The Best College Dorm Essentials

Sheets

Target’s Threshold 400 Thread Count Performance Sheet Set has been the budget pick in our guide to cotton sheets for years, and the Twin/Twin XL size should fit a Twin XL dorm bed. These sheets get softer with each wash, and they retain their color—over years of testing, they’ve endured all of the wear and tear we’ve put them through. We don’t recommend that you spend a lot on dorm sheets because you’ll use them for only a year or two. But we do recommend getting 100% cotton sheets over jersey knit or microfiber (both of which are hot to sleep on). And these are the best affordable, all-cotton sheets we’ve ever tried. They sell out very quickly in the dorm size, so don’t wait to buy these. We’ve also noticed a different mix of colors and patterns in store versus online. Target also offers a one-year return policy for these sheets, if they don’t work out.

For a fun printed sheet, we like Garnet Hill’s Polka-Dot Percale Bedding because it’s bright, and the color options go with anything. We’ve also noticed that these sheets are more reliably stocked year-round than the Target Threshold sets in dorm sizes. After being tested for a full school year, these sheets showed no sign of damage, and our college tester said they were comfortable to sleep on. It took a couple of washes to get them really soft, she said, but they did soften up. They are more than three times the price of the Target Threshold sheets, though. So they’re worthwhile only if you’re looking for a brighter print than the Target set’s more-muted colors (if you’re looking for other fun choices, some of the picks in our favorite printed sheets guide are also available in twin XL). Garnet Hill has frequent sales, which bring down the price. And it offers lifetime returns, which might make up for the higher price.

Comforter

Buying a comforter for college is a tricky proposition: If you’re in a dorm with a twin or twin XL bed, you might need a comforter that size for just a few years. So it generally doesn’t make sense to invest in a down-filled comforter (or in one made from another high-quality material, like wool). We like the Utopia Bedding Comforter Duvet Insert, Twin for dorm use. (Utopia does make the comforter in a twin XL size, but the company’s regular twin size is 88 inches long, so it should fit either size bed.) You may eventually want to transition to a down-filled comforter, so the Utopia is the cheapest down-alternative comforter we recommend. In our testing, we found that it beat out all down-alternative competitors and kept us warm but not sweaty.

Duvet Cover

The Brooklinen Classic Duvet Cover has been one of our absolute favorites since 2016. Made from long-staple percale cotton fabric, it’s one of the most durable, soft, and comfortable options we’ve tested. We’re consistently impressed with its quality and construction—it should easily last through years of abuse during your dorm years. It comes in solid colors and in prints, and the options are sophisticated, fun, and more modern than those of most competitors we’ve tried. The patterns do tend to change frequently, so if you see something you like, don’t wait. Although this duvet cover is available only in a twin size, it’s still an ample 90 inches long and should fit an 80-inch twin XL bed just fine. If you want to match your sheets to your duvet cover, or if you tend to get hot while sleeping, look for a more-breathable set of sheets: We recommend Brooklinen’s Classic Core Sheet Set, which is available in twin XL.

Bed blankets and throws

We’ve spent more than 500 hours researching and testing blankets and another 70 hours on throws, and the Garnet Hill Plush-Loft Blanket and Throw is always a favorite. It’s double-sided, with cool, quilted sateen on one side and super-soft faux fur on the other, which made it the coziest option we tried. The Garnet Hill blanket kept its shape better than the other heavy blankets we tested, and it didn’t pill or snag. We think the throw size is perfect for lounging in your dorm room or wrapping up in to watch TV. However, the twin size is only 86 inches long (twin XL beds are typically 80 inches), so as a bed blanket, it may be on the shorter side.

The L.L.Bean Wicked Plush Throw is velvety-soft and thick but still feels light as air. It’s affordable, durable, and softer and warmer than almost any other throw we tested (except for the Garnet Hill Plush, mentioned above). The extra-large size measures 60 by 80 inches, so it won’t quite work as a bed cover. But it’s the perfect throw to keep around for snuggling up on the couch or when you need a quick nap between classes but don’t feel like getting under the sheets.

