Top Back-to-College Essentials According to Readers (We Found Them All on Walmart.com for Under $25)
Have a kiddo heading to college? It’s Walmart to the rescue for affordable must-haves!
We asked Hip readers exactly what their kids need for college and when we went searching for the best deals on those items, it was no surprise to discover that Walmart.com offered the most value on everything from tech to bedding, plus everyday essentials that college kids can’t live without, like a good fan!
Plus, Walmart offers FREE 2-day shipping and returns for purchases over $35 so you can save yourself a trip to the store and scoop these items up from home!
Without further ado, this roundup is for YOU, Hip readers!
1. A new fan for their kiddo’s dorm was a popular request.
One thing multiple readers mentioned was that their kiddo needed a new fan for their dorm. This traditional box fan by the popular brand Lasko is only $20.97 and gives that perfect white noise for sleeping.
Or, if space is limited, you could grab the Mainstays Oscillating Tower Fan for just $24.86. The oscillating feature and three speeds should cover their entire dorm room, and the tower design frees up floor space.
Or if you need something to really save space, this Mainstays 4” Personal Fan gets the job done for only $5.46, and would fit nicely on their desk or dresser.
To recap, here are the top 3 fans for dorm rooms:
- Lasko 20″ Box Fan from $20.97 – great for white noise
- Mainstays Oscillating Tower Fan only $24.86 – most space-saving
- Mainstays Personal Desk Fan only $5.46 – best desk fan
2. When sleep = success, it’s no surprise the next requested item was a mattress topper.
It’s no secret that dorm mattresses can be a little 🥴 worn in. A mattress topper is an inexpensive and non-permanent fix that can keep your student sleeping better (& possibly cleaner). Plus, these options specifically target the T-zone for the ideal comfort in any sleeping position.
Here are the top 2 mattress topper options:
- Mainstays Foam Mattress Topper from $12.44 – best budget
- Mainstays Memory Foam Mattress Topper from $24.98 – most comfortable
3. Everyone wants clean air and we found this trusted brand for a low price.
Your college kiddo can breathe easily in the dorm room, library, or even in stuffy lecture halls, with this portable air purifier. It has a HEPA filter and cleans up to 99.97% of airborne germs and particles. Hip Sidekick Sara owns one and says it’s almost completely silent, so they won’t disturb their roommate or those studying nearby.
Pure Enrichment Mini Portable Air Purifier $39.99 shipped!
4. Readers also requested an affordable area rug so kids can give their dorm some flair.
A simple rug can quickly give a drab dorm that cozy feel. Plus, students can show off their personality OR keep unwanted guests off of ‘their side of the room’ 😆. Walmart has stylish rug options that are on-trend and perfect for any college student’s budget.
Here are 2 Walmart rug options UNDER $25:
- Mainstays Checkerboard Area Rug from $22.97
- Mainstays Shag 3′ x 4’8″ Area Rug from $17.63
*Note that the rug pictured above is a 5′ x 7′
5. Readers were also on the hunt for an affordable stick vacuum and this one has over 4,800 5-star reviews!
When you don’t want to risk being the ‘messy roommate’ but you don’t want to spend a ton on a vacuum, or find a place to store it either! This corded stick vacuum does it all and can easily transform into a handheld version that’s perfect for cleaning crumbs off desks, shelves, and more.
Even though my kiddos won’t be heading to college for quite a few years, I couldn’t resist the $24 price of this vacuum and had to grab one for myself. I was surprised by how well it worked for the price and found the conversion to handheld really convenient. I’ll be storing this near the kids’ rooms for quick cleanups.
Check out a couple of these 5-star reviews..
For the price, this is a pretty good product! It’s not going to rival your top-of-the-line home vacuums but it works well for everyday use. I use it on the carpet and as a sweeper on the hard floors. It’s light, easy to use, and stored away. And within a few seconds, it converts to a hand vac to use for the car. We travel a lot and this vac goes along with us to meet our needs while on the road.
I love this lightweight and inexpensive vacuum! I used it on the carpet too and it picks up spills. It’s so much easier to use than my big heavy vacuum. It’s not for vacuuming the carpet regularly. It’s for picking up spills on the floor. Easy to empty too. I like it a lot! I’ve bought 2!
6. One reader suggested everyone put noise-cancelling headphones on their list.
One reader said their top back-to-college essential was a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Whether for studying, tuning out a noisy roommate, or enjoying some tunes while they take a break, we think that at $59, these Anker Headphones are a great option.
They’ll get 40 hours of noise-cancelling use before needing a charge, or 60 hours of standard use. That’s a full week of classes – awesome!
Anker Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones $59 shipped!
These are all the college essentials on your radar that we discovered at Walmart…
- Mainstays Foam Mattress Topper – from $12.44
- Anker Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones – $59
- Galanz 1.7cu ft. Mini Fridge – $83 (reg. $139)
- Arctic King 3.2cu ft. Mini Fridge w/ Freezer – $125 (reg. $198)
- Mainstays 5-Piece Reversible Bed in a Bag Comforter Set – from $26.96
- Acer Chromebook 15.6″ Laptop – $179
- HP 14″ Laptop with Windows 11 – $273.90 (reg. $519)
- Lasko Classic 20″ Box Fan – $20.97 (reg. $24.96)
- Mainstays 28″ 3-Speed Oscillating Tower Fan – $24.86
- Eastsport Commuter Tech Backpack – $18.98
- Reebox Unisex Laredo 19.5″ Laptop Backpack – $36
- Mainstays Transitional Solid Shag 3′ x 4’8″ Area Rug – from $17.63
Even if you don’t have a kiddo heading to college yet, these Walmart finds are too good to pass up! You never know what awesome decor you might spot for a teen’s room while the back-to-college sales are HOT.
Laptop deals, mini fridge sales, and more are highly sought after any time of the year, especially around back-to-college time, so don’t be the last to shop!
Dorm move-in day is right around the corner!
Grab these Walmart college essentials NOW!
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