Shopping
The 7 Best Shower Caddies For College
We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.
Showering without hassle in a communal bathroom usually depends on how well you can organize and carry your items. To make things easy, the best shower caddies for college dorms and shared apartments are made with fast-drying mesh or plastic and feature drainage holes that keep water from pooling. They have durable handles and come in tons of color options to keep your caddy distinctive from everyone else in the bathroom.
Shower caddies are commonly made from two types of material: mesh and plastic. Both are durable, handle water well, and dry quickly. Plastic caddies tend to be more rigid, which means they hold their shape better but usually need to be placed on the floor while you shower. On the other hand, mesh caddies are more adaptable and can typically be hung over a hook or showerhead, but they can be a harder to keep clean.
You’ll also want to choose a dorm shower caddy that's designed to be carried with ease while keeping your items in place. Some caddies offer just one large section for storage, while others have many compartments and zippers. While the latter may offer more organization, open-centered caddies make for quick and easy access. Whichever design you choose to go with, you'll definitely want to find a caddy that has a sturdy handle, which all of these picks do.
Finding the best shower caddy should be the least of your worries when you’re getting ready for communal living, which is why I’ve searched through many different shower gadgets on Amazon to help you find the right ones. Read on to find the best shower caddy for your college lifestyle.
1The Highly Rated Mesh Caddy With 9 Pockets
What’s great about it: With over 14,300 reviews on Amazon, this shower caddy is made of strong, durable mesh material that dries quickly. The caddy’s long handles make it easy to carry with you and hang on a hook, but this caddy is so sturdy that you can also set it upright. With eight exterior pockets and one large center section, it has plenty of space to store everything you need including hairbrushes, lotions, toothpaste, and other bathroom accessories that go beyond the shower. Reviewers even note the center is large enough to even store multiple towels. It’s available in tons of different colors and patterns (including some additional colors here), so you can be sure you’ll never get your caddy mixed up with your roommate’s.
According to a reviewer: “I use this product when I have to shower in my dorm and its perfect! It fits everything that I need for my shower, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, and plenty more. I also put my razor in the little pockets as well as my face wash and toothbrush and toothpaste. I use just about every slot and it has never gotten moldy or smelled or anything because the holes air out any water that is left in it.”
2This Plastic Caddy With 5 Compartments
What’s great about it: This upright shower tote is a great option for those who want a caddy with a little more structure. Designed with durable plastic that's made to last, this caddy can be wiped clean, and it has five compartments for organizing your essentials. Its holes allow for effective drainage so you won’t have to worry about waiting too long for it to dry. This rigid caddy may not be the easiest to hook, but you could hang it on a shower knob or stand it up on the floor. It comes in seven colors, from basic black and white to dreamy coral, pink, and more.
According to a reviewer: “Bought this as a shower caddy for college, and it’s exactly what I was looking for! Super cute and sturdy.”
Also available on: Walmart, $16
3This Fast-Drying Bag At A Wallet-Friendly Price
What’s great about it: A highly rated pick that comes at a budget-friendly price, this mesh shower caddy is waterproof, fast-drying, and features handles on each side for easy carrying. Speaking of handles, you can also use them to hang the bag on a shower faucet handle (as long as you don’t have a tall shampoo bottle in the way). It’s surprisingly roomy, and the zipper on top keeps the contents securely inside when you’re not using it. The only drawback — you won’t be able to set this one upright on the shower floor. Choose from either a black or pink hue.
According to a reviewer: “I LOVE this thing, originally bought it to keep all my toiletries and swim gear as I like to swim laps. Although with covid closing pools I still use this at home every time I shower because I share a bathroom with a few people and having everything in one place I can access at all times is very convenient, great bag!”
4A Simple Basket Without Compartments
What’s great about it: If you don’t want to be limited by compartments (hey — maybe you use economy-sized shampoo), this simple shower basket is a great pick that’s earned an impressive 4.7-star overall rating on Amazon. Made from easy-to-wipe-clean plastic, the bathroom shower caddy is perforated throughout to promote drainage and features two handles that flip up for carrying. The bulkier design might make this pick harder to hang from anything, but it’s easy to set upright on the floor. Choose from a single caddy or go with a set that comes in packs of two or three. There are also six different colors to pick from, along with an oval style that’s just as cute.
According to a reviewer: “I got this as a shower caddy for college in the fall and it’s perfect! super cute and has holes in the bottom so it’s easy to clean. it’s bigger than i thought but not too big, i’m in love!”
5This Caddy With A Smooth & Durable Handle
What’s great about it: The handle of this standing shower caddy is smooth and durable, so it’s comfortable to carry heavy loads (even if the bathroom is at the other end of the hallway). The handle has a rust-resistant finish for long-lasting use, and the drainage holes in the bottom of the two-compartment caddy ensure water won’t pool inside. Easy to wipe clean, it’s available in a range of color combinations, like light pink and rose gold, white and chrome, and clear and black.
According to a reviewer: “Has the cutest and sleekest design, bought for my college dorm room. I love it!”
Also available on: mDesign, $18
6A Caddy With A Built-In Hook For Hanging
What’s great about it: With its zip-around pockets, this portable shower caddy can keep your essentials neat and organized when carrying them around. Easy to move and handle, it’s super sturdy, with many different compartments. Its zippers are high-quality and dependable, while its material is mildew-resistant and fast-drying. You won’t have to worry about shampoos and body washes leaking or spilling since the design keeps products securely in place. Available in five colors, this caddy can sit upright on a flat surface or be zipped open and hung on a hook.
According to a reviewer: “I bought this for college because I don’t have a sink in my dorm room. I absolutely love this! It easily fits all of my toiletries. There is no mesh bottom, so I have to dry my bottles before putting it in this shower caddy but that isn’t a big deal to me.”
7The Tote With A Suction Cup That Attaches To The Wall
What’s great about it: For those who are more comfortable with a suction cup caddy, this shower bag tote is a great option. With a 4.6-star overall rating, this is ideal for students who don’t want to worry about the hook in their bathroom (or the lack thereof). It’s lightweight, compact, and made with sturdy zippers. While this caddy is not fully waterproof, it is water-resistant, dries fast, and drains easily. It’s important to note that the suction cup only works on smooth, non-porous surfaces. However, you can also hang it using the attached drawstring or clip.
According to a reviewer: “This shower bag far exceeded my expectations. It has a good quality zipper and strong suction cup. The mesh is thick and seems durable. The dry bag is awesome!”
This article was originally published on
