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Because you like to be ready before the thing you need to be ready for is even ready to be a problem.

I am a staff writer on the BuzzFeed Shopping team who focuses primarily on practical and problem-solving products (although you can also catch me writing about cute, fun, and ~weird~ products, too!).

Promising review: "I bought this for my daughter when she moved into her dorm, and this is perfect. The mattresses that they provide are 'questionable,' and this functional thick cover just helps with an added layer of protection. I would highly recommend that you purchase this! It is easy to put on the mattress, and the cover fits like a glove. It is also easy to wash." —Gina

Get the twin XL size from Amazon for $25.99 (available in 10 other sizes).

Promising review: "Loved this for my freshman year of college dorm room! I can clearly write out my whole schedule and stay on top of work. The markers and magnets work great. Easy to hang with Command hooks." —Wyn

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three sizes and three colors).

Promising review: "Living in a dorm my first year of college, I knew I wasn’t going to have access to filtered water through a refrigerator, so I had to find another way so as not to buy plastic water bottles all the time and carry the case across campus from my car. I purchased a Brita bottle before school started and ended up using it so much I bought a second so I could always have one filled and waiting for me in the fridge." —Erika

Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors).

You'll get two lemon and lime scented ones as well as one mango and hibiscus, and one crisp linen.

Promising review: "These are a household staple that I keep stocked at all times, and this bundle pack is the most economical way to buy them. The multi-scent variety is a nice touch since you get a bit of freshness without any single scent becoming overwhelming, and the wipes themselves are thick and durable enough to handle tough messes without falling apart mid-wipe. I use them daily on kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces, and doorknobs, and they do an excellent job of cutting through grease and grime while leaving surfaces visibly clean. The resealable packaging keeps the wipes moist between uses, which is something I've had issues with in cheaper alternatives. At 80 count across four packs, this bundle offers great value and I always feel confident that surfaces are properly sanitized after use — a must-have for any home cleaning routine." —Charlie Price

Promising review: "Perfect for my dorm bed!! It was easy to put together and was able to hold a decent amount of stuff. I really just needed it to put my phone somewhere at night, and I also use it to hold my water bottle and other nighttime essentials." —Sheridan Cruz

Get it from Amazon for $13.95+ (available in two styles, seven colors, and in packs of two).

Promising review: "This works as described and handles the load that my daughter needs. She uses it for her laptop, iPhone, AirPods, curling iron, and light. The cord is plenty long to go behind the desk. I would buy this again and definitely recommend it for a college dorm room." —K. Nelson

Get it from Amazon for $25.48+ (available in four cord lengths and two colors).

Promising review: "I seriously want to rave about this timer/clock. It's the funkiest, most awesome clock and timer. I bought it to GET MY KIDS OUT OF THE HOUSE TO SCHOOL ON TIME. They consistently won't be ready every morning without me hollering, '10 minutes! 5 minutes!' If I missed these callouts, no one was ready on time. Now, the alarm goes off, and they know what that means. I flip the hexagon to 15 minutes, then beep, beep, beep! It's loud but not obnoxious, and everyone can hear it from the bedroom. Flip again for five more minutes. When it goes off again, I'm going for my keys. Better be ready, kiddos! LIFE IS BETTER with my ZNEWTECH HEXAGON DIGITAL Timer and Alarm!!!!" —77Keys

BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Yi Yang is a fan. Check out her hexagonal productivity timer review for more on how she uses this to get more done and help the day go by faster.

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in 30 and 60 minutes and four colors).

Promising review: "These are extremely sturdy, very easy to install, and add so much storage under the bed. My daughter was able to put two dressers under there. Great purchase — true game changer!" —RCash

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two colors).

Promising reviews: "Purchased for my daughter for under her bed at college, and they work great. They are sturdy and easy to put together! Highly recommend" —crista lombardo

"Very practical under-bed storage bin! It took less than five minutes to assemble, and the wheels make it easy to pull out when I need to vacuum under the bed. It holds a lot of clothes, keeps everything organized, and has a label holder on the side for easy identification. Great value for the price!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $24.41+ (available in six colors).

