Back to School Sales 2026: Best Deals by Category

School supply lists are out and the back to school sales are in full swing. The tech events have already landed, the supply price wars are running, and the clothing markdowns are about to hit their lowest point of the year.

Families with K-12 students plan to spend an average of $863.86 this year, pushing the season to a record $43.3 billion, so timing is what separates a good haul from an expensive one. Laptops and tablets peaked in mid to late July, so if tech is on your list, shop it now. Pens, paper and backpacks bottom out in the first two weeks of August, and kids’ clothes drop hardest between August 4 and 18. Add a tax-free weekend on top and you save twice on the same cart. Below is every sale worth your money, sorted by category, plus a guide on what to grab today and what to leave until September.

Author Note from Irina Vasilescu (Senior Deal Analyst)

Back to school is the messiest shopping season of the year. It runs over two months, every store claims to be cheapest, and the sale on a $5 backpack isn't where your money actually goes. I cut this list down to the stores families really shop and the offers that change what you pay. The prices and dates below come from the retailers' own 2026 announcements and store pages, and I re-checked the big ones the week this went live, so what's here is what you can actually use today.

When Do the Back to School Sales Start in 2026?

Supplies hit shelves around July 1 and the deals run through Labor Day weekend, but prices don’t move evenly across the season. Here’s how the 2026 calendar breaks down:

• Mid to late July: Tech week. Apple’s education offer, Best Buy’s Student Deals event, Samsung, Dell, HP and Lenovo all peaked here. If you need a laptop or tablet, this is the window.
• Last week of July: Dorm and college. Target’s college event, IKEA’s college sale and Amazon’s Off to College shop are all live, and bulk dorm buys make sense now.
• August 3 to 10: The strongest week of the year for core supplies: paper, pens, folders and binders, when the loss-leader pricing gets aggressive.
• August 4 to 18: Kids’ and teen clothing hits its lowest prices at Old Navy, Gap, Target and Kohl’s.
• Late August into Labor Day: Clearance. Selection thins out fast, but what’s left gets cheap, and it’s the right moment to stock up for next year.

One thing to factor in on tech: laptop prices are expected to climb in the second half of 2026 as memory and storage costs rise, with Dell, HP and Lenovo all signaling increases. Waiting for a better price in October is a gamble this year.

Back to School Laptop and Tech Deals 2026

Electronics take the biggest share of most back to school budgets, and they’re also where student verification pays off most. Nearly every brand below stacks an education discount on top of the sale price, so verify first, then shop.

• Apple: The 2026 Back to School offer runs July 16 through August 27 and gives you a $150 gift card with a new MacBook Pro, or $100 with a MacBook Air, iPad Pro or iPad Air. Stack it with year-round education pricing (up to $200 off Macs, $100 off iPads) and up to 10% off AppleCare+. Two changes this year: the free AirPods are gone, and UNiDAYS verification is now required. See more Apple deals.
• Best Buy: The Back to School sale takes up to $730 off Copilot+ PCs and gaming laptops, with entry-level machines from $329.99. Standouts include the Acer Swift Go 16 at $699.99 from $1,000, the HP OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1 at $650 from $1,300, the ASUS Zenbook A14 at $700 from $1,000 and the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Pro 16-inch at $1,700 from $2,200. The Student Hub adds extra offers once you verify with a .edu address, and My Best Buy membership is free and includes free shipping. See more Best Buy coupons.
• HP: The education store runs up to 40% off for verified students, and the main back to school sale covers laptops, desktops, printers and accessories. HP’s Copilot AI laptops have been landing around the $500 mark this season. See more HP deals.
• Dell: Students get an extra 10% off through the student portal on top of sale pricing, and the back to school cuts on XPS, Inspiron and Alienware have been among the deepest of the year. See more Dell deals.
• Lenovo: The back to school sale covers IdeaPads, ThinkPads and gaming laptops, with configurations regularly landing 40 to 45% below list. See more Lenovo deals.
• Samsung: The back to school campaign runs June 24 through September 13 on Samsung.com, and students, families, graduates and faculty who sign up for the Education Store save up to 30%. Trade-in credit stacks on top across Galaxy Book laptops, Tab S11 tablets and Odyssey monitors, and there are bundle discounts if you pair a laptop with a monitor or buds. See more Samsung deals.
• Amazon: The Back to School shop covers supplies, character backpacks and lunch boxes, and the electronics side is where the smaller wins are: power strips, chargers and monitors at 20 to 50% off. See more Amazon deals.
• eBay: Refurbished and open-box laptops, tablets and phones, usually with a seller warranty, are the cheapest legitimate route to a student machine. See more eBay deals.

