Back to school is the perfect time to put together an office and home set up made for success. With summer coming to a close, it’s time to think about how to make your indoor space your personal sanctuary. Furniture and decor are a big factor, but what really makes your space home is doing what you love in it. Having an optimal speaker system set up will make going back to school and working from home as good as it gets. Find all your speaker needs and more with a hand from Best Buy’s 2021 Back to School guide. 

Whether you’re listening to your favourite background study music, or you’re taking a 15 minute dance party break, your speakers have your back all year long. Space is relevant, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get a speaker with a loud bark. You can find a speaker that’s petit but powerful for a smaller space, or immerse yourself in a surround sound experience with multi-speakers around your home. Here are just a few of the great options available to make this back to school year the best one yet. 

Stay loud without sacrificing space with a small portable speaker 

JBL Charge 5 Waterproof Bluetooth Wireless SpeakerFor tighter spaces you’ll need something small but mighty. The JBL Charge 5 Waterproof Bluetooth Wireless Speaker is compact, but doesn’t sacrifice anything in sound. It connects to Bluetooth, making it easily accessible. With over 20 hours of battery play time, you can keep the music going all night long. As you study, of course. Also, no worries about spilling “tea” out of your solo cup. This speaker is designed to be waterproof. Plus, it includes a USB power bank that allows you to charge any of your other devices while blasting your favourite tunes. For more portable speaker options check out Erin’s latest guide on the Best Buy Blog.

Bring the party home with a bit more bass 

XG500 Splashproof Bluetooth Portable Party SpeakerTaking a break now and again is very necessary. And sometimes, you just have to let loose and bring the party right to your own space. For those of you that enjoy some extra bass, the Sony XG500 Splashproof Bluetooth Portable Party Speaker is the perfect portable party. It’s lightweight and comes with a built-in handle, making it easy to move around and transport. It connects Bluetooth, effortlessly bumping your perfectly curated playlists with crisp clarity. Plus, it’s water resistant, making it the perfect pool party accessory. 

Keep it classic with the perfect turntable 

Audio Technica Belt Drive TurntableBack to school means studying, taking notes, listening to lectures, and also tapping into your creative side. Feed into your creative energy by listening to your favourite tunes on vinyl. Nothing really compares to the sound of music on vinyl, and any music junkie needs a proper turntable set up. You can pick Bluetooth turntable, like the Audio Technica Belt Drive Turntable to play your vinyls through Bluetooth speakers. This state of the art turntable plays both 33-1/3 RPM and 45 RPM records and features Bluetooth connectivity so you can instantly pair it with wireless speakers, headphones, and other devices. If you want more powerful sound, you you can also connect your turntable to a sound system or to powered speakers. Speakers like the Kanto Powered Desktop Speaker will bring your vinyls all the way to life without taking up too much desk-space. They connect directly to any 3.5mm AUX jack, so any turntable can easily be hooked up to them. There’s really no better way to soak in the music than through a vinyl, and music is a big part of college life. 

Stay on top of time with a clock radio speaker 

iHome IBT295BC2 Bluetooth Alarm Clock With USB PortStaying on top of time is crucial. With deadlines and exams on the horizon, having the time within eye’s view is important. You won’t always be staring directly at your phone screen, so clocks are still necessary. An iHome Bluetooth Alarm Clock is sleek in design, takes up very little space, but add vibrancy to your room. You can blast tunes with Bluetooth connectivity while enjoying its stunning colour changing settings. It not only keeps you on time, but it also charges other devices with its own USB port. 

Immerse yourself in sound while being eco friendly  

House of Marley Get Together Mini Bluetooth Wireless SpeakerYou can now consider choosing environmentally products that don’t sacrifice in sound. The House of Marley Get Together Mini Bluetooth Wireless Speaker is made with recyclable materials, and still gives you crisp, detailed sound. It’s chic, while still taking up little space and offering a wonderfully immersive sound experience. You relish in bass with its 2.5 inch woofers and 10 hour battery power. Another great option is the JBL Waterproof Eco Edition. Also made using recyclable materials, it pairs easily with Bluetooth to any device. It features exceptional quality audio and over 12 hours of battery life. It’s waterproof, so you can bring it by the pool or enjoy it during a relaxing bath. No matter which way you use it, you’ll be surrounded by crystal clear sound and eco friendly materials. 

Now that you’ve got your speaker set up all ready to go, all you need to do is focus on what’s important during school: killing it in all your classes, but also enjoying your year the best you can. Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, Best Buy is putting your health and safety first so you can go into this year with less worry. Having your private little sanctuary set up exactly as you want it will make working from home easy, relaxing, and fun. Still need some back to school advice? For some more dorm room set ups, check out some more of my tips on the Best Buy Blog. For more back to school goodies, be sure to check out Best Buy’s Back to School hub.

Shadi Bozorg
Originally a Vancouverite, Shadi is a freelance writer and social media coordinator now surviving the winters of Toronto. She spends her free time reading, doing creative writing, and trying to make her Fitbit proud. Shadi can also be found in the kitchen as she trains for the next round of Masterchef tryouts.