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Tom's Guide
31-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
I review laptops for a living, and these are the 5 back to school laptop accessories I'd take
I've been writing about laptops for about 15 years now, but long before I was covering them for a living, I was using them for schoolwork. It's funny to look back now on my days away at school because I've learned so much about laptops in the years since. Nowadays I'd seriously prioritize battery life and portability when shopping for a student laptop (which is why I'd buy these 3 laptops for gong back to school), but back in the day all I cared about was power. That's how I ended up taking a gaming laptop to journalism school, where it basically sat on my desk all day because there was no way I was lugging that big, heavy beast to class. And when I finally did get home and crack it open, well, I'd do my schoolwork of course — and then stay up late playing the best PC games I could run on it. At the time I didn't know a thing about ergonomics, but now I'm on the other side of 40 and I wish I hadn't spent so much of my life hunched over a laptop screen. Because while these pint-sized PCs make it easy to be productive no matter where you are, they aren't exactly easy on your back, neck, shoulders and wrists. So if you're taking a laptop to school (or even just the coffee shop) this season, I have some hard-won tips on what accessories to take with you that can help minimize your pain — and maximize your comfort and productivity. When I was a kid I don't think I even knew about laptop stands, but now that I write about PCs for a living they're my #1 recommended accessory for laptop workers. The reason is simple, and obvious when you start using one: a good laptop stand will seriously cut down on your discomfort by raising the display closer to your eye level, so you don't have to crane your neck down to see what you're working on. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. This foldable aluminum Lamicall laptop stand fits laptops from 10-17 inches in size and has an adjustable riser so you can fine-tune its height. Plus, it comes in multiple colors and has cutouts that help vent heat if your laptop gets toasty. There are literally hundreds of options out there to choose from, too, at prices ranging from $10-$100. It can be a little tricky to find a good one, so I recommend you skim our guide to the best laptop stands on the market right now for some ideas. If you'd just like a quick recommendation, check out the Lamicall laptop stand I linked above. It's the top laptop stand on our list because it's a foldable aluminum riser with adjustable height that accommodates laptops of all sizes (up to 17.3 inches) and has built-in vents for when things heat up. If you're regularly using a laptop stand I highly recommend you also invest in a good ergonomic keyboard that you find comfortable to use, because it's no fun having to hold your arms up like a T-rex in order to type on your laptop keyboard. Now I've put a picture of the ZSA Moonlander up above because it's my current favorite keyboard, but that doesn't mean you have to buy a funky split keyboard if you don't want to. I prefer split keyboards because they're more ergonomic and let me position each half exactly where it will be most comfy to type on, but they're often a bit pricier than regular keyboards. This wireless ergonomic mechanical keyboard from Keychron can connect to multiple devices via either Bluetooth 5.1 or the included 2.4Ghz wireless dongles (USB-A and USB-C). It also comes with a toggle switch that lets you easily switch layouts between Windows and macOS for maximum flexibility. You can scope out our rundown of the best keyboards and the best wireless keyboards for ideas, or I've put a link to our pick for the best ergonomic wireless keyboard in the box above for easy access. One key detail to consider if you're planning on working on the go is portability. Some keyboards come with carrying cases, so look for those if you don't want to deal with the hassle of throwing a full keyboard directly into your backpack. If the keyboard you choose doesn't come with one, you can buy all sorts of keyboard cases and covers on Amazon. You saw this one coming, right? If you're regularly using your laptop on a stand it's going to be uncomfortable and less than ergonomic to keep raising your arm in order to use the touchpad. Save yourself the pain and hassle by investing in a good mouse you like to use you with your laptop. I like Contour's Unimouse because it's