Showering in a dorm comes with its unique set of challenges: They need to remember to slap on some shower shoes, sometimes their favorite shower is currently in use, and they need to carry everything from their room to the shower time after time. Dorm showering requires college students to be prepared for the unexpected. Make the experience a little easier on your student by investing in one of the best dorm shower caddies.
The best ones we’ve selected come with necessary features like drainage holes, carrying handles, and easy assembly in suite-style dorms. As experts on all things dorm living, we looked at what the Grown and Flown audience recommends and read user and publisher reviews to determine this list.
Below are the best shower caddies to add to your back-to-school shopping list.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on the G&F site, we may earn a commission.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: PB Teen Recycled Over-The-Shoulder Shower Caddy – $29 at Pottery Barn Teen
- Best Hard Shell: Uujoly Plastic Portable Shower Caddy – $15.99 at Amazon
- Best Budget Shower Caddy: The Container Store Shower Caddy With Handles – $9.99 at The Container Store
- Best Mesh Shower Caddy: Room Essentials Mesh Shower Caddy – $6 at Target
- Best Corner Shower Caddy: Allzone Rustproof Shower Caddy – $49.99 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Dorm Shower Caddies
1. Best Overall: PB Teen Recycled Over-The-Shoulder Shower Caddy
We love PB Teen for its high-quality and stylish college dorm essentials, and this popular shower caddy is no exception. You have the option of carrying it in two ways: holding it by the carrying handle or slung over a shoulder with the longer strap, which can help evenly distribute weight for heavier items. It features six large pockets and one main compartment for easy organization of your belongings, and a mesh bottom that helps release water and dry quickly. It’s also a sustainable option, as it’s made from water-resistant recycled polyester that came from 14 recycled plastic water bottles.
The Specs:
- Dimensions:
- Weight:
- Colors: colors
- Pockets: 6 exterior pockets
- Material: Recycled polyester
The Pros:
- Water-resistant
- Lots of storage
- Drainage holes
- Sustainable
The Cons:
- Might be hard to stay upright
What Others are Saying:
Insider lists the PB Teen Recycled Over-The-Shoulder Shower Caddy as the best overall shower caddy, NBC News calls it an ideal storage solution for your dorm, and Gear Patrol calls it a dorm essential that’ll help ease stress.
Buy the Recycled Over-The-Shoulder Shower Caddy:
2. Best Hard Shell: Uujoly Plastic Portable Shower Caddy
With drainage holes all throughout the exterior of the shower caddy, a durable plastic shell, and a convenient carrying handle, this shower caddy makes for a hassle-free shower accessory. It features three compartments: one large one for your shampoo and soap and two small ones for your toothbrushes and loofahs. They’ll have no problems storing and stacking it upright on the ledge of your shower or sink countertop. It comes in eight unique colors, from blush to sky, to match their personal preferences.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 12.2″ D x 8.5″ W x 5.4″ H
- Weight: 5 ounces
- Colors: 8
- Pockets: 3
- Material: High-density polypropylene
The Pros:
- Durable
- Stays upright
- Drains easily
- Lightweight
The Cons:
- Smaller compartments are narrow
What Others are Saying:
The Uujoly Plastic Portable Shower Caddy has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon from more than 800 Amazon reviews.
