Threshold Performance Sheet Set (Twin XL)
Our top budget pick in our guide to the best sheets, Target's Threshold sheets have a 400-thread count and are made from 100% cotton. They feel nice and soft and come in several nice colors, from blush pink to an autumn-y rust. Overall, they're a great set of sheets for the price.
They aren't perfect, though. The sateen weave may be a bit warm for some people, and they tend to hang on to body oils. There's also an initial odor, so you'll want to wash them before using them. If you're looking for something cooler or more luxurious, check out our full guide to the best twin XL sheets.
Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow (Set of 2)
Inexpensive yet still plush, these pillows are a great bargain for stomach and back sleepers and people who like a squishier, more moldable option. While there's no liquid or gel in the pillows, they stay decently cool. However, they won't be as cooling as something like the Leesa Hybrid Pillow.
If you're looking for something more adjustable or a pick specifically for your sleeping type, you'll find them in our guide to the best pillows.
Room Essentials Down-Alternative Comforter
Made of polyester with a cotton shell, this down-alternative comforter from Target's Room Essentials brand is surprisingly fluffy and comfortable. The shell is the best part: It's one of the softest we've felt. While we'd still recommend a duvet cover (check out our favorites here), the buttery shell is a big selling point.
This isn't the comforter we'd choose for frigid Midwestern winters, but it's perfect for spring and fall. Our guide to the best comforters has other recommendations for thicker, more-warming options.
Command Heavy Duty Utility Wall Hooks (2-pack)
Command Large Hook in Brushed Nickel
More Command hooks, strips, and containers
I'm probably exposing how far in the past college was for me by saying this, but I really wish Command Hooks and Command Strips were a thing when I was in college. If you wanted to hang anything up you had to use that awful blue putty, and nothing ever stayed up.
Now I use Command Strips and Hooks all over my house. They're super easy to install and now the company makes ones that are capable of holding up to 20 pounds of weight. Yes, you can now hang legit framed photos on your dorm wall or actual curtains. We also rounded up a ton of clever uses for Command Hooks here for inspiration. — Lauren Savoie, deputy editor
Lucid 4-Inch Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper
I happened to love my college mattress, but I think I was quite alone in that feeling. Most people I knew had some form of mattress topper, usually that dimpled egg crate foam, which I never understand. Who wants to sleep on a purposely lumpy piece of thin foam?
We tested a bunch of mattress toppers and our best budget option comes in twin XL sizes up to 4-inches thick. If you're a light sleeper, it's $90 well spent that should last you all four years. — Lauren Savoie, deputy editor
Beskar USB-Powered Clip-On Fan
While it certainly depends on the college, dorms are typically not in the nicest buildings, to put it lightly. Older buildings can leave much to be desired when it comes to AC, so I found having a small, easily movable fan to be a big asset. You can clip this handy fan to your bed frame, your desk, or wherever you might want more of a breeze. Plus, it's USB-powered, so if you're splitting a small number of outlets with a roommate, you don't have to worry about taking up a whole outlet to power it.
If you do have a spare outlet, try the Genesis 6-Inch Clip Convertible Table Fan, our favorite tabletop fan in our guide to the best electric fans. — Lauren Arzbaecher, associate story producer
Magnasonic Projection-Temp-Connection
Hatch Restore Personalized Sleep Solution
If you rely on your phone to get you up in the morning, a backup alarm isn't a bad idea. The Magnasonic's blue LCD display shows you the time, day of the week, and indoor temperature. An auto dimmer turns off the display and optional projector. You can also put in a backup battery in case of power outages. You can also set separate alarms for weekdays and weekends, with a beeping that gradually gets louder. We also have an inexpensive option for heavy sleepers in our best alarm clocks guide.
For a gentler wake-up, there's one of our picks for the best sunrise alarm clocks. (Our budget option is currently unavailable.) The Hatch Restore glows softly when it's time to get up. You can set 18 separate alarms, which makes it great for naps between classes. There are also white noise options and wind-down lights to help you fall asleep.
Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Towels
Quick-drying towels are especially great for dorms because there's not always a great place to keep them hanging up. We like that Pottery Barn's version is fluffy and thicker than many quick-drying options we tested. They take around 3 to 3.5 hours to air dry. While some of our picks for the best towels dried faster, these are plusher and less expensive. They also come in over a dozen colors so you can keep yours from getting mixed up with your roommate's.
iDesign Orbz Plastic Bathroom Tote
Handy Laundry Shower Caddy
Plastic shower caddies like the one from iDesign are great for keeping everything organized, thanks to their individual compartments. The holes ensure the water drains out, and it's easy to clean. On the other hand, the caddy doesn't collapse if you want to save room when storing it.
