Best Dorm Essentials on Amazon

This shoe organizer is priced well, considering it can fit up to 20 pairs of shoes in it and features a transparent cover so that the contents and protected but can be viewed conveniently. The two durable handles make it easy to pull out from under the bed too, so it doesn’t even make the room look messier. Perhaps enough storage for 20 shoes is overkill for you, but if you’re sharing a dorm room with someone, you could split the space.

Pros:

• Accommodates boots, high heels, and bulky platform shoes
• Four pairs of sandals can fit in one slot
• Sturdy materials don’t lose their shape over time
• Quality zippers glide smoothly

Cons:

• May not fit under lower platform beds
• Plastic is thin and can form small tears
• The base is cloth and could benefit from a sturdy material

An extra outlet for you to charge all of your devices in your dorm room is a must. With a length of five feet, this power strip has three USB charging ports and an on/off switch with an indicator light. The compact, square design allows it to sit close to the wall too, meaning that it won’t awkwardly be in the middle of the room. It’s also worth noting that it looks about as sleek and fashionable as a USB outlet possibly could and the bottom of it features an anti-slip pad, which mean if you need to have it up on a nightstand because you have a short wire, it won't constantly be falling off.

Pros:

• Clean design prevents a lot of wires from being present
• Lightweight and easy to transport
• USB ports have a secure and tight fit
• Features an anti-slip pad to prevent it from falling off a table or nightstand

Cons:

• Some of the plugs fit too loose
• Some plugs may be too large to fit all three on the platform

This is the type of product you don’t know you need until you use it, then you wonder how you ever did without it. If you don’t have a bedside drawer in your dorm room, or even if you do but there’s not a lot of space on it, this could be perfect for you. This shelf attaches to your bed and has two wire slots for charging with a 2.1-inch clamp to fit all types of bed frames. The tray attaches without tools and can safely hold up to 15 pounds, which should be enough to handle all of your basic needs.

Pros:

• Large enough to accommodate multiple items
• Clamps come with thick padding felt to prevent damage
• Sturdy and does not wobble or feel loose
• The walls on the side of the tray contain the items

Cons:

• May have a slight slant because of the level of the frame
• You could walk into the somewhat sharp corners
• The surface can collect dust

While this may seem pricey for a dorm room purchase, it covers a heck of a lot of bases and is incredibly convenient. This set includes sheets, towels, blankets, a comforter, a mattress pad, gloves, a fan, a mask, laundry bag, under-bed storage and more. All of it matches and there are multiple designs, with all of the items featuring vibrant color shades and soft to the touch. The price is also forgivable when you consider that the items within the package are durable enough to last multiple years at college.

Pros:

• Every piece matches and complements each other
• Towels are soft and fluffy
• The blanket is soft but sturdy with high-quality seams
• Durable materials can last all three or four years of college
• Colors don’t bleed or fade in the wash

Cons:

• Limited color options with the bedding accessories
• Laundry bag can form small holes
• Mattress pad is thinner than other brands

There’s a good chance that you’re going to be working into the late hours of the night in college, whether that’s because you’re an incredibly hard worker or you left things to the last minute. This desk lamp is useful in those circumstances when you don’t want to light the entire room, especially if you have roommates who don’t want to be disturbed. It also has a USB charging port, a storage area for pens and a clock on it, so it can become an essential part of your workstation.

Pros:

• LED light changes color
• LCD screen shows time, temperature and date
• Brightness can be dimmed

Cons:

• Brightness level is only a 3
• Battery powered