Back-to-school season is a time for new beginnings: a pristine set of pencils, a fresh pair of shoes, a replacement for a worn-out backpack. Whether you’re heading back to campus yourself or sending your kiddos to class — or you’re a non-student getting in on that clean-slate mindset — you’ll want to maximize your refresh with all the best deals from major retailers.
Fortunately, we’ve rounded up all our favorite back-to-school deals happening now. Shop school supplies, dorm room decor and dress code-approved fashion, plus the best backpacks at the lowest prices. And don’t worry, we didn’t forget those big-ticket tech purchases — below, you’ll find discounts on essential electronics from Apple, Microsoft, Samsung and more.
Back-to-school sales from major retailers
Apple AirTags provide a reliable way to keep track of your belongings, be it a backpack, a set of keys, your wallet, whatever. This four-pack is on sale for $25 off its normal price.
You’ll be the coolest dorm on the hall (literally) with this stylish mini fridge that comes with two removable shelves and a capacity of 1.6 cubic feet.
Add a cozy, on-trend accent to your dorm with this swivel chair, ideal for a cozy study session or late-night movie marathon.
• Amazon: Backpacks from brands like JanSport and Adidas are on sale, plus everything else you’ll need for a budget-friendly shopping spree.
• Best Buy: Score top deals on tons of tech essentials, from laptops to headphones to printers to dorm appliances.
• eBay: You can always count on eBay to offer markdowns, and right now is no different. Save on back-to-school essentials like iPads starting at just $100, up to 70% off laptops and up to 65% off footwear.
• Etsy: Unique school accessories, back-to-college decor and more are on sale — plus, find deals on personalized backpacks, sweatshirts, water bottles and more.
• Macy’s: You’ll find nice discounts on back-to-school styles for all ages, plus backpacks, learning tools, dorm decor and more.
• Office Depot: Get steep discounts on school supplies, dorm must-haves and classroom essentials at this tried-and-true retailer.
• Staples: Binders, notebooks, pens — no matter what you’re looking for, Staples has deals for students of all ages.
• Target: Everything from lunch boxes to electronics are on sale right now, plus discounts on kids’ uniforms, 30% off school supplies and more.
• Walmart: Check off your entire list in one go at Walmart and save on first-day fashion, snacks, backpacks, laptops and more.
• Wayfair: Get all the dorm must-haves in one place and save, thanks to discounts on everything from bath mats to laundry hampers to coffee machines.
Back-to-school exclusive sales
• Aday: Take $50 off your first clothing order of $300 or more when you use code CNN50 at checkout.
• EarFun Wave Pro: Some of the best budget headphones we’ve tested are now even more affordable with code EWPROCNN.
• Volcanica Coffee: Enjoy 20% off your next cup of Joe or morning brew with code CNN20OFF.
Back-to-school tech and electronics sales
A high-end tablet that can handle everything from daily note-taking to creative school projects, the powerful iPad Air M2 comes with $50 in savings.
All-day battery life and versatile performance make the Surface Pro a great pick for serious schoolwork.
These just-released buds offer quality sound and solid noise cancellation for gym workouts and library study sessions alike.
• Apple: Apple’s Back to School offer is live, meaning college students and educators can get a gift card worth up to $150 plus 20% off AppleCare (on top of already discounted pricing) on Mac and iPad products.
• Back Market: You’ll save extra with refurbished tech, and right now Back Market is offering select MacBooks for an extra $50 off with code MAC4SKOOL.
• Calm: Quell the back-to-campus jitters with 40% off an annual Calm subscription.
• Lenovo: Save on Chromebooks, tablets, gaming accessories, backpacks and more at Lenovo.
• Microsoft: Shop Microsoft’s back-to-school sale for deals on Surface tablets, gaming consoles and essentials like Teams and Microsoft 365.
• Mod Bikes: Save on electric bikes and accessories now through Aug. 15.
• Newegg: Shop this back-to-school sale with new deals dropping weekly on laptops, desktops and more.
