The 7 Best Shower Caddies for College Students, Hands Down

Freshmen, listen up: This caddy is going to be your savior for communal living. First and foremost, it can hold six full-size shampoos and body washes in its 11-inch main compartment, it has two zippered mesh side pockets for your smaller items and a bottom layer (which will stay dry, thanks to its plastic barrier) that can house your clothes and towels. 

Add to that, the fact that it features a hook that attaches to the showerhead—and the entire exterior of the caddy is constructed from ultra-durable, ultra-waterproof Oxford fabric. But of course, the coolest (most Gen Z) feature of this one has to be its waterproof front pocket for your phone; it’s thick enough to prevent water from creeping in, yet thin enough to let you swipe up the home screen, listen to music or answer texts while you lather up.

“OH MY GOD! This has been all that I was looking for,” one reviewer raves. “I wanted a bag that would hold EVERYTHING: Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash, hairbrushes, facial tools, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc. It holds all of that plus more…AND THE BEST PART?! It has a clear storage portion on the bottom. I was able to fit shirts, leggings, socks, underwear and a bra in there! It has a hook on the inside top portion so you can hang it wherever you want, and it comes with a buckle to keep it from sagging when you have it open.”

Fast Facts

• Material: ‎waterproof Oxford cloth
• Size: ‎7" D x 11" W x 14.5" H

Looking for the best bang for your buck? This set of two quick-drying caddies is the answer. It has everything you need, including eight outer compartments, one large center compartment and sturdy reinforced handles that won’t rip or tear. The 9-inch height also ensures that your full-size bottles won’t topple over—and thanks to its machine-washable design, you’ll never have to worry about mold or mildew (just pop one in the wash and use the spare while it’s drying).

“I was easily able to fit my body wash, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, makeup remover toilettes, razor, toothbrush and toothpaste—and a variety of other lotions and potions that are part of my routine. Even with the weight of all these items, the caddy was able to hold it all. The mesh fabric is very quick drying, (which is better) than something that's plastic that can have grooves and holes that hold the water/don't dry. The mesh fabric is also a great weight, and while it feels very sturdy, isn't something that adds a ton of heaviness. It cleans easily, and because it dries quickly, I haven't noticed any issues with mold or mildew,” one reviewer writes. 

Fast Facts

• Material: nylon
• Size: 9.8” H x 8.67” W x  8.67” D

Here, a caddy that this editor’s had in her bathroom for over a year. Let me just start by saying, this thing is great if you have roommates. Not only does it have two spacious shelves that can fit 5+ bottles (on each shelf) at a time, but there are also different heights on the bottom shelf for smaller items, like combs or loofahs. I also love how there are individualized hanging slots at the bottom that allow you to hang multiple razors. 

What’s more, after a year of daily showers, this thing is still 100 percent rust-free. The steel is just as shiny as the day I got it and it’s shown almost zero signs of wear. The cherry on top? The caddy adheres to the top of the showerhead and stays in place—no matter how much weight you put on it. It has a super-tight gripper at the top of the hanger that locks onto the shower head, preventing it from crashing down with a pump of a bottle. And it can hold up to 40 pounds at a time, so each roommate can fill the shelves to the brim with bottles galore.

Fast Facts

• Material: stainless steel
• Size: 4.7" D x 12.6" W x 28.2" H

Made from durable, anti-rust stainless steel—this free-standing shower caddy is begging for a spot in your off-campus apartment. It features a three-tiered corner design with 26 inches of storage height—and the 7½-inch depth makes it great for smaller spaces. The wire shelves are also a draw, where they have a basketweave construction that allows you to hang razors or lay them flat without falling through. The real kicker, however, is the bronze finish that can make your bathroom feel more ~adult~ (without it rusting by the time finals roll around). 

One reviewer writes, “This item is sturdy with plenty of room for everything, even larger bottles of shampoo and conditioner, not to mention my [housemate’s] items. Fits perfectly in the space I have and puts all items easily within my reach. No more bottles taking up space on the shower floor! I love it!” Plus, another person adds: “Caddy is stable and rust-free in my shower. Holds everything I need it to and does not fall over.”

Fast Facts

• Material: stainless steel
• Size: 26'' H X 11.5'' W X 7.5'' D

Speaking of convenient corner caddies; this rust-proof option is another life-saver for crammed bathrooms with multiple roommates. It features four metal tiers, which can each hold up to 62 ounces and adjustable shelves that slide up and down a reinforced steel pole. Plus, each shelf features a safety bar that prevents products from sliding off and the bottom features a towel bar, razor holder and hooks (making a great spot to hang your dry brush and your roommate’s washcloth).

One reviewer says, “The shelves are made of smooth plastic with drain holes; previous models I have owned had ribbed bottoms on the shelf bottoms, and over time they were gross and difficult to clean,” one reviewer shares. “The shelves are HUGE—each can hold three liter-sized shampoo/conditioner bottles, plus a normal-sized (actually even a little wider that normal) bottle. They’re not kidding that these hold a ton of bottles.” 

Another reviewer confirms that this style is well made and sturdy, adding that the “corner shape of the shelves works really well in my small shower and [is] easy to adjust so I can make room for my elbows when I wash my hair.” 

Fast Facts

• Material: stainless steel and powder-coated plastic
• Size: 9.44" D x 12.99" W x 114" H

Sure, this guy is pricey. But when you take a look at its 4.7-star rating with more than 12,000 reviews, you might find that it’s worth the spend. What makes this caddy different is its solid, stainless steel and anodized aluminum construction, which gives it more of a built-in fixture feel (and will definitely fancify your shower). The shelves also slide up, down and sideways to make room for taller bottles and you can easily reposition them with a quick turn of the dial. Plus, it helps keep smaller items from falling over with dividers that keep everything in place—and it even includes storage hooks on the side that can hold razors, loofahs and accessories galore. Oh, and did I mention that it screws around the shower head and suctions to the wall for extra stability?

“I have a small but tall shower, so to have everything hung out of the way is so helpful. It was quick and easy to install, and I love the double stability of both screwing it around the shower head and suctioning it to the wall. The adjustable shelves make it easy to fit everything, and the soap dish and hook for razors/loofahs/shower caps are also helpful,” one person writes. 

Another reviewer also raves: “I have owned and used this shower caddy (granted a slightly older version) for the past 12 years. I haven't had any issues. Haven't needed to replace it. Still works just as well as day one (with zero rusting).”

Fast Facts

• Material: stainless steel and anodized aluminum 
• Size: ‎5.9" D x 14.5" W x 27.6" H

While schlepping to the shower with your shampoo, hair mask, body scrub and skin-care item in tow is a necessary evil, this oversized, super spacious caddy can make the whole process more manageable. It features sturdy handles for easy hanging, one large interior pocket and six exterior pockets for ample storage. The real selling point, however, is that its breathable mesh-designed bottom allows water to drain easily and dry quickly and it’s available in three designs—including quarry, slate grey and charcoal—that you can customize with a name or monogram on the front.  It’s also worth mentioning that the mesh is composed of recycled polyester, crafted from over 14 recycled plastic water bottles, so you can hit the shower in eco-friendly style.

Fast Facts

• Material: 100 percent recycled polyester (RPET)
• Size: 11" W x 5" D x 9" H