I compared brand-name cereals to Walmart's cheaper generic versions. I'll never buy some pricier options again.
Luckily, Walmart offers generic alternatives to practically every popular cereal brand under its Great Value label.
These "dupes" tend to be cheaper, and I wanted to see if I could save money on groceries in the future while keeping my 7-year-old and 4-year-old just as satisfied.
So, we did blind taste tests to try five famous cereals alongside their respective generic alternatives.
Here's how they stacked up, and which were worth the savings.
Prices may vary by location.
Great Value Honey Nut O's were way cheaper than Honey Nut Cheerios.
To start, we compared General Mills Honey Nut Cheerios to Great Value Honey Nut O's.
The 10.5-ounce box of Honey Nut Cheerios cost $3.68, or $0.35 an ounce. Walmart's version was significantly cheaper at $1.87 for a 12-ounce box, or $0.16 an ounce.
Out of the box, it was fairly easy to tell the difference between the two. The generic O's were a bit larger and had a lighter color than the Honey Nut Cheerios. The brand-name version also appeared to have a shiny, sugary sheen that the generic lacked.
Most of us preferred the brand-name Honey Nut Cheerios.
Of the five cereal pairs we tasted, these two options seemed the least similar. The generic version was a bit crunchier and a touch less mushy after a few minutes in milk. However, it had a starchy texture that verged on chalkiness.
Overall, the General Mills cereal had more honey flavor and a heartier, oaty taste than the generic.
My 4-year-old couldn't tell the brand from the generic by taste for most of the cereals we tested. With this one, however, she had no problem distinguishing the two. She actually preferred the generic to the Honey Nut Cheerios, possibly because she doesn't really like the taste of honey.
My 7-year-old also had no trouble telling the difference, but he and I both preferred the original.
Honey Bunches of Oats seemed to have a better mix of ingredients than the generic alternative.
This was actually my first time trying both the Post Honey Bunches of Oats and its generic alternative.
I picked up an 18-ounce box of the brand-name version for $4.93, or $0.27 an ounce. The Great Value alternative cost $2.67 for an 18-ounce box, which broke down to $0.15 an ounce.
At first glance, I could tell the Honey Bunches of Oats had a better mix of cornflakes and granola. The granola in the Walmart alternative was harder to find and clumped together.
I think brand-name Honey Bunches of Oats are worth paying extra for.
Here, too, all three of us could consistently tell the difference between the brand name and generic cereals.
The Honey Bunches of Oats were distinctly sweeter than the Walmart alternative, which I thought tasted bland and mostly reminiscent of Corn Flakes.
In this case, we all preferred the brand-name Honey Bunches of Oats and were surprised by how much we enjoyed them. The flakes were nice and sweet, and the granola added some light crunch.
Of the five cereals we tried, this one built the strongest case for paying more for the name brand.
We could easily distinguish between Cinnamon Toast Crunch and the Walmart version.
Next, we tried General Mills' Cinnamon Toast Crunch against Great Value Cinnamon Crunch.
The General Mills version cost $2.97 for a 12-ounce box, which is about $0.25 an ounce. The Great Value option was $2.98 for a larger 20.5-ounce box, or about $0.15 an ounce.
This pair was the easiest to distinguish visually among the five cereals we compared. The brand-name offering was noticeably smaller and darker, with "swirls" of cinnamon sugar on each piece.
I preferred Walmart's cinnamon cereal.
These options also tasted distinctly different to me and my 7-year-old, though my 4-year-old thought they tasted the same.
The 7-year-old preferred the Cinnamon Toast Crunch, which was a bit sweeter, crunchier, and denser. It held up a little better in milk and didn't get soggy as quickly.
In this case, I liked the generic better because it felt airier and less sweet.
The Great Value Rice Crisps were much cheaper than Kellogg's Rice Krispies.
Next up was Kellogg's Rice Krispies versus Great Value Rice Crisps.
The Kellogg's version cost me $4.98 for an 18-ounce box, making each ounce $0.28. I purchased a 12-ounce box of the Walmart version for $1.98, or $0.17 an ounce.
I noticed the generic cereal consisted of larger crisps that appeared more yellow than their brand-name counterparts.
