Ah, university. A transformative period of living on your own for the first time, studying your passion and maybe the odd bit of partying.
But given the realities of a student budget, which we're sure you'll want to save for drinks books, that leaves precious little to dedicate to your TV and audio setup.
Luckily, we've compiled a list of some of our favourite tech products on the more affordable – and portable – end of the scale. This includes noise-cancelling headphones for studying, Bluetooth speakers for partying and brilliant budget TVs and projectors for flat movie nights.
These are all devices we've tested ourselves, and all come highly recommended by our expert review team. Products must earn at least four stars in our rigorous testing process to get the What Hi-Fi? seal of approval, so you can be sure that even if they're cheap, they offer an impressive performance for the price.
So take a look at the tech below – and you'll soon be the envy of your dorm...
We're sure you don't need an introduction to Apple AirPods. If your budget can't stretch to the AirPods Pro 3, then the AirPods 4 with ANC are more than up for the task as an alternative – they're effective sound blockers for studying, but also offer a detailed, neutral and agile sound, flagship features and seamless iOS integration.
The best budget on-ear wireless headphones on the market, the Sony WH-CH520 have a robust, comfortable build, 50 hours of battery life and balanced, engaging sound. If you can stretch to an extra £40, then the Sony WH-CH720N add ANC and a few extra features, but the CH520 are easy to recommend at the bargain £25 price.
Want to join the wired headphones trend? It's not the Apple EarPods all the celebrities have been spotted with, but the SoundMagic E11C offer far better sound as well as a comfortable fit.
If you prefer your wired headphones in an over-ear form factor, then the Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT are one of our top budget picks. The feature set may be light, but the real draw here is the awesome detail retrieval, clarity and sonic nuance.
Any university flat needs a good Bluetooth speaker for pre-drinks, BBQs or just everyday use. If you want to go super cheap – or want a speaker that's super portable – then the JBL Go 5 offers an engaging, surprisingly musical sound and a great feature set for under £40.
If you want a step up in sound quality, then the JBL Flip 7 is tough to beat at the price. It's also packed with features, from 14 hours of battery life to a mighty IP68 water and dustproof rating.
The TCL C6KS is currently our top choice of the best cheap TVs. Despite being considered budget-friendly, this TCL TV boasts excellent brightness and contrast, comprehensive HDR support, and plenty of features. If your student house needs a TV, this would be our recommendation.
If you'd rather a projector, the Xgimi Vibe One is a fair bit cheaper and much more portable. Despite being the cheapest projector we've reviewed, the Vibe One delivers a detailed, natural-looking picture that goes reasonably dark and is highly compact.
The Denon D-M41DAB is a convenient and affordable way to get into the world of hi-fi. DAB, CD playback, Bluetooth streaming, and a remote control are all included and sound quality remains superb for the money. This deal is for the unit only, so you'll need to add speakers separately.
If you're new to vinyl or just looking for an affordable turntable, then the Sony PS-LX3BT is an excellent starting point. It’s ridiculously easy to use, produces an accomplished and enjoyable sound, and has built-in Bluetooth functionality.
If your student accommodation has an old TV with no smart features, then an Amazon Fire TV Stick should be your first port of call. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a powerful plug-and-play streamer that adds Amazon’s feature-rich Fire OS to your TV, and we gave it a What Hi-Fi? Award because we liked it so much.
A multi-Award-winning pair of in-ears, the Sony WF-C510 delivers where it counts: sound quality. They serve up a rich, full-bodied sound, packed with detail and clarity, but also pack in 22 hours of battery life, IPX4 splash resistance, Bluetooth 5.3 and an Ambient Aware mode. The best budget wireless earbuds out there at this price.
MORE:
Looking for a bargain? Here are the best budget soundbars
Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy
And the best TVs for all budgets
