The 20 Best Dorm-Room Essentials From Amazon
Whether it's your first year of college or you're returning to campus, it's time to start stocking up on your dorm-room essentials. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available, don't worry, we're here to help. Amazon has a whole section dedicated to college must haves, and we rounded up our favorite finds we think you'll actually use. From storage and organizational items for that small space to compact appliances, we've got you covered with the best dorm necessities on Amazon.
Create quick meals with microwavable food storage containers that will cook instant noodles, a small Crockpot that's portable and perfect for keeping soups and mac and cheese warm, and an air fryer for leftovers. Keep your room tidy with a lightweight cordless hand vacuum from Shark that can clean floors and bedding. Need a side table for all your bedtime essentials? The BedShelfie is a bedside shelf that attaches to the base of your bed so you can have your phone, water bottle, and other necessities right next to you. Get yourself a slim Keurig coffee machine for those late-night study sessions and a mini fridge that can slide under your bed or desk. Plus, we found a rolling cart and closet organizers to keep everything neat and tidy. Shop our top picks ahead.
— Additional reporting by Angela Elias
Best Extension Cord
OneBeat Desktop Power Strip ($16, originally $22)
This power strip is something you'll need for your dorm setup. It's equipped with three outlets and four USB ports so you can keep all your tech charged without needing bricks. It has a flat plug as well so furniture can lean against it. The cord is five feet long and braided for durability.
Best Portable Food Warmer
Crockpot Electric Lunch Box ($40, originally $45)
Make instant noodles a little more gourmet with this nifty portable food warmer. It's a 20-ounce portable food warmer that's a must for dorm life. You can warm up leftovers, soups, mac and cheese, and so much more. You can even take a snack on the go with its tight-sealing lid. It comes in several fun colors as well.
Best Smart Plugs
Govee Smart Plugs ($29)
If you ever get that feeling that you forgot to turn off your hair tool, these smart plugs will be just what you need. They come in a pack of four smart plugs that are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. You can control your room's outlets from anywhere with your smartphone and easily turn things off. Plus, you can make custom schedules as well.
Best Utility Cart
3-Tier Utility Rolling Cart ($39)
This rolling cart is so useful in a dorm room. You can use it as a bedside table, your personal vanity, or to create a mini coffee bar. It has three large baskets where you can store some of your dorm essentials. It is so versatile and can hold a lot of weight as well.
Best Bedside Shelf
BedShelfie Wood Bedside Shelf ($39)
Don't have room for a nightstand? This bedside shelf will keep your evening essentials by your side without taking up much room. There's enough room to charge your tablet or phone and hold your eyeglasses, and it even has a built-in cup holder. It's also a great option for those who took the top bunk.
Best Desktop Organizer
Jerry & Maggie Adjustable Desktop Organizer ($26, originally $30)
Utilize your desk space efficiently with this desktop organizer. The shelves are two main parts that you can configure into a setup of your liking. You can even separate the parts and use them in different locations. It comes in four different colors: black, white wood, natural wood, and white.
Best Closet Organizer
X-Cosrack 3 Tier Foldable Closet Organizer ($33, originally $36)
Create the ultimate closet setup in your dorm room with this closet organizer. You can store all your folded clothing items, linens, and other things in these sturdy and large hanging baskets. Plus, it also comes with five s-hooks so you can hang tote bags, umbrellas, and more.
Best Microwavable Bowl
Sistema Microwave Cookware Bowl ($19)
Utilize the power of your microwave by creating quick and mess-free meals with this microwavable bowl. You can use it to whip up ramen noodles, warm up soups, and so much more. It comes in other shapes and sizes so you can cook oatmeal, rice, eggs, and more.
Best Air Fryer
Dash Tasti-Crisp Electric Air Fryer ($60)
This air fryer has a nonstick fry basket, a temperature-control knob, and an auto shutoff feature, so you can have a warm midnight snack in minutes. This is the 2.6 quart size, which is perfect for easily stashing away when you aren't using it.
Best Water Filter Bottle
Brita Plastic Water Filter Bottle ($23)
Ditch the packs of water bottles and stay hydrated with this water bottle with a built-in filter. The filter reduces the taste of chlorine, so you can fill it up wherever and whenever. Keep it in your dorm room, or take it with you to class. It comes in plenty of cool colors as well.
Best Handheld Vacuum
Shark WV201 WandVac Handheld Vacuum ($83, originally $130)
Keep your room clean with this handheld vacuum. It's a lightweight, rechargeable cordless hand vacuum that has a powerful suction and empties with just one touch. It comes with two other attachments that can help you clean bedding, surfaces, and floors alike.
Best Shower Caddy
mDesign Plastic Portable Shower Caddy ($19, originally $22)
This is a sleek and minimalist shower caddy that has two distinct sections. You can easily organize your shampoo, conditioner, body wash, shaving necessities, loofahs, and more. It has drainage holes in the bottom so everything stays dry.
Best Mini Fridge
NewAir Mini Fridge Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler ($350)
This mini fridge will come in handy for every college student. It can hold up to 60 cans of beverages and cools to 37 degrees so you can even store leftovers or takeout. It's compact enough to store underneath your desk or your bed, or it can even serve as a functional side table.
Best Shoe Storage Shelf
Soges Wooden Shoe Storage Shelf ($76)
If you and your roommate have a lot of shoes, this shoe storage shelf is a must to stay organized. In fact, you can use this to store other necessities like snacks and drinks, clothes and linens, and your shower caddies.
Best Picture Ledge
Command Picture Ledge ($19, originally $23)
From school supplies to keys, masks, and other essentials, this picture ledge will make use of your wall space so you can store and display anything you want and holds up to five pounds. It comes with 10 medium strips so you can reuse and hang the shelf at your next place without any damage.
Best Stackable Storage Shelves
Amazon Basics 6 Cube Grid Wire Storage Shelves, Black ($34)
This stackable storage unit include 26 plastic corner connectors and 23 grid panels made of powder-coated steel wire so you can stack and design however you want. They have a 10-pound weight capacity per cube and come in white as well.
Best Space-Saving Hangers
Zober Non-Slip Velvet Hangers (50-Pack) ($30, originally $33)
Don't let chunky hangers get in the way of your closet space; these space-saving hangers are a must. The ultrathin, swivel design will let you make use of every inch of your closet, and each hanger can hold up to 10 pounds.
Best Compact Coffee Maker
Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker ($60, originally $100)
If you have limited counter space, this compact coffee maker is perfect for your apartment kitchen or dorm-room coffee station. Not only does it come in a variety of cute colors, but its sleek design also lets you enjoy your coffee without the clutter.
Best Under-the-Bed Storage
StorageLAB Underbed Storage Fabric Containers ($30 for two)
Make use of the space under your bed with these under-the-bed storage containers. They're great for storing clothes and items that are not currently in use or shoes.
Best Multiuse Over-the-Door Storage
Umbra Estique Over-the-Door Organizer ($30)
From towels and clothes to bags and umbrellas, you can get so much use out of this over-the-door storage rack. These 14 generously spaced hooks allow room for accessories of all sizes and shapes, giving you the opportunity to make use of every hook.