Top Pick ✓ 12 cups and under
Farberware 4-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator
Best for: Hot coffee that stays warm
Capacity4 cups
Power1000 W
TypePercolator
UT Austin Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits UT Austin's housing appliance limits.
UT Austin dorm appliance rules
UT Austin residence halls. Every room comes with a combination microwave/refrigerator.
- Mini fridge Not allowed
- Leave it behind; University Housing and Dining provides one.
- Microwave Not allowed
- Leave it behind; University Housing and Dining provides one.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- UL-listed with a built-in circuit breaker, designed for indoor use.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Not allowed
- Leave it behind; University Housing and Dining provides one.
- Microwave Not allowed
- Leave it behind; University Housing and Dining provides one.
- Coffee maker Limits
- Coffee pot of 12 cups and under; brewing is allowed if it does not set off the fire detection system.
Coffee grinder and pot (12 cups and under)
- Keurig / single-serve Not published
- Not published.
- Electric kettle Limits
- Water kettle with attached base.
- Air fryer Not allowed
- Leave behind (open heating coils).
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Leave behind.
- Rice cooker Not allowed
- Leave behind.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not allowed
- Crock pots and Instant Pots: leave behind.
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Leave behind.
- Blender Allowed
- Optional item.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- All types of electric grills: leave behind.
Personal care
- Hair dryer Allowed
- Optional; must be UL approved or labeled.
- Straightener / curling iron Allowed
- Optional; must be UL approved or labeled.
- Clothes iron Limits
- Irons and steamers with auto shut-off.
Clothes irons and steamers with auto shut-off features
- Clothes steamer Limits
- With auto shut-off.
Climate
- Space heater Not allowed
- Leave behind.
- Fan Allowed
- A small fan is optional.
- Air purifier Not published
- Not published.
- Humidifier Not published
- Not published.
- Window / portable AC Not allowed
- Leave behind.
- Diffusers Not allowed
- Leave behind.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Limits
- UL-listed with a built-in circuit breaker, designed for indoor use.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- UL-listed with a built-in circuit breaker, designed for indoor use.
These must be UL-listed with a built-in circuit breaker and be designed for indoor use
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Leave behind, along with torchiere lamps.
- Desk lamp Allowed
- Use CFL or LED bulbs.
- String / LED lights Not allowed
- Rope, string and strip lights (including LED) stay home.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Leave behind, even with unburned wicks.
- Wax warmers Not published
- Not published.
Room
- Lofts Not allowed
- Lofted furniture not supplied by University Housing and Dining is not allowed.
- Bed risers Not published
- Not published.
- Adhesive hooks / strips Allowed
- Removable adhesive is the only allowed material for walls; no tape, tacks or nails except on bulletin boards.
Removable adhesive. This is the only allowable material for hanging posters and pictures on walls.
- Over-the-door hooks Not published
- Not published.
Official sources (1)
Policies change. Always confirm current rules with UT Austin University Housing and Dining. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Coffee makers
UT Austin allows a coffee pot of 12 cups and under.
Best Value ✓ 12 cups and under
Elite Gourmet 4-Cup Drip Coffee Maker (EHC4128)
Best for: Tight budgets
Capacity4 cups
Power650 W
TypeDrip
✓ 12 cups and under
Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Switch Coffee Maker
Best for: A classic small drip brewer
Capacity4 cups
Power1200 W
TypeDrip
✓ 12 cups and under
Brentwood 4-Cup Coffee Maker (TS-213)
Best for: A simple one-switch drip brewer
Capacity4 cups
TypeDrip
Size10.5" tall
✓ 12 cups and under
Keurig K-Express Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Fast pod coffee
Brews8–12 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
✓ 12 cups and under
Keurig K-Compact Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Slim pod brewer for small desks
Brews6–10 oz
TypeK-Cup pods
Power1000 W
Irons
UT Austin allows clothes irons and steamers with auto shut-off.
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
UT Austin lists a small fan as optional.
Top Pick ✓ Small fan
Honeywell TurboForce Air Circulator (HT-900)
Best for: Moving air across a whole dorm room
TypeDesk
Power35 W
Speeds3
Best Value ✓ Small fan
Amazon Basics Air Circulator Desk Fan
Best for: Tight budgets
TypeDesk
Power35 W
Speeds3
✓ Small fan
Hurricane Classic 6 in. Clip Fan
Best for: Clipping to a bed frame or desk shelf
TypeClip-on
Power14 W
Speeds2
✓ Small fan
Vornado 133 Personal Air Circulator
Best for: Strong airflow from a small fan
TypeDesk
Power25 W
Speeds2
✓ Small fan
Honeywell QuietSet Personal Table Fan (HTF210B)
Best for: Light sleepers
TypeOscillating desk
Power5 W
Size13" tall
Power strips
UT Austin requires UL-listed strips with a built-in circuit breaker, designed for indoor use.
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 UT Austin 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 or CFL bulbs required
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
The only wall adhesive allowed
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
As an Amazon Associate, CollegeScoot earns from qualifying purchases. Product images are manufacturer or retailer photos. Availability changes, so check the listing on Amazon before you buy.