Whether you’re sending your child off to college for the first time or they’re heading back for another year of dorm dwelling, there are college essentials no one wants to forget. From comforters and sheet sets to handy tech, Walmart is one of the best retailers that’s stocked with everything you need to get college-ready.
In our quest to find the best college essentials at the budget-friendly retailer, we sorted through pages upon pages to find best sellers and highly rated products. We also considered items we considered to be must-haves when we were in college, like mattress toppers, desk accessories, and noise-canceling headphones.
Ahead, check out 23 of the best college essentials every college-bound person needs.
Note: We are a reader-supported site and may receive compensation from purchases made through these links.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Bedding Set: Mainstays Reversible 5-Piece Comforter Set – $29.96 at Walmart
- Best Laptop: Apple MacBook Air 13.3 inch Laptop – $649 at Walmart
- Best Vacuum: Prettycare Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner – $81.99 at Walmart
- Best Mattress Topper: Mainstays 1.5-Inch 7-Zone Memory Foam Mattress Topper – $24.98 at Walmart
- Best Hamper: Sterilite Ultra Wheeled Hamper – $19.88 at Walmart
The Best College Essentials at Walmart
1. Best Bedding Set: Mainstays Reversible 5-Piece Comforter Set
This bedding bundle has everything you need for a college dorm bed, including a comforter, flat sheet, fitted sheet, sham, and pillowcase. It’s available in over 20 different colors and patterns and, of course, comes in the standard dorm bed size, twin XL.
2. Best Laptop: Apple MacBook Air 13.3-Inch Laptop
What better way to take notes, write essays, and get research done than with an Apple MacBook Air? This model is thin and light at just 13.3 inches, making it one of the best college tech essentials for both classes and assignments. It’s also under $700, making it a relatively budget-friendly option compared to other Apple laptops.
3. Best Vacuum: Prettycare Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Whether your college-ready kid is living with roommates or has a single, the fact is that dorm rooms can (and will!) get dirty. This lightweight vacuum is the answer to quick and easy cleanups since it has multiple attachments to keep floors, crevices, and everything in between dust- and dirt-free.
4. Best Mattress Topper: Mainstays 1.5-Inch 7-Zone Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Dorm beds are notoriously uncomfortable, which means you’ll have to make a few tweaks to give it that cloud-like feel. A mattress topper, like this twin XL option from Mainstays, is a must-have. It’s made of 1.5 inches of memory foam, offering both support and comfort. It’s even reversible (it has zoned comfort spots on one side and firm targeted support on the other) so they can pick the side that feels best based on their sleeping preferences.
5. Best Hamper: Sterilite Ultra Wheeled Hamper
Doing laundry in college can be tough if you don’t have the right laundry hamper. Rather than struggling to carry a big and heavy bag of laundry, use this laundry hamper, which boasts wheels and a convenient handle for moving with ease to and from the laundry room.
6. Best Storage Ottoman: Mainstays Collapsible Storage Ottoman
If they’re splitting their space with one or two extra people, they’ll probably need a bit more storage. That’s why we recommend snagging this collapsible storage ottoman: They’re perfect for keeping extra toiletries, snacks, and other dorm essentials hidden, all while adding an extra footrest or another place to sit.
7. Best Over-the-Door Organizer: HapiRm Door Hanger Organizer
When it comes to small college dorms, maximizing every inch is necessary. This pick does just that by turning any door into extra storage. Books, bags, and decor can all be stashed away in the baskets on top, while the hooks can be used to hang towels, coats, or hats.
8. Best Hanger Organizer: HOUSE DAY Hanger Organizer
If they need even more storage, this space-saving hanger organizer is another great pick. It features five slots and a hook to hold up to six hangers vertically to make the most of any closet, no matter how small.
9. Best Desk Lamp: Mainstays 15-Inch Organizer Desk Lamp
Upgrade their desk area with this multifunctional lamp, which comes with spots to organize pens, pencils, and a phone or tablet. It also comes with a USB port and an outlet to plug in other electronics.
10. Best Drawers: Sterilite 3-Drawer Plastic Cart
There’s a theme when it comes to college essentials, and that’s maximizing your space with affordable, functional pieces. This plastic cart features three drawers that are perfect for organizing clothes, toiletries, snacks, and more. It can be used as a side table or under-the-bed storage if their bed is lofted (just don’t forget the bed risers!)
11. Best Shower Caddy: Siaomo Natural Mesh Shower Caddy
There’s no need to lug your shampoo, conditioner, and body wash from the dorm room to the showers every day. All you need is a shower caddy. This one in particular features quick-drying mesh throughout and multiple pockets to keep shower essentials in one place. Pro tip: Breathable fabric options are a tad bit better than plastic ones, which can hold water and result in some icky mold and bacteria growth.