Buy the Uujoly Plastic Portable Shower Caddy:
2. Best Budget Shower Caddy: The Container Store Shower Caddy With Handles
Your student will love the sheer convenience of this shower caddy. It features retractable handles that don’t get in the way of accessing your stuff, large drainage holes so a puddle of water doesn’t stay there, and one main large compartment to group all the shower supplies all together. Thanks to the clear, durable polypropylene material, it’s easy to make sure everything is in there before they hop into the shower. The base is quite sturdy with a grippy texture at the bottom, and it’s only $10.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 7.5” D x 12.5 W” x 6” H
- Weight: 5 ounces
- Colors: 1
- Pockets: 1
- Material: Polypropylene
The Pros:
- Large compartment
- Dries quickly
- Easy to carry
- Drainage holes
- Grippy bottom
The Cons:
- No organization compartments
Buy The Container Store Shower Caddy With Handles:
3. Best Mesh Shower Caddy: Room Essentials Mesh Shower Caddy
You can’t go wrong with a mesh shower caddy because its drainage holes are built into its fabric for quick drying. This popular option from Target looks far more expensive than it is. It features two long carrying straps to help distribute weight evenly and can be used to hang the tote on a hook. It has a large compartment for bulky shower staples, plus several exterior pockets for quick access to smaller belongings, like razors and combs. At 0.17 pounds, it’s lightweight and not bulky, but it can still hold quite a bit.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 6” D x 6 W” x 9” H
- Weight: .17 pounds
- Colors: 2
- Pockets: 6
- Material: Polyester
The Pros:
- Easy to carry
- Plenty of storage options
- Dries quickly
- Lightweight
The Cons:
- Hard to keep it upright
What Others are Saying:
Insider calls it the best budget-friendly shower caddy, HGTV says it’ll help you organize your shower, and NBC Select says it’s a great way to keep your toiletries organized.
Buy the Room Essentials Mesh Shower Caddy:
4. Best Corner Shower Caddy: Allzone Rustproof Shower Caddy
If they’ve been blessed with a jack-and-jill or suite-style dorm where they can take advantage of a more permanent private bathroom, we suggest using a corner shower caddy. Instead of a bulky wall unit that gets in the way of your shower time, this caddy takes advantage of often unused space in the corner. Thanks to a rust-proof stainless steel pole, it stays sturdy and allows you to store up to eight 8-ounce bottles on each of its four hard plastic adjustable trays with drainage holes.
These trays also feature a safety bar to prevent bottles from toppling over and larger holes to allow you to store bottles upside down for easy dispensing. Plus, there are six removable hooks to safely store the likes of razors, loofahs, and brushes.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 9.44″ D x 12.99″ W x 114″ H
- Weight: 4.8 pounds
- Colors: 3
- Pockets: 4 tiers
- Material:Stainless steel and plastic
The Pros:
- Tons of storage
- Rust proof
- Can store bottles upside down for easy dispensing
- Quick drying
The Cons:
- Safety bar might get in the way of using the full tray
- Assembly might be tricky
What Others are Saying:
This shower caddy has over 15,000 reviews and a 4.4-star rating on Amazon. Tech Gear Lab calls it the best tension pole shower caddy, Gadget Review named it the best overall shower caddy, and Real Simple calls it one of the best purchases on Amazon.
Buy the Allzone Rustproof Shower Caddy:
Other Shower Caddies for College to Consider
OXO Good Grips Aluminum Hose Shower Caddy
OXO is certainly a reputable brand in the home goods space, and this rust-proof caddy features three trays for soaps and bottles as well as four hooks for loofahs and razors. However, this hanging style is prone to swinging, which means items can slip and fall out. You can remove each tray for easy cleaning, but it can be a tedious process. The OXO Good Grips Aluminum Hose Shower Caddy is available at Target for $36.99.
mDesign Plastic Portable Shower Caddy
This plastic portable shower caddy makes for a solid bathroom accessory because of its durable solid wooden handle and two roomy compartments for organization. However, its drainage holes are on the small side, leading to potential water and mold buildup, and it doesn’t hold as much as some of our top picks. The mDesign Plastic Portable Shower Caddy is available at Amazon for $18.99.
F-Color Mesh Shower Caddy
With its multiple storage pockets for ultimate organization, mesh fabric to prevent water puddles, and two carry handles to allow for easy toting and hanging this shower caddy is a good investment. Keep in mind, though, there are reports of the zipper snagging. The F-color Mesh Shower Caddy is available at Amazon for $11.99.
Why You Can Trust Us
I’m Marissa Miller, a shopping writer and editor with several years of experience testing and researching the best products. I’m a contributing editor at CNN Underscored, CNN’s product review department. I’ve written about products for numerous outlets, including USA Today’s Reviewed, Good Housekeeping, Teen Vogue, Vogue, Women’s Health, and more. I cut through the marketing buzz to source tried-and-true products that readers — including yourself! — can genuinely benefit from.
