School has been back in session for some time. But after the Christmas break, kids will be preparing for the grind of the back half of the year. Equip them with the tools they need to get their work done effectively. And some gear so they can enjoy downtime after the bell rings and the homework is completed.
This gift guide was originally published on November 13, 2025 and updated on December 7, 2025 to feature new gift suggestions.
Top Picks (sponsored & Editor’s Picks)
1. Kanto REN Active Speaker
At $699 a pair through Gemsen, the Kanto REN active speakers would fit nicely on a student’s desk in their room or dorm. With HDMI ARC, you can connect it to a TV to use them as your home theatre speakers as well. It has two sound modes, including one to boost vocals and another to reduce low frequencies for listening at night.
With Bluetooth 5.3, you can connect the 200W active speaker to Bluetooth sources along with USB-C. Connect a sub and the low pass filter sends any audio below 80Hz to the sub while a high-pass filter sends anything above 80Hz to the speakers. This allows the REN’s built-in amplifier to focus on the midrange and highs.
In his review, John Thomson finds the REN to be similar in weight and form to the Kanto YU6 but with a more modern and sophisticated cabinet design. His review sample was in a lovely matte orange (it also comes in black, white, blue, and gray). He finds sound livelier than the YU6 with better processing power and the addition of HDMI ARC.
Want something more affordable? The Kanto UKI, which should arrive in time for Christmas and comes in black, white, cobalt, and sage, is just US$199 per pair. The adorably cute clamshell-designed compact bookshelf speaker comes with Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C, and RCA. There’s also a headphone jack for private listening, something students in a dorm or who share a room with siblings will appreciate. Buy the Kanto REN.
2. Austere V Series II Wall Charger 4-Outlet
Students have a lot of gadgets they need to plug in and keep powered up or recharge. A laptop or a Chromebook. Headphones. A phone. Smartwatch. Portable Bluetooth speaker. Handheld gaming device. The list goes on. You can find a cheap, no-name wall charger from Amazon or get them a quality one that is built to last.
I have been using an Austere power surge protector in my living room for years, powering up everything from my laptop to my Apple Watch charger, smartphone, smart rings, and of course the dozens of devices I have on hand at any given moment for review. What I love about it is not just the heft and quality but also the attention to design. This translates to the smaller Austere V Series II Wall Charger, too. First is the extra spacing between the two AC power outlets to accommodate items like my laptop charging brick, which takes up more room than a standard two-pronged plug at the end of a cable. There’s also the finish, complete with an LED. Most important, it’s rated to last up to five times longer than other power products. It has fire and power spike safety and flameless MOV protection and overcurrent protection so devices won’t short-circuit.
Available through Erikson Consumer for $180, this model plugs flush into a wall outlet for a neat and tidy set-up. It comes with two AC outlets, one USB-C PC 20W port, one USB-C, and one USB-A. All they’ll need is extra cables (because of course they lost the ones they had or left them at their friend’s house or school) and they’re good to go.
Other Gift Ideas
Lego Stranger Things: The Creel House Set
If you know a student who loves Lego, no matter how old, and could use a break from screen time and a quiet, de-stressing activity, the new Lego Stranger Things: The Creel House set, developed in partnership with Netflix, is the perfect gift. Why? The second part of the series’ three-part season finale releases on Christmas Day and the finale on December 31. The catch, however, is that the set won’t go on sale until New Year’s Day, but if you’re shopping for Boxing Day, it’s worth the wait. The set has 2,593 pieces and it’s a tribute to the childhood home of Vecna, otherwise known as Henry Creel. Once constructed, it measures over 11.5 inches high, 20 inches wide, and seven inches deep. The open-back design is the first-ever transforming Lego house, and it reveals seven furnished rooms, including Alice and Henry’s bedrooms, the haunted upstairs hallway, and Vecna’s Mind Lair. Of course, it also has the infamous grandfather clock that holds significance on the show. Also included are iconic vehicles like Steve’s car, the WSQK radio station van, and Will’s bike. Fans will spot details like Max’s cassette tape and Henry’s mind flayer sketch. The minifigure lineup includes Eleven, Will, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Holly, Steve, Nancy, Robin, Jonathan, Max, Mr. Whatsit, and Vecna. It will sell in Canada for $400.
