The coolest affordable small appliances for college | Back to school guide

by | Aug 12, 2015 | Back to School Shopping, School Gear | 173 comments

The coolest affordable small appliances for college | Back to school guide

We blink and we’ve gone from back to school shopping for preschool backpacks to those annoying extra-long twin sheets for dorm room beds or small appliances for college dorm rooms. But on the upside, now we’ve got a ton of ideas that will help make dorm room feel more like home.

Or maybe even better…in some ways.

So we’ve done some virtual shopping for you and put together some of our favorite affordable small appliances for dorm rooms or apartment that make them a cool, comfortable place to live.

A mini fridge: Because the cafeteria isn’t open 24 hours a day

Small appliances for dorm rooms: A super-quiet mini fridge

Splurging for a super-quiet mini-fridge in your kids’ dorm room might be smarter than you think. Giving them space to store a gallon of milk or some fresh fruit to make sure they don’t miss breakfast before class can be a game changer. And one this size can double as a table-top for extra storage too. Just store that drink dispenser with sparkling water instead of beer, haha.

 

A coffee maker: For those 8:00 am classes

Small appliances for dorm rooms: Single-serve coffee maker

This single-serve coffee maker has the tiniest footprint, making it perfect for dorm rooms. We love that this one works with K-cup pods or regular coffee grounds…which are a lot more affordable and environmentally friendly. Just note that the mug isn’t included, so you’ll need to add an insulated cup to your cart too.

A microwave: Because how else will they heat up the ramen? 

Back to School Guide for College: Insignia microwave

Insignia Compact Microwave($49.99, on sale)
Yes, a microwave is definitely an essential! Speaking from experience, it’s kind of nice not to have to hit the cafeteria for a hot bowl of oatmeal or forage for ramen in the middle of the night. The compact size of this microwave is perfect for a small dorm room, and hey, it matches the fridge. Get both!

A television: Because PBS and The History Channel are totally educational

Back to School Guide for College: Sharp HDTV Roku TV

Sharp HDTV Roku TV ($379.99, on sale)

We’re huge Roku fans, so it’s no surprise that we’re picking this really affordable Sharp HDTV Roku TV that has the streaming service built right in. No need to deal with cable; just add an internet connection for instant access to movies and shows through Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and more. Just think of all the educational documentaries they’ll be watching.

A blender: You know, for smoothies. Of course.

Back to School Guide for college: Insignia blender

Hamilton Beach single-serve blender ($19.99)

Now certainly we have no idea at all why a college student would need a blender besides making healthy breakfast smoothies. But we own this very model and it’s a great buy for a solid, small blender.

 

A vaccum: Hopefully seeing it will inspire them to use it 

Back to School Guide for College: Eureka bagless vacuum sweeper

Eureka bagless stick vacuum ($19.99)

This vaccum doesn’t take up much space, and you can’t beat the price. Hey, owning one may be the first step in learning how to use one.

 

An electric toothbrush: Hopefully seeing it will inspire them to use it (ha) 

Back to School Guide for College: OralB Electric Toothbrush

OralB Professional Deep Sweep Electric Toothbrush($44.99)

Even though by now they should be expert brushers by now, we think this gift may ensure that they’re getting a little extra help in the tooth care department at a time they’re busier than they’ve ever been before. Plus, you can ship them replacement heads every so month or so, if you want to be all helicopter-y like that. We mean…helpful. You can be helpful.

An alarm system: Because you want them to actually make those 8AM classes

Back to School Guide for College: Philips Wake Up Light

Philips Wake-up Light ($89.99)

Here’s a kinder, gentler way to help guarantee they make it up in time for those early classes, and hey, it might just improve their energy level overall. More energy, more learning, right?  Plus if you start thinking about the hourly cost of missing even one college class — this one purchase could actually save you thousands.

 

A room fan: For good roommate relations

Back to School Guide for College: Vornado compact fan

Vornado Compact Air Circulator Fan ($29.99)

If your college student is heading off to school, there may or may not be air conditioning. Probably not. Plus, two to three people in a small room = stuffy, making a small room fan is an absolute must. We absolutely love Vornado fans which are super small but super powerful, easily cooling — or at least airing out– the entire room making studying and sleeping a breeze. Yes, we went there.

