CNET Reviews: The Best College Gadgets & Devices

Whether you like it or not, the new school year is ready to begin, which means it’s time to go shopping for back-to-school essentials for the college student in your life. Freshmen may have to limit their list to fit in their dorm room, while seniors may be shopping for pots and pans for their first off-campus apartment. But whether you live in a tiny dorm room or a nice apartment, there are a few essentials that every college student should bring with them.

From kitchen appliances to personal care items, we’ve narrowed down the best back-to-school gear and equipment every college student should own. Here are three items we think every college student needs, whether you’re on a budget or a high roller.

WHAT Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speakers

COST 119 dollars

AVAILABLE FROM bose.com

Share your favorite tunes with friends and get the party started with one of the best Bluetooth speakers. The Bose SoundLink Flex offers impressive sound in a compact and affordable size. The speaker is also completely dustproof, waterproof, and floats on water — making it perfect for pool parties and trips to the beach.

WHAT TCL TV Series 4

COST $399.99 and up

AVAILABLE FROM tcl

TCL has often topped CNET’s Best TVs list over the years, and for good reason. Our experts have tested and reviewed several TVs and have chosen the TCL 4-Series as the best option for those on a budget. With Roku, you’ll get a decent 4K UHD picture with all the streaming services built in. If you’re looking for something a little more premium, the TCL QM8 is our pick for the best TV.

WHAT Farberware Microwave with Smart Sensor

COST $139.99

AVAILABLE FROM amazon.com

This Farberware microwave takes the top spot on our list of the best microwaves. It’s spacious, affordable, and has quick settings that really work. If you’re in a hurry, you can have water boiling for tea in under three minutes. You can also get delicious popcorn for movie night at the touch of a button. If you’re not the best cook, you’ll love the cooking sensor feature, which can detect when something is ready to cook so you don’t have to worry about burning anything.