This college essentials checklist will help you get what you need and save money
Updated: 7:35 AM CDT Jul 21, 2023
Laptops. Pillows. Fancy calculators. Deodorant. These items could be on the list of a person on their way to college, whether for the first time, or for their last year of undergraduate. Whatever your year, the essentials remain the same, and with shoppers feeling the sting of inflation, snagging deals and discounts for college shopping is even more paramount this summer than last. We’ve compiled a complete shopping list for college students, thanks to our partners over at Good Housekeeping, but we also identified what deals we’re seeing for these items on your checklist. That way, as you go down the shopping list, you’re also saving money. Use the navigator below to go to the specific section you’d like to view. Mobile app users, click here first to use the navigator below.Academic Supplies | Cleaning Supplies | Dorm Furnishings | Dorm Supplies |ToiletriesAcademic SuppliesPersonal organizer/calendarAmazon - Daily Planner for $10 (29% Off)Walmart - Monthly Desk Pad for $6Three-ring binderAmazon - Five Star NoteBinders (Pack of Four) for $51 (9% Off)Walmart - BAZIC three-ring binder (Pack of Four) for $21 (17% Off)Three-hole punchAmazon - Bostitch 3 Hole Punch for $8 (49% Off)Walmart - Swingline Desktop Punch for $13Loose-leaf paper or spiral notebooksAmazon Mead Loose Leaf Paper (Pack of Three) for $14 (5% Off)Five Star Spiral Notebook + Study App (Pack of Six) for $24 (11% Off) WalmartOffice Depot Paper (Pack of Six) for $5 (32% Off)Five Star Personal Spiral Notebook (Count of 6) for $13Subject dividersAmazon - Pack of eight tabs for $7Walmart - Pack of eight tabs for $5Index cardsAmazon - 300 count for $5 (35% Off)Walmart - 300 count of assorted colors for $4Plastic foldersAmazon - Pack of four for $10 (43% Off)Walmart - Pack of four for $10 (28% Off)Blue or black ballpoint pensAmazon - Box of 36 blue and black pens for $7 (26% Off)Walmart - Box of 36 blue and black pens for $7 (34% Off)Mechanical pencilsAmazon - BIC mechanical pencil Xtra-Strong (24 count) for $5 (48% Off)Walmart - BIC mechanical pencil Xtra-Strong (24 count) for $5Permanent markersAmazon - Pack of five for $4 (63% Off)Walmart - Pack of five for $5HighlightersAmazon - Pack of 12 Sharpie highlighters for $5.50 (45% Off)Walmart - Pack of 12 Sharpie highlighters for $7ScissorsAmazon - Pair of scissors for $6 (32% Off)Walmart - Pair of scissors for $4Stapler and staplesAmazon - Swinglane Stapler Value Pack (comes with staples and staple remover) for $9 (13% Off)Walmart - Deli Stapler Pack (comes with staples and staple remover) for $6 (33% Off)TapeAmazon - Scotch Super-Hold Tape (Pack of Four) for $10 (32% Off)Walmart - Scotch Magic Tape (Pack of Four) for $10Post-ItsAmazon - Pack of 8 for $8 (29% Off)Walmart - Pack of 8 for $8 (31% Off)White-OutAmazon - Pack of four for $5 (38% Off)Walmart - Pack of four for $5 (price is seen when adding to cart)Graphing calculatorAmazon - Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Color graphing calculator for $110 (27% Off)Walmart - Texas Instruments TI-84 graphing calculator for $96 (31% Off)BackpackAmazon - Backpack for $30Walmart - JanSport backpack for $43LaptopAmazon - Acer Aspire 5 slim laptop for $483 (26% Off)Walmart - HP