Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Whether you’re after everyday essentials, tech upgrades, or classroom tools, these sites make it easy to stretch your budget.
Apple’s products are high-quality but come with a premium price tag. That’s why, if you’re on a tight budget, you shouldn’t waste your money on Apple hardware as a student. But even if you have the cash, don’t purchase its products like you normally would. Instead, use the company’s dedicated section for students and educators. Apple’s Education Store is a great way for students and educators to save on premium tech.
You can get discounted pricing on Apple products and seasonal promotions such as free AirPods or other accessories when you buy a Mac or iPad. The store also offers discounted pricing year-round, so that you can get Apple’s student discount at any time.
As a student, you can bundle your purchase with AppleCare+ for extended warranty coverage at a reduced rate, and trade-in options can lower the cost even further. For software, Apple is one of the few companies that offers special subscription discounts to students.
Lakeshore Learning is a favorite for high-quality educational supplies. While prices can be higher than those at big-box stores, frequent sales and clearance events make it possible to snag premium items at a discount.
Because it focuses on education, Lakeshore offers supplies for both students and teachers, and its well-organized categories make it easy to find discounted items. However, the best time to shop is around reopening dates because, like other sites, it runs big sales offering significant price drops on popular products during the back-to-school period.
Office Depot is another great place for scoring deals on school essentials, especially during the back-to-school season. The site includes everything from notebooks and art supplies to laptops, printers, and ergonomic desks, so you won’t lack whatever you need.
Its Rewards Program lets you earn points on purchases, which you can redeem for future discounts, and it also offers bonuses like 2% back in rewards and exclusive members-only deals.
It also has tech trade-in deals, giving you credit towards new gear, which can save you a lot when upgrading certain items like printers. If you shop online, Office Depot offers free in-store or curbside pickup, plus free shipping on select items.
Just like with everyday shopping, Walmart remains a budget-friendly site for back-to-school needs, offering competitive prices on all school supplies, including pencils, notebooks, laptops, and dorm essentials.
Its back-to-school hub is especially handy as it organizes deals by price and grade level, making it easy to find exactly what’s on sale in one place. Walmart also stocks a variety of items, including electronics, and you’ll find everything from laptops to tablets on sale during the back-to-school season.
It also offers rollback pricing, allowing you to buy items below regular retail prices but only for a limited period. If you’re shopping for school supplies, such periods are perfect for buying what you need. The Walmart+ membership adds extra perks like free shipping with no order minimum and early access to online deals, which can help you save big on back-to-school equipment.
Staples is yet another reliable destination for affordable school supplies, especially if you value variety and seasonal discounts. Their back-to-school deals cover everything from basic stationery and backpacks to laptops, calculators, and classroom furniture.
Regardless of when you’re shopping, you’re sure to find some items on sale. Staples offers daily and weekly deals on different school supplies, and it also holds clearance sales on certain items from time to time. It also provides teacher-specific discounts, making it ideal for educators stocking classroom supplies.
For bigger savings on tech, it has a dedicated section with refurbished items, including laptops, desktop computers, and printers. You can also utilize Staples’ Easy Rewards program to earn cash back in rewards and access exclusive member pricing.
If back-to-school caught you unprepared, Dollar Tree is perfect for stretching your school supply budget, with every item priced at around $1.25. You can stock up on essentials like notebooks, pens, binders, folders, and art supplies for a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere. Dollar Tree proves you don’t need to pay premium prices to get the necessary supplies for a successful school year.
The seasonal section often features themed items for back-to-school, including lunchboxes, locker decorations, and planners. While Dollar Tree may not carry premium brands, it’s ideal for bulk-buying basics or filling out the last few items on your list without overspending.
Dollar Tree also offers slightly higher-priced, higher-quality products, providing more variety while staying affordable. If you’re buying for an entire class or multiple kids, the standard price can save you a lot.
Like Dollar Tree, Dollar General is a great spot for budget-friendly school shopping that costs $1 or slightly more. You’ll find everything from pencils to backpacks, lunch containers, and basic tech accessories at competitive prices.
Similar to other sites, it also curates a back-to-school section that lists all the current deals in one place. Dollar General’s back-to-school section includes name-brand supplies from Crayola, Sharpie, Expo, BIC, and Elmer’s, alongside its private labels at discounts, so you can save without sacrificing quality.
Its Dollar Deals section is especially handy for quickly finding low-priced items, and you’ll find most school supplies on offer around the back-to-school season. Still, Dollar General also runs seasonal promotions and bundle offers, making it easy to grab multiple items for less.
For example, around reopening dates, you’ll find a dedicated section offering deals on back-to-school supplies. Dollar General also has cash back and digital coupons that you can redeem to save on your purchases.
Target blends quality and affordability, making it a favorite for back-to-school shopping. Its School List Assist tool is especially handy when shopping, as it lets you shop by grade or school, so you can quickly find the exact items you need.
It also runs clearance events right after peak shopping season, which is perfect for stocking up for the rest of the year or grabbing deals you missed earlier. If you’re a student, you can join Target Circle for more discounts on your purchases.
Amazon is one of the best sites for affordable school equipment, thanks to its vast selection and frequent discounts. You’ll find everything from laptops and printers to stationery and backpacks, often at prices lower than local stores.
It also curates a back-to-school section around reopening dates with deals specifically for students, making it easier to shop without endless scrolling. Amazon’s Subscribe and Save option is a time saver on school supplies you’ll be restocking frequently, like notebooks or ink cartridges. It offers up to 5% discounts per item or up to 15% off if you have at least five Subscribe and Save subscriptions delivered on the same day to the same address.
You can also take advantage of Amazon Warehouse and Outlet, where you can score deep discounts on open-box or overstock items in like-new condition. The price comparison is easy with built-in filtering and sorting, so you can quickly spot the best offers.
If you’re looking for quality school supplies at discounted prices, these sites and apps are among the best places to shop, with each offering unique ways to save. While you’ll find discounts on school supplies almost anytime, we suggest making your purchases during seasonal sales like back-to-school for maximum savings. Patience is important, and you should also install apps (if available) to get notified when specific items are on sale.