Victrola Journey Glow Record Player
The Victrola Journey Glow is a suitable entry-level turntable for students, perfect for the dorm for listening to vintage records they grab at the local shop in town. It comes in a suitcase design with Bluetooth as well for using it as a Bluetooth speaker. With Vinylstream, you can also play audio from your spinning vinyl through external wireless speakers or even headphones when the roommate needs quiet time to study. The customizable glowing lights on the front are great for party time or to create soothing ambiance while they’re deep into finalizing a report. At under $150, it’s a steal. Don’t forget to grab them a few records to get a collection started. Buy the Victrola Journey Glow.
Satechi OntheGo USB-C Multiport Adapter
The Satechi OntheGo Ultra-Portable USB-C 7-in-1 multiport adapter is a pocket-sized connectivity hub with seven ports, including HDMI, two USB-A (5Gpbs), SD, and microSD card readers (supports up to 104MB/s and 2TB), Gigabit Ethernet, and USB-C PD with up to 10W pass-through charging. There’s also a magnetic attachment for clutter-free setups. Engineered for seamless performance with the iPhone 15/16/17 Pro series, the magnetic base snaps directly to MagSafe-compatible iPhones. The included 3M Adhesive Ring adds compatibility for tablets, laptops, gaming consoles, and non-MagSafe smartphones or cases. A coiled, tangle-free braided USB-C cable crafted from premium materials neatly wraps around the hub. Use it to pair peripherals, transfer files, deliver presentations, and maintain wired internet. The adapter is compatible with most USB-C devices, including Macs, iPads, iPhones, Windows PCs, Android devices, and ChromeOS. Get it for US$60. Buy the Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 multiport adapter
Google Pixel 10 Smartphone
The entry model in the new Google Pixel phone line is the Pixel 10, and it’s more than enough phone for a high school, college, or university student. They’ll enjoy access to Gemini when they need assistance, whether it’s for research (make sure they still check sources) or setting reminders and calendar items. It’s powerful enough to handle downtime video and music streaming and gaming, too, with the new G5 chip and 12GB RAM. You get a durable design with a 6.3-inch Actua display, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and IP68 rating. With up to 30 hours of battery life per charge and up to 100 hours with Extreme Battery Saver mode, plus fast charging, it will keep up with their busy school days. It starts at $1,099. Read my review of the Pixel 10 Pro model, which will cost a bit extra if you think they need the additional upgrades. Buy the Google Pixel 10.
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Smartphone
For students who prefer the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, there’s the Galaxy S25 FE, the company’s latest “Fan Edition” phone, which prioritizes features that are most desired by the brand’s young fans. This includes improved photography with the 50MP triple camera system, and social sharing through flagship AI tools like Photo Assist. You also get access to Live Translate. Equipped with a 6.7” FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, it’s powered by an Exynos 2400 processor and decent 8GB RAM. It has a 4,900 mAh battery and supports 45W Super-Fast Charging. You can also use this phone with wireless DeX, great for both office workers and students. Available in Jetblack, Navy, Icyblue, or White, it starts at $920. If you don’t mind a smaller screen, you might be better off spending a few hundred dollars more for the entry Galaxy S25 device that has all-around better specs. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE.
Rocketbook Flex Planner
I’ve been using the Rocketbook Pro for years now to take notes and jot down ideas and haven’t touched the pile of lined paper notebooks I have gathering dust in my home office since. The new Rocketbook Flex Planner includes reusable pages like that one but it’s designed to function as a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual planner. Plan with flexible templates and use it alongside the Rocketbook app to write, digitize, organize, and wipe clean to restart once done. Smart Title Bars & Tags provide seamless organization within the Rocketbook app. There are seven Daily Dashboard Pages that include sections for goals, tasks, priorities, events, and notes and two Weekly Planner Templates with a block for each day, plus notes. Find 12 Monthly Calendar Templates including a standard undated calendar grid, QuickTracking Key to seamlessly keep track of recurring events, plus goals and notes areas. There’s also a Year Overview Template with a content area for each month to record important events and goals. Also find seven Lined Pages and four Dot Grid Pages. Basically, this will be a student’s paper back-up to their digital calendars. It’s available for US$43 for the executive size and US$45 for the letter size, which includes a durable cover, 48 reusable pages, Pilot FriXion pen, and microfibre cloth. Read my review of the Rocketbook Pro.