Thanks to our sponsor Best Buy, for offering tons of cool tech and small appliances for college kids that we kind of want for ourselves too. And giving lots of them away free! Follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest and follow hashtag #BESTCOLLEGE

 

EXTRA COOL: WIN IT:  We’re giving away one $250 Best Buy gift card to one lucky CMP reader – whoo! Just leave a comment letting us know which one small appliance from Best Buy you wish you had in college, or that you’d like to buy for your own kid. Leave it along with a link to that item and you’ll be entered! Enter by Friday, August 14 at midnight PT to be qualified, one entry per person, US only please 18+. One winner will be selected at random. See our general contest rules here.

BONUS: You have a second chance to win another $250 Best Buy gift card on the Cool Mom Tech college tech shopping guide, too.

Also, encourage your college-aged child to enter to win one of six Grand Prize packages from Best Buy, featuring approximately $2,500 worth of the latest and greatest back-to-school products in the #BESTCOLLEGE Challenge Contest. A fully teched-out room seems totally worth it to us

Congratulations Lorna B, winner of the $250 Best Buy gift card!

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Written by Cool Mom Team

We spend our time looking for cool stuff, fun finds, and helpful info just for you. Hope this one fits the bill.
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173 Comments

  1. Mir on August 12, 2015 at 11:54 am

    I would totally buy one of everything for my kid, or at least the fridge and microwave so that she wouldn’t starve to death. 😉

  2. Kristi Hebert on August 12, 2015 at 12:39 pm

    I definitely could’ve used a blender back in the day!

  4. Jordan Troublefield on August 12, 2015 at 2:21 pm

    I want to get my sister a mini fridge for college. I loved mine! It becomes crucial to grocery shop with limited funds to spend on dining while in college. Also -when the dorm cafeteria’s are less than appetizing that day you have back up!

  5. Caroline on August 12, 2015 at 3:24 pm

    I wish I had the roku tv, they did not exist when I went to college.

  6. Sheryl on August 12, 2015 at 3:26 pm

    Coffee machine!!

  7. Yvonne on August 12, 2015 at 3:55 pm

    I would love to get my son that alarm system!

  8. Kris Garst on August 12, 2015 at 4:10 pm

    I would have loved to have a blender back then!

  9. Heather on August 12, 2015 at 4:25 pm

    Definitely the daylight alarm clock! With my vampire ways I hate waking up in the morning!

  10. Trish on August 12, 2015 at 4:25 pm

    Fridge was a must! First thing I would buy!

  11. jennifer on August 12, 2015 at 4:27 pm

    He’s getting everything on the list except the blender…no need to make it THAT easy 😉 and the electric toothbrush. Shopping spree next weekend!

  13. Julie on August 12, 2015 at 5:23 pm

    I would totally buy the wake up light. I worry about my son being able to wake up on time while away at school. He’s not a morning person and has always hated me waking him up. Maybe this would be more pleasant for him, ha!

  14. Erika on August 12, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    Mini fridge is the best idea! Storing just enough fresh foods that everything gets eaten and nothing goes to waste. And a healthy alternative to the dining hall’s pizza and french fries buffet. This would be the item I’d most likely send my daughter off with.

  16. Robyn H on August 12, 2015 at 6:38 pm

    I had a mini fridge and though years away can’t wait for all this fun stuff for my kids!!!

  17. Dana Triana on August 12, 2015 at 6:58 pm

    Definitely the coffee maker for all those late nights!

  20. Brooke Berger on August 12, 2015 at 10:31 pm

    A blender would have been awesome

  21. Barbara on August 12, 2015 at 10:52 pm

    the fridge!

  22. young hwang on August 12, 2015 at 10:56 pm

    Hmm…difficult to choose..haha…ok, a fridge so I can have cold drinks, yogurt, and of course ice cream during finals!

  23. Katherine on August 12, 2015 at 11:25 pm

    I would still love the wake up sunshine alarm clock. It looks awesome…especially for dark winter mornings.

