Gear Diary’s Must-Have Back to School Gift Guide

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What do you mean Back to School? The summer is already over? Well not really, but everywhere you go, you will see businesses advertising Back to School Specials. But this year you shouldn’t just send your child back to school with a boring calculator, binder, and a few packs of paper; here is our must-have Back to School gift guide.

Gear Diary's Must-Have Back to School Gift Guide

FLYP-DUO: Stop trying to force yourself to remember which cord goes to what . Tylt’s convenient cable features a patented reversible USB 2.0, MFi certified Lightning connector and micro-USB connector, tethered together in a single charge and sync cable. While it looks identical to a standard USB cable, the FLYP-DUO allows the user to insert the USB port in any direction. Anyone who uses Apple and Android devices can charge up using just one cord.

Price:$24.99 1-foot cable | $29.99 1-meter cable

Gear Diary's Must-Have Back to School Gift Guide

ENERGI+ Backpack: A must-have for busy students, the ENERGI+ Backpack is not only stylish and functional, but also features a removable 10,400mAh rechargeable battery that can charge up to 3 devices simultaneously and provide up to 4 full smartphone charges. The ENERGI+ Backpack boasts over 1,450 cubic inches of storage, and includes charging pass-thrus to 7 of its 13 specialized compartments, keeping cords from tangling and allowing plenty of space for school supplies. Plus, the backpack’s straps are heavily padded so that even when it’s full of gadgets and books, it won’t hurt students’ shoulders while they navigate through their busy days.

 Price:$169.99

Gear Diary's Must-Have Back to School Gift Guide

ENERGI Sliding Power Cases: Students use their phones for everything: emailing professors, using study apps and calling parents. With TYLT ENERGI Sliding Power Cases they never have to worry about their busy schedules draining their phone batteries. These beautifully designed power cases give your phone both protection and power. The 2-in-1 case includes a removable battery sleeve (3,200-3,500mAh) that will rapidly charge your smartphone, while a protective TPU-lined inner case provides enhanced drop protection. Once your phone is charged, simply slide your phone out of the battery sleeve to use the lightweight inner case on its own.

Price: $49.99 – $99.99 (iPhone 5, 5S, 6 and 6 Plus; Galaxy S4 & S5)

Gear Diary's Must-Have Back to School Gift Guide

TrackR Bravo: A necessity for those of you who tend to lose your items. Its ability to track items like their keys, pets, bikes, and any other devices you deem fit. The Bravo’s two-way ringer which means not only will you be able to find any item attached to the Trackr, but you are able to even find your smartphone, regardless if it’s on vibrate or silent as long as either are within 100 feet from each other. Integrated with home Wi-Fi and Nest networks, as well as a reusable battery that can easily be replaced, the anodized aluminum TrackR is the thinnest tracking device on the market.

Price: $29.99 for Android and iOS devices

Gear Diary's Must-Have Back to School Gift Guide

Bracketron JamSpot Tablet Stand: As a student with a tablet, one thing that you’ll need is a stand especially if you have plans of taking notes in the classroom. The Jamspot isn’t only a tablet stand, but it is a dual-speaker system that will play your favorite tunes when you’re in your dorm room and need to quickly jam out. Compatible with the iPad, iPhone as well as many Android devices, it’s one of the few devices that works for the Kindle Fire and the Surface Pro as well.

Price: $79.99

Gear Diary's Must-Have Back to School Gift Guide

PureGear Universal Tablet Folio: This versatile tablet case is perfect for not only students but staff as well who need to hold a little bit more while on the go, as the PureGear can hold your documents, credit cards, ID’s and more. Available in two sizes, the folio will not only protect your iPad mini and Kindle Fire, but if you have a larger iPad, it will fit tablets up to 10″ on the larger versions.

Price: $39.99 & $49.99

Gear Diary's Must-Have Back to School Gift Guide

Onanoff SoundCover: Sure you might want something to protect your iPad Air and iPad Air 2, but what about protection as well as some additional sound to your tablet? The SoundCover is an iPad cover that is also a ultra-thin speaker that’s two built-in flat speakers will allow you to get more clarity from those movies and songs that you listen to on your iPad. On top of that, you can control the not only music, but calls from over 30 feet away since it allows you to hear those Facetime calls up to 400% percent better.

