Best Back-to-School Tech of 2025: Expert Picks from Katie Linendoll
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Today, I went live coast-to-coast on a media tour to spotlight five game-changing tech products I partnered with for back-to-school. Forget the days of pencil boxes and TI-85 calculators—these picks show just how far we’ve come. From smart study tools to next-level gadgets, here are my top picks for the school year ahead.
ASUS Zenbook S 14 powered by Intel – BestBuy.com
The ASUS Zenbook S 14 is a blend of craftsmanship and cutting-edge performance. The powerhouse Intel chip inside makes it a super-fast AI laptop for multitasking. With AI built in, students can do everything from summarizing documents to building PowerPoint decks or creating images instantly. I also want to spotlight a few other features important for students—lightweight at under 3 lbs, all-day battery life, four fantastic speakers, and an AI webcam that makes every shot look great. Students can stay future-ready in style!
Rocketbook Core Reusable Notebook – Amazon.com, $38.99
It’s not just laptops—notebooks have leveled up too! Rocketbook has sold over 2 million digital notebooks, and their Rocketbook Core is one of the most popular, perfect for back-to-school. The Rocketbook Core comes in two size options with up to 36 reusable pages. Pair the notebook with the app to scan and upload your handwritten notes directly to the cloud, so you can access them anytime. You can even organize pages with Smart Titles and Smart Tags. With the special pen and paper, simply erase when you’re done and reuse the notebook over and over again.
JrTrack 5 Smartwatch from COSMO – cosmotogether.com
A smartwatch is a big ask from my nephews, and this is one I absolutely approve! The JrTrack 5 Smartwatch from COSMO is an all-in-one phone, watch, and GPS tracker so you can always stay in touch with your child. It features real-time location tracking, and everything is managed by an app on the parent’s phone. Plus, with Focus Mode, you can choose when and how to lock the watch to eliminate distractions during school or any other time. There’s no internet or social media access, and only parent-approved contacts can call or text. ($149.99 with four plan options—but you can grab it for 50% off right now during their back-to-school sale!)
Kara Pod – karawater.com, pre-order on Indiegogo for 50% off
If there are two essentials college kids need, it’s water and coffee. A CES Innovation Award Winner, Kara Pod sounds like science fiction—it’s an “air-to-water” countertop unit that produces a gallon of water daily. Its three-stage purification process and enhanced minerals save money on bottled water, and it also brews fresh coffee! Perfect for dorms and apartments.
SPARQ AI – buy.joinsparq.com, $99
For students making the commute back to campus, let’s talk safety! This gadget is perfect for any kids driving back to school—and gives parents peace of mind. I personally had a three-hour drive back to college, and I liked to come home as much as I could. You’ve got to stay safe and smart while on the road! SPARQ AI is a tiny device that plugs into the OBD reader of most cars. It can diagnose over 50,000 issues instantly—no complicated codes, just simple, easy-to-understand language. Pair it with the app to instantly learn what that check engine light means, or whether that weird sound under the hood is trouble. You can even find out how much repairs should cost and the best places to get service in your area. A must-have for keeping kids—and anyone—safe on the road.
About Katie Linendoll
Katie Linendoll is an Emmy Award-winning tech expert, live TV contributor, and global keynote speaker. She is known for making emerging technologies accessible and exciting, and has been featured on the TODAY Show, The Weather Channel, ESPN and more. Katie has partnered with leading global brands such as Amazon, Comcast, Mattel, Mercedes-Benz, 3M and others on select projects.