Essential Tech for College Students

by Coleson Cunningham

Essential Tech for College Students

Transitioning to college life comes with exciting challenges and new experiences.

Having just completed my first semester, I’ve discovered that having the essential tech for college students can streamline your life, boost productivity, and keep you connected.

From must-have gadgets to helpful tools, here are my top recommendations to set you up for success.

1. Laptop: Your Digital Lifeline for College Success

A reliable laptop is the foundation of your essential tech for college students ‘ arsenal. Whether you’re typing essays, attending online lectures, or streaming shows, a balance between performance and portability is key.

Key Specs for College Tech:

• Processor: Intel Core i5 or higher, or AMD Ryzen 5 or higher for smooth multitasking.
• RAM: 8GB or more for running demanding applications.
• Storage: 512 GB SSD or more for faster performance.
• Display: 14-15 inches, Full HD or higher resolution, touchscreen.

Top Laptop Brands:

• Apple and Google: Seamless integration with their ecosystems.
• HP and Asus: Great all-rounder laptops for students.
• Acer and Alienware: Ideal for gaming and resource-heavy tasks.

My Take: A larger screen can be a game-changer for productivity, especially when multitasking. While a larger screen can enhance productivity, portability is essential for carrying your laptop to classes and study sessions.

A 14-inch laptop offers a good compromise between screen size and weight. It’s also important to consider battery life, weight, warranties, connectivity, device ports, and keyboard/touchpad dynamics.

2. Headphones: Silent Study Sanctuary for Every Student

Noise-canceling headphones are indispensable in the world of essential tech for college students. They ensure you can focus in noisy environments like dorm rooms or cafes.

Key Features:

• • Noise-canceling: Blocks out distractions.
  • Comfortable: Ensures long-lasting comfort.
  • Good sound quality: Enhances your audio experience.
  • Microphone: Essential for calls and meetings.
  • Battery Life: Nothing’s worse than dead headphones when you’re craving music

My Take: A good pair of headphones can significantly improve your study sessions. Invest in a model that offers excellent sound quality and comfortable fit.

My preferred is the Srhythm NC35 as it boasts 50 hours of playtime, 90% noise cancellation, and Bluetooth 5.3 (meaning they can connect to several devices simultaneously), all while being lightweight, portable, and waterproof. At under half a pound, you will catch me with these headphones on every day. 

 Srhythm NC35 – $69.99

JBL Tune 72 0BT – $79.95

Sony WH-1000XM5 – $299.99

Bonus: Keep a pair of wireless earbuds handy for convenience on-the-go. They’re compact, and with most devices ditching headphone jacks, they’re a must-have.

3. Air Purifier: Stay Healthy with Clean Air

Dorm life often means dealing with allergens, dust, and pollutants. An air purifier is a surprising but critical addition to the essential tech for college students list.

Key Features:

• HEPA filter: Traps allergens and fine particles.
• Quiet operation: Won’t disturb your study or sleep.
• Easy maintenance: Simple filter replacement.
• Clean Air Delivery Rate: Fast cleaning capabilities.

Best Air Purifier Types:

• HEPA filters: For allergy-prone students.
• Activated carbon filters: Absorb odors and smoke.
• UV-C purifiers: Eliminate bacteria and viruses.

Top Picks:

• LEVOIT Core 300 ($99.99) – Compact and powerful.
• GermGuardian AC4825 – ($99.99)– High-performance air purifier.

My Take: A good air purifier is a worthwhile investment in your health and well-being. It can help alleviate allergies, improve sleep quality, and create a more pleasant living space.

Look for a model that balances effectiveness, energy efficiency, and noise level to suit your needs. The best part about living in a small dorm? Just about any air purifier will be able to keep your room clean.

Extra Comfort Tips:

Depending on your climate, invest in a fan, air conditioner, or heater. I personally love my Woozoo Globe Fan ($39.99 at Costco) for its compact yet effective performance.

4. Power Bank: Your Portable Power Partner

Running out of battery is a common nightmare, making a power bank a key item in the essential tech for college students’ toolkits.

Key Features:

• High capacity for multiple charges.
• Fast charging capabilities.
• Multiple ports for simultaneous charging.

My Take: ESSENTIAL. A good power bank can be a lifesaver, especially during long study sessions or when you’re traveling. 

I carry mine daily—it’s great for keeping my phone, headphones, and other devices charged, and it’s always a hit when friends forget theirs! My current battery pack supports USB-C, Micro USB, USB-A, and lightning.

Top Choices:

• SABANI 35000mAh ($39.99) – Maximum power on the go.
• Anker 10000 mAh ($25.99) – Compact and reliable.

5. External Storage: Backup Basics for College Students

From backups to file transfers, external hard drives and thumb drives are vital components of essential tech for college students.

My Take: Between laptop storage and backups aim for at least 1TB of space. Thumb drives are great for quick file transfers, while external hard drives handle larger projects.

As a heads up, you’ll probably be given thumb drives from time to time for free throughout your time in college, keep them, clear their data after a while, and use them. Despite this, you should still bring one with you to college.

Maxone 1 TB Hard Drive – $56.99

Toshiba Canvio 1TB Hard Drive – $56.88

Lovskoo 32 GB Flash Drive – $1.99

6. Wireless Mouse: A Small but Mighty Tool

A wireless mouse might seem minor, but it’s an underrated part of the essential tech for college students set up. It improves efficiency and adds versatility for working in any environment.

My Take: This is probably the item that seems the least significant but that I am most grateful for. Need a clicker for a presentation? Use your mouse, A mouse is great for improving efficiency, feeling less cramped while you work, and it makes it easy to work from anywhere. I bring my mouse everywhere with me.

Logitech M185 – $13.97

Logitech M705 – $29.99

And if you need a backpack to go with your technology, check out this article here!

By investing in these essential tech items for college students, you’ll be ready to tackle academic challenges and make the most of campus life. Start exploring your options today—your future self will thank you!