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Where to Shop Online for the Best Deals on Back-to-School Supplies [CNET]

Desiree DeNunzio

View Article on CNET

When you’re looking for school supplies, you’ll want to know the best places to go so you don’t have to shop at multiple places. While school supply prices rise you’ll also want to know where all the deals are. Long gone are the days of cheap binders and backpacks. 

Luckily, now we have the convenience and cost-saving benefits of shopping online for these items. From notebooks to pencils and budget laptops, you can buy pretty much any and every school supply imaginable online. While your student may miss out on running down the aisles to pick the perfect notebook, at least you can do price comparisons online and avoid driving all over because you can’t find the one backpack your child has to have. You can track it all down and buy it with the click of a button, from the comfort of your couch.

You may already be keeping tabs on school supplies on Amazon or Target.com, but there are plenty of other places to check out too. We’ve rounded up a list of the best places to shop for back-to-school supplies based on prices, availability and the range of items offered. Here are the best places to shop online so you can find everything your student needs to get them through the school year.

Read more: Sales Tax Holidays: 16 States Will Pause Sales Taxes for Back-to-School Shopping

Walmart

While you may have a Walmart near you that offers great deals, it’s one of those places that always seems to be out of what you need when you go — and that rings more true during the busy back-to-school season. We recommend shopping online at Walmart when stocking up on school supplies and you can get the rest of your shopping list checked off as well. It’s a win-win.

Staples

If you’re looking for back-to-school basics, Staples may just be the one-stop shop you need — and they may not be wiped out already if you’re shopping at the last minute. The office supply retailer has plenty of options for little and big kids and they often run great discounts on their school items.  

OOLY

Looking for extra fun art supplies for the school year ahead? The offerings at Michael’s are super fun and often more unique than what you may find at other back-to-school retailers. For example, Michael’s carries the art supply brand Ooly, which makes everything from Cat Parade gel crayons (shown here) to Confetti Stamp double-ended markers to pastel mechanical pencils. Michael’s carries back-to-school basics as well as storage options and crafts to do at home after school too. The retailer is a one-stop shop for all things creative — and their deals and coupons are often unparalleled. 

Old Navy

Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to end with pencils and backpacks, especially if your student wears uniforms to school. Old Navy has you covered in the affordable uniform department — and there’s a one-year guarantee on all uniforms, to boot. If your student’s uniform wears out, you can get a full refund within one year, with the original receipt. 

Old Navy is also ideal because the retailer has a full range of shoes and accessories, including backpacks. And there are plenty of stylish options if a general wardrobe refresh is in order — that goes for parents, too!

Crate & Kids

One of the great things about the Crate & Kids (Crate & Barrel) backpacks is that they come in three sizes, which means you can find the right fit for even the smallest students. This makes a big difference for kids who are lugging around their heavy school supplies all day. These backpacks can be personalized ($12 charge added) and have a designated inside compartment for a tablet and pockets outside for other essentials like snacks and a water bottle. You can also purchase a matching water bottle ($24.95) and lunch box ($32) to complete the look. 

Target

Target is a great place to stock up on back-to-school essentials for any grade — and it’s totally budget-friendly. Plus, you don’t have to buy everything in bulk, which can be a problem with some online retailers. (No one needs to buy six plastic pencil cases at once.) Keep in mind that you’ll need to spend at least $35 to qualify for Target’s free shipping, but we all know that’s not hard to do.

Amazon

If you already have a Prime membership, Amazon is a great way to save on school supplies. It also has a nice selection of supply kit bundles, which is helpful for those who aren’t sure exactly what they’ll need. If you don’t have a Prime membership, it’s worth it to sign up for Amazon’s free 30-day trial so you can at least get the free expedited shipping before school starts. Just be sure to cancel it if you don’t plan to continue paying for Prime.

EarthHero

The best way to be eco-friendly is to sort through your child’s school supplies from last year and see what can be reused. But if you absolutely must buy new supplies and you still want to be as green as possible, EarthHero is your best bet. All of its product vendors are vetted to meet high sustainability standards, and goods are shipped plastic-free.

Dormify

Dormify isn’t the best place to shop for notebooks and pens, but when it comes to dorm room decor and college essentials, it can’t be beaten. From storage bins to towels to twin XL sheets, you’ll find everything your student needs to survive dorm living this fall. Your student can design their own look for their room or you can choose from one of the many curated designs.

Pottery Barn Kids

If your kid needs a new lunch box or backpack, Pottery Barn Kids has the best selection we’ve found. The retailer offers an amazingly wide variety of designs, patterns and characters, so no matter your kid’s taste, you’re sure to find something they’ll like. Bonus: Monogramming is available (for a fee), so no more losing that lunch box in the cafeteria.

Best Buy

No matter your student’s age, chances are they’ll need some tech to get them through the school year. Whether they need a new laptop, noise-canceling headphones or a calculator, Best Buy has you covered. If you’re shopping for a laptop, be sure to check out our picks for the best laptop for college and the best laptop for high school students.

Papier

While a lot of schools have shifted to laptops or iPads, some teachers understandably still like students to use good old-fashioned paper instead of a screen from time to time. Papier has a gorgeous selection of notebooks and academic planners, and you can customize them with your student’s name — a thoughtful way to get them ready and excited for a new school year.

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