The best university essentials to buy for your kitchen and bedroom, from £10

Remove the faff of changing the bed and opt for a coverless duvet instead. Our panellists found this light and airy in testing and it was also quick and easy to wash.

Let’s face it, getting a full night’s sleep at uni isn’t always going to happen, but when you do want to get some rest, you’ll need a supportive and breathable place to lay your head, which this Slumberdown pillow provides.

It lands on the softer side of firm but it’s hypoallergenic and suited a variety of sleep styles in testing.

A topper can add a layer of luxe to old mattresses and our friends at Slumberdown have you covered, if you arrive to a lumpy, bumpy one in your new digs.

This is hypoallergenic and machine-washable, and while it doesn’t have any straps to secure it, the non-slip base kept it in place for most testers. Our panel also said it was comfy, breathable and helped improve the quality of their sleep overall.

This affordable Egyptian cotton range comes in a wide range of colours so you can find one to fit in with your uni decor. Despite their low price tag, they’re a good size and didn’t shrink during washing. Testers also found them pleasingly fluffy and soft.

We love gadgets that come with fun added extras, such as this kettle, which has a handy illuminated water level gauge that lights up during use.

It boils quickly, making it suited for quick cuppas between lectures, and our testers said it poured well with no splashes. Although the body of the kettle did get very hot after boiling, the handle remained cool to the touch, so as long as you’re careful, it shouldn’t be an issue.

At just over £30, this sleek two-slice toaster won points for its wide slots and seven levels of browning. Testers were impressed with how it handled frozen bread, too, and it toasted bagels well.

The slots aren’t the deepest, but it’s quick enough that flipping your bread when needed shouldn’t delay you for too long – ideal for busy mornings before lectures.

As well as being wallet-friendly, this eight-piece pan set can go in the dishwasher, so there’s really no excuse for not clearing up properly after whipping up a meal.

The pans heat up quickly and have a reliable non-stick design, so there’s no scrubbing needed even if you don’t have a dishwasher to hand in halls. Minced meat also browned particularly evenly in the frying pan (tacos anyone?). They’re not suitable for induction hobs, but uni kitchens aren’t likely to use induction.

A reliable budget buy for first timers decking out their kitchen, our testers were impressed with this set’s chopping and dicing skills. We also love the fun colour-coded design. All in all, they wash well, are well-balanced and make a great affordable set for student life.

Affordable and versatile, you’re really getting your money’s worth with this air fryer and multi-cooker. It sears, grills, roasts, bakes and slow cooks, making it a reliable space-saving appliance.

The simple, modern design is easy to use, yet still sleek and it scored a perfect 10 in our chicken and chips cooking test. That’s dinner sorted.

If any gadget was designed with students in mind, it’s the sandwich toaster. This one heats up quickly and turns out crisp toasties that are evenly cooked with plenty of oozing melted cheese – a failsafe cheap and easy lunch that requires minimal cooking skills. You simply can’t go wrong with a cheese and beans toastie.

When it’s hair wash day and dry shampoo won’t cut it, have faith knowing this hair dryer will get the job done in a flash.

Not only is it quick, but it’s comfortable to hold – great news for those blessed with long or thick hair. In the GHI lab, it successfully kept frizz at bay, and our testers loved how smooth and glossy their hair felt after use.

While not actually an essential, it's good to have some kind of decorations to fall back on when faced with a plain, empty university room. This set is an Amazon’s Choice buy thanks to the bright lights and different modes.

Designed with smaller living spaces (like shared student halls) in mind, there’s a lot of drying space here – 21 metres, to be exact. The clothes airer is also portable and lightweight, and, at only 59cm wide when open, it takes up minimal floor space.

The whole rack will easily hold a load of double bedding or two smaller laundry loads, plus it includes four extended hanging corners that each fit up to two extra items.

And if you’re moving into a draughty house, then you may even want to splash out on a heated clothes airer – but that may up your electricity bill, so choose wisely!

Aerolite specialises in quality hardshell cases at budget-friendly prices. The case’s telescopic handle can sit at different heights, it has a spacious interior and a selection of pockets makes packing extra easy.

With a five-year warranty, this is a nifty and substantial case – perfect for moving your worldly goods or travelling back home by car or train in the holidays.

Multiple members of the Good Housekeeping team swore by clothes organisers when they were at university – making sure you don’t have to compromise your style if space is tight in halls or a box room. It’s not quite a Mary Poppins bag, but it will help you fit more in.