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The best smart home tech for your dorm

Dorm room appliances in a bedroom.
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Updated less than 3 days ago

Your dorm is the home base for absolutely everything you do in college. It’s probably a bit cramped, however, and you probably don’t have enough space to bring all your gadgets from back home. But with a bit of ingenuity – and the help of smart home devices – it’s possible to piece together a dorm room that’s perfect for studying, relaxing, and hanging out with friends.

From smart speakers and smart light bulbs to power strips and smart plugs, here’s a look at the best smart home tech for your dorm room.

All-New Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) with clock
Amazon Echo Dot with Clock
Set wake-up alarms, stream music, and get homework help
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GE Lighting CYNC Smart LED Light Bulbs, Color Changing, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Enabled, Alexa and Google Assistant Compatible, A19 Light Bulbs (4 Pack)
Cync by GE smart light bulb
Add color, light, and fun
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Amazon Smart Plug
Amazon Smart Plug
Smarter power made easy
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Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector
Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector
Keep your gear charged
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Kensington Ergonomic Vertical Wireless Mouse (K75575WW)
Kensington Ergonomic Vertical Wireless Mouse
Battle carpal tunnel
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JBL Flip 6
JBL Flip 6
Bring music anywhere
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Samsung M8 Smart Monitor
Samsung M8 Smart Monitor
The ultimate two-in-one monitor
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2022 amazon echo dot with clock review 5th gen digitaltrends 2022img 0535
Digital Trends

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock

Pros
  • Compact footprint
  • Vastly improved sound quality
  • Clock shows more useful info
  • New temperature sensor
  • Added Wi-Fi features
Cons
  • Only works as Wi-Fi booster if you're already on Amazon eero network

A digital assistant can help with so many things at college. You can use it to stream music (at reasonable volumes without annoying your neighbors), ask Alexa for help with assignments (Alexa, what is Gross Domestic product?), and use it to control other smart devices you might want to bring along, like smart lighting. Thanks to that built-in LED clock, you don’t have to fish out your phone to check the time, and you have two glorious ways to snooze your alarm: Ask Alexa to snooze or hit that excellent built-in snooze button. 

All-New Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) with clock
Amazon Echo Dot with Clock
Set wake-up alarms, stream music, and get homework help
ge expands cync smart light adds climate control camera game room full color
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Cync by GE smart light bulb

Pros
  • Easy to set up
  • Easy to use
  • App is uncluttered
  • Great variety of lights
  • App control is quick and responsive
  • Works with all digital assistants
Cons
  • Could use a few 'extra' features
  • Motion sensor was glitchy

Adding a smart light bulb or two can be a great way to smarten up a dorm room. Just make sure to choose bulbs that don't require a hub or bridge. A good pick is Cync by GE smart bulbs because you can control them from your phone using the companion app. Add IFTTT and you can get your smart lights to give you a heads-up on the weather by having them turn blue when it snows, for example.

GE Lighting CYNC Smart LED Light Bulbs, Color Changing, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Enabled, Alexa and Google Assistant Compatible, A19 Light Bulbs (4 Pack)
Cync by GE smart light bulb
Add color, light, and fun
Amazon Smart Plug.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Amazon Smart Plug

Pros
  • Small
  • Affordable
  • Easy to set up
Cons
  • Doesn't add extra outlets

Smart plugs are a great way to add remote control over devices that otherwise don’t have smarts. You can use them to bring automation to your dorm room or small apartment. An Amazon Smart Plug is an inexpensive and easy option that adds smarts to an existing plug, so you can program the plug to turn on your desk lamp at a certain time of day. If you’ve got more gadgets, you may want to also consider adding a power option that splits a single outlet into multiple connection points.

Amazon Smart Plug
Amazon Smart Plug
Smarter power made easy
The Belkin power strip on a desk.
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Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector

Pros
  • Fairly compact
  • Long cord
  • Extra room for larger AC adapters
Cons
  • No USB ports

Most graduates will tell you they have lived in a dorm room with just one power outlet. A power bar that also doubles as a surge protector is just the thing for making sure your devices are charged and ready. This splitter has multiple options for connecting all your devices. It also gives you the peace of mind of surge protection so nothing fries your stuff. If you want more ideas, check out our list of the best power bar surge protectors.

Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector
Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector
Keep your gear charged
The Kensington mouse on a white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Kensington Ergonomic Vertical Wireless Mouse

Pros
  • Wireless
  • Battery powered
  • Combats wrist fatigue and carpal tunnel
Cons
  • Learning curve to use it

A wireless mouse is a must-have to keep cable clutter at bay. A Bluetooth mouse alone is such a relief after swiping around on a laptop trackpad all day, and it’s a total game-changer to use a mouse with your iPad. This particular Kensington wireless mouse is also vertically oriented, meaning it helps you stave off carpal tunnel syndrome. Getting used to it takes about a day, but once you've come on board, you'll never go back to a regular wrist-wrenching mouse again.

Another great option in a small space is to move things off the desk surface whenever possible. If you’ve got a ring light, webcam, or microphone you’re using, getting a Kensington Boom Arm is a huge help. The articulating arm can move into a hundred positions and can be pulled into your space or pushed away as needed.

Kensington Ergonomic Vertical Wireless Mouse (K75575WW)
Kensington Ergonomic Vertical Wireless Mouse
Battle carpal tunnel
jbl flip 6 review  trashed radiator
Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends / JBL

JBL Flip 6

Pros
  • Solid build quality
  • Loud and clear sound
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Excellent water and dust protection
  • EQ offers some sound tweaking
  • Works with JBL Portable app and PartyBoost
Cons
  • Can't stereo pair with non-Flip 6 JBL speakers
  • Doesn’t work as a speakerphone
  • Not drastically different from Flip 5

A portable Bluetooth speaker is at the center of any good party, but finding one that can survive a multitude of outings and that’s solidly built and sounds good when turned up can be tricky. (If you want more choices, check out our list of the best Bluetooth speakers.)

The JBL Flip 6 will give you about 12 hours of playtime and offers a more nuanced bass response than the venerable Flip 5. It’s available in a bunch of colors — think about choosing a brightly colored one so it’s easy to find in the grass at the park. Pair two Flip 6’s together using Party Boost and you can really fill the room with sound.

If you like playing music to study or meditate, you’ll be pleased to know that the JBL Flip 6 will also sound good if turned down. This feature is especially nice if you get tired of wearing your headphones all the time.

JBL Flip 6
JBL Flip 6
Bring music anywhere
samsung m8 smart monitor review 12
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

Samsung M8 Smart Monitor

Pros
  • Works as a smart TV or a monitor
  • Supports Samsung Gaming Hub
  • Attractive design
  • 65W USB-C power delivery
  • Good SDR image quality
Cons
  • Limited HDR performance
  • No VESA mount and limited stand adjustment
  • Webcam features aren't available on a PC

Small dorm spaces require you to make the most of what you’ve got, and that’s why gadgets that can do double-duty are key. The Samsung M8 monitor is a 4K display plus a streaming TV all in one 32-inch screen that actually looks good from every angle. Connect your laptop and take on photo- and video-rich assignments with ease. When the school day is over and homework’s complete, you can switch it to TV mode. All the most popular channels are built in, and it comes with a remote control so you can manage it from across the room.

Samsung M8 Smart Monitor
Samsung M8 Smart Monitor
The ultimate two-in-one monitor

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make my dorm room smarter?

First, try relying on a smart assistant. Having Alexa, Google Home, or Siri kicking around is an awesome way to manage your schedule, order supplies, and listen to music. A smart speaker is a great way to introduce a bunch of "smarts" to your dorm without taking up much space.

Can I use Alexa in my dorm room?

Yes, you can use Alexa in your dorm room. In some cases, you may simply be able to connect a smart speaker like Amazon Echo’s digital butler to your floor’s Wi-Fi. In others, you may have access to an in-room Ethernet port where you’ll set up your own Wi-Fi network, and from there, you can connect all the smart devices you like. It probably pays to check with your school to see what kind of Wi-Fi service is available and what officials recommend you bring — and don’t bring — to your home away from home.