Kellogg's Rice Krispies were a bit sweeter than the generic alternative.
I thought these two cereals tasted very similar. To me, though, the brand name was a touch sweeter, and the generic had a slight aftertaste of cardboard.
However, neither of my kids could tell the difference and I probably couldn't either without trying them side-by-side.
I preferred the Great Value version for rice-cereal treats.
I'm not usually a huge fan of Rice Krispies in a bowl of milk, but I love them in treat form. So, after tasting both cereals, we turned them into bars using marshmallows and butter.
The marshmallow flavor was strong enough to negate any difference between the two cereals. The sticky treats tasted almost exactly the same.
If I'm shopping at Walmart the next time I want to make a batch, I will definitely go with the generic option to save money.
The Great Value Frosted Flakes were significantly cheaper than the Kellogg's version.
Though Walmart's generic answer to Kellogg's Frosted Flakes goes by the same name, it represented one of the biggest discounts of the group on a per-ounce basis.
The 12-ounce box of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes cost $3.98, or $0.33 an ounce. The 13.5-ounce Great Value version cost $1.93, or $0.14 an ounce.
They looked very similar, though the generic one again appeared slightly more yellow in color.
We couldn't tell the difference between the Great Value and brand-name Frosted Flakes.
These two cereals tasted almost exactly the same to us: sugary, crunchy at first, and mushy after a couple of minutes in milk.
Of the five generic cereals we tried, the Great Value Frosted Flakes were the only ones that we couldn't distinguish from the original by taste.
I thought the brand name might have had a slightly more assertive sweetness to it, but I wasn't able to pick it out reliably in our blind taste test.
In this case, I think buying the cheaper Walmart version is a no-brainer.
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Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Yahoo
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Yahoo
09-08-2025
- Yahoo
We Tried 11 Canned Coconut Milk Brands - Here's How They Rank
Canned coconut milk is one pantry staple I always have on hand. I spent much of my young adult life baking and eating vegan, so this canned ingredient was a must-have for curries, baked goods, and really anywhere I was looking for creaminess without the dairy. If you make a trip to the store, you'll see several different types of coconut milk on store shelves -- regular, reduced-fat, and coconut cream -- the latter of which is what ascends to the top of a can of coconut milk. If you look closer, you'll also see an array of different brands represented -- from store brands like Great Value and Stop & Shop to more premium-priced options from Goya, Thai Kitchen, and Blue Dragon. At first, you might think there's not much difference between these canned coconut milks -- but I can assure you that's not the case. I set out to find whether one brand did coconut milk better than the others -- and if each brand's price tag actually correlated to its quality. I stocked up on the full-fat canned coconut milks from four different stores in southern Rhode Island and Connecticut, popped them open, and tasted them before ranking them from worst to best based on factors like creaminess, prevalence of coconut flavor (which should be strong yet balanced -- it is coconut milk, after all), and potential versatility in sweet and savory recipes. Read more: Store-Bought Canned Crab Meat Ranked Worst To Best 11. Simply Asia You know that expression, "Save the best for last?" Well, I didn't heed that warning and sampled Simply Asia's coconut milk last -- and it left a bad taste in my mouth, literally. First things first: The separation is absolutely nasty in this can. While the chunkier bits in the other brands squished on my tongue and melted on my taste buds, this one was like sipping curdled milk. The pieces were almost hard and solid, which disrupted the mouthfeel entirely. The fat didn't distribute back into the can, and when I took a sip of the milk, I was met by a disgusting juxtaposition of milk-flavored water and hard chunks of coconut oil. The flavor, like the brand that ranked slightly above it, was borderline rancid. It tasted like it had been sitting on the shelf for two months too long. I don't think even a flavorful sauce could cover it up or redeem its texture. Considering it's priced about the same as every other brand, it's one you shouldn't consider adding to your cart. 10. A Taste Of Thai I gave every can on this list a very clear and vigorous shake before pouring them out into a measuring cup. While some stayed creamy and well-emulsified, others had a very clear separation between the