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As college students prepare to head back to campus, dorm room essentials are top of mind. You’ll be studying, sleeping, eating, and entertaining in this space, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve got all the tools you need to do these things with ease. Sure, posters and LED lights show off your personal style, but they can’t serve you nourishment day to day.
Before you make any purchases, you should check your college’s residence life policies. Every college and university differs in what appliances are allowed in on-campus dormitories and residence halls, so you’ll want to make sure you only buy and bring items that are in compliance.
You certainly won’t want to haul a dorm room refrigerator all the way to campus only to have to haul it right back home. As a former Resident Assistant, I can tell you that it’s not fun for anyone to have to confiscate your beloved toaster the first week of school.
We are here to help with our vetted recommendations on what appliances and dorm room essentials are worth making space for, if they're allowed. Here’s everything you need.
1. Our favorite dorm fridge
![Magic Chef Fridge filled with drinks and produce.](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--NYI17_Dx--/b_white,c_limit,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_center,q_auto,w_792/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/289fcf03658c4747/Magic_Chef_fridge_photo_jackson.jpeg)
This adorable, pint-sized refrigerator features everything you need from freezer space, smart storage options, and reliable temperature control.
There are plenty of non-perishable food items you can store around your room, but owning a dorm room refrigerator gives you the flexibility to store fresh fruits and vegetables, yogurt, drinks, leftovers, and maybe even some frozen items.
The market is flooded with mini fridge options, and trust us, they’re not all great. In our lab here at Reviewed, we tested a bunch to find the best mini fridges and the Magic Chef Retro 2-door Mini Fridge came out as one of our top picks.
This adorable, pint-sized refrigerator features everything you need including freezer space, smart storage options, and reliable temperature control. This fridge’s separate freezer compartment can fit frozen veggies and pints of ice cream.
![Product image of Magic Chef Retro 2-door Mini Fridge](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--eCyOmlIa--/b_white,c_fill_pad,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_auto,h_220,q_auto,w_220/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/8fd06282dd144530/1.png)
Stylish and spacious enough to stock ice cream, this fridge is a dorm must-have.
2. The perfect dorm microwave
![A picture of Magic Chef 1.1 Cubic-Foot Countertop Microwave sitting upon a countertop](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--dUDfdTEQ--/b_white,c_limit,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_center,q_auto,w_792/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/0454e72758324f1d/best_microwave_jackson.jpeg)
The Magic Chef countertop microwave is a well-priced and sturdy model that will last you into your post-grad years.
Microwaves are one of the few self-heating items that residence halls allow, so it is a top dorm room essential. It can heat up leftovers, cook pizza rolls, and pop popcorn. You can make eggs in the morning (try poached or scrambled!) or mix up a mug cake.
Of the best microwaves, we tested, our recommendation is another Magic Chef stunner for your countertop. It’s well-priced and sturdy, so it may last you into your post-grad years.
![Product image of Magic Chef Countertop Microwave Oven](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--W1amqNR0--/b_white,c_fill_pad,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_auto,h_220,q_auto,w_220/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/a6dd306248e74791/2.png)
Affordable, intuitive, and well-performing, this microwave is a no-brainer.
3. A budget-friendly blender
![Magic bullet personal sized blender with smoothie ingredients.](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--pa1flzMY--/b_white,c_limit,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_center,q_auto,w_792/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/5f65bc829eea4b1f/magic_bullet_betsey.jpeg)
This blender is compact enough to tuck away when not in use. You can also easily wash it in a dorm bathroom.
A blender is a great option when you’re dealing with limited resources. You can use it to put together a quick breakfast smoothie, post-workout shake, and more.
We recommend opting for a personal-sized blender like the Magic Bullet that is compact enough to tuck away when not in use. You can also easily wash it in a dorm bathroom.
![Product image of Magic Bullet Blender](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--I2xyJ2Y---/b_white,c_fill_pad,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_auto,h_220,q_auto,w_220/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/3c059de988274fc5/3.png)
This budget-friendly and easy-to-clean personal blender comes with lids for on-the-go sipping.