Do smart plugs work in dorms?

Yes, you can use a smart plug to turn a fan or heater on or off (since relying on central heat and air is often out of your control) or with a coffee maker (if allowed in your dorm room), lamp, or other small appliances. For the most part, many smart plugs don’t need a hub or bridge and can connect directly to your smartphone or dorm Wi-Fi, so they should work anywhere — even a dorm room.

Erin Lawrence

Erin has over 20 years of experience as a journalist in the media and news industries, with time both on camera and behind the scenes in network TV production, plus years of writing for blogs,websites, magazines and newspapers.

A renowned storyteller (winner of two Edward R Murrow Awards for Journalism) Erin has covered everything from daily news, to technology, food, travel and architecture and loves to share what she's working on through her blog, TechGadgetsCanada.com, YouTube Channel, Erin Lawrence TV and across social media.

Erin has a Master's Degree in Journalism from Western University in London, and has been named to a Top 40 Under 40 by Avenue Magazine. She has minor obsessions with smart lighting, Palm Springs, gemology, and geology.

My Best Buy members save $55 on a Philips Hue A19 Smart Bulb 3-pack
People gather in the living room under lighting by the Philips Hue recessed downlight.

Philips Hue deals are at their best when they kit out many rooms in your home at once. Today at Best Buy, you can buy the Philips Hue A19 Smart LED Bulb 3-Pack for $55 off, provided you’re a My Best Buy member. A My Best Buy Plus membership costs just $50 for the year, so you’d still be saving $5 and a heap more over the coming year if you sign up today. The Philips Hue A19 Smart LED Bulb 3-Pack normally costs $135, but with the membership it’s down to an incredible $80, working out at just over $26 per bulb. Want to learn more? Let’s take a look.

Why you should buy the Philips Hue A19 Smart LED Bulb 3-Pack
Philips Hue bulbs are some of the best smart light bulbs. Much of my house is controlled by Philips Hue light bulbs, and it’s super useful any time you want to adjust how bright the room is, control the lighting via your phone, or set up timers for when you’re away.

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Get some fresh air in your home for the holidays with Blueair
blueair fresh air deals for holidays december 2024 purifier to get the hero

You probably have guests scheduled to visit for the holidays, right? While you're busy tidying up, there's one area of your home you're likely forgetting. The air, or rather the air quality. With pets, kids, and even just people living in the home regularly, all sorts of things happen to create odors and strange smells. You might be used to them but your guests won't be. Beyond that, there are allergens, dust, smoke, pollen, and other contaminants to worry about. So, how do you remove it and get back to clean, fresh air? With one of the best air purifiers like a Blueair system, that's how.

Available in several sizes -- meant to match the room size -- they quickly clean in 30 minutes to an hour depending on square footage. More importantly, they use washable filters with HEPA filtration designed to remove all of those hidden contaminants and nasties. With a 360-degree design, you can place them anywhere, as well. Plus, WiFi and app connectivity means you can remotely access and control them. During the holidays, get up to 50% off select Blueair models, and get fresh air back in your home.
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Why shop for Blueair air purifiers before the holidays?

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Smarten up your holiday scene with the Govee Icicle Lights
The Govee Icicle Lights.

Keen to make your home this holiday season look fantastic? If you’re aiming for a National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation style appearance but want it smarter, you need more than just the Philips Hue deals going on. Right now, you can buy the Govee Icicle Lights set for just $90 at Best Buy so you’re saving $50 off the regular price of $140. They make the outside of your home look gorgeous while being super practical. Here’s all you need to know before you buy.

Why you should buy the Govee Icicle Lights
I love Govee products. Since buying the Govee Lyra Smart Floor Lamp, I’ve been consistently impressed by how well its products work while being very keenly priced. It’s a different kind of technology than the best cheap smart light bulbs but it’s perfect for stringing together some lights around your home or room. The only downside is the company's app isn't as stylish as the Hue one but you get all the same benefits for a much better price.

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