12 must-have products to keep you cool in your stuffy dorm room (2024)

If your dorm-essentials list doesn't include a fan, you may be forgetting something crucial. Old dorm buildings may not have adequate air conditioning, which can make the hot months unbearable. Even in the winter, college students may have little control over the heat in their rooms.

We asked members of the Insider Reviews team what they used to stay cool in the dorms and selected products from our climate-control guides. Since money and space are tight when living in the dorms, we prioritized products that are affordable and don't take up much space. For more cooling help, check out our guides to the best fans, air conditioners, and portable ACs.

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• Staff Pick

  

  An air conditioner

  GE EZ Mount Window Air Conditioner (AHY08LZ)

  My first summer on the campus of Michigan State, I lucked out and snagged an AC from someone who was moving out. If ACs are allowed in your dorm, and you can afford it, this GE air conditioner is an outstanding option.

• 

  A box fan

  Genesis Max Cool 20" Box Fan

  If your dorm doesn't allow window air conditioners, a good box fan is a must. We like this one because it has a safe, easy-to-use design. For added cooling, we recommend putting freezer packs or a bucket of ice in front of the fan.

• 

  A dehumidifier

  Eva-Dry EDV-1200 Dehumidifier

  If you go to school in a muggy part of the country, then a dehumidifier may be enough to cool your dorm room. The Eva-Dry dehumidifier is affordable and works in spaces up to 1,200 square feet.

  See Also

  Best Dorm Fans for College Students: Top 7 Products to Keep Your Room Cool (2024) - Daneila Bright

• 

  An evaporative air cooler

  Evapolar evaChill Personal Evaporative Air Cooler

  My teen uses the Evapolar evaChill to stay cool during long gaming sessions or they move it by their bed for added comfort. You just fill the evaChill with water, and it mists over you for a pleasant cooling sensation.

• 

  A cooling mattress topper

  Lucid 3-inch Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam Mattress Topper

  Dorm beds are the worst. For under $100, you can upgrade your dorm mattress with the Lucid Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam topper, which provides excellent cooling and cushy comfort. In our tests, it was the best budget cooling mattress topper.

• 

  A cooling sheet set

  Casper Hyperlite Sheet Set (Queen)

  Connie Chen, an Insider Reviews contributor and sheet expert, recommends these sheets as an excellent option for dorm rooms. "These sheets are gauzy, super lightweight, and breathable yet durable," she said. You'll likely want the twin XL size, which is the typical mattress size for dorm beds.

• 

  A gel pillow

  Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow (Queen)

  I've found gel sleep products are cooler than other materials, and the Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillows are no exception. They're just $20 per pillow, earning them the title of "best budget pillow" in our guide to the best bed pillows.

• 

  A cooling down comforter

  Land's End Essential Down Comforter (King)

  Down is one of my favorite materials because it's so soft while maintaining a comfy low temp. Insider Reviews' Connie Chen tested several comforters, and she found the Lands' End Down Comforter is the best for hot sleepers.

• 

  A cooling sleep mask

  Gravity Heating/Cooling Weighted Sleep Mask

  This is another chilly product that will also help you sleep late. Pop it in the freezer a few hours before bed, then wear it like a normal sleep mask. If you don't have access to a fridge, you can approximate the same frosty effect with a damp washcloth.

• 

  Thermally insulated blackout curtains

  Deconovo Blackout Curtains

  Sometimes you can drop the temp in your dorm by simply blocking out the sun. If the rickety old blinds that came with your room aren't doing the job, try these thermally-insulated blackout curtains. They'll also help you get those early afternoon Z's after a long night.

• 

  A cold brew coffee maker

  Toddy Cold Brew System

  Cold brew tastes outstanding when chilled, which makes it an ideal drink during the hot months. The Toddy Cold Brew System comes with everything you need, minus the grounds. Brewing takes 24 hours, and the coffee lasts for two weeks without any degradation in flavor.

• 

  A durable water bottle to keep drinks cold

  Hydro Flask Standard-Mouth Water Bottle with Flex Cap (24 oz.)

  When you're hot, it's easy to get dehydrated without even realizing it. That makes it important to keep a cold beverage nearby. Hydroflask water bottles are sturdy enough for an active lifestyle and insulated enough to chill your beverages for hours on end.