15 Best Last-Chance Prime Day Deals on Dorm Essentials, Picked by Moms of College Students
Our daughters are heading to college soon. Here's how we're saving up to 54% on the items they really need.
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- Amazon Prime Day ends tonight, July 11, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.
- This is an ideal time to save on dorm room essentials — like mattress toppers and storage solutions — before college starts in a few short weeks.
As two moms of two college students, we are in full dorm-shopping mode. Amazon Prime Day ends tonight — and we've spent the last few days shopping for all of the things they'll need for their new dorms in a few short weeks (like mattress toppers and storage bins).
One of our daughters will be a freshman, so I’m buying many things for the first time — but the other already has a year of dorm shopping under her belt and has invaluable insights on what to get now, what to get later and what to skip entirely.
Between the two of us, we’ve tracked down the best Prime Day deals on mom-approved dorm essentials, many of which have been tested and approved by the Good Housekeeping Institute.
Why you need it: Twin XL sheets are a must-have, and I’m sending my daughter to school with at least two sets of these. This Prime Day price is amazing, plus they come in 45 colors.
What our experts say: A recipient of GH's 2025 Bedding Awards, our experts said this set "continues to impress with its value and exceptional softness." which is why we've been recommending them for six years. I have Mellanni sheets on my own bed and can vouch for how comfortable they are.
Why you need it: If the college allows it, a mini fridge saves students the cost of having to buy basic food and drinks, or trekking to the food hall if they just want a quick snack. Most roommates split the cost, and Prime Day is the perfect time to save on this big purchase.
What our experts say: Our GH Institute Kitchen Appliance Lab experts reviewed this model, and they liked that it has a crisper drawer and a separate freezer with an ice tray, making it an upgrade from traditional dorm fridge.
RELATED: The Best Mini Fridges
Linenspa Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Why you need it: The first thing everyone mentions when shopping for dorm room essentials is a mattress topper for the twin XL bed. Dorm mattresses are notoriously awful, but a thick mattress topper can help solve the discomfort problem.
What our experts say: In our review, our Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab pros found that this Linenspa topper is ideal for "side sleepers looking to relieve pressure around their joints."
RELATED: The Best Twin XL Mattress Toppers, Tested and Reviewed
Why you need it: My daughter and her roommate have agreed that a Keurig coffee maker is the way to go because they want to save money by making coffee themselves.
What our experts say: Keurig is a brand our Kitchen Appliance Lab pros have reviewed and recommended for years. The slim profile on this model won't take up too much counter space (perfect for college students with limited room).
Why you need it: I already know that my daughter’s closet is going to be maxed out, so these space-saving hanger bars will come in handy.
What our editors say: GH editors called this an ultimate dorm room essential, and the brand claims they can each hold up to 50 pounds. These will come in handy for my daughter's heavy college hoodies.
Why you need it: When it comes to decorative touches in a dorm room, skip the candles since most schools won't allow a real candle to be burned — but a candle warmer is often allowed.
What our editors say: This one caught our home editor's eye in our review of best candle warmers, because it "blends style with function." It's also big enough to be used with the large Yankee Candles.
Why you need it: Command strips are a must. They'll save the walls from damage caused by push pins or tape, so you don't end up paying overage charges.
What our experts say: Command strips are consistently a top-selling item amongst GH readers, and our home editors think it's the best way to hang art and frames without putting nail holes into dorm walls. This set has several sizes for hanging pictures, bathroom hand towels and more.
Culligan Seven-Cup Water Filter Pitcher
Why you need it: Dorm room tap water might not be ideal, especially in older buildings. A good filtered water pitcher keeps things tasting fresher.
What our experts say: Experts in the GH Institute Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab have found water filters from Culligan to be a reliable pick. As a mom, this is music to my ears, and I like that this pitcher is small enough to fit in my daughter's dorm room fridge.
Why you need it: If the bathroom is down the hall, something that keeps all of their hair and body products ready to go will be so helpful.
What our experts say: We moms are the experts on this one: Get one with drainage holes, otherwise we've seen that things can get moldy fast. This mesh caddy holds a lot, and per the brand, can be tossed in the washing machine.
Why you need it: One of our daughters quickly learned the value of having a floor fan in her dorm room. I cannot stress this one enough: Even if they have air-conditioning, older dorms often get really hot in the winter.
What our experts say: This is one of the best affordable cooling fans you can buy, per our Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab experts who liked the optional oscillation, five speeds, intuitive buttons and simple assembly — perfect for college students.
Why you need it: One of our daughters has an over-the-door shoe organizer and says now she can’t live without it. It can be used for shoes, but it's also great for anything else that’ll fit in those pockets (think winter gloves, phone chargers and more).
What our experts say: Our Cleaning Lab and Home Care Lab testers loved that this pick holds up to 24 pairs of shoes and is made out of breathable mesh, yet seems sturdy and well-made.
Why you need it: The school may or may not provide a desk lamp, but this one will add a stylish touch to their dorm either way. It turns on and dims with just a tap, and since it's cordless, it can be placed anywhere in their room. It also doubles as a power bank.
What our editors say: GH's home editors named this the best cordless lamp for small spaces and love that it comes in six colors.
Why you need it: Late night study sessions happen, and we can confirm that when their roommate is asleep, a mini clip-on light like this one can keep the peace.
Why we love it: I like this one because it's rechargeable, according to the brand — and it has five brightness levels.
Why you need it: Kids have a lot of tech and older dorms may not have enough outlets for everyone. A good charger with a surge protector is invaluable.
What our experts say: One of our top-rated surge protectors according to Lab testing, this budget-friendly pick from Anker has 12 outlets on top of three USB ports, including one 20W USB-C port.
Why you need it: My daughter will have room under her bed, so I’m getting her a set of these stackable storage bins that fold down flat when she's not using them.
Why we love it: They’re great for holding extra sheets, off-season clothes and even books or school supplies that she won’t immediately need.
What to consider before adding to cart:
- Check with the school to see if appliances (like microwaves, or anything that’s an extra drain on the electrical system) are allowed. Madison’s daughter’s school doesn’t even allow smart devices like the Amazon Echo because it’s a strain on the Wi-Fi.
- Have your student coordinate with their roommate before making big purchases they’ll share, like a mini fridge or a rug.
- Get the essentials ahead of time, but don’t go overboard their first year because you can always have things sent from Amazon once they start setting up their dorm.
Jessica is a commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, where she writes for Good Housekeeping, Esquire, House Beautiful, Country Living, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Elle Decor, Town & Country, Harper's Bazaar, and Prevention. With more than 15 years of experience, she tests and reports on useful, unique, and trending products—everything from baby gear to home decor to power tools—and tracks the best sales in the lifestyle and tech spaces.
Angel Madison is a commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, writing for brands like Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, House Beautiful, Oprah Daily, Men’s Health, and Women's Health. She’s been testing products for several years and is an expert at scouting deals and finding the perfect gifts. Angel covers many topics, but she specializes in plus-size fashion, Lego, trending products, toys, parenting, fitness, home, and tech. She has previously worked in parenting and entertainment and has vast knowledge in the teen, pop culture, and kid spaces.
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