  24. Joanne C on August 12, 2015 at 11:37 pm

    The mini fridge for sure! A must have.

  29. Carie W-F on August 13, 2015 at 12:47 am

    I would have loved to have one more fan! Indiana humidity and warm Fall nights were tough.

  31. anne on August 13, 2015 at 1:09 am

    would have loved the sharp tv with roku!

  32. Hazel M. on August 13, 2015 at 1:47 am

    The Roku TV would have been awesome to have in college!

  35. Rebecca Weinberg on August 13, 2015 at 8:42 am

    The fan!!
    College apartments are always hot and seldom have air conditioning! A fan help you get a good night’s sleep, in those 4 hours you’ll sleep! 😉

  36. Sarah C on August 13, 2015 at 9:52 am

    The coffee maker is an absolute must – you could probably heat your ramen in there if you wanted to be really creative. Ramen-flavored coffee is just a bonus.

  43. Barb on August 13, 2015 at 4:07 pm

    The alarm clock looks amazing. Actually all of them

  46. Erica on August 13, 2015 at 4:43 pm

    Glad I didn’t have a Roku, might not have gotten anything done. I wish I had the mini fridge and microwave, dorm food was the pits!

  47. Talela B on August 13, 2015 at 4:48 pm

    The alarm system is the perfect college gift!

  48. Angela on August 13, 2015 at 5:29 pm

    Def the fridge but blender is great as well!

  50. kim on August 13, 2015 at 5:31 pm

    Love that blender. Wish I would have had it for smoothies!!

  51. szkent on August 13, 2015 at 5:31 pm

    I would love to gift the smoothie maker and the fridge to keep the smoothie ingredients fresh. That way I know she would have some healthy options at college.

  52. Julie on August 13, 2015 at 5:33 pm

    I would have loved the wake up light.

  54. kim on August 13, 2015 at 5:34 pm

    Blender

  55. PI on August 13, 2015 at 5:35 pm

    Alarm clock!

  57. Justine on August 13, 2015 at 5:38 pm

    Definitely the Light Alarm Clock.

  62. Laurie Voss on August 13, 2015 at 5:52 pm

    A personal blender would have been superb! Maybe I would have tallied more produce to offset the carb (ie beer) consumption! Or I would have garnered my mixologist title sooner!

  63. melissa lantz on August 13, 2015 at 5:55 pm

    Would’ve been awesome to have a smart tv back then haha

  64. Jennifer on August 13, 2015 at 5:58 pm

    A vacuum! Why didn’t I have one of those in college?

  69. Rebeca Burnett on August 13, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    I LOVE that skinny vac!

  70. Barbara on August 13, 2015 at 6:26 pm

    Blender would be great!

  76. Adrienne on August 13, 2015 at 6:31 pm

    Oh man, I’d love to have had the Roku TV.

  77. Kelly on August 13, 2015 at 6:47 pm

    I wish I had that cool wake up light in college!

  79. Tracy Brewer on August 13, 2015 at 6:59 pm

    the microwave for sure. Always be helpful to heat up food.

  80. Kristin P. on August 13, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    My boys have to sleep cold AND with white noise, so I would one day love to send them off to college with one of the vornado fans!

  82. Deb P on August 13, 2015 at 7:04 pm

    I would have loved a TV for my room (on second thought, maybe that wouldn’t have been a great idea). Thanks!

    • Amanda Alvarado on August 13, 2015 at 7:33 pm

      Oops guess it did! Sorry for the repeat – can you delete it?

  88. Sharon w. on August 13, 2015 at 7:32 pm

    blender!

  93. Elizabeth on August 13, 2015 at 7:56 pm

    I wish I’d had that TV!

  94. Helen on August 13, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    The stick vac would have been nice to have.

  98. Katey on August 13, 2015 at 8:29 pm

    That roku TV! Really any of these items would have been great !

  101. Sunnymay on August 13, 2015 at 8:43 pm

    A microwave would have been very useful in the 70’s when I went to college. Instead, we warmed up everything on the stove in the kitchenette. Plus we checked on the food in the fridge to see what everyone else had, but asked permission to share and devour the sweets.