Back to School Supplies Sales 2026

This is the category where stores sell at a loss to get you in the door. Folders and notebooks at a quarter apiece are real, but they come with a limit per customer, so grab those and buy the rest wherever it’s convenient.

• Target: School supplies start at 25¢ and Target has cut prices on thousands of items, with 95% of school supply deals at or below last year’s prices. Apparel starts at $5, dorm storage, decor and bathroom essentials start at $5, and there are hundreds of college essentials under $20. Circle members get stackable offers on top. Target is also running in-store back to school events in 2,000 stores on August 8 and college move-in events in around 150 stores on August 16. See more Target coupons.
• Walmart: Prices are at their lowest level since 2019 on the 14 most popular school supplies found on classroom lists, with select items starting at $0.25 and pricing locked in June 15 through September 14. There are also 1,300+ more Rollbacks than last year. Walmart+ members get free delivery, Express Delivery brings last-minute items in as little as 30 minutes, and Walmart+ Student runs $49 a year. Teacher gifts start at $2.48. See more Walmart coupons.
• Staples: The back to school sale opened June 14 and the weekly freebies with a qualifying purchase run through September 12, rotating each week, so check the current ad for what’s free. Supplies go down to penny-level pricing on the classroom-list basics. Teachers should sign up for Classroom Rewards before shopping, since the member discount plus rewards back is the biggest saving here. See more Staples coupons.
• Office Depot: Penny deals and low supply pricing return each week through the season, alongside sales on printers, laptops and classroom furniture. See more Office Depot coupons.
• Dollar General: The budget option for name-brand basics like Crayola and Elmer’s, with an educator discount available in store once you verify. Worth a stop if there’s one closer than the big-box alternatives.
• Five Below: The whole model is low fixed price points, so it’s the best stop for art supplies, stationery, dorm decor and the fun extras that aren’t on the official classroom list. See more Five Below deals.
• Michaels: Worth a look for classroom decor, project supplies and teacher organization, and there are dedicated Back to School Supplies and Teacher Supplies sections. Code SWEET25 takes 25% off all regular-price purchases online, with exclusions. See more Michaels coupons.
• Amazon: Good for bulk buys. The Amazon Basics student supply kits and multipacks of pens, bins and folders are the easy option if you’d rather skip the aisles, and the Back to School shop collects the licensed and character stationery in one place. See more Amazon deals.

Backpack and Lunch Box Deals 2026

Backpacks split into two markets: the $5 to $15 tier that’s cheapest right now, and the branded packs that get their real markdowns in mid to late August.

• Target: During the July 26 to August 1 event, Champion backpacks and lunch items are 20% off, as are All in Motion backpacks, lunch kits and hydration. The budget Dealworthy line covers the cheap end year-round. See more Target coupons.
• JCPenney: Backpacks are discounted across the board, Nike included, and JCPenney is positioning itself as a one-stop back to school trip this year. Sign in to the rewards program before checkout, since the members-only offers are where the real saving sits. See more JCPenney deals.
• Walmart: Backpacks, lunch bags and water bottles are covered by this year’s 1,300+ extra Rollbacks, with plenty of options under $15. See more Walmart coupons.
• Amazon: The widest selection of licensed and character backpacks and lunch boxes, and usually the cheapest route if your kid has a specific character in mind. See more Amazon deals.
• Five Below and Dollar General: Both sit at the bottom of the market on basic backpacks, which is where to look if you need something serviceable rather than branded. See more Five Below deals.

Back to School Clothing and Uniform Sales 2026

Clothing is the one category where waiting pays. The biggest kids’ markdowns land August 4 to 18, so if you’re reading this in late July, buy only what’s urgent and come back.

• Old Navy: The uniform sale is the main event, with 50% off across the back to school uniform range. Pique polos are down to $9.99 from $19.99, high-waisted uniform pants to $19.99 from $39.99, and a 2-pack of polos is on clearance at $10.97, down from $42.99. Prices drop further as August goes on. See more Old Navy coupons.
• Gap: The back to school shop runs markdowns across girls’ and boys’ essentials, tees, jeans, uniforms and backpacks, and Gap routinely layers a stacking code on top during the season. Check the current banner before you fill the cart, since the extra percentage changes week to week. See more Gap coupons.
• Kohl’s: Back to school clothing is up to 55% off across Nike, Levi’s, Madden Girl and the in-house SO, FLX and Tek Gear lines, with stackable promo codes and Kohl’s Cash running through the season. Free store pickup, or free shipping over $49. See more Kohl’s coupons.
• Target: The style event runs July 26 through August 1 with up to 30% off kids’ clothing, 25% off kids’ shoes, 30% off uniform polos and dresses, and 30% off teen home decor. Apparel starts at $5. See more Target coupons.
• The Children’s Place: Back to school bundles are the play here, with $6.99 tees and $12.99 uniform pieces at peak-week pricing. See more Children’s Place coupons.
• Macy’s: Back to school styles for kids and teens run 25 to 50% off, covering Nike, Adidas, Guess, Polo and Calvin Klein. See more Macy’s coupons.
• JCPenney: A genuine one-stop trip, with kids’ apparel, shoes, backpacks and uniforms under one roof and a rewards program worth signing into first. See more JCPenney deals.
• Nordstrom: The Anniversary Sale runs through August 9 and includes 300+ back to school pieces up to 45% off from Adidas, Converse, New Balance, UGG, Hunter and Abercrombie Kids. It’s the one time of year these brands go on real sale before the school year starts. See more Nordstrom coupons.
• H&M and Shein: Both are worth a scan for teen basics on a tight budget, though sizing runs small and shipping times matter this close to the first day. See more H&M coupons and Shein coupons.

