The class of 2017 will arrive on campus this fall equipped with the basics for dormitory life: shower caddy, laundry bag, crisp twin XL sheets. But to make living in a cramped, shared space more fun, a few gadgets can help.

Tech accessories aimed at the college set are usually a garish lot (think: polka-dot laptop cushions and color-changing iPod speaker docks). They also tend to be cheaply made, almost disposable, as if their manufacturers are resigned to the fact that these products will likely be bathed in Red Bull before winter break. But there are alternatives.

If you're looking for a gift for an undergrad, here are seven investment-worthy options to consider. Their total cost comes to $1,054. Although that's roughly the amount the University of Michigan recommends undergrads budget for books and supplies for a school year, amortize it over four years and the outlay is relatively modest. These devices should serve well past graduation, as well. That espresso machine will come in handy in a starter apartment. Those tablet accessories will be compatible with future generations of devices. And the earbuds are ideal for working in a library or in an office. Besides, it's never too early to instill an appreciation for gear that's functional, a pleasure to use and built to last.

A dorm room is a place for both working and decompressing. The Satechi Smart LED Desk Lamp adapts to both scenarios. It casts three different types of white light: an invigorating, daylight-like beam for pulling all-nighters; a cool white for reading; and a warm glow, similar to an incandescent bulb, for relaxing. Unlike lesser LED lamps, whose light can make the illustrations in an art history textbook look sickly, with this model, colors pop. Extra credit: The base has a USB charging port in the back for powering up a smartphone. $100, satechi.net

Tablets are wonderfully versatile, but for academic use, you'll want an external keyboard. Avoid models that are form-fitted to a specific tablet; their cramped dimensions make them harder to type on. The full-size Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K760 ($80, logitech.com) is a better option. This 17.6-ounce, Apple-friendly, Bluetooth model is solar powered, so you don't have to worry about recharging, and it switches easily among up to three devices, such as an iPad, a smartphone and a laptop. (If you're using Android, go with the Logitech K810.) For more comfortable viewing, couple it with the Bluelounge Nest ($15, bluelounge.com), a stand that works with any size tablet and is light enough to toss in a bag. You can lay a device on the Nest's slightly slanted top, or use the slide-out tray to prop up a screen in a more upright position.

Spending this much money on a pair of headphones for a young adult may seem ludicrous, but compared with stock earbuds, the Klipsch X4i are a huge step up in sonics and build quality (the enclosures are a durable die-cast zinc). This model's bass might not be as thumpy as others', but as exams approach and listening sessions stretch well past the two-hour mark, the studious will appreciate a more balanced frequency response. The X4i's silicone ear tips (four sizes are included) deliver an impressive 26 dB of noise isolation -- almost on par with foam earplugs. Their oval shape makes it easier to get a snug fit, which is essential for blocking sound in a busy coffee shop and keeping your own strains of Superchunk from disturbing others in the library. $149, klipsch.com

Don't underestimate the havoc a college lifestyle can wreak on a portable speaker. The UE BOOM is one of the best armored. This great-sounding speaker, about the size of a water bottle, can withstand drops from over 5 feet and is treated with a plasma coating that makes it stain- and water-resistant and therefore most likely to survive a four-year tour of duty. Roommate decides to fiddle with the controls right after diving into a bucket of Buffalo wings? No problem. The speaker can be rinsed under a faucet (or toted along to the shower). And since the BOOM disperses sound in a full circle, it can fill even the largest dorm room while perched pretty much anywhere. Best of all, an Android or iOS device can pair with two BOOMs at once -- for those rare occasions when the party soundtrack requires twice the volume. $200, ultimateears.com

Will typical college students actually ever use a battery-powered hybrid vacuum-mop to clean their dorm-room floors? Well, the Dyson Hard at least gives you hope. Kids will snicker at its name, but there's no denying that wielding a tool with this much raw power is a lot of fun. The Dyson Hard's killer feature: It vacuums and mops in a single pass, using a disposable wet cloth to scrub away grime while a 104,000-rpm digital motor sucks up debris at the front and rear of its cleaning head. Fully charged, the machine delivers 15 minutes of cleaning time -- which, given most college students' cleaning habits, would be a best-case scenario. $330, dyson.com