40+ College Dorm Room Essentials For Guys

This post is about the best college dorm room essentials for guys!

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When it comes to college shopping, there aren’t many resources for guys on what to bring for their dorm room. From my time in college, I have narrowed down the most important college dorm room essentials that guys will actually find useful.

If your son is getting ready for college or if you’re a guy about to move into your dorm, this list is full of the best dorm room essentials for guys! I hope that it helps to make packing a lot easier for you.

Related Post: 24 Best College Dorm Room Ideas For Guys They Will Love: How To Create a Cool Dorm!

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Dorm Room Essentials For Guys

Bedding Essentials

Buying quality and comfy bedding for your dorm room is so important! It’s where you’re going to sleep every night so you’ll want to make sure it’s comfortable and feels like home.

Make sure to buy bedding items in a Twin XL because it is the standard dorm room bed size.

1. Twin XL Mattress Topper:

College dorm room beds are not comfortable at all which is why having a mattress topper is so helpful! I have a four-inch mattress topper similar to the one above and it makes my bed so much more comfortable.

2. Twin XL Bedding:

Every college student needs a nice comforter for their dorm bed.

3. Twin XL Sheets and Pillowcase:

This sheet set is perfect for guys going to college because it comes with a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and a pillowcase.

4. Pillows:

It’s always nice to get new pillows for your dorm room. These king size pillows have great reviews and look very soft!

Dorm Room Kitchen Essentials

Having a mini-fridge and microwave in your dorm room is so nice! Some colleges provide students with fridges, but mine did not. If you aren’t provided with one, I definitely recommend bringing your own.

Check what your roommate is bringing too because it’s helpful if you can each bring one appliance and share them. Sharing your fridge and microwave will also save space in your dorm.

Here are the best kitchen college dorm room essentials for guys.

1. Mini Fridge:

Having a mini fridge in your dorm room is so convenient! You can keep food from the grocery store, Brita water, and sodas cold thanks to a mini fridge. I also like being able to store food from the dining hall inside it.

2. Microwave:

I use my microwave all of the time in my dorm room! You can reheat left overs, make ramen noodles, and pop popcorn. I definitely recommend getting a microwave for your dorm.

3. Keurig:

Do you like coffee, tea, hot chocolate and/or roman noodles? If so, you’ll get tons of use out of a Keurig! My roommates and I use ours all of the time to make hot chocolate and it works great.

4. Brita Water Filter:

Having a Brita in your room is a super easy and convenient way to have access to filtered water. My roommates and I get so much use out of our Brita at college!

5. Lots of Snacks & Snack Clips:

Make sure that you have a lot of snacks for your dorm room! I recommend having a lot of granola bars and fruit snacks in case you wake up in the morning late and need something to eat super quickly on the way to class.

You should also stock up on all your favorite snacks! Some of my favorites are popcorn, ramen noodles, mac & cheese, cheez its, Chex mix, goldfish, etc.

Also, keep a couple of extra snacks in your backpack in case you get hungry during the day.

Electronic Essentials

1. Long Surge Protector:

Most colleges do not allow extension cords in dorm rooms because they are fire hazards. Instead, use a long power strip or surge protector. I use a Belkin power strip and it works great!

2. 10ft Phone Charger:

Having a long phone charger in college is super helpful because usually the outlets in dorm rooms are not conveniently located. A long charger will allow you to use your phone while it is charging.

3. Laptop & Charger:

Make sure to bring a quality laptop to college! I definitely recommend the ASUS Chromebook Flip CORE M3. This is the computer I used during my freshman year of college and it’s the best! I still use it today and love it.

4. Calculator & Charger:

Don’t forget to bring your graphing calculator to college in case you need it for some classes. If you need to buy one for a class, make sure to ask your professor which version they recommend.

5. Airpods/Ear Phones:

If you’re going to college, you most likely will be living in a dorm room with other people. It is nice to have air-pods because you can listen to music and be on your phone without disrupting your roommates.

I have these airpods and love them!

6. Portable Speaker:

It’s fun to have a speaker in your dorm so that you can play music. I have the speaker above and really like it. It is inexpensive and plays music really nicely.

7. Batteries:

During my freshman year, I brought a lot of batteries to college and didn’t really need them. Only bring a couple extra for any products you have that need batteries.

8. Random Electronics:

Here are some more random (unnecessary but fun) electronics that you may want for your dorm room or just for college in general.

Personally I did not find it necessary to have a printer in my dorm room but I know that some people love having one close by.

I have a fire tv cube at my house and it’s the best so I thought I would include it. It makes it so much easier to watch shows/movies and comes with Alexa! Don’t forget you’re favorite video games too!!

Bathroom Essentials:

1. Shower Caddy:

A mesh shower caddy is super helpful at college, especially if you’re using communal bathrooms. You can keep all of your shower supplies inside of it which is very convenient.

2. Body Towels:

This set comes with two big towels. I recommend packing 2-3 towels for college.

3. Shampoo & Conditioner:

Dove is one of my favorite brands! It always makes my hair super soft and smells so good. The 2 pack above will last a while and is a great price!

4. Body Wash:

This body wash has great reviews and looks like it smells really good.

