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Life as a university student can be hectic. With endless textbooks to read, numerous essays to write and lots of social events to attend, striking a balance can be tricky. So, anything that can make your academic life a little easier could be worth looking into.
We’ve scoured the web to find the best gadgets for college students, from the latest electronic tech to the simplest rudimentary concepts. The result is a fine array of devices and accoutrements that would complement even the most sophisticated dormitory.
So, whether you’re already at college or heading there soon, take a look at these essential gems!
1. JALL wake-up light
If you’re not a morning person, your alarm clock sounding off at 7am is probably not your favorite part of the day. But there’s a solution!
This wake-up light makes your early wake-ups much smoother by creating a sunrise effect, with a red-tinted light gradually growing into white light. You can also combine this with white noise or radio to wake you up, while it even doubles as a bedside lamp and night light!
2. Soundcore Anker Life Q20 noise-canceling headphones
As well as built-in Wi-Fi, college dormitories also contain a lot of noise — great when you’re feeling sociable but not when an essay deadline is just days away.
Block out such distractions with a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, and immerse yourself in your work.
3. Fujifilm instax mini camera film
There are a lot of picture-perfect moments at university, and the best way to capture them is with an instant film camera! You don’t even have to worry about the settings; just point and click!
Fujifilm’s instax Mini 9 camera is the most popular choice, and for good reason: it produces high-quality polaroid photos in just a few minutes, which you can safekeep for many years to come.
4. TOPHOME cord organizer
Maybe you’re a little old-school. Or maybe you believe in “don’t try to fix what isn’t broken!”
Either way, if you’re not a fan of wireless earbuds and have stuck with your wired ones, you’ll be familiar with that feeling of dread when you reach into your pocket to find that it has all become a big, tangled mess. But there’s an easy solution to this modern predicament: the TOPHOME earbud cord organizer.
5. Rocketbook Core digital notebook
The debate between typing and hand-writing notes has raged across lecture halls for some time now, but with a smart notebook, you get the best of both worlds.
As you write, the ink bonds to the specialized, reusable pages, which can then be easily uploaded to any major cloud-based program such as Google Drive, Dropbox or Evernote. As well as being environmentally friendly, it’s a far more efficient way to organize your notes.
6. Fitbit Versa 2 smartwatch
From telling the time to monitoring sleep and checking heart rate to tracking activity levels, smartwatches are the techy descendants of traditional wristwatches.
With Fitbit’s smartwatch (not everyone can afford or even wants an Apple Watch!), you can receive messages and see calls, and even set reminders for things like impending deadlines and upcoming exams and lectures. All this while also keeping heart of your sleep, heart rate and daily steps!
7. BESKAR USB-powered clip-on fan
Chances are your dorm room or student apartment isn’t fitted with an air-conditioning system, something that might only occur to you on a hot summer’s day when there’s no escaping the heat!
Enter this smart, clip-on USB fan, and you’ll never be short of a cool breeze again. What makes it even cooler (pun intended) is that it is both energy-saving and environmentally conscious.
8. HP ENVY 5055 portable printer
Sure, there are printers in the library, but when the entire student body is hitting deadlines at the same time, access might be tricky. Avoid the chaos, and print from the comfort of your own dorm or, alternatively, pop out for a coffee and print from your phone.
HP’s ENVY 5055 has wireless and cloud-based compatibility, so you can get hard copies of your projects wherever you are. You can even connect it to an Alexa device, while its slender frame means it won’t take up much room, either — perfect for when moving day comes!
9. MATEIN laptop backpack
With tech becoming a more integral part of everything we use, even rucksacks are not immune.
MATEIN’s slim travel laptop backpack is a shining example of this, with a built-in USB charger allowing you to keep your phone or device juiced up on the move. There are also anti-theft features, as well as a spacious packing compartment for textbooks and lunch boxes.
10. August Home smart lock
Student housing is quite often a target for burglars, and some extra safety measures like August Home’s smart lock will put your mind at ease.
You can open, lock and monitor your door all from your phone, as well as control keyless access. Plus, you can use voice commands by connecting your smart lock to Alexa!
11. Anker wireless mouse
As a student, you’ll spend most of your waking hours on a computer, and this can put a lot of strain on your wrist.
That’s where Anker’s wireless ergonomic mouse comes in, as it encourages a neutral wrist and arm position, and provides a smoother and more precise tracking to its user.
12. Amazon Fire TV Stick
Binge-watching just got so much easier!
With Amazon’s Fire TV Stick, you can stream your favorite TV shows wherever you go. You can even store other apps and games on it, and even connect it to Alexa for easier navigation.
13. ADIRchef mini travel coffee maker
If you’re the kind of person who can’t function without their daily dose of caffeine, then this one’s for you.
