• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar

For the Smart Home

Smart Home Automation Guides, Features and Reviews

  • Kitchen
  • Living Room
  • Bedroom
  • Bathroom
  • Outdoors
  • Entry Hall
  • Lighting
  • Security
  • Home Environment

The Best Back to School Smart Devices for Work and Play

The Best Back to School Smart Tech - Amazon Echo Dot

Whether you’re just starting out in your freshman year or are a seasoned veteran, when it comes to getting ready to go back to college or university, knowing what to pack and bring can be kind of a big deal.

While technology is by no means new on the checklist of what you’ll need to bring, the growth of connected devices and IoT has transformed the landscape surrounding the role technology can now play in making both life and studies more productive, less stressful, and ultimately, more useful.

Are you looking to put together the best smart devices for your dorm or college apartment? If so you’ve come to the right place.

Our guide to the best back to school smart tech devices will help you get to grips with the latest gear for helping you work and play smarter than ever.

“Alexa, what is the square root of…”

If you want to work smarter, not harder, then the absolutely essential thing to set up in your dorm room is a voice-activated smart virtual assistant.

Depending on your budget, there are a couple of choices that fit the bill here.

In our opinion though, if you’re looking for an affordable option that gets it all done out of the box, then consider the amazing Echo Dot from Amazon, a compact voice recognition controller that packs an incredible punch into its tiny frame.

Off the bat, Alexa (the inbuilt AI brain behind the curtain) is able to answer almost any question you throw her way, as well as providing voice-activated control over any number of connected smart devices synced up over your wireless network such as smart lighting, speaker systems, and heating controllers.

While these features are absolutely worth the cost alone, Alexa can also be tied to your Amazon Prime account to allow you to effortlessly place that resupply order when you’re running low on.. well, anything.

There are also a whole load of ‘skills’ that you can enable on your device, which once ‘learned’ be Alexa, allow you to do anything from getting sports and weather updates, to ordering pizza.

The Echo Dot can be paired up with a Bluetooth speaker (like the Bose SoundLink II below) for high-quality music and audio output, but if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution that covers both bases, consider upgrading to the Amazon Echo which offers exactly the same functionality as the Dot, while also including a high quality, 360 degree omni-directional speaker.

Back to School Tech - Echo Dot Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II

Alternatively, the most recent addition to the Alexa family comes in the form of the Amazon Show which introduces a screen and camera to the classic voice control configuration found in the other variants. The major advantage here is the ability to see what the other devices only allowed you to hear, providing the opportunity to make video calls, view results of search on-screen and watch video clips.

Whichever variation of the Alexa range you settle on, regular updates of the system by Amazon mean that you can be sure you’ll continually be getting more done with your virtual assistant at your side.

Find out more about the Echo, Dot and Show in our Ultimate Guide to Amazon Echo and Alexa

 

Intelligent Illumination

Whether you’re writing that all-night paper to hit your deadline, are entertaining friends for the evening, or are just kicking back after a tough day on campus, the lighting in your room can make all the difference.

With the advent of the smart bulb, gone are the days of needing to rely on that single, one-size-fits-all generic bulb or barely adequate desk lamp to do the job and hoping for the best.

Investing in a dedicated smart bulb or two can quite literally transform the way you think about light and can make everything from adjusting the brightness of your lighting to changing the color to set the mood, a piece of cake.

Smart lighting solutions such as the Philips Hue system, the TP-Link Smart LED (pictured) or the LIFX smart bulbs are game-changers when it comes to having effortless (and total) control over the light in your dorm or apartment.

Back to School Tech TP Link Smart LED Bulb

Providing the ability to control the intensity of your lighting is a breeze with most modern smart bulbs with input from either a dedicated companion app on your phone, or even better, utilizing a voice control device to get it done hands-free (incredibly useful if you’re in the zone and need minimal distractions to your workflow).

Using both built-in scheduling functionality and through the integration of services such as IFTTT, smart lights allow you to take the intelligence of your connected bulbs a step further, allowing you to automate the lighting in your space via programs and external triggers.

Lecture at 8:00 am ? Lights automatically on at 7:00 am.

Raining outside? Lights change color.

Whatever your goals and requirements for lighting at school, an investment in a smart light bulb or two is definitely one to make before semester kicks off.