5. Face Wash:

I have super sensitive skin and Neutrogena is the best facial cleanser that I have ever used. It is very gentle and recommended by dermatologists. Something about being at college makes my skin a lot dryer than usual which is why washing your face regularly, even for guys, is so important!

6. Shaving Cream & Razors:

Make sure to pack razors and shaving cream for college.

7. Shower Shoes:

Shower shoes come in very handy at college because the shower floors are NASTY even if you have your own bathroom shower. Any old flip flops will work great!

8. Chap-Stick:

It’s the worst feeling when your lips are super chapped and you don’t have any chap-stick. I definitely recommend keeping one in your pocket, backpack, and desk drawer so that you always have one.

9. Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss & Mouthwash:

Every college student needs to pack a quality toothbrush for college! Trust me, with all of the late-night snacking and junk food, you’re going to want a toothbrush that really does the trick. I got this Philips toothbrush for Christmas and it’s SO good! My roommate uses the same one and we both love it.

The toothbrush is very powerful and comes in a variety of colors. It also comes with a cover so you don’t have to worry about any germs getting on your toothbrush. I also use the Colgate toothpaste above and really like. It helps to whiten your teeth as well.

10. Retainer, Case & Cleaner:

If you have retainers make sure to remember them and their case.

Retainer cleaner is also a good thing to bring to college so that you can clean your retainers every couple of weeks.

11. Deodorant:

I love Dove anything so I am sure this deodorant works well. Pack a couple sticks of deodorant so that you can keep one in your room, backpack, gym bag, etc.

12. Hair Brush & Hair Gel:

I use a Wet Brush and it is my all-time favorite hair brush! It makes it so easy to detangle your hair. The Wet Brush above is recommended for men.

13. Glasses & Case:

If you have glasses, don’t forget to bring them and their case.

14. Contacts, Solution & Case:

Don’t forget your contacts & their case as well! Bio True contact solution is my favorite solution! It is gentle on my eyes and keeps my monthly contacts intact. I recently bought a two-pack of this solution from Amazon and it works great!

School Supplies Essentials

1. Notebooks, Folders, Binders, Etc:

The school supplies that you will get the most use out of in college definitely depends on the classes your taking and your professors.

After the first couple weeks of school you will have a better idea if you are going to take notes on your laptop, in a notebook, etc. You’ll also know if it will be more practical for you to use a folder or binder to keep handouts.

Above are some of the most common school supplies but don’t feel like you have to bring these one the first day of classes. You can just bring your laptop to the first day of classes and decide later what supplies you want to use for each class.

2. Writing Utensils:

I like using mechanical pencils so that I don’t have to worry about having a sharpener. Highlighters and pens are also great to have!

Organization Essentials

If you’re not a super-organized person, some of these products will help you out! Since dorm rooms are so small, organization is key in college and will help you fit all of your things comfortably in small spaces.

1. Extra Drawers or Nightstand:

Extra drawer units or nightstands will definitely help to organize your dorm room! I used a drawer unit like this during my freshman year and it worked great!

2. Under Bed Storage:

Under the bed storage will become your best friend in college! It really is amazing how much you can fit under your bed as long as it’s organized.

If you can, raise your bed so that you have even more storage under your bed.

3. Closet Organization:

This closet shelf creates even more space in your closet for shoes, sweatshirts, or really anything you are trying to organize.

Other Essential College Items:

1. Laundry Basket:

My #1 laundry basket tip is to bring one that is very spacious and has straps so that it is easy to carry! The one above is perfect because it will fit a lot of clothes but also will fit under your bed. It’s helpful if your laundry basket can fit under your bed or in your closet so that it doesn’t take up a lot of space in your dorm.

2. Backpack:

Having a spacious and quality backpack will make your life a lot easier in college. I use a North Face backpack in college and I love it!

3. Guy Decor:

Guys can decorate their dorm rooms too! Personally, I like when guys decorate their dorm rooms because it shows personality and creativity (even if their mom is the one buying their decor haha.)

4. Card Holder:

The Pop Socket Wallet is one of my favorite products ever! It is a wallet and pop socket that goes on the back of your phone. It is perfect for college students because they always need their Student ID. This way, the ID is always in the back of your phone. 

I have one and use it every day, it’s honestly the best! Most likely you already take your phone everywhere you go, so this is perfect!

5. Common First Aid & Medicine:

It’s good to have common first aid and medicines like band-aids, neosporin, hydrocortisone, advil, and allergy medicine in your dorm in case you get a cut or get sick and don’t want to leave your room.

You also may want to bring cough drops, vitamin c drops, and vitamins.

6. Cleaning Items:

Above are all of the cleaning supplies that my roommates and I have gotten the most use out of in college. I also recommend bringing a vacuum, broom/dust-pan, and all-purpose cleaning spray for your dorm room. Talk to your roommates about who is bringing which cleaning supplies because they are good items to share.

7. Water Bottle:

You will be walking a lot around campus so it’s very important to stay hydrated in college. Bringing a reusable water bottle will cut back on plastic bottles and ensure that you always have water on you. I love my Hydro Flask because it keeps my water cold for so long!

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I hope that you enjoyed this post about the best college dorm room essentials for guys!