Top Pick ✓ UL listed, under 3.7 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
Texas Tech Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits Texas Tech's housing appliance limits.
Texas Tech dorm appliance rules
Texas Tech residence halls. All electric appliances must carry a UL or equivalent certification label.
- Mini fridge Limits
- 3.7 cu ft max, 120 V. UL or equivalent label required.
- Microwave Limits
- 1,500 W or less.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- UL or equivalent surge protectors only; never piggybacked.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Limits
- 3.7 cu ft max, 120 V. UL or equivalent label required.
not exceed the size of a standard small refrigerator (3.7 cubic feet)
- Microwave Limits
- 1,500 W or less.
- Coffee maker Limits
- 4 cups max (the appliance page says 6, but the policy page and packing list say 4).
Coffee maker: Maximum 4 cups
- Keurig / single-serve Not published
- Not published.
- Electric kettle Not published
- Not published.
- Air fryer Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Toaster ovens are prohibited.
- Rice cooker Not published
- Not published.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not published
- Not published.
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Blender Not published
- Not published.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- George Foreman and electric grills are prohibited.
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
- Not allowed.
- Fan Not published
- Not published.
- Air purifier Not published
- Not published.
- Humidifier Not published
- Not published.
- Window / portable AC Not allowed
- Not allowed.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Not allowed
- Use UL-approved surge protectors instead.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- UL or equivalent surge protectors only; never piggybacked.
- Halogen lamps Not published
- Not published.
- Desk lamp Allowed
- Desk lamps are permitted.
- String / LED lights Not published
- Not published.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Wax warmers Not published
- Not published.
Room
- Lofts Not published
- Not published.
- Bed risers Not published
- Not published.
- Adhesive hooks / strips Limits
- Approved removable adhesive strips only; no nails, screws or permanent adhesive.
approved removable adhesive strips
- Over-the-door hooks Not published
- Not published.
Official sources (3)
Policies change. Always confirm current rules with Texas Tech University Student Housing. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Mini fridges
Texas Tech caps fridges at 3.7 cu ft and requires a UL or equivalent label. Every pick here is UL listed.
Best Value ✓ UL listed, under 3.7 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
Microwaves
1,500 W or less.
Top Pick ✓ Fits 1500 W limit
COMFEE' 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (EM720CPL-PMB)
Best for: Everyday reheating
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
Best Value ✓ Fits 1500 W limit
Chefman 0.7 cu ft Compact Microwave
Best for: Tight budgets
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.5"
✓ Fits 1500 W limit
Commercial Chef 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM770B)
Best for: Simple one-touch controls
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.6"
✓ Fits 1500 W limit
Farberware 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave
Best for: Multi-stage cooking
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
✓ Fits 1500 W limit
Toshiba 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (MM-EM07PA)
Best for: A trusted brand name
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.1"
✓ Fits 1500 W limit
Commercial Chef 0.6 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM660B)
Best for: The smallest footprint
Power700 W
Capacity0.6 cu ft
Width17.8"
Coffee makers
Texas Tech limits coffee makers to 4 cups, so every pick here brews 4 cups or fewer.
Top Pick ✓ 4 cups max
Farberware 4-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator
Best for: Hot coffee that stays warm
Capacity4 cups
Power1000 W
TypePercolator
Best Value ✓ 4 cups max
Elite Gourmet 4-Cup Drip Coffee Maker (EHC4128)
Best for: Tight budgets
Capacity4 cups
Power650 W
TypeDrip
✓ 4 cups max
Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Switch Coffee Maker
Best for: A classic small drip brewer
Capacity4 cups
Power1200 W
TypeDrip
✓ 4 cups max
Brentwood 4-Cup Coffee Maker (TS-213)
Best for: A simple one-switch drip brewer
Capacity4 cups
TypeDrip
Size10.5" tall
✓ 4 cups max
Keurig K-Express Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Fast pod coffee
Brews8–12 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
✓ 4 cups max
Keurig K-Compact Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Slim pod brewer for small desks
Brews6–10 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
Power strips
Texas Tech prohibits extension cords; only UL-approved surge protectors, never plugged into each other.
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 Texas Tech 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
No permanent adhesive
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.