Top Pick ✓ Under 4.6 cu ft and 2.9 A
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
UIC Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits UIC's housing appliance limits.
UIC dorm appliance rules
University of Illinois Chicago residence halls. MRH and TBH apartments have built-in microwaves; MicroFridges are rented through myMicroFridge.
- Mini fridge Limits
- Interior 4.6 cu ft or less and 2.9 A or less. One per resident (one per bedroom in ARC).
- Microwave Not allowed
- Only built-in apartment microwaves or a MicroFridge.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- 12- or 14-gauge, UL approved, undamaged, with surge protection.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Limits
- Interior 4.6 cu ft or less and 2.9 A or less. One per resident (one per bedroom in ARC).
Refrigerators with interiors larger than 4.6 cubic feet or greater than 2.9 amps
- Microwave Not allowed
- Only built-in apartment microwaves or a MicroFridge.
- Coffee maker Allowed
- Coffee makers can be used in your space.
- Keurig / single-serve Not published
- Not published.
- Electric kettle Allowed
- Electric hot water kettles.
- Air fryer Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Rice cooker Limits
- Store in your room; use in a kitchen, supervised.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Limits
- Crock pots: store in your room; use in a kitchen.
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Blender Not published
- Not published.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not published
- Not published.
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 published
- Not published.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Limits
- 12- or 14-gauge, UL approved, with surge protection.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- 12- or 14-gauge, UL approved, undamaged, with surge protection.
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Desk lamp Not published
- Not published.
- String / LED lights Not allowed
- Adhesive LED light strips.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Even decorative; also heated oil diffusers.
- Wax warmers Not published
- Not published.
Room
- Lofts Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Bed risers Not published
- Not published.
- 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 UIC Campus Housing. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Mini fridges
UIC allows fridges up to 4.6 cu ft that draw 2.9 A or less.
Best Value ✓ Under 4.6 cu ft and 2.9 A
BLACK+DECKER 1.7 cu ft Compact Refrigerator (BCRK17W)
Best for: Low-amp pick for strict power limits
Capacity1.7 cu ft
FreezerBuilt-in
Size19.7" tall
✓ Under 4.6 cu ft and 2.9 A
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 4.6 cu ft and 2.9 A
BLACK+DECKER 2.5 cu ft Compact Refrigerator (BCRK25W)
Best for: Small rooms with a per-person size cap
Capacity2.5 cu ft
FreezerBuilt-in
Size26.6" tall
Coffee makers
UIC allows coffee makers in your room.
Top Pick ✓ Listed as allowed
Farberware 4-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator
Best for: Hot coffee that stays warm
Capacity4 cups
Power1000 W
TypePercolator
Best Value ✓ Listed as allowed
Elite Gourmet 4-Cup Drip Coffee Maker (EHC4128)
Best for: Tight budgets
Capacity4 cups
Power650 W
TypeDrip
✓ Listed as allowed
Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Switch Coffee Maker
Best for: A classic small drip brewer
Capacity4 cups
Power1200 W
TypeDrip
✓ Listed as allowed
Brentwood 4-Cup Coffee Maker (TS-213)
Best for: A simple one-switch drip brewer
Capacity4 cups
TypeDrip
Size10.5" tall
✓ Listed as allowed
Keurig K-Express Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Fast pod coffee
Brews8–12 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
✓ Listed as allowed
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
UIC lets you store a rice cooker in your room, but it must be used in a kitchen.
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
Power strips
UIC requires 12- or 14-gauge, UL-approved strips with surge protection.
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
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 UIC 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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