  102. Capi Lynn on August 13, 2015 at 8:47 pm

    The Phillips wake-up light would have been high on my must-have list!

  105. julie on August 13, 2015 at 8:52 pm

    blender, please!

  106. Jennifer C. on August 13, 2015 at 8:53 pm

    I wish I had a cool TV like that when I went to college!

  107. Valerie on August 13, 2015 at 9:01 pm

    Blender would’ve been pretty sweet.

  112. Megan McGinn on August 13, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    Love me a vacuum! I would have loved that in my dorm!

  113. nicole b on August 13, 2015 at 9:56 pm

    A mini fridge is great for dorm rooms. I’d want that and a blender.

  118. Jeannie on August 13, 2015 at 10:32 pm

    A microwave. They were still new tech back then, so they were big and expensive.

  123. Carrie on August 13, 2015 at 11:14 pm

    Would have wanted the tv..could have doubled as a monitor

  125. Maggie Thistle on August 13, 2015 at 11:53 pm

    There is nothing like a toaster to get through life. Anything can be toasted!

  126. Rosemary ? on August 14, 2015 at 12:06 am

    I would have love to have the Haier Mini Fridge when I was in college many moons ago lol

  127. Janet on August 14, 2015 at 12:28 am

    The Roku TV! The I wouldn’t have had to miss classes to catch up on shows, haha.

  129. Allison on August 14, 2015 at 7:22 am

    The fan, fridge and TV were MUST haves in college, but I’d love that alarm clock today!

  130. Allison on August 14, 2015 at 7:26 am

    The fan, fridge and TV were MUST haves in college, but I’d like that alarm clock today!

  132. Kristina on August 14, 2015 at 8:21 am

    Philips wake up light

  136. Abigail on August 14, 2015 at 8:33 am

    A blender would have been wonderful for smoothies of course!!!

  137. Beth on August 14, 2015 at 8:48 am

    That alarm system looks pretty awesome. I won’t admit to how many times I may have over slept for early classes though 😉

  138. Liz O'Brien on August 14, 2015 at 8:55 am

    The wake up light! What a nice way to be woken up in the morning instead of music blaring.

  140. Courtney on August 14, 2015 at 9:47 am

    The fridge would have been awesome. And definitely a blender would have come in handy – for smoothies!

  141. Jenn on August 14, 2015 at 9:59 am

    What student wouldn’t love the Roku TV?! Wish I had one when I was in school!!

  145. Holly on August 14, 2015 at 11:38 am

    My son could definitely use the eureka bagless stick. I’d actually like one for myself too!

  146. Shauna on August 14, 2015 at 11:48 am

    Oh that light alarm clock is wonderful … thought my roommate and I used to set 4 alarms and were still late for our 8 am chemistry class….

  147. Julie E on August 14, 2015 at 11:57 am

    We need one of everything for my son!! Especially love the fridge!!

  148. Sara Miller on August 14, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    All great ideas, but I’m going with the mini fridge as a must have 🙂

  150. Venus Marie on August 14, 2015 at 12:12 pm

    I would have loved to have had a microwave when I went to college!

  154. Lisa on August 14, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    I would have loved the Roku. Now that I think back to my college days, I don’t think we even had a TV. Heck, there wasn’t even such a thing as wireless internet …

  157. Nicole on August 14, 2015 at 1:41 pm

    I would have loved the microwave as it would have given me more options than the single burner hot pot I had stowed under my bed.

  158. Michelle Jurgens-Fyhrie on August 14, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    I would LOVE to buy that single serve Blender for my daughters, 4 & 5, if I were to win a Best Buy gift card! The single-button feature is great for young chefs!

  160. Helen on August 14, 2015 at 2:41 pm

    I’m such a nerd, but I would send my kid off with the toothbrush. Ugh, the way college can wreck your teeth is awful. At least this would give you a fighting chance!

  165. Jennifer V on August 14, 2015 at 11:00 pm

    I wish I had the single-serve blender in college!

  168. Kalani on August 15, 2015 at 11:14 am

    I think the fan would have been great! We had a fridge/ micro combo & that was good!