Heading Off to College? This Electric Cooker Will Be Your New Best Friend

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Whether you're an incoming freshman who will share a room or an upperclassman settling into your own space, the right items can make dorm life as comfortable as possible. With these dorm room essentials, there's everything from furniture and bedding to fun decor and smart storage solutions. If figuring out the absolute must-haves seems daunting, don't worry! We have cool and practical items that'll complete your college packing list in no time!

Popular Dorm Room Essentials:

• Hot Pot Electric Non-Stick Sauté Pan, $34, Amazon

• Fleece Blanket, $11, Amazon

• Space-Saving Hangers, $10, Amazon

• Countertop Microwave Oven, $77, Walmart

Below, you'll find a range of items any college student will find useful. Some dorm room essentials include our favorite mattress topper, blanket and microwave — some of the best picks from the Good Housekeeping Institute's testing (so you know they're worth it!). We've sprinkled in brilliant solutions to maximize a closet, like space-saving hangers that'll keep clothes organized and wrinkle-free. We even added a few kitchen and bathroom necessities, like a ramen bowl set, rolling laundry basket (that doubles as storage), a coffee maker and a portable caddy that's perfect for watching your favorite shows while preparing for the day.

So, make your back-to-school experience the best one yet with this curated list of affordable dorm room essentials from popular retailers like Amazon, Walmart and more!

Rolling Laundry Basket

This versatile rolling bin can be used as a laundry basket or an organizer — your call. Lock the wheels to keep the bin in place, while storing towels and detergent in the two side pockets when ready to use. The basket is even waterproof and foldable, making it convenient to store and use in the bathroom.

Hanging Variety Pack

This pack comes with hanging strips, wire hooks and utility hooks to make decorating blank walls a breeze. Use the strips to hang photos and grab the hooks to display smaller (and lighter!) items like keys, belts or hats.

Fleece Hooded Bath Robe

It's soft and has a hood —what else do you need? Take it from a reviewer who writes, "The robe is lightweight but still has that fuzzy fleece softness." Plus, the waist belt is adjustable and there are two front pockets for any items you would want to keep close at hand.

Countertop Microwave Oven

After testing, the Good Housekeeping Institute deemed this microwave one of the best for its power output of 1,000 watts, a level usually found in pricier models. Plus, it has an easy-to-read control panel, along with six cooking presets and a plus-30-seconds button.

RELATED: Best Countertop Microwaves, According to Expert Testing

Photo Clip String Lights

Purchase these battery-operated string lights, with 50 clips attached, to display college and family photos. There are eight lighting modes, including flash and waves, that can easily be controlled with the remote.

Fire TV Stick

When relaxing in your dorm room alone or with friends, you may appreciate being able to stream Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and more with a Fire TV Stick. It can be plugged right into the TV's HDMI port, and it comes with Alexa to find and play content easily.

Over The Door Mirror

A mirror is a must-have for your room. This over-the-door pick, which comes with two adjustable hooks for hanging, is available in multiple sizes. It's even shatterproof!

Water Filter Pitcher

Forget bottled water — keep cool, fresh H2O on hand in this pitcher with filter. It’s easy to pour, has an easy-fill locking lid and can hold up to six cups of water.

Ramen Plastic Bowl Set

If ramen noodles are your go-to, purchase this set that has everything you'll need to enjoy your favorite meal. It comes with a soup bowl, a drain bowl and a small bowl at the top. The large and small bowl are microwaveable and can be used for heating other meals like spaghetti and oatmeal. Bonus: Chopsticks are included!

Lap Desk

Featuring a mouse pad, phone slot and dual-bolster cushion, this lap desk will make working on the bed, couch or chair a comfortable experience. What’s more, the desk comes in various colors, such as marble, silver carbon, espresso, oakwood and blush pink.

