The moving-in maths · August 2026

How much does it actually cost to buy university essentials on the High Street?

We compared the closest complete student essentials baskets from Amazon, IKEA, Dunelm and John Lewis using comparable specifications, standard online prices and products suitable for university accommodation.

Fair comparison data shared                          Comparable quality and spec                           Money Back Guarantee
Kit UniKitOutwith 10% UNITE10  discount CODE Amazon IKEA Dunelm John Lewis
Essential Student Bedding Kit Double 10.5 tog duvet, 2 hollowfibre pillows, double 144TC polycotton duvet cover set, double fitted sheet, double quilted mattress protector and 10 clothes hangers £57.60Complete bundle £58–£62 £55–£60 £58–£63 £72–£80
Essential Student Kitchen Kit (Induction Pans) Induction cookware, plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, cutlery, utensils, chopping board, baking tray, tea towels, oven glove and lunchboxes £89.10One complete kit £125.94 £88.25 £105.05 £167.00
Essential Student Bathroom Kit Hair and body wash kit, suction hook, bath robe, face cloth, hand towel and bath towel £28.80Lowest complete basket shown £47.96 £32.00 £43.20 £69.00

How the comparison was built: each total uses the closest complete basket available from that retailer. Products were selected according to material, specification, intended use and suitability for student accommodation. Temporary promotions, clearance prices and loyalty-only offers were excluded. Bedding competitor totals are shown as ranges because equivalent double sizes and pack configurations vary by retailer. Prices were checked in August 2026. Delivery is not included in the basket totals.

What is included in the double bedding comparison?

Every retailer was priced against the same basket specification & quality.

1 x Double 10.5 tog duvet
2 x Hollowfibre pillows
1 x Double polycotton duvet cover & pillowcases
1 x Double fitted sheet
1 x Double quilted fitted mattress protector
10 x Clothes hangers

Transparency audit of representative products

Representative products used to establish the closest like-for-like baskets.

Retailer Representative products included in the benchmark Checked
Amazon Good Nite duvet, Linens Limited pillows, GC Gaveno polycotton bedding, Gallant quilted mattress protector, DrySmart hangers, Swan Townhouse and Judge cookware, Voxyre 500gsm towels August 2026
IKEA SMÅSPORRE bedding, DVALA linen, GRUSNARV mattress protector, BAGIS hangers, IKEA 365+ cookware and BROKGLIM towels August 2026
Dunelm Fogarty duvet and pillows, Easy Care bedding, quilted mattress protector, pack of 10 hangers, Swan Townhouse cookware and Egyptian Cotton towels August 2026
John Lewis ANYDAY bedding and mattress protection, comparable hangers, ANYDAY kitchenware and Quick Dry towels August 2026
350+
One box beats a trolley full of tabs.

UniKitOut works with more than 350 universities and private accommodation providers across the UK and Ireland and can arrange delivery before students arrive.

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Disclaimer: Prices and product details were manually researched by UniKitOut and may change. While we've aimed for fairness, this comparison was created by us. We've shared the data so you can check our comparisons, along with retailers directly for the latest info.