Top Pick ✓ 5 cu ft or less
Upstreman 3.2 cu ft Mini Fridge with Freezer (BR321)
Best for: Most students who want a freezer
Capacity3.2 cu ft
Freezer0.3 cu ft
Size33.1" tall
ATU Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits ATU's housing appliance limits.
ATU dorm appliance rules
Arkansas Tech University residence halls and University Commons apartments (Russellville). Air fryers and Instant Pots are allowed only in University Commons.
- Mini fridge Limits
- 5 cu ft or less in individual hall rooms; rentals available.
- Microwave Limits
- 700 W or less, in every housing facility.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- UL approved with an on/off switch.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Limits
- 5 cu ft or less in individual hall rooms; rentals available.
Refrigerators, 5 cubic feet or less, are allowed in the individual rooms of the residence halls.
- Microwave Limits
- 700 W or less, in every housing facility.
Small microwaves (700 watt or less) are allowed in every housing facility.
- Coffee maker Limits
- On the packing list; UL appliances with fully enclosed heating elements only.
- Keurig / single-serve Not published
- Not published.
- Electric kettle Not published
- Not published.
- Air fryer Not allowed
- University Commons Apartments only.
Air fryers, Insta Pots, and Ninja cookers are only allowed in the University Commons Apartments.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Open-coil appliances such as toasters and toaster ovens.
- Rice cooker Not published
- Not published.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not allowed
- Instant Pots and Ninja cookers: University Commons Apartments only.
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Blender Not published
- Not published.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- Barbecue grills of any kind in rooms, apartments, balconies or entryways.
Personal care
- Hair dryer Allowed
- On the packing list.
- Straightener / curling iron Not published
- Not published.
- Clothes iron Not published
- Not published.
- Clothes steamer Not published
- Not published.
Climate
- Space heater Not allowed
- Electrical space heaters.
- Fan Allowed
- On the packing list.
- Air purifier Not published
- Not published.
- Humidifier Not published
- Not published.
- Window / portable AC Not allowed
- Window units.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Limits
- UL approved; one per outlet, not under carpet; no multiple socket plugs or outlet extenders.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- UL approved with an on/off switch.
it is required to be UL approved and have an on/off switch.
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Also lava, sun and other heat-dependent lamps.
- Desk lamp Allowed
- On the packing list.
- String / LED lights Not published
- Not published.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Lit or unlit; also incense.
- Wax warmers Limits
- Light-bulb wax warmers (such as Scentsy) only; candle warmers are prohibited.
scented wax warmers using a low-wattage light bulb (such as “Scentsy” warmers) are permitted.
Room
- Lofts Not allowed
- Homemade lofts; optional rental lofts through the university partner.
- Bed risers Not published
- Not published.
- Adhesive hooks / strips Limits
- Blue tape advised; residents pay for damage from Command strips or sticky tack. No nails, hooks or screws.
- Over-the-door hooks Not published
- Not published.
- Scooter storage Not allowed
- Scooters and hoverboards are on the Not to Bring list; self-balancing scooters are prohibited inside all ATU buildings.
Official sources (4)
Policies change. Always confirm current rules with ATU Residence Life. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Mini fridges
ATU allows fridges up to 5 cu ft in hall rooms.
Best Value ✓ 5 cu ft or less
Upstreman 1.7 cu ft Mini Fridge with Freezer (FR17)
Best for: Tight budgets and small rooms
Capacity1.7 cu ft
FreezerBuilt-in
Size19.3" tall
✓ 5 cu ft or less
Midea 1.6 cu ft Compact Refrigerator (WHS-65LB1)
Best for: Fitting under a lofted bed or desk
Capacity1.6 cu ft
NoiseUnder 42 dB
Size19.4" tall
✓ 5 cu ft or less
Igloo 3.2 cu ft Mini Fridge with Freezer
Best for: Sharing with a roommate
Capacity3.2 cu ft
Freezer0.2 cu ft
Size32.5" tall
✓ 5 cu ft or less
BLACK+DECKER 3.2 cu ft Compact Refrigerator (BCRK32B)
Best for: A bigger freezer section
Capacity3.2 cu ft
Freezer0.9 cu ft
Size32.7" tall
✓ 5 cu ft or less
EUHOMY 3.2 cu ft Mini Fridge with Freezer
Best for: Light sleepers
Capacity3.2 cu ft
Noise38 dB
Size31.1" tall
Microwaves
ATU allows microwaves of 700 W or less in every housing facility.
Top Pick ✓ 700 W or less
COMFEE' 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (EM720CPL-PMB)
Best for: Everyday reheating
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
Best Value ✓ 700 W or less
Chefman 0.7 cu ft Compact Microwave
Best for: Tight budgets
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.5"
✓ 700 W or less
Commercial Chef 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM770B)
Best for: Simple one-touch controls
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.6"
✓ 700 W or less
Farberware 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave
Best for: Multi-stage cooking
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
✓ 700 W or less
Toshiba 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (MM-EM07PA)
Best for: A trusted brand name
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.1"
✓ 700 W or less
Commercial Chef 0.6 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM660B)
Best for: The smallest footprint
Power700 W
Capacity0.6 cu ft
Width17.8"
Coffee makers
A coffee maker is on ATU’s packing list.