Hot Pot Electric Non-Stick Sauté Pan

Get yourself a pan that’ll cook and sauté food without a stove anytime and anywhere! The pan has a non-stick coating to make fried rice, eggs, chicken, steak, noodles and more! Even better, it has over-heating protection and boil-dry protection for safety.

Bedside Shelf for Bed & Top Bunk

If a caddy isn’t your preference, you may prefer a shelf instead! It’s designed to fit on any form of bed, from metal dorm beds and lofted dorm beds to dorm beds with side rails. It even has a cup holder, a phone holder and a sturdy surface for a laptop.

Fleece Blanket

With over 139,000 Amazon reviews, the Good Housekeeping Institute named Bedsure’s fleece blanket one the best for its “impressively soft feel, according to testers,” and its ability to remain soft after washing. Choose from 28 colors to stay cozy on those chilly nights.

6-Piece Towel

With this set, you'll get hand towels, bath towels and washcloths — two of each! Cotton Paradise describes them as being soft, thick and “light enough to wrap up and relax for hours.”

Affirmation Soft Touch Pens

Get this colorful pack of six pens that’ll help you stay motivated throughout the day. Just look down — each pen is emblazoned with a positive saying like “Chase Your Dreams” and “Honor Your Feelings."

Quilted Fitted Mattress Topper

There's no substitute for a good night's sleep and this mattress topper can help. The Good Housekeeping Institute describes it as having a "subtle layer that's more affordable and discreet than other toppers." It's soft and comfortable, along with being filled with polyester microfiber to keep it evenly spread out.

Black Velvet Hangers

Hangers are a must-have for college students. This velvet pick is designed to keep clothes from slipping. Plus, they're thin enough to maximize closet space and have a swiveling metal hook. What's more, this pack of 60 has a range of colors to choose from.

Space Saving Hangers

Consider these space-saving hangers that'll really make the most of closet space, while keeping clothes organized and wrinkle-free. Your purchase gets you eight hangers that can hold up to five garments vertically or horizontally.

Power Strip Surge Protector

Featuring eight AC outlets and three USB ports — all attached to a 5ft. or 10ft. cord — this surge protector will allow you to charge all of your devices simultaneously — whether you're laying on the bed or working at your desk.

Twin XL Sheet Set

Here's a three-piece sheet set that's breathable and cooling. You'll get a pillowcase, a flat sheet and a fitted sheet. Choose from a selection of sizes (Twin, XL, Full, Queen) and a range of colors like lavender, baby blue, brown and yellow.

Fluffy Bedroom Rug

A soft, shaggy feel with non-shedding fur is what makes this rug such a cozy addition to a dorm room. It has a non-slip bottom to stay in place and a range of colors and sizes to choose from, depending on the room's space.

RELATED: The Best Places to Buy Modern, Affordable Rugs

Daily Plans Undated Planner

This planner has all the space and guided pages to plan your day or take notes. Inside, you'll find gorgeous illustrations and sections to write down meal plans, top three priorities and even your water intake.

Garment Fabric Wrinkles Remover

This wrinkle remover is a bestseller for a reason! It's detachable, has a leak-proof design and comes with three additional attachments: a lint brush, a soft brush and a creaser — all under $40.

Instant Travel Stain Remover Pen

This is for the days when you accidentally spill a drink or food on your clothes. Keep this Tide stick in your car, bag or pockets to instantly remove any stains that may pop up throughout the day.

Portable Shower Caddy

You'll easily be able to organize bathroom essentials — lotion, shampoo, conditioner, cosmetics, toothbrushes — with this portable caddy. Use the Command hooks above to hook it to the wall for easy access. Plus, there's a transparent pocket to store your phone. It's thin enough to tap and play music or shower without getting your smartphone wet.

Clip-on Fan

The clamp allows you to clip this small fan onto any surface. Or, place it on the desk or attach it to the wall. The brushless motor is designed to increase airflow, while still moving silently so not to disturb anyone while sleeping or studying.

