Top Pick ✓ Under 2 A, under 4.5 cu ft
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
CSUN Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits CSUN's housing appliance limits.
CSUN dorm appliance rules
Cal State Northridge Student Housing (apartments and suites). Kitchen appliance allowances differ for units without kitchens.
- Mini fridge Limits
- Under 4.5 cu ft (3 ft high in units without kitchens), 120 V, rated under 2 A.
- Microwave Limits
- Allowed in units without kitchens.
- Power strips / surge protectors Not published
- Not published.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Limits
- Under 4.5 cu ft (3 ft high in units without kitchens), 120 V, rated under 2 A.
Energy rating less than 2 amps
- Microwave Limits
- Allowed in units without kitchens.
- Coffee maker Allowed
- Allowed in units without kitchens.
- Keurig / single-serve Not published
- Not published.
- Electric kettle Not published
- Not published.
- Air fryer Limits
- Deep fat fryers are not allowed; air fryers are not addressed.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not published
- Not published.
- Rice cooker Not published
- Not published.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not published
- Not published.
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Blender Allowed
- Allowed in units without kitchens.
- Indoor grill / griddle Limits
- Electric frying pans are not allowed. Charcoal barbecues only, on balconies.
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 published
- Not published.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Not published
- Not published.
- Power strips / surge protectors Not published
- Not published.
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Desk lamp Not published
- Not published.
- String / LED lights Not published
- Not published.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Except for necessary religious practice, never unattended.
- Wax warmers Not published
- Not published.
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 (1)
Policies change. Always confirm current rules with CSUN Student Housing. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Mini fridges
CSUN allows fridges under 4.5 cu ft rated under 2 A. Every pick here has a published rating under 2 A.
Best Value ✓ Under 2 A, under 4.5 cu ft
BLACK+DECKER 1.7 cu ft Compact Refrigerator (BCRK17W)
Best for: Low-amp pick for strict power limits
Capacity1.7 cu ft
FreezerBuilt-in
Size19.7" tall
✓ Under 2 A, under 4.5 cu ft
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
✓ Under 2 A, under 4.5 cu ft
BLACK+DECKER 2.5 cu ft Compact Refrigerator (BCRK25W)
Best for: Small rooms with a per-person size cap
Capacity2.5 cu ft
FreezerBuilt-in
Size26.6" tall
Microwaves
CSUN allows microwaves in units without kitchens. Plug in no more than two appliances at a time in a room.
Top Pick ✓ Fits the limits
COMFEE' 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (EM720CPL-PMB)
Best for: Everyday reheating
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
Best Value ✓ Fits the limits
Chefman 0.7 cu ft Compact Microwave
Best for: Tight budgets
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.5"
✓ Fits the limits
Commercial Chef 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM770B)
Best for: Simple one-touch controls
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.6"
✓ Fits the limits
Farberware 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave
Best for: Multi-stage cooking
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
✓ Fits the limits
Toshiba 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (MM-EM07PA)
Best for: A trusted brand name
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.1"
✓ Fits the limits
Commercial Chef 0.6 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM660B)
Best for: The smallest footprint
Power700 W
Capacity0.6 cu ft
Width17.8"
Coffee makers
Allowed in units without kitchens.
Top Pick ✓ Listed as allowed
Farberware 4-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator
Best for: Hot coffee that stays warm
Capacity4 cups
Power1000 W
TypePercolator
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
Don't forget
Move-in basics that fit CSUN 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 -
Laptop lock
Kensington Combination Laptop Cable Lock
Needs a lock slot
Buy on Amazon
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