Back to School Shoe and Sneaker Deals 2026

Kids grow out of shoes on their own schedule, so this is usually a buy-now category. Student discounts are modest here, so the sale price matters more than the verification.

• Nike: The Back to School sale takes an extra 25% off select styles with code DAYONE, which is the bigger saving for most carts. Separately, students save 10% once verified through SheerID, covering high schoolers aged 16 and up plus college and university students, with a single-use code redeemable on Nike.com and in the Nike App. The same 10% is open to teachers, military, first responders and medical professionals. Compare the two before checkout rather than assuming they stack. See more Nike deals.
• Adidas: The Back to School sale takes up to 50% off shoes, clothing and bags, including Sambas, Gazelles, Ultraboost and Adizero. Adidas also runs a student discount on top, unlocked by verifying through UNiDAYS, which returns a single-use code. Verify first, since the percentage moves during the season. See more Adidas deals.
• Foot Locker: The Back to School collection is the best single stop for kids’ Nike, Jordan and Adidas at a discount, with markdowns like the Nike KD 18 at $119.99 from $165. See more Foot Locker coupons.
• DSW: Select styles from the big-deal brands are up to 30% off through August 8, marked down in cart with no code needed, and code FREESHIP covers shipping on orders over $75. Join the free VIP rewards program first, since the points come back as certificates toward the next pair, which adds up when you’re buying school shoes for more than one kid. See more DSW coupons.
• Famous Footwear: The back to school event is buy one, get a second item of equal or lesser value for half price, valid in store and online, with free shipping on top for Rewards members. Exclusions apply. This is the one to use if you’re buying two pairs anyway. See more Famous Footwear deals.
• Shoe Carnival: An online spend-more-save-more offer takes $10 off $74.98 or $20 off $99.98 with code SAVEMORE, running through September 8. Some exclusions apply, and it’s worth building the cart to clear the higher threshold. See more Shoe Carnival coupons.
• Dick’s Sporting Goods: Back to school deals cover cleats, sneakers and sports gear, useful if fall sports start the same week as classes. See more Dick’s Sporting Goods coupons.

College and Dorm Room Deals 2026

College families expect to spend an average of $1,437.79 per household this year, up from $1,325.85 in 2025, and back-to-college spending is set to top $100 billion for the first time, at a record $103.5 billion. Dorm gear is cheapest right now, in the last week of July, before move-in demand picks up.

• IKEA: The Ready for College event gives IKEA Family members up to 20% off college essentials through August 2, including 20% off select mattresses, 15% off KALLAX shelving, 15% off desk and gaming chairs, 15% off dressers and 10% off sleeper sofas. In-store only, there’s 20% off desk lamps, cookware sets and dinnerware from July 22 to August 2. Separately, verified students get a one-time 15% off coupon, valid May 26 through September 30, though you need a free IKEA Family account to verify and the code expires 30 days after you get it. See more IKEA deals.
• Target: College students and teachers get 20% off one storewide purchase via Target Circle, valid July 5 through September 12. Save it for your single biggest dorm haul, since that’s where it’s worth the most. See more Target coupons.
• Amazon: The Off to College shop covers storage, bedding, kitchen and decor, sorted into shop-by-price lists that make budgeting easy: storage under $10, decor under $25, kitchen under $50, electronics under $150. Prime gets free shipping, otherwise there’s a $35 minimum. See more Amazon deals.
• Wayfair: Twin XL bedding bundles and dorm furniture packages are the shortcut if you’d rather buy one box than fifteen. See more Wayfair deals.
• Walmart: The dorm essentials hub covers mini fridges, microwaves, bedding and storage, and it’s usually cheapest on the appliance side. See more Walmart coupons.
• Best Buy: Beyond laptops, the dorm tech is discounted through the Student Hub: printers, monitors, mini fridges and headphones. See more Best Buy coupons.

