Top Pick ✓ Listed as allowed
Farberware 4-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator
Best for: Hot coffee that stays warm
Capacity4 cups
Power1000 W
TypePercolator
UC Berkeley Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits UC Berkeley's housing appliance limits.
UC Berkeley dorm appliance rules
UC Berkeley residence halls and suites. Every residence hall room has a MicroChill fridge-microwave combo; apartments have their own kitchens.
- Mini fridge Not allowed
- Personal refrigerators are not allowed; every room has a MicroChill unit.
- Microwave Not allowed
- Personal microwaves are not allowed; every room has a MicroChill unit.
- Power strips / surge protectors Allowed
- On the checklist.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Not allowed
- Personal refrigerators are not allowed; every room has a MicroChill unit.
Personal microwaves and refrigerators are not allowed in residence hall rooms.
- Microwave Not allowed
- Personal microwaves are not allowed; every room has a MicroChill unit.
- Coffee maker Allowed
- On the list of items to consider.
- Keurig / single-serve Not published
- Not published.
- Electric kettle Allowed
- On the list of items to consider.
- Air fryer Not allowed
- Do not bring.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Do not bring.
- Rice cooker Allowed
- A rice steamer is on the list of items to consider.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not allowed
- Do not bring.
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Hot plates and induction burners are not allowed.
- Blender Limits
- Only without a heating element.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- Griddles, waffle irons and panini presses are not allowed.
Personal care
- Hair dryer Not published
- Not published.
- Straightener / curling iron Not published
- Not published.
- Clothes iron Not published
- Not published.
- Clothes steamer Not published
- Not published.
Climate
- Space heater Not allowed
- Heaters, including fans with heating components, are not allowed.
- Fan Limits
- On the list of items to consider; no fans with heating components.
- Air purifier Not published
- Not published.
- Humidifier Not published
- Not published.
- Window / portable AC Not allowed
- Do not bring.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Allowed
- An extension cord or power strip is on the checklist.
- Power strips / surge protectors Allowed
- On the checklist.
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Do not bring.
- Desk lamp Allowed
- Non-halogen desk lamp with CFL/LED bulbs.
- String / LED lights Limits
- Battery-operated only; plug-in string lights are not allowed.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Do not bring.
- Wax warmers Not allowed
- Lamp candle warmers are not allowed.
Room
- Lofts Not published
- Not published.
- Bed risers Not published
- Not published.
- Adhesive hooks / strips Not published
- Not published.
- Over-the-door hooks Not published
- Not published.
Official sources (2)
Policies change. Always confirm current rules with UC Berkeley Residential Life. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Coffee makers
Berkeley lists a coffee maker on its move-in checklist.
Best Value ✓ Listed as allowed
Elite Gourmet 4-Cup Drip Coffee Maker (EHC4128)
Best for: Tight budgets
Capacity4 cups
Power650 W
TypeDrip
✓ Listed as allowed
Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Switch Coffee Maker
Best for: A classic small drip brewer
Capacity4 cups
Power1200 W
TypeDrip
✓ Listed as allowed
Brentwood 4-Cup Coffee Maker (TS-213)
Best for: A simple one-switch drip brewer
Capacity4 cups
TypeDrip
Size10.5" tall
✓ Listed as allowed
Keurig K-Express Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Fast pod coffee
Brews8–12 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
✓ Listed as allowed
Keurig K-Compact Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Slim pod brewer for small desks
Brews6–10 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
Rice cookers
Berkeley lists a rice steamer on its move-in checklist.
Top Pick ✓ Listed as allowed
AROMA Digital Rice Cooker, 4-cup uncooked (ARC-914SBD)
Best for: Rice, grains and steamed veggies
Capacity4 cups uncooked
Power350 W
TypeDigital
Best Value ✓ Listed as allowed
Dash Mini Rice Cooker, 2-cup
Best for: Single servings on a budget
Capacity2 cups
PotCeramic nonstick
Size6.5" tall
✓ Listed as allowed
AROMA Rice Cooker, 3-cup uncooked (ARC-363NG)
Best for: One-switch simplicity
Capacity3 cups uncooked
Power500 W
TypeOne-touch
✓ Listed as allowed
Zojirushi 3-cup Rice Cooker/Steamer (NHS-06)
Best for: Consistent results for years
Capacity3 cups uncooked
Power300 W
TypeOne-touch
✓ Listed as allowed
Toshiba Mini Rice Cooker, 3-cup uncooked (TRCS02)
Best for: Fuzzy-logic cooking and a delay timer
Capacity3 cups uncooked
Power460 W
TypeFuzzy logic
✓ Listed as allowed
AROMA Rice Cooker and Steamer, 3-cup uncooked (ARC-363-1NGB)
Best for: Steaming veggies while the rice cooks
Capacity3 cups uncooked
Power300 W
ExtraSteam tray
Fans
Berkeley lists a fan on its checklist. Fans with heating components are not allowed.
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
Berkeley lists a power strip on its move-in checklist. Every pick here is UL listed with a built-in breaker.
Top Pick ✓ Listed as allowed
Tripp Lite Protect It! 6-Outlet Surge Protector (TLP606B)
Best for: Desk setups and chargers
Outlets6
Breaker15 A
Cord6 ft
Best Value ✓ Listed as allowed
GE 6-Outlet Surge Protector, 2 ft cord
Best for: Tight budgets and short reaches
Outlets6
BreakerBuilt-in
Cord2 ft
✓ Listed as allowed
Tripp Lite Protect It! 8-Outlet Flat-Plug Surge Protector (TLP808B)
Best for: Outlets behind beds and dressers
Outlets8
Breaker15 A
PlugFlat
✓ Listed as allowed
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
✓ Listed as allowed
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
✓ Listed as allowed
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 UC Berkeley 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
LED; no halogen
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
-
Command strips
Command Large Picture Hanging Strips
Removable adhesive strips
Buy on Amazon -
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
As an Amazon Associate, CollegeScoot earns from qualifying purchases. Product images are manufacturer or retailer photos. Availability changes, so check the listing on Amazon before you buy.