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Affordable ideas for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.

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Setting up a dorm room can be a daunting experience for incoming students and parents alike. After years of preparation, applications, advisement and setting your class schedule, it's the final step in transitioning to life as a college student. As if that weren't intimidating enough, there are also so many oddly specific things about living in a dorm that are hard to know if you've never done it before (for instance, the infamous Twin XL bed size), so shopping for your dorm room can be a challenge.

To make matters a bit easier, we've rounded up Amazon's most popular dorm room essentials that every college student needs, backed by 500+ reviews with a minimum 4-star rating. From a top-rated power strip to a comfy sleep mask to a handy shower caddy, these are affordable, practical dorm living must-haves that you might not think to pick up when you're having fun planning the perfect dorm decor. Now, the only thing you or your freshman (or sophomore or junior or senior) needs is a top-tested mini fridge.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when dorm shopping is bed size. Most dorm beds are size Twin XL, and chances are you don't have an extra pair of sheets sitting around the house in that size. These microfiber sheets by Mellanni are a great starter set for your dorm room. They have been one of the best-selling sheet sets on Amazon for years because they're affordable, cooling and get softer with each wash.

A mattress topper is a great way to make famously uncomfortable dorm room beds much more cozy and homey. This cooling gel-infused memory foam mattress topper was named the best value mattress topper of 2022 by the Good Housekeeping Institute. Testers described the foam as "ultra plush," so it's a perfect top layer for a hard dorm mattress, and the memory foam will conform to your curves to feel like a hug. Plus, it comes in the Twin XL size!

Dorm rooms notoriously don't have enough outlets. If you're bringing a fan, desk lamp, a wireless charging station and all sorts of devices that inevitably need charging, you'll definitely need a power strip. Luckily, this one is under $10 and has great reviews.

When sharing a dorm room with a roommate on a different sleep schedule, an eye mask is a must. This one has deep eye cavities that are specially designed to fit the curves around your eyes and give them space to breathe. It's also made of low-rebound memory foam, so it doesn’t add any pressure to your face or eyes, yet completely seals out light for a full blackout effect. It’s no wonder that this mask is the highest-rated sleep mask on Amazon, with over 72,000 reviews and a near-perfect 4.7-star rating.

You'll want to keep your cleaning routine as simple as possible, so a compact handheld vacuum is a great multipurpose tool to have on hand. The Bissell AeroSlim handheld vacuum is great for quick pick-ups on hard surfaces thanks to a combo crevice tool and soft brush accessory that can takes care of everything from crumbs on your laptop to dust bunnies hiding in the corner. It has a washable filter, it's cordless, and it charges via a USB port, so it checks all the boxes for convenience. It was also named the best value handheld vacuum of 2022 by cleaning experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

A desk lamp is another must-have. That way, you can study into the wee hours of the night or the early morning without disturbing your roommate. This one is compact and lightweight, so it'll fit on any small dorm-size desk, plus it has a USB port for charging your phone.

A charging station is a smart way to cut down on clutter and wires. Be sure to get one that uses Qi wireless charging, which is the standard technology used in iPhones, Androids and most other wireless charging devices today. This 3-in-1 option has a charging spot for all your devices — phone, smartwatch and earbuds — in a very compact station that'll take up minimal room on your tiny door nightstand.

Most dorms don't have air conditioning, so you'll definitely want to keep a fan on hand. A tabletop fan like this one is probably your best option, since space is likely too limited for a larger floor fan or box fan. Plus, this one is small enough to easily to move around your dorm, whether it's on your desk while studying or next to your bed to keep you cool while sleeping.

A plastic rolling cart is a great way to add storage to your dorm room for cheap. Whether for school supplies, toiletries or snacks, it'll help keep your space (somewhat) free of clutter. The three-drawer model is pictured, but it also comes in four-, five-, six-, seven- or 10-drawer configurations.

String lights are the quintessential piece of dorm decor, and for good reason. Other than adding some much-needed charm, they also cast warm, soft light, contrary to the harsh overhead lights that are most likely the only built-in light source in your dorm. This set comes with a remote control, so you can turn them off at night without getting out of bed (and different modes like twinkle and fade). Plus, it's a great deal — 66 feet long with 200 LED lights for only $13!

Storage space is a luxury in dorm rooms, so you'll probably have to get creative and make your own. There are lots of dorm-friendly storage solutions out there, like this over-the-door organizer with five sturdy shelves and a plastic sleeve, perfect for storing cosmetics, hats, towels, snacks, kitchen supplies and other items.

If not for storage, use your door space for a mirror. This one is more expensive than other over-the-door mirrors out there, but that's because they usually have thin glass that warps easily, leaving you with a distorted reflection after only a few weeks of use. This one is made to withstand years of door opening and closing courtesy of its durable frame and top-notch glass.

Its slim shape takes up minimal space, and it is on wheels, so when laundry day comes around you can simply roll your full hamper to the laundry room and avoid carrying a heavy bag.

A collage photo hanger like this one is a cheap and easy way to personalize your space. Use it to display your favorite photos or get creative and mix in postcards, cutouts or drawings.

If you'll be living in a dorm with communal bathrooms, you'll need a caddy to take your toiletries back and forth from the shower. This mesh option is big enough to take everything you need. It has space for full-size shampoo bottles and even a large bath towel, but it can also be folded down flat when it's empty to save space.

Speaking of the shower, you'll also need a dedicated pair of shower shoes to wear back and forth. Adidas' classic Adilette slides are a great option because they are waterproof and durable while also being comfortable. And they come in 14 different colors.

Bring hotel-style towels to your dorm room with this best-selling Amazon towel set. It's discounted an impressive 45% off right now for $39.99, which a fraction of the price of other complete towel sets of the same quality. They come in 16 different colors, so you can choose whatever color matches the rest of your dorm decor.

Getting a good night's sleep is so important in college, and since you can't control the mattress you end up with, you should make sure to bring a comfortable pillow. Earlier this year, the Good Housekeeping Institute named the Coop Home Goods Original Loft Pillow the "best pillow we've ever tested," which is a huge statement considering our experts have tested hundreds of pillows, many of which are much more expensive. While $72 may be more than you'd normally spend on a pillow, it's a worthwhile investment piece for your dorm. Read are full review of the Coop pillow to find out what exactly makes it so great.

A lap desk is an underrated and extremely handy too for those days when you just can't pull yourself out of bed. This one is made to maximize productivity, complete with a ledge to keep your laptop or notebook from sliding off and a built-in mouse pad and phone stand.

Succulents will bring some much-needed life and greenery into a dorm. If you're not experienced with plants, don't worry — these require very little care, can adapt to different light levels, and quite frankly, do best when left alone.