Top Pick ✓ UL, 6 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
NMSU Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits NMSU's housing appliance limits.
NMSU dorm appliance rules
New Mexico State University residence halls, apartments and family housing (Las Cruces). First-year halls have community kitchens stocked with appliances.
- Mini fridge Limits
- 6 cu ft or less; every appliance must be UL listed.
- Microwave Allowed
- On the recommended packing list; must be UL listed.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- Multi-outlet with built-in surge protector.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Limits
- 6 cu ft or less; every appliance must be UL listed.
Mini refrigerator (6 cubic feet maximum)
- Microwave Allowed
- On the recommended packing list; must be UL listed.
- Coffee maker Not published
- Not published.
- Keurig / single-serve Not published
- Not published.
- Electric kettle Not published
- Not published.
- Air fryer Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Apartments and family housing: kitchen only.
- Rice cooker Not published
- Not published.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not published
- Not published.
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Burners and hot plates.
- Blender Not published
- Not published.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- All grills banned in first-year halls; apartment villages may use contact grills in the kitchen.
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
- Electric heaters.
- Fan Not published
- Not published.
- Air purifier Not published
- Not published.
- Humidifier Limits
- UL approved with automatic shutoff; use distilled water and keep away from smoke detectors.
- Window / portable AC Not published
- Not published.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- Multi-outlet with built-in surge protector.
Power strips (multi-outlet with built-in surge protector)
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Any model or style.
- Desk lamp Allowed
- On the recommended list.
- String / LED lights Limits
- Adhesive strip lights are prohibited.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Also incense and open flames.
- Wax warmers Not published
- Not published.
Room
- Lofts Not published
- Not published.
- Bed risers Not published
- Not published.
- Adhesive hooks / strips Allowed
- Damage-free adhesive Command hooks are allowed for mounting.
- Over-the-door hooks Not published
- Not published.
- Scooter storage Not allowed
- Bikes, skateboards, hoverboards and similar devices are prohibited in residential facilities; e-scooters may not be used in residence halls.
Official sources (2)
Policies change. Always confirm current rules with NMSU Housing and Residential Life. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Mini fridges
NMSU allows mini fridges up to 6 cu ft; all appliances must be UL listed.
Best Value ✓ UL, 6 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
Microwaves
A microwave is on NMSU’s recommended packing list.
Top Pick ✓ Listed as allowed
COMFEE' 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (EM720CPL-PMB)
Best for: Everyday reheating
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
Best Value ✓ Listed as allowed
Chefman 0.7 cu ft Compact Microwave
Best for: Tight budgets
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.5"
✓ Listed as allowed
Commercial Chef 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM770B)
Best for: Simple one-touch controls
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.6"
✓ Listed as allowed
Farberware 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave
Best for: Multi-stage cooking
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
✓ Listed as allowed
Toshiba 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (MM-EM07PA)
Best for: A trusted brand name
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.1"
✓ Listed as allowed
Commercial Chef 0.6 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM660B)
Best for: The smallest footprint
Power700 W
Capacity0.6 cu ft
Width17.8"
Power strips
NMSU bans extension cords; use a UL strip with a built-in surge protector.
Top Pick ✓ Fits the limits
Tripp Lite Protect It! 6-Outlet Surge Protector (TLP606B)
Best for: Desk setups and chargers
Outlets6
Breaker15 A
Cord6 ft
Best Value ✓ Fits the limits
GE 6-Outlet Surge Protector, 2 ft cord
Best for: Tight budgets and short reaches
Outlets6
BreakerBuilt-in
Cord2 ft
✓ Fits the limits
Tripp Lite Protect It! 8-Outlet Flat-Plug Surge Protector (TLP808B)
Best for: Outlets behind beds and dressers
Outlets8
Breaker15 A
PlugFlat
✓ Fits the limits
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
✓ Fits the limits
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 NMSU 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 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
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