Pillows

If you’re looking to buy new pillows for college, in our tests we found the Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam Pillow to be one of the best budget pillows that suited back- and side-sleepers (and even some stomach-sleepers). It’s one of the most comfortable budget shredded-foam pillows we’ve found. The down side is that you can’t wash this pillow, only the cover. If you prefer a washable pillow, we recommend our top pick, the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow.

For more pillow options, see our full guide to the best pillows.

Mattress topper

Many dorm beds are hard and unforgiving. The best way to fix this (without ordering your own twin XL mattress) is to add a mattress topper. At the beginning of the school year, most colleges will give you the option of buying an egg-crate foam topper for a few bucks, and we think that’s a great route to go. But if you want something a bit more luxurious, the Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Topper is the best mattress topper for people who want foam cushioning but don’t like the characteristic sinking sensation of memory foam. Latex has a texture similar to memory foam, but it’s springier, so your body will rest on the surface without sinking in. Many latex toppers are expensive, but the Sleep on Latex is the most affordable and well-reviewed option we found. It’s available in three thicknesses and three densities: soft, medium, and firm—more levels of customization than any other topper we considered. You can also buy a separate washable encasement for this topper, so it is easier to keep clean over time.

Eye mask

If your roommate frequently pulls all-nighters, we recommend the light-blocking, contoured Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask for keeping the light out of your eyes. Out of 11 sleep masks we tested, the Nidra mask blocked the most light on the most faces. It’s contoured to rest on your face like a pair of soft goggles, with fabric lenses that sit around your eyes (instead of directly on them), so there’s more space for your eyes to flutter during REM sleep. (And if you wear makeup, the elevated eye cups help lessen smudging during naps.) This design also helps achieve a more lightproof fit on more testers’ faces compared with flatter sleep masks we tested. And the Nidra’s strap is also more comfortable than straps on other masks we tried—its wider, temple-to-temple coverage makes it a little more forgiving on larger heads. If you sleep on your stomach, or if you try the Nidra mask and find it doesn’t work for you, we also recommend the Alaska Bear mask.

Earplugs

Disposable earplugs can help block the sound of noisy neighbors (or your roommate’s personal business) while you study or sleep. We spent about a dozen hours researching earplug contenders and tested three top-rated models before determining that Mack’s Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs are the best earplugs for most people. Their 37.1-decibel noise-reduction rating was one of the highest among the models we tested. The Mack’s earplugs are particularly effective because they stay put once they’re inserted—although one tester couldn’t get them to fit and preferred Flents Quiet Time Foam Earplugs, which reduced noise nearly as well. Other earplugs we tested fell out in the middle of the night, failed to block loud noises like planes overhead, or, in one case, caused a tester’s ears to ache. The Mack’s Slim Fit earplugs have a tapered-cylinder shape, which our testers found to be consistently comfortable and effective at blocking noise.

Headlamp for nighttime reading (and more)

When you’re in college, a reading light can come in handy, especially if your roommate goes to bed early. Instead of getting a dedicated book light, consider a headlamp. We like headlamps better because you can also use them for so much more: camping, moving around a dark bedroom, nighttime campus walks, bike rides. The Black Diamond Spot 350 has been our top pick since 2012 because it’s reliable, bright, and versatile. The Spot 350 also has a Brightness Memory mode, which automatically goes to the last setting used whenever you turn the headlamp on. One of our senior editors keeps hers in her nightstand so she can read at night without disturbing others.

Condoms

After we spent 40 hours on research, read hundreds of reviews of more than 50 condom types, interviewed nine experts (including a chemical engineer and two sex workers), and had 40 volunteers try 32 different types, the LifeStyles Skyn condom won out in our tests, for average-size penises. It’s made of polyisoprene, which is hypoallergenic and better at transferring sensitivity compared with natural latex. We determined that next to the competition, the Skyn was more attractive, less expensive, and available in more styles (for example, ribbed, ultra-thin, and large). For slimmer penises, the Okamoto 004 Zero Zero Four was our testers’ favorite condom, and larger testers preferred the LifeStyles Skyn Large. To read more about why we like our picks, see our review of the best condoms.