4. A slim coffee machine
![Left: Nespresso Vertuo Next. Right: Instant Pot Solo Coffee Maker](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--3AC7_fFy--/b_white,c_limit,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_center,q_auto,w_792/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/d0ae6fc4737a4cd3/Instant_Solo_Nespresso_Vertuo_Next.png)
The Vertuo Next is the slimmest Nespresso yet, and the Instant Pot Solo comes with a reusable pod filter.
With late nights of studying followed by 8 a.m. classes, a coffee machine quickly becomes your number-one dorm room essential.
A pod-based machine can get you caffeinated quickly. Our favorite single-serve coffee maker with a reusable pod filter is the Instant Pot Solo Pod Coffee Maker.
If you're an espresso fan, the Nespresso Vertuo Next, is the way to go here. Beyond just traditional drip coffee, this machine can also brew single or double shots of espresso for money-saving homemade lattes (with the right Nespresso pods). Plus, this model is the slimmest Nespresso machine on the market, so it's easy to find space for—even in a crowded triple.
These machines brew full-bodied coffee or espresso to help you stay alert or rally after an all-nighter of studying.
![Product image of Instant Pot Solo Pod Coffee Maker](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--cbtkyCeW--/b_white,c_fill_pad,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_auto,h_220,q_auto,w_220/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/f934de0ee6094c18/Instant_Solo_Coffee_Maker.jpg)
This single-serve coffee maker doesn't take up much space but delivers bold cups of coffee.
![Product image of Nespresso Vertuo Next](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--_1Bia4MB--/b_white,c_fill_pad,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_auto,h_220,q_auto,w_220/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/91dae6d406a54c60/4.png)
The slimmest Nespresso machine in the market brews fast, delicious java with minimal effort.
Read Our Review5. A speedy electric kettle
![Cuisinart PerfecTemp electric pouring water into a mug](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--l0sh7eNu--/b_white,c_limit,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_center,q_auto,w_792/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/1b65a8903bc9475f/kettle_jackson.jpeg)
An electric kettle is a great dorm room essential for making tea, hot cocoa, ramen—you name it!.
If coffee isn’t your jam and you’re a tea drinker instead, then an electric tea kettle will be your best friend.
Our favorite tea kettle is the Cuisinart PerfecTemp electric kettle, which offers adjustable temperatures and heats up in just a few minutes—perfect for when you're running out the door and need your morning tea or instant oatmeal.
![Product image of Cuisinart PerfecTemp Electric Kettle](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--N-qtpe5s--/b_white,c_fill_pad,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_auto,h_220,q_auto,w_220/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/565935d7a35d40d3/5.png)
The best electric kettle we've tested is easy to use and heats up quickly.
If you want something almost as reliable but on a budget, the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore boils even faster than the Cuisinart and also features variable temperature control. This is a great dorm room essential for making tea, hot cocoa, ramen—you name it!
![Product image of Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Electric Kettle](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--70AewphZ--/b_white,c_fill_pad,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_auto,h_220,q_auto,w_220/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/ceafbd23256f4e2d/Beautiful-1-7-Liter-Electric-Kettle-1500-W-with-One-Touch-Activation-Sage-Green-by-Drew-Barrymore_0512cc30-6ed6-4e3b-89b6-b1ed8d13980c.b1953116042bca217e66eccb628d0cb9_Large.jpeg)
This speedy electric kettle comes at a great value for students.
6. A stylish mini oven
![A person taking food out of the Our Place Wonder Oven.](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--UDlqvXSl--/b_white,c_limit,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_center,q_auto,w_792/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/973108bb8a32428c/Our-Place-Wonder-Oven_H7.jpeg)
The Wonder Oven from Our Place can bake, reheat, and air fry, and it's compact size is perfect for small spaces.
Dorm room cooking can be tough—even if your residence hall has a common-room kitchen, it's likely to be overcrowded or inconveniently far away.