Pavilion 15-inch laptop for $469.90 (14% Off)PrinterAmazon - HP DeskJet 2755e wireless all-in-one printer for $59.99 (29% Off)Walmart - Canon PIXMA all-in-one wireless printer for $59 (25% Off)Computer paperAmazon - Pack of 500 sheets for $8Walmart - Pack of 500 sheets for $7 (45% Off)Ink cartridgesAmazon - HP 67 Black/Tri-Color ink cartridges for $32Walmart - HP 65 Black/Tri-Color ink cartridges for $33 ErasersAmazon - Pack of 12 for $7 (22% Off)Walmart - Pack of 12 for $6.50 (25% Off)Pencil pouchAmazon - Pencil case for $8 (43% Off)Walmart - Pencil pouch for $5Cleaning SuppliesSwifferAmazon - Swiffer WetJet Starter Kit for $28Walmart - Swiffer WetJet Starter Kit for $28Trash bagsAmazon - Pack of 120 for $19Walmart - Pack of 120 for $18Air freshenerAmazon - Glade Plugins Air Freshener Starter Kit for $26.45 (7% off)Walmart - Glade Room Spray for $6.30Disinfectant wipesAmazon - Clorox Disinfecting Wipes (Pack of Three) for $12 (21% Off)Walmart - Lysol Disinfecting Wipes (Pack of Three) for $11 (18% Off)Laundry bagAmazon - HomeHacks Large Laundry Basket (Pack of Two) for $17 (32% Off)Walmart - Mainstays Flexible Plastic Round Laundry Hamper for $7 DetergentAmazon - Persil Discs Laundry Detergent Pacs (38 count) for $15 (18% Off)Walmart - Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Laundry Detergent for $15 (29% Off)Fabric softenerAmazon - Suavitel Liquid Fabric Softener for $8 (27% Off)Walmart - Downy April Fresh Liquid Fabric Softener for $8Stain removerAmazon - Tide Stain Remover for Clothes (Pack of 3) for $8Walmart - OxiClean laundry stain remover spray for $3Dorm FurnishingsMattress coverAmazon - Utopia Bedding Mattress Cover Twin XL for $24 (8% Off)Walmart - Nestl Deep Pocket mattress cover Mattress pad Amazon - SLEEP ZONE Extra Long Twin Cooling Mattress Topper for $38 (25% Off)Walmart - INGALIK mattress pad for $32 (42% Off)PillowAmazon - Utopia bed pillow (Pack of two) for $35Walmart - Mainstays bed pillow (Count of 2) for $7Pillowcases and twin extra-long sheetsAmazon - Four-piece bed sheet for $33 (13% Off)Walmart - Bedding and pillowcase set for $35 (23% Off)ComforterAmazon - Linenspa comforter for $35Walmart - Mainstays comforter set for $30Shoe rackAmazon - Whitmor four-tier shoe rack that fits 20 pairs of shoes for $14 (54% Off)Walmart - Mainstays four-tier shoe rack for $15Alarm clockAmazon - Alarm Clock with USB charging port for $17 (15% Off)Walmart - Sharp alarm clock for $14Bed risersAmazon - Utopia Bedding adjustable bed risers for $17 (11% Off)Walmart - Mainstays Home Management bed risers for $13 Full-length mirrorAmazon - Arched Full Length Mirror for $85 (50% Off)Walmart - Full Length Mirror for $69 (50% Off)Plastic storage binsAmazon - IRIS USA 53-quart storage bins (Pack of six) for $85 (15% Off)The Container Store - Pack of six 30-quart clear storage bins for $80 (25% Off)Trash canAmazon - Rubbermaid stainless steel trash can (12 gallon) for $117 (16% Off)Walmart - Better Homes & Gardens plastic trash can (12 gallon) for $45 (10% Off)Desk lampAmazon - LED Desk lamp with clamp for $19 (52% Off) Walmart - LED Desk lamp with USB charging port and pen holder for $12 Floor lampAmazon - Dimmable industrial gold floor lamp for $60 (39% Off)Walmart - SUNMORY LED floor lamp that changes colors for $50 (50% Off)FanAmazon - Honeywell