Top Pick ✓ UL, 1.5 A or less, under 3.6 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
UMD Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits UMD's housing appliance limits.
UMD dorm appliance rules
University of Maryland residence halls. Cooking in rooms is limited to the MicroFridge Smoke Sensor combo unit; Johnson-Whittle, Oakland, Prince Frederick and Pyon-Chen halls and Leonardtown/South Hill suites and apartments have microwave exceptions.
- Mini fridge Limits
- 3.6 cu ft max, 1.5 normal operating amps, 120 V, 3-prong grounded plug, UL seal. Energy Star preferred.
- Microwave Not allowed
- Standalone microwaves are not approved; use the MicroFridge Smoke Sensor combo rental. Exceptions: one microwave (1,000 W max) per bedroom in Johnson-Whittle, Oakland, Prince Frederick and Pyon-Chen; suite common areas or apartment kitchens in Leonardtown and South Hill.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- 14- or 12-gauge wire, built-in surge protector and circuit breaker, UL (or equivalent) listed.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Limits
- 3.6 cu ft max, 1.5 normal operating amps, 120 V, 3-prong grounded plug, UL seal. Energy Star preferred.
3.6 cubic foot maximum
- Microwave Not allowed
- Standalone microwaves are not approved; use the MicroFridge Smoke Sensor combo rental. Exceptions: one microwave (1,000 W max) per bedroom in Johnson-Whittle, Oakland, Prince Frederick and Pyon-Chen; suite common areas or apartment kitchens in Leonardtown and South Hill.
- Coffee maker Not published
- Not published.
- Keurig / single-serve Allowed
- Keurig hot drink dispensers are on the what-to-bring list.
- Electric kettle Not allowed
- Hot water pots with enclosed elements and a UL seal may be used only in floor-lounge cooking areas.
- Air fryer Not allowed
- Unless you live in an apartment with a kitchen.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Rice cooker Not published
- Not published.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not allowed
- Crock pots are prohibited.
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Blender Not published
- Not published.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- Electric skillets 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 Allowed
- Window and room fans are on the list. Installing ceiling fans is prohibited.
- Air purifier Limits
- Must carry a UL or ETL seal.
- Humidifier Not published
- Not published.
- Window / portable AC Not allowed
- Not allowed.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Limits
- Extension cords or power strips without surge protection are prohibited.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- 14- or 12-gauge wire, built-in surge protector and circuit breaker, UL (or equivalent) listed.
Use only power strips that have either 14- or 12-gauge wire
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Desk lamp Limits
- No halogen bulbs and no gooseneck lamps with plastic shades.
- String / LED lights Allowed
- LED light strips are OK; apply blue painter's tape first.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Wax warmers Not allowed
- Candle warmers are prohibited.
Room
- Lofts Limits
- Only lofts from Residential Facilities or Bedloft.
- Bed risers Not published
- Not published.
- Adhesive hooks / strips Allowed
- Command strips are on the list.
- Over-the-door hooks Not published
- Not published.
Official sources (2)
Policies change. Always confirm current rules with UMD Department of Resident Life. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Mini fridges
UMD allows fridges up to 3.6 cu ft that draw 1.5 normal operating amps or less and carry a UL seal. Every pick here meets all three.
Best Value ✓ UL, 1.5 A or less, under 3.6 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
Fans
UMD lists window and room fans on its what-to-bring list. Installing ceiling fans is prohibited.
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
UMD requires power strips with 14- or 12-gauge wire, built-in surge protection and a circuit breaker, listed by a lab such as UL.
Top Pick ✓ 14 AWG, surge + breaker
Tripp Lite Protect It! 6-Outlet Surge Protector (TLP606B)
Best for: Desk setups and chargers
Outlets6
Breaker15 A
Cord6 ft
Best Value ✓ 14 AWG, surge + breaker
Tripp Lite Protect It! 8-Outlet Flat-Plug Surge Protector (TLP808B)
Best for: Outlets behind beds and dressers
Outlets8
Breaker15 A
PlugFlat
✓ 14 AWG, surge + 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
✓ 14 AWG, surge + 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 UMD 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
On the UMD list
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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