If you’re like most college students, moving into a dorm room is a major rite of passage toward adulthood. Living independently offers the freedom and space to discover who you are, determine who you wish to become and make lifelong friends along the way. However, you may be surprised to experience just how cramped the typical college dorm room can be.
To help you furnish your tight quarters, there is a wide range of compact dorm room appliances. These let you bring the comforts of home to your dorm without sacrificing too much room. From air purifiers to mini fridges, these electronics make great dorm room gifts. We put several of these products to the test, including the JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Levoit Air Purifier, Amazon Smart Plug and the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen).
In this article: Midea Double Door Mini Fridge, Afrog LED Desk Lamp with Wireless Charger and Insignia 32-Inch Smart TV
Dining halls make it easy to grab a quick meal on your way to or from class. Sometimes, however, your schedule may limit your ability to stop in. From quick bites to late-night dinners, food storage and preparation appliances are college dorm room essentials that'll keep your options open.
Nothing says “off to college” like the purchase of a mini fridge. A dorm room refrigerator keeps your beverages chilled and your perishable foods from spoiling. Select a fridge that won’t cramp your room but has enough interior space to store a gallon of milk and other food items easily.
A toaster oven is a useful appliance for dorm life that doesn't take up much space. Many modern toaster ovens have advanced functions including broiling and baking settings, so there's no need to go to the cafeteria for a meal.
Air fryers are popular these days since air-frying is significantly healthier than deep-frying food. Air fryers let you enjoy tasty, crispy fries, chicken wings, vegetable tempura and more without worrying about your health. There are compact models available that are perfect for cramped dorm rooms.
Every student can tell you that the key to surviving university is a steady diet of ramen noodles. A small microwave lets you prepare soup and frozen dinners right in your room. Choosing a dorm room microwave that can perch on top of your mini fridge will provide you with the compact food prep station you’ll need.
If you’re used to getting your caffeine fix whenever you need it, you’ll need a coffee pot in your room. Single-serve coffee makers brew quickly so you can get out the door on time. Whether you like to use coffee grounds or prepared cups, there are pots available to suit your preferences. Choose one that includes a travel mug for an all-in-one coffee station.
Most dorm rooms provide a single source of overhead illumination via fluorescent light tubes. These get the job done, but they don’t let you change their brightness to suit your mood. Fluorescent dorm room lights can also lead to eye strain over time.
Desk lamps that include phone charging ports and other features let you consolidate multiple appliances into one. Some lamps also make use of light spectra that reduce eye fatigue and even disinfect your desktop with ultraviolet rays.
Tight quarters mean that stumbling in the dark could leave you with a stubbed toe, soaked homework or even a serious injury. Select a night light with a glow gentle enough to let you rest but bright enough to prevent feeling your way through a pitch-black environment.
Hard work is important, but so is taking the necessary time to relax and decompress. When it’s time to kick back, creative options like a galaxy projector let you dramatically change the vibe of your room to suit your state of mind while you recharge.
String lights are a popular choice for dorm rooms. They add ambience to the space and make it feel more decorated. You can hang string lights from the ceiling, attach them to the wall or a headboard.
Because universities group students with similar interests and career paths into the same classes and environments, many people make lifelong friends while they study. Don’t let your small quarters limit your options for socialization and entertainment.
While huge TVs have become increasingly common over the years, limited space means you’ll have to think smaller for college. Choose a TV that can easily rest on a table or desk where it can even function as a second monitor for your computer.
Whether you’re listening quietly while studying or hanging out on the quad with friends, a quality Bluetooth speaker lets you keep the music going no matter where you are. Choose one with long battery life and great sound.
If you have a blank wall in your dorm but aren’t able to mount or install a TV, a mini projector might be the perfect solution. These devices connect to your devices via HDMI. Project your movies and games on your wall or ceiling, then tuck the projector away in a drawer until next time.
College dorms aren't the most hygienic of places and the air can get stuffy due to their enclosed structure. Poor air quality can aggravate asthma and lead to bronchitis and other lung conditions. An air purifier provides clean, fresh air by reducing contaminants such as dust, mold, wildfire smoke and cooking smoke.