Top Pick ✓ Fits the limits
Farberware 4-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator
Best for: Hot coffee that stays warm
Capacity4 cups
Power1000 W
TypePercolator
Best Value ✓ Fits the limits
Elite Gourmet 4-Cup Drip Coffee Maker (EHC4128)
Best for: Tight budgets
Capacity4 cups
Power650 W
TypeDrip
✓ Fits the limits
Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Switch Coffee Maker
Best for: A classic small drip brewer
Capacity4 cups
Power1200 W
TypeDrip
✓ Fits the limits
Brentwood 4-Cup Coffee Maker (TS-213)
Best for: A simple one-switch drip brewer
Capacity4 cups
TypeDrip
Size10.5" tall
✓ Fits the limits
Keurig K-Express Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Fast pod coffee
Brews8–12 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
✓ Fits the limits
Keurig K-Compact Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Slim pod brewer for small desks
Brews6–10 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
Fans
On the packing list.
Top Pick ✓ Portable fan
Honeywell TurboForce Air Circulator (HT-900)
Best for: Moving air across a whole dorm room
TypeDesk
Power35 W
Speeds3
Best Value ✓ Portable fan
Amazon Basics Air Circulator Desk Fan
Best for: Tight budgets
TypeDesk
Power35 W
Speeds3
✓ Portable fan
Hurricane Classic 6 in. Clip Fan
Best for: Clipping to a bed frame or desk shelf
TypeClip-on
Power14 W
Speeds2
✓ Portable fan
Vornado 133 Personal Air Circulator
Best for: Strong airflow from a small fan
TypeDesk
Power25 W
Speeds2
✓ Portable fan
Honeywell QuietSet Personal Table Fan (HTF210B)
Best for: Light sleepers
TypeOscillating desk
Power5 W
Size13" tall
✓ Portable fan
DREO Oscillating Tower Fan
Best for: Cooling the whole room from the floor
TypeTower
Power65 W
Size36" tall
Power strips
ATU requires UL strips with an on/off switch.
Top Pick ✓ Fits the limits
Tripp Lite Protect It! 6-Outlet Surge Protector (TLP606B)
Best for: Desk setups and chargers
Outlets6
Breaker15 A
Cord6 ft
Best Value ✓ Fits the limits
GE 6-Outlet Surge Protector, 2 ft cord
Best for: Tight budgets and short reaches
Outlets6
BreakerBuilt-in
Cord2 ft
✓ Fits the limits
Tripp Lite Protect It! 8-Outlet Flat-Plug Surge Protector (TLP808B)
Best for: Outlets behind beds and dressers
Outlets8
Breaker15 A
PlugFlat
✓ Fits the limits
Tripp Lite Protect It! 6-Outlet Surge Protector with USB (TLP606USBB)
Best for: Charging phones without extra bricks
Outlets6 + 2 USB
Breaker15 A
Cord6 ft
✓ Fits the limits
Tripp Lite 8-Outlet Flat-Plug Surge Protector with USB (TLP88USBB)
Best for: Gaming and desk setups with lots of plugs
Outlets8 + 2 USB
Breaker15 A
Cord8 ft
✓ Fits the limits
GE 6-Outlet Power Strip with Circuit Breaker (14831)
Best for: Lamps and chargers on the tightest budget
Outlets6
Breaker15 A
Cord2 ft
Don't forget
Move-in basics that fit ATU housing rules.
Bed
-
Twin XL sheets
Amazon Basics Microfiber Twin XL Sheet Set
Check your bed size
Buy on Amazon -
Mattress topper
Bedsure Twin XL Mattress Pad
Twin XL size
Buy on Amazon -
Mattress protector
Utopia Bedding Waterproof Twin XL Mattress Protector
Waterproof, Twin XL
Buy on Amazon -
Bed shelf
BedShelfie Bedside Shelf with Cable Catch
Clips to the bed frame
Buy on Amazon
Bath & laundry
-
Shower caddy
Attmu Mesh Shower Caddy, 9 Pockets
Mesh, quick-drying
Buy on Amazon -
Shower shoes
Xomiboe Quick-Dry Shower Shoes
Buy on Amazon -
Towels
Amazon Basics 6-Piece Cotton Towel Set
Buy on Amazon -
Laundry hamper
Handy Laundry Pop-Up Mesh Hamper
Pops up, folds flat
Buy on Amazon
Room & desk
-
Desk lamp
Lampat Dimmable LED Desk Lamp
No halogen or heat lamps
Buy on Amazon -
Under-bed storage
Amazon Basics Under-Bed Storage Bags
Slides under the bed
Buy on Amazon -
Over-door hooks
FYY Over-the-Door Hooks, 4-Pack
No nails or tacks
Buy on Amazon -
Door mirror
SCWF-GZ Full-Length Over-the-Door Mirror
Hangs over the door
Buy on Amazon
Small stuff
-
First-aid kit
BAND-AID Travel Ready First Aid Kit, 80 Pieces
Buy on Amazon -
Power strip with USB
Tripp Lite 6-Outlet Surge Protector with 2 USB Ports
UL, built-in breaker
Buy on Amazon -
Laptop lock
Kensington Combination Laptop Cable Lock
Needs a lock slot
Buy on Amazon
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