9 uni essentials for students, tried and tested
UNIVERSITY students, get set: the new academic year is nearly here.
To help you get organised, I’ve put together a tried and tested roundup of uni essentials for students that’ll make your life loads easier.
Whether you’re starting as a fresher or returning to your respective universities for another term, having a few home comforts goes a long way.
Some cleverly-chosen buys can make all the difference when you’re adapting to a new environment.
From air fryers that’ll save you from a diet of beans on toast, to mattress toppers that’ll make you forget you’re living in student digs, I’ve got you covered with a selection of nine must-have uni essentials.
This pick of items are guaranteed to help you thrive while you study.
And the best part? Every product featured has been personally tried and tested by our writers, so you can trust these are top-notch, reliable choices.
9 university essentials, tried and tested
1. Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper, from £299
The Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper is the perfect upgrade for any student who values their sleep – because let’s face it, between all-nighters, early lectures and long study sessions, quality rest is a must.
Student accommodation mattresses aren’t exactly known for their comfort, but the best mattress toppers will transform even the flattest bed into a cosy haven.
What makes the Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper stand out? It’s all about layers. This topper is a luxurious combination of memory foam and Simba’s innovative Aerocoil springs, offering the perfect balance of softness and support.
It’s also a breeze to set up. Just roll it out, strap it down with the handy corner grips and voila: instant cloud-like comfort.
Plus, it’s hypoallergenic, which means you won’t have to worry about dust mites disturbing your sleep.
If you’re concerned about sweat during those late-night study sessions or the inevitable heating issues in student halls, the Simba topper’s breathable materials will keep you cool all night long.
Our writer, Kieran Ahuja, tested it for his Simba mattress topper review here and wrote: ‘Since I’ve started using it, I sleep for longer, and the quality of my sleep has improved, too: I don’t wake up in the middle of the night roasting hot, which was a fairly frequent occurrence before.
‘Put simply, it’s an absolute game-changer for sleep.’
Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper, from £299
2. Simba Hybrid Pillow, £109
Ok, I know what you’re thinking: over £100 is a lot to splash out on a pillow – and you’re right.
But after a day of lectures and late-night library sessions, having the perfect pillow waiting for you is priceless.
And as our reviewer Sianade Curry put it in her Simba pillow review: ‘After wincing at the price, I decided to give it a go – I plopped the pillow on my bed, had a lie-down and I begrudgingly couldn’t believe the difference. My head had genuinely never known comfort like it.’
Yep, the Simba Hybrid Pillow is the secret weapon every student needs to help combat those all-nighters.
Forget the sad, flat pillows that come with student accommodation – this one will take your sleep game to the next level.
With its adjustable height, you can customize the pillow to your liking.
It’s filled with Simba’s space-inspired technology, Stratos, which helps to regulate temperature – so no more flipping your pillow to the cool side in the middle of the night.
Plus, its hypoallergenic cover means less sneezing and more snoozing –ideal if you have sensitive skin or allergies.
I’d say it’s money well spent if you’re looking to make your uni bed feel a little more like home – but if you’re still undecided, check out our tried and tested selection of the best pillows, including some more budget-friendly picks.
Simba Hybrid Pillow, £109
3. Always Pan, £130
The Always Pan is the ultimate kitchen sidekick every student needs to master the art of cooking… or have on show when the folks visit and you need to convince them you’re not living off Pot Noodles.
Gone are the days of juggling multiple pots and pans for a meal: this all-in-one beauty is here to simplify your life.
You’ll be able to fry, steam, sauté, boil and more – all in a single, sleek pan that makes even the tiniest student kitchen feel like a professional chef’s domain.
What makes it a perfect fit for uni life? First off, it looks good. Its Instagram-worthy design means it’s the kind of cookware you’ll actually want to leave out on display.
Plus, it’s available in a range of fun colours, adding a splash of personality to your kitchen space (or, you know, that one cupboard you share with seven flatmates).
It’s also super-practical. The non-stick surface is a dream for quick meals, whether you’re frying eggs in the morning or whipping up a stir-fry between lectures.
Clean-up is a breeze, too: its non-stick surface means less time scrubbing, which is perfect for when you’ve got deadlines (and Netflix marathons) to get back to.
