Top Pick ✓ UL listed, under 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
MSU Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits MSU's housing appliance limits.
MSU dorm appliance rules
Michigan State residence halls (East Lansing). Air conditioners only with a medical accommodation.
- Mini fridge Limits
- 5 cu ft or less, UL listed or labeled. Energy Star strongly recommended.
- Microwave Limits
- 750 W or less (compact microwaves).
- Power strips / surge protectors Allowed
- A surge protector is on the essentials list.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Limits
- 5 cu ft or less, UL listed or labeled. Energy Star strongly recommended.
mini-refrigerators of five cubic feet or less
- Microwave Limits
- 750 W or less (compact microwaves).
Microwave — 750 watts or less
- Coffee maker Limits
- Coffee pots with automatic shut off, UL listed.
electrical coffee pots, electric tea kettle, or rice cookers with an automatic shut off
- Keurig / single-serve Not published
- Not published.
- Electric kettle Limits
- With automatic shut off.
- Air fryer Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Rice cooker Limits
- With automatic shut off.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not allowed
- Instant Pots are not allowed.
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Blender Not published
- Not published.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- Indoor grills, panini presses and waffle irons are not allowed.
Personal care
- Hair dryer Not published
- Not published.
- Straightener / curling iron Not published
- Not published.
- Clothes iron Allowed
- Iron and ironing board (or a clothing steamer) are on the optional list.
- Clothes steamer Allowed
- On the optional list.
Climate
- Space heater Not allowed
- Not permitted.
- Fan Allowed
- On the essentials list.
- Air purifier Allowed
- On the optional list.
- Humidifier Allowed
- On the optional list.
- Window / portable AC Not allowed
- Only with a medical accommodation.
- Electric blankets Not allowed
- Not permitted.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Limits
- At least 16-gauge; never plug one cord into another.
- Power strips / surge protectors Allowed
- A surge protector is on the essentials list.
- Halogen lamps Not published
- Not published.
- Desk lamp Allowed
- On the optional list.
- String / LED lights Not published
- Not published.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Lighted candles are prohibited.
- Wax warmers Not allowed
- Candle warmers and wax melters are not permitted.
Room
- Lofts Limits
- Beds are loftable; building your own loft is not allowed.
- 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 MSU Residence Education and Housing Services. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Mini fridges
MSU allows mini-refrigerators of 5 cu ft or less that are UL listed or labeled, and strongly recommends Energy Star.
Best Value ✓ UL listed, under 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
Microwaves
MSU allows compact microwaves of 750 W or less.
Top Pick ✓ Fits 750 W limit
COMFEE' 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (EM720CPL-PMB)
Best for: Everyday reheating
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
Best Value ✓ Fits 750 W limit
Chefman 0.7 cu ft Compact Microwave
Best for: Tight budgets
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.5"
✓ Fits 750 W limit
Commercial Chef 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM770B)
Best for: Simple one-touch controls
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.6"
✓ Fits 750 W limit
Farberware 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave
Best for: Multi-stage cooking
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
✓ Fits 750 W limit
Toshiba 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (MM-EM07PA)
Best for: A trusted brand name
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.1"
✓ Fits 750 W limit
Commercial Chef 0.6 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM660B)
Best for: The smallest footprint
Power700 W
Capacity0.6 cu ft
Width17.8"
Coffee makers
MSU allows coffee pots with an automatic shut off.
Top Pick ✓ Automatic shut-off
Keurig K-Express Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Fast pod coffee
Brews8–12 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
Best Value ✓ Automatic shut-off
Amazon Basics 5-Cup Drip Coffee Maker
Best for: Budget brewer with 2-hour auto shut-off
Capacity5 cups
TypeDrip
Shut-offAutomatic
✓ Automatic shut-off
Keurig K-Compact Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Slim pod brewer for small desks
Brews6–10 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
✓ Automatic shut-off
Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
Best for: Coffee ready when you wake up
Capacity5 cups
TypeDrip
Shut-offAutomatic
Rice cookers
With automatic shut off.
Top Pick ✓ Fits the limits
Rice Robot Personal Rice Cooker, 1 qt
Best for: Schools that require automatic shut-off
Capacity1 qt
Power200 W
Shut-offAutomatic
Irons
MSU lists an iron and ironing board (or a clothing steamer) as optional items.
Top Pick ✓ Listed as allowed
BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Compact Iron (IR40V)
Best for: Interview shirts on a budget
Power1200 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateNonstick
Best Value ✓ Listed as allowed
BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Compact Iron (IR06V)
Best for: Small drawers and quick touch-ups
Power1200 W
SteamVertical
PlateNonstick
✓ Listed as allowed
BLACK+DECKER The Classic Iron (F67E-T)
Best for: Steam or dry ironing
Power1100 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateAluminum
✓ Listed as allowed
BEAUTURAL Steam Iron, Ceramic Soleplate
Best for: More steam for heavy fabrics
Power1500 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateCeramic
✓ Listed as allowed
BLACK+DECKER Light 'N Easy Compact Steam Iron (IR1020S)
Best for: A lightweight iron for small spaces
Power1200 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateStainless
✓ Listed as allowed
Hamilton Beach Steam Iron with Vertical Steam (14214)
Best for: Pressing and quick wrinkle touch-ups
Power1200 W
SteamVertical
CordRetractable
Fans
MSU lists fans on its essentials 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
MSU lists a surge protector on its essentials list. 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
Don't forget
Move-in basics that fit MSU housing rules.
Bed
-
Twin XL sheets
Amazon Basics Microfiber Twin XL Sheet Set
Linen pack available
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.