• OtterBox: Take 25% off tech accessories sitewide, now through Aug. 18.
• Samsung: Earbuds, wearable tech, phones and more are up to 30% off during this deals event, so save now in anticipation of a busy semester.
Back-to-school clothing and shoes sales
Take an extra 25% off these signature Nike Dunks when you apply code SPORT25 at checkout.
Breathable and supportive for all-day comfort, these sneakers take your kid from class to after-school activities with ease.
• Abercrombie & Fitch: All denim is 25% off using code DENIMAF. Plus, get 15% off almost everything else.
• Banana Republic: During this sale, take up to 60% off school- and work-friendly styles, plus an extra 30% off sale items.
• BaubleBar: Shop the Friends & Family event with 25% off jewelry and accessories sitewide (and 20% off custom items) now through Aug. 12.
• Carter’s: Take 40% off clothing for kids of all ages, plus an extra 20% off select items.
• Converse: Take 25% off almost everything sitewide with code BACK2SCHOOL.
• Dick’s Sporting Goods: Brands like Nike, Adidas and Under Armour are up to 25% off for everything from class to after-school activities.
• Gap: Score up to 60% off select back-to-school items, including styles starting at just $6 and backpacks at just $29.
• J.Crew Factory: Get 20% off all orders over $100 with code SAVEBIG.
• Kt by Knix: Prepare for periods ahead with up to discounted bundles of leakproof underwear.
• Naadam: During this End of Season Sale, take up to half off a wide selection of cashmere, plus warm weather styles too.
• Nike: Get set for school with an additional 25% off select styles like Air Jordan sneakers, polo shirts and cargo pants. Just use code SPORT25 to lock in the extra savings.
• Old Navy: Get major discounts on kids’ clothes — including dress code and uniform-approved fits — with styles starting at just $5.
• Patagonia: Shop past-season gear and apparel up to 40% off for your upcoming outdoor adventures
• Reebok: There’s a lot to love during this back-to-school promo, with deals up to 50% off when you use code BACKTOSCHOOL.
• Rothy’s: Whether you’re headed back to campus or commuting to the office, Rothy’s shoes are chic wardrobe staples, and a bunch of styles are on sale during the End of Season Event.
• Stitch Fix Kids: Outfit your growing kid with the help of this online personal styling service, now offering new clients $50 off their first two Fixes.
• ThirdLove: Save 25% on these bestselling bras — including styles that never see discounts — during the Never-on-Sale Sale.
• Under Armour: Through Aug. 11, take 25% off athletic gear at Under Armour’s outlet.
• Urban Outfitters: Score BOGO 50% off all denim from UO’s in-house brand, BDG, in addition to other deals on trendy home and apparel.
• Zappos: A ton of school-ready footwear and clothes are on sale at Zappos for an affordable one-stop shop.
Back-to-school beauty and wellness sales
This gentle-yet-effective scrub is suitable for exfoliating sensitive skin, and a tube is 40% off right now.
Containing 10% zinc oxide, this top-rated mineral formula doesn’t leave a white cast and is safe for sensitive, reactive skin.
If school stress brings breakouts, clear and prevent blemishes with this soothing treatment.
• Dermstore: During Dermstore’s Anniversary Sale, take up to 25% off your favorite skin care brands with code CHEERS.
• Kinship: Save up to 45% on skin care like the Insta Swipe AHA Exfoliating Pads and Pimple Potion Acne Treatment.
• Murad: Shop the Friends + Family Sale for 25% off sitewide and free shipping, now through Aug. 14. Use code FAMILY25.
• Ostrichpillow: Use code COOLOFF15 for 15% off cooling products like an eye mask, neck wrap and more, now through Aug. 31.
• Selfmade: Save on innovative skin care with 40% off sitewide at Selfmade, while supplies last.
• Soko Glam: During the Summertime Savings Sale, take up to 50% off your favorite skin care brands, plus save an extra 10% using code SUMMER10.
