The 29 Most-Loved Back to College Essentials from Amazon With Thousands of 5-Star Reviews
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Whether you're going to college for the first time, heading back for yet another semester, or shopping for your favorite student in your life, it's tough narrowing down your picks. Packing for a small dorm or apartment is an artform. What's essential? What will you actually use? If you're in doubt while you're shopping, go with word of mouth. And since we're all shopping online these days, go with the thousands of five-star reviews.
Here are the most popular picks from Amazon's Back to College selection. From study must-haves, to cozy slippers, to reliable backpacks, here are the highest-rated, most-loved Amazon products for your next semester. If you're a student and you're not a Prime member, you can get a free six-month trial.
Amazon's Most Popular Back to College Picks
Coffee is an essential to keep up with your studies or get some energy before a morning class. This individual coffee maker takes up minimal space and it's incredibly easy to use. Just pour in some water, pop in your favorite K-Cup, and brew. Use this to brew cups from 6 to 12 oz. Amazon has this Keurig Mini in seven colorways. This Keurig has 26,300+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
This backpack is functional and fashionable. The fabric is sturdy to carry your essentials, yet it's lightweight. Plus, it's waterproof. There are 37 colors and two sizes to choose from. Each has pockets and compartments to help you stay organized and a USB charging port.
This backpack has 21,000+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
Make a statement with this felt letter board. You can hang this outside of your door, use this as decor, or you can send messages back and forth with your roommate. These boards are available in four sizes and 27 colorways. Each board comes with 300 felt letters.
This letter board has 9,100+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
Create a bedside shelf to rest your phone, charger, beverage or book with this clip-on nightstand. This shelf has 4,400+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
This tumbler keeps your beverage hot or cold for hours. Use this for water, juice, coffee, or some other drink you adore. It comes with a straw and a leak-proof lid. There are several colors and six sizes to choose from. This tumbler has 14,000+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
This cushion conforms to your lap while keeping your laptop cool. This ventilated lap desk has a slot for your phone and mouse too. It comes in six colorways with options for people who are left-handed and those who are right-handed. This product has 43,900+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
Reliable headphones are essential for studying, exercising, and walking to class. These have a great, crisp sound and they come in seven colors. This wireless headset has 12,800+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
Feel cozy and comfortable while you study when you're rocking these fluffy slippers. There are 14 colorways to choose from. These slippers have 24,900+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
If you're a visual learner, highlighters are a studying essential. These highlighters are available in pastels or your standard neons. This product has 12,800+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
Whether you had a long night out with friends or studying for an exam, sunglasses are a must in the morning. These on-trend sunglasses are affordable and they come in a ton of different colors. They have 8,300+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
Use this acrylic stand to organize your scrunchies or bracelets. You can even use the inside of the stand for extra storage. This stand has 1,400+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
Stay organized with this large capacity storage container. It fits 40-50 pens and you can store some other small essentials in this too. There are 10 colorways to choose from. This pencil case has 45,700+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
A dry-erase board is a must for your dorm. This one is magnetic and it comes with six markers that have erasers attached. This board has 8,500+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
This reusable utensil set is perfect to keep in your backpack. They're dishwasher safe and made from high-quality stainless steel. This set includes: knife, spoon, fork, chopsticks, cleaning brush, straight straw, bent straw, and a convenient carrying case. There are 8 colorways to choose from and this set has 13.7100+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
Music is essential to any pregame. This speaker has clear sound, 12 hours of battery, and it's made from 100% recycled plastic. There are 18 colorways to choose from. This speaker has 61,800+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
Multifunctional pieces are the best way to maximize a small space. You can use this for storage, a seat, or a footrest. It comes in four colorways. You can even turn the cushioned lid upside and use the hard side as a table for a beverage. This ottoman has 5,900+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
Organize your jewelry with this acrylic tiered stand.
Display your favorite photos as a hanging collage. You can display these in straight lines or you can get creative and make your own shape.
Hide your bad hair day and look cool at the same time with one of these Adidas hats. There are 38 colorways to choose from. These hats have 10,400+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
This chair is the perfect study spot. It's also comfy for any friends who may visit your dorm or apartment. If space is an issue, this one easily folds up compact storage. This chair comes in seven colors. These chairs have 4,500+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
Look put together in an instant when you throw on this cardigan. It's cozy, it's chic, and you need one in every color. This cardigan has 4,800+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
When you're too tired to put an outfit together, a two-piece set is an easy option. You don't have to think, you'll look put-together, and you'll feel oh-so-comfortable. It has 5,800+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
Dorms are not exactly known for stellar lighting. Plug this mirror in for some glamorous, much-needed lighting. It has 7,800+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
Of course, you need a college logo sweatshirt. This one is available in designs representing a ton of different colleges.
This sweatshirt has 7,200+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
College gets busy. You're not always going to have the time to style your hair to perfection. That's why it's great to have some claw clips on hand. They're classic, yet trendy, and they're just what you need to get your hair out of your face. These sets come in 15 color combinations and have 26,900+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
High-quality activewear does not have to be expensive. This $23 sports bra is a customer favorite with 5-star Amazon reviews. It is part-sports bra and part-tank top with sizes ranging from XS to 3X. The The Gym People Womens' Sports Bra has 24,100+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
Maximize your storage with this organizer. It has three cubes, but you can also use the top as a fourth shelf. The Whitmor 3 Cube Organizer has 1,900+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
A rolling cart gives you storage and flexibility since you can move it around with ease— which is essential in a small space. It has 5,900+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
You don't have a ton of decorative options in a dorm or a small apartment. Adding some fluffy pillow covers to your bed is an easy and affordable upgrade. These sets of 2 come in several colors and they have 8,700+ 5-star Amazon reviews.
While you're shopping check out these stores with cute, cheap decor for your dorm or first apartment.
Sign up for E! Insider Shop to get updates on the biggest sales and must-have products!—Originally published August 9, 2022 at 3 AM PT.