Shop 37 best dorm room essentials for your back-to-school list

It’s that time of the year again. The kids are headed back to school, so we’re shopping the best dorm room essentials to outfit your college dorm room.

From duvet covers and twin XL sheets to mini fridges and those tried-and-true essentials (one word of advice: shower shoes), there’s a lot to organize into cardboard boxes before hitting campus.

Whether this is your first year away from home or you’re about to graduate, consider this the ultimate college packing list, with picks from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and other favorites. Many you’ll use long after you’ve grabbed your cap and gown.

It may not have the same cache as other brands, but Bedsure has been trusted for decades by those who prioritize comfort, durability and affordability. For back-to-school, it doesn’t get much better than its Comforter Set, which comes in sizes Twin/Twin XL to Super King, and more than a dozen classic shades to suit whatever dorm room style you find yourself in. The comforter is certified by Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, reversible, and comes with two pillow cases.

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For nights you can’t bring yourself to go to the library, the BedShelfie Beside Shelf will be your best study buddy. The original space-saving bed shelf can hold up to 35 pounds, comes in three different styles (including one with a cup holder), and has multiple spots for device cords.

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You can’t go wrong with an Apple MacBook Air Laptop. It offers a 13-inch Retina display that delivers brilliant colors, while the Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU makes the model exceptionally fast. It’s loaded with the classic apps to get your work done (think Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft 365, and Google Drive), but you can download more at the Apple App Store, too. More importantly, the laptop has 18 hours of battery life, so you can study all day and deep into the night without recharging..

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For hours of studying (or wasting time on your phone), this is the chair to do it in. The Big Joe Dorm Bean Bag will become the unofficial best seat in the house (or dorm) with its cushy backseat and oversized design. It’s also made with stain-resistant SmartMax fabric, so no worries if you spill your coffee on it.

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While we won’t recommend bringing your childhood blankie to campus, we will recommend this ultra snuggly option from Quince. The Luxury Organic Cotton Blanket is perfect to wrap in while studying or to curl under for in-between-class naps. It’s machine-washable, making it a grown-up but low-maintenance option that will take you from undergrad to your master’s program.

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For those who don’t get a room with a private bath, a shower caddy is essential. More than 10,000 Amazon shoppers have added the one from Eudele to their cart, praising it for its durability and multi-pocketed design, which makes it easy to cart shampoo, conditioner, and other shower necessities back and forth.

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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) deliver immersive sound with adaptive noise cancellation and personalized spatial audio that adjusts to your environment. With a sleek, sweat-resistant design and improved battery life, they’re built for everything from work calls to workouts.

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For your morning smoothie (or next party), you’ll want to have this in your dorm room. The Hamilton Beach Power Elite Wave Action Blender offers 12 different blending functions, including crushing ice, and features a top spout on the lid for mess-free pouring.

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A power strip is one of those things you never think about needing until you do. This one from Hopow is an Amazon Choice product, under $15, and includes five different outlets, plus a USB port. The strip cord is 6 feet long, so you don’t need to keep it close to an outlet..

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The Herschel Supply Co Little America Mid is a favorite backpack of Post Wanted readers and our editors alike. Along with its padded adjustable straps, it offers ample interior storage, an expanded pocket for a water bottle, and a front pocket perfect for your phone, wallet and pens.

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The Round End Table from DecorTech doesn’t require a single tool to put together and has a stylish design that will make your cinderblock dorm room look more sophisticated and put-together. Featuring four-way built-in speakers, a USB port, and Bluetooth, it’s a space-saving option for music lovers who don’t want to find space for their sound system.

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Dorm rooms are much like NYC apartments — low in space. So take it from us, you’ll want to have one (or three) of the Youdenova Hanging Closet Organizers. The storage solution comes with six shelves ( seven, if you include the top shelf) and side pockets for small essentials. Perfect for towels, shoes and sweaters, it keeps items off the floor and easily accessible. More than 10,000 shoppers have purchased this month.

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Everyone likes their coffee differently, which is why we’re suggesting the Keurig K-Duo. It features a 60-ounce reservoir, multiple brew sizes, plus a single-serve K-Cup brewer. Whether you need a pot to get through a night of study or a simple cup, this coffee maker will be the barista to get your order right.

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It’s one of those simple things you’ll appreciate having when you find your desk filled with sticky notes, random receipts, and the occasional postcard from your folks who suddenly have time to take a vacation.

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Believe it or not, you might have to print something while at school. Instead of going to the library or the nearest Staples, wouldn’t it be easier to print from your room? The HP Envy Inspire can handle copious amounts of copy, has scanning capabilities, and can even produce colored photographs for your wall.

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With mommy not around to clean up boo-boos, it’s smart to have a first aid kit handy. The Johnson and Johnson Band-Aid Travel Ready Portable Emergency First Aid Kit is small enough to tuck into your desk or under your bed, and comes with everything you can think of. From bandages to ointment to sanitizing hand wipes, it’s exactly what you’ll want when minor accidents occur.

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In the sad event you hate your roommate, you’ll always have this: The Ebern Designs 3-Panel Room Divider is not only posh in its style but a practical solution to create privacy in cramped corners. Its design includes storage shelves and it’s movable, with lockable wheels.

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For late-night ramen in a cup, popcorn and other munchies, you need a microwave. The Faberware Counterop Microwave is a popular pick for college, with its slim design, 700 watts of power, and easy-to-clean surface.