Price: $199

Gear Diary's Must-Have Back to School Gift Guide

Pronto Peel: One of my personal favorites, the Pronto is a MUST have. An all-in-one entertainment hub for your cable and satellite, this is a perfect gift for that college student that will end up losing their television remote that first weekend on campus, but will never lose their phone. The Pronto controls all of your devices, from your television down to your Blu-Ray Player and cable boxes all from your smartphone. Only needing 4AA batteries, and being small enough to sit right next to their back to school television, this is a NECESSITY on every college campus.

Price: $49.99

Gear Diary's Must-Have Back to School Gift Guide

A-Audio: Legacy Headphones: On that commute to and from class, the last thing you want is someone distracting you while you’re listening to your tunes. Why not just block them out in style with these pairs of cans? Not only does the memory foam padding on the cans make your listening experience more pleasant, but the included dual jacks for the Legacy’s makes it so you if you DO decide to include a friend in listening to your favorite track, they’ll have to bring their own buds to the party. Available in Liquid Chrome and Matte Phantom Black.

Price: $299

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Gear Diary's Must-Have Back to School Gift Guide

PureGear’s PureTek Roll On Flexible Glass Screen Shield: After buying your student that new phone so they can reach you when you’re not around, I’m sure the last thing you thought about was the insurance on the phone. And if you did, most insurances don’t cover the screen. Why not cut out the middle man and get yourself a flexible, shatter-safe .24mm thick glass screen shield that’s not only going to protect your device, but it’s a breeze to put on so you won’t end up with those annoying bubbles. Available for most major devices like the iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy’s, this is something you’ll need as a smartphone or tablet user.

 

Gear Diary's Must-Have Back to School Gift Guide

Native Union CLIC 360: After you’ve put a screen protector on your phone, the fact remains that your phone will need a bit more swag to it. The Native Union CLIC 360 is a durable yet stylish case wrapped in fabric that will not only make your phone slim and sophisticated, but it will still be protected. Available in five gorgeous colors, it is available for the iPhone 6 & 6 Plus.

Price: $39.99

Gear Diary's Must-Have Back to School Gift Guide

Native Union: BELT Cable: As a student, you don’t just have to be organized in the classroom. Now you can tidy up your cables a little bit with the Belt cable. The BELT is a cable that is secured with an integrated leather belt to keep it not only tangle free, but will allow you to tuck it away in your bag without it being tangled in everything else when you reach to go get it. Available in Lightning as well as Micro-USB

Price: $24.99

Gear Diary's Must-Have Back to School Gift Guide

Native Union: JUMP Cable: While you’re in class, you might just need a little bit more juice to get yourself through the end of the day, and you there aren’t many teachers that will just let you plug up your phone at an outlet. The JUMP cable is actually the world’s first 2-in-1 cable that is not only a cable for your device, but one that will charge it as well. And when you get home, the JUMP uses auto-charge technology so when you plug it into an outlet to finally charge your phone, It will also charge itself.

Price: $49.99

Gear Diary's Must-Have Back to School Gift Guide

Native Union: KEY Cable: There’s nothing worse than not having your phone cable when you need it. We’ve all been there. The KEY cable by native Union is an MFi certified Lightning connector for iOS devices, with an option for micro-USB. Available in red, zebra, or marine Blue, the Key cable sits on your keychain and is always ready to use when you need it. Made from nylon and hard-wearing TPE, the cable is small enough to fit in most pockets, and its round center makes your keys easily to point out.

Price: $29.99

Gear Diary's Must-Have Back to School Gift Guide

PureGear Selfie Stick: Yes, selfie sticks are still a thing, and why not make sure you get all of those shots of you and your friends on the first day of school with one? The foldable monopod will easily fit in your backpack, and extends up to almost three feet. Not only that, you can tilt the phone up to 270 degrees so you can even get panoramic shots if you need to. If your device is up to 3.3 inches wide, you’ll be happy to know that your smartphone fits.

Price: $29.99

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About the Author

Greg Alston
Diehard Apple fanboy, and lover of all things tech. Born and raised in Washington, DC, Greg enjoys spending time with his wife, family, and friends, live sporting events, good bourbon, Tetris, and pizza. In that order.