12. Best Shower Shoes: Bergman Kelly Bathroom Shower Shoes
Communal dorm showers call for shower shoes — no if’s, and’s, or but’s. You definitely don’t need to spend a lot for a quality pair though, especially since you should be replacing them every few months anyway. These shower shoes from Walmart are under $10, but are still super functional since they’re non-slip, waterproof, and have a thick sole for extra comfort.
13. Best Towels: Mainstays Basic Solid 18-Piece Bath Towel Set
This 18-piece towel set is more than enough to get college kids through to their next laundry day. It includes bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths. Plus, the set comes in a variety of colors, including teal, black, or light pink.
14. Best Headphones: Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones
If you don’t think headphones are one of the best college tech essentials, we’re here to prove you wrong. Headphones are not only great for listening to music while studying or catching up on a podcast while walking to class, but they may be a must-have if they end up with a loud roommate or live in a lively building. These over-the-ear headphones from Sony are noise canceling, have up to 30 hours of battery life on one charge, and can even be used with voice control to answer the phone for your biweekly catch-up calls.
15. Best Surge Protector: Lefree Power Strip Surge Protector
There are only so many outlets in a dorm room, which is why a surge protector is non-negotiable. With eight outlets, three USB ports, and one USB-C port, there’s enough space to charge multiple electronics. Since some dorms are a little picky about which surge protectors are allowed, you’ll feel confident about your purchase knowing this one is FCC-certified and made from flame-resistant material.
16. Best TV: TCL 43-Inch Class S Class LED Smart TV
If kicking back and watching a comfort show in between classes sounds like a dream, a TV is a dorm essential. This smart TV has a 43-inch screen, making it ideal for dorm rooms or common areas, and connects to streaming apps via Roku. It’s also budget-friendly, coming in at less than $150.
17. Best Clothes Steamer: VAVSEA Steamer
There’s no need to bring a whole iron and ironing board set to college when this portable, handheld clothes steamer exists. It’ll help keep wrinkles away with ease, especially since it’s compact enough to be stored away in a drawer or closet when not in use.
18. Best Mini Fridge: Arctic King Mini Fridge With Freezer
A mini fridge is another college essential, perfect for keeping snacks, drinks, and leftovers in a dorm room without taking up too much space. But the best part? This mini fridge has a separate freezer where ice, frozen meals, and frozen snacks can be stored.
19. Best Microwave: Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Microwave
If microwaves are allowed in their dorm room, they can come in handy when heating up leftovers or frozen meals. But who says they can’t be stylish? The Beautiful by Drew Barrymore microwave is functional, design-forward, and powerful. It’s only 1.1-cubic feet so it won’t take up a ton of room, has 15 preset functions, and a large glass turntable inside.
20. Best Water Filter Pitcher: Brita Denali Water Filter Pitcher
Having a water filter in the dorm room can save college kids multiple trips to the cafeteria or the closest water fountain. This water filter pitcher from Brita is the perfect solution: with a six-cup capacity, it’s small enough to fit in a mini fridge, but large enough to fill up a reusable water bottle before class.
21. Best Dorm Slippers: WALL QMER Slippers
Cozy slippers are a must to help a dorm room feel a little more like home. These slippers have a faux fur lining and backless design, making them easy to slip on or off. Not only are they comfortable, but they’re also machine washable, plus, they come in a ton of different colors like neutral khaki and a fun brick red.
22. Best Air Purifier: Levoit Desktop HEPA Air Purifier
Even with windows, dorm rooms can get pretty stuffy. But if there’s one thing that can help, it’s an air purifier. This mini air purifier from Levoit is small, space-friendly, and efficient. It has a HEPA filter with a three-stage filtration system, and it even features an aroma feature that lets you add essential oils to not only filter the air but also make it smell amazing.
23. Best Fan: Taotronics Desk Fan
You can’t control the temperature in most dorm rooms, which makes additions like fans all the more necessary. This desk fan from Taotronics is small and compact but can still keep rooms cool with a nice breeze. It also comes with a remote so it can be controlled without having to move from a lofted bed or desk.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi! I’m Pauline, a shopping writer and editor with over eight years of experience testing, reviewing, and writing about the best products in the home, wellness, travel, kitchen, and lifestyle spaces. My work has been featured in Business Insider, The Spruce, U.S. News & World Report, Hunker, and more.
As a one-stop shop for all things college, Grown and Flown has everything parents need to help their kids make the most of their college experience — from navigating different phases of undergrad (like the dreaded college drop-off) to the best dorm essentials and deals.
To find the best college essentials at Walmart, I tapped into Grown and Flown’s expertise, searched for highly rated products, and thought back to my own time in college for dorm room must-haves.
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