an adjustable ergonomic wireless mouse that you physically fold from a 35° angle to a 70° angle just by pushing on it. This allows you to customize the shape for your comfort, and it just so happens to make it pretty easy to pack too. I highly recommend you consider a mouse with a comfortable, ergonomic design, even if it costs a bit more than the cheap Bluetooth mice you can get anywhere. I say that as someone who's been using a mouse almost daily for 25 years and has the hand and wrist pain to prove it. Unfortunately it's not exactly easy to try a number of different mice before you buy, so I suggest you take a look at our guides to the best mouse and best wireless mouse for some guidance as well as our hands-on reviews of what each one feels like to use. Personally I prefer the Contour Unimouse because it's wireless and adjustable, so I can fine-tune the curve of the chassis until it feels comfortable under my hand. As one of the laptop experts here at Tom's Guide I have the luxury of working outdoors or on the go, and I absolutely hate to run out of power in the middle of a project. That's why I recommend you invest in a good portable power bank as part of your back-to-school shopping. While these are typically recommended for recharging smartphones and tablets, many modern laptops can charge via USB-C and thus pull juice from a power bank in a pinch. This portable power bank from Anker comes with a built-in USB-C charging cable that folds over into a little carrying handle when not in use. With a 10,000 mAh capacity and USB-A and USB-C charging ports (so you can charge up to 3 devices simultaneously), this is a versatile and handy charger that can recharge your phone, tablet and (if it charges via USB-C) your laptop. You can run through our list of the best power banks for some ideas and tips on what to look for, and I think the Anker Zolo model I've linked above is pretty useful for the price. While I doubt a charger like this could give you a full recharge of your MacBook, it's more than capable of giving you enough juice to get through a long class or a marathon study session. If you're taking a laptop to school it's probably your main PC and perhaps the only PC you'll be using for the next four years, so you want to keep it ready for action. One of the ways I recommend you get your laptop ready to go back to school is to free up space on the hard drive, and one of the most guilt-free ways to do that is to offload your old files to an external storage drive. This model of the SanDisk Creator external storage drive squeezes 1TB of storage into a thumb-sized drive that hits a nice sweet spot in terms of price to storage capacity. If you need more or less you can pay more (or less) to get the same model in a different capacity. So I recommend you pick up a conveniently sized portable storage drive so you can back up your schoolwork and offload stuff you don't want to lose but also don't want taking up space on your laptop. As you might expect we maintain a regularly-updated list of the best external hard drives based on our hands-on testing and reviews, so you can skim that for some suggestions as well as breakdowns of key considerations like price per gigabyte. I've also put a quick link to our top recommendation, the SanDisk Creator, up above for easy access. I almost always travel with all of these accessories when I'm working on the road, and I certainly could have used them back when I was in school. Don't be like me and take a laptop to school that you barely use. A simple stand with accessories can make using your laptop loads more comfortable, and a good portable charger and storage drive will get you out of a lot of jams down the road!
WIRED
08-07-2025
- Business
- WIRED
We Found the Best Deals Under $100 This Prime Day
From headphones to water filters, here are the best products we've found for under a Benjamin. All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Prime Day can be overwhelming, especially when trying to find more affordable items to fill your shopping cart with. We're here to help. These are the best Prime Day deals under $100, from smartwatches to Lifestraws. Interested in finding more great deals? Be sure to check out our full list of the Absolute Best Prime Day Deals and find highlights in our Prime Day liveblog. Amazon The Amazon Echo Pop is like a sliced-in-half Echo Dot with slightly thinner sound, but its fun colors, lower price (especially now!), and handy Alexa make it a playful pick for dorms or small spaces. Amazon The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is a miniaturized