These 15 back-to-school tech essentials will get you classroom ready — starting at just $12

(Image credit: Logitech, Anker, 1More, Samsung, Amazon / Edited by Gemini)

When I was younger, I used to love buying new stuff ready for school to start again. But, while that meant a couple of funky notebooks or a pencil case, nowadays investing in tech is a pretty essential part of learning. Getting kitted out for a new semester means picking out the right tablet, headphones, power banks and more to make sure you're working smarter, not harder.Fortunately, no matter what you're studying at school, I've put together the ultimate back-to-school checklist that has just about everything you'll need, including some of the best laptops for college students and best noise-cancelling headphones when working on a budget. Here are the 12 tech essentials I recommend.Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. More from Tom's GuideIKEA's new wireless charger looks like a donut and costs $9, but it's surprisingly capableI just upgraded my home with these 5 IKEA itemsHow to paint your IKEA furniture for a flawless finish — decorating experts share their top tips

Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.