In this case, an air fryer or mini oven is a smart option for those who like to cook but have limited access to appliances. We love the Our Place Wonder Oven for its tiny footprint and excellent ability to quickly crisp foods. Plus, it comes in a few fun colors—perfect for vamping up your dorm space!
![Product image of Wonder Oven](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--y0rDBrfX--/b_white,c_fill_pad,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_auto,h_220,q_auto,w_220/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/1b6a3457976742ac/mpc4.png)
A countertop oven that delivers on form and function.
7. A small, multipurpose electric skillet
![Split image of a hand dipping a tostada into nacho cheese in a Perfect Power Pot and eggs being placed in the steamer attachment.](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--GOhRoK84--/b_white,c_limit,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_center,q_auto,w_792/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/4aec7ad081c14c33/Our_Place_Perfect_Power_Pot_1.png)
From late-night nachos to meal-prepping eggs, the Perfect Power Pot goes a long way.
At some point, you might find yourself missing the taste of home cooking. (Let's face it, dining hall food only goes so far.) When that craving comes, reach for the Our Place Perfect Power Pot. This stylish appliance was designed with small dorm rooms in mind. It can sear, boil, saute, and more—plus it comes with a stacking steamer for dumplings, veggies, eggs, and more. And all you have to do is plug it in!
![Product image of Our Place Perfect Power Pot](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--3iCAQKSl--/b_white,c_fill_pad,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_auto,h_220,q_auto,w_220/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/aab0872002094e8b/9.png)
This stylish electric pot can churn out full meals from the comfort of your dorm.
8. A reliable rice cooker
![Cooked rice filled in the Toshiba rice cooker, shot from above](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--h9iVjZg3--/b_white,c_limit,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_center,q_auto,w_792/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/48eb3870076749bc/IMG_5380.jpg)
This budget-friendly rice cooker aced all of our tests.
If you don’t have access to a dorm kitchen or want to avoid sitting over a boiling pot while trying to hit the books, a rice cooker can whip up a quick, healthy meal of whole grains. We’ve tested lots of rice cookers, and the best value cooker is the Toshiba Digital Programmable Rice Cooker which not only perfectly cooks rice but also does a great job steaming frozen dumplings (aka your new go-to meal).
![Product image of Toshiba Digital Programmable Rice Cooker](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--uVELohq2--/b_white,c_fill_pad,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_auto,h_220,q_auto,w_220/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/216581355a044b51/8.png)
Our pick for the best value rice cooker delivers consistently well-cooked results.
9. A dorm fan to stay cool
![Vornado desk fan sitting amongst a cluttered desk.](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--ueeNhHZQ--/b_white,c_limit,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_center,q_auto,w_792/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/3776fa8091af40a7/desk_fan_betsey.jpeg)
A desk fan can help keep you cool while studying.
Dorm buildings' heating and cooling systems vary wildly, and across the board, colleges do not allow students to bring A/C units into their residence halls.
Whether in the heat of the summer or sweating through an overheated room in the dead of winter, you’ll need some air flow. A fan provides temperature control to your room and even white noise at night in case your place is noisy while you’re trying to study or sleep.
We’ve tested the best options of both full sized fans and desk fans, and Vornado is the hands-down favorite across both categories.
You can enjoy the Vornado 660, powerful enough to cool down your whole dorm room even at a distance, or the Vornado pivot personal fan at your desk or bedside.
![Product image of Vornado 660 Large Whole Room Air Circulator Fan](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--OGydYcff--/b_white,c_fill_pad,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_auto,h_220,q_auto,w_220/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/bcf537f5f660437a/10.png)
Cool your whole dorm room with this powerful fan.
![Product image of Vornado Pivot Personal Air Circulator Fan](https://reviewed-com-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/s--7jNMR8dN--/b_white,c_fill_pad,cs_srgb,f_auto,fl_progressive.strip_profile,g_auto,h_220,q_auto,w_220/https://reviewed-production.s3.amazonaws.com/attachment/d3f96d809c9345c2/11.png)
Stay cool while studying with this convenient desk fan.