fatty layer and the watery coconut water -- including A Taste of Thai. This first-pressed coconut milk is definitely not what most people are used to when you think of the word "coconut milk." It has a very unrefined flavor, like you're eating virgin coconut oil. But it's not that enveloping, creamy, and decadent flavor that coats your taste buds and gives you a big tropical hug. Instead, this one is weirdly grassy and almost oily. It toes the line of tasting borderline rancid, which is not what you want from your coconut milk. Even when you get a bite without the chunks of oil floating in it, it's unpleasant. I can't think of any instance where you would want coconut milk with this texture instead of something creamy and well emulsified. It wasn't as nausea-inducing as Simply Asia, but it was still a miss. 9. Goya Here's the thing: I expect a lot from Goya. The brand is a major contender in the canned bean space, and it's generally known for having reliable, high-quality canned goods across the board. But its coconut milk was a big miss for me. I knew I was going to run into problems when the label declared "no gums." Gums help keep the mixture emulsified and creamy, and, as I expected, this one was not. It did not separate as much as some of the lowest-ranking brands on this list, so I will give credit there, but it was by no means a creamy, decadent coconut milk. The flavor was not bad, though because there was some fat separation in the can, it was almost like eating a very watery version of cottage cheese (which sounds about as pleasing as it was). If you emulsified it with a frother or a whisk, it might be passable and usable for some recipes -- and it wasn't the worst product on the list. However, if you're looking for a ready-to-use, creamy coconut milk, you're better off looking elsewhere. 8. Carribean Rhythm Caribbean Rhythm was one of two coconut milks I bought off Amazon because there wasn't any available in stores. The design of its can was a little vintage and surf shop-esque, with a font that reminds you of a little tiki bar by the water. Its flavor brings back visions of your favorite piña colada or rum-based cocktail, too. The mouthfeel is not entirely watery, but not entirely creamy and heavy, either. It toes the line very deftly, and I wished that it would pick one extreme rather than hovering somewhere in the middle. In other words, it wouldn't do your chicken curry any favors because it lacks fatty richness, though it's not one that I would recommend putting in a coffee because it's not creamy enough. Its flavor was also rather bland and distinctly not coconut-esque. Unlike some of the other brands on this list that had a weird aftertaste, this one had virtually no flavor -- and as a result, no aftertaste. You can definitely do better than this. 7. Thai Kitchen Thai Kitchen's coconut milk stands out from the rest thanks to its boldly colored red label. It was also found in the international section of my grocery store -- with items like stir-fry sauce, funky instant ramen flavors, and more curry sauces than I knew what to do with. Despite the nationality asserted on the label, coconut milk can be used for more than just your favorite Thai dishes. However, this particular brand might not be one that you want to pick up again -- depending on what you're making. Unlike some of my top-ranked coconut milk brands, this unsweetened coconut milk was very watery. It contains many of the same ingredients as the higher-ranked brands, including coconut, water, and guar gum, but it comes across more as a very thick water than something "milky." You'd need a lot of starch to help it reach the perfect consistency. Its flavor was also not strongly coconutty; it had milky undertones, but I'd be hard-pressed to identify it as coconut milk. This flavor has its perks and drawbacks -- mainly, that it can be used in foods where you don't really want a strong coconut flavor (like as a dairy substitute in a latte). But if you're making a coconut custard, you want those coconut flavors to be front and center, so you're better off choosing a different brand on this list. 6. Native Forest The first thing that stuck out about this Native Forest coconut milk was the label proudly declaring "no monkey labor." Apparently (and something I didn't know until I did some research), some coconut farms use monkeys to harvest the tropical fruits, which is safer and more efficient than using humans to do so. It's a fun little tidbit that makes me feel better about buying it. However, I can't say that I will ever add it to my cart for reasons aside from its labor practices. Like the lowest-ranked milks, this one separated, despite the fact that it uses guar gum as a stabilizer. That said, I can appreciate that the non-fat chunks were more creamy than watery. The coconut flavor here was authentic, subtly sweet, and overall very versatile. You could add it to savory or sweet dishes and not have any qualms about its overall flavor. However, I personally have reluctance to pay more than $3 for a can of coconut milk, even if it's organic. Ethical sourcing is great and all, but I'm not forking over extra cash so the monkeys can take a vacation. 