Shopping for school can be overwhelming. We have you covered with the products you might be forgetting.

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Back-to-school shopping looks a little different for those who are preparing to head off to college. Dorm room living can call for Twin XL sheets, shower caddies, closet organizers, and stocking up on essentials like towels and school supplies. And that’s only the start. 

Shared spaces underscore the importance of individualized amenities like laundry baskets and storage containers for a tidy dorm room. To help you tackle that seemingly never-ending shopping list, we pulled together the college dorm essentials worth buying. 

An air purifier might not be at the top of your college dorm essentials shopping list, but it’s still worth considering. The portable Sharper Image Purify 9 is primarily filter-based, has six speeds, and is designed for floor or tabletop use in areas up to 350 square feet (prime for a compact dorm). This model receives an Excellent rating in our tests for its ability to remove dust, pollen, and smoke when operating at its highest setting. It’s also easy to use and simple to remove and replace its filters.

For more options: Best Air Purifiers

A daily Starbucks habit can add up quickly, and once midterms roll around (and that caffeine intake triples), having a personal coffee maker will be appreciated. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is compact enough to live on a dresser or standing storage unit in a dorm room. One of the top-rated single-serve machines, this coffee maker stands out with Excellent scores on CR’s brew time tests and for its ability to control the brew volume for different strengths. 

For more options: The Best Coffee Makers

Amazon Basics Slim Hangers, set of 50

Attempting to squeeze every item of clothing you own into a dorm-sized closet might present a few challenges. Slim hangers can help you maximize those small spaces. Certified professional organizer Mackenzie Scott of Mission 2 Organize recommends felt hangers to maximize the capacity of the closet.  

Honey-Can-Do Bed Risers, set of 4

Bed risers are a college dorm room essential, and for good reason. Elevating a bed—even if it’s a few inches—will present a wealth of extra space underneath that can be prime for storing everything from textbooks to clothing. 

Living in a dorm probably means having to share a bathroom. And according to Scott, “The best method for bathroom-sharing is to get a bath caddy, especially if your bath area is down the hall or not attached to your room.” This handy version comes with two compartments, an easy-to-grip handle, and ventilation holes that promote airflow. 

Command hooks can be a useful organizational tool, and according to Sharon Lowenheim, founder of Organizing Goddess, they’re versatile and easily reusable. Just keep the hooks and grab more adhesive strips if you want to move them around. Use these for corralling cords underneath a desk, hanging towels from a door, or even as a display for bags and accessories.

A great set of sheets never goes out of style, and a good quality set will surely be appreciated. This Brooklinen Luxe Core set impresses in our tests, earning good marks for both fit and shrinkage, which means though they do tend to get smaller during washes, they don’t deform all that much over time. True to its name, these sheets err on the softer side and are available in five color options—and yes, these even come in a Twin XL size. 

A weighted blanket can be a solid substitute when you feel like you need a hug. This version from Luna comes with a cotton cover and is available in various colors, which means you can easily customize it to suit your style and space. According to the brand, you can wash it in cold water, on a gentle setting, and hang it to dry or tumble dry on low heat. 

For more options: We Tested 5 Weighted Blankets.

Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft

Getting a good night’s sleep is paramount in college, and a reliable pillow is just the place to start. This Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft pillow is made of shredded memory foam and earns an Excellent rating in our tests for support, no matter your size and whether you sleep on your side or back. 

For more options: Best Pillows

Saatva Mattress Topper (Twin XL)

A mattress is a college dorm room staple, and you can bank on the probability that it’s not exactly new. Whether you’d like a buffer for sanitary reasons or prefer a softer foundation, a mattress topper can be of great value. A memory foam topper, like this one from Tempur-Pedic ($240 at Amazon), is perfect for those who want a bed they can sink into. For sleepers who run hot, consider an organic topper made from latex with tiny air pockets throughout—like this version from Saatva.

Ello Campy Vacuum Insulated Stainless Travel Mug

Impressive performance coupled with an enamel splatterware-inspired design makes for an insulated mug that’s functional and good-looking to boot. In our labs, the Ello Campy mug kept water hot for 5 hours in a temperature-retention test, earning a Very Good rating. It also has a top that’s exceptionally easy to clean, with few crevices. The mug has two gaskets, both of which are easy to remove and replace. The spring-loaded sipping mechanism is easy to slide open with a single hand.

For more options: Best Insulated Mugs

Whether you’re traveling from class to the gym to heading home for break, a versatile weekender will always come in handy. This reasonably priced weekender comes in a playful array of colors and patterns, and it’s water-resistant, light, and easy to carry. A separate compartment for shoes keeps your clothes clean, but other than that, this is a straightforward bag to get you from point A to point B.

For more options: Best Weekender Bags and Duffels

Sharing a dorm room means that studying in silence isn’t always a guarantee. A pair of noise-canceling headphones can save you. While the Monoprice BT-300ANC headphones don’t have the latest features—like a monitor mode or adjustable noise cancellation—they deliver where it counts: above-average sound quality and fantastic sound-blocking abilities if you cherish the quiet.

For more options: Best Noise-Canceling Headphones

The JBL Clip 4 has two important things going for it: It’s inexpensive and it’s small, making it a great choice for taking it to college. This tiny speaker fits easily into your palm and features a carabiner that can clip onto a backpack or a beach bag. JBL claims an IP67 rating, which means the speaker is both water-resistant and dustproof. Our testers found the Clip 4 to be easy to pair, and the prominent controls make it easy to turn up the volume. Trust us: A speaker will definitely come in handy.

For more options: Best Wireless Speakers

Based in New York City, I'm a shopping editor for Consumer Reports, writing about home, tech, and everything in between. Previously, I covered interior design and market trends as the digital editor of Domino, which shaped my multidisciplinary background in lifestyle journalism. When I'm not seeking out the everyday essentials worth investing in, you may find me perusing my favorite bookstores, cooking, or wandering around the city.

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