Back-to-school backpack and lunchbox sales
Save big on this durable backpack (made from recycled water bottles!) that accommodates a 14-inch laptop and features organized compartments to pack whatever else your day requires.
Underscored-favorite lunch boxes are 30% off with code BACK2SCHOOL. Check out this leakproof, microwave-safe bento for meal prep and school lunches ahead.
Score a lunch box, water bottle and backpack in this dazzling design — you’ll be able to select the size you want, plus customize with a name or monogram.
• Bentgo: Score 30% off bento boxes and more lunch box essentials sitewide with code BACK2SCHOOL.
• Calpak: Return to campus in style and save. Right now, a selection of backpacks, totes, tech organizers and more are up to 50% off at Calpak.
• Champion: Stock up and save on clothes and athletic apparel. Plus, spend $50 and get 50% off any bag or backpack.
• Owala: Stay hydrated this semester with 20% off Owala’s colorful, insulated tumblers.
• Pottery Barn Kids: Score up to 40% off backpacks in a bunch of patterns and styles right now.
• Repurpose: Repurpose’s tableware, cutlery and more are an eco-friendly essential for packed lunches and snacking on the go. Right now, take 20% off sitewide with code BTS20.
• Vera Bradley: For a limited time, save $25 on the quilted Bancroft Backpack in the pattern (or solid color) of your choice.
Back-to-school furniture and bedding sales
Everyone knows that a school-issued twin XL mattress leaves much to be desired, so set up a comfortable bed an adjustable pillow, mattress topper and more.
Step onto plush softness after a shower with this bath mat, made from 100% Turkish cotton.
This wheeled cart offers storage for toiletries, school supplies or even books, making it an organizational essential for small spaces like dorm rooms.
• Amerisleep: Take $500 off any mattress, no code needed!
• Brooklinen: Take 20% off bath items — from towels to bath mats to robes — through Aug. 15.
• Coop: Save 15% on Coop’s Back-to-School bundle.
• Cozy Earth: Save up to 70% on bedding and apparel — including dorm-ready Twin XL sheet sets — during Cozy Earth’s Semi-Annual Warehouse Sale.
• Dormify: A ton of dorm-ready essentials, including bundles and the bestselling Charging Carts, are seeing major discounts right now.
• Gravity: Ensure a good night’s sleep before the big exam — Gravity’s weighted blankets and more are discounted during the brand’s Super Sale.
• Ikea: Shop clearance deals and get up to 50% off desks, bed and bath linens, storage and more.
• Lovesac: Lovesac offers ingenious modular furniture solutions like embedded speakers and adaptable sectionals. Through the start of next week, take 30% off sitewide. Plus, students and teachers can score an extra 5% off.
• Naturepedic: Take 50% off all bedding when you buy any mattress right now.
• The Container Store: Shop savings at The Container Store’s College Shop, featuring all the organization, kitchen essentials and furniture you’ll need.
• Vaya: Save $300 on any mattress using code VAYA300.
• Zoma: Take 25% off any mattress with code SLEEP25.
Back-to-school planner and desk supplies sales
Grab one journal for jotting recipes and another for tracking wellness goals, or one for class notes and one for, well, journaling. Either way, buy two Papier notebooks and get the second 25% off.
Use code SWEET to take 30% off this dry-erase calendar that makes scheduling a breeze and keeps due dates top of mind.
Artist-designed desk essentials and dorm decor are 25% off ahead of the new school year. Plus, stock up and save when you buy three or more notebooks.
• Ban.do: Use code SWEET for 30% off all Ban.do products — we’re talking academic planners, sticker books, calendars and more and 16% off everything else.
• Happy Planner: Get organized and save up to 80% during this warehouse sale.
• Papier: Students can score a 10% discount on gorgeous planners and stationery — and anyone can buy two books and score 25% off the second.
• Society6: During this back-to-school sale, you’ll get up to 25% off wall art, plus can’t-miss weekly deals on artist-designed dorm decor, backpacks and more.