If your dorm lacks central air conditioning, hot weather can easily become uncomfortable. Rather than sweating it out, a portable or window dorm room air conditioner can make the temperature bearable.
While Smart gadgets aren't dorm room necessities, they certainly make life easier. Devices such as smart plugs, smart light bulbs and smart speakers let you control appliances remotely using an app or voice control. These electronics are well worth the upgrade for busy students who have a lot on their plate.
This dorm room fridge with freezer is available in three colors. Handy storage racks keep your food organized. Its generous 3.1-cubic-foot interior space means fewer trips to the grocery store.
This compact microwave heats up your snacks in style, thanks to its decidedly retro aesthetic. With four colors and three sizes to choose from, this microwave brings a touch of interior design to your dorm room.
Black + Decker Single-Serve Coffee Maker
You can use coffee grounds or cups in this compact coffee maker. Small enough to fit on a shelf, this appliance’s included travel mug is dishwasher-safe and insulated to keep your drink piping hot.
Black+Decker 4-Slice Toaster Oven
This stainless steel toaster oven is an affordable option for dorm room cooking. It has bake, broil, toast and keep warm settings. This model can accommodate a 9-inch pizza and up to four slices of toast.
The BestReviews Testing Lab loves a good toaster oven. By adding one to your dorm room, you'll be able to heat up leftovers and cook frozen meals with ease. Not only that, but those cheap frozen pizzas you buy will be even more crunchy and delicious when prepared in a toaster oven!
Elite Gourmet 2.1-Quart Personal Compact Air Fryer
This small air fryer won't take up much space in a dorm room. It accommodates up to 2.1 quarts of food per batch. The temperature is adjustable from 180 to 395 degrees. The fryer basket and removable inner tray are both conveniently dishwasher-safe.
Afrog LED Desk Lamp with Wireless Charger
This lamp includes a wireless charging pad, integrated USB ports, adjustable brightness and a timer. It can be used as a night light and features five color modes.
BlissLights Sky Lite 2.0 Galaxy Light
Journey into space and experience out-of-this-world relaxation with this premium galaxy light. You can select your favorite color patterns and adjust its brightness with an app on your phone.
With Amazon’s Fire TV included, this smart TV set comes packed with entertainment. Supports Apple Airplay and HDMI ARC. It also features Alexa for voice commands.
JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Now in its fifth generation, this BestReviews-approved JBL speaker is popular for a good reason. Available in six colors, it is waterproof, provides amazing sound quality, and can play for up to 20 hours on a charge. It also includes a handy carrying case.
Our Testing Lab loves the JBL Charge 5. The sound quality is great, and you can use it pretty much anywhere. If you're looking for a truly portable, easy to use, long-lasting speaker, this is the one to go with.
You can enjoy big entertainment without a big TV, thanks to this portable projector. Connect to your device via HDMI or USB to get the most from your movies and games wherever you can find a flat surface. It includes a remote and power cable.
This budget-friendly air purifier was approved by the BestReviews Testing Lab. We found that it noticeably reduced smoke and odors. It fits easily on a nightstand or side table. This air purifier for dorm room use provides 219 square feet of coverage.
Black+Decker 4,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
This portable air conditioner offers 4,000 BTU of cooling power suitable for rooms up to 150 square feet — that's plenty of cooling power for a dorm room. It functions as an air conditioner, fan and dehumidifier and comes with a remote control. With built-in wheels, this model is easy to move around.
In our testing, we found the Amazon Smart Plug user-friendly and easy to link to Wi-Fi and Alexa. This smart plug lets you control an array of appliances through the app, voice control or a smart speaker.
This Amazon Echo device is approved by the BestReviews Testing Lab. It's beginner-friendly for users who are new to smart tech, letting you control synced devices with your voice. The Echo Dot boasts a variety of useful features. Students can ask Alexa for homework help, set alarms and timers, listen to music and podcasts, check the weather and more.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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