The mesh caddy from Handy Laundry is more compact and also dries quickly and has a drainage hole. Made of sturdy nylon, you should be able to put it in the washing machine on a gentle cycle to help keep it clean. This caddy folds down when you're not using it, but it lacks discrete sections to keep products more organized.
iDesign The Sarah Tanno Collection Cosmetic Drawer Organizer
This three-drawer organizer, created by celebrity makeup artist Sarah Tanno for iDesgn, is a compact way to store your brushes, blenders, and other cosmetic products. Measuring 8 by 8 inches and 7 inches tall, it shouldn't overcrowd your desk. Available in clear or gray, the recycled plastic is easy to clean, and the drawers fit in with the other pieces in the collection.
Kitchenaid 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker
Takeya Cold Brew Maker
Our coffee expert readily admits a $100 coffee machine isn't exactly budget. But this machine will last you throughout college and beyond and makes a fantastic cup, especially when you press the "bold" button. Made of sturdy plastic, the Kitchenaid has a 12-cup glass carafe to help fuel late-night study sessions or power you through the next morning.
If you can't get enough cold brew, the Takeya is a much more affordable device. It makes a well-rounded cup of coffee. Depending on the size of your mini fridge, you might want to stick with the 1-quart container. The downside is that brewing takes a full 24 hours, so you'll really want to prepare your next batch before you leave for class.
Check out our full guide to the best coffee makers, cold-brew coffee makers, and French presses.
Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Electric Kettle
For those wanting to test out their culinary skills within the confines of a dorm, an electric kettle is a versatile investment. Having a quick way to boil water helps to easily make tea or coffee, but it also can be used for full meals.
Using it as a stand-in for a pot on the stove, some students have gone so far as to boil a full bag of pasta within their kettles. While it may take some extra cleanup afterward, the possibilities of what you can toss into a kettle to boil are essentially limitless. The world is your oyster!
One caveat: Typically, electric kettles are accepted because there are no exposed heating elements that would pose a fire risk, but check your university's rules to see if they are allowed in dorm rooms. — Lauren Arzbaecher, associate story producer
Simple Modern 32-Ounce Summit Water Bottle
Made from stainless steel and available in an array of sizes and patterns, the Simple Modern Summit is the budget pick in our guide to the best water bottles. In our tests, it kept water cold, with the temperature rising 4 degrees over 10 hours. (That was better than our top choice.) You can also choose from a few different options for the lid, depending on your needs and preferences: a straw, chug lid, and handled variety.
Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug
If you want to keep your beverages both hot and cold, this is the bottle for you. In our tests, the Zojirushi kept coffee hot for well over 8 hours and was the best at keeping drinks cool, too. The lid locks shut, which is a must if you plan to carry it in your bag from class to class. The lid also comes apart for easier cleaning, but you'll probably want a good bottle brush for the body. The Zojirushi isn't dishwasher safe, but that's probably not much of a concern with dorm life.
T-fal All-in-One Hard-Anodized Cookware Set
Some dorms have small kitchenettes. If so, you probably won't have a ton of storage space, so we like that this set is stackable. We also appreciate the way the round indicators turn red when the pans are hot. This can be especially useful for those who are new to cooking. The nonstick coating helps make this set easy to clean, and it's best to keep them out of the dishwasher, even if your dorm has one.
Heavy Duty Tubular Hangers (12 Pack)
These thick plastic hangers are perfect for heavy-weight clothing. In our testing, jeans, blazers, and sweaters were no problem. However, lighter items like tank tops slipped off because there are no slots for straps. If you plan to keep this type of item in drawers, then this pack of hangers offers good value for the price.
Sterilite Stacking Laundry Basket
Able to hold a lot of clothes, Sterilite's no-frills laundry basket is made of heavy-duty plastic that's easy to clean. It's sturdy enough to hold 40 pounds of weight, so you can cram it pretty full. If you want a bit more organization, you can get an extra, which stacks on top. Use the second basket for separating different types of laundry or for storing clean clothes you haven't quite gotten around to putting away yet.
