When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. Hydro Flask Insider Reviews editors and writers recommend cooling products that won’t take up too much space.
From fans to cooling pillows, these 13 items will help you stay cool in stuffy dorms. For more cooling help, check out our guides to the best fans, air conditioners, and portable ACs. 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. An air conditionerJames Brains/InsiderGE Window Air ConditionerMy 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.
It’s a lower-BTU version of our best budget air conditioner so your room won’t get too cold and clammy. A box fanOwen Burke/InsiderGenesis Max Cool 20-Inch Box FanIf your dorm doesn’t allow window air conditioners, a good box fan is a must. The Insider Reviews fan expert Owen Burke recommends the Genesis Max Cool 20-Inch Box Fan as the best budget fan because of its safe, easy-to-use design.
For added cooling, he recommends putting freezer packs or a bucket of ice in front of the fan. A dehumidifierAmazonEva-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. I mostly use my air conditioner to dry the humid Michigan heat.
The Eva-Dry dehumidifier is affordable and works in spaces up to 1,200 square feet. An evaporative air coolerAmazonEvapolar evaChill Personal Evaporative Air CoolerMy teen uses the Evapolar evaChill to stay cool during long gaming sessions. When the temps refuse to dip at night, 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 topperJames Brains/InsiderLucid Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam Mattress TopperDorm beds are the worst. You’re typically stuck with an old-fashioned innerspring mattress that doesn’t offer much in the way of support and heat dissipation.
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 setCasperCasper Hyperlite Sheet SetA good cooling sheet set can keep you from tossing and turning at night.
Connie Chen, an Insider Reviews contributor and sheet expert, recommends the Casper Hyperlite sheets as an excellent option for hot dorm rooms. “These sheets are gauzy, super lightweight, and breathable yet durable,” she said. The only negative is it’s pricier than the sheet sets you might pick up at the big-box stores.
Fortunately, Casper frequently offers deep discounts. You’ll likely want the twin XL size, which is the typical mattress size for dorm beds. A gel pillowLauren Savoie/InsiderBeckham Hotel Collection Gel PillowsI’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 comforterConnie Chen/InsiderLands’ End Essential Down ComforterDown 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 maskGravityGravity Heating/Cooling Weighted Sleep MaskThis 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. You can even wear it on your forehead or neck during waking hours.
If you don’t have access to a fridge, you can approximate the same frosty effect with a damp washcloth. Thermally insulated blackout curtainsDeconovoDeconovo Blackout CurtainsSometimes 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 of partying/studying. A cold brew coffee makerDylan Ettinger/InsiderToddy Cold Brew SystemCold brew isn’t inherently cold, but it is a cheap and simple way to make coffee. And the results taste outstanding when chilled, which makes it an ideal drink during the hot months.
The Toddy Cold Brew System comes with everything you need to make cold brew coffee, minus the grounds. The brewing process takes 24 hours, and the coffee lasts for two weeks without any degradation in flavor. The Toddy Artisan is a more compact version that makes great cold brew without taking up too much space.
A durable water bottle to keep drinks coldHydroflaskHydroflask Water BottleWhen 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.
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From: insider
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