Alarm Clock

There are bound to be mornings when you need a reliable alarm. The DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clock offers a lot for a nice price. It is both an alarm clock and a USB charging station, and the huge display is easy to read from a distance. Also, a wide range of customization options make it easy to set. The DreamSky is not fully battery operated, but two backup AAA batteries keep the time in case of a power outage. There are two USB ports in the back, one to charge most mobile devices with 5 V output and the other to power the clock via USB (or you can plug directly into the wall). If you prefer a different aesthetic, check out the other picks in our alarm clock guide.

Shower shoes

For our guide to beach gear, we tested 15 pairs of flip-flops, and the Havaianas Top Flip Flop (women’s and men’s) was our favorite lower-priced pair. These flip-flops are great to use as shower shoes. And though they’re not the absolute cheapest flip-flops you can find, our long-term testing revealed that the Havaianas are nearly silent and much grippier on wet surfaces compared with cheaper pairs.

Towels

We’ve researched hundreds of towels and tested dozens, and for college students we recommend the Target Threshold Signature Spa Bath Towel. It’s affordable, soft, luxe, and durable. It offers better body coverage than other budget towels we’ve tried—they often run smaller than pricier towels—and it’s been reliably available for years. It’s also our only towel pick that carries Oeko-Tex’s Made in Green certification, and it comes with Target’s one-year return policy.

Ideally, you should swap out your bath towel every two or three days, to avoid bacteria growth and funky mildew. So it’s a good idea to have extras on hand to use on laundry day.

Bath robe

The Company Store’s Company Cotton Women’s Turkish Cotton Long Robe and Company Cotton Men’s Turkish Long Robe are both warm, fluffy terry robes that are perfect to throw on and walk the dorm halls in after a shower. They’re comfortable to wear year-round, and in testing they’ve kept their color and quality through many washes. There’s little difference in the shape or design of the women’s and men’s versions, other than the sizing; the men’s versions are bigger. Pick whichever style fits your body’s measurements and comes in the color you like. If you’d prefer a robe in a different fabric, we have other picks in our guide to the best robes.

Laundry hamper

We considered more than 50 laundry baskets, and we scoured reviews. And then we conducted our own testing to find the best laundry basket. For college students, we recommend the Mind Reader 50 Liter Laundry Hamper because the lid keeps the mess out of sight, and this basket is durable and easy to carry. Its tall, narrow shape takes up little floor space in a crowded dorm closet, and the basket has plenty of ventilation holes, so even sweaty clothes at the bottom can dry. If you prefer something a little more portable, we also recommend the Azhido Laundry Backpack Bag, which works great for toting clothes to a laundromat or a shared dorm laundry room.

Over-the-door rack

The affordable Yamazaki Home Over-the-Door Hanger comes in black or white powder-coated steel, and it should fit neatly over most doors. The hooks aren’t very long, so keep that in mind if you have a really high door. The Spectrum Duchess Over the Door 5-Hook Rack is another model we tested and liked, but it tends to be more expensive. As with any over-the-door hooks, with this one be sure to check that there’s enough clearance between the door and the frame, so your door can still close.

Clothes hangers

Our guide to the best hangers will help you choose hangers to keep clothes looking their best for years to come. But the truth is, college students probably don’t need anything fancy. After talking to closet organizers and clothing designers, we’ve learned that for inexpensive clothes, most hangers will work just fine (as long as they aren’t the wire ones you get for free from the dry cleaners; those can rust and form creases).

We recommend that you head to the nearest big-box store and pick up a couple packs of the store-brand plastic hangers. If you’d rather order them online, Target’s Room Essentials Hangers are affordable and will work well for most shirts and jackets. If you need something that offers heavy-duty support for coats, clips for skirts, or a sculpted shape for a blazer or suit, check out our full guide to the best hangers.

