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James Brains
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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
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.
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A 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.
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A 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.
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An 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.
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A cooling 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.
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A cooling sheet set
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.
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A gel pillow
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.
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A cooling down comforter
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.
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A cooling 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.
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Thermally insulated 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.
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A cold brew coffee maker
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.
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A durable water bottle to keep drinks cold
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.
Senior Reporter, Business Insider Reviews
James is a Senior Reporter for Business Insider Reviews, specializing in sleep, HVAC, and kitchen appliances.He has tested more than 90 mattresses from startups like Casper and legacy brands like Tempur-Pedic, using his background in experimental psychology to develop objective tests and evaluate comfort, support, motion transfer, and more. He authors our guide to the best mattresses.In addition to being Business Insider Reviews' mattress expert, James has extensively covered air fryers, bidets, air conditioners, air purifiers, and anything you put on your mattress, including weighted blankets and pillows.He's a multifaceted writer who has covered everything from health and fitness to consumer technology. His mission is to help people get the most value for their money by guiding them in making informed buying decisions.James lives in Lansing, Michigan, with his wife, two kids, and a rambunctious rat terrier.When James isn't testing products and writing for Business Insider, he runs a popular local Facebook group, Lansing Foodies;hosts a local news segment called Foodie Friday;and puts on the Olive Burger Festival.See below for some of his work:
- The 13 best mattresses of 2024, tested and reviewed
- Travel guru Rick Steves never checks a bag. Here are the 25 things he always packs in his carry-on.
- I toured 8 distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – here are the 16 best whiskeys I tried and where to buy them
- The 6 best air fryers of 2024, tested by our expert
- The 6 best air conditioners for keeping your house cool this summer
- How bidets changed my life, for better and for worse
Contact info: jbrains@businessinsider.comLearn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.Learn more about how we test kitchen products.
You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
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