Top Pick ✓ 4.0 cu ft or less
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
UC Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits UC's housing appliance limits.
UC dorm appliance rules
University of Cincinnati housing. UC provides at least one fridge or MicroFridge per room or suite; extra appliances depend on the hall.
- Mini fridge Limits
- One extra fridge per bedroom up to 4.0 cu ft, except Calhoun, Dabney, Daniels, Siddall and Stratford Heights.
- Microwave Limits
- One extra per suite/apartment, 600 W max; none in Calhoun, Dabney, Daniels, Siddall, Stratford Heights, Morgens or Scioto.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- UL approved with surge protection, plugged straight into the wall, for low-power electronics only.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Limits
- One extra fridge per bedroom up to 4.0 cu ft, except Calhoun, Dabney, Daniels, Siddall and Stratford Heights.
Any additional refrigerator may not exceed 4.0 cubic feet.
- Microwave Limits
- One extra per suite/apartment, 600 W max; none in Calhoun, Dabney, Daniels, Siddall, Stratford Heights, Morgens or Scioto.
The microwave must not exceed 600 watts.
- Coffee maker Limits
- Pod-style coffee makers with an enclosed heating element.
- Keurig / single-serve Not published
- Not published.
- Electric kettle Not published
- Not published.
- Air fryer Limits
- Apartment kitchens only (101 E. Corry, Bellevue Gardens, Gateway Lofts, Morgens, Scioto, The Verge, USquare, University Park).
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Toasters only in listed apartment kitchens; toaster ovens prohibited.
- Rice cooker Limits
- Enclosed heating element; use on a non-combustible surface and attend it.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not allowed
- Pressure, slow and multi-cookers (slow and multi-cookers allowed in listed apartment kitchens).
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Blender Allowed
- Listed as allowed.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- Not allowed.
Personal care
- Hair dryer Allowed
- Listed as allowed.
- Straightener / curling iron Not published
- Not published.
- Clothes iron Limits
- Attend while in use; unplug when done.
- Clothes steamer Not published
- Not published.
Climate
- Space heater Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Fan Allowed
- Listed as allowed.
- Air purifier Not published
- Not published.
- Humidifier Not published
- Not published.
- Window / portable AC Not allowed
- Not allowed.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- UL approved with surge protection, plugged straight into the wall, for low-power electronics only.
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Also lava lamps and sun lamps.
- Desk lamp Allowed
- Desk lamp.
- String / LED lights Limits
- UL-certified lights in rooms only, not hallways.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Also candle warmers, incense and diffusers.
- Wax warmers Not published
- Not published.
Room
- Lofts Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Bed risers Not published
- Not published.
- Adhesive hooks / strips Allowed
- Damage-free adhesive hooks; no nails.
- Over-the-door hooks Not published
- Not published.
Official sources (2)
Policies change. Always confirm current rules with UC Housing and Food Services. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Mini fridges
UC allows one extra fridge per bedroom, up to 4.0 cu ft, outside Calhoun, Dabney, Daniels, Siddall and Stratford Heights.
Best Value ✓ 4.0 cu ft or less
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
✓ 4.0 cu ft or less
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
✓ 4.0 cu ft or less
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
✓ 4.0 cu ft or less
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
✓ 4.0 cu ft or less
EUHOMY 3.2 cu ft Mini Fridge with Freezer
Best for: Light sleepers
Capacity3.2 cu ft
Noise38 dB
Size31.1" tall
Air fryers
UC allows air fryers only in listed apartment kitchens.
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
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
Coffee makers
UC permits pod-style coffee makers with enclosed heating elements.
Top Pick ✓ Pod-style
Keurig K-Express Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Fast pod coffee
Brews8–12 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
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
UC permits rice cookers with enclosed heating elements; attend them and unplug after use.
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
Irons
UC permits irons; attend them and unplug after use.
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
Listed as allowed.
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
UC permits UL power strips with surge protection for low-power electronics only, plugged straight into the wall.
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 UC 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
Damage-free hooks OK
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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