Hand vacuum

If you want a vacuum for occasional tidying up, the Black+Decker Dustbuster Hand Vacuum (CHV1410L) is a powerful handheld vacuum for those on a budget. Its strong suction and portability make it great for dusting off your desk or bed, or for cleaning up the occasional snack spill (no liquids though!). We like this hand vac because it’s the most affordable model available with a reasonably strong lithium-ion battery. Most other models at this price still use weaker NiCd batteries, so the suction starts to fade a few minutes into each cleaning cycle, cutting the effective cleaning time just about in half. This hand vac doesn’t have a hose or floor attachment, but many dorms will have a communal vacuum you can use for bigger jobs as needed. You can read more about the Black+Decker in our review of the best handheld vacuums.

Storage bins

Storage bins are a great way to keep stuff organized, especially if you have limited closet space. After putting 32 bins through rigorous durability testing, we found the Iris Weathertight Totes to be the best option for general storage needs. These bins are easy to use, with latches that lock more securely than those on other bins. And they have the tightest seal we could find, thanks to a foam gasket in the lid. They are available in more sizes (12) than any other bins we’ve tested, so it should be easy to find options that will work anywhere, whether that’s under the bed (the 8-inch-tall, 41-quart bin is great for this) or in a closet. Read more about the Weathertight Totes in our guide to the best storage containers.

Fan

Many dorms don’t have air conditioning, so a great fan is a must. Otherwise those late-summer months, and possibly overheated winters, will be difficult to bear. The Vornado 630 Medium Air Circulator is a simple but powerful fan that moves a good deal of air without being too noisy. About the size of a basketball, this compact fan won’t take up too much space in your room or closet when you want to pack it away. This Vornado fan has simple controls, with three speed settings accessed by a dial mounted on the side. This fan is relatively affordable—about $70 at the time of publication. But if you want something cheaper that performs comparably, consider the Dreo Fox One, the budget pick in our guide to the best fans.

Air purifier

The Levoit Core 300 (sometimes listed as the Levoit VortexAir) is the budget pick in our guide to air purifiers. And it’s perfect for cleaning the air in spaces under 200 square feet (which should be plenty for a dorm room). On its highest setting, this machine reduced particulates by more than 97% in 30 minutes in a 135-square-foot New York City office (on its medium setting, it reduced particulates by more than 92%). It is compact (14.5 inches tall, 8.5 inches in diameter) and looks great, and it doesn’t have bright lights, so it won’t interrupt your sleep (or your roommate’s).

HEPA air purifiers rapidly filter out the most common airborne allergens, including dust and pollen; mold, mildew, and fungal spores; pet dander; dust mites and their excrement; soot from automobiles; and tobacco, marijuana, and wildfire smoke. HEPA purifiers also capture airborne pathogens, including bacteria and most—if not all—viruses.

Lap desk

Because you’ll probably end up doing a lot of work from your bed, a decent lap desk is a must-have item. After spending 10 hours researching and 25 hours testing lap desks, we think the LapGear Designer is the best choice for most people. The large version (which is 18½ inches wide) can sometimes be harder to find. But the medium version (which holds a 15.6-inch laptop) is usually more available. The faux-wood laminate top provides a sturdy, stable surface that’s large enough to accommodate a small laptop with a mouse or a larger computer by itself. And the microbead-filled padding is squishy yet stable, so you can easily shape it to fit your lap.

Wall hanging supplies

We like 3M’s Command line for hanging almost anything on a wall. The backing sticks firmly to most surfaces but also comes off easily, so you can avoid damaging the walls (something we assume your RA will appreciate). The Medium Designer Hooks will hold up to 3 pounds, enough for a small bag, belts, or other light objects. The Small Wire Hooks work well for anything weighing less than half a pound, like necklaces or keys. Try Command Poster Strips, available in several package sizes, for hanging posters or setting up a gallery wall of your favorite instant photos. These strips are better than poster putty at keeping stuff—especially larger objects—on your walls.

