Top Pick ✓ Fits the limits
Dash Tasti-Crisp 2.6 qt Air Fryer
Best for: Cooking for one or two
Capacity2.6 qt
Power1000 W
Size11.3" tall
SDSU Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits SDSU's housing appliance limits.
SDSU dorm appliance rules
San Diego State University housing. First-year rooms come with a mini-fridge/freezer and microwave. Small kitchen appliances only in apartment kitchens, the Tepeyac and Tacuba kitchenettes, or community kitchens.
- Mini fridge Not allowed
- Personal mini-fridges are not permitted; first-year rooms have one.
- Microwave Not allowed
- Provided with the mini-fridge in first-year rooms.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- A power strip with surge protection is on the checklist.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Not allowed
- Personal mini-fridges are not permitted; first-year rooms have one.
- Microwave Not allowed
- Provided with the mini-fridge in first-year rooms.
- Coffee maker Not published
- Not published.
- Keurig / single-serve Not published
- Not published.
- Electric kettle Not published
- Not published.
- Air fryer Limits
- Apartment kitchens, Tepeyac and Tacuba kitchenettes or community kitchens only.
- Toaster / toaster oven Limits
- Kitchens only (see air fryer).
- Rice cooker Limits
- Kitchens only (see air fryer).
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Limits
- Kitchens only (see air fryer).
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Blender Not published
- Not published.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- Barbeques and portable stoves are prohibited.
Personal care
- Hair dryer Allowed
- Hair dryer and straightener are on the checklist.
- Straightener / curling iron Allowed
- On the checklist.
- Clothes iron Not published
- Not published.
- Clothes steamer Not published
- Not published.
Climate
- Space heater Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Fan Allowed
- A small fan is on the checklist.
- Air purifier Not published
- Not published.
- Humidifier Not allowed
- Humidifiers and essential oil diffusers are prohibited.
- Window / portable AC Not allowed
- Portable air conditioners are prohibited.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- A power strip with surge protection is on the checklist.
- Halogen lamps Not published
- Not published.
- Desk lamp Allowed
- Non-halogen desk lamp.
- String / LED lights Not published
- Not published.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Wax warmers Not allowed
- Not allowed.
Room
- Lofts Limits
- Only by service request (fee applies); no loft kits or self-lofting.
- 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 SDSU Housing Administration. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Air fryers
SDSU allows small kitchen appliances only in apartment kitchens, the Tepeyac and Tacuba kitchenettes, or designated community kitchens.
Best Value ✓ Fits the limits
Chefman 2 qt Mini Air Fryer
Best for: Tight budgets and small desks
Capacity2 qt
Power900 W
Size8.3" tall
✓ Fits the limits
COSORI Lite 2.1 qt Air Fryer
Best for: Quick snacks and reheats
Capacity2.1 qt
Power900 W
Size10.5" tall
✓ Fits the limits
Instant Vortex Plus Mini 4 qt Air Fryer
Best for: Six cooking modes in a small body
Capacity4 qt
Power1600 W
Size11" tall
✓ Fits the limits
Ninja Air Fryer Pro 5 qt (AF141)
Best for: Meal prep for roommates
Capacity5 qt
Modes4-in-1
Size10.4" tall
✓ Fits the limits
COSORI Pro LE 5 qt Air Fryer
Best for: Larger batches
Capacity5 qt
Power1500 W
Size12" tall
Rice cookers
SDSU allows rice cookers only in apartment kitchens, the Tepeyac and Tacuba kitchenettes, or designated community kitchens.
Top Pick ✓ Fits the limits
AROMA Digital Rice Cooker, 4-cup uncooked (ARC-914SBD)
Best for: Rice, grains and steamed veggies
Capacity4 cups uncooked
Power350 W
TypeDigital
Best Value ✓ Fits the limits
Dash Mini Rice Cooker, 2-cup
Best for: Single servings on a budget
Capacity2 cups
PotCeramic nonstick
Size6.5" tall
✓ Fits the limits
AROMA Rice Cooker, 3-cup uncooked (ARC-363NG)
Best for: One-switch simplicity
Capacity3 cups uncooked
Power500 W
TypeOne-touch
✓ Fits the limits
Zojirushi 3-cup Rice Cooker/Steamer (NHS-06)
Best for: Consistent results for years
Capacity3 cups uncooked
Power300 W
TypeOne-touch
✓ Fits the limits
Toshiba Mini Rice Cooker, 3-cup uncooked (TRCS02)
Best for: Fuzzy-logic cooking and a delay timer
Capacity3 cups uncooked
Power460 W
TypeFuzzy logic
✓ Fits the limits
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
Fans
A small fan is on the checklist.
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
A power strip with surge protection is on the SDSU checklist. Extension cords are not allowed.
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 SDSU housing rules.
Bed
-
Twin XL sheets
Amazon Basics Microfiber Twin XL Sheet Set
Sizes vary by building
Buy on Amazon -
Mattress topper
Bedsure Twin XL Mattress Pad
Sizes vary by building
Buy on Amazon -
Mattress protector
Utopia Bedding Waterproof Twin XL Mattress Protector
Sizes vary by building
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
Non-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.