ADIRchef’s personal coffee maker is not only practical but it’s also eco-friendly, as it’s fitted with a permanent filter that will save you money and help you cut waste. But that’s not all: it also comes with a travel mug — handy for your early morning lectures!
14. Anker PowerCore 10000 portable charger
Even with a backpack that can charge your tablet, it’s always handy to have a high-performance backup if you have more than one device or if the bag gets damaged.
The Anker PowerCore 10000 can charge all kinds of devices at rapid speed, and includes almost three-and-a-half iPhone 6 and two-and-a-half Galaxy S6 charges within its small and slender frame.
15. Sistema microwave rice cooker
Microwaveable meals aren’t exactly a primary example of a healthy diet, but with Sistema’s BPA-free and dishwasher-safe microwaveable rice cooker, they sure are!
Just pop in some rice or couscous, and let the microwave do its magic. You can even steam vegetables and get your five-a-day!
16. Kitchen Gizmo Snap ‘N’ Strain clip-on strainer
On the subject of food, this handy contraption can aid in the consumption of that other great main of the student diet: pasta. The silicone colander adjusts to fit on any size pot or bowl.
17. Magnoloran LED photo string lights
If you’re living away from home for the first time, it’s understandable that you’ll want to make your dorm room a little more homely. These LED photo clip lights are perfect for displaying your memories, as well as creating a little mood ambience at the same time.
18. iClever foldable keyboard
With iClever’s foldable keyboard (compatible with all major devices), you can type away on your phone or tablet before conveniently packing everything away again into your trouser pocket. Very efficient.
19. Hamilton Beach sandwich maker
Students might not be renowned for their gourmet cooking skills, but needs often must.
After a night of partying, the only way you’re likely to survive that 9am philosophy lecture is with a hearty breakfast — this inexpensive and practical sandwich maker offers the ideal solution.
20. Belkin 12-outlet surge protector
With all this electrical equipment sitting around, you don’t want to risk blowing a fuse in your ever-growing Jenga tower of plug sockets. Luckily, Belkin is the gold-standard in safety-first surge protectors.
With 12 sockets, including rotating outlets for easier access, and over 4,000 joules of energy, you won’t be short of options. It even comes in 6-foot, 8-foot and wall-mounted varieties.
21. Jadaol Cat6 ethernet cable
Most college dormitories have Wi-Fi built in, often with upwards of 100 students sharing the same bandwidth — fine if you’re working or just casually browsing the web. But as soon as you try to stream video, the demand on the network will cause problems.
The solution? Switch to an ethernet cable for a significantly stronger connection. The Cat6 ethernet cable by Jadaol gives you 50m of cable to play with, as well as a pack of cable clips to keep your wires orderly.
22. Toshiba Canvio Basics portable hard drive
Probably the only thing worse than writing a 3,000-word essay is losing it to a spontaneous tech malfunction; therefore, backing up your work regularly is a wise idea.
The Toshiba Canvio Basics portable hard drive has 1TB, 2TB and 500GB varieties (handy if your course contains a lot of media projects), as well as offers the ability to store your entire library of movies, photos and music on one small device.
23. TubShroom tub drain protector
If you or your roommates have long hair, then this little gadget might be the best investment you can make.
TubShroom’s award-winning drain protector is compatible with any standard tub drain, and will save you from expensive plumber bills.
24. Cards Against Humanity: College Pack
Although not technically a gadget, Cards Against Humanity is still the ultimate way to make new friends (and possibly offend them at the same time). This special college edition is only likely to heighten the fun (or the tension).
25. Kindle Paperwhite
Having the ability to load all your required course reading onto one small, sleek and very attractive device won’t just save you the physical pain of lugging 700-page textbooks around. It will also spare you the mental anguish of missing out on the last copy of The History of Nouns as you smugly download the digital version.
Investing in a Kindle will often save you money on the price of college textbooks, too, with downloadable editions usually much cheaper.
26. Bedsure heated blanket
For those chilly, wintery nights spent in your poorly heated dorm room, this heated throw blanket will definitely come in handy. With five heat settings, you can easily adjust the blanket to your liking.
Moreover, the blanket has a temperature monitoring system for overheating protection, which automatically turns off when it exceeds a specific temperature.
27. Hiearcool USB C hub
With this USB multiport adapter, you’ll have the capability to transfer documents, images, videos and music without the need to use a laptop, making it easy to move your files from your phone to a USB, a hard drive or another device.
Plus, you’ll be able to transfer your files in no time, with data transfer speed up to 5 Gbps.
28. Amazon Echo Dot
If you’re looking for a good speaker, then Amazon’s Echo Dot is a brilliant choice for every student.
