kids furniture, playpens, swing sets, baby monitors, and more. With a 15-year editorial career that took her from the Wall Street Journal to Scary Mommy, she has also covered all matter of business and parenting news. Lisa currently resides in Dutchess County, New York, where she spends much of her time meticulously planning renovation and landscaping projects. She graduated from New York University with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test home products. Learn more about how we test pet products.

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