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The good news is your teen is GOING to college. The bad news is your teen is LEAVING for college. To help them get ready for dorm life, there may be a long list of things they WANT to buy, but here is the short list of what every college student needs to bring with them — the absolute dorm essentials.
To streamline your shopping, we’ve cut straight to the basics and listed only the 12 must-haves they’ll need on day one.
In a few instances, we added extras for you to consider while shopping but have deliberately kept this college packing list short. Consider this a solid starting point and layer on the items your college student knows they will use, not the myriad things retailers and schools identify as “essentials.”
Three MUST-DO things before you shop
First, we recommend that you read Dorm Room Shopping: 50 Questions to Answer First which will guide you through all the Q&As you want to discuss with your teen BEFORE you shop.
Second is to gather as much insight as possible from their college’s website, typically under “Residence Life.” Find out what things are provided for freshmen (e.g., desk lamp, trash can) and what might be prohibited (e.g., extension cord, coffee maker.) Look for the floor plan of the actual dorm your teen is assigned to and make note of any dimensions provided. Pay special attention if the bed is lofted and, if so, how much space there is under the bed that can be used for storage.
Third, your teen will want to coordinate with their roommate if they’re planning compatible decor and/or want to share a mini-fridge or microwave as most dorms are too small to accommodate duplicate appliances. An area rug is also popular, but no need to get more than one.
Fourth, a tip for your student: If your teen or young adult (ages 18–24) has their own Prime account, let them know about this Prime Day offer (7/8–7/11) — they’ll earn 10% cash back on eligible Amazon purchases instead of the usual 5%. That’s double the rewards on all those dorm essentials and back-to-school buys! They can earn up to $500 cash back per year, and it’s valid for a full 12 months. Great time to save and teach them to shop smart.
12 dorm essentials to put on your list
1. Twin XL Sheets: Mellanni TXL Sheet Set (Amazon)
There’s no place other than a college dorm where your teen will need Twin XL sheets, which means you will need to get a new set or, at least, a fitted sheet in that size. These highly-rated sheets are stain, shrink, fade, wrinkle, and pill-resistant and can withstand the dorm washer and dryers. Good Housekeeping gives these sheets top marks. $34.97 set of fitted and top sheet plus pillowcase.
Expert Tip: While shopping for sheets, your teen might also want to get a comforter, duvet, or blanket if they don’t already have something to bring from home. Twin XL size will fit the best, but consider choosing a regular or Queen size to fit future, larger beds.
2. Utopia Bath Towel 8-Piece Set (Amazon)
Your teen can bring towels from home or, if you want them to start their dorm life with a new set, these Utopia towels are well-priced for an 8-piece set with two of each bath and hand towels and four washcloths. They have nearly 70,000 4.4 reviews on Amazon and Good Housekeeping ranked them number 5 on their top 8 towels and were noted as being the best set. Available in 20 pretty colors.
3. Mattress Topper: ViscoSoft Select High-Density Mattress Topper (Amazon)
Help your student sleep like they’ve never left home by sending them to campus with a ViscoSoft Select High-Density Twin XL mattress topper. They are super comfortable, easy to clean, durable, and provide an ick-safe barrier between your teen and the old dorm mattress that’s typically provided. You can choose between 3″ or 4″ of gel-infused memory foam. The covers are washable and come with adjustable straps and slip-resistant mesh for a snug fit.
The quality construction and innovative design of this mattress topper helped Viscosoft become recognized as a highly-rated mattress topper brand by Consumer Reports and the New York Times Wirecutter product reviewers, too.
ViscoSoft Dusk Mattress Topper Twin XL (Amazon)
If you’re interested in a lower price mattress topper from a trusted brand, ViscoSoft sells a high quality topper with two features that make it more than a “basic piece of foam.” It comes with a machine washable cover and an anti-slip bottom so it won’t slide around on top of the college-supplied mattress. Available in 2″ and 3″ thickness.
4. Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillow (Set of 2) (Amazon)
This is another item that your teen can bring from home. However, if buying a new one, consider this highly-rated down alternative pillow which is number one in the bed pillow category on Amazon and the best value pick on Good Housekeeping. They are machine-washable which is a big plus when living in dusty dorm rooms.
Expert Tip: Two pillows can make the bed much more comfortable as most dorm beds do not have headboards to lean on. Another excellent option for back support is this one by ComfortSpa at Amazon.
5. Laundry Bag: Azhido Backpack Laundry Bag (Amazon)
Your teen will (eventually) wash their clothes and need a laundry basket or hamper to help transport a mountain of dirty clothes to the laundry room.
This backpack laundry bag is a great dorm essential that will work for most students. It has padded straps and is adjustable to accommodate regular and extra bulky loads. Available in loads of colors, it is made from durable Oxford cloth and can also be used as a travel or storage bag.