Echo with the same design, better bass than past Dots, and surprisingly powerful sound—now at an even better price. Lamicall This tablet holder works perfectly for e-readers, tablets, and even a Nintendo Switch. It's ideal for bed or couch use, reducing wrist strain, and easily secures to any ledge or table. Ugreen $100 $70 (30% off) Amazon This 25,000 mAh power bank delivers 145W total (100W + 45W USB-C), features a charge display, includes a USB-C cable, and is flight-approved for carry-ons - making it one of the best high-capacity options. Belkin $100 $57 (43% off) Amazon This MagSafe charger is ideal for iPhone and AirPods users, offering 15W fast charging, a stable base with a dedicated AirPods spot, and landscape positioning for StandBy mode. It has a built-in 5-foot cable and power adapter. Bokilino Car phone mounts often fail, but the Bokilino keeps phones secure at the perfect angle in your cup holder. A small tradeoff for reliable performance, especially at this price. Baseus Baseus' retractable USB-C cable avoids tangles with preset lengths (1.1-3.3 ft) and auto-rewinds into its case. It charges at 100W, and comes in multiple colors. JLab Audio 2025's best bargain: These noise-canceling wireless buds (with app control, multi-point pairing, and great bass-blocking) cost less than takeout for two, even less on sale. Dash The compact Dash Tasti-Crisp isn't the most powerful air fryer, but its tiny size, reliability, and Prime Day price make it a no-brainer for crispy snacks. Hamilton Beach "For quick, small jobs like dicing onions, this compact Hamilton Beach chopper—a WIRED staff favorite—is a Prime Day bargain. Emergen-C Ideal for sick days, travel, or early sore throats, this powder delivers 1,000mg vitamin C, B vitamins, and electrolytes. Its tolerable orange flavor is divisive, but at its current discount, it's worth stocking up before flu season. Isopure Isopure's zero-carb protein powder blends smoothly into shakes, oatmeal, and baked goods, with 25g of protein per serving. Flavors range from banana cream to cookies & cream. WIRED reviewers swear by it. Vital Proteins Vital Proteins' unflavored collagen powder mixes seamlessly into drinks or food, delivering 20g of grass-fed collagen per scoop for easy joint and skin support. Snooz $100 $85 (15% off) Amazon The Snooz white noise machine uses a fan for natural sound, just twist its fabric cover to adjust volume. Ideal for city noise, it works best placed across the room. Coop Sleep Goods After testing nearly 30 pillows, this cross-cut memory foam option stands out—especially for side sleepers. Its supportive, adjustable design (with included extra fill) makes it a top pick, even worthy of gifting. Wonder Creature This cat fountain features a blue LED-lit interior, a clear water-level window, and a dishwasher-safe metal bowl. You can even adjust the flower spout for waterfall or bubble modes. ChomChom Pet owners: This Prime Day-favorite roller removes hair from furniture and carpets with ease. It's reusable, easy to clean, and lasts for years. Chi $108 $88 (19% off) Amazon If you must take a hair straightener on your travels, this is our favorite and it happens to be under $100 for Prime Day. It's dual voltage so it'll work internationally, has three settings, and can fit in most toiletry bags. Oral-B $100 $60 (40% off) Amazon While the Oral-B Pro 1000 remains a top pick, the $60 iO Series 3 offers a quieter motor, gentler clean, and 14-day battery life, plus a sleeker design. Note: iO heads aren't cross-compatible. Philips $200 $97 (52% off) Amazon This Philips Sonicare ExpertClean 7500 has been discontinued but is still a steal at half price. With 4 modes, 3 intensities, and a pressure sensor, it's a hygienist-level brush. Get it before it's gone. Laneige This cult-favorite lip mask (with murumuru, shea, and coconut butters) feels luxuriously buttery, though its sweet scents (like Gummy Bear) may irritate sensitive lips. Still, it's free of parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. Igloo Indestructible and iconic, the Igloo Playmate lasts decades—perfect for drinks and snack anywhere. Today's price makes it life-changingly affordable. OnlyFly To deter squirrels, use this pole, which is spiked for tough soil. To position, try to get your feeders 5 feet high, 7 feet from structures, and 9 feet below overhangs. Jisulife Handheld fans are everywhere for good reason. This Jisulife model folds pocket-small, doubles as a flashlight/power bank, and is perfect for hikes, travel, or kids. Nalgene efore stainless steel and Hydro Flasks, there was the Nalgene. This