All 5 recommendations
Est. prices as of 20 Feb 2026
#1 · Instant Pot · Best Value
Instant Pot Duo
$59.95
Learn to cook real food in a new city without leaving your apartment
- âś“ Makes meal prep foolproof for solo living
- âś“ Takes up minimal counter space
- âś“ Saves money on takeout (which you'll initially rely on)
- âś— Steep learning curve if you've never pressure cooked before
#2 · Amazon Basics · Hidden Gem
AmazonBasics 2-in-1 Sofa Bed
$199.99
Guest bed AND your couch—solves the 'my parents are visiting' problem
- âś“ Doubles as both furniture and guest sleeping solution
- âś“ Ships fast and fits in most apartments
- âś“ Actually comfortable for lounging, not terrible for sleeping
- âś— Assembly takes 90 minutes and you'll question every choice
- âś— Fabric shows dust and crumbs immediately
#3 · Philips · Crowd Favorite
Philips Hue Smart Light Starter Kit
$79.99
Makes any bland apartment feel like home in 10 minutes
- âś“ Mood lighting actually impacts how happy you feel in your space
- ✓ No installation required—just screw in bulbs
- âś“ App control means you're not fumbling for switches at night
- âś— Initial setup requires WiFi troubleshooting
- âś— Requires a hub purchase after the starter kit
#4 · IKEA
IKEA KALLAX Shelving Unit
$34.99
The adult version of a milk crate—makes your space look intentional
- âś“ Cheap enough to buy multiples and create a gallery wall effect
- âś“ Works as storage, display, and room divider
- âś“ Looks better than cardboard boxes
- âś— Requires wall anchors or it tips over if you sneeze near it
- âś— Flat-pack assembly is mind-numbing for 4 units
#5 · Google · Premium Pick
Google Nest Audio
$49.99
Your new best friend when you're alone in a strange apartment
- âś“ Plays music, controls smart home, answers questions when you're lonely
- âś“ Answers is small and doesn't take up space
- âś“ Creates ambient sound when apartment silence feels suffocating
- âś— Privacy concerns if you care about data collection
- âś— Sound quality is decent but not impressive for the price