Top Pick ✓ 4 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
UNM Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits UNM's housing appliance limits.
UNM dorm appliance rules
University of New Mexico residence halls (Albuquerque). Apartment-style halls (SRC, Redondo Village) come with a full-size fridge, range and microwave.
- Mini fridge Limits
- One refrigerator or MicroFridge per bedspace; handbook spec lists 4 ft, 120 V, 15 A.
- Microwave Limits
- 800 W or less in non-apartment halls.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- Only power strips with surge protection or circuit breakers.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Limits
- One refrigerator or MicroFridge per bedspace; handbook spec lists 4 ft, 120 V, 15 A.
One refrigerator or Microfridge unit maximum per bedspace.
- Microwave Limits
- 800 W or less in non-apartment halls.
You may bring and use a microwave (800 watts or less)
- Coffee maker Allowed
- Allowed in non-apartment halls.
- Keurig / single-serve Not published
- Not published.
- Electric kettle Allowed
- Hot pots allowed in non-apartment halls.
- Air fryer Not published
- Not published.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Toasters and toaster ovens (visible heating element).
- Rice cooker Allowed
- Allowed in non-apartment halls.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not published
- Not published.
- Hot plate Not published
- Not published.
- Blender Not published
- Not published.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- George Foreman grills and anything that uses hot oil.
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
- Heating units with exposed elements.
Heating units with exposed elements are prohibited.
- Fan Not published
- Not published.
- Air purifier Not published
- Not published.
- Humidifier Not published
- Not published.
- Window / portable AC Not allowed
- Personal air conditioners.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Not published
- Not published.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- Only power strips with surge protection or circuit breakers.
Only power strips with surge protective/circuit breakers are permitted.
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Desk lamp Not published
- Not published.
- String / LED lights Limits
- Indoor only, two strands per room max, plugged into a surge protector (not an extension cord), off when you leave.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Also incense.
- Wax warmers Not published
- Not published.
Room
- Lofts Not allowed
- Free-standing elevated beds and lofting are not permitted.
- Bed risers Not published
- Not published.
- Adhesive hooks / strips Limits
- No nails, tacks, duct tape, hot glue or contact paper; blue painter's tape may be used with care.
- Over-the-door hooks Not allowed
- Over-the-door hooks and hangers are not allowed.
- Scooter storage Limits
- E-scooters and other lithium-ion devices must be stored and charged in an approved fire-resistant battery bag on housing property; the handbook also bars storing scooters in rooms or halls.
Official sources (2)
Policies change. Always confirm current rules with UNM Residence Life & Student Housing. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Mini fridges
UNM allows one fridge or MicroFridge per bedspace (listed as 4 ft).
Best Value ✓ 4 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 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 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 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 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
Microwaves
UNM allows microwaves of 800 W or less in non-apartment halls.
Top Pick ✓ 800 W or less
COMFEE' 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (EM720CPL-PMB)
Best for: Everyday reheating
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
Best Value ✓ 800 W or less
Chefman 0.7 cu ft Compact Microwave
Best for: Tight budgets
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.5"
✓ 800 W or less
Commercial Chef 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM770B)
Best for: Simple one-touch controls
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.6"
✓ 800 W or less
Farberware 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave
Best for: Multi-stage cooking
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
✓ 800 W or less
Toshiba 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (MM-EM07PA)
Best for: A trusted brand name
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.1"
✓ 800 W or less
Commercial Chef 0.6 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM660B)
Best for: The smallest footprint
Power700 W
Capacity0.6 cu ft
Width17.8"
Coffee makers
Coffee makers are allowed in UNM non-apartment halls.
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
Allowed in non-apartment halls.
Top Pick ✓ Listed as allowed
AROMA Digital Rice Cooker, 4-cup uncooked (ARC-914SBD)
Best for: Rice, grains and steamed veggies
Capacity4 cups uncooked
Power350 W
TypeDigital
Best Value ✓ Listed as allowed
Dash Mini Rice Cooker, 2-cup
Best for: Single servings on a budget
Capacity2 cups
PotCeramic nonstick
Size6.5" tall
✓ Listed as allowed
AROMA Rice Cooker, 3-cup uncooked (ARC-363NG)
Best for: One-switch simplicity
Capacity3 cups uncooked
Power500 W
TypeOne-touch
✓ Listed as allowed
Zojirushi 3-cup Rice Cooker/Steamer (NHS-06)
Best for: Consistent results for years
Capacity3 cups uncooked
Power300 W
TypeOne-touch
✓ Listed as allowed
Toshiba Mini Rice Cooker, 3-cup uncooked (TRCS02)
Best for: Fuzzy-logic cooking and a delay timer
Capacity3 cups uncooked
Power460 W
TypeFuzzy logic
✓ Listed as allowed
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
UNM allows only strips with surge protection or circuit breakers.
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 UNM 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
No halogen
Buy on Amazon -
Under-bed storage
Amazon Basics Under-Bed Storage Bags
Slides under the bed
Buy on Amazon
Small stuff
-
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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