Is UniKitOut Worth It? A 2025 Cost Comparison Against the High Street

One thing is for sure, student life is full to the brim with an overwhelming amount of decisions, meaning that the run-up to uni can be a little bit of a blur (to say the least!). These factors are the exact reason we started UniKitOut, and we're so proud to offer kits that are not just convenient – but great value. Interestingly, when BBC' ONEs Shop Well for Less carried out a completely non-biased direct comparison against the costs of buying student essentials from UniKitOut against buying from the High Street, they looked closely at the numbers and found out that UniKitOut saved their students (and parents) some serious money.

What is UniKitOut?

UniKitOut was founded to take a huge chunk of the stress away from students moving to University by offering 'one-click' curated student essential starter kits, and delivering them either straight to your uni room or your student accommodation block before you arrive at Uni. We offer all of the uni checklist essential items from bedding, towels and cleaning products to kitchenware, blankets and uni room decor. We’ve literally thought of  absolutely everything students may need, so you don’t have to. That means that when you arrive there's no rushing to the shops and fighting over the last stock, there's no last-minute arguments over "who forgot to pack a towel?" - all you have to do is just open the door and settle in.

As Seen on BBC One's Shop Well for Less

Now, this is a bit of a pinch me moment, but when BBC One contacted us and wanted to feature us on Shop Well for Less - we couldn't quite believe it. What we loved about the episode, is it was a completely non-biased comparison where the Barnett family directly compared the costs of UniKitOut against the costs incurred when shopping on the high street. The verdict may surprise you, as the family made a total saving of £186 with UniKitOut without cutting corners on quality or choice. It's easy to look at a Kit and think that £150+ is a lot to spend on uni essentials, however once you've factored in all the items you need, you can see exactly where the savings stack up and we've laid it out in black and white below.

UniKitOut vs High Street: Price Breakdown

Naturally, we obviously had to crunch the numbers – and yes, we did the maths (pats myself on back).

And if you're after the full works:

These figures are based on like-for-like quality items from the leading UK retailers including IKEA, Wilko, Tesco and Argos (Analysis dated Spring 2025).

Why It Matters

Between all the packing, paperwork-filling and goodbyes, it can often feel like there's an everlasting list of things to think about before moving to uni. And here’s the really important part: Most Universities won’t accept parcels for students before they’ve checked in – but we’re the exception. Because we work directly with the majority of UK Universities to plan their logistics, we’re able to schedule pre-arrival deliveries, directly with your University. That means your UniKitOut box will be waiting in your room (or hall) before you even get there – unlike other parcels that could be turned away or delayed... meaning there's one less thing to worry about on move-in day. Ultimately, it's not just about making savings, it’s about smart choices and less stress.

The Verdict?

We may be biased in saying UniKitOut is a smart choice – but as a family business, it’s personal. Every kit is packed with genuine care, and we pride ourselves on delivering customer service that really does go the extra mile for our customers. There's no faff, no fuss, and real value for money. Whether you're after the basics or going all-in, we’re here to make your move smoother (and more affordable!)

Watch it back: UniKitOut on BBC Shop Well for Less →

Check the data: UniKitOut Cost Comparison Spring 2025