5. Blue Dragon By this point in the ranking, I didn't really want to taste yet another can of coconut milk. But I forged on in the name of science. The Blue Dragon unsweetened coconut milk had some issues with separation, seeing as there was a lot of fat floating around in it and stuck to the lid, but it had a little less separation than the brand that ranked a spot below it -- and for that, I was grateful. However, that didn't mean that this coconut milk was smooth and creamy. When I poured it into the glass measuring cup, it sounded like water flowing from a tap -- there was none of that creamy richness sloshing around in it. Its flavor was neutral -- not too sweet, not too milky, not too much of anything. The higher-ranked brands on this list delivered a more homogenous product, better flavor, and an all-around more satisfying mouthfeel than Blue Dragon could dream of. Yet, it's not awful (in terms of flavor, texture, and price), earning it a spot in the middle of the ranking. 4. Great Value Yes, this product might be a "great value," but is it high-quality? That's the question I set out to answer when I sampled Great Value's canned coconut milk. Price-wise, it's very competitive; oddly, it's priced more than some of the name brands that I picked up. Right off the bat, I knew its quality wasn't as bad as I had prepared myself for. It poured well out of the can and stayed together in a mostly homogenous mass, though there was a little water that trickled out at the bottom of the can. The mouthfeel of this coconut milk was right on the money. It was creamy and covered my taste buds in a beautiful, lacquered coating. If you were buying based on texture, it's a brand I would recommend adding to your cart, without a doubt. However, flavor also plays a role in its ranking, and Great Value was slightly off here. It had an almost burnt taste that reminded me of burnt butter and popcorn. Coconut milk should be naturally sweet and nutty, which this can was not. Granted, you could probably cover it up with a flavorful curry or sauce. While it wasn't awful, I would still pick one of the higher-ranked coconut milks over it. 3. Stop & Shop I wanted so many of the coconut milks on this list to have a creamier and thicker consistency. However, on the other end of the spectrum, you have Stop & Shop's unsweetened coconut milk, which I would say is a little too rich. When I popped open the can, I noticed that a layer of coconut cream had congealed on it. However, when I poured it out into the measuring glass, I didn't see that there was any other separation. The mixture poured with the consistency of Elmer's glue, which, I'll admit, wasn't entirely appetizing. The flavor of the coconut milk itself was pretty robust -- not as sweet as my top-ranked brands, but lacking the burnt-popcorn taste of Great Value's offering. Its thickness and mild flavor would make it a good fit for a sauce, and I imagine it could hold a lot of sugar for something like a coconut cream pie. However, its thickness is also a drawback, seeing as you couldn't use it as a replacement for milk in a dairy-free coffee drink because it might just get stuck in your straw. 2. Nature's Promise I'm going to let you in on a spoiler: The two best brands on this list were store brands. It's not something I've ever had happen in a food review, seeing as name brands usually blow their generic counterparts out of the water. Nature's Promise was up there on this ranking on account of both its flavor and its consistency. This coconut milk was really well emulsified. It wasn't as rich as my top-ranked brand, but it could easily thicken up a sauce, be turned into a salad dressing, or be added to baked goods. I'd recommend using it for sweet foods rather than savory ones, seeing as it has a subtly sweet flavor rather than a more neutral one. The nutty notes are paramount and very clear, and they really brought balance to that sweetness. While its price wasn't as low as my top-ranked canned coconut milk, it's still very affordable for an organic product, and if you have a Stop & Shop near you, I'd recommend picking a can or two up to keep stocked in your pantry. 