These Walmart Dorm Deals Could Save College Students Hundreds
Shop discounted mattress toppers, coffee makers, and more.
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When my daughter moved away to college last year, I learned a lot about shopping for dorm room essentials. Certain items definitely deserved a spot in her cramped quarters—like a mattress topper and extra towels—but the costs added up quickly.
This year, I’m starting early, looking for deals on the things she’ll need again in August—and found so many already on sale at Walmart. That even includes a few brands we’ve tested, like Bedding Award-winning Twin XL sheets at $33 and our favorite throw blanket for only $19.
Best Deal
They’ll need a few sets of Twin XL sheets, so why not get ones from our 2026 Bedding Awards, which also hold the Good Housekeeping Seal? According to testers, these affordable, durable sheets “outperformed” more expensive options—and they feel soft, yet crisp. In fact, of our at-home testers said they’re “incredibly soft and feel luxurious to sleep in.”
Dorm room mattresses are notoriously awful, and most students consider a mattress topper a non-negotiable. Treat them to this 3-inch memory foam topper (in size Twin XL, of course), which, per the brand, is designed to allow airflow and help regulate temperatures as they sleep.
Trust me on this one: Get them a whole luggage set for college. Whether they’re flying home for a long weekend or moving home for the summer, it’ll probably be cheaper to pay for checked suitcases than mailed boxes. The GH Institute has tested a lot of luggage, and they consider this American Tourister set a good value.
A set of storage bags comes in handy when students move in and out of the dorm, but they’re also great to have all year long. I like that these fold down flat when not in use, have a clear window so they can see what’s inside, and are easy to stack under their bed.
Most dorms allow coffee makers, and this Kitchen Award-winning Keurig is a good pick for students. It’s easy to use, and it makes regular hot coffee in moments (or cold coffee by flash-chilling the brew). This is the Keurig I sent my daughter to college with, and she and her roommates appreciated saving time and money by making their own drinks in the morning.
Top off their dorm room bedding with the best overall throw blanket we’ve tested. For an under-$20 pick, our editors say that the sherpa and fleece combo feels luxurious, has a nice weight to it, and washes easily.
Most colleges won’t let you put nail holes into the walls, which is why Command strips are such must-haves. With this set, they can decorate their dorm to their heart’s content. When it’s time to move out, pulling the hook off the wall shouldn’t damage the paint (or earn you an extra bill from the school).
A compact caddy that drains and dries easily is so helpful when they have a trek to the bathroom. This one has an 8-inch-deep main pocket that can hold a towel, along with seven outer pockets for their products, shower slippers, and more.
A nice accent rug next to their bed or under their desk will give their space a cozy feel. Unless all of the roommates have agreed on one large rug for the room, this 2-by-4-foot size is ideal. Choose from five colors on sale.
Fairy lights add instant ambiance to any room—but I like that these have mini clips attached. They can hold photos, art, and other mementos that remind them of home.
If the school doesn’t provide a desk lamp, don’t worry: This $10 model has a lot of cool features, such as three tone settings and three brightness settings. It’s also built with a slot that holds their phone, and there’s a USB-C port in the back.
This set of absorbent, 100% cotton towels for under $15 is such a bargain, you may want to consider getting two. It comes with two bath towels, two hand towels, and four washcloths—and it’s available in over 20 colors.
Once my daughter raised her dorm bed, we quickly realized that she needed something to help her jump up there. I wish I had seen this cute boucle ottoman at the time! It’s stylish and functions as an extra seat for guests; plus, the extra storage is a nice score.
If their shared bathroom is down the hall, they’ll want a pair of shower shoes. This pair is designed to resist slipping, according to the brand—and the drainage holes help ensure they’ll dry quickly. All six colors are on sale right now, too.
Most dorm room desks come with a chair, but—like the mattress—it’s not the most comfortable place to rest for hours on end. If the school allows it, opt for this popular seat. It allows them to sit comfortably with their legs crossed and gives your hardworking student better cushioning to study in.
Last year, my daughter and her roommates kept snacks and drinks on hand—so their mini-fridge got a lot of use. Although not the same brand, this is the size I bought and it worked out well. I like that there’s extra storage in the door and even a small freezer space.
Students usually have a lot of electronics, and a surge protector like this one will give everyone a place to plug in their lamps, laptops, chargers, and more. (Plus, those USB-A and USB-C ports are a nice feature.) You can get it on sale with or without a 5-foot extension cord right now.
Jessica Dukes is a shopping editor at Hearst Magazines, writing about home goods, tech, fashion, wellness, and more for titles like Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, and House Beautiful. Drawing on more than 20 years of digital experience, Jess focuses on curating gift guides, tracking down the best deals, and testing products for candid reviews. Prior to Hearst, her career spanned Bonnier Corp., NBC Universal, and Barnes&Noble.com. As a busy mom of two teenagers (one in college), relaxing looks a lot like gardening, hiking, or planning the next family getaway.
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