The built-in steamer basket and nesting spatula save precious drawer space as well – ideal for those tight student living quarters.
Our writer, Clare Mellor, recently tried it for her Our Place Always Pan review here and raved: ‘Overall, I love how versatile the Always Pan is and how good it looks — frankly, I’m obsessed.’
Always Pan, £130
4. Green Tie-Dye Oodie Original, £59 £44
If there’s one garment every student needs, it’s the Oodie.
This now iconic wearable blanket is the perfect cosy companion for those late-night study sessions, movie marathons or simply when you’re avoiding the freezing cold early morning walk to lectures.
Part hoodie and part blanket, it’s basically a warm hug you can wear – making it ideal for lounging around your flatshare or keeping warm in chilly student accommodations, where central heating is more of a rumour than a reality.
Plus, its oversized design means you can comfortably fit in layers of clothes underneath or even a bowl of snacks, in the ultimate display of student slothiness (full respect if you do this).
The Oodie is also available in a bunch of fun designs – from cute animals to quirky prints – so it’s a great way to show off your personality, or even twin with your flatmate.
Our writer, Kieran Ahuja, tried one out for his Oodie review and is now officially an Oodie convert. ‘In my job, I’m lucky enough to review a lot of products, from mattress toppers to moisturisers, and I think the Oodie is my favourite product I’ve ever tested,’ he wrote.
‘Wearing it admittedly takes a bit of self-deprecation, but I was wowed by how warm, cosy and high-quality my Oodie was, and I haven’t once felt cold since I got mine in the winter – putting the heating on hasn’t even crossed my mind.’
Green Tie-Dye Oodie Original, £59 £44
5. Honeywell QuietSet Oscillating Table Fan, £44.99 £22.10
The best home fans are the unsung heroes of every stuffy student bedroom.
Whether you’re cramming for an exam indoors on a balmy day or trying to sleep through a hot night, the Honeywell QuietSet Oscillating Table Fan has your back – and your front, thanks to its wide oscillation.
First off, it’s compact enough to fit on even the most cluttered student desk, making it perfect for tight spaces.
Our writer, Lisa Burn, tried it out and wrote: ‘Space is at a premium for me and although it’s a chunky model, the Honeywell QuietSet Oscillating Table Fan sat unobtrusively on the corner of my desk without being too overwhelming.’
Don’t let its small size fool you, though: this fan packs a punch with five different speed settings, so whether you need a gentle breeze while you’re studying or a full blast to cool you down after a chaotic group project, it has you covered.
Speaking of chaos, the QuietSet lives up to its name. With its ultra-quiet operation, it won’t disturb you or your housemates whether you’re studying, napping or binge-watching a series.
There’s even a special nighttime mode that’s whisper-quiet: perfect for those trying to sleep off an all-nighter.
Honeywell QuietSet Oscillating Table Fan, £44.99 £22.10
6. Beko PowerClean Pro, £429.99 £169.44
Let’s face it: cleaning isn’t the most exciting part of uni life, but when you can get it done quickly and efficiently, it’s much easier to handle.
The Beko PowerClean Pro is one of the best cordless vacuum cleaners for students who want a clean space without breaking a sweat – or the bank, as it’s currently reduced on Amazon.
With 210W suction power, the PowerClean Pro makes light work of crumbs, dirt and that mysterious fluff that somehow appears on carpets and floors.
Plus, its 60-minute run time gives you plenty of time to tackle your cleaning without recharging.
The Beko PowerClean Pro isn’t bulky either. It’s sleek and lightweight, making it easy to store in even the tiniest of cupboards.
The best part? The automatic suction adjustment kicks in when switching between floor types, so there’s no need to fidget with settings. Plus, there’s a turbo mode for those extra dirty areas (we’re looking at you, post-party floors).
Considering the price, our reviewers were super impressed with the Beko PowerClean Pro, writing: ‘In short, if you’re looking for an excellent, well-made vacuum cleaner and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, choose this.’
For students, it’s a no-nonsense vacuum that’s efficient, affordable, and perfect for tackling messy uni life. What more could you want?
Beko PowerClean Pro, £429.99 £169.44
7. Proscenic T21 Smart Air Fryer, £89
The Proscenic T21 smart air fryer is the ultimate sidekick for any student looking to up their kitchen game – without spending all their free time cooking.
