WIRED's Reviews team has published its annual back-to-school buying guide, rounding up laptops, monitors, headphones and other gear aimed at students from middle school through college. The recommendations are based on extensive hands-on testing and are intended to help with practical tasks such as note-taking, homework and time management, alongside separate WIRED guides covering backpacks, planners and student discounts.

Highlights include Apple's MacBook Neo as the top overall laptop pick, praised for its display quality despite a recent $100 price rise and a $699 starting price (with a further $100 off for .edu email holders); the Asus Zenbook A14, a lightweight Windows alternative at 2.18 pounds with an OLED screen, priced around $899–$914; the Arzopa Z3FC portable monitor, a 16.1-inch 1440p screen with a 180Hz refresh rate for around $150–$170; and Sony's WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones, discounted to roughly $398, recommended for focused studying.

– MacBook Neo named best overall student laptop, from $699
– Asus Zenbook A14 highlighted as the lightest, best-value Windows option
– Arzopa Z3FC portable monitor recommended for dorms and studying on the go
– Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones featured for noise-cancelling study sessions