If there is one thing I learned about sending kids off to college, it’s that the little things can become surprisingly big problems. A missing charging cable, a phone that falls between the bed and the wall or trying to carry a phone while juggling a backpack, coffee, keys, and everything else can quickly become frustrating.
That’s why I like finding products that solve an actual problem rather than simply adding another gadget to a college student’s already-overstuffed dorm room.
Smartish is one of those brands. Their products are designed around everyday annoyances, and three that caught my attention are the Cable Wrangler, Crown Joule, and the Case Slinger Crossbody Sling. These are exactly the kinds of inexpensive accessories I would consider adding to a college packing list.
Cable Wrangler: Because College Students Have Enough Cable Chaos
If you have ever looked behind a nightstand and found a tangled mess of charging cords, you already understand the appeal of the Cable Wrangler.
Smartish designed it to keep charging cables from sliding behind your desk or nightstand and disappearing into the abyss. It has a magnetic top that holds cables in place and a grippy bottom that keeps the organizer from sliding around. It doesn’t require adhesive, so it can be moved when you rearrange a desk or dorm room.
And here’s the feature I particularly like: it works with magnetic and non-magnetic charging cables. Smartish includes magnetic collars that can be attached to cables that don’t already have a magnetic connection.
For a college student, that means the charging cable stays where it is supposed to be instead of ending up underneath the bed.
There is also a Bigger Cable Wrangler for students who have multiple cables competing for space.
Parent verdict: This is one of those products that doesn’t seem essential until you have used it. Then you wonder why you didn’t have one sooner.
Crown Joule: One Less Charging-Cable Headache
College students carry a lot of technology. Phone. Laptop. Tablet. Earbuds. Gaming devices. Portable batteries. And unfortunately, that can mean a collection of different charging cables.
The Crown Joule is designed to simplify some of that mess.
Smartish currently offers several versions, including USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to Lightning, USB-A to Lightning, and USB-C to USB-C and Lightning options. Many are six feet long, which is particularly useful when the nearest outlet isn’t conveniently located next to the bed or desk.
The USB-C to USB-C and Lightning version is especially interesting for families whose devices haven’t all made the transition to the same connector. One cable can accommodate USB-C and Lightning devices, depending on what you’re charging.
The cables are also fabric-wrapped and designed for everyday use, making them a practical choice for throwing into a backpack and taking from the dorm to class, the library, or home for the weekend.
Parent verdict: A good charging cable is one of those boring college essentials your student will probably appreciate much more than another decorative dorm accessory.
Case Clinger: A Simple Way to Go Hands-Free
This may be my favorite of the three for college students.
The Case Clinger turns a phone case into a hands-free phone carrier. Smartish offers several versions, including a wrist strap, crossbody sling, rope strap, buckle strap, wristlet, and chains.
The concept is simple: an insert slides inside a full-frame phone case, allowing you to attach a strap without blocking the charging port.
Think about how often a college student is carrying something in both hands.
Walking across campus with a coffee and backpack?
Going to a football game?
Traveling?
Moving through an airport?
Heading to a concert or campus event?
Having the phone secured to your wrist or worn crossbody means they don’t have to constantly dig through a backpack or worry about where they put their phone.
The wrist strap has an adjustable slider and a rotating carabiner designed to reduce twisting, while the crossbody version uses a magnetic-release buckle and rotating carabiner.
And because the basic insert works with a full-framed phone case, you don’t necessarily have to replace the case your student already loves.
Parent verdict: Anything that helps a college student keep track of an expensive phone while keeping both hands free gets my attention.
Why I Like These for College Students
What I like about these Smartish products is that they aren’t trying to solve imaginary problems.
They’re addressing three very real college-life annoyances:
Cable Wrangler: Where did my charging cable go?
Crown Joule: Why do I need five different cables?
Case Clinger: How am I supposed to carry my phone when my hands are full?
And that’s exactly what I look for when I’m recommending products to college families. Students don’t need to take every gadget they see on TikTok to college. They need products that make their everyday lives a little easier.
These three are small, practical, and easy to tuck into a college student’s tech bag.
And sometimes the best college purchases are the ones that make you say, “I didn’t know I needed that until I had it.”
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