Gone are the days when all a college student needed to move into the dorms was a few notebooks, a hacky sack and some good shower slippers.
In the digital age, they want more. Keep your kid on the cutting edge with these seven smart gadgets.
Chromecast — College students don't watch cable anymore. Instead, they can plug this little gadget from Google into their TV and stream YouTube videos, Netflix movies and HBO shows from their tablet or smartphone. ($35)
AmazonBasics Portable Bluetooth Speaker —Whatever music college students are listening to these days, chances are they will want to turn it up loud. This wireless speaker packs quite a punch, especially for a gadget that costs way less than rival devices from Logitech and Bose. ($50)
Lumen LED Smart Bulb — Dorm rooms are home to everything from raging parties and "Game of Thrones" binge-a-thons to intense study sessions. This smart bulb is versatile enough to handle all of those situations. It has the ability to change colors to the beat of pounding music, dim into "romance" mode and even alert someone when their phone rings. ($60)
Jabra MOVE Headphones — Drowning out roommates is easier with a pair of good headphones. This wireless headset connects to smartphones, tablets and computers via Bluetooth, and is perfectly capable of taking calls from mom. ($69)
Brother HL-L2340DW Compact Laser Printer — It's small, it connects to computers through Wi-Fi, and it's relatively cheap. Sadly, while it can print term papers, it can't write them. ($90)
Mr. Coffee Smart Coffee Maker — Pulling an all-nighter in the library? Start a pot of coffee with your smartphone, run home for an energy boost, and then get ready to ace (or miserably fail) your test. ($150)
Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover — Dorms rooms are basically like petri dishes with Bob Marley posters in them. Remove the dust and foul odors with this smart air purifier, which can be controlled via Bluetooth and programmed for regular cleanings. ($210)