personal fan for $15 (8% Off)Walmart - Lasko oscillating pedestal fan for $30 (42% Off)Air purifierAmazon - AROEVE air purifier for large room for $97 (39% Off)Walmart - LEVOIT air purifier for extra-large room (38% Off)Surge protectorAmazon - Surge protector with two USB-C ports and two USB ports for $14 (42% Off)Walmart - GE Pro six outlet surge protector for $17Dorm Supplies TowelsAmazon - Amazon Basics quick-dry bath towels (Pack of two) for $14 (35% Off)Walmart - Better Homes & Garden bath towel (Count of 2) for $16 Shower caddyAmazon - KINCMAX shower caddy for $30 (20% Off)Walmart - Better Homes & Garden shower caddy with two basket shelves for $25Flip-flops or shower shoesAmazon - BRONAX pillow slippers for $20 (43% Off)Walmart - Bathroom shower shoes for $10 (38% Off)Adhesive hooksAmazon - Heavy duty adhesive hooks (Pack of 12) for $11 (36% Off)Walmart - Command small wire hooks (Pack of 9) for $9Eye maskAmazon - MZOO sleep eye mask for $17 (43% Off)Walmart - Deenee’s sleep mask for $15HangersAmazon - Sharpty plastic hangers (Pack of 20) for $14 (36% Off)Walmart - Mainstays clothing hangers (Pack of 18) for $3Mini fridge (if allowed)Amazon - Frigidaire compact mini fridge with functional blackboard surface for $143 (43% Off)Walmart - Galanz mini fridge for $118 (40% Off)Microwave (if allowed)Amazon - BLACK+DECKER digital microwave for $105 (22% Off)Walmart - Farberware microwave for $119.99 (14% Off)Coffee maker (if allowed)Amazon - BLACK+DECKER 12-cup programmable coffee maker for $35 (8% Off)Walmart - Mr. Coffee five-cup programmable coffee maker for $25 (38% Off)UtensilsAmazon - 30-piece silverware set for $19 (33% Off)Walmart - 30-piece silverware set for $29 (22% Off)Reusable water bottleAmazon - Hydracy water bottle with time marker for $25 (17% Off)Walmart - bubba Flo Duo water bottle for $10Travel mugAmazon - Contigo stainless steel insulated travel mug for $17 (35% Off)Walmart - TAL stainless steel coffee mug for $11HeadphonesAmazon - Skullcandy Bluetooth earbuds for $29 (42% Off)Walmart - JBL wireless headphones for $40 (20% Off)ToiletriesShampooAmazon - Garnier Whole Blends Shampoo Olive Oil (Pack of two) for $22 (10% Off)Walmart - Suave Moroccan oil infusion shampoo and conditioner set for $6ConditionerAmazon - It’s A 10 Haircare deep conditioner for $17 (16% Off)Walmart - Tresemme conditioner for $8 DeodorantAmazon - Dove deodorant stick (Pack of four) for $20 (19% Off)Walmart - Dove deodorant (Pack of two) for $7FlossAmazon - Amazon Basics dental floss (Pack of six) for $14Walmart - Oral-B dental floss (Pack of three) for $10ToothpasteAmazon - Colgate Max Fresh toothpaste (Pack of four) for $10 (24% Off)Walmart - Crest 3D White toothpaste (Pack of three) for $7ToothbrushAmazon - Aquasonic electric powered toothbrush for $40 (33% Off)Walmart - Oral-B Pro 500 electric toothbrush for $30 (13% Off)Body washAmazon - Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash (Pack of four) for $26 (7% Off)Walmart - Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Liquid Body Wash (Count of two) for $13View more dorm essentials by clicking the link below.
Laptops. Pillows. Fancy calculators. Deodorant.
These items could be on the list of a person on their way to college, whether for the first time, or for their last year of undergraduate.