Down Alternative Pillows

Whether you're a side, back or stomach sleeper, you're going to need some extra pillows to prop you up when you're pulling an all-nighter on your bed with your laptop on your knees. These pillows tested well at the Good Housekeeping Institute and come in a pack of two.

RELATED: The Best Pillows of 2023

AeroSlim Handheld Vacuum

A small vacuum is a must for keeping your rug clean throughout the school year. This Bissell model is cordless and fits in all of a room's small nooks and crannies. Testers also appreciated the washable filter.

RELATED: Best Cordless Handheld Vacuums of 2023

Alarm Clock

Your phone will never be able to wake you up like this. Not only is this alarm clock really, really loud, but it has a disc that you can put in your bed that will shake you awake, just like Mom used to. Your GPA will thank you.

RELATED: The Best Alarm Clocks You'll Be Happy to Wake Up To

Shower Shoes

There's not much you can do about the communal shower situation in a dorm. It's best to invest in a good pair of waterproof sandals to wear in and out of the bathroom. The classic Adidas shower sandals are also available in men's sizes and in a range of colors. You could also go with the very budget-friendly Vertico shower-ready flip-flop (it's under $15).

Storage Bins

Storage space is probably the trickiest problem to solve in a small dorm room, so it's good to stock up on some versatile bins. Some Amazon reviewers appreciate this design's quality and vibrant color options. "These cubes are so fun and brightly colored! They feel well made and look so cute on my shelves," one reviewer shared. Just try your best to stash them out of sight.

Bulletin Board/Dry Erase Board

With this bulletin board/dry erase board, you can keep yourself organized, remind yourself about upcoming tests and projects, leave messages for your roommates and tack up some photos from home. All you need is a little bit of wall space!

LED Desk Lamp

When you're working into the wee hours, a good desk lamp will save your eyesight. This lamp has three levels of brightness to help prevent eye strain, along with a built-in USB port for charging devices and a date, time, alarm and temperature display to keep you organized. All these features and more have earned it the Good Housekeeping Seal.

Charging Station

Don't go on the hunt for your most-used devices every morning. This stand wirelessly charges a smart phone, smart watch and ear pods. It's also compatible with Apple and Samsung devices.

Card Holder for Phones

At some schools, students barely ever use cash — the student ID is everything. Slide your ID into one of these adhesive card holders, which uses 3M technology to stick to the back of the phone. After that, you're good to go to the cafeteria without a wallet or purse.

Large Organizing Caddy

If that isn't enough storage, this large organizing caddy sticks right to a wall. Put it above a door for mail and keys, above a sink for sponges and cleaning supplies or above a desk for pencils and school supplies.

Duck Nano Grab Gel Tape

Since you can't drill a ton of holes in the walls, when you need a quick stick, try this unusual tape. It's strong — a five-foot roll can hold 20 pounds — but it's also removable, washable and reusable. It's great for decorations, quick fixes and the like. You can even use it to stick your phone to the wall to take a selfie!

Furniture Assembly Tool

If there's a lot of flat-pack furniture in your future (hello, IKEA Billy bookcase!), this tool has different screwdriver bits and a bit that's a hex wrench/Allen key. Genius! You'll have your room all set up in a snap.

Coffee Maker

Rules about small appliances differ between schools, so you'll have to confirm if you're hot plates, electric kettles, microwaves or coffee makers are allowed. If they're approved or you're heading to an off-campus apartment, this slim machine brews coffee from grounds or pods directly into a travel mug.

RELATED: Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers, According to Expert Testing

Multi-Purpose and Disinfectant Cleaner

We know, we know. It's not the most exciting of our picks, but it's necessary. You can never be too careful about germs, right? This cleaner won a Good Housekeeping award for its ability to clean, sanitize, disinfect and kill bacteria for up to 24 hours.

RELATED: Best All-Purpose Cleaners, According to Cleaning Experts

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