Tried & Tested
20 of the best things our reviewers tried this year – which we think you should take to uni
From the best towels to a coffee machine you won’t be able to live without, here are 25 things you’ll want to take to uni
Whether you’re going away for the first time this year or are heading back for a new term and want to refresh your stock, there’s something on this list for everyone. And we’ve done the hard work for you, testing every single one of these 25 items to make sure you’re only buying the very best of the best.
Best bedroom accessories | Bathroom must-haves | Best study buddies | All things kitchen | Best in tech
For your room
While we’re not suggesting that you need to buy everything on this list, there’s definitely something to be said for taking home comforts to uni – especially if you’re in halls or moving into a flatshare for the first time. While some things may not be applicable right now (here’s looking at you, heated blanket and mini heater), you’ll be thankful for them in a few months’ time. We’ve already written an article to give you a basic rundown of what you might need (a desk, a lamp, some mugs), so this one is more about finding those essentials that you might not know you needed but that you’ll undoubtedly be thankful for – including our much-loved therapy lamp by Lumie, the one-and-done duvet that you’ll love in all seasons and the smart bulb that will make your life a lot easier.
Heated blanket review | Lumie therapy lamp review | Smart bulb review | Mini heater review | 3-in-1 duvet review
For your bathroom
Again, some of these are luxuries – we’re aware that not everyone on a student budget will be able to afford high-end straighteners. However, that’s what wish lists are for, and with Christmas not a million miles away, now’s the time to start asking. Your university bathroom needs a mix of practical and luxury items: a 2-in-1 shelf mixed in with a state-of-the-art toothbrush; a towel that no-one can confuse with their own, and a pedestal mirror that sits pretty on any surface. Whether you’re a 20-step skincare routine kind of person or someone who spends two minutes brushing your pegs before calling it a night, these all have your name on them.
GHD straightener review | Toothbrush review | 2-in-1 bathroom shelf | ANYDAY towel | Must-have mirror
For your lectures
Arguably, this is the most important part of the article: everything you’ll need for your lectures, the library and your study group. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of brand-new stationery for the year ahead, so even if you’re just getting yourself a new notebook or a load of pens, you can revel in that feeling too. Headphones are an absolute must – especially noise-cancelling ones if you’re in halls or in third year and need to get your head down. The rest is up to you, but we’ve picked the best of the best to support your studies (even if you don’t do much of that this year), including the 12-inch iPad Pro which, if used with Apple’s Magic Keyboard, is a 2-in-1 tablet that I personally can’t live without.
Noise-cancelling headphones | The best backpack | Everyday notebook | Must-have pens | iPad Pro
For your flat
If you’re moving into a new place this year, now’s the time to stock up on the latest and greatest. From air fryers to air dryers (they’re different things with different purposes, believe it or not), we’ve sorted the wheat from the chaff to make sure your university flat runs smoothly, looks good and actually has things in it that work. We like to think of this next micro list as investment pieces: you’re buying these things now, but the likelihood is that if you look after them, they’ll last you a long time – well beyond your uni days. And yes, it is legitimate to tell that one flatmate who has a penchant for breaking things that they can’t go near your shiny new coffee machine. The Nescafé is in the cupboard…
Heated air dryer | Nespresso Sage Coffee Machine review | Tefal air fryer review | Mini KitchenAid review | Clothes steamer review
The best of the rest
The final pieces of the puzzle probably come into the category of ‘small luxuries that you can probably live without but shouldn’t have to’. A Kindle? I think it’s essential but appreciate that some people prefer an actual book. A photo printer? A lovely nice-to-have and a quick way to add some character to your room. A speaker that you can command? Yes, please. A radio that also doubles up as a bluetooth speaker? Yup. And a spot cleaner? Where have you been all my life? Red wine and coffee stains, be gone.
Photo printer review | Kindle Paperwhite review | Amazon Echo Dot review | John Lewis DAB radio review | Bissell spot cleaner review
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