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If you’re a college freshman gearing up to move into the dorms, you’re most likely assembling a list of necessities you’ll need for move-in day. Of course, you’ll need a toothbrush, clothes and other obvious must-haves. But have you considered where you’ll store everything or what you’ll wear on your feet when you shower? Probably not! Don’t worry, there’s no need to panic.

Moving into the dorms for the first time can be an overwhelming process for any college student. The Best College Dorm Essentials To help you prepare, here are some of the most recommended college dorm essentials every freshman should have on day one, including a fan , bed sheets and shower shoes . Best Fans Honeywell QuietSet Personal Table Fan: “With four powerful speed settings, including a sleep and white noise option, this oscillating fan lets you adjust its power and sound accordingly for your comfort needs.



This fan is lightweight and portable, making it the perfect option for college,” PopSugar says. Dreo 42′′ Tower Fan: “It features six fan speeds, four modes, and comes with a remote. Plus, it has a 12-hour sleep timer (ideal for using overnight).

Oh, and it comes with a super handy remote so you don’t even need to get out of bed to turn it on,” Real Homes says. Vornado 630 Mid-Size Circulator Fan: “This compact fan can send breezes to the far corners of a large room. It’s also relatively easy to control and clean, and it has an established record of reliability,” Wirecutter says.

Best Mini Fridges Midea WHS-65LB1 Mini Fridge: “This tiny but terrific Midea compact mini fridge earns high marks from us because of its reversible door that can be installed to open from the left or right, adjustable feet to keep it level on just about any surface, its ability to hold dozens of cans, bottles, and small bites, and because it’ll slide conveniently beneath a desk,” U.S. News & World Report says.

Frigidaire EFR107 Mini Fridge with Dry Erase Board: “At just around $150, the Frigidaire Single Door Mini Fridge is our best value pick. This pick is ideal for smaller spaces, yet it still offers enough room to store cans of soda and plenty of snacks. We love that there is quite a lot of door storage and that the door is reversible to help the fridge work in your space,” Good Housekeeping says.

Black & Decker BCRK17W Mini Fridge: “If you’re cramped for space in your dorm room, then spring for a truly miniature mini fridge. This model only takes up 1.7 cubic feet of space and can be stacked on top of your desk, with room to spare for studying,” USA Today says.

Best Bed Sheet Sets Casper Percale Sheet Set: “Our testing team rated these some of the best cooling percale sheets, which are a must-have for hot sleepers. They’re made with 100% cotton that’s light and airy so you can sleep comfortably throughout the night, even if your dorm room doesn’t have AC,” CNN says. Target Threshold Solid Performance Sheet Set: “These sheets get softer with each wash, and they retain their color—over years of testing, they’ve endured all of the wear and tear we’ve put them through.

We don’t recommend that you spend a lot on dorm sheets because you’ll use them for only a year or two. But we do recommend getting 100% cotton sheets over jersey knit or microfiber (both of which are hot to sleep on). And these are the best affordable, all-cotton sheets we’ve ever tried,” Wirecutter says.

Brooklinen Classic Percale Hardcore Sheet Bundle: “Brooklinen’s crisp, 270-thread-count percale sheets are Oeko-Tex Certified for quality and are a great lightweight basic. The bundle includes a sheet set, a duvet cover, and two pillowcases, so you’ll have all your bases covered—plus, it comes in a ton of chic colors and patterns, from this deep charcoal to rainbow gingham,” House Beautiful says . Best Shower Caddies IDesign Plastic Divided Shower Caddy Tote: “It has nine different compartments that can hold various toiletries including loofas, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, shower shoes, towels, and more.

It’s made from durable, water-resistant plastic and features small holes on the bottom that help drain out water,” Teen Vogue says. Room Essentials Mesh Caddy: “This mesh bag was one of the fastest-drying caddies we tested. After six hours, it was nearly completely dry, with only the handles feeling slightly damp,” Business Insider says.

Attmu Mesh Shower Caddy Basket: “This best-selling shower caddy has exceptional storage space, with one center compartment and six smaller pockets on the sides. It’s made of polyester mesh material, which allows water to drip right through instead of soaking it up,” Best Products says. Best Shower Shoes Crocs Classic Slides: “Not only can you wear them in the shower — they’re made with EVA — but they’re also solid enough of a shoe to wear outside, too.

The wide strap up top is ventilated, which helps feet cool,” Footwear News says. Adidas Adilette Shower Slides Sandal: “Foam and waterproof are typically not used in the same sentence, but these slides feature Adidas’ Cloudfoam technology and EVA outsole that are quick-drying, yet feel ultra-cushioned. Easily slide these shoes on and off (hence the name!) and enjoy the supported, comfortable feel beneath your feet as you take a shower,” Good Housekeeping says.

Showaflops Sandal: “Where Showaflops go above and beyond other waterproof sandals is the drainage holes in the sole — no pooling here! The slides are also made of an antimicrobial material, so they’re less likely to grow mold or mildew,” Travel + Leisure says. Best Underbed Storage Bins Whitmor Rolling Underbed Cart: “A rolling under-the-bed cart is clutch for items you want to store under the bed but use frequently. It’ll make grabbing those pieces and putting them back a total breeze, while still letting you use as much space underneath as possible,” House Beautiful says.

Sterilite Wheeled Latching Box: “Sold in a packs of four, eight and 12, these slim plastic containers are wheeled, making them a breeze to roll in and out from under the bed. Increasing their overall accessibility, the bins feature hinging lids, meaning you only need to open one side to access their contents. And if you really need to maximize your storage space, the lids on the bins are recessed for easy stacking,” Forbes says.

Sorbus Under-the-Bed Storage Cubes: “You can slide the bags right under your bed or stack them at the back of your closet and use the clear windows to identify what’s inside. The zipper closures protect against dust and water damage, too,” HGTV says. Best Products According to Reviews The best HOKA walking shoes you can buy in 2024, according to reviews The best shower caddies to buy for college dorms in 2024, according to reviews The best fans to buy for college dorms in 2024, according to reviews The best mini fridges to buy for college dorms in 2024, according to reviews Our journalism needs your support.

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