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
JMU Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits JMU's housing appliance limits.
JMU dorm appliance rules
James Madison University residence halls. Every hall has a community kitchen with a microwave; Apartments on Grace allow more kitchen appliances.
- Mini fridge Limits
- One per resident, 5 cu ft or less; plug directly into the wall.
- Microwave Not allowed
- Only a rented MicroFridge (microwaves allowed in Apartments on Grace kitchens).
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- UL approved with circuit protection and a reset button, plugged into the wall.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Limits
- One per resident, 5 cu ft or less; plug directly into the wall.
Refrigerators may be no larger than 5 total cubic feet in size.
- Microwave Not allowed
- Only a rented MicroFridge (microwaves allowed in Apartments on Grace kitchens).
- Coffee maker Limits
- Only UL-approved drip coffee makers with automatic shutoff.
Underwriters' Laboratory (UL) approved drip coffee makers with automatic shutoff are the only approved coffee makers.
- Keurig / single-serve Not published
- Not published.
- Electric kettle Limits
- UL-approved hot pots.
- Air fryer Not allowed
- Of any kind (Apartments on Grace excepted).
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Apartments on Grace only.
- Rice cooker Not published
- Not published.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not published
- Not published.
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Blender Not published
- Not published.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- Sandwich grills; George Foreman grills only in Apartments on Grace.
Personal care
- Hair dryer Not published
- Not published.
- Straightener / curling iron Not published
- Not published.
- Clothes iron Limits
- Plug directly into a wall outlet.
- 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
- Also ceiling fans.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Not allowed
- Also cube adapters.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- UL approved with circuit protection and a reset button, plugged into the wall.
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Desk lamp Limits
- No lamps with built-in outlets.
- String / LED lights Not published
- Not published.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Wax warmers Not allowed
- Not allowed.
Room
- Lofts Not published
- Not published.
- Bed risers Limits
- No risers with built-in outlets.
- Adhesive hooks / strips Limits
- No duct tape.
- Over-the-door hooks Not published
- Not published.
Official sources (3)
Policies change. Always confirm current rules with JMU Residence Life. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Mini fridges
JMU allows one mini fridge per resident, up to 5 cu ft.
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
Coffee makers
JMU approves only UL drip coffee makers with automatic shutoff.
Top Pick ✓ Drip, auto shutoff
Amazon Basics 5-Cup Drip Coffee Maker
Best for: Budget brewer with 2-hour auto shut-off
Capacity5 cups
TypeDrip
Shut-offAutomatic
Best Value ✓ Drip, auto shutoff
Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
Best for: Coffee ready when you wake up
Capacity5 cups
TypeDrip
Shut-offAutomatic
Irons
JMU requires irons to plug directly into a wall outlet.
Top Pick ✓ Fits the limits
BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Compact Iron (IR40V)
Best for: Interview shirts on a budget
Power1200 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateNonstick
Best Value ✓ Fits the limits
BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Compact Iron (IR06V)
Best for: Small drawers and quick touch-ups
Power1200 W
SteamVertical
PlateNonstick
✓ Fits the limits
BLACK+DECKER The Classic Iron (F67E-T)
Best for: Steam or dry ironing
Power1100 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateAluminum
✓ Fits the limits
BEAUTURAL Steam Iron, Ceramic Soleplate
Best for: More steam for heavy fabrics
Power1500 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateCeramic
✓ Fits the limits
BLACK+DECKER Light 'N Easy Compact Steam Iron (IR1020S)
Best for: A lightweight iron for small spaces
Power1200 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateStainless
✓ Fits the limits
Hamilton Beach Steam Iron with Vertical Steam (14214)
Best for: Pressing and quick wrinkle touch-ups
Power1200 W
SteamVertical
CordRetractable
Power strips
JMU requires UL strips with circuit protection and a reset button; surge protection alone does not meet code.
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
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
✓ 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
✓ 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
✓ 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
✓ 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
Don't forget
Move-in basics that fit JMU 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 built-in outlets
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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