Learn more about connected bulbs in our Guide to the Best Smart Lights and Smart Lighting Solutions

 

Protect your stuff

Automated security systems used to be the sole preserve of homeowners, leaving few options for students or renters, but the growth in smart and connected security devices, in tandem with falling prices has opened the market up to everyone.

There are a couple of ways to protect your possessions when you’re not around, but by far one of the best for keeping a watchful eye on your stuff is a connected smart camera.

Devices such as the Nest Cam Indoor camera are both discrete and modern solutions for securing your room and can be set up quickly with minimal disruption to whatever else you’ve got going on in your living space.

Back to School Tech Nest Cam Indoor Smart Security

The best smart security cameras are able to automatically detect motion and sound, offer 24/7 live streaming, night vision recording and provide live updates directly to your phone so you’re able to monitor any developments in real time, as and when they happen, wherever you are.

Devices such as the Nest Indoor Camera also offer 2-way audio functionality so if your buddy decides to come in and borrow your Xbox controller while you’re heading off to class, you can intervene ahead of time!

If you’re starting school and want to rest easy when it comes to thinking (or not thinking) about the things you leave behind when you’re out and about, then a smart security camera can offer invaluable peace of mind that what’s yours, stays yours when you’re not around.

Be More Productive

Clock watching is never a good thing. That is of course unless we’re talking about smart watches, at which point it can be awesome.

The latest and greatest connected watches allow you to handle everything from scheduling and messaging through to device control and helping you keep in shape, all from the convenience of your wrist.

best back to school smart devices smartwatch

Wearable tech has come a long way in a short space of time and the evolution of the modern smartwatch is no exception to this trend. With many of the best smartwatches now almost indistinguishable from their less intelligent counterparts, it’s possible to achieve the perfect combination of form, function, and affordability.

Learn more about the Best Smartwatches for Women here

Further Reading

  • Smart Office Devices to Power up your ProductivitySmart Office Devices to Power up your Productivity
  • The Best Smart Air Conditioner Systems – Connected Summer Cooling Made SimpleThe Best Smart Air Conditioner Systems – Connected Summer Cooling Made Simple
  • The Best Smart Home Camera Systems and Smart Security CamerasThe Best Smart Home Camera Systems and Smart Security Cameras
  • The Ultimate Guide to the Best Smart Plug, Smart Power Socket, and Smart Outlet Devices for 2021The Ultimate Guide to the Best Smart Plug, Smart Power Socket, and Smart Outlet Devices for 2021

Filed Under: Home Office, Productivity Tagged With: college, Home Office, school

For The Smart Home (forthesmarthome.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites. Our site will occasionally contain (paid) links to, and quotation of, material from other sites.

Primary Sidebar

RECENT POSTS

Best Smart Home Devices

The Best Smart Home Devices for 2021: The Best Smart Devices to Build the Ultimate Connected Smart Home

The Best Smart Speakers for 2020 – The Definitive Voice Controller and Smart Speaker Guide for an Intelligent Audio Experience

How to Delete Your Amazon Alexa Voice Recordings History

The Best Sonos Speakers – Your Guide to the Best Sonos Devices for Awesome Audio

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Smart Home Buyers Guides

SEARCH BY ROOM OR CATEGORY

  • Audio
  • Bathroom
  • Bedroom
  • Buyer's Guides
  • Cleaning
  • Dining Room
  • Entry Hall
  • Feature
  • Garage
  • Health and Fitness
  • Heating and Energy
  • Home Automation
  • Home Control
  • Home Entertainment
  • Home Environment
  • Home Gym
  • Home Office
  • Kids
  • Kitchen
  • Lighting
  • Living Room
  • Man Cave
  • Outdoors
  • Pets
  • Power and Utilities
  • Privacy
  • Productivity
  • Reviews
  • Security
  • Sensors
  • Smart Health
  • Smart Locks
  • Smart Outlets
  • Smart Thermostats
  • Smart Travel
  • Utility Room
  • Video Surveillance
  • Visual
  • Voice Assistants
  • Wearables
  • Wireless Speakers

POPULAR POSTS

best-smartwatches-for-men-men's-smartwatch-guide

The Best Smartwatches for Men – Men’s Smart Watch Guide

Link AKC Smart Collar Pet Wearable

The Best Smart Pet Trackers, Activity Monitors and GPS Collars

Nest Smart Home Devices Guide

Nest Smart Home Devices – The Ultimate Guide to the Best of Nest

best robot lawnmower

How to Choose the Best Robot Lawn Mower – Top Robot Lawn Mower Choices For 2021

From home automation to the Internet of Things, For the Smart Home is your number one guide to connected devices and smart home technology covering the latest information on everything from smart thermostats and lighting to building a voice controlled, automated home.

