The countdown is on, with two of my kids heading off to college this fall. One is going away for the first time, and the other is going back after taking a semester off, so we’ve been making lists and shopping for everything they’ll need.
If you also have kids heading off to college or moving into an apartment, I’ve rounded up a bunch of trending dorm room and apartment essentials that you may want to add to your lists, and many of these are included in Amazon Prime Day!
As a reminder, Prime Day Deals are exclusively for Amazon Prime members, so if you haven’t taken the plunge yet, you can sign up for a 30-Day Free Trial and enjoy all of the Prime Day benefits. Once you see how convenient it is, you may decide it’s worth the subscription, but if you don’t, you can cancel anytime.
Dorm Room and Apartment Essentials
Canon Printer // Whether it’s for printing out essays, assignments, or study materials, having a printer in their room will save them a trip to the library or computer lab. With wireless printing, they can easily print from their phones or laptops, making last-minute print jobs on their way to class a breeze.
Woozoo Fan // My younger daughter was gifted one of these for her high school graduation, and she can’t wait to use it in her dorm. It has an adjustable tilt with an oscillating feature that you can turn on or off. Plus, it comes with a remote so you can easily switch between five different speeds without leaving your bed.
(Incidentally, I just ordered one for my bathroom…makes getting ready in the morning with hot flashes so much more comfortable!)
Amazon Fire TV // Most of the Amazon Fire TVs are on sale! I like that these are affordable and come with all of the streaming services already built in for them to connect with their accounts.
MacBook // If your child needs a new laptop for school, I noticed that Apple sells recent versions of their laptops through Amazon brand new. These don’t go on sale often, so definitely a great chance to save! You can also choose to purchase Apple Care as well.
AirPods Pro // One thing that every college kid needs is a decent pair of headphones. Whether it’s to escape from a roommate, listen to music on the way to class, or to cancel out noise while studying, this is one thing they will use all the time. If they prefer over-the-ear headphones, the Apple AirPods Max Wireless are also on sale.
Bluetooth Speaker // Speaking of music, my son takes his bluetooth speaker with him everywhere… even into the shower. This one is waterproof so they can use it in the pool, camping, and yes, in the shower, too.
Power Strip // College-aged kids have so many different devices to charge, and dorm rooms often don’t have enough outlets! This power strip can charge up to 12 devices at a time and is made with an ultra-thin plug so they can easily plug it in behind a bed, sofa, or other piece of furniture.
Moving Bags // I’ve moved my fair share of kids into dorm rooms, and one thing is for sure—there’s always a lot of stuff! These moving bags are a game-changer for making the packing process easy and efficient. They are spacious, sturdy, and perfect for transporting everything from clothes and bedding to school supplies and personal items.
Mattress Topper // Dorm room beds can be extremely uncomfortable, and having one of these memory foam mattress toppers can make all of the difference.
Mattress Pad // Add this mattress pad on top of the memory foam topper above, and the bed will feel like a hotel bed.
Pillows // These best-selling pillows look incredibly comfy and supportive, and they get great reviews.
Duvet Insert // This all-season duvet insert has amazing ratings. Reviewers say it’s the Goldilocks of duvet inserts… not too hot, not too cold, and so snuggly soft!
6 Piece Towel Set // This highly-rated towel set is soft, absorbent, and quick-drying. They come in lots of colors, but white makes it easy to keep them looking fresh with a little bleach!
Space Saving Hangers // I wish I had known about these last year! We had to get creative with my daughter’s clothing storage, and this would have been a game-changer for squeezing more into her tiny dorm closet. Both girls are bringing a set with them to college this fall.
Brita Water Filter Pitcher // This pitcher will allow them to refill their Stanley, Owala, or water bottle of choice with fresh, filtered water whenever they need it. This one is super compact and fits in a dorm-sized fridge!
Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine // No single serve coffee maker brews a cup of coffee that tastes as good as the Nespresso. This one nice and compact and won’t take up much space.
Microwave // A microwave is essential for quick meals and reheating leftovers for late-night study sessions. This one is compact, which is perfect for dorm rooms or small apartment kitchens!
Photo Holder // Adding photos is an affordable way to inject personality into a dorm room. This photo holder would make a stylish addition behind a desk or above the bed.
Dorm+Doc // This medical kit is stocked with everything your student might need—bandages, pain relievers, cold medicine, and more—to tackle everyday health hiccups without missing a beat. I also linked to other similar first aid kits, if you want more options.
Alarm Clock // You won’t have to worry about them oversleeping for class, work, or an internship with this digital alarm clock. It also doubles as a charging station, with two USB ports.
Drawer Organizers // These are not only perfect for organizing school supplies like pencils, paperclips, chargers, etc., in a desk drawer, but they’re also great for organizing jewelry and beauty products!
Rolling Utility Cart // Storage is invaluable in a small space like a dorm room, so this cart is a wonderful storage solution! These shelves keep everything neatly organized and easily accessible, from textbooks to snacks.
Desktop Mirror // With 10x magnification and dimmable LED lights, this portable desktop mirror makes doing her hair and makeup a breeze!