Promising review: "Cute, and was great for my dorm; if you're a college student, get it! i have had it for a little while now, and it has been pretty dependable. It was easy to take down and put up. It came with all the tools for the set up and pretty easy instructions!" —Brookelynn Bedwell

Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in five colors and two other sizes).

Promising review: "Absolutely love this cute little picker-upper. It works great, even on powdery stuff. Picks up everything up to big crumbs. Easy to empty and works well for a long time. A must-have." —kdee

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two colors and styles).

Promising review: "I'm so glad I bought this shower caddy! It's the perfect size for dorm life, with lots of pockets to keep my toiletries and other essentials organized. The flexible design makes it easy to pack and transport, and it's durable enough to withstand daily use. I'm very happy with this purchase." —antoniette d.

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 11 colors and packs of two).

You'll get six small picture hanging strips, four large picture hanging strips, three medium utility hooks, two large utility hooks, three small utility hooks, six small wire hooks, and 20 strips.

Promising review: "Took me a bit to try these out for my college dorm! I can’t have any nails or thumb tacks on my wall, so these are strong and great to hang up my heavy fairy lights and heavy shell decor!" —holly truong

Promising reviews: "We camp often and don't always have electric hookups. This is perfect! Works better than any personal blender I have tried." —painted daisy

"An excellent product that makes life easier for those who lack time and space. This product has made my smoothies with nuts and peanuts without any problem." —OZ

Get it from Amazon for $69.95+ (available in 11 colors).

Promising reviews: "Excellent dorm room shelf! Easy to assemble and fit perfectly on top of the desk that was in the room. Great value compared to other similar items. You won’t be disappointed." —Leslie Jennings

"Purchased for a dorm. Great for adding extra shelves and storage. My daughter's roommate ordered one before we left on move-in day." —Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $58.49+ (available in five sizes and seven colors).

Cilpa is a Latvia-based shop making home decor and organizers.

Promising review: "Just as described. Helped me get clothes organized in a stylish yet simple way and finally get all my books in line. Great seller!" —Marc

Get it from Cilpa on Etsy for $8.37+ (available in 12 styles and two stains).

Promising review: "Saved so much space in my college dorm with these. Total lifesaver. You have to use a little force to get them on (press the hook open as you do, and it's pretty easy), but it's nothing too arduous. Highly recommend." —F. Stevens

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in larger pack sizes). 

Promising review: "Bought this for when I went to college and used it every single day. It clipped to my bed frame and made night reading easy, and the different color lights were also nice. My roommate also bought one so we could use these as our primary light source in our small dorm room. I've had this lamp for about seven years now. Definitely worth the money and is currently in my office as a desk lamp!" —David

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three colors).

This set includes a comforter and two standard pillow shams.

Get it from Hollister for $49.95+ (available in sizes twin/twin XL and full/queen and in two colors).

Promising review: "Sent this with my daughter to college, and she not only uses it like a safe but a step stool for her lofted bed in her dorm room. A real winner, especially for the money and durability/weight capacity!" —Kristine L Schwope

Get it from Amazon for $22.55+ (available in four sizes and five colors).

Promising review: "I bought these shower shoes for my freshman year of college and was worried about the mixed reviews. Let me just say, I LOVE these shower shoes. They are a soft plastic that is not scratchy or irritating to my skin, and they have a wide variety of color combinations. They fit well, and the holes in the shoes allow for drainage without any pain to my feet." —Faith

Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in women's sizes 5.5–13 and in nine colors).

Promising reviews: "Used for daughter’s first dorm and it was perfect for her small space." —Whitney E

"This is a great product to use if you need extra room. I live in a dorm, and trust me it freed up so much space and it’s durable. It's definitely worth the money!" —Tati

Get it from Amazon for $14.98+ (available in 11 colors and packs of two).

