Top Pick ✓ Under 4.2 cu ft
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
Pitt Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits Pitt's housing appliance limits.
Pitt dorm appliance rules
University of Pittsburgh (main campus) residence halls and apartments. Residence halls have extra appliance limits; some buildings are not air conditioned.
- Mini fridge Limits
- 4.2 cu ft or smaller.
- Microwave Limits
- 800 W or smaller.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- Surge protectors only, never connected in series.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Limits
- 4.2 cu ft or smaller.
Refrigerators (4.2 cubic feet or smaller)
- Microwave Limits
- 800 W or smaller.
Microwaves (800 watts or smaller)
- Coffee maker Limits
- Only coffee makers without burners (e.g., Keurig-style).
Coffee makers without burners (e.g. Keurig style machines)
- Keurig / single-serve Allowed
- Listed as allowed.
- Electric kettle Limits
- Must have automatic shutoff; kettles with burners are prohibited.
- Air fryer Not allowed
- Prohibited in residence halls.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Prohibited in residence halls.
- Rice cooker Not allowed
- Prohibited in residence halls.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not published
- Not published.
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Blender Allowed
- Listed as allowed.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- Indoor grills are prohibited in residence halls.
Personal care
- Hair dryer Allowed
- Non-commercial hair dryers and styling tools.
- Straightener / curling iron Allowed
- Listed as allowed.
- Clothes iron Limits
- Must have automatic shutoff.
- Clothes steamer Limits
- Must have automatic shutoff.
Climate
- Space heater Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Fan Limits
- Window fans in non-AC buildings may use a surge-protected strip if the manufacturer allows it.
- Air purifier Allowed
- Listed as allowed.
- Humidifier Not published
- Not published.
- Window / portable AC Not allowed
- Not allowed.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Not allowed
- Power strips with surge protectors are acceptable instead.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- Surge protectors only, never connected in series.
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Desk lamp Not published
- Not published.
- String / LED lights Not published
- Not published.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Candles, candle warmers and wax melters are prohibited (oil diffusers are OK).
- Wax warmers Not allowed
- Not allowed.
Room
- Lofts Not allowed
- Loft beds, bunked beds and bed risers are prohibited.
- Bed risers Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- 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 Pitt Housing and Residence Life. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Mini fridges
Pitt allows refrigerators of 4.2 cu ft or smaller.
Best Value ✓ Under 4.2 cu ft
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
✓ Under 4.2 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
✓ Under 4.2 cu ft
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
✓ Under 4.2 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 4.2 cu ft
EUHOMY 3.2 cu ft Mini Fridge with Freezer
Best for: Light sleepers
Capacity3.2 cu ft
Noise38 dB
Size31.1" tall
Microwaves
Pitt allows microwaves of 800 W or smaller.
Top Pick ✓ Under 800 W
COMFEE' 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (EM720CPL-PMB)
Best for: Everyday reheating
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
Best Value ✓ Under 800 W
Chefman 0.7 cu ft Compact Microwave
Best for: Tight budgets
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.5"
✓ Under 800 W
Commercial Chef 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM770B)
Best for: Simple one-touch controls
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.6"
✓ Under 800 W
Farberware 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave
Best for: Multi-stage cooking
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
✓ Under 800 W
Toshiba 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (MM-EM07PA)
Best for: A trusted brand name
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.1"
✓ Under 800 W
Commercial Chef 0.6 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM660B)
Best for: The smallest footprint
Power700 W
Capacity0.6 cu ft
Width17.8"
Coffee makers
Pitt residence halls allow coffee makers without burners, like Keurig-style machines.
Top Pick ✓ No burner
Keurig K-Express Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Fast pod coffee
Brews8–12 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
Best Value ✓ No burner
Keurig K-Mini Mate Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Smallest footprint
Brews6–12 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
✓ No burner
Keurig K-Compact Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Slim pod brewer for small desks
Brews6–10 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
Irons
Pitt requires irons and steamers with automatic shutoff.
Top Pick ✓ Auto shut-off
BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Compact Iron (IR40V)
Best for: Interview shirts on a budget
Power1200 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateNonstick
Best Value ✓ Auto shut-off
BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Compact Iron (IR06V)
Best for: Small drawers and quick touch-ups
Power1200 W
SteamVertical
PlateNonstick
✓ Auto shut-off
BLACK+DECKER The Classic Iron (F67E-T)
Best for: Steam or dry ironing
Power1100 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateAluminum
✓ Auto shut-off
BEAUTURAL Steam Iron, Ceramic Soleplate
Best for: More steam for heavy fabrics
Power1500 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateCeramic
✓ Auto shut-off
BLACK+DECKER Light 'N Easy Compact Steam Iron (IR1020S)
Best for: A lightweight iron for small spaces
Power1200 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateStainless
✓ Auto shut-off
Hamilton Beach Steam Iron with Vertical Steam (14214)
Best for: Pressing and quick wrinkle touch-ups
Power1200 W
SteamVertical
CordRetractable
Fans
Window fans in non-AC buildings may use a surge-protected strip if the manufacturer allows it.
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
Pitt prohibits extension cords; surge-protected power strips are acceptable, never connected in series.
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 Pitt 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 -
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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