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
PSU Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits PSU's housing appliance limits.
PSU dorm appliance rules
Penn State University Park housing. Rooms have a university-provided refrigerator/microwave unit; wall-hanging rules vary by wall type.
- Mini fridge Not allowed
- Personal refrigerators are not permitted; use the university-provided refrigerator/microwave unit.
- Microwave Not allowed
- Personal microwaves are not permitted; use the university-provided unit.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- Grounded, 15 A surge-protected strip with a built-in circuit breaker.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Not allowed
- Personal refrigerators are not permitted; use the university-provided refrigerator/microwave unit.
- Microwave Not allowed
- Personal microwaves are not permitted; use the university-provided unit.
- Coffee maker Limits
- Allowed with an enclosed heating element, automatic shutoff and a UL label.
only if the item has, if applicable, an enclosed heating element, automatic shutoff, and an Underwriters Laboratories, Inc . label
- Keurig / single-serve Limits
- Keurig machines are allowed with automatic shutoff and a UL label.
- Electric kettle Not published
- Not published.
- Air fryer Not allowed
- Not permitted.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Not permitted.
- Rice cooker Limits
- Non-pressurized only, with automatic shutoff and a UL label.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not allowed
- Instapots, crock pots and pressurized rice cookers are not permitted.
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Not permitted.
- Blender Allowed
- Allowed.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- Not permitted.
Personal care
- Hair dryer Allowed
- Allowed with a UL label.
- Straightener / curling iron Allowed
- Curling irons and hair setters are allowed with a UL label.
- Clothes iron Limits
- Use it only in the laundry room; you may store it in your room.
- Clothes steamer Not published
- Not published.
Climate
- Space heater Not allowed
- Not permitted.
- Fan Allowed
- Allowed with a UL label.
- Air purifier Allowed
- Allowed with a UL label.
- Humidifier Not allowed
- Personal humidifiers and dehumidifiers are not permitted.
- Window / portable AC Not allowed
- Not permitted without an approved accommodation.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Not published
- Not published.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- Grounded, 15 A surge-protected strip with a built-in circuit breaker.
a grounded, 15-amp surge-protected plug-in strip with a built-in circuit breaker
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Halogen torchiere lamps are not permitted.
- Desk lamp Not published
- Not published.
- String / LED lights Limits
- Allowed. LED strips need a UL label; attach lights only over painters tape.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Not permitted.
- Wax warmers Not published
- Not published.
Room
- Lofts Limits
- Check with your area Housing Operations office; ceiling height limits apply.
- Bed risers Not published
- Not published.
- Adhesive hooks / strips Limits
- Depends on wall type: thumbtacks (under 20) on drywall; wall-safe tape, poster putty or painters tape on plaster and cinder block.
- Over-the-door hooks Not published
- Not published.
Official sources (1)
Policies change. Always confirm current rules with Penn State Housing and Residence Life. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Coffee makers
Penn State allows coffee makers and Keurig machines with automatic shutoff and a UL label.
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
Non-pressurized only, with automatic shutoff and a UL label.
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
Penn State allows clothes irons, used only in the laundry room.
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
Fans
Penn State allows UL-labeled fans.
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
Penn State requires a grounded, 15 A surge-protected strip with a built-in circuit breaker.
Top Pick ✓ Surge + 15 A breaker
Tripp Lite Protect It! 6-Outlet Surge Protector (TLP606B)
Best for: Desk setups and chargers
Outlets6
Breaker15 A
Cord6 ft
Best Value ✓ Surge + 15 A breaker
GE 6-Outlet Surge Protector, 2 ft cord
Best for: Tight budgets and short reaches
Outlets6
BreakerBuilt-in
Cord2 ft
✓ Surge + 15 A breaker
Tripp Lite Protect It! 8-Outlet Flat-Plug Surge Protector (TLP808B)
Best for: Outlets behind beds and dressers
Outlets8
Breaker15 A
PlugFlat
✓ Surge + 15 A 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
✓ Surge + 15 A 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
Don't forget
Move-in basics that fit PSU 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 torchieres
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
Check your wall type first
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
Check your wall type first
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.