Promising review: "I got this for my college student, and he liked it so much that I got another one for the house. It is so easy to put together — my 13-year-old did it himself. I am very happy with the chair and with the price. Highly recommend." —Tonya

Get it from Amazon for $113.99+ (available in 17 colors).

And while you're at it, why not get yourself a cute little monogrammed mug! 

Promising review: "I am a college student, and this is great for my dorm. It’s not very big, and it’s easy to use. Great for tea, oatmeal, mac 'n' cheese cups, and ramen. And it’s easy to clean — just a bit of vinegar at the bottom and then add water to boil. It also boils faster than a regular kettle in my opinion!" —Tan

Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in four colors).

Promising reviews: "I live in a dorm where I share a fridge with three other girls. I’ll put things in the fridge, and sometimes they magically seem to disappear. This little fridge is great for storing the things I really want without taking up too much room. It comfortably holds a can of soda, a soup thermos, and a snack container. I also love the little compartment on the back of the fridge door, perfect for storing small snacks or sauce packets. It’s super quiet and cooled up super quickly (within 15 minutes of plug-in)." —Anna Bear

"It ran for two years straight under my desk at work quietly and without an issue. I've worked from home for the last few years, so after three years, it continues to run, now under my desk at home quietly and without issue, still cooling." —SamoneNJ

Get it from Amazon for $36.97+ (available in six colors).

Promising review: "This is a very nice, firm, and supportive backrest pillow for reading, laptop work, etc., in bed. I love the soft corduroy fabric and pretty green color, too! It's made a huge difference when I work on the computer or read in bed because it supports my back a lot better than a bunch of pillows did. It's also not too big, so it won't take up a lot of room on the bed." —WordyNerdyBirdy

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in two sizes and nine colors).

This has made laundry day soooo much easier for me! No more shuffling my heavy hamper from one hand to the other as I adventure to the laundromat.

Promising review: “I bought this because I live in an apartment that doesn’t have a washer or dryer, so I have to go to the on-site laundry room, and this has been a lifesaver! It’s such a big bag that I can put two big loads or three small loads in it. I can also fit my queen-size bedding in it. And the mesh pocket on its front is durable and can fit a medium-sized bottle of laundry detergent in it. The backpack straps just make it that much better and easier to carry. Definitely recommend!” —Nicole Gonzalez

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in 12 colors/patterns).

Promising review: "I love this hamper. It was easy to set up, and it’s spacious and sturdy. I can see it’s going to keep my laundry space well-organized. Removing the hamper to dump loads in the washer was easy. This product exceeds my expectations and does exactly what it’s intended to do! Highly recommend." —Susie

Get it from Amazon for $91.99+ (available in two sizes, two styles, and four colors).

Promising reviews: "I bought it for my dorm at college. Very useful, especially when you have a very elevated bed. Doesn't damage your cable or what it's attached to. Worth the purchase!" —Paige Baumgartner

"I use this to hold up my phone cable on my nightstand. It works great for this. I don’t have to look for my cable anymore!" —CajunsMa

Get a pack of six from Amazon for $3.99.

Nori is a woman-owned small business based in Connecticut, hoping to make your life easier with this all-in-one travel iron and steamer.

Promising review: "It has a very sleek design and is lightweight. As someone who lives in an apartment with limited space, I think this compact iron (and steamer!) is a total game-changer. Its simple controls make it very easy to use, and the adjustable temperature settings cater to different fabrics, ensuring that your clothes are treated with the care they deserve. My favorite thing about the product is that it can be used on the go, making ironing quick and convenient anywhere. This is my new go-to for traveling. I highly recommend this product to anyone who values convenience, ease of use, and portability." —John F. Kemmerer

Get it from Amazon for $119.99 (available in five colors).