For the Smart Home (forthesmarthome.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases.


Copyright © 2023 · Back To Top · About · Affiliate Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Partners · Sitemap

We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By pressing ‘Accept’ you agree to our use of cookies. Please see our privacy policy for more information. Settings Reject OK
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
CookieDurationDescription
na_id1 year 1 monthThe na_id is set by AddThis to enable sharing of links on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
na_rn1 monthThe na_rn cookie is used to recognize the visitor upon re-entry. It allows to record details on user behaviour and facilitate the social sharing function provided by Addthis.com.
na_sc_e1 monthThe na_sc_e cookie is used to recognize the visitor upon re-entry. It allows to record details on user behaviour and facilitate the social sharing function provided by Addthis.com.
na_sr1 monthThe na_sr cookie is used to recognize the visitor upon re-entry. It allows to record details on user behaviour and facilitate the social sharing function provided by Addthis.com.
na_srp1 minuteThe na_srp cookie is used to recognize the visitor upon re-entry. It allows to record details on user behaviour and facilitate the social sharing function provided by Addthis.com.
na_tc1 year 1 monthThe na_tc cookie is used to recognize the visitor upon re-entry. It allows to record details on user behaviour and facilitate the social sharing function provided by Addthis.com.
ouid1 year 1 monthAssociated with the AddThis widget, this cookie helps users to share content across various networking and sharing forums.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
CookieDurationDescription
d3 monthsQuantserve sets this cookie to anonymously track information on how visitors use the website.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
CookieDurationDescription
__gads1 year 24 daysThe __gads cookie, set by Google, is stored under DoubleClick domain and tracks the number of times users see an advert, measures the success of the campaign and calculates its revenue. This cookie can only be read from the domain they are set on and will not track any data while browsing through other sites.
_ga2 yearsThe _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors.
_gat_gtag_UA_78889931_11 minuteSet by Google to distinguish users.
_gid1 dayInstalled by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously.
uid1 year 1 monthThis is a Google UserID cookie that tracks users across various website segments.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
CookieDurationDescription
anj3 monthsAppNexus sets the anj cookie that contains data stating whether a cookie ID is synced with partners.
CMID1 yearCasale Media sets this cookie to collect information on user behavior, for targeted advertising.
CMPRO3 monthsCMPRO cookie is set by CasaleMedia for anonymous user tracking, and for targeted advertising.
CMPS3 monthsCMPS cookie is set by CasaleMedia for anonymous user tracking based on user's website visits, for displaying targeted ads.
CMRUM31 yearCMRUM3 cookie is set by CasaleMedia for anonymous user tracking based on user's website visits, for displaying targeted ads.
CMST1 dayCasale Media sets this cookie to collect information on user behavior, for targeted advertising.
DSID1 hourThis cookie is set by DoubleClick to note the user's specific user identity. It contains a hashed/encrypted unique ID.
IDE1 year 24 daysGoogle DoubleClick IDE cookies are used to store information about how the user uses the website to present them with relevant ads and according to the user profile.
KADUSERCOOKIE3 monthsThe cookie, set by PubMatic, registers a unique ID that identifies a returning user's device across websites that use the same ad network. The ID is used for targeted ads.
KTPCACOOKIE1 dayThe cookie, set by PubMatic, registers a unique ID that identifies a returning user's device across websites that use the same ad network. The ID is used for targeted ads.
mc1 year 1 monthQuantserve sets the mc cookie to anonymously track user behaviour on the website.
test_cookie15 minutesThe test_cookie is set by doubleclick.net and is used to determine if the user's browser supports cookies.
uuid23 monthsThe uuid2 cookie is set by AppNexus and records information that helps in differentiating between devices and browsers. This information is used to pick out ads delivered by the platform and assess the ad performance and its attribute payment.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
CookieDurationDescription
GoogleAdServingTestsessionNo description
SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by CookieYes Logo