Top 20 Bestselling Dorm Essentials (2025)

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There’s a short list of a dozen must-have dorm essentials and then there’s a second tier of things your teen could find very helpful at college. It’s tempting to think there are many more essential purchases that your student absolutely needs but we want to help you think through and source a much shorter list.

We’ve looked at sales trends within our Grown and Flown community and curated the following list of 20 essentials. These are the items and brands that many parents will buy for their off-to-college teens. We hope this will help you make your own list.

Watch for upcoming sales and special offers for college students as they can be a big help in reducing the cost of this major “Back to School” shop.

Dorm shopping: where to begin

First, try to answer these 50 questions about the specific dorm room and building your teen will live in. Next, look at these top 20 bestselling dorm essentials to see what would work for them. Then, take a break and wait until your teen moves in to see what else they need to make their new space functional and comfortable.

Before move-in day, locate the closest Target, The Container Store, or other retailer in your teen’s college town; if you need to run out and buy a few extras, you’ll know exactly where to shop.

Top 20 dorm essentials

1. AllerEase mattress protector (Amazon)

To keep the dorm bed and mattress topper encased, use this waterproof barrier that also blocks 99% of allergens.

2. Levoit Mini Air Purifier (Amazon)

Dorm rooms are dusty and this mini sized air purifier can help. Top brand.

3. J&J First Aid Kit (Amazon)

Your teen needs a basic first aid kit, at a minimum. This one is filled with 160 pieces they will be happy to have when they need it.

4. Brita Metro water pitcher (Amazon)

Keep water in a mini fridge and this pitcher makes it even easier to know when it is time to change the filter.

5. Wundermax door stoppers (6-pack) (Amazon)

This inexpensive door stopper will help with move in AND with your teen getting to know their hall mates. We see they are only available now as a pack of six – your teen can share them with their new hall mates or you can leave some behind.

6. Belkin surge protector (Amazon)

There are loads of different surge protectors and this one has some important features including 12 AC Outlets, 2 USB-A Ports, and 1 USB-C Port, on a 6ft Cable.

7. ViscoSoft memory foam 3″ TXL mattress topper (Amazon)

ViscoSoft makes several different mattress toppers and this one is a very good one for dorm rooms.

ViscoSoft Dusk TXL 2″ mattress topper (Amazon)

This is a lower-price mattress topper by ViscoSoft that has some important features that makes it another good pick.

8. Ticonn packing bags (6 pack) (Amazon)

Having lightweight, foldable bags with zippers will be crucial for move-in and move-out. The iconic IKEA blue bags are no longer made by IKEA and these seem to be very popular substitutes.

The Container Store also makes a sturdy zipper bag. It can also be carried backpack style and could be used as a laundry bag.

9. Bukere backpack laundry bag (Amazon)

What we love about this laundry bag is that it functions as a hamper (stand upright)and the straps make it convertible into a backpack for ease in carrying.

10. Anker Nano portable charger (Amazon)

Having a charged phone if the very best safety device your son or daughter can have at college. This compact device from top brand Anker easily slips in a backpack. Compatible with iPhone 14/14 Pro / 14 Plus, iPhone 13 and 12 Series 

Here is the Anker Nano portable charger that is compatible with the iPhone 15 Series, Samsung S22/23 Series, iPad Pro/Air, AirPods, and More

11. Mellani Twin Xl sheets  (Amazon)

Your teen will most likely need Twin XL sheets and these are well-priced and Good Housekeeping has given it top marks!

12. Apple Airtag (4 pack) (Amazon)

Apple AirTags has become incredibly popular and this is one way your teen can keep up with all their gym bag, backpack and move in bags.

13. Glocusent rechargeable book light (Amazon)

This ingenious dimmable book light is rechargeable and has different light settings.

14. Mesh shower caddy (Amazon)

Your teen’s bathroom is likely to be down the hall and shared space, making a shower caddy a necessity.

15. Iris under bed storage units (Amazon)

Try to optimize the real estate under your teen’s college bed which you can do if the college website provides dimensions for how high the best is lofted. When I dorm shopped with my daughter, we took a tape measure and bought storage units that maximized every square inch!

16. Salistar desk lamp (Amazon)

This is a well-priced compact desk lamp with a built-in phone charger and attached pencil cup. Dimmable (which is considerate to a roommate who might be trying to sleep) and has a flexible neck.

17. Linenspa backrest pillow (Amazon)

Sitting upright in a dorm bed to study or read is uncomfortable without something a little softer than the cinderblock walls. This pillow works well as a cushion.

18. Havianas shower shoes

Havianas makes dozens of different styles and colors of flip flops for men and women. Look for ones with non-skid bottoms.

19. Glamberg 8 piece towel set (Amazon)

Your teen can bring towels from home or you can buy new ones for them. Here is a well-priced 8-piece set. Multiple color options.

20. Bedside caddy (Amazon)

It is very convenient to have a bedside catch all for glasses, phone, book, water bottle….this one checks the boxes.

What’s NOT on the list are comforters since there are almost infinite choices and no one “bestseller.” We recommend Target and Pottery Barn Teen as great places to shop for comforters and other decor items.

Target often offers verified students special deals. Sign up here.

Watch for The Container Store offers: Read more here.

Why you should trust us

We are three moms who have raised 8 young adults and have been working on products lists for over 12 years now, making us experts. When selecting products we survey the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook group of nearly 300,000 parents of teens, tweens and young adults. We do opinion polls, surveys and ask open ended questions. We search for products that combine reasonable price with high quality and are recommended by our large following.

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