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The Amazon Memorial Day Sale runs through Tuesday, May 26th. We looked through all our recent Grown and Flown bestsellers to find good deals on the most popular things. Many of these finds are just in time for dorm/college apartment shopping and are also pretty perfect for grad gifts, too.
Best Memorial Day deals on Amazon
If you have an off-to-college teen, this might be a particularly good time to pick up a few dorm items that you know they will NEED (see our list of 12 dorm necessities) as well as some that would be NICE TO HAVE (see our list of 30 bestselling dorm essentials.) If they are moving into an apartment, here is our apartment checklist for that which we hope they are sharing with roommates!
Do you have the (free) Grown and Flown Off-to-College Checklist? It Includes important financial, health and wellness, and legal things to check off your list before your teen leaves home. Download it here.
Dorm Room or College Apartment Shopping
Memorial Day is a smart time to buy for a dorm or college apartment and here are some of our favorites on discount now. We’ll keep watching for more great deals all weekend long to add to this list.
1. ViscoSoft Dusk 3-Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper, Twin XL
Our most recommended dorm mattress topper, year after year. The 3-inch version is especially plush and would help make a brick-like college mattress much more comfortable. CertiPUR-US certified foam, washable cooling cover. On sale: 14% off, now $80
2. LEVOIT Core Mini Air Purifier, White
LEVOIT makes our most-recommended air purifier and this mini version is perfect for dorm rooms: compact, quiet, filters smoke, allergens, pet dander, and odors. This could be very helpful if your teen has allergies to indoor or outdoor (if they have to keep windows open) pollutants. Also, with wildfire smoke becoming more of an issue, having an air purifier can be a true health aid. Your teen will thank you when their room is cleaner and smells nicer than the rest of the dorm. On sale: 20% off, now $40
3. Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker, Black
Compact, fast, and beloved in dorms and small apartments, the K-Mini is under 5 inches wide. It would be something your student could use all four years of college and beyond. Available in five colors but discounts vary. On sale: 26% off, now $74
4. SentrySafe Small Digital Safe with Keypad, Blue
A Grown and Flown Top Pick. This compact safe can store cash, a passport, jewelry, and/or prescription meds in a dorm room. This is a safety gift your student actually needs and will use. On sale: 13% off, now $36 (Save 19% on the red one.)
5. LapGear Home Office Lap Desk, White Marble
Our Top-Recommended Lap Desk. Students use it in bed, on the couch, in the common room. The built-in phone holder and mouse pad make it more functional than it looks. The white marble pattern is the bestseller. On sale: 29% off, now $25 This is the #1 bestseller in the lap desk category on Amazon.
6. Rocketbook Core Reusable Spiral Notebook
Reusable, erasable, app-connected, and endlessly practical for a student taking notes. On sale: 17% off, now $25
7. Sailstar LED Desk Lamp with Wireless Charger and Desk Accessories Holder
Lights the desk, charges the phone, holds pens or other desk accessories your teen uses every day. This multifunction task lamp has a quick charging space for their phone and dimmable lighting which can be considerate for a sleeping roommate. On sale: 12% off, now $30
8. IRIS USA WOOZOO Desk Fan
WOOZOO fans have become a dorm room staple for our readers: compact, 3 speeds, surprisingly powerful airflow for a small space. There are more expensive ones with remote-controls but this one is the lowest price and works well on a desk. On sale: 12% off, now $22
9. Conair ExtremeSteam 1200W Handheld Garment Steamer
Heats up in 40 seconds, de-wrinkles everything from silk to heavy cotton, comes with three attachments and a 9-foot cord. There is no room for an iron and ironing board – this is perfect for a dorm and just as useful for your own closet at home. Bonus features – Kills 99.9% of germs as well as dust mites and bed bugs. On sale: 40% off, now $35
10. J & J Band-Aid 160-Piece First Aid Kit
Your college student should bring basic first aid supplies in addition to anything on this very comprehensive first aid kit list that you think would work best for their cough and colds, for example. On sale: 35% off, now $15.99 This is the #1 bestseller in camping first aid kits on Amazon.
11. Beckham Hotel Collection Down Alternative Bed Pillows – Set of 2
We love the idea of washable pillows since dorm rooms are really, really dusty and kind of gross when the year ends in May. (Trust us on this…) On sale: 25% off, now $59.99
12. Utopia Towels 8-Piece Bath Set, White
Your college student needs towels for their dorm and this is one place where they can shop at home – which gives you a chance to replace your old towels with new ones – or take a new set. These are 100% cotton and include 2 bath, 2 hand and 4 washcloths. Tip – you might see if your local dry cleaner can embroider their initials which personalizes them and helps them keep track of their set of towels in a communal laundry room. On sale: 18% off, now $27.99
13. Bedsure Twin XL Comforter/Sheet set – 5 Pieces
Teens need sheets, a pillow and a comforter or blanket and this set includes all five essential pieces in a Twin XL size. Many colors available but not all discounted. On sale: 17% off, now $42.99 This is the #1 bestseller in Bedding Duvets & Down Comforters Sets on Amazon.
