Back to school sales will soon begin to wind down. Especially as Labor Day sales begin to ramp up. However, there are still plenty of retailers offering impressive discounts on all things school-related. However, inflation, stock shortages, and shipping delays are affecting this year’s sales.
The Apple Store, for instance, is seeing shipping delays that stretch into mid-September for select Macs. Covid lockdowns throughout China are also causing shipping delays on everything from monitors to gaming rigs.
As a result, we’re recommending consumers make their back to school purchases as soon as possible. While back to school sales are usually offered through early September, if you’re shopping for a particular device your best bet is to secure it on sale asap and avoid any potential shipping delays or stock shortages.
One of our favorite back to school sales this week comes courtesy of Best Buy. The retailer is taking up to $400 off MacBooks, up to $800 off iPhone 13 phones, and 30% off iPad accessories. You can shop Best Buy’s Apple sale via this Best Buy link (opens in new tab). (The MacBook Pro M1 is just $949 as part of the sale).
If you’re looking for a new phone for the upcoming school semester, Verizon is offering multiple 5G phones for free with trade-in (opens in new tab) and a new unlimited data plan. Or you can buy one phone at full price, and get $800 off another. The sale includes budget phones like the iPhone SE as well as our favorite Android phones.
Below we’re rounding up the best back to school deals on everything from Chromebooks to dorm-friendly coffee machines. So whether you’re shopping for a new laptop or your first mattress, here are today’s best early back to school sales. Also, check out our guide to the best student discounts on streaming services.
You can also look at our tips to pick the perfect back to school laptop and why noise-cancelling headphones are college essentials.
(We also have a complete back to school gift guide for every budget).
Back to school sales — Quick links
- Amazon: save on Bluetooth speakers, iPads, headphones, and more (opens in new tab)
- Best Buy: up to $400 off MacBook Pro, $800 off iPhone 13 (opens in new tab)
- Brooklyn Bedding: 25% off sitewide via “LABORDAY25” (opens in new tab)
- Dell: free Disney Plus bundle w/ select purchases (opens in new tab)
- HP: up to 70% off laptops (opens in new tab)
- Lenovo: up to 63% off ThinkPads and IdeaPads (opens in new tab)
- Microsoft: up to $500 off laptops, Surface, more (opens in new tab)
- Overstock: dorm room furniture on sale from $39 (opens in new tab)
- Razer: up to 50% off accessories + free gift (opens in new tab)
- Samsung: save up to $430 on Galaxy Chromebooks, tablets, and more (opens in new tab)
- Sling TV: 50% off your first month (opens in new tab)
- Verizon: buy one 5G smartphone, get $800 off another (opens in new tab)
- Walmart: backpacks from $15, school supplies from $1 (opens in new tab)
- Wayfair: dorm room essentials on sale from $15 (opens in new tab)
Best back to school sales
Laptops
MacBooks
Tablets
Cord Cutting
Bedding
Phones
Gaming
Backpacks
Dorm room essentials
Bluetooth Speakers
Freebies
When do back to school sales begin
Back to school sales generally begin in late June or early July. They last through early September. Unlike Labor Day or Memorial Day, which last a few days, the back to school season lasts for multiple weeks. However, keep in mind that some of the best sales tend to occur in August. By the time September begins, most of the highly sought after deals have expired or simply gone out of stock.
Where are the best back to school sales
Laptops, Bluetooth speakers, Chromebooks, and tablets are among the best back to school sales you’ll find during the back to school season. Some of our favorite laptops, such as the MacBook Air M1, are already seeing price cuts of up to $200. Meanwhile, stores like Walmart and Wayfair are slashing the price of various dorm room essentials like coffee makers, cheap bedding sets, and more.
Are back to school sales better than Labor Day?
The first Labor Day sales of 2022 will likely appear toward the end of August. However, whereas back to school sales focus on laptops and school gear, Labor Day deals have a broader approach with discounts on major appliances, clearance sales on summer items, and deals on 4K TVs. Yes, you’ll see some crossover, but if you’re shopping for school, your best bet is to make your purchases now instead of waiting.
What should I buy for back to school supplies
Some of the most popular back to school supplies include arts and crafts materials (for younger students) and laptops or headphones for high school or college bound students. College bound students may also be interested in dorm room supplies like storage containers, bedding sets, office chairs, and desk lamps. Most students will also require a laptop bag or backpack. Make sure to check out our best backpacks for college guide for the best sales and picks.