The 28 Best Back-to-College and Dorm-Room Deals Right Now
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A new school year is on the horizon. Outfitting a full dorm room or off-campus apartment can get pricey pretty quickly, so luckily (and obviously), there are plenty of back-to-school-friendly sales to ease the financial burden. Our current shopping list includes basics like bedsheets and socks (you’ll need more than you think now that you’re doing your own laundry), as well as less obvious but still essential pieces like a Hydro Flask water bottle and a Lululemon wristlet to take to the school gym. And if you need extra inspiration, we recently updated our guide on everything you need to outfit a college dorm and our new guide to making a dorm bed more comfortable.
As always, make sure to sign up for the Strategist Deal Freaks Daily newsletter to receive each day’s best deals in your inbox (as well as sales just for newsletter subscribers). And if you want even more, sign up for our regular email newsletter for tons more newsletter exclusives.
Deals I personally think are the best
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Our favorite inexpensive pillows are an easy way to make your twin XL comfier.
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Useful for study sessions, walking to campus, and blocking out loud roommates.
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More-than-half-off jeans that work all school year long.
Fashion and accessories
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This classic tote has a bottom zipper pocket to stash sneakers for an after-class gym session. It’s also the perfect size for quick trips back home on the weekends or as a personal item when flying home for winter break.
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This is a slightly larger take on Lululemon’s popular dual-pouch wristlets (that are a favorite among Gen Z). It fits the essentials: credit cards, keys, and lip gloss.
A basic crewneck tee and some perfectly fitting pants: Make this your college uniform so you can focus more on school, less on what to wear. Throw in some very collegiate-looking crew socks once the weather gets cold.
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Because you could always use more socks (laundry’s not free anymore!).
School supplies
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If you don’t like taking notes on your laptop, some classic Mead notebooks and my favorite mechanical pencils are on sale.
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The smudgeproof, bleedproof, smooth-writing pen from our picky person’s guide to pens (for lefties).
Tech
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The noise-canceling AirPods Pro are key for focused study sessions — or just blocking out your roommate.
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Writer Brenley Goertzen’s fugly-cool headphones are also nice.
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This Bluetooth speaker is a longtime Strategist favorite. It’s compact enough to throw in a backpack for hangs on the quad but loud enough to fill a dorm room.
Bedding
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Even if your dorm mattress isn’t very comfortable, a good pillow can make a huge difference. Our best less-expensive pillows come in a set of two and fit a variety of sleeping styles.
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Take good care of this set of Best in Class sateen sheets, and they’ll last well past senior year.
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Senior home writer Lauren Ro says these sheets are especially great for sweaty sleepers, but you don’t have to run hot to love them. They’re made of Lyocell, which is derived from cooling and breathable eucalyptus and other wood pulp, and have an incredibly soft and silky feel.
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Lola Blankets Caramel N’ Cream
Lola Blankets is taking a massive 50 percent off sitewide right now. The sale ends for the general public on August 25, but use our code (STRATEGIST50) to get an extra day of saving.
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The product name is a bit silly, but this pillow is great for both studying in bed and taking a well-deserved study break.
Home and kitchen
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You’ll need a towel (or two — it sells sets), and this is one of our favorites.
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Stasher’s reusable storage bags are great for bringing snacks to campus. Strategist contributor Alison Freer likes them because of how durable they are: “They can go in the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher; they absolutely never stain or leak; and even though I’ve washed mine in the dishwasher hundreds of times (with the high-heat drying cycle on, even), they haven’t fallen apart or degraded in any way,” she says.
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A giant Hydro Flask, so you remember to stay hydrated.
Coffee is a nonnegotiable, and Keurig’s single-serve brewers will save money and time (and space!)
Personal care
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Three tubes of this dentist-approved whitening toothpaste should last for a semester.
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As close as you can get to actually having fun while flossing. It’s also rarely on sale, so stocking up with this set is a good idea.
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The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