14. Comfort Spa Reading Pillow
Dorm beds are uncomfortable and it could help your student to have a large pillow to lean against while reading or doing homework in bed. On sale: 39% off, now $33.99
15. TICONN Packing bags – 6 pack
Blue zipper packing bags are a practical way to sort, pack, and unload bulky dorm bedding and clothes, towels, etc. These are durable, waterproof and lightweight and can be folded for easy storage. The slot for adding a tag will help with move in day when there will be hundreds of students who may have the same bags going to the same dorm rooms. On sale: 33% off, now $26.99
16. Coleman Camping Chair
We like this chair as a dorm guest chair or a chair to take for tailgating. Available in four colors, it is collapsable and foldable, supports up to 325 pounds (read durable)and has a one year warranty. On sale: 32% off, now $39.99. It is the #1 bestseller in in Camping Chairs on Amazon.
17. Max Hauser 3-Tier Rolling Cart, Standard Width
Max Hauser rolling carts are available in a slim (9″ wide) and standard (16.4″ wide) size and either would be a helpful addition to a dorm to store toiletries, cleaning supplies, snacks or paper goods, etc. or to use as a nightstand. Available in several colors. On sale: 35% off, now $29.88
18. Anker Surge Protector, Power Strip
Dorms often prohibit students from using a regular extension cord so a quality surge protector is a must-buy to protect their expensive laptops and other tech devices. This one has 6 AC, 2 USB A & 2 USB C Ports for 20W with a 5ft Outlet Extender making it very practical for dorm use since outlets may not always be located in the most convenient place. On sale: 13% off, now $25.98
Bestselling Tech
19. Anker Portable Charger, Nano Power Bank
This is the small, lightweight rapid charger I gave everyone in my family last year and the one I use, too. Compatible with Apple iPhone 15, Apple iPhone 16, Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, Samsung Galaxy S23 5G, more. On sale: 23% off, now $22.98
20. Apple AirPods Pro 3
Heart rate sensing, live language translation, and a hearing aid feature built in (if you are considering it for you or someone you think could use sound amplification.) For your teens, it’s still about the noise cancellation (crucial in a noisy dorm) and the sound quality. On sale: 8% off, now $229
21. Apple AirPods 4
If you or your teen/college student needs a new pair of earbuds and doesn’t have a need for some of the fancy attributes of the AirPod Pro 3, these may be the better choice. On sale: 23% off, now $99
22. Anker MagGo Ultra-Slim 10,000mAh Magnetic Power Bank
Qi2 certified, ultra-slim, attaches magnetically to the back of an iPhone with no cables. 15W fast charging. Part of Anker’s Memorial Day sale. On sale: 20% off, now $64
23. She’s Birdie 3.0 Personal Safety Alarm
Our Top-Recommended Personal Safety Item. Made by women, for women: loud siren, built-in flashlight, rechargeable. Clips to a bag or keys. We always tell our teens and young adults to never walk alone at night but that’s not always practical advice if she has a night class or works in the evenings. Buy this for your daughter and you will both feel better! On sale: 14% off, now $30
Home and Kitchen
24. Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler, 30 oz
Keeps drinks cold for hours, fits in a car cupholder, and is dishwasher safe. Sale: 25% off, now $30
25. Henbay Oversize Cotton Beach Towel
Just in time for summer, these oversized (70″L x 35″W) cotton beach towels are on sale. This makes a great gift and is available in lots of pretty colors. Sale: 24% off, now $24 plus 5% coupon for extra savings.
26. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Vacuum
This is the vacuum cleaner I have a love. We have two lab dogs and it is an easy-to-use vacuum on hard floors as well as carpeted areas. Your teen may have a communal vacuum to use in a dorm but, if they are moving into an apartment to if you are looking for a new vacuum, this is one I recommend. Sale: 25% off, now $149 This is the #1 bestseller in in Upright Vacuum Cleaners on Amazon.
Travel
27. Repel Folding Travel Umbrella, Black
College students may have to trudge across campus to go from dorm to class and having a compact travel umbrella in their backpack can be a life saver. Lots of colors to choose from. but discount varies. Sale: 40% off, now $23.99. This is the #1 bestseller in folding umbrellas on Amazon.
28. Samsonite Freeform Hardshell Luggage
Our Top-Recommended Luggage Brand. Our most recommended luggage in both carry-on and checked sizes. Lightweight polypropylene shell, 360 degrees spinner wheels, TSA lock. Memorial Day is historically one of the best times of year to buy luggage. On sale: 36% off, now from $140
29. BAGSMART Women’s Lightweight Puffy Tote Bag
Our Most-Purchased Tote Bag. Lightweight, quilted, multiple compartments, water-resistant. The everyday bag that does everything, from school to errands to travel to the gym. On sale: 30% off, now $32 This is the #1 bestseller in women’s tote bags on Amazon.
30. Bagsmart Toiletries Bag, Grey, Medium
This is one of the most popular toiletries bag for guys and no wonder why. Water-resistant and pockets to keep dry and wet things apart. Avail in lots of colors and two different sizes. On sale: 26% off, now $16.99
Prices accurate at time of publication.
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