Top Pick ✓ Fits 5.5 cu ft limit
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
UMich Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits UMich's housing appliance limits.
UMich dorm appliance rules
University of Michigan residence halls (Ann Arbor). Northwood apartments and Munger Graduate Residences have different appliance rules.
- Mini fridge Limits
- One per room, under 5.5 cu ft and no more than 1.5 A.
- Microwave Limits
- One per room, under 800 W. Not allowed in Munger or Northwood bedrooms.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- Must have an integrated circuit breaker; never plug strips into each other.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Limits
- One per room, under 5.5 cu ft and no more than 1.5 A.
The fridge should not exceed the maximum capacity of 5.5 cubic feet, 1.5 amps.
- Microwave Limits
- One per room, under 800 W. Not allowed in Munger or Northwood bedrooms.
Mini microwave (<800 Watts)
- Coffee maker Limits
- Coffee pots with automatic shut off, UL listed.
except for electrical coffee pots, electric tea kettle, or rice cookers with an automatic shut off
- Keurig / single-serve Not published
- Not published.
- Electric kettle Limits
- With automatic shut off, UL listed.
- Air fryer Not allowed
- All cooking appliances other than coffee pots, kettles and rice cookers are prohibited in residence hall rooms.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Not allowed (heating coils).
- Rice cooker Limits
- With automatic shut off, UL listed.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not allowed
- All other cooking appliances are prohibited in residence hall rooms; slow cookers only in Northwood and Munger shared spaces.
- 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 Limits
- With auto shut-off.
Iron (with auto shut-off)/ironing board
- Clothes steamer Not published
- Not published.
Climate
- Space heater Not allowed
- Prohibited (Northwood has its own rules).
- Fan Allowed
- On the What to Bring list.
- Air purifier Not published
- Not published.
- Humidifier Not allowed
- Humidifiers and dehumidifiers of all types are prohibited.
- Window / portable AC Not allowed
- Air conditioners not owned and installed by Michigan Housing are prohibited.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Limits
- 16 gauge or heavier and UL certified.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- Must have an integrated circuit breaker; never plug strips into each other.
Power strip (must have integrated circuit breaker)/surge protectors
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Prohibited.
- Desk lamp Allowed
- Desk and floor lamps (not halogen) are on the list.
- String / LED lights Limits
- On the list; may not be hung from pipes.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Lit or unlit candles and incense are prohibited.
- Wax warmers Not allowed
- Candle warmers, wax warmers and diffusers are prohibited.
Room
- Lofts Not published
- Not published.
- Bed risers Not published
- Not published.
- Adhesive hooks / strips Allowed
- Command Strips and Command hooks are on the list; no wall mounting.
- Over-the-door hooks Allowed
- Over-the-door racks are on the list.
- Electric blankets Limits
- Only with an automatic shutoff.
Official sources (3)
Policies change. Always confirm current rules with Michigan Housing. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Mini fridges
Michigan allows one fridge per room, under 5.5 cu ft and no more than 1.5 A.
Best Value ✓ Fits 5.5 cu ft limit
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
✓ Fits 5.5 cu ft limit
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
✓ Fits 5.5 cu ft limit
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
Microwaves
Michigan allows one microwave per room under 800 W.
Top Pick ✓ Fits 800 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 800 W limit
Chefman 0.7 cu ft Compact Microwave
Best for: Tight budgets
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.5"
✓ Fits 800 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 800 W limit
Farberware 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave
Best for: Multi-stage cooking
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
✓ Fits 800 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 800 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
Michigan allows coffee pots with an automatic shut off.
Top Pick ✓ Automatic shut-off
Keurig K-Express Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Fast pod coffee
Brews8–12 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
Best Value ✓ Automatic shut-off
Amazon Basics 5-Cup Drip Coffee Maker
Best for: Budget brewer with 2-hour auto shut-off
Capacity5 cups
TypeDrip
Shut-offAutomatic
✓ Automatic shut-off
Keurig K-Compact Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Slim pod brewer for small desks
Brews6–10 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
✓ Automatic shut-off
Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
Best for: Coffee ready when you wake up
Capacity5 cups
TypeDrip
Shut-offAutomatic
Rice cookers
With automatic shut off, UL listed.
Top Pick ✓ Fits the limits
Rice Robot Personal Rice Cooker, 1 qt
Best for: Schools that require automatic shut-off
Capacity1 qt
Power200 W
Shut-offAutomatic
Irons
Michigan lists an iron with auto shut-off on its What to Bring list.
Top Pick ✓ Auto shut-off
BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Compact Iron (IR40V)
Best for: Interview shirts on a budget
Power1200 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateNonstick
Best Value ✓ Auto shut-off
BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Compact Iron (IR06V)
Best for: Small drawers and quick touch-ups
Power1200 W
SteamVertical
PlateNonstick
✓ Auto shut-off
BLACK+DECKER The Classic Iron (F67E-T)
Best for: Steam or dry ironing
Power1100 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateAluminum
✓ Auto shut-off
BEAUTURAL Steam Iron, Ceramic Soleplate
Best for: More steam for heavy fabrics
Power1500 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateCeramic
✓ Auto shut-off
BLACK+DECKER Light 'N Easy Compact Steam Iron (IR1020S)
Best for: A lightweight iron for small spaces
Power1200 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateStainless
✓ Auto shut-off
Hamilton Beach Steam Iron with Vertical Steam (14214)
Best for: Pressing and quick wrinkle touch-ups
Power1200 W
SteamVertical
CordRetractable
Fans
Michigan lists a fan on its What to Bring list.
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
Michigan requires power strips with an integrated circuit breaker.
Top Pick ✓ UL + circuit breaker
Tripp Lite Protect It! 6-Outlet Surge Protector (TLP606B)
Best for: Desk setups and chargers
Outlets6
Breaker15 A
Cord6 ft
Best Value ✓ UL + circuit breaker
GE 6-Outlet Surge Protector, 2 ft cord
Best for: Tight budgets and short reaches
Outlets6
BreakerBuilt-in
Cord2 ft
✓ UL + circuit breaker
Tripp Lite Protect It! 8-Outlet Flat-Plug Surge Protector (TLP808B)
Best for: Outlets behind beds and dressers
Outlets8
Breaker15 A
PlugFlat
✓ UL + circuit 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
✓ UL + circuit 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
✓ UL + circuit breaker
GE 6-Outlet Power Strip with Circuit Breaker (14831)
Best for: Lamps and chargers on the tightest budget
Outlets6
Breaker15 A
Cord2 ft
Don't forget
Move-in basics that fit UMich 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; not 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 list; no wall mounting
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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