6. Shower Caddy (Amazon)
Students who make the trek down the hall with shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, soap dish, soap, deodorant, and a towel need to bring a shower caddy to college. For students who share a bathroom with suitemates, this item can be left off the list if they can leave their toiletries in the bathroom.
Expert Tip: Women students, in particular, might also want a bathrobe or towel wrap to wear for the walk to the communal shower rather than trying to keep a towel wrapped around them as they carry a shower caddy filled with all of the above. A bath wrap or terrycloth robe will help with drying off as they walk back to their room.
7. Shower Shoes: Adidas Unisex Slides (Amazon)
Whether walking down the hall to the bathroom or using the one they share with suitemates, shower shoes are a must-have dorm essential. Dorm and bathroom floors are gross and these Adidas unisex slides are lightweight, quick-drying and have plus cushioning. These are the #1 bestseller on Amazon in the category of “Men’s Athletic & Outdoor Sandals & Slides.” Available in many colors.
8. Storage Solutions: IRIS Weathertight Storage Bins (Amazon)
Dorm rooms only have so much built-in storage. That’s why under-bed storage containers are necessary to store bedding, extra socks and underwear, and toiletries. Before buying, find out as much as you can about the room to maximize this precious space. Iris makes lots of different shapes and sizes of bins so try to find out how high the bed is lofted before you make your purchase.
9. Surge Protector: Belkin 12 Outlet Surge Protector (Amazon)
Surge protectors will protect expensive electronics from a power surge and they typically offer multiple outlets and/or USB ports for all the devices students bring to college. They are preferable to extension cords, which many schools ban.
This USB-C power strip has 12 surge-protected AC outlets, 2 fast-charging USB-A ports, and 1 USB-C port for a laptop, phone, and more. Two other great features are the 6 ft power cord and the on/off switch.
10. Water Bottle: Owala Water Bottle (Amazon)
We love these Owala bottles are our favorites, and they’re available in numerous sizes and designs, all of which are cheerful!
11. First Aid Kit: Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit (Amazon)
If you want a ready-made first aid kit, this one is very complete. With 160 pieces, it includes standard first aid supplies: Neosporin, Benadryl Itch-Stopping topical cream, Tylenol Extra Strength acetaminophen pain reliever caplets, and a Bengay Non-Medicated Instant Cold Pack.
Expert Tip: We suggest that parents also put together a medicine/first aid kit and fill it with what they know their teens are used to taking at home when they have colds or sore throats. Students seem to get sick at 2 a.m. and having a thermometer, the cold remedies they are used to, along with basic first aid supplies is essential. It is also vital to ensure your student can renew any prescription medication they are currently taking.
BTW, here is a list for preparing an ULTIMATE first aid kit suggested by a pharmacist/college mom.
12. IKEA Move-In Bag 4-Pack (Amazon)
Packing up for college and moving into the dorm can be made much easier with a light-weight, durable bag like this IKEA big blue bag. Bonus is that it has straps so it can be worn as a backpack and it’s foldable and easily stashed in your student’s room to be used for moving out.
Other Dorm Essentials to Consider:
Backpacks
Your student can bring their backpack from home, but getting a new one that does not have years of crumbs and grime from high school is a little luxury that they will appreciate. We recommend the North Face Pivoter, but here are our picks for a new backpack.
School Supplies
Students may use different methods for reading, taking notes, and completing school assignments at college than they did in high school. Don’t buy a semester’s supply of bulky printer paper, sticky notes, notebooks, binders, pens, pencils, index cards, highlighters, scissors, folders, etc., if your student plans to use more digital resources. Additionally, dorms often have printing facilities, so students don’t need their printers and paper.
Dorm Cooking
If your student can use a microwave or coffee maker in their dorm, they might need a few things like a mug, bowl, utensils, dish soap, and paper towels. But those can all be purchased once they know what they’re allowed to use and where they can be stored.
How to Save Money On Dorm Essentials
Many retailers have free shipping and other special savings for college students, so read the fine print and take advantage of every offer. Your student may have to provide their .edu email address to be eligible, which seems like a fair ask to unlock the savings.
The Container Store often offers special promotions, sweepstakes and savings. Learn more here.
Target Circle members can unlock savings when shopping.
Amazon Prime Days are July 8-11 this year and you can find amazing savings when you shop for dorm supplies then. Here are some of the Amazon Prime Day deals we have already found.
Why You Can Trust Us
I have dorm and apartment shopped with my own two kids and nephew and have also learned from thousands of other families (nearly 300,000) in the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook Group. Our parent members compare notes about what things their college students cannot live without and which things stayed in their boxes, collecting dust under the bed.
We also research consumer guides such as Consumer Reports, The New York Times Wirecutter, Good Housekeep among others to learn about the top brands for students.
We feel strongly that it is a big mistake to overbuy for your teen for their dorm but know that, as parents, we want to make sure we’ve done all we can to help them settle into dorm live, especially since we will not be nearby to help!
Prices accurate as of time of publication.
