Most of your meals will be at on-campus dining locations, but having a mini-fridge and microwave in your dorm room is convenient for quick snacks and cold drinks. We recommend you review your school’s policy on dorm appliances before purchasing since some prohibit them or have restrictions in place. Many universities that allow their use will also have a rental program available to students.
A lot of students use the microwave in their dorm’s communal kitchen instead of bringing their own, so the decision is a matter of extra convenience. However, we do recommend storing all cooking supplies and food in your dorm room. Stealing is common in communal-dorm kitchens, and you don’t know if someone tampered with your food.
The typical dorm mini-fridge has a storage capacity of 1.7 to 3.3 cubic feet and measures 18 to 33 inches tall. We’ve noticed most students prefer the larger size though since 3.3 cubic feet is enough space for a freezer section. You can also maximize storage space by getting a mini-fridge with detachable shelving.
Some college dorms allow each roommate to bring their own, but having 2 mini-fridges takes up a lot of space. Most students prefer sharing a larger 3.3 to 4.5 cubic foot mini fridge with their roommate. You can either split the cost down the middle or have one person get the mini-fridge while the other brings a microwave.
Frequent coffee drinkers should consider bringing a single cup coffee maker for their dorm room. While there’s plenty of places to buy coffee on campus, you can save a lot of money and time by making your own. It’s also nice not having to stand in crazy long lines!
Dorm tap water is safe to drink, but it doesn’t always taste great. A lot of students bring a water filter, like a Brita, to have convenient access to better-tasting drinking water. Using a water filter is cheaper than buying plastic water bottles and also helps reduce waste.
You can save over $1000 and 217 plastic bottles from going to the landfill per year by switching to a reusable water bottle. Most colleges also have water bottle refilling stations throughout campus, so it’s easy to stay hydrated. The best water bottle for college students is the double vacuum insulated Yeti Rambler 26oz, capable of keeping your water ice cold and coffee hot all day.
It’s helpful to have a few plates, bowls, cups, and eating utensils in your dorm room for quick snacks. Most students use disposable cutlery, dinnerware, and red solo cups to avoid the hassle of cleaning.
Tupperware is great for students who like storing leftovers in the fridge or bringing their food to campus. While you don’t need to bring the 64 piece deluxe set to college, it’s helpful to have a few sandwich size containers for your room. Most students also bring a small pack of Ziploc bags for storing snacks and other dorm supplies.
If your dorm has a communal kitchen then you might want to consider bringing a pot and pan for cooking meals. You’ll also need to bring a dish scrubber and dish soap.
Most students underestimate how often they’ll end up eating in their dorm room. Freshmen usually don’t have a car and going to the grocery store can be a hassle, so we recommend bringing enough snacks to last you about a month. A lot of campuses also have small convenience stores with microwaveable meals, drinks, and snacks, but buying in bulk is still way cheaper.
Students with access to a microwave in their dorm or communal kitchen have plenty of great options to choose from. However, a lot of microwaveable foods require a fridge or freezer, so your options will be limited without them. Some dorm favorites include: Popcorn, Instant Mac & Cheese, Ramen Noodles, Soups, Oatmeal, Bagel Bites, Breakfast Burritos, and Cheese Quesadillas.
Students without access to a microwave or fridge have plenty of traditional dorm snacks to choose from. Some popular options include: Potato Chips, Pretzels, Goldfish, Beef Jerky, Pop Tarts, Cereal, Chocolate, Jello, Pudding, Cookies, PB&J Sandwiches, and Trail Mix.
Most of the stereotypical college dorm snacks are pretty unhealthy, but that doesn’t mean healthier alternatives aren’t out there. Some great tasting healthy options include: Apples, Oranges, Carrots, Protein Bars, Granola Bars, Nuts, Bananas, Yogurt, Hummus, and Rice Cakes.
A lot of students stock up on water and gatorade bottles, but it’s more efficient to bring a container of your favorite drink mix. You can find gatorade, lemonade, tea, and hot chocolate drink mixes that come in a variety of flavors. If you plan on bringing a Brita or Keurig, then you should also consider picking up some extra filters and K-cups.