Best dorm essentials 2026: NBC Selected names 33 campus-room buys
NBC Selected’s dorm guide spotlights bedding, bath, storage, kitchen and tech picks as college supply spending hits about $1,400.
By Sal Moretti · Money Reporter
3 min read
NBC Selected’s best dorm essentials 2026 guide lands as college move-in shopping gets pricier, with the National Retail Federation saying students and families spent about $1,400 per household on supplies, up from $1,300 in 2025.
The retail group attributed much of that rise to stronger demand for electronics and computer accessories. Clothing ranked as the second most popular spending category, while dorm decor and furniture came third, according to the NRF survey cited by NBC Selected.
NBC Selected said its editors and former college students built the 33-item list from products they considered useful for campus living, including items they wished they had bought before move-in day. The picks are grouped into six buckets: bed, bath, decor, storage, kitchen and tech.
What are the best dorm essentials for 2026?
NBC Selected’s highlighted picks include the Becky Cameron Ultra Soft 3-Inch Mattress Topper for bedding, Bronax Cloud Slippers for bath, the Anyday Glass Round Shallow Dish for kitchen, SNSLXH Stackable Closet Storage Baskets for storage and the TESSAN Surge Protector Power Strip for tech.
The Becky Cameron topper was listed at Target for $59.88, down from $100. NBC Selected noted that the down-alternative topper comes in all bed sizes, including twin XL, has corner straps to hold it in place, and is machine washable and hypoallergenic, according to the brand.
For squeezing more space out of a small room, NBC Selected pointed to Home-It Adjustable Bed Risers, listed at Amazon for $23.99. The guide said the risers can lift a bed by a few inches to create under-bed storage and come in white, black and brown.
Sheets also made the cut, with NBC Selected reporter Zoe Malin and former intern Estee Yi recommending Target’s Threshold 400 Thread Count Printed Sheet Set. The $35 set is made from 100% cotton and includes a flat sheet, fitted sheet and two pillowcases, with sizes ranging from twin to California King.
What bedding and study items did NBC Selected recommend?
NBC Selected included the Offelia Vass Duvet Cover and Pillowcase from IKEA at $49.99, noting that it is machine washable and has minimal shrinking, though it is not sold in twin XL. Yi said a twin-size duvet still worked for her dorm mattress, according to the guide.
The Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Pillowcase also appeared in the bedding section. NBC Selected said former intern Kala Herh likes the pillowcase, and the outlet cited experts from its silk bedding coverage who said silk may help people with dry or acne-prone skin because it does not absorb moisture the way cotton pillowcases can.
For bed-as-desk life, NBC Selected recommended the Buyify Folding Lap Desk, listed at Amazon for $22.99, down from $29.99. The guide said it folds flat for storage, has a cup holder and includes a slot that can hold a tablet, phone or book, though its height is not adjustable.
NBC Selected also featured Serta White Goose Feather and Down Fiber Pillows, listed at Amazon for $46.99. Herh said the pillows are a good option for neck and shoulder support, and the guide noted they come as a set, are breathable and are Oeko-Tex certified.
NBC Selected said it independently decides what to cover and recommend, and that it may earn a commission when readers click or buy through its links.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.