10 Must-Have Dorm Essentials Our Readers Are Loving in September

Sheets, like all fine things you put on your bed, can run you a pretty number. When we test sheets, we make sure to evaluate sheets of all price ranges from under $40 to upwards of $200. Our pros were impressed with these cotton sheets because of the affordable price, high performance in pill-resistance tests and the fact that the sheets could be washed in warm water. I can confirm they have a substantial yet comfortable feel — and the over 79,000 online reviews would probably back me up on that statement.

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In the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, pros evaluate every kind of comforter — including down alternative comforters. One of our Lab analysts found that she had no issues with temperature during testing and liked that it maintained its fluffiness after years of use. There's a reason we consistently recommend this Linenspa comforter in our roundups. At the time of writing, it has over 130,000 Amazon reviews and counting!

RELATED: The Best Comforters on Amazon

My college dorm was what you may call "vintage" (a.k.a. approaching 100 years old at the time) and with four girls sharing our dorm room, outlets were hard to come by. That's why I packed three extension cords. However, I think I would have been set with this power strip that has a double-sided design with eight AC outlets and three USB A ports — plus a 10 foot cable for maximum flexibility. You can power your desk lamp and fan while you charge your phone, laptop and more all at the same time.

Readers scrambled to purchase this tiny little Scrabble set this month. This version plays the same as the original and comes with a board that can fit in the palm of your hand. It might be a nice gesture to send your eighteen-year-old off to college with this mini Scrabble set so they can play their favorite game without sacrificing storage. Alternatively, if you're visiting family out of state or across the country, this classic functions as a cute but small gift you can squeeze in your carry-on.

Another popular reader-purchase this month were these handy kids' goggles. Mom Ashley Carson created Splash Swim Goggles, which feature an elastic fabric band instead of rubber straps. Say goodbye to tugging on hair to remove their goggles and hello to adorable patterns, like this pictured flamingos design.

I would beg my mom each school year to buy me a new backpack because last year's always felt too passé. If your kiddos are doing the same, look to this Columbia backpack that won't set you back and hopefully last multiple years without complaint. Our experts recently evaluated ten kids backpacks ahead of September and this Zigzag style received top scores for middle and high schoolers. We appreciate its larger capacity and various compartments and sleeves for staying organized.

I'm going to be real: dining hall food doesn't always cut it, and sometimes you need a quick meal between classes or sports practice. This Amazon's Choice ramen bowl lets you make a warm meal in your microwave in minutes. The manufacturer says you can also make spaghetti, soup and hot cereal. We like that for under $15 you'll also get utensils including a fork, spoon and chopsticks.

Command hooks and strips are a must-have for making storage out of nothing. I can see why our readers are clicking "add to cart" with this variety pack because it comes with four hook sizes and two strip sizes. Have fun hanging picture frames without worrying about poking holes in your walls. I love using the hooks in my bathroom and closet for hanging towels, washcloths and laundry bags.

If one of your kids is going away to school for the first time, gift them this personalized keychain so they can flip to photos with their friends and family when they are missing home. Available in three styles (including a roll of film), you can choose to add five or 10 high-resolution photos. Five-star reviews reported the keychain is high quality and the photos are "crystal clear."

RELATED: The Best Personalized Gifts You Can Find on Amazon

It can be overwhelming to carry your shampoo, conditioner, face wash, electric toothbrush, etc. en route to the bathroom in a dorm, so make it easier with this mesh shower caddy that has a spacious main compartment with eight side pockets. It's Amazon's Choice and over 50% off right now — making the durable mesh construction even more of a great value.