Whatever your year, the essentials remain the same, and with shoppers feeling the sting of inflation, snagging deals and discounts for college shopping is even more paramount this summer than last.
We’ve compiled a complete shopping list for college students, thanks to our partners over at Good Housekeeping, but we also identified what deals we’re seeing for these items on your checklist. That way, as you go down the shopping list, you’re also saving money.
Use the navigator below to go to the specific section you’d like to view. Mobile app users, click here first to use the navigator below.
Academic Supplies | Cleaning Supplies | Dorm Furnishings | Dorm Supplies |Toiletries
Academic Supplies
- Personal organizer/calendar
- Amazon - Daily Planner for $10 (29% Off)
- Walmart - Monthly Desk Pad for $6
- Three-ring binder
- Amazon - Five Star NoteBinders (Pack of Four) for $51 (9% Off)
- Walmart - BAZIC three-ring binder (Pack of Four) for $21 (17% Off)
- Three-hole punch
- Amazon - Bostitch 3 Hole Punch for $8 (49% Off)
- Walmart - Swingline Desktop Punch for $13
- Loose-leaf paper or spiral notebooks
- Subject dividers
- Amazon - Pack of eight tabs for $7
- Walmart - Pack of eight tabs for $5
- Index cards
- Amazon - 300 count for $5 (35% Off)
- Walmart - 300 count of assorted colors for $4
- Plastic folders
- Amazon - Pack of four for $10 (43% Off)
- Walmart - Pack of four for $10 (28% Off)
- Blue or black ballpoint pens
- Amazon - Box of 36 blue and black pens for $7 (26% Off)
- Walmart - Box of 36 blue and black pens for $7 (34% Off)
- Mechanical pencils
- Amazon - BIC mechanical pencil Xtra-Strong (24 count) for $5 (48% Off)
- Walmart - BIC mechanical pencil Xtra-Strong (24 count) for $5
- Permanent markers
- Amazon - Pack of five for $4 (63% Off)
- Walmart - Pack of five for $5
- Highlighters
- Amazon - Pack of 12 Sharpie highlighters for $5.50 (45% Off)
- Walmart - Pack of 12 Sharpie highlighters for $7
- Scissors
- Amazon - Pair of scissors for $6 (32% Off)
- Walmart - Pair of scissors for $4
- Stapler and staples
- Amazon - Swinglane Stapler Value Pack (comes with staples and staple remover) for $9 (13% Off)
- Walmart - Deli Stapler Pack (comes with staples and staple remover) for $6 (33% Off)
- Tape
- Amazon - Scotch Super-Hold Tape (Pack of Four) for $10 (32% Off)
- Walmart - Scotch Magic Tape (Pack of Four) for $10
- Post-Its
- Amazon - Pack of 8 for $8 (29% Off)
- Walmart - Pack of 8 for $8 (31% Off)
- White-Out
- Amazon - Pack of four for $5 (38% Off)
- Walmart - Pack of four for $5 (price is seen when adding to cart)
- Graphing calculator
- Amazon - Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Color graphing calculator for $110 (27% Off)
- Walmart - Texas Instruments TI-84 graphing calculator for $96 (31% Off)
- Backpack
- Laptop
- Amazon - Acer Aspire 5 slim laptop for $483 (26% Off)
- Walmart - HP Pavilion 15-inch laptop for $469.90 (14% Off)
- Printer
- Amazon - HP DeskJet 2755e wireless all-in-one printer for $59.99 (29% Off)
- Walmart - Canon PIXMA all-in-one wireless printer for $59 (25% Off)
- Computer paper
- Amazon - Pack of 500 sheets for $8
- Walmart - Pack of 500 sheets for $7 (45% Off)
- Ink cartridges
- Amazon - HP 67 Black/Tri-Color ink cartridges for $32