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You probably already have one, but just in case, we must include a Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler on this dorm room essential list. Made of 90% recycled BPA-free stainless steel, it keeps your cold drinks icy cold and your hot drinks piping hot. At this point, it’s just as important to your college experience as your grade point average and weekend parties.

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This one is for the book lovers who cry over leaving their home library behind. The Kindle Paperwhite will not disappoint. It can store thousands of titles and has a battery life of up to 12 weeks when charged with a USB-C. With a durable screen and waterproof, it’s a space-saving solution for book collectors everywhere.

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The right area rug will automatically turn a meh dorm room into a haven from crowded classes and hallways. We like the Kelly Clarkson Hector Performance Rug from Wayfair not only for its 6,000-plus reviews but its stain-resistant material. Made of durable, stain- and fade-resistant polypropylene, it features a low .3 profile, a vintage-inspired medallion design that brings a grown-up flair to the room. It’s also available in lots of different shapes and sizes.

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Please don’t get one of those cheap, unflattering dorm mirrors that everyone else gets. The BeautyPeak Full Length Mirror is not only stylish but can also be mounted or securely placed in a corner with its attached bracket. It comes in multiple sizes with different style frames, and the mirror offers HD imaging, perfect for those OOTD selfies.

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For long nights studying while you’re roommate sleeps, the Sailstar Desk Lamp is a must. It offers three different brightness settings, as well as dimming. Available in six different styles, we love that the base has a compartment for work essentials and that it can also have a charging dock.

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Rumor has it that some ya’ll are renting your dorm room fridges? Cut that ish out, and grab the Artic King Two Door Mini Fridge instead. It has plenty of room for all your drinks and microwavable dinners, while remaining compact enough not to take up much room. Available in stainless steel and black, the interior shelves can be moved around to fit whatever you’re bringing home from the grocery store. This energy-efficient fridge also comes with a freezer and can stay with you the entirety of your academic career, regardless of what dorm room or apartment you find yourself in.

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The Prepac Astrid Tall Dresser can be tucked in a corner and offers extra storage for socks, underwear, loungewear and whatever else is making its way with you to school. The six-drawer dresser’s simple design may not bring the wow-factor, but its unassuming style will lend itself to a myriad of decor options. The top shelf can be used for picture frames or your shower caddy when not in use, while the top drawer, slightly smaller than the rest, is ideal for storing personal care products or accessories. Available in three different finishes, it can be assembled in 2 hours or less.

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Dorm mattresses are notoriously uncomfortable, so bringing a mattress topper like the Easeland Mattress Pad is smart. Its quilted top is made with 100% cooling cotton, while its fill is 100% polyester for easy care. Thousands of Amazon shoppers recommended it for its cloud-like comfort, and you’ll be glad to have it once you discover how soundly you sleep with it on your bed.

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It’s giving Tumblr, but that’s back in, right? Regardless, no dorm room would be complete without these Twinkle Star Fairy String Lights. They’re waterproof, have eight different twinkle modes to suit whatever vibe you’re trying to create, and they’re perfect for pinning photos.

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College doesn’t provide towels, unfortunately, so don’t forget to pack your own. The Jessy Home Oversized Bath Sheet Towels have 700 GSM, so they absorbent as can be, plus their large size is ideal if you find that you’ve forgotten your robe on the way to the showers. Available in a variety of colors, thousands of folks love them for their softness and durability, wash after wash.

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To avoid putting a bunch of holes in your dorm room walls, we suggest going with these easy-to-install Command Picture Ledge shelves. They come with 10 adhesive pieces that are simple to apply and firmly keep the shelf in place. Note, they have a five-pound weight capacity, so save the textbooks for your desk or backpack.

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Pillows are important (think about it — you use them for half of the day, aka half of your life in the long run). To make your bed area feel a bit more home-y, the Casper Sleep Original Pillow is what we recommend (and, truly a game-changer). With more than 10,000 gleaming reviews from satisfied sleepers — thanks to its innovative microfiber fill — we’re all about it.

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Saving you space (and time, thanks to its clear design) are the NestNeatly SmartCube Under-Bed Storage Bags. They were one of the best investments we made for our dorm rooms — storage wise — because they allow you to store seasonal clothes that you may not be using at the moment.

Not to mention, when you realize how small dorm room closets actually are, you’ll thank us for this mention.

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We don’t need to give you our 30-second elevator pitch for why you need shower shoes. To help shield you from the plague that we call communal bathrooms, this $16 pair is breathable, comfortable, easy to clean and has drain holes included to allow extra water to seep out.

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The Veseacky Women’s Bath Wrap Towel & Facial Headband is great for walking to and fro in the hallway (trust us, you’ll deem this one of your favorite essential). Not only does this two-seat set come in a variety of colors but it’s also easy to clean.

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Best Laundry Bag: MCleanPin Collapsible Laundry Hamper

The MCleanPin Collapsible Laundry Hamper with 2 Washable Laundry Bags is the bundle you need, simply because of the freestanding and portable options it provides. Now, it’s just $25 and great for your dorm (and for all of your commuting needs, too).

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Best Dorm Room Essential: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes (3-Pack)

The Clorox Disinfecting Wipes aren’t just a college staple — they’re a life staple. This value-based three-pack is a No. 1 Amazon best-seller with nearly 90,000 extraordinary reviews, each container stores 75 wipes and they’ll help keep your dorm germ-free with its crisp, fresh lemon scent.

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