In our tests, all of the Command products worked well, but only after we followed every step of the installation instructions. When using the hooks, clean the surface with alcohol, attach one side of the two-sided tape to the hook, and attach the other side to the wall. Then press firmly for 30 seconds, and wait an hour before hanging anything—otherwise, the hooks will fall off.

Desk lamp

The IKEA Forså is a good desk lamp option because it’s highly adjustable and inexpensive, and it has an architectural-retro style. The Forså’s three-point adjustable twin-pivoting arm and swiveling shade head provide a wide distribution of light (when positioned at full height) or a narrow spotlight (when folded down). Its weighted, 5.9-inch-diameter base takes up little space on a desk yet keeps the lamp firmly planted, and it rotates, so you can shine the light over your bed for late-night reading. The Forså comes with a warm (2,300 K) E12 LED bulb that’s not adjustable, but you can easily replace that bulb with whatever you prefer, including a smart bulb.

Bluetooth speaker

You could get better, louder sound from a set of desktop computer speakers, but for most dorm needs, a portable Bluetooth speaker will be good enough, as well as a lot more versatile. We’ve tested hundreds of them over the past several years, and the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 is our favorite. It has lots of useful features, including an Outdoor Boost mode (which makes it louder, at the expense of bass), an ultra-rugged design, stereo/mono pairing, an extra-long Bluetooth range, and a top button that lets you pause and restart the music, as well as skip to the next track. It’s also about the size and weight of a large apple, so it’s easy to carry around campus. For an option under $50, we also like the  Tribit XSound Go.

Surge protector

Using a surge protector is an inexpensive way to squeeze extra outlets into a dorm room while also protecting your electronics. The Tripp Lite Protect It 3-Outlet Surge Protector SK30USB is one of the picks in our surge protector guide. Its compact design, with three outlets and two USB ports, is ideal for small spaces, and it won’t take up too much space under your desk, as the bulkier surge protectors we tried did. This surge protector also comes with an auto-shutoff mechanism, making it one of the few three-outlet options we’ve found that will disconnect the power when the surge protection wears out. Also, its grounded (three-prong) plug and optional screw in the center of the unit help keep it firmly attached to the wall outlet, which is important for preventing electrical fires or shocks. If you need a few more outlets or a different configuration, we also like the circular Accell Power Air, which has six outlets and more easily accommodates plugs of different sizes.

Before you buy any of the electric items we recommend, such as a coffee maker or an Instant Pot, check with your school’s residential life department to see if these are allowed. We contacted two State University of New York schools, and their dorm policies prohibit anything that has an exposed heating element. Sneaking a forbidden microwave into your room may be a freshman rite of passage, but we can’t recommend that any student burn their dorm down.

Mini fridge

A mini fridge can make a spartan dorm room feel a bit more like home by providing a space to chill drinks, store a few fresh snacks, and keep your leftovers from turning into a science experiment. After spending 20 hours scoping out the category and considering about 20 models for our guide to mini fridges, we found that almost any mini fridge will be fine, as long as it meets some minimum criteria.

First, it needs to have a real compressor (as opposed to a less-effective thermoelectric cooling element, which will struggle to keep food cold enough). Second, it should have only one door, since these models tend to maintain consistent temperatures more effectively than their two-door counterparts. Otherwise, don’t overthink it. Most mini fridges work just fine, so get one that’s cheap and available—which probably means buying one used from whoever is moving out. It’s easier on your wallet and better for the planet.

If you need a new fridge, we suggest the Midea WHS-65LSS1. It’s an extra-compact, cube-style fridge with adjustable temperature and a reversible door. The company offers a two-year warranty on the compressor. It holds at least 30 cans, which is plenty of space for dorm-room eating habits, and it even has a tiny freezer shelf for a small ice cube tray. Best of all, it has adjustable legs to keep it level, which is crucial for ensuring that it operates quietly. That’s a big deal, because you might end up sleeping with this thing next to your head. It’s well rated on Amazon, with 3.8 stars from nearly 1,200 reviewers. Customers note its consistent temps and quiet operation.

