- Students use binders to organize course materials and conveniently keep all of their school supplies in one location.
- Our pick for the best binder for school is the Case-it Universal 2-Inch 3-Ring Zipper Binder with Laptop Holder because it has all the bells and whistles needed to meet any student's needs.
Love it or hate it, back to school is upon us - a reminder that your kids are another year older and your wallet is about to get a little thinner with back-to-school shopping. Shoes, clothes, binders, backpacks … the list goes on and on. There are a lot of back-to-school necessities to purchase, and it can be hard to know which options to choose.
Selecting a school binder might seem like a simple task, but you need to think through your options instead of buying the first binder you see. I've purchased and used a lot of binders over the years, from zipper binders with all the stops to plain white three-ring binders.
While I've used my fair share of cheap three-ring binders, I've found that they often don't hold up to the wear and tear that a full school year puts on a binder. As a student myself, I've been frustrated by rings that don't close properly, and as a teacher, I've seen plenty of torn covers and ruined binders.
Nonetheless, the cost of back-to-school shopping can really add up, so you want to make sure you're getting a good binder for a good price. If you're willing to spend a little more than a few bucks, you'll be happy to find a binder that meets your needs and lasts more than a month into the school year.
To bring you the best picks, I combined over 20 years of experience as a student and teacher with thorough research and consideration of online reviews. These binders are built to last the whole school year, and each pick has features that make it a great fit for the recommended age group.
Here are the best binders for school you can buy:
- Best binder for school overall: Case-it Universal 2-Inch 3-Ring Zipper Binder with Laptop Holder
- Best binder for elementary school: Mead Zipper Binder with Expanding File, 1 ½ inch
- Best binder for middle school: The Five Star® Multi-Access Zipper Binder, 2 inch
- Best binder for high school: Staples Better Binder, 1.5 inch
- Best binder for college: Forevermore Portfolio Padfolio
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