The Quick Report

Don’t Forget These 8 Essential Items Before Going Off to College

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Here’s our list of the 8 most in-demand, most-loved by students returning or heading off to college this semester.

1. The Best Way to Study Anywhere

LapGear Home Office Lap Desk with Device Ledge, Mouse Pad, and Phone Holder

This #1 best-selling lap desk is perfect for studying in bed or on the couch. Its padded, micro bead cushion bottom provides both comfort and stability.

The built-in device ledge keeps the laptop or tablet from slipping, while the built-in slot keeps your smartphone handy and steady. It also features a built-in mouse pad.

The portable LapGear Home Office Lap Desk has a sturdy carry handle. It weighs only 2.14 pounds, making it perfect for travel.

The lap deck measures 21.1 inches wide, 2.6 inches thick, and 12 inches deep and can accommodate laptops up to 15.6 inches.

These are flying off the shelves, with the most popular color, a natural oak wood finish, but also come in black carbon, blush pink, espresso woodgrain, gray woodgrain, silver carbon, or white marble.


2. The Best Vacuum for Small Spaces

BLACK+DECKER Dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum

Quickly fix a messy dorm room with this lightweight, portable handheld vacuum that makes for quick and easy cleanup on multiple services, removing hair, dirt, and other debris from carpets, furniture, car interiors, and more, even in tight spaces with its built-in crevice tool.

The Black+Decker Dustbuster QuickClean Cordless delivers up to 2x the suction power, providing a deep, thorough clean.

The lithium-ion battery recharges in only ten minutes with supplied wall-mountable charger.

Comes with a washable dirt bowl and filter that can be cleaned in a sink.

Weighing only 1.4 pounds, this Dustbuster is a breeze to use.


3. This Adorable Portable Minifridge and Warmer

AstroAI Mini Fridge AC/DC Portable Thermoelectric Cooler and Warmer Refrigerator

Keep things warm or cool with this massively popular compact miniature refrigerator that’s perfect for those with limited space in their dorm, bedroom, office, and more.

Works on AC electric or DC 12V car battery power for keeping things cool or warm on the go. 

Features 4-liter capacity, with enough room to store a six-pack of 12-ounce cans. Also perfect for food, breastmilk, or keeping cosmetics and skincare products cool.

Can chill items between 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (18-22°C) or warm things up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66°C).

Available in teal, white, pink, blue, and black. Measures 10 inches high, 6.9 inches wide, and 9.45 inches deep. Weighs 4.6 pounds.


4. Faster Tea, Coffee, or Hot Chocolate

Mueller Austria Ultra Kettle with SpeedBoil Tech

Drastically reduce the time it takes to boil water for tea, coffee, and more with this advanced speed boiling technology while reducing worry with its auto shut-off and boil-dry protection features.

Did we mention it’s cordless and has an LED light?

This kettle has 7 cup capacity (1.8L), brings water to boil almost instantly, within minutes, and is made of non-toxic, highly quality materials. It’s more energy-efficient than stovetop boiling. You can also boil as little as 8 ounces at a time.

This product has loads of nearly-unanimous positive reviews. It saves tens of minutes of precious time multiple times a day.


5. Cluttered Desks = Cluttered Brains

Marbrasse Desk Organizer

An organizer is a must-have for all students, and this is one of the best and best-selling on the market, with its 9 storage spaces, all while remaining compact and space-saving and made from lightweight but strong alloy steel.

It features 2 vertical spaces for holding files, binders, books, magazines, and more.

There are 5 sliding trays, one of which includes a sliding drawer that can be slid into one of the trays or kept on the side.

2 hanging pencil holders can be attached to any of the sides of the tree stand or function freestanding as well.

Comes with a 90-day return policy.


6. The Smallest Coffee Station Available

Keurig K-Express Coffee Maker

A must-have for kickstarting your brain, this is the #1 choice in single-serve brewers by Keurig, priced for those on a budget. Brew 8, 10, or 12 oz. cups at the click of a button and have freshly brewed coffee ready in minutes.

This single-serve K-Cup pod coffee brewer has a removable drip tray accommodating travel mugs up to 7.4 inches tall. The automatic off feature will turn off the coffee maker 5 minutes after the last brew. 

Comes in black and features a removable tank and reusable filter. It’s also compatible with the My K-Cup universal reusable coffee filter, so you can brew your own ground coffee (sold separately).


7. No More Drained Smartphone Batteries

Anker Portable Charger, 313 Power Bank

The #1 best-selling portable charger for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, iPad, and more, the pocket-sized Anker PowerCore Slim 10K can recharge many devices up to two times.

Features Anker’s exclusive PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technology with a power-saving trickle-charging mode, one of the best ways to charge low-power devices, and includes overcharge protection, short-circuit protection, temperature control, and more.

This 10,000mAh portable charger has a Micro USB cable to charge the power bank. Features an 18-month warranty.

  • Note does not include USB-C and Lightning cables for connecting to your smartphone or tablet.

8. Easier to Carry than a Laptop

Apple iPad (9th Generation)

The 9th Generation iPad is more affordable than ever, providing all the essentials college students need to learn, create, work, play immersive games, stay connected, and more.

The iPad can replace your laptop with its smart keyboard and Apple pencil.

This latest model features a 10.2-inch Retina display, all-day battery life, a powerful a13 biotic chip, and fast Wi-Fi connectivity. Choose from 64GB or 256GB storage. Includes 12MP front/8MP Back Camera. Wi-Fi + Cellular option is also available. Comes in space gray or silver.

Also features unlock and pay with a touch ID that uses a fingerprint to unlock the iPad, sign into apps, and make payments securely with Apple Pay.


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