Teacher and Educator Discounts 2026

If you’re a teacher, verify with your school email before you buy anything. These discounts stack on sale prices at most stores and often beat the consumer deals.

• Staples: Classroom Rewards members get 20% off select in-store purchases plus 5% back in Staples Rewards. See more Staples coupons.
• Target: Teachers get the same 20% off one storewide purchase as college students via Circle, valid July 5 through September 12. See more Target coupons.
• Dollar General: Runs a verified educator discount on classroom stationery during the back to school season. Ask in store or check the current offer before you shop.
• Apple: Education pricing applies to teachers as well as students, up to $200 off Macs and $100 off iPads, plus the seasonal gift card through August 27. See more Apple deals.
• Office Depot: Teacher rewards return a percentage back in store credit on classroom supplies, on top of the weekly penny deals. See more Office Depot coupons.
• Michaels: The Teacher Supplies section covers classroom decor, bulletin boards, organization and awards, and the sitewide code SWEET25 takes 25% off regular-price items online. See more Michaels coupons.

Tax-Free Weekends 2026

More than 20 states drop sales tax on school essentials between late July and September, which is another 4 to 9% off on top of whatever sale you’re already shopping. A few 2026 dates:

• Texas: August 7 to 9, on clothing, backpacks and supplies under $100.
• Florida: The longest in the country, July 20 through August 20.
• Illinois: Back for the first time since 2020, August 7 to 16, cutting the 6.25% rate to 1.25% on qualifying items.
• Connecticut: August 16 to 22.
• Alabama: Already passed this year, July 17 to 19, with clothing capped at $100, computers at $750 and supplies at $50.

Two things to watch. New Jersey is not on the 2026 list of 20 states running a holiday, and every state sets its own price caps and eligible item lists, so a $120 pair of jeans may not qualify even during the window. Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide sales tax, so there’s nothing to wait for. Check your state’s revenue site for the exact rules before you plan a big trip around it.

Back to School Sales 2026 FAQs

When do the back to school sales start in 2026?

Supplies appear in stores around July 1 and the sales run through Labor Day weekend. Tech events peaked in mid to late July, supplies bottom out the week of August 3 to 10, and clothing hits its lowest prices August 4 to 18.

What is the best day to buy school supplies?

The first full week of August. That’s when Target, Walmart and Staples all run their lowest loss-leader pricing at the same time, with folders and notebooks down around $0.25.

Should I buy a laptop now or wait?

Buy now. Memory and storage prices are climbing through the second half of 2026, and Dell, HP and Lenovo have all signaled 15 to 20% retail increases on later inventory. The July education and student events are likely the best pricing you’ll see this year.

Which store has the cheapest school supplies in 2026?

It’s close to a tie. Target, Staples and Walmart all run supplies from $0.25, and Dollar General is holding 100% of its core range at last year’s prices. Buy the loss leaders wherever you’re already shopping and don’t drive across town for a nickel.

How do I get a student discount?

Most brands verify through SheerID or UNiDAYS with a .edu email or proof of enrollment. Nike gives 10% as a single-use code, Dell adds an extra 10%, HP’s education store runs up to 40% off, and Apple requires UNiDAYS verification this year. Verify before you fill the cart, since the discount usually can’t be applied afterwards.

Is back to school a good time to buy a backpack?

For a $5 to $15 backpack, yes, right now. For a branded pack like Nike, Jansport or Herschel, wait until mid to late August when the real markdowns land, or shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale before August 9.

What to Buy Now and What to Skip in the Back to School Sales

Worth buying now

• Laptops and tablets. Prices are heading up, not down, this fall. The Apple offer ends August 27 and the student events are at their peak.
• Dorm furniture and bedding. Selection is at its widest and prices at their lowest before the move-in rush. IKEA’s 20% member discount ends August 2.
• Core supplies. The $0.25 folders and $0.50 notebooks are limited per customer and they do sell out. Get them on your first trip.
• Shoes. Kids need what fits today, and the sneaker discounts are already at 50% with student rates on top.
• Uniforms. Old Navy at 50% off and Target at 30% off polos and dresses are as good as this category gets.

Better to wait on

• Kids’ and teen casual clothing. The biggest cuts land August 4 to 18, and late-August clearance goes lower still. Buy the first week’s outfits now and the rest later.
• Branded backpacks. Mid to late August is when the $70 packs finally come down.
• Coats and cold-weather gear. Nobody discounts these in August. Wait for the late-October and Black Friday events.
• Overstock supplies. Whatever’s left the week after school starts gets cleared out hard. If you’re stocking a homeschool or classroom for the whole year, that’s the moment.
• Printers and monitors. These see better pricing on Black Friday than during back to school, unless a specific model is already at a record low.

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