A typical school EDC might have more devices with batteries in it than notebooks, which is why it’s just as important to make sure you have everything you need to get through the day with just the gear in your backpack. Whether you’re looking for ways to keep your files safe or just want to blow off some steam between classes, we have a few suggestions as to what tech you should be relying on.
Anker 30W Ultra Compact Type-C Wall Charger
If you’ve invested in a new labtop, tablet, headphones, or any other kind of electronic, chances are it uses a USB-C cable. It’s the standard that will eventually take over, which means that you’ll be able to charge all of your devices with one cable. The problem is that different devices require different amounts of power. That’s where the Atom PD1 charger comes in. Thanks to its compact size and ability to charge everything from a smartphone to a laptop, it’s the only charging brick you’ll need. A charging brick may not seem too exciting but it’s definitely essential.
Satechi Aluminum Type-C Adapter
If you’re headed back to school with a new iPad Pro, then you may have noticed that it only has a single USB-C port on the bottom. If you want to plug in a USB stick, a pair of wired headphones, or an HDMI cable, then you’re going to need an adapter. The Satechi Type-C adapter does all of this, and has an aluminum body that won’t ruin the overall sleekness of your new device. It’ll still be lightweight and easy to carry, and you can plug in whatever accessories you need to get your work done.
LaCie Rugged Mini 1TB External Hard Drive
Cloud storage is great for making sure that your papers are always accessible, but after you’ve used a certain amount of storage you’re going to have to start paying. Plus, if you’re taking creative classes that require you to work with large files and even videos, that space can fill up quickly. A tough external hard drive like the LaCie Rugged Mini is a great way to keep all your important files backed up and accessible. It’s also drop and dust resistant thanks to the durable orange bumper that wraps around the edges.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
When you really need to dial in and get down to business, a pair of active noise-cancelling headphones are a must-have. The new Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are one of the best options on the market thanks to outstanding active noise cancelling, a new sleek design, and a solid 20 hours of battery life. Whether you want a little extra quiet when you’re studying in the library or just want to relax between classes with some of your favorite tunes, the Bose 700 headphones have you covered.
Ticwatch Pro
When school is your main priority, the less time you waste scrolling through social media on your phone, the better. A smartwatch is great for that since it narrows down your connected life to just the essentials. You won’t miss a message, but you also won’t be tempted to scroll through reddit for an hour. The Ticwatch Pro does all of this and then some. It also has a GPS tracker and heart rate monitor built in, so you can stay on top of your fitness goals too. But what makes the Ticwatch Pro unique is its Essential Mode, which can extend its usual 2-day battery life to around 30 days. If you want all the benefits of a great smartwatch but don’t want another thing to plug in every night, check out the Ticwatch Pro.
Sony WF-1000XM3
If you want active noise cancelling headphones that won’t take up a ton of space in your bag, go with the Sony WF-1000XM3. These do a surprisingly good job at blocking outside noise given its size, and you can get around 5-6 hours of constant playback per charge. Sony also packed in a bunch of useful features like an ambient sound that lets you hear what’s going on around you in a pinch and 24-but audio processing for better sound quality. If you want a discreet pair of noise-cancelling headphones that can fit in your pocket, these are the best around.
Anker Soundcore Flare
It’s good to kick back and relax every once in a while so you don’t burn yourself out with homework. During those precious moments, a good Bluetooth speaker like the Anker Soundcore Flare can really make that time memorable. Besides battery packs and charging bricks, Anker also hit it out of the park with this speaker. It’s IP67 waterproof so you can take it anywhere for a full day thanks to its solid 12 hour battery life. Of course, the most obvious feature is the colorful LED ring around the bottom which changes colors with the music. If you’re not looking to break the bank but still want a fun speaker, the Soundcore Flare is hard to beat.
mophie Dual Wireless Charging Pad
Coming home to plug your electronics into a bunch of different cables can get messy, which is why if you own anything that can charge wirelessly (like a smartphone or even AirPods), this mophie charging pad is a great investment. Not only will it declutter your space by minimizing wires, it also lets you charge two Qi compatible devices at once so you don’t have to worry if you only have a single cable. Plus, there’s an extra USB-A output underneath so you can also charge regular devices that don’t have wireless charging capabilities.
8Bitdo SF30 Pro Controller
Video games are a great way to relax and blow off some steam once you’re done with your work, and if you want to add just a little more fun to the equation check out the 8Bitdo SF30 Pro controller. Inspired by classic gaming consoles of the past, 8Bitdo does a great job at making functional controllers that are fully compatible with Windows, macOS, Android devices, and even the Nintendo Switch.
Cocoon Grid-It
One important aspect of succeeding in college is to stay organized. When it comes to keeping your tech in order it’s hard to argue against the Cocoon Grid-It. This flexible board is covered in interweaving elastic straps that keeps your gear securely in place while you’re running around campus. The interweaving design means you have plenty of options when it comes to how to arrange your gear, and the small rubberized grips keep everything from sliding out when they shouldn’t be.
Nintendo Switch Lite
It’s always a good idea to grab a bite to eat in between classes or try to squeeze in some studying, but playing a quick game can be way more fun. The upcoming Switch Lite is perfect for that. It’s a slimmed down version of the Nintendo Switch console that ditches the removable controllers in favor of a slimmer and more portable design. Not to mention it comes in a few gorgeous color options. You can pre-order one for yourself now so you can have a way to wind down between classes.