The Echo Dot comes with a display clock — with which you can set alarms and set timers — as well as Alexa, who you can ask to play music, answer questions and check the weather.
29. Suturun adjustable laptop stand
As a student, you’ll find yourself spending countless hours in front of your screen doing your class readings, writing essays and conducting research for projects. For that reason, this adjustable laptop stand will be your friend.
Suitable for almost every laptop and tablet, its ergonomic and adjustable design allows you to find a comfortable angle that will relieve you from neck pain and help you improve your posture when looking at your screen.
30. Brita insulated filtered water bottle
This Brita water bottle is the perfect companion for every student who’s on the go. Its built-in filter, which needs to be replaced after 40 gallons, will reduce the chlorine and odor of your tap water, and features a fitted straw, carrying loop and easy-open lid.
This a great way to reduce your one-use plastic consumption but also save money while you’re at it.
31. wanjiaone desk lamp
Student life gets hectic, indeed!
When you’re busy revising (and going to house parties, trivia nights and concerts with your friends), you have very little time for organizing your room. You do, however, still want to stay organized, as that makes life easier when you’re working on assignments or preparing for exams.
This desk lamp features a built-in pencil holder, clock and calendar, and also has a USB charging port for your phone. Oh, and it changes colors, so you can pick the ambience that motivates you most.
32. SKYDUE rotating desk organizer
If you’ve already got a desk lamp but still need to do something about the mess on your desk, this rotating desk organizer may be just what you need.
Available in a range of colors (from beige to black, so you can pick something that suits your room), it has five compartments and lets you easily store and retrieve the things you need.
33. MUSICOZY sleep headphones
Housemates can be pretty loud. Sometimes, however, you may just be a light sleeper to begin with, your slumber more easy-to-shatter than peaceful.
A sleep mask with built-in headphones could help improve your sleep so you’re more rested and energized when you’re grappling with several assignments at once! This one by MUSICOZY has a battery life that allows for 14 hours of playback time, with the charge cycle lasting 1–2 hours.
34. SHUNSHI portable blender
You promised yourself that you were going to stick to eating your five-a-day, but so far your diet consists primarily of Double Stuf Oreos and microwavable pizza rolls. (It happens to the best of us!)
To make the endeavor a little bit easier, a portable blender would allow you to make smoothies wherever you’re using your favorite fruits and veggies.
35. VISSPL mini projector
While installing a home theater in your dorm probably isn’t a realistic option, you can still enjoy DIY movie nights with an affordable mini projector.
This one by VISSPL supports 1080p visuals and comes with an adjustable tripod so you can find the ideal height that suits your space.
36. Yolidas portable neck fan
Have you ever tried working or studying in the blazing heat? If you have, you’ll recall that it becomes almost impossible to concentrate.
That’s where the Yolidas portable neck fan could come in handy! It’s lightweight and bladeless, it has three speeds, and it can keep you cool for up to 8.5 hours depending on what setting you use it!
37. OKP Life K2 robot vacuum cleaner
When you have to pick between sweeping your floors and revising for your exam the next day, you’re going to pick the latter. (Unless you’re a notorious procrastinator, of course.)
With an affordable robot vacuum, you could have more time for studying and have your floors cleaned as though by magic!
38. HouseGem Life mug warmer
Have you ever gone to the kitchen to make yourself a cup of coffee, completely forgetting you had already made one that’s now slowly going cold on the edge of your desk?
An electric mug warmer on your desk could help ensure that your beverage stays warm — and that you never forget you had one in the first place!
39. Druiap air purifier
According to IQAir, 92% of the world’s population breathes in unhealthy air. If you’ve got allergies or asthma, this can quickly progress from nuisance to health hazard.
An air purifier in your room could do wonders on this front, even improving your sleep environment! And we all know just how crucial sleep is when you’re a student.
40. Mueller vegetable chopper
You’ve probably seen the memes poking fun at the realities of being an adult: how we’re supposed to stay sane while juggling work or study with socializing, exercising, spending time outdoors, doing inner work, and pursuing our hobbies.
In a busy schedule, anything that saves you time becomes precious… Even if it’s just a vegetable chopper that helps you prepare healthy meals in much less time.
Final thoughts
With this array of fun and useful gadgets, you can make your life at university a lot more comfortable. Of course, you don’t need everything on this list to survive, but equipping yourself with a few of these smart gadgets could help you focus on more important matters: your studies!
Join the discussion! Are you currently in college? Is there anything else you would recommend? Let us know in the comments section below!
This article is a partial update of an earlier version originally published on January 30, 2018, and contains contributions by Electra Michaelidou and Siôn Phillpott. In the update, we added 10 new gadgets and replaced 3 existing gadgets.