updated version keeps the classic silhouette but swaps old Lexan for modern, BPA-free Tritan plastic. Comfort Colors This heavyweight 6.1-oz cotton shirt features triple-stitched shoulders, double-stitched hems, and pigment-dyed vintage styling. Various WIRED staffers are obsessed with them. Trtl Odd-looking but brilliant, this scarf-pillow hybrid offers warm fleece and sturdy head support—no tipping or neck aches. This is the secret to middle-seat sleep. AmazonBasics Not quite as compressive as our top pick, these Amazon Basics cubes offer sturdy mesh windows and durable fabric—a budget-friendly intro to packing cubes. Kusshi Kusshi's heat-resistant case (up to 380°F) is perfect for hot tools like the Shark FlexFusion, and this is its first sale ever. Note that you need to let it air out before use. Ceptics Why bring multiple chargers and travel adapters when you can just bring one that can charge them all? This Ceptics travel adapter includes multiple plug attachments that lock into place and covers most countries. Just bring the right attachment, and you're set! Ubisoft Star Wars Outlaws is a blast despite some flaws. Speed across planets, dive into lore, and get hooked. At this price, it's a must for fans. Lucky Duck Games Chronicles of Crime is a must for mystery fans. Scan cards, solve cases, and hunt clues with your phone. Perfect for solo or duo play. Valtech Magna-Tiles—beloved STEM toys—let kids build 2D/3D creations with magnetic shapes. The classic set starts the fun, but themed expansions are tempting. Labyrinth is a top family game that has kids collect treasures by shifting maze tiles each turn. Simple to learn and cleverly competitive, it's worth buying on discount. Root stands out with its asymmetric gameplay. Each faction plays uniquely in this deceptively deep yet accessible woodland strategy game. $55 $44 (20% off) Walmart An all-time clasic, Catan is an addictive strategy game where you and your friends gather and trade resources to build and settle a randomly generated board of hexagonal tiles. Power up with unlimited access to WIRED . Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today .
USA Today
05-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
5 shower accessories you never knew you needed on sale for Prime day
Save on waterproof speakers, wall-mounted cup holders and more at Amazon. Have you ever dropped your phone in the shower and scrambled for a bag of rice? Same. Or, perhaps you've caught yourself mid-rinse wishing you had a few more amenities in your shower. A little entertainment and a drink are the baseline when it comes to little luxuries! Well, you're in the right place. From waterproof phone holders to Bluetooth shower speakers, there's a whole world of clever accessories designed to upgrade your daily rinse into a full-on spa experience. With Amazon Prime Day 2025 going live from Tuesday, July 8 through Friday, July 11, now is the best time to fill your shopping cart with clever and unexpected products on sale. Seriously, you can save on a shower-friendly cup holder, a must-have phone holder, a handy waterproof speaker, a viral shower squeegee and more! With these early Prime day deals, you can transform your shower into a much more functional oasis on a budget. Below, shop my top shower accessories that you probably didn't know you need. 1. Lamicall Waterproof Shower Phone Holder 2. Wall-Mounted Beer Holder For The Shower 3. INSMY C12 IPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker For The Shower 4. POBAMLE Shampoo and Conditioner Wall-Mounted Dispenser 5. Hiware All-Purpose Shower Squeegee When is Amazon Prime Day 2025 happening? Amazon has officially revealed that the Prime Day 2025 sale will run from Tuesday, July 8, through Friday, July 11. The official Prime Day savings start at 12 am PT/3 am ET on Tuesday, July 8. Prime Day is Amazon's annual members-only shopping event. It offers limited-time deals, lightning deals, and exclusive discounts on products across nearly every category. Do I have to be an Amazon Prime member to shop Prime Day deals? Yes, you must be an Amazon Prime member to access the best Prime Day deals during the July sale. Amazon Prime for Young Adults is back! Do you qualify for the discount? Find out here How much does an Amazon Prime membership cost? New members can try one week of Amazon Prime benefits for just $1.99. After that, Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year. Don't miss out on any of the Prime Day action! Be sure to sign up for text alerts, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram to stay updated!