When selecting the top shower caddies for dorms, I relied on Grown and Flown’s shopping expertise to identify top brands in the college living space, what to look for in shower caddies for dorms, my own experience using shower caddies in shared showers, and reviews from verified shoppers. Once I nailed down specific brands, I looked at features shoppers should look for in shower caddies, from materials to overall quality and unique features like drainage holes, organization pockets or compartments, non-slip traction, and carry straps or handles for easy portability.
Everything to Know Before Buying Dorm Shower Caddy
What to Consider Before Buying a Dorm Shower Caddy
Depending on what bathroom your student has in their dorm room, there are a few things to consider before purchasing a shower caddy for a dorm.
Type of bathroom: When buying a dorm shower caddy, you must factor in the type of bathroom they’ll be using. While they can use a fixed shower caddy for suite-style showers, such as those that sit at the corner of the shower or hang from a shower head, you can’t do so in a more public hall shower. Instead, a lightweight, portable shower caddy they can bring from their room to the shower will be needed.
Material: Opt for a plastic or hard-shell shower caddy if your priority is to keep it upright in the shower, but just be sure there are adequate holes so the water will drain from it. For a more lightweight option, choose a mesh tote shower caddy that can be easily slung over shoulders and is easier to store (the flexible material is a little more forgiving than plastic in tight spaces).
Drainage holes: Drainage holes are necessary to keep shower caddies as clean and mold-free as possible. Make sure they’re scattered throughout the entire design of the shower caddy and that they’re large enough to allow for a constant flow of water.
Compartments: While you can easily shove all your shower products in one large compartment, some students might prefer something with a little method to the madness, such as separating haircare from body care or shaving accessories from dental hygiene products. Just note that the more pockets a shower caddy has, the less space is within each pocket.
Where Do You Put Your Shower Caddy in a Dorm?
The type of bathroom situation they have will decide where they can store their shower caddy. We’ve laid out a few scenarios below:
Jack and Jill: This semi-private type of bathroom gives you the liberty of two types of shower caddies depending on your comfort level — they can opt to bring a portable shower caddy to each shower session or communicate with their bathroom roommates whether you’re comfortable enough to leave a fixed shower caddy in your shower. The choice will also depend on the number of people sharing the bathroom since most fixed shower caddies can only accommodate products for two to four people, depending on how many each uses regularly.
Hall-Style: Since they’ll be sharing a shower with several people (or perhaps a whole floor), it’s best to use a portable shower caddy that they can take with them for each shower. They’ll then be able to hang it up in or out of the shower or simply place it on a ledge. They should store it in a place in your dorm room where it can be aired out, like on a desk or by a window.
Suite-Style: Suite-style bathrooms allow students to have a fixed unit in your shower since they’ll only be sharing it with one other user (or no one at all). They can hang off your shower head, sit at the corner of your shower, or stick to the wall with suction cups.
How Do You Keep a Dorm Shower Caddy Clean?
While you’d think your shower caddy is getting a shower with you, too, it’s actually not a great idea to leave it sopping wet with product buildup in between showers. To prevent mold, be sure they rinse it under the sink or shower head, wipe off any water from soaps or products, and dry it quickly with a towel or air dry before filling it back up with products again. That way, they won’t get water all over the hall or dorm room.
How Do You Keep a Shower Caddy from Falling?
For durable plastic or polypropylene shower caddies, you can simply place them on the ledge of your shower (if you have enough room) or on the shower floor away from the direct flow of your shower head. For tote-style mesh shower caddies, use a hook in or around your shower to hang them up because they are likely to slouch on the floor.
How Do You Install a Shower Caddy with Suction Cups?
While you should always follow the directions included with your shower caddy, there are a few simple tips that typically work for all. Clean and dry the flat surface you’re about to use. Then stick the suction cups against the wall, pressing down for 10 seconds. If you find your suction cups slipping from time to time, you can always add backup adhesive strips that are designed for wet surfaces.
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