Travel mug

After conducting 78 hours of research and testing over the past five years, we determined that the Zojirushi SM-SC Stainless Steel Mug is the best mug for your backpack. In addition to offering stellar insulating performance—in our tests, coffee was still hot after sitting in it for eight hours—it has a more intuitive and secure lid-locking mechanism than any other mug we’ve found. You never have to worry about it popping open and spilling in your bag, yet you can easily operate it with just one hand. It’s on the pricier side, but it’s the only mug we trust enough to put in the same pocket as a laptop or tablet. We like the 16-ounce version for most people’s needs, but you can go with the cheaper 12-ounce version or the slightly pricier 20-ounce version instead. Whichever size you choose, we recommend that you also get an OXO Good Grips Water Bottle Cleaning Set.

Water bottle

We conducted 120 hours of research over several years and have tested a total of 90 water bottles in all shapes, sizes, and materials. For students, we recommend the Hydro Flask 21 oz Standard Mouth. (The bottle is also available in 18- and 24-ounce sizes.) The mouth is wide enough that you can add ice cubes but narrow enough to sip without sloshing, especially if you’re on the move. And it can adapt to many situations, including being in the car (it fits in a cup holder) or at the gym (you can add a sport cap or silicone bumper). It also comes with a flex cap, a twist-off lid with a flexible carry handle.

If you prefer a plastic, glass, insulated, or collapsible bottle, check out our full guide to the best water bottles.

Coffee and tea supplies

Whether you’re a coffee person or a tea drinker, you’ll probably end up consuming more caffeine in college than you’d ever thought possible. Having an electric kettle in your room means that you can make a cup at any hour. The Hamilton Beach 40880 Stainless Steel 1.7 Liter Electric Kettle has everything you’ll need. It may lack the bells and whistles of some other models, but it’s cheap and easy to use—switch the kettle’s tab up to boil water, and it shuts off automatically as soon as the cycle is complete. In our tests, the Hamilton Beach 40880 had one of the fastest boil times, the handle stayed cool, and the spout didn’t dribble when pouring.

To prepare your coffee, we recommend the AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker, which comes with a full set of accessories and about a year’s supply of filters. It works kind of like a giant syringe, using a combination of pressure and lower brewing temperatures to mitigate the excess bitterness and acidity associated with cheaper coffee (and to get great results with better beans). The traditional brewing method produces a strongly flavored, espresso-strength brew, and the paper filters make your coffee sediment-free. One drawback: The AeroPress has a lot of parts that you could easily misplace. If you want to grind your own beans, here are our coffee grinder recommendations.

If you want something that’s less involved than the AeroPress—especially if you need a whole pot for an all-nighter—the Ninja CE251 is our favorite cheap coffee maker. In our tests we found it easy to use. And it was the only model we tried that reliably brewed at a hot enough temperature to extract good flavor from the beans and make a pot that was pleasingly hot to drink. It was also one of the easiest models to use and program. It comes with a scoop (which tucks neatly into the brewer’s body) and a removable water reservoir (which allows you to fill the machine directly from the sink).

For tea drinkers, we compared a dozen top-rated brewing methods and found that the Finum Brewing Basket is the best option because it was easier to use than others we tried. It’s just a small basket of very fine stainless steel mesh held together by food-safe and heat-safe plastic, with a lid that doubles as a saucer. It gives tea leaves ample room to bloom, and it strains out even the tiniest particles when you remove it from your mug or pot.

Pressure cooker

If you plan on cooking some of your meals, we recommend the 3-quart version of our favorite electric pressure cooker, the Instant Pot Duo 3-Quart. Whether you want to conserve your meal plan or you just want an option for when you don’t feel like walking to the dining hall, an Instant Pot can cook meals quickly. And it controls the heat, pressure, and depressurization itself—making hands-off cooking easy. Inexperienced chefs can use it to quickly make rice, pasta, oatmeal, or even eggs Benedict. The IP duo is small, though, so don’t expect to get a week’s worth of leftovers from any meals you prepare in this.

This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Christine Ryan.