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There’s still plenty of time left to enjoy summer break, but back-to-school season is quickly approaching. While classes won’t resume for another month at most universities and colleges, it’s never too early to start shopping for dorm room essentials. In fact, getting a jump on your back-to-school shopping will likely lead to better savings, as the best deals on twin XL-sized bedding and mini fridges tend to sell out well before the school year begins.
Like most things in the economy, college tuition hasn’t gotten any cheaper, so it’s helpful to save wherever you can on any educational expenditures. Textbooks and school supplies are already a big investment, but for upcoming college freshmen who are moving out of their parents’ house and into the dorm rooms or apartments, there’s also everything else you’ll need to make your new dorm room your own. Whether you require a fluffy mattress topper to get a good night’s rest on the hard bed or a tower fan to keep the small space ventilated, these upfront costs can quickly add up.
Out of all the things needed to furnish a bare college dorm room, the most expensive purchases will likely be for the appliances you want to add. From mini fridges and coffee pots to air purifiers and microwaves, there are several small appliances that could make college life a whole lot easier. We’ve searched high and low around the web, including the Walmart College Savings Hub and Amazon’s Back-to-School Shop, to find the best deals on these products. We handpicked selections with the lowest price points, the biggest discounts, and the highest customer ratings to help save you time and money during this busy back-to-school season.
Mini fridge deals starting at $97
Back in my day (which was longer ago than I’d like to admit), a mini fridge was my most-used appliance. It was stocked with soda and energy drinks in case I needed caffeine to fuel my late-night study sessions. Based on these habits, it’s no surprise I never made it to the cafeteria for breakfast, so the refrigerator was filled with yogurt and coffee creamer to get my day started. The nicest thing about the appliance was having a spot for leftovers or takeout containers, as this tasty food would have been thrown out otherwise.
Most universities have a size limit on your refrigerator, but the Mainstays 1.7 Cubic-Foot Compact Mini Refrigerator should definitely fit within the requirements, and it’s on sale for under $100 at Walmart. When shopping for these mini-est of mini fridges, you’ll want to ensure that what you’re buying is actually a refrigerator. Many beverage coolers, which are marketed to fit just 4 to 8 soda cans, don’t get as cold as a normal refrigerator, so they couldn’t safely store meats, milk, and other perishable items.
Generally, you should expect to pay at least $100 for a real mini fridge. The Costway 1.7 Cubic-Foot Mini Fridge only costs $110, making it one of the most affordable options at Amazon. If you want something that also has a freezer, because we all need ice cream every once in a while, you can find options for under $150.
Mainstays 1.7 Cubic-Foot Compact Mini Refrigerator
Costway 1.7 Cubic-Foot Mini Fridge
Galanz 3.1 Cubic-Foot Mini Fridge with Freezer
Frigidaire 65-Watt Retro Bar Refrigerator
Frostorm 3.2 Cubic-Foot Mini Fridge
Electric tea kettle and coffee maker deals starting at $17
If you’re not a morning person, having a coffee maker in your dorm room can be a game changer. There may also be regulations for coffee pots in the dormitory, as continuous warming hot plates can be a fire hazard. Because of this, it’s usually a safer bet to go with a single-serve coffee maker like the Keurig K-Express Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, which is discounted to $70 at Amazon currently. If coffee pots are permitted, or you live near campus in an apartment, you can get the Mainstays Black 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker for just $17 at Walmart.
Another option is making coffee with a French press, which would just require hot water to get started. You could heat water in the microwave, but investing in an electric tea kettle would simplify the process, boiling water in minutes or less. Electric kettles are also great if you want to test out any dorm room cooking hacks, as they offer a resourceful way to simmer ramen noodles or hard-boil eggs.
Mainstays Black 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker
Keurig K-Express Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker
Dreamosa Small Electric Tea Kettle
Chefman Electric Kettle
Microwave and rice cooker deals starting at $25
If your dorm room allows microwaves, and that’s a big if, because many dorm rooms don’t allow them, it will likely be restricted to a unit that’s under 1000 watts. However, college students living in apartments or suites with a dedicated kitchen will have more wiggle room. The most affordable microwave we’ve found is the Mainstays 0.7 Cubic-Foot Countertop Microwave Oven, which is on sale for just $49 at Walmart. It comes in three colors, and two are already showing low stock, so you won’t want to wait to add this one to your cart. Another affordable option is the Farberware 0.7 Cubic-Foot. Countertop Microwave Oven while it’s discounted to $68 at Amazon.
Microwaves are great for whipping up quick meals, but if you can’t have one in the dorm room, a rice cooker may be a good alternative. That being said, rice cookers may also not be allowed in the building. If they are, the Dash Mini Rice Cooker costs just $25 at Amazon, and its compact size won’t take up too much space.
Farberware 0.7 Cubic-Foot Countertop Microwave Oven
Mainstays 0.7 Cubic-Foot Countertop Microwave Oven
Dash Mini Rice Cooker
Tower fans and air purifiers deals starting at $30
Dorm rooms are notoriously cramped, and smaller spaces don’t always get proper ventilation and airflow. Having a fan can make all the difference in your overall comfort levels. The Mainstays 28-Inch Tower Fan with 3-Speed Settings costs just $30 at Walmart, but if you want something that fits on top of your desk, Amazon’s $40 deal on the Levoit Portable Tower Desk Fan may be a better selection.
Air purifiers can also be helpful if your allergies kick up after moving to a new place, but they’re also helpful for managing unwanted smells you may encounter. You can get air purifiers, like the
GoveeLife Mini Air Purifier, for as low as $38 at Amazon. If you want something that allows you to add essential oils for relaxation, the Levoit Core Mini Desktop Air Purifier with Aromatherapy has been marked down to just $40 at Walmart. To be a good roommate, just make sure your dorm buddies don’t mind the fragrance.
Mainstays 28-Inch Tower Fan with 3-Speed Settings
Levoit Portable Tower Desk Fan
Levoit Core Mini Desktop Air Purifier with Aromatherapy
Courtesy of Walmart
GoveeLife Mini Air Purifier
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