The Dorm Hall of Fame
From mini-fridges and mattress toppers to storage solutions and shower shoes.
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For many students, moving into a dorm will be their first time setting up a home (okay, room) of their own. Exciting? Of course — but equally daunting too. After all, with so many unknowns ahead, a decision as simple as selecting your sheets can seem like the difference between a successful and stressful freshman year.
To help make packing for college a little easier, I’ve interviewed hundreds of college students and recent graduates about what was on their dorm shopping lists. My team tested the furniture and bedding that are the foundation of any living space (and especially small spaces like dorms, where every inch counts) and tried out everything from springy mattress toppers to microwaves. And as a relatively recent graduate myself, I’ve thought about what items made me feel best equipped for my college experiences — and about the things my friends loved, too.
Here, in the Dorm Hall of Fame, you’ll find those essentials and more. Studying is — or should be — the main focus at school, so we’ve included plenty of academic tools, from a pretty pink planner to a less-than-$750 laptop. We also thought about day-to-day college-life necessities, including communal showerproof shoes and supremely comfortable low-rise jeans. Plus, there are ice-breaking card games for new roommates and, of course, a weekend bag for visiting home. Happy packing.
Updated July 30, 2026
We updated the entire guide for the upcoming college year and added new essentials like noise-blocking earplugs, a compact air purifier, and sweatpants you can wear around your dorm. We also checked prices and stock for everything in our Hall of Fame.
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The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.