The start of a new school year can be an eye-wateringly expensive time for parents. Whether your kids are heading to primary school for the first time, or donning an oversized blazer for their step up to secondary, the September school bell usually coincides with an expensive list of demands from little (and not so little) scholars.
According to a recent study commissioned by leading refurbished tech marketplace Back Market, on average parents are now expected to pay over £800 on supplies like phones, laptops, bags and trainers to get their learners “back-to-school ready”. Tech is one of the biggest pocket pinchers, with almost a quarter of parents surveyed reporting they have been told their child has to have a new laptop for school. Gone are the days when the biggest September splurge was on a new pencil case.
With the bills stacking up and the playground pressure to keep up with the latest tech becoming louder, it’s no wonder that savvy parents are looking for alternative ways to make sure their kids are kitted out, without breaking the bank.
The smart choice for smart phones
Whether they’re starting to travel to school solo or they’re heading off to university, a good smart phone will no doubt be high on their wishlist. By buying refurbished, you can make huge savings on premium devices, without compromising on quality. Take the iPhone 12 as an example. You can snap up a refurbished device that has been thoroughly tested and checked for just £171.00 – a whopping £478.00 less than if you were to buy it brand new. If you lean more towards the Android side of things, the Galaxy S22 5G might be just the ticket. Retailing at £859.00 for a brand new model, Back Market’s refurbished version is a steal at £159.00. What’s more, you’ll be able to choose the condition of your phone (from fair, good, excellent or premium), the battery option, storage, SIM card type, and colour.
With unbeatably low prices and a 12 month refurbisher warranty thrown into the mix, it’s a no-brainer for parents who want to stay in touch without being out of pocket.
Open the lid on huge laptop savings
If you’re looking for a laptop to aid their learning, you’ll be spoilt for choice with Back Market’s “Back to School” deals. Save almost £1000 on the Lenovo ThinkPad T495 14-inch laptop, which is currently priced at £199.00 and includes free 30 day returns and a 12 month seller warranty. Not only is it a great saving, but you also get customer support on-hand when you buy, with a free shipping label to return the device if there are any issues.
Top marks for sustainability
According to the latest survey, 88% of parents admitted their child asks them to buy the latest model of technology, even though they don’t need it, with three-quarters of parents saying they are concerned about the environmental impact of buying brand-new tech. Luckily, keeping up with the latest tech needn’t cost the earth. Since its launch in 2014, Back Market has prevented roughly 1.6 million tonnes of CO₂ from being released and avoided the exploitation of 160,000 tonnes of primary natural resources. When you choose to buy tech from Back Market, you’re making an eco-conscious decision that benefits the planet.
And it’s not just refurbished tech that the brand lists amongst its credentials. Back Market is a business that puts its money where its mouth is, including working with author and illustrator Camille Piantanida on a book to teach children about the impact of overproduction and overconsumption in tech.
Shop Back to School tech at Back Market.
Price accurate as of 8th September 2025 – liable to change as Back Market is a marketplace.