- Walmart - HP 65 Black/Tri-Color ink cartridges for $33
- Erasers
- Amazon - Pack of 12 for $7 (22% Off)
- Walmart - Pack of 12 for $6.50 (25% Off)
- Pencil pouch
- Amazon - Pencil case for $8 (43% Off)
- Walmart - Pencil pouch for $5
Cleaning Supplies
- Swiffer
- Amazon - Swiffer WetJet Starter Kit for $28
- Walmart - Swiffer WetJet Starter Kit for $28
- Trash bags
- Air freshener
- Amazon - Glade Plugins Air Freshener Starter Kit for $26.45 (7% off)
- Walmart - Glade Room Spray for $6.30
- Disinfectant wipes
- Amazon - Clorox Disinfecting Wipes (Pack of Three) for $12 (21% Off)
- Walmart - Lysol Disinfecting Wipes (Pack of Three) for $11 (18% Off)
- Laundry bag
- Amazon - HomeHacks Large Laundry Basket (Pack of Two) for $17 (32% Off)
- Walmart - Mainstays Flexible Plastic Round Laundry Hamper for $7
- Detergent
- Amazon - Persil Discs Laundry Detergent Pacs (38 count) for $15 (18% Off)
- Walmart - Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Laundry Detergent for $15 (29% Off)
- Fabric softener
- Amazon - Suavitel Liquid Fabric Softener for $8 (27% Off)
- Walmart - Downy April Fresh Liquid Fabric Softener for $8
- Stain remover
- Amazon - Tide Stain Remover for Clothes (Pack of 3) for $8
- Walmart - OxiClean laundry stain remover spray for $3
Dorm Furnishings
- Mattress cover
- Amazon - Utopia Bedding Mattress Cover Twin XL for $24 (8% Off)
- Walmart - Nestl Deep Pocket mattress cover
- Mattress pad
- Amazon - SLEEP ZONE Extra Long Twin Cooling Mattress Topper for $38 (25% Off)
- Walmart - INGALIK mattress pad for $32 (42% Off)
- Pillow
- Amazon - Utopia bed pillow (Pack of two) for $35
- Walmart - Mainstays bed pillow (Count of 2) for $7
- Pillowcases and twin extra-long sheets
- Amazon - Four-piece bed sheet for $33 (13% Off)
- Walmart - Bedding and pillowcase set for $35 (23% Off)
- Comforter
- Amazon - Linenspa comforter for $35
- Walmart - Mainstays comforter set for $30
- Shoe rack
- Amazon - Whitmor four-tier shoe rack that fits 20 pairs of shoes for $14 (54% Off)
- Walmart - Mainstays four-tier shoe rack for $15
- Alarm clock
- Amazon - Alarm Clock with USB charging port for $17 (15% Off)
- Walmart - Sharp alarm clock for $14
- Bed risers
- Amazon - Utopia Bedding adjustable bed risers for $17 (11% Off)
- Walmart - Mainstays Home Management bed risers for $13
- Full-length mirror
- Amazon - Arched Full Length Mirror for $85 (50% Off)
- Walmart - Full Length Mirror for $69 (50% Off)
- Plastic storage bins
- Amazon - IRIS USA 53-quart storage bins (Pack of six) for $85 (15% Off)
- The Container Store - Pack of six 30-quart clear storage bins for $80 (25% Off)
- Trash can
- Amazon - Rubbermaid stainless steel trash can (12 gallon) for $117 (16% Off)
- Walmart - Better Homes & Gardens plastic trash can (12 gallon) for $45 (10% Off)
- Desk lamp
- Amazon - LED Desk lamp with clamp for $19 (52% Off)
- Walmart - LED Desk lamp with USB charging port and pen holder for $12
- Floor lamp
- Amazon - Dimmable industrial gold floor lamp for $60 (39% Off)
- Walmart - SUNMORY LED floor lamp that changes colors for $50 (50% Off)
- Fan
- Amazon - Honeywell personal fan for $15 (8% Off)
- Walmart - Lasko oscillating pedestal fan for $30 (42% Off)
