UB Dorm Rules and Gear

All gear here fits UB's housing appliance limits.

UB dorm appliance rules

University at Buffalo residence halls. The only microwave allowed in hall rooms is a rented MicroFridge (not in Greiner Hall); apartments include a microwave.

Mini fridge Limits: 4.5 cu ft max, plugged directly into the wall. One per single or double; two per triple, quad or apartment.
Microwave Not allowed: Only a rented MicroFridge (not in Greiner Hall).
Power strips / surge protectors Limits: Circuit breaker; plug each strip straight into the wall.

Kitchen

Mini fridge Limits: 4.5 cu ft max, plugged directly into the wall. One per single or double; two per triple, quad or apartment. Student refrigerators must be no larger than 4.5 cubic feet
Microwave Not allowed: Only a rented MicroFridge (not in Greiner Hall).
Coffee maker Limits: Thermostatically controlled, Keurig-type devices only. thermostatically controlled devices, including Keurig-type appliances, for heating water
Keurig / single-serve Not published: Not published.
Electric kettle Not published: Not published.
Air fryer Not allowed: Residence halls; designated cooking areas only.
Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed: Not allowed.
Rice cooker Not allowed: Residence halls.
Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not allowed: Crock pots and slow cookers.
Hot plate Not allowed: Not allowed.
Blender Not published: Not published.
Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed: Grilling machines.

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: Not allowed.
Fan Not published: Not published.
Air purifier Not published: Not published.
Humidifier Not published: Not published.
Window / portable AC Not allowed: Not allowed.

Power & lighting

Extension cords Not allowed: Surge protectors only.
Power strips / surge protectors Limits: Circuit breaker; plug each strip straight into the wall.
Halogen lamps Not allowed: Also torchiere, multi-head octopus and upward-facing bowl lamps.
Desk lamp Not published: Not published.
String / LED lights Limits: UL or ETL approved.
Candles / incense Not allowed: Also oil burners, candle warmers and plug-in air fresheners.
Wax warmers Not allowed: Not allowed.

Room

Lofts Not allowed: Only Campus Living lofts.
Bed risers Not allowed: Not allowed.
Adhesive hooks / strips Limits: No permanent adhesives or nails.
Over-the-door hooks Not published: Not published.

Official sources (2)

Policies change. Always confirm current rules with UB Campus Living. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.

Mini fridges

UB allows fridges up to 4.5 cu ft, plugged directly into a wall outlet.

Top Pick ✓ 4.5 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

Buy on Amazon

Best Value ✓ 4.5 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

Buy on Amazon

✓ 4.5 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

Buy on Amazon

✓ 4.5 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

Buy on Amazon

✓ 4.5 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

Buy on Amazon

✓ 4.5 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

Buy on Amazon

Coffee makers

UB allows thermostatically controlled Keurig-type machines in rooms.

Top Pick ✓ Keurig-type

Keurig K-Express Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Best for: Fast pod coffee

Brews8–12 oz

TypeK-Cup pods

Power1000 W

Buy on Amazon

Best Value ✓ Keurig-type

Keurig K-Mini Mate Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Best for: Smallest footprint

Brews6–12 oz

TypeK-Cup pods

Buy on Amazon

✓ Keurig-type

Keurig K-Compact Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Best for: Slim pod brewer for small desks

Brews6–10 oz

TypeK-Cup pods

Power1000 W

Buy on Amazon

Power strips

UB prohibits extension cords; power strips need circuit breakers and must plug straight into the wall.

Top Pick ✓ UL + circuit breaker

Tripp Lite Protect It! 6-Outlet Surge Protector (TLP606B)

Best for: Desk setups and chargers

Outlets6

Breaker15 A

Cord6 ft

Buy on Amazon

Best Value ✓ UL + circuit breaker

GE 6-Outlet Surge Protector, 2 ft cord

Best for: Tight budgets and short reaches

Outlets6

BreakerBuilt-in

Cord2 ft

Buy on Amazon

✓ UL + circuit breaker

Tripp Lite Protect It! 8-Outlet Flat-Plug Surge Protector (TLP808B)

Best for: Outlets behind beds and dressers

Outlets8

Breaker15 A

PlugFlat

Buy on Amazon

✓ UL + circuit breaker

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

Buy on Amazon

✓ UL + circuit breaker

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

Buy on Amazon

✓ UL + circuit breaker

GE 6-Outlet Power Strip with Circuit Breaker (14831)

Best for: Lamps and chargers on the tightest budget

Outlets6

Breaker15 A

Cord2 ft

Buy on Amazon

Don't forget

Move-in basics that fit UB 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 only
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

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