Back-to-school shopping is underway, and the supply list isn’t like it was when I was a kid.
More schools and colleges are leaning on technology for educational purposes, and some of those costs could fall on US shoppers. Big-ticket purchases, like laptops and tablets, can be a strain on your finances, especially when juggling other back-to-school items and everyday expenses.
CNET’s new back-to-school survey dives into just how much US shoppers are concerned about making tech purchases ahead of the school year starting back. One point is clear: 78% of back-to-school shoppers are worried about affording tech purchases.
Between tight budgets, potential tariff price hikes and the possibility of shortages, buying a new laptop or tablet can be stressful, to say the least. Here are the survey findings and what CNET tech experts recommend when shopping for back-to-school supplies.
Back-to-school shopping is taking a toll on finances
The average US shopper will spend $328.68 on back-to-school shopping. Even though that’s less than last year, it still may be a lot to cover with tighter budgets and higher prices on some supplies compared to last year.
Nearly 1 in 3 are worried about affording tech purchases
Affording tech purchases is one of US shoppers’ top concerns this back-to-school season.
That could be for a few reasons, including tighter budgets and higher-than-expected prices on tech gadgets. Josh Goldman, managing editor and laptop reviewer at CNET, recommends comparison shopping by starting with the everyday price, then looking for sales at your favorite stores and manufacturers. Especially if you’re looking for a computer.
«HP, Dell, Lenovo and others frequently have the best deals and also offer student discounts. You might want to actually give them a call, too, tell them your situation and see what’s possible,» said Goldman.
Goldman and other CNET experts also recommend buying used, refurbished tech from reputable places. Before you buy, see if there’s a rating system to help understand the device’s condition. And check for any return policies and warranties in case you’re not satisfied.
Lastly, Goldman recommends checking with family and friends who may have aging devices that can save you money on a new one. «While it might not meet their needs anymore, it could be just enough for a student,» said Goldman. «Also, if it’s a bit too old even for your student, there’s a chance it can be traded in for a discount on an upgrade.»
Close to 1 in 4 are concerned about unexpected tech fees, too
Beyond buying the hardware, 23% of shoppers are concerned about additional tech fees and subscription costs.
Some learning management systems are free or included in the course, while other apps and services with upgraded features can add up. For example, some educational app subscriptions, maintenance fees and even e-book rentals are required but cost.
To trim that cost, some schools offer special codes or discounts to lower how much you’ll pay. I also recommend checking online student forums for students in higher grades who have completed the course but still have access and for any unused offer codes.
1 in 5 are concerned about managing expenses without credit or BNPL
CNET found that 1 in 5 (20%) are concerned about managing expenses when using credit or Buy Now, Pay Later to afford tech. Yet, juggling expenses and debt can be detrimental to your finances and can lead to interest and fees if you’re unable to pay the statement balance in full and on time.
If you need to lean on financing to cover back-to-school costs, try setting aside any amount you can to help finance less of your school supply list. You may also look for deals to pay less than the sticker price and save money, or hold off on a few purchases for now.
If you have to make a big tech purchase right now, try to cut or hold off on other back-to-school items for now. For example, holding off on shopping for new clothes or reusing some supplies from last year can help cut costs for now.
Back-to-school shoppers are concerned about tech purchases
Gone are the days of only needing pencils, pens and paper. More schools are using technology for educational purposes. Now, there’s a need for laptops, tablets and headphones. And the price tag of these big-ticket items is a concern for shoppers. Here’s a closer look at shoppers’ top concerns.
Nearly half of shoppers are worried about tariffs and rising prices
Which products will be impacted by tariffs has been a hot topic for months now. Earlier this summer, CNET found that 64% of shoppers are rushing to buy tech to dodge price spikes and shortages. It’s a fair concern considering some tech companies, including Microsoft and Acer, have stated that tariffs will push prices on tech higher.
By the numbers, nearly half of back-to-school shoppers (46%) are concerned about rising prices and tariffs. We haven’t seen the impact yet due to the reciprocal tariff agreement pause, and tariffs don’t change prices for items in stock overnight.
But if more tariffs go into effect, price hikes are likely at some point. Therefore, if you know you’ll need a laptop for the upcoming school year and you’re worried about costs going up, Goldman recommends buying one sooner rather than later if you can. On the other hand, if you can wait until holiday sales in the fall, you still may be able to score a good deal depending on the impact of tariffs and US product availability, Goldman added.
Half of shoppers are worried about finding quality, affordable tech
Besides being able to afford tech, half of shoppers are concerned about finding quality technology at an affordable price. Buying the lowest-priced laptop or tablet may not be worthwhile if you’ll pay more in repairs. That’s another reason why our experts recommend shopping for high-quality second-hand tech.
«Woot.com is a good place to find reconditioned laptops and school tech,» said James Bricknell, CNET’s senior shopping editor. «You don’t always need brand-new tech for school, as the latest processor and graphics card aren’t really needed for the average school classroom.»
Our editors also recommend the Amazon Renewed Store, Apple Certified Refurbished and eBay Refurbished as a few trusted retailers for secondhand tech.
Other ways to save on back-to-school tech this year
Here are a few other ways CNET experts say you can save money on must-have tech this back-to-school season.
Shop deals and sales
Some states have tax-free weekends to help you save money by excluding tax on select items for a few days. Coupling this weekend with sales and deals can help you save money on your shopping list.
Bricknell pointed out that even though big sale events, like Prime Day, are great times to get deals on tech before school starts, you may be able to score savings around Black Friday if you’re able to wait until later this year.
Track prices
CNET’s experts are still tracking plenty of tech deals to scout out the real savings based on their recommendations, but no matter how sweet the savings may seem, CNET senior editor and computer expert, Matt Elliott, recommends being patient and tracking prices.
«Be patient and track the price of a product and then do what stock traders do and ‘buy the dip.’ Online retailers are constantly rotating discounts, so it pays to wait for a sale price to land on the product you are looking to buy,» said Elliott.
Elliott added that you’ll see the price fluctuate over a few weeks, so you’ll get a sense of when to buy quickly. Some websites and browser extensions can help you track prices, too — like Keepa and CamelCamelCamel.
There may be other options if a tech must-have isn’t within your budget. Bricknell recommends checking with your school for programs to still get what you need at a fraction of the cost or for free, in some circumstances. For example, some schools may loan laptops for a school year or semester, but eligibility requirements may apply.
Trade in old devices
If you have old tech that you’re no longer using, it may be worth some money that you can use to buy a laptop or tablet you need now.
«Companies like Swappa can give you cash for your old tech, but keep in mind that the more used your tech, the less cash you’re likely to get,» said Bricknell.
Before you sell your old devices, check several retailers to make sure you’re getting the best deal before selling. How much you get back can depend on the condition of your device, how old it is and the demand for it.
Methodology
CNET commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,601 adults, of whom 689 have gone or are planning to go back-to-school shopping. Fieldwork was undertaken July 16 to 18, 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18-plus).