- Air purifier
- Amazon - AROEVE air purifier for large room for $97 (39% Off)
- Walmart - LEVOIT air purifier for extra-large room (38% Off)
- Surge protector
- Amazon - Surge protector with two USB-C ports and two USB ports for $14 (42% Off)
- Walmart - GE Pro six outlet surge protector for $17
Dorm Supplies
- Towels
- Amazon - Amazon Basics quick-dry bath towels (Pack of two) for $14 (35% Off)
- Walmart - Better Homes & Garden bath towel (Count of 2) for $16
- Shower caddy
- Amazon - KINCMAX shower caddy for $30 (20% Off)
- Walmart - Better Homes & Garden shower caddy with two basket shelves for $25
- Flip-flops or shower shoes
- Amazon - BRONAX pillow slippers for $20 (43% Off)
- Walmart - Bathroom shower shoes for $10 (38% Off)
- Adhesive hooks
- Amazon - Heavy duty adhesive hooks (Pack of 12) for $11 (36% Off)
- Walmart - Command small wire hooks (Pack of 9) for $9
- Eye mask
- Amazon - MZOO sleep eye mask for $17 (43% Off)
- Walmart - Deenee’s sleep mask for $15
- Hangers
- Amazon - Sharpty plastic hangers (Pack of 20) for $14 (36% Off)
- Walmart - Mainstays clothing hangers (Pack of 18) for $3
- Mini fridge (if allowed)
- Amazon - Frigidaire compact mini fridge with functional blackboard surface for $143 (43% Off)
- Walmart - Galanz mini fridge for $118 (40% Off)
- Microwave (if allowed)
- Amazon - BLACK+DECKER digital microwave for $105 (22% Off)
- Walmart - Farberware microwave for $119.99 (14% Off)
- Coffee maker (if allowed)
- Amazon - BLACK+DECKER 12-cup programmable coffee maker for $35 (8% Off)
- Walmart - Mr. Coffee five-cup programmable coffee maker for $25 (38% Off)
- Utensils
- Amazon - 30-piece silverware set for $19 (33% Off)
- Walmart - 30-piece silverware set for $29 (22% Off)
- Reusable water bottle
- Amazon - Hydracy water bottle with time marker for $25 (17% Off)
- Walmart - bubba Flo Duo water bottle for $10
- Travel mug
- Amazon - Contigo stainless steel insulated travel mug for $17 (35% Off)
- Walmart - TAL stainless steel coffee mug for $11
- Headphones
- Amazon - Skullcandy Bluetooth earbuds for $29 (42% Off)
- Walmart - JBL wireless headphones for $40 (20% Off)
Toiletries
- Shampoo
- Amazon - Garnier Whole Blends Shampoo Olive Oil (Pack of two) for $22 (10% Off)
- Walmart - Suave Moroccan oil infusion shampoo and conditioner set for $6
- Conditioner
- Amazon - It’s A 10 Haircare deep conditioner for $17 (16% Off)
- Walmart - Tresemme conditioner for $8
- Deodorant
- Amazon - Dove deodorant stick (Pack of four) for $20 (19% Off)
- Walmart - Dove deodorant (Pack of two) for $7
- Floss
- Amazon - Amazon Basics dental floss (Pack of six) for $14
- Walmart - Oral-B dental floss (Pack of three) for $10
- Toothpaste
- Amazon - Colgate Max Fresh toothpaste (Pack of four) for $10 (24% Off)
- Walmart - Crest 3D White toothpaste (Pack of three) for $7
- Toothbrush
- Amazon - Aquasonic electric powered toothbrush for $40 (33% Off)
- Walmart - Oral-B Pro 500 electric toothbrush for $30 (13% Off)
- Body wash
- Amazon - Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash (Pack of four) for $26 (7% Off)
- Walmart - Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Liquid Body Wash (Count of two) for $13
View more dorm essentials by clicking the link below.