Black+Decker Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum
Handheld vacuums give you one less excuse to keep your dorm neat. This dustbuster weighs about 2 pounds and has a single button that turns it on and off. The battery lasts about 12 minutes, which is a bit short compared to others we tested. Still, it's very powerful for a handheld and has a large dustbin, so you have to empty it less often.
AmazonBasics Dual Head LED Desk Lamp
With an adjustable gooseneck and split-head design, this LED lamp from AmazonBasics has a lot of features of more expensive options. You have a fair amount of control over how much light it puts out and where that light is aimed. There are three color modes (natural, white, and yellow light) and several brightness levels. You can put the light on a 40-minute time. Overall, it's a great price for a versatile and compact lamp.
Anker Soundcore Flare Mini
This nice-looking cylindrical speaker sounds better than you'd expect for the price. While its sound quality can't match pricier picks, the Soundcore gets decently loud and provides a fair amount of bass. It has 360-degree audio, so you can hear it from any vantage point. You get about 12 hours of battery life, and there are LED lights on the bottom with five lighting modes.
Jansport Big Student Backpack
The North Face Jester Backpack
Jansport is known for its backpacks. This one is nice and roomy, with plenty of room for books, a water bottle, and so on. All the pockets are great for keeping track of smaller items as well. The polyester material is durable and good for inclement weather.
North Face also makes great backpacks. We especially like the Jester's large laptop compartment and padding. You can keep pens, small notebooks, and other easy-to-lose items in designated pockets. Two mesh side pockets keep potentially drippy water bottles away from the interior, too.
Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave
There are usually restrictions on what type of microwave you can bring, so check your dorm rules. You likely want a compact one, anyway. The Commercial Chef has a small capacity and low wattage. It won't hold large plates and doesn't even have a clock. All that said, it works well enough, and your dorm may not allow anything above its 600 watts.
Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
Sleep schedules can get weird in college, so having a reliable way to block out light when you need extra sleep is crucial. Made from 19 momme silk, this mask isn't as luxurious as some others we've tried. But the price is right, and it's still extremely comfortable. It helps block out a good deal of light, and the double straps help it stay securely in place.
Midea 3.1 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator
For a fairly compact appliance, this Midea fridge has a good amount of features. There are separate fridge and freezer compartments, with 2.2-cubic-foot- and 0.9-cubic-foot capacity, respectively. There are glass shelves in the fridge and some handy compartments for keeping bottles or cans organized. At the bottom, there's a crisper drawer for fruits and veggies.
The fridge is Energy Star certified and has a reversible door, so you should be able to make it work in your space. You'll want to make sure mini fridges are allowed in your dorm, though.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp (6-Quart)
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker
They're not allowed in every dorm room, so check your university's rules, but many colleges are now allowing students to bring Instant Pots and air fryers to school since they don't have exposed heating elements and are equipped with the safety features necessary to prevent cooking fires.
This is an easy way to have some home-style cooking in your dorm room. An air fryer is a good bet if you're primarily planning to reheat or cook frozen food, while an Instant Pot is the better choice if you're planning to make meals from scratch. Me? I'd probably pick the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, which has all the amenities of an Instant Pot but also added air frying capabilities.
For a less-pricey option, we chose the 7-in-1 Instant Pot as the best budget option in our guide to the best Instant Pots and pressure cookers.
Again, make sure to check your dorm's rules before committing, though. — Lauren Savoie, deputy editor
Vinacafe Instant Coffee Mix
When you're in the limited space of a dorm, having both an electric kettle and a coffee maker can feel a bit extravagant. I say, forgo the coffee maker, save the money you'd spend on Starbucks, and get these Vietnamese instant coffee packets.
After trying pretty much every brand in the Asian supermarket, these ones are my favorite because of how surprisingly flavorful they are. I used to keep them in my bedside drawer for a quick pick-me-up. Just add hot water and stir. — Sarah Saril, reporter
Oxdigi Tension Curtain Rod
Deconovo Blackout Curtains
My freshman year at Michigan State, I was assigned to an E-shaped dorm room, designed for four occupants. There were only three of us, so we decided to each take a section of the E, with the long part serving as the hallway. I used a simple curtain and tension rod to add privacy to my "room." It also kept out some of the light when I didn't get to sleep until after dawn.
If you have a similar layout, I strongly recommend getting a divider for your space. — James Brains, reporter
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