1. Good & Gather Organic The closest Target is about 40 minutes from my house, which meant I had to cross state lines to get my hands on this can of Good & Gather coconut milk. Target's in-house brand sells both this coconut milk and coconut cream, so your options are pretty slim when it comes to low-fat products. The can of full-fat coconut milk I sampled had three ingredients: organic coconut milk, water, and guar gum. It's priced competitively, especially considering it's made with organic coconut. The first thing I noticed about this can is that it didn't make a watery sound when I picked it up and gave it a shake, which clued me into its thick and creamy consistency. And indeed, when I popped the tab on the lid, I immediately noticed how thick this coconut milk was compared to the other brands. While some of its competitors had issues with separation, the coconut cream was well-emulsified into the coconut water beneath, making for a perfect, creamy mouthfeel. The flavor of this coconut milk was slightly sweet, as it should be, and I would still say that it's an excellent option if you want to add it to something like a savory curry. When I took a sip of it from the spoon, I immediately thought of one of my favorite desserts -- mango sticky rice -- which helped solidify its spot at the top of my ranking. Methodology I've enjoyed my fair share of coconut milks over the years, but I can't say that I've ever sipped them straight from the can -- but that's just what I had to do to keep this ranking fair and square. I gave each can a vigorous shake for about 10 seconds to give the fat a chance to redistribute with the cream, then I opened and poured the contents into a glass measuring cup so that I could assess its overall texture and consistency. Then, I tasted each with a spoon to get an idea of its flavor and overall mouthfeel. The main thing that I looked at in this ranking was texture and consistency, seeing as flavor, for the most part, can be altered or covered up with a punchy sauce or copious amounts of sugar. I ranked brands that were thicker and creamier higher than those with visible separation of fat from the milk. I wanted to find a coconut milk that I could pop the tab and pour straight into a recipe without having to stop, mix or froth, and then add it. The highest-ranked coconut milks also had a subtly sweet but still relatively neutral flavor with some coconutty undertones. The flavor shouldn't be so strong that it alters the fundamental flavor of the recipe it's used for, nor so weak that the coconut flavor is undetectable. Read the original article on Chowhound. Solve the daily Crossword
New York Post
07-08-2025
- New York Post
37 dorm room essentials to take your college setup up a notch
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Best Printer for College Dorm: HP ENVY Inspire 7255e Wireless Color Thermal Inkjet Printer Amazon Pros: Advanced photo features Doubles as a scanner Print from your smartphone Touchscreen Cons: Requires an outlet Takes up some space Believe it or not, you might have to print something while at school. Instead of going to the library or the nearest Staples, wouldn't it be easier to print from your room? The HP Envy Inspire can handle copious amounts of copy, has scanning capabilities, and can even produce colored photographs for your wall. Best First Aid Kit: Johnson and Johnson Band-Aid Travel Ready Portable Emergency First Aid Kit Amazon Pros: Amazon Choice product Trusted-brand name 80-piece kit Cons: No handle With mommy not around to clean up boo-boos, it's smart to have a first aid kit handy. The Johnson and Johnson Band-Aid Travel Ready Portable Emergency First Aid Kit is small enough to tuck into your desk or under your bed, and comes with everything you can think of. From bandages to ointment to sanitizing hand wipes, it's exactly what you'll want when minor accidents occur. Best Room Divider: Ebern Designs 3-panel Room Divider Wayfair Pros: Lockable wheels Non-seethrough fabric for extra privacy Available in four different styles Cons: Shelves are only on one side of divider In the sad event you hate your roommate, you'll always have this: The Ebern Designs 3-Panel Room Divider is not only posh in its style but a practical solution to create privacy in cramped corners. Its design includes storage shelves and it's movable, with lockable wheels. Best Microwave: Farberware Countertop Microwave Amazon Pros: Doesn't take up much counter space Six one-touch options Multi-cooking stages Cons: Heat level could be stronger, according to some reviewers For late-night ramen in a cup, popcorn and other munchies, you need a microwave. The Faberware Counterop Microwave is a popular pick for college, with its slim design, 700 watts of power, and easy-to-clean surface. Best Water Bottle: Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler Amazon Pros: Rotating cover Narrow base to fit into a cup holder Leak resistant Cons: We've reviewed similar tumblers that don't have the brand recognition but are more durable You probably already have one, but just in case, we