Promising review: "I work in a laboratory, so I am constantly surrounded by lots of sounds varying in pitch and frequency, which can be very overwhelming, especially for someone with noise sensitivities. I have had several people recommend these to me, so I decided to give them a try. I'm so happy I did! When I put these in, it feels like I’m coming into my peaceful little bubble. They allow me to have a higher tolerance of noise and have overall reduced my stress and overstimulation of the environment I’m in. It seems like they do a good job at blocking out noises I personally find the most distressing (ie, high-pitched, constant noises)." —Makayla

Get it from Amazon for $35.95 (available in three colors; check out Loop's Amazon Storefront for more options related to concerts, offices, and parenting). 

Promising review: "I’ve tried other fabric dressers but love this brand due to the deeper and wider drawers. It’s just for a dorm room, so it will work." —Carole J. Lambert

Get it from Amazon for $159.99+ (available in six colors and in two other sizes).

Promising review: "I didn't know I was going to love this thing so much. I had too many products on my bathroom counter and this is a huge game-changer. The storage trays that come with it have little compartments that are perfect for organizing random-shaped makeup items or even lipsticks." —Measured Critique

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two styles). 

Promising reviews: "Bought this for our college-bound daughter. She uses it for cold coffee using pods or ground coffee. Makes excellent hot coffee customized to your preferred strength. We even tried brewing it with espresso. No complaints at all." —Amazon Customer

"Absolutely the best coffee maker I've owned. Been through quite a few of that other pod brewing brands, and this one is so much more reliable and makes a better cup of coffee with a very flexible cup size and the option to use pods or grounds. Best part is the small footprint in a very small kitchen with limited countertop space." —Cyndi

Get it from Amazon for $99.95+ (available in two sizes and four colors).

Promising review: "Bose is known for superior quality and functionality, and these headphones deliver all that and more. Bose does not disappoint with this model on any level. From the superior sound quality to the design, comfort, and wearability, Bose is a 5-star with this pair of high-quality headphones. I’d give it ten stars if it were possible. I just can’t say enough about the superior noise cancellation and sound quality, in addition to the wearability. The excellent ergonomic design allows extremely comfortable long-term wearing. The performance is impeccable as I am able to wear them all day to drown out annoying noises even when I’m not listening to anything." —Chuckles !

Get it from Amazon for $359 (available in 10 colors).

Promising review: "I got this for my dorm, and it’s a great vanity mirror. It’s not too big and has different magnifications, which are helpful. The lights are so bright, and there’s a storage tray on the bottom, which I love. I use it every day and highly recommend it." —Vanessa Babcock

Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in six colors).

Promising review: "I got this sound machine for my baby. This is so much better than I thought; the volume is perfect and adjustable. The light is bright, and you can change the color, and it’s not, like, blinding bright, but you can see. All the different sounds are killer options; the brown noise is literally helping us all sleep. When the baby moves to their own room, I think I’m going to have to order a second one for our room. 10/10 recommend. Look no further, get this one for sure." —Taylor Williams

Get it from Amazon for $18.68+ (available in three colors).

I use an unscented laundry detergent because I have sensitive skin. But, I often missed my clothes having a fresh, just-cleaned scent. My roommate — an athlete about four times over — put me on to this; she works out so much that her sweaty, smelly gear needed a little extra help. 

So, I started using this non-bleach sanitizer in "crisp linen" hoping it wouldn't affect my skin...and it didn't! Now, my clothes smell amazing and *feel* cleaner. I currently have three (3) bottles of this because I hate running out!

Promising reviews: "It’s a must-buy for our household. It tackles football gear, wrestling gear, and all sorts of smelly stuff." —Andrew

"So I went three months without using this in my wash, what a difference. I highly recommend this product to remove, smells bacteria, and germs. The freshness of my clothes is super important to me and this restores freshness and lasts all month. I will never stop using this in my laundry ever again unless they quit making it." —ShonaMarie

Get it from Amazon for $12.97 (available in three scents).

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.