CNN
07-04-2025
- CNN
I've achieved peak coziness with this Kindle holder and Bluetooth page turner
In winter, there's nothing better than curling up by the fire with a good book — except I live in a New York City apartment in 2025, so I like to curl up in my bed under at least three blankets with my Kindle every night before going to sleep. The only downside to this otherwise delightful routine? Having to forgo becoming engulfed in a full-on blanket burrito, relinquishing my arms to the cold air of the room in order to 1) hold my Kindle and 2) turn its virtual pages. Unwilling to endure icicle arms any longer, I crafted the ultimate cozy reading setup that allows me to properly cocoon myself under the covers like the snug bug in a rug I've always hoped to be. It requires just two products that I promise will change the way you read before bed forever, both of which are under $50 combined. Lamicall Gooseneck Tablet Holder Available in gray and black, this e-reader and tablet holder can mount onto any piece of furniture, including a bed frame or headboard. Its flexible arm can then be adjusted to perfectly position your device within your line of sight. SK SYUKUYU Remote Control Page Turner for Kindle This easy-to-set-up Bluetooth remote offers a hands-free reading experience for your Kindle. It can also be used with iPhone, iPad and Android tablets, and it's especially useful for people with specific accessibility needs. Related article I asked 10 bookworms how to read more in 2025, and here's what they said The first order of business is selecting the right Kindle holder. A quick Amazon search reveals that most Kindle holders are pretty similar — some attach to your bed frame, others stand on the floor — but since my aforementioned NYC apartment is short on space, I went with the former, ultimately landing on the Lamicall Gooseneck Tablet Mount. This mount, which could technically be used to hold any tablet, can be affixed to furniture via an adjustable clamp. I personally have mine secured onto my bed frame's headboard, but I could also see someone attaching this to the lower part of their bed frame or even their nightstand. Then, you can twist the flexible arm to allow your e-reader of choice to hover in front of your face at whatever distance and position suits you. I originally purchased an all-white version years ago that's no longer available, but it doesn't matter, because the new version available on Amazon is better. I recently upgraded to the new model in gray and found that this holder's arm is even easier to position exactly right, and I appreciate that the part of the mount that holds the tablet can also swivel 360 degrees and tilt up and down so that no matter which way you lie, your screen is in sight. Even when reading isn't on the agenda, I could totally see this mount being useful for watching movies on an iPad in bed, following recipes in the kitchen or being an extra display at a desk. It's easy enough to screw into place that using it all around your home should be a breeze. Of course, a mount alone only solves the problem halfway; you'll still need to tap the screen to turn the page on an e-reader. And with the Lamicall specifically (though I imagine most mounts would present a similar issue), when you tap the screen, the device tends to wobble a bit — not ideal for a seamless reading experience. That's where the SK SYUKUYU Remote Control Page Turner — which has more than 11,000 reviews and a high 4.4-star rating, way more than other Bluetooth page turners on Amazon — comes in. Once I tried it for myself, I was hooked for a few reasons. First, it's incredibly easy to set up and use. Simply attach the clip part directly onto your Kindle — I'm careful to attach it toward the middle of the Kindle in a margin so that it doesn't interfere at all with the text — and press the button on the back to turn it on. That's it. You're ready to click the button on the remote to turn the page. So if you were feeling daunted by a Bluetooth remote because of a presumed complicated setup process, don't. Also, the curvy shape of this remote is surprisingly ergonomic and feels good in the hand. I actually can't count the amount of times I've fallen asleep holding this remote (and woken up to my Kindle screen mere inches away from my face), and my only pain point, really, is that I've subsequently lost a few remotes in my bed, which could have been avoided if I'd actually used the included wrist strap. Did I buy a few extra SK SYUKUYUs to have on hand in case of remotes lost in a sea of blankets? The answer is not no. And with that, you're ready to read. Tuck those arms under your covers, get cozy and start clicking your way toward that Goodreads goal. If you fall asleep within minutes, that just means it's working. A post shared by CNN Underscored (@cnnunderscored) CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately and speaking about the pros and cons of each item. For this article, editorial director Chelsea Stone broke down the products she uses herself every night for the coziest reading experience possible.
