10 Amazing Amazon Must-Haves For College Students

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You've probably seen all of the vanilla what-to-pack college lists. As a mom with a daughter starting her second year of college, I've rounded up some Amazon products that solve some problems you may not have considered.

Set your college student up for success with this list of Amazon finds that goes beyond flip flops and bath caddies.



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1. She's Birdie

SafeWise recommends
She's Birdie personal alarm
She's Birdie
$28.95

 *Amazon.com price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.

College students carry around their keys everywhere, so having a safety device latched to them makes sense. They'll never leave home without it.

Our favorite pick is the stylish She’s Birdie keychain personal alarm. It features a bright strobe LED light and a 130db alarm. 

Not your style? We have a whole list of the top keychain self-defense products if Birdie doesn't work for you. Check out these other self-defense tools for when you're on campus too:

2. Blink Indoor Camera

SafeWise recommends
Blink Indoor Camera

Amazon.com price as of post date.
Read full disclaimer.

Folks, stuff gets stolen out of dorm rooms. Whether it's someone you think is a new friend filching some cash or just your roommate snagging drinks from your mini-fridge, stuff gets snatched. Get a tiny security camera like Blink Indoor Camera to track your stuff.

This camera is tiny, so it won't take up valuable space. It's also battery-powered, so it won't waste a highly contested outlet.

Here are some more security cameras to consider.

Bell
Check your dorm privacy rules

Before you hit the "add to cart" button, make sure your dorm doesn't have rules against cameras.

3. Bonbowl

SafeWise recommends

If there's no room for a microwave and hotplates are banned, this bowl/cooking appliance is the answer. Bonbowl heats food using induction heating via electromagnetic waves. Once your food is warm, you can detach the bowl and settle in for a meal.

4. HomeCHEF 7-in-1

SafeWise recommends

If there's limited room, but a heating bowl just won't do it, then the Panasonic HomeCHEF 7-in-1 is a good alternative to a microwave at just 15.9 x 15.9 x 14.8 inches.

It's a little pricey, but it has seven settings to get you on your way to dorm life excellence:

  • Convection bake
  • Steam
  • Steam-convection bake combo
  • Airfry
  • Slow Cook
  • Ferment (yogurt, anyone?)
  • Sanitize (get your water bottles clean)

5. GINIMAX Bedside Caddy

SafeWise recommends

Okay, how smart is the GINIMAX Bedside Caddy? It has a flap to attach under your mattress so everything you need while laying in your bed is within arm's reach and neatly bundled. This can keep even the messiest student organized with all of its different-sized pockets.

It's waterproof, too, so no need to worry about energy drink spills. That's a lifesaver if you're clumsy.

I'm not going to lie, I want one of these for my bed too.

6. HEYHOUSE Closet Organizers

SafeWise recommends

This one is for the student that takes way too many clothes to college. Will they need that ball gown or old football jersey? Who knows.

Either way, these HEYHOUSE Closet Organizers add more room to their limited closet storage. Just put the hangers in the slots to save hanging rod room.

7. BLACK+DECKER Handheld Vacuum

SafeWise recommends

Hey, messes happen. The BLACK+DECKER Handheld Vacuum can suck up chip crumbs off the blankets or dust in the car. Even better, it has a built-in crevice tool, so there aren't any attachments to lose. 

8. MyJo Single Cup Coffee Maker

This one's for the caffeine addicts. The Presto 02835 MyJo Single Cup Coffee Maker pops into the microwave to make a cup of coffee whenever late-night studying is the mission.

If you like tea or hot cocoa, it does that too. It's basically a mini Keurig since it brews K-Cups and other drink pods.

9. YETI Rambler

SafeWise recommends

The YETI Rambler is my daughter's favorite college companion. It keeps your coffee hot for quite a long time. She put it to the test, and her drink was still piping hot around six hours later.

Plus, it comes in 33 colors. You're bound to find your college team's color.

10. Loop Earplugs

SafeWise recommends

From concerts to sporting events, your eardrums are in danger throughout your college career. The Loop Earplugs are smarter than your average earplugs. They allow you to hear everything happening at a lower decibel without distorting the sound. 

They also help you concentrate on your studies by lessening the noise around you without blocking out everything.

Neurodivergent folks like myself like to use Loops to lessen the sound stimulus in a room when sound canceling isn't ideal, like in a loud classroom. 

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Disclaimers

*Product prices and availability are accurate as of post date and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

Alina Bradford
Written by
Alina Bradford
Alina is a safety and security expert that has contributed her insights to CNET, CBS, Digital Trends, MTV, Top Ten Reviews, and many others. Her goal is to make safety and security gadgets less mystifying one article at a time. In the early 2000s, Alina worked as a volunteer firefighter, earning her first responder certification and paving the way to her current career. Her activities aren’t nearly as dangerous today. Her hobbies include fixing up her 100-year-old house, doing artsy stuff, and going to the lake with her family.

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