Picture this: you’ve got a mountain of coursework, a social life to juggle and your stomach’s growling louder than your exam stress. Enter the Proscenic T21: your new best friend in the kitchen.
With its 5.5-litre capacity, this air fryer can handle a full batch of fries or chicken wings to share with friends, or just enough for a solo snack binge.
It cooks everything until it’s crispy and delicious with minimal oil, so you can enjoy your favourite guilty pleasures without the added calories – perfect for late-night study snacks.
The smart technology is where it really shines. You can control it with your phone through an app or with Alexa – so if you’re knee-deep in notes or TikTok scrolling, just set it and let it do its thing.
It has eight pre-set cooking modes for fries, pizza, chicken and more, making meal prep as easy as tapping a button.
Cleanup is a breeze too, thanks to the non-stick coating. Plus, the timer and keep-warm functions ensure your food is ready when you are, without any extra fuss.
Our writer, Qin Xie, did a full Proscenic T21 smart air fryer review and had only good things to say. ‘I tried a few different recipes on the Proscenic and used it to warm things up, cook from frozen and cook from raw and it produced great results each time.’
However, if you’re still weighing up your options, check out our tried and tested roundup of the best air fryers here.
Proscenic T21 Smart Air Fryer, £89
8. Argos Home 11.5m Heated Electric Indoor Clothes Airer, £55 £49.50
If you’ve never found yourself battling with a mountain of wet clothes and a lack of drying space, then buckle up, because uni life will definitely introduce you to this eternal hassle.
Luckily though, this Argos home clothes airer is about to become your new best friend.
Perfect for those rainy days when your laundry basket is overflowing and your clothes are in desperate need of a warm, cosy place to dry, this nifty contraption is the ultimate drying superhero.
It not only gives you ample space with its 11.5 meters of drying rack, but it also warms up to speed up the drying process. No more waiting days for your clothes to dry, or draping them all over your room like some kind of DIY laundry installation!
Our writer, Veronica Lorraine, tried one for our best heated clothes airers guide and crowned it ‘a really good budget buy’.
It’s perfect for students living in small spaces or shared accommodation, as it folds up neatly when not in use so you won’t have to worry about it cluttering your room.
And with its gentle heat, your clothes dry faster without the risk of shrinking or stiffening, which means your favourite hoodie will stay as comfy as ever.
Best of all, using a heated airer is kinder to your wallet compared with running a tumble dryer, and it helps reduce dampness in your living space.
So you get to save money, avoid the damp drama – and have fresh, dry clothes ready to go for your next lecture or night out. Winner.
Home 11.5m Heated Electric Indoor Clothes Airer £55 £49.50
9. Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler 1.2L, £44.99
Meet the Stanley Quencher tumbler: your new hydration hero for uni life.
If you’re a student who’s constantly on the move – juggling lectures, study sessions and social activities – this cult cup is a must-have to keep on you at all times.
First off, it’s like having a personal hydration assistant. With its whopping 1.2-liter capacity, you’ll barely need to refill it, meaning fewer trips to the water fountain and more time for studying (or napping – I won’t judge).
It’s the perfect size to keep you sipping all day long, helping you stay refreshed and alert through those marathon study sessions and endless lectures.
But let’s talk about features: this tumbler has it all.
The double-wall vacuum insulation keeps your drinks cold for up to 11 hours and hot for nine hours – so whether you’re enjoying iced coffee during your morning lecture or a cozy tea during a late-night study session, it’ll be just right.
Plus, the handle and straw make drinking on-the-go a breeze, whether you’re walking to class or rushing between meetings.
Our writer, Zoe Bennetts, chose the eucalyptus colourway for her Stanley Quencher review and is a firm fan: ‘It’s proven to be perfect for summer, and I’m excited to try it in the winter too; it’s a real gift that keeps on giving!’
In short, this viral TikTok product lives up to the hype and is a must-have for students who want to stay hydrated in style and keep their drinks at the perfect temperature – no more lukewarm coffee or warm water bottles!
Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler 1.2L, £44.99
Head to The Sun’s shopping reviews hub for more tried-and-tested recommendations.