CNET Survey: 78% of US Shoppers Are Stressing Out Over Back-to-School Tech Purchases
Back to school purchases are underway, and the list of supplies is not like I was a child.
More schools and colleges rely on technology for educational purposes, and some of these costs could come across American buyers. Big ticket purchases, such as laptops And tabletsMaybe pressure on your finances, especially when juggling other articles at the start of the school year and daily expenses.
The new CNET survey of the start of the school year dives insofar as American buyers are concerned with technology purchases before the school year. One point is clear: 78% of buyers at the start of the school year are worried to provide technological purchases.
Between tight budgets, the potential Price price And the possibility of shortages, the purchase of a new laptop or tablet can be stressful, to say the least. Here are the results of the survey and what CNET technology experts recommend when buying supplies at the start of the school year.
💰 The average American buyer will spend $ 328.68 for school rear purchases. It was significantly less than CNET in 2024 of CNET, which revealed that the average amount of expenses was $ 662.
💻 Almost half (46%) are concerned with the rise in prices and prices having an impact on technological purchases returning to school. Among these concerns, American buyers are also worried about finding quality products at an affordable price (50%), millennials being the most concerned.
📚 28% of American buyers plan or have already made rear purchases at school. With most schools still on summer break and tax-deductible weekends, 2% more of us, buyers, don’t wait. They have already started or finished their supply list.
The rear shopping at school weighs on finances
The average American buyer will spend $ 328.68 for purchases at the start of the school year. Even if it is less than last year, it can still be much to cover with stricter budgets and higher prices on certain supplies compared to last year.
Almost 1 in 3 fears to provide technology purchases
Offering technological purchases is one of us, the most worrying of buyers of this season at the start of the school year.
This could be for several reasons, including stricter budgets and higher prices than expected on technological gadgets. Josh Goldman, editor -in -chief and laptop criticism at CNET, recommends comparison purchases by starting with the daily price, then looking for sales in your favorite stores and manufacturers. Especially if you are looking for a computer.
“HP, Dell, Lenovo and others often have the best offers and also offer discounts for students. You may also want to call them, say your situation and see what is possible,” said Goldman.
Goldman and other CNET experts also recommend buying used technologies from renowned places. Before buying, see if there is a rating system to help understand the condition of the device. And check all the return policies and guarantees in case you are not satisfied.
Finally, Goldman recommends checking with family and friends who can have aging devices that can save money on a new one. “Although it no longer meets his needs, it could be just enough for a student,” said Goldman. “In addition, if it’s a little too old even for your student, there is a chance that he can be exchanged for a upgrade on an upgrade.”
Almost 1 in 4 are also concerned with unexpected technology costs
Beyond the purchase of equipment, 23% of buyers are concerned with additional technology costs and subscription costs.
Some learning management systems are free or included in the course, while other applications and services with improved features can add up. For example, certain educational applications subscriptions, maintenance costs and even electronic books are necessary but costs.
To reduce this cost, some schools offer special codes or discounts to reduce the amount you will pay. I also recommend consulting online students forums for students in higher notes who have completed the course but who have always access and for all unused tenders.
1 in 5 are concerned about the management of expenses without credit or BNPL
CNET noted that 1 in 5 (20%) care to manage expenses when using credit or purchase now, pay later to afford technology. However, juggling expenses and debt can be detrimental to your finances and can lead to interest and costs if you are unable to pay the balance of the entire declaration in its entirety and in time.
If you need to rely on financing to cover the start -up costs, try to book any amount you can to finance less from your school supply list. You can also search for offers to pay less than the price of the sticker and save money, or keep some purchases yet.
If you have to make a big purchase of technology now, try to cut or keep other items returning to school yet. For example, keeping shopping for new clothes or reusing certain supplies from last year can help reduce costs yet.
Back to school buyers are concerned with technology purchases
It is over time to need pencils, pens and paper. More schools use technology for educational purposes. Now there is a need for laptops, tablets and headphones. And the price of these large ticket items is a concern for buyers. Here is a closer overview of the main concerns of buyers.
Widen the image
Almost half of buyers are concerned about prices and prices
What products will be affected by prices have been a hot topic for months now. Earlier this summer, CNET noted that 64% of buyers rush to buy technologies to dodge price peaks and shortages. This is a good concern since some technological companies, including Microsoft and Acer, have said that prices will increase technology prices.
According to figures, almost half of the buyers returning to school (46%) are concerned with the rise in prices and prices. We have not yet seen the impact due to the break in the reciprocal rate agreement, and the prices do not change the prices of the items in stock overnight.
But if more prices come into force, the price increases are probably at some point. Therefore, if you know that you will need a laptop for the next school year and worry about increasing costs, Goldman recommends buying a earlier than you can. On the other hand, if you can wait for vacation sales in the fall, you can always get a good deal depending on the impact of prices and the availability of American products, added Goldman.
Half of the buyers are worried to find affordable quality and technology
In addition to being able to afford technology, half of buyers are anxious to find quality technology at an affordable price. Buying the laptop or the least low tablet may not be worth it if you pay more in repairs. This is another reason why our experts recommend shopping for high -quality used technologies.
“Woot.com is a good place to find computers and reconditioned school technologies,” said James Bricknell, editor -in -chief of CNET. “You don’t always need a brand new technology for school, because the latest processor and graphics card are not really necessary for the average school class.”
Our publishers also recommend the Amazon Renewed Store, Apple Certified Repennused and Ebay Reformation as Trusted Retailers for Secondhand Tech.
Other ways to save on school return to school this year
Here are some other ways that CNET experts say you can save money on unavoidable technology this season at the start of the school year.
Buy offers and sales
Some states have Tax franchise weekends To help you save money by excluding tax on certain articles for a few days. Coupling this weekend with sales and offers can help save money on your shopping list.
Bricknell stressed that even if major sales events, such as Prime Day, are good times for getting tech offers before school start, you may be able to save money around Black Friday if you are able to wait later this year.
Priced
CNET experts always follow many technological offers to seek real savings according to their recommendations, but regardless of the sweetness of savings, the editor and IT expert in CNET, Matt Elliott, recommends being patient and monitoring prices.
“Be patient and follow the price of a product, then do what merchants do and” buy the decline “. Online retailers are constantly offering discounts, so it is advantageous to wait for a sale price to land on the product you are looking to buy,” said Elliott.
Elliott added that you will see the price fluctuating over a few weeks, so you will have an idea of buying quickly. Some websites and browser extensions can also help you follow prices – such as Keepa and Camelcamelcamel.
There may be other options if an essential technology is not part of your budget. Bricknell recommends checking the programs with your school to always get what you need at a cost fraction or for free, in certain circumstances. For example, some schools can lend laptops for a school year or a semester, but eligibility conditions can apply.
Trade in old devices
If you have an old technology that you no longer use, it may be worth money that you can use to buy a laptop or tablet you need now.
“Companies like Swappa can give you money for your old technology, but keep in mind that the more your technology is used, the less money you get,” said Bricknell.
Before selling your old devices, see several retailers to make sure you get the best offer before selling. How much you recover may depend on the condition of your device, age and demand.
Methodology
CNET instructed Yougov Plc to conduct the investigation. All figures, unless otherwise indicated, come from Yougov Plc. The total size of the sample was 2,601 adults, 689 of whom went or plan to make back back to school. The field work was undertaken from July 16 to 18, 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all American adults (aged 18 and over).
