5 Must-Have Appliances for Back to School
Back-to-school season brings early mornings and busy afternoons filled with homework, practices, and pickups. Whether you're sending little ones off to elementary school or helping a college student settle into dorm life, having the right tools and routines in place can make a big difference in keeping your days running smoothly.
From powering through hectic mornings to keeping snacks and drinks within easy reach, these five compact appliances (yes, appliances) are perfect for families with kids of all ages gearing up for school:
- Beverage fridges to simplify after-school and study-time snacks
- Portable air conditioners to keep homework zones cool and focused
- Chest freezers for extra storage of grocery hauls and double meal batches
- Portable ice makers for fast, fresh ice on demand
- Iceless coolers for weekend games, day trips, and everything in between
Ease into the school year with appliances that are compact, powerful, and designed to fit real life, whether it’s at home or in the dorm.
1. Beverage Fridges for Snack Time
Kids always come home hungry from school. A dedicated beverage fridge keeps drinks and grab-and-go snacks organized, accessible, and out of the way of your main refrigerator.
Imagine the convenience of a smaller fridge in the kitchen, playroom, or homework zone, fully stocked with your family’s favorite drinks and quick bites. Beverage fridges come in sizes ranging from compact countertop models to larger units that fit neatly under the counter like a dishwasher.
Little ones can help themselves to milk, juice, or water on their own, while older kids and teens have a go-to spot for after-school or post-practice snacks. Meanwhile, your main fridge stays clutter-free and reserved for groceries, leftovers, and meal prep.
Beverage fridges are also a smart solution for college students. Their compact size makes them perfect for dorm rooms or small apartments, keeping drinks and snacks within reach without taking up much space.
When shopping for a beverage fridge, look for features like:
- Capacity to hold cans, bottles, and snack containers
- Adjustable shelving to accommodate different sizes
- Dual-zone cooling to store items at separate temperatures
- Easy-to-use controls with front-facing LED displays
Newair® 177-Can Built-In Beverage Fridge
Featured SKU: ABR-1770
Once the school year is underway, you’ll love having a dedicated beverage fridge. And during the holidays, it’s perfect for entertaining guests or hosting movie nights. Choose a freestanding model, and you can even move it to your rec room, home bar or patio when company comes over.
2. Portable ACs to Keep Study Zones Cool
Between homework, virtual classes, and late-night study sessions, a comfortable, quiet place to focus is essential. Whether you're setting up a dorm room, upgrading a home workspace, or cooling down a bedroom without central air, a portable air conditioner is a smart, easy solution.
Sleek, compact, and easy to move, portable ACs deliver powerful cooling right where you need it, no major installation required. They’re ideal for rooms that tend to get stuffy or warm, especially in early fall when temperatures can still soar.
From kids' bedrooms and home offices to garage gyms and studio apartments, Newair’s portable AC units make it easy to maintain a cool, productive environment for the whole family.
Newair® 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier, and Fan
Featured SKU: AC-10000
Why families love them:
- Simple setup with included window vent kits
- Multiple fan speeds and cooling modes to customize comfort
- Compact footprint ideal for small spaces and dorms
- Built-in dehumidifiers to reduce humidity and improve air quality
Beat the heat, reduce distractions, and create a study zone that helps everyone stay on task. When focus matters most, a portable AC can be a game-changer.
3. Chest Freezers to Stock Up on Essentials
Once the school year is in full swing, household routines can feel nonstop. A chest freezer helps you shop less often and save money by storing bulk groceries and make-ahead meals. Cooking a lasagna or pot of chili? Double the recipe and freeze the extra for those busy nights when dinner needs to be quick and easy.
Newair® Compact Black Chest Freezer, 6.7 Cu. Ft.
Featured SKU: NFT070MB00
Modern chest freezers feature:
- Digital temperature controls for precise cooling
- Fast-freeze modes to lock in freshness and prevent freezer burn
- Interior baskets to keep food organized and accessible
- LED lighting to help you find what you need quickly
- Door alarms to prevent accidental thawing
Even with all that storage space, chest freezers maintain a compact footprint, making them easy to place in a basement, garage, mudroom, or pantry.
4. Ice Makers for Home and On the Go
Hot practices, game days, and weekend tournaments all have one thing in common: someone’s always reaching for ice. A portable ice maker gives you a steady supply without relying on slow freezer trays or last-minute trips to the store.
Whether it's keeping water bottles cold before practice or filling coolers for the big game, having fresh ice on hand is a necessity for busy family schedules.
Many portable ice makers produce a fresh batch in as little as 15 minutes, so you’re never stuck waiting or running out when you need it most. Take one to the field, a performance, or a family road trip. Just plug it into a standard outlet or use a car inverter for ice on the go.
Newair’s portable ice makers feature:
- Options for cubes, nuggets, or bullet-shaped ice
- Insulated compartments to keep ice colder, longer
- Transparent windows to check your supply at a glance
- Simple digital controls with easy-to-read displays
- Easy-to-clean designs to save time and energy
Newair® Countertop Nugget Ice Maker in Matte Black or Stainless Steel, 26 lbs/Day
Featured SKU: NIM026MBN0
It’s the kind of everyday convenience you won’t know how you lived without until you have one.
5. Portable Iceless Coolers
Portable coolers are another back-to-school essential for activities away from home. Whether you’re bringing snacks for the team, headed out for a campout, or spending a full day on the sidelines, a reliable cooler keeps everyone refreshed.
And today’s coolers aren’t just basic ice chests. Many modern models are completely iceless, no melting mess, no bagged ice, and no constant refilling. They keep food and drinks perfectly chilled using various power sources:
- Standard 120-volt electrical outlets
- Car inverters via lighter plugs
- Rechargeable proprietary or power tool batteries
Packed with features like rugged off-road wheels, weather-sealed doors, retractable handles, separate fridge and freezer compartments, and LED temperature controls, these coolers are designed for life on the go.
Newair® 25-Quart Iceless Cooler
Featured SKU: NPR025YLJ0
Shop Newair for Back-to-School Compact Appliances
Simplify the season with compact appliances that keep your home cool, organized, and ready for anything. From school-day snacks to weekend adventures, Newair has your family covered.
Shop now during our Back-to-School Sale and get the gear you need, delivered fast, right to your door. As a proud US-based company, we stand behind every product with a one-year warranty and top-tier customer support.
Don’t forget to register your appliances when they arrive to activate your warranty. Here’s to a stress-free school year ahead!