UGreen MagFlow Magnetic Power Bank 10000mAh 25W
The UGreenMagFlow Magnetic Power Bank 10000mAh 25W is a compact portable charger that delivers a full 25W wireless charge, enough to bring an iPhone 16 Pro Max to 50% in around 30 minutes. It supports 30W two-way PD fast charging via a built-in USB-C cable, which doubles as a carry strap for added convenience. It can charge three devices simultaneously and includes a real-time battery display, UGreen’s Thermal Guard temperature control, and 13 layers of safety protection. With a secure magnetic array delivering 9N of holding force, it ensures stable charging even during use, making it ideal for commuting and long days at school. Buy the new Qi2 version of the UGreen MagFlow power bank.
Epson EcoTank ET-3950 All-in-One Printer
Save money in the long run on ink cartridges by spending more upfront for the Epson EcoTank ET-3950, which uses refillable ink and comes with a three-year supply in the box. This means your student’s printing needs can be fulfilled through an entire high school or university run with light usage. Or if you use it at home, everyone in the family can enjoy it. When you do need to replace cartridges, it’s simple to refill the ink using the dedicated ink tanks and uniquely keyed EcoFit bottles. Powered by PrecisionCore Heat-free technology, it features unique permanent printheads engineered to last the life of the printer. You get fast 18 black/9 colour ISO pages-per-minute (ppm) print speeds with zero warmup time, an Auto Document Feeder, a high-capacity 250-sheet paper tray, auto duplex printing and scanning, and a 2.4″ colour display for easy navigation. Students will love the built-in USB and Apple AirPrint connectivity, and qualification under the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Agile Multiband standard that assures a seamless wireless experience. With the user-friendly Epson Smart Panel app, print, scan, and more directly from a connected mobile device. Available in white, it sells for US$420. Check out my review of the ET-4850, which I reviewed last year and named among my favourite tech products of 2024.
Roku Select Series TV
Perfect as an affordable smart TV for a dorm or student’s bedroom, the Roku Select Series is the brand’s first-ever self-manufactured and fully branded TV for the Canadian market. It boasts QLED 4K technology along with, of course, the fan favourite Roku TV interface, affording access to all your favourite streaming services as well as the free The Roku Channel. The latter offers tons of exclusive content through its 200+ live channels, including news, weather, and sports along with original content. Use the included remote or the Roku app to control them. There’s also Bluetooth Headphone support so you can enjoy private listening, perfect for a dorm or late-night viewing. You can get a 32-inch model for as little as $200 while the larger 50-inch model is just $420 and other models as big as 75 inches if you’re so inclined for a bigger home.
OnePlus Pad 3 Tablet
If you’re looking for a tablet to double as a productivity device while in college class, a dorm, coffee shop, or even at home, and one that will last for a ridiculously long time, the OnePlus Pad 3 is the answer. It’s ultra-thin and when combined with accessories like the Smart Keyboard or Stylo 2, it becomes an essential student’s tool. But what really struck me through my review was how long the battery lasts. It lasts for up to 17 hours of video playbacks but can stay in standby mode for up to 70 days, holding a charge for more than two years if it’s turned off. It supports fast charging, too, and even comes with an 80W SUPERVOOC charger in the box. With a large 13.2-inch screen with a 144Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, OxygenOS 15, 12GB RAM, and 256GB storage, it’s a useful tool for students of all ages. Plus, they’ll love playing games and watching videos during downtime (my son grabs it all the time to do just that!) The tablet starts at $1,000 while the OnePlus Pad 3 Smart Keyboard is $250 and the OnePlus Stylo 2 is $150. If you want to go all out, also grab the OnePlus Pad 3 Folio Case for $65. Read my review. Buy the OnePlus Pad 3.