must include a Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler on this dorm room essential list. Made of 90% recycled BPA-free stainless steel, it keeps your cold drinks icy cold and your hot drinks piping hot. At this point, it's just as important to your college experience as your grade point average and weekend parties. Amazon Pros: Charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks Lightweight and thin enough to carry in a tote or backpack Waterproof Cons: Only available in three colors This one is for the book lovers who cry over leaving their home library behind. The Kindle Paperwhite will not disappoint. It can store thousands of titles and has a battery life of up to 12 weeks when charged with a USB-C. With a durable screen and waterproof, it's a space-saving solution for book collectors everywhere. Best Dorm Rug: Kelly Clarkson Hector Performance Run Wayfair Pros: Fade and stain-resistant Available in three colors and more than a dozen sizes and multiple shapes More than 6,000 reviews on Wayfair Cons: Doesn't include an anti-slip pad to go beneath the rug The right area rug will automatically turn a meh dorm room into a haven from crowded classes and hallways. We like the Kelly Clarkson Hector Performance Rug from Wayfair not only for its 6,000-plus reviews but its stain-resistant material. Made of durable, stain- and fade-resistant polypropylene, it features a low .3 profile, a vintage-inspired medallion design that brings a grown-up flair to the room. It's also available in lots of different shapes and sizes. Best Dorm Mirror: BeautyPeak Full Length Mirror Amazon Pros: Available in more than four sizes Three frame styles Can be placed on the floor or mounted on the wall Cons: Drill required for wall mounting Please don't get one of those cheap, unflattering dorm mirrors that everyone else gets. The BeautyPeak Full Length Mirror is not only stylish but can also be mounted or securely placed in a corner with its attached bracket. It comes in multiple sizes with different style frames, and the mirror offers HD imaging, perfect for those OOTD selfies. Best Dorm Lamp: Sailstar Desk Lamp Amazon Pros: Built-in wireless charger compatible with iPhones and some Samsungs Three color modes, plus light dimming capabilities Storage in base for pens, scissors, and other work supplies Amazon Choice product Cons: Mixed reviews on sturdiness For long nights studying while you're roommate sleeps, the Sailstar Desk Lamp is a must. It offers three different brightness settings, as well as dimming. Available in six different styles, we love that the base has a compartment for work essentials and that it can also have a charging dock. Best Dorm Mini Fridge: Arctic King 3.2 Cu ft Two Door Mini Fridge with Freezer Walmart Pros: 16,000-plus ratings on Walmart Adjustable interior glass doors and food bins Reversible door Compact Cons: Needs to be stationed close to an outlet Rumor has it that some ya'll are renting your dorm room fridges? Cut that ish out, and grab the Artic King Two Door Mini Fridge instead. It has plenty of room for all your drinks and microwavable dinners, while remaining compact enough not to take up much room. Available in stainless steel and black, the interior shelves can be moved around to fit whatever you're bringing home from the grocery store. This energy-efficient fridge also comes with a freezer and can stay with you the entirety of your academic career, regardless of what dorm room or apartment you find yourself in. Best Dresser for Dorm Room: Prepac Astrid Tall Dresser Amazon Pros: 4.1 star rating on Amazon Made with laminate wood, so it's easy to keep clean Available in three styles Cons: Not scratch-resistant The Prepac Astrid Tall Dresser can be tucked in a corner and offers extra storage for socks, underwear, loungewear and whatever else is making its way with you to school. The six-drawer dresser's simple design may not bring the wow-factor, but its unassuming style will lend itself to a myriad of decor options. The top shelf can be used for picture frames or your shower caddy when not in use, while the top drawer, slightly smaller than the rest, is ideal for storing personal care products or accessories. Available in three different finishes, it can be assembled in 2 hours or less. Best Mattress Pad for Dorm: Easeland Twin Size Mattress Pad Pillow Top Amazon Pros: Available in sizes Twin and Twin XL Comes in multiple color options Rave reviews on Amazon Machine-washable Cons: Some reviewers comment that it's not exceptionally cooling Dorm mattresses are notoriously uncomfortable, so bringing a mattress topper like the Easeland Mattress Pad is smart. Its quilted top is made with 100% cooling cotton, while its fill is 100% polyester for easy care. Thousands of Amazon shoppers recommended it for its cloud-like