Top Pick ✓ Pod-style
Keurig K-Express Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Fast pod coffee
Brews8–12 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
OSU Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits OSU's housing appliance limits.
OSU dorm appliance rules
Ohio State residence halls (Columbus). Rooms get a university-provided microwave/refrigerator/freezer combo, except the apartment-style halls named in the handbook.
- Mini fridge Not allowed
- Personal refrigerators aren't allowed; rooms get a university-provided microwave/refrigerator/freezer combo.
- Microwave Not allowed
- Personal microwaves aren't allowed; use the university-provided combo unit.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- An extension outlet bar with a circuit breaker is the recommended device. Appliances and cords must carry UL approval.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Not allowed
- Personal refrigerators aren't allowed; rooms get a university-provided microwave/refrigerator/freezer combo.
microwave ovens and refrigerators (other than the combination microwave/refrigerator/freezer)
- Microwave Not allowed
- Personal microwaves aren't allowed; use the university-provided combo unit.
- Coffee maker Limits
- Only pod-style coffee makers are listed. Any heating element must be enclosed.
- Keurig / single-serve Allowed
- Pod-style coffee makers are allowed with reasonable caution.
pod-style coffee makers
- Electric kettle Limits
- Allowed only if it does not produce steam.
electric kettle if it does not produce steam
- Air fryer Not published
- Not published.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Toaster ovens are not allowed; toasters are for the community kitchen only.
- Rice cooker Allowed
- Listed as allowed in rooms.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not published
- Not published.
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Hot plates and hot pots are not allowed.
- Blender Not published
- Not published.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- Electric grills and electric skillets are not allowed in rooms.
Personal care
- Hair dryer Allowed
- Hair appliances are allowed with reasonable caution.
- Straightener / curling iron Allowed
- Hair appliances are allowed with reasonable caution.
- Clothes iron Allowed
- Irons are allowed with reasonable caution, on a noncombustible surface.
- Clothes steamer Not published
- Not published.
Climate
- Space heater Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Fan Limits
- Fans are listed as allowed. Wall- or ceiling-mounted fans are not.
- Air purifier Not published
- Not published.
- Humidifier Not published
- Not published.
- Window / portable AC Not allowed
- Air conditioners are not allowed.
- Electric blanket / heating pad Not allowed
- Not allowed.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Limits
- No extension cord on a permanent basis; octopus and multiple plugs are not allowed.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- An extension outlet bar with a circuit breaker is the recommended device. Appliances and cords must carry UL approval.
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Halogen bulbs are not allowed.
- Desk lamp Allowed
- Lamps are listed as allowed.
- String / LED lights Limits
- Holiday lights plug only into the wall or a breaker-equipped device and may not be stapled. LED lights with adhesive foam backing are not allowed.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Wax warmers Not allowed
- Wax, candle and oil warmers are not allowed.
Room
- Lofts Not allowed
- Lofts are not allowed; request bunking through a service request.
- 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 Ohio State University Housing. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Coffee makers
Ohio State lists pod-style coffee makers as allowed (heating element enclosed), so every pick here is a pod machine.
Best Value ✓ Pod-style
Keurig K-Mini Mate Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Smallest footprint
Brews6–12 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
✓ Pod-style
Keurig K-Compact Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Slim pod brewer for small desks
Brews6–10 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
Rice cookers
Rice cookers are on the list of appliances Ohio State allows in rooms.
Top Pick ✓ Listed as allowed
AROMA Digital Rice Cooker, 4-cup uncooked (ARC-914SBD)
Best for: Rice, grains and steamed veggies
Capacity4 cups uncooked
Power350 W
TypeDigital
Best Value ✓ Listed as allowed
Dash Mini Rice Cooker, 2-cup
Best for: Single servings on a budget
Capacity2 cups
PotCeramic nonstick
Size6.5" tall
✓ Listed as allowed
AROMA Rice Cooker, 3-cup uncooked (ARC-363NG)
Best for: One-switch simplicity
Capacity3 cups uncooked
Power500 W
TypeOne-touch
✓ Listed as allowed
Zojirushi 3-cup Rice Cooker/Steamer (NHS-06)
Best for: Consistent results for years
Capacity3 cups uncooked
Power300 W
TypeOne-touch
✓ Listed as allowed
Toshiba Mini Rice Cooker, 3-cup uncooked (TRCS02)
Best for: Fuzzy-logic cooking and a delay timer
Capacity3 cups uncooked
Power460 W
TypeFuzzy logic
✓ Listed as allowed
AROMA Rice Cooker and Steamer, 3-cup uncooked (ARC-363-1NGB)
Best for: Steaming veggies while the rice cooks
Capacity3 cups uncooked
Power300 W
ExtraSteam tray
Irons
Ohio State allows irons with reasonable caution; use them on a noncombustible surface.
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
Ohio State allows fans in rooms but not wall- or ceiling-mounted ones. Every pick here is freestanding or clip-on.
Top Pick ✓ Freestanding fan
Honeywell TurboForce Air Circulator (HT-900)
Best for: Moving air across a whole dorm room
TypeDesk
Power35 W
Speeds3
Best Value ✓ Freestanding fan
Amazon Basics Air Circulator Desk Fan
Best for: Tight budgets
TypeDesk
Power35 W
Speeds3
✓ Freestanding fan
Hurricane Classic 6 in. Clip Fan
Best for: Clipping to a bed frame or desk shelf
TypeClip-on
Power14 W
Speeds2
✓ Freestanding fan
Vornado 133 Personal Air Circulator
Best for: Strong airflow from a small fan
TypeDesk
Power25 W
Speeds2
✓ Freestanding fan
Honeywell QuietSet Personal Table Fan (HTF210B)
Best for: Light sleepers
TypeOscillating desk
Power5 W
Size13" tall
✓ Freestanding fan
DREO Oscillating Tower Fan
Best for: Cooling the whole room from the floor
TypeTower
Power65 W
Size36" tall
Power strips
Ohio State recommends an extension outlet bar with a circuit breaker and requires UL approval on appliances and cords.
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 OSU 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; halogen not allowed
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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