Top Pick ✓ Fits 4.5 cu ft limit
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
USF Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits USF's housing appliance limits.
USF dorm appliance rules
USF residence halls (Tampa). Toasters, electric grills and air fryers are allowed only in apartment-style halls with a kitchen.
- Mini fridge Limits
- No more than 4.5 cu ft.
- Microwave Limits
- Under 1,000 W.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- Must have a built-in circuit breaker.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Limits
- No more than 4.5 cu ft.
refrigerators which do not exceed 4.5 cubic feet
- Microwave Limits
- Under 1,000 W.
only microwaves that use less than 1,000 watts
- Coffee maker Allowed
- Automatic coffee makers are allowed.
- Keurig / single-serve Allowed
- A single-serve coffee maker is on the What to Bring list.
- Electric kettle Not published
- Not published.
- Air fryer Not allowed
- Only in apartment-style halls with a kitchen.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Only in apartment-style halls with a kitchen.
- Rice cooker Not published
- Not published.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not allowed
- Stored unplugged only; cooking is limited to kitchens.
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Stored unplugged only; cooking is limited to kitchens.
- Blender Not published
- Not published.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- Only in apartment-style halls with a kitchen.
Personal care
- Hair dryer Limits
- Allowed with care; turn it off when not in use.
- Straightener / curling iron Limits
- Allowed with care; keep away from beds and carpet.
- Clothes iron Limits
- Allowed with care; turn it off when not in use.
- Clothes steamer Not published
- Not published.
Climate
- Space heater Not allowed
- Prohibited.
- 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 Not allowed
- Prohibited; only power strips with built-in circuit breakers.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- Must have a built-in circuit breaker.
only power strips with built-in circuit breakers are allowed in the halls
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Halogen, lava and paper-shade lamps are prohibited.
- Desk lamp Allowed
- On the What to Bring list (no paper shades).
- String / LED lights Not allowed
- Hanging lights (LED, holiday lights) are not allowed.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Prohibited.
- Wax warmers Not published
- Not published.
Room
- Lofts Not published
- Not published.
- Bed risers Not published
- Not published.
- Adhesive hooks / strips Not published
- Not published.
- Over-the-door hooks Not published
- Not published.
Official sources (2)
Policies change. Always confirm current rules with USF Housing & Residential Education. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Mini fridges
USF allows refrigerators that do not exceed 4.5 cu ft.
Best Value ✓ Fits 4.5 cu ft limit
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
✓ Fits 4.5 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
✓ Fits 4.5 cu ft limit
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
✓ Fits 4.5 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 4.5 cu ft limit
EUHOMY 3.2 cu ft Mini Fridge with Freezer
Best for: Light sleepers
Capacity3.2 cu ft
Noise38 dB
Size31.1" tall
Microwaves
USF allows microwaves under 1,000 W.
Top Pick ✓ Fits 1000 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 1000 W limit
Chefman 0.7 cu ft Compact Microwave
Best for: Tight budgets
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.5"
✓ Fits 1000 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 1000 W limit
Farberware 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave
Best for: Multi-stage cooking
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
✓ Fits 1000 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 1000 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
USF allows automatic coffee makers and lists a single-serve coffee maker on its What to Bring list.
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
Irons
USF allows irons; turn them off when not in 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
Power strips
USF allows only power strips with built-in circuit breakers (no extension cords).
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 USF 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 paper shades
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
Built-in breaker required
Buy on Amazon -
Laptop lock
Kensington Combination Laptop Cable Lock
Needs a lock slot
Buy on Amazon
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