comfort, and you'll be glad to have it once you discover how soundly you sleep with it on your bed. Best Dorm Decor: Twinkle Star Fairy String Lights Amazon Pros: 200 LED lights 66 feet long Come with a remote control Cons: Some reviewers mention that the remote is prone to malfunctioning It's giving Tumblr, but that's back in, right? Regardless, no dorm room would be complete without these Twinkle Star Fairy String Lights. They're waterproof, have eight different twinkle modes to suit whatever vibe you're trying to create, and they're perfect for pinning photos. Best Towels: Jessy Home Oversized Bath Sheet Towels Walmart Pros: Available in a 2, 4, and 8-piece set Extra large and highly absorbent 700 GSM for high absorption Cons: Some reviewers find these towels to be too long College doesn't provide towels, unfortunately, so don't forget to pack your own. The Jessy Home Oversized Bath Sheet Towels have 700 GSM, so they absorbent as can be, plus their large size is ideal if you find that you've forgotten your robe on the way to the showers. Available in a variety of colors, thousands of folks love them for their softness and durability, wash after wash. Best Dorm Shelves: Command Picture Ledge Amazon Pros: 4.5-star rating on Amazon Holds up to 5 pounds No drilling required Cons: Sold individually, the cost can rack up for those who want multiple shelves To avoid putting a bunch of holes in your dorm room walls, we suggest going with these easy-to-install Command Picture Ledge shelves. They come with 10 adhesive pieces that are simple to apply and firmly keep the shelf in place. Note, they have a five-pound weight capacity, so save the textbooks for your desk or backpack. Best Pillow: Casper Sleep Original Pillow Amazon Pros: 100% cotton cover Removable, machine-washable outer layer Clumping resistant Cons: Prone to flatness Pillows are important (think about it — you use them for half of the day, aka half of your life in the long run). To make your bed area feel a bit more home-y, the Casper Sleep Original Pillow is what we recommend (and, truly a game-changer). With more than 10,000 gleaming reviews from satisfied sleepers — thanks to its innovative microfiber fill — we're all about it. Best Under Bed Storage: NestNeatly SmartCube Under-Bed Storage Bag (3-Pack) Amazon Pros: Stackable Clear windowed top provides easy visibility to container contents Includes adhesive tabs for labeling Cons: Zipper quality could be better Saving you space (and time, thanks to its clear design) are the NestNeatly SmartCube Under-Bed Storage Bags. They were one of the best investments we made for our dorm rooms — storage wise — because they allow you to store seasonal clothes that you may not be using at the moment. Not to mention, when you realize how small dorm room closets actually are, you'll thank us for this mention. Best Dorm Room Essentials for Guys: shevalues Shower Shoes with Drain Holes Amazon Pros: Design includes drain holes Arch support and made with non-slip material Cons: Shower slipper runs small We don't need to give you our 30-second elevator pitch for why you need shower shoes. To help shield you from the plague that we call communal bathrooms, this $16 pair is breathable, comfortable, easy to clean and has drain holes included to allow extra water to seep out. Best Dorm Room Essentials for Girls: Veseacky Women's Bath Wrap Towel & Facial Headband Amazon Pros: Available in more than a dozen colors Anti-slip design Machine-washable Cons: Some may find this robe too short The Veseacky Women's Bath Wrap Towel & Facial Headband is great for walking to and fro in the hallway (trust us, you'll deem this one of your favorite essential). Not only does this two-seat set come in a variety of colors but it's also easy to clean. Best Laundry Bag: MCleanPin Collapsible Laundry Hamper Amazon Pros: Foldable hamper Two laundry bags are included, making it easy to separate clothes by color Cons: Some may find hamper on the smaller side The MCleanPin Collapsible Laundry Hamper with 2 Washable Laundry Bags is the bundle you need, simply because of the freestanding and portable options it provides. Now, it's just $25 and great for your dorm (and for all of your commuting needs, too). Best Dorm Room Essential: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes (3-Pack) Amazon Pros: Removes spills while also destroying bacteria Scented Extra-large containers Cons: Those sensitive to chemicals may find the smell irratating The Clorox Disinfecting Wipes aren't just a college staple — they're a life staple. This value-based three-pack is a No. 1 Amazon best-seller with nearly 90,000 extraordinary reviews, each container stores 75 wipes and they'll help keep your dorm germ-free with its crisp, fresh lemon scent. 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