PNY Duo Link V3 USB-C Flash Drives
Digital back-ups mean the old “my dog ate my homework” excuse doesn’t work anymore. But they can also save students a lot of headache when there is legitimately a computer crash or mishap and they lose work. They can save working files to the cloud or a hard drive, but flash drives are not a bad idea either. They can also serve as a place to offload old research, documents, and reports they might want to call up again but not necessarily need on their local hard drive nor taking up valuable cloud storage space. The PNY Duo Link V3 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C and Type-A flash drives feature ultra-fast read and write speeds and premium design. They come in metal housings with a matte black swivel design. Enjoy up to 1,000MB/s read and up to 800MB/s write speeds, which PNY points out is 265 times faster than standard USB 2.0 flash drives. With these speeds, you can transfer many and/or large files quickly and efficiently. With storage capacities of up to 2TB, the drives can store all types of files, including professional graphics content and gaming files as well as high-res photos, 4K videos, music, business assets, and more. A key loop is perfect for securing it to your keys, backpack, or bag, while it has a swivel design that houses both Type-A and Type-C connectors. They range from US$35 for the 256GB drive up to US$160 for 2TB. Buy the PNY Duo Link V3.
TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G Android Smartphone
For a student who wants something a little different, the TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G Android smartphone features TCL’s NXTPAPER technology and the NXTPAPER Key, which allows you to activate Max Ink Mode and turn the display into an e-reader format designed to reduce blue light and enhance eye comfort. It has a 6.8-inch FHD+ display with 120Hz refresh rate and offers smooth and fluid scrolling, browsing, gaming, viewing, and switching among apps while also reducing impact on the eyes. That’s thanks to the integration of advanced NXTPAPER technology, which is designed to reduce harmful blue light and glare. The highly adaptive screen automatically adjusts the brightness and colour temperature to match the environment, making it viewable both indoors and out. The phone integrates AI into the most popular apps. The Text Assistant facilitates translation, summarization, and rewriting. Craft new messages, summaries, and invitations with the Writing Assistant and use Voice Memo to record and transcribe conversations, meetings, and seminars. It’s an affordable option at just $325.
RecoIx Tap AI Voice Recorder
Looking for something totally unique? Bring voice recording into the future with the RecoIx Tap AI Voice Recorder, an AI-powered voice recorder that transcribes, summarizes, and generates mind maps to help students simplify monotonous tasks. Powered by GOT-4o, it converts speech to text in more than 110 languages, generating summaries, note, and even to-do lists. Students can even turn recordings into visual mind maps for easier studying. Use “Ask AI” to surface key insights, clarify ideas, or create study and project overviews. The slim unit is made from aluminum and has 64GB storage. It can run for up to 30 hours per charge, with data protected by local encryption. There’s also optional cloud syncing so you can keep all your archived files when needed for additional research. Manage everything using the Recolx app and web portal. It comes with 300 free AI minutes per month and three additional months of an upgraded membership for 1,200 minutes to get them through the post-holiday exam grind. It sells for US$130, on sale at the time of this writing for US$70.
Mobvoi TicNote Agentic AI Recorder
The pocket recorder has evolved leaps and bounds. The TicNote Agentic AI Recorder helps you turn spoken ideas into publishable content. It uses intelligent recording, real-time transcription, translation, summarization, idea and content generation, to turn lectures and discussions into creative output. Using an integrated AI assistant called Shadow Agent, it helps students move from ideas to structured narratives, podcasts, and reports. Of course, it should only be used to assist and not replace work. But a student can record a lecture and use the recorder to produce a summary for example, or they can research reports to share. Record interviews and brainstorming sessions as well to produce outlines, editorial drafts, even complete podcasts. As a recorder, it has a three-mic air-conduction array for room capture with a Vibration Conduction Sensor (VCS) for two-sided phone call recordings, without the need for a speakerphone. Embed visual notes from whiteboards and slides directly into transcripts. Shadow Agent works by recognizing “A-ha moments,” like angles, title, and quotable lines, to help inspire creative ideas and extract key insights. It also supports Voiceprint Search for locating conversations by speaker or keyword. It sells for US$160 and could become the most valuable tool in a college or university student’s toolbox. Buy the TicNote Agentic AI Recorder.