Top Pick ✓ Listed as allowed
COMFEE' 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (EM720CPL-PMB)
Best for: Everyday reheating
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
UW–Madison Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits UW–Madison's housing appliance limits.
UW–Madison dorm appliance rules
UW–Madison residence halls. Rooms come with a university-provided micro-fridge or 3.1 cu ft compact fridge (two in triples and quads).
- Mini fridge Not published
- Not published. Rooms come with a university-provided fridge; stand-alone freezers are not permitted.
- Microwave Allowed
- Approved appliance; must be UL listed.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- Use surge protectors with their own built-in fuse.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Not published
- Not published. Rooms come with a university-provided fridge; stand-alone freezers are not permitted.
- Microwave Allowed
- Approved appliance; must be UL listed.
- Coffee maker Allowed
- Coffee pots are approved; must be UL listed.
- Keurig / single-serve Allowed
- Approved.
- Electric kettle Allowed
- Hot water boilers and electric kettles are approved.
- Air fryer Not allowed
- Prohibited.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Prohibited.
- Rice cooker Allowed
- Approved.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Not allowed
- Instant Pots, crockpots, slow cookers and pressure cookers are prohibited.
- Hot plate Not allowed
- Prohibited.
- Blender Allowed
- Approved.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not allowed
- Electric grills, griddles and waffle irons are prohibited.
Personal care
- Hair dryer Allowed
- Hairstyling tools are approved.
- Straightener / curling iron Allowed
- Hairstyling tools are approved.
- Clothes iron Allowed
- Approved.
- Clothes steamer Allowed
- Approved.
Climate
- Space heater Not allowed
- Prohibited.
- Fan Not published
- Not published.
- Air purifier Not published
- Not published.
- Humidifier Allowed
- Approved.
- Window / portable AC Not allowed
- Only University Housing-approved window units for ADA/medical needs.
- Dehumidifier Allowed
- Approved.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Limits
- Only circuit breaker extension cords; never under carpet.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- Use surge protectors with their own built-in fuse.
Use surge protectors with their own built-in fuse
- Halogen lamps Not allowed
- Prohibited.
- Desk lamp Not published
- Not published.
- String / LED lights Limits
- Nothing may hang from ceilings or pipes, including string lights.
- Candles / incense Not allowed
- Not permitted.
- Wax warmers Not allowed
- Electric wax melts are prohibited.
Room
- Lofts Limits
- All provided furniture can be lofted or bunked; you may not bring or build your own loft.
- Bed risers Not published
- Not published.
- Adhesive hooks / strips Limits
- Avoid tape; it leaves permanent marks.
- Over-the-door hooks Not published
- Not published.
Official sources (2)
Policies change. Always confirm current rules with University Housing at UW–Madison. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Microwaves
UW–Madison approves microwaves; all appliances must be UL listed.
Best Value ✓ Listed as allowed
Chefman 0.7 cu ft Compact Microwave
Best for: Tight budgets
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.5"
✓ Listed as allowed
Commercial Chef 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM770B)
Best for: Simple one-touch controls
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.6"
✓ Listed as allowed
Farberware 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave
Best for: Multi-stage cooking
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
✓ Listed as allowed
Toshiba 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave (MM-EM07PA)
Best for: A trusted brand name
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.1"
✓ Listed as allowed
Commercial Chef 0.6 cu ft Countertop Microwave (CHM660B)
Best for: The smallest footprint
Power700 W
Capacity0.6 cu ft
Width17.8"
Coffee makers
UW–Madison approves coffee pots and Keurigs; all appliances must be UL listed.
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
UW–Madison approves rice cookers; all appliances must be UL listed.
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
Irons
UW–Madison approves clothing irons and steamers.
Top Pick ✓ Listed as allowed
BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Compact Iron (IR40V)
Best for: Interview shirts on a budget
Power1200 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateNonstick
Best Value ✓ Listed as allowed
BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Compact Iron (IR06V)
Best for: Small drawers and quick touch-ups
Power1200 W
SteamVertical
PlateNonstick
✓ Listed as allowed
BLACK+DECKER The Classic Iron (F67E-T)
Best for: Steam or dry ironing
Power1100 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateAluminum
✓ Listed as allowed
BEAUTURAL Steam Iron, Ceramic Soleplate
Best for: More steam for heavy fabrics
Power1500 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateCeramic
✓ Listed as allowed
BLACK+DECKER Light 'N Easy Compact Steam Iron (IR1020S)
Best for: A lightweight iron for small spaces
Power1200 W
Shut-offAutomatic
PlateStainless
✓ Listed as allowed
Hamilton Beach Steam Iron with Vertical Steam (14214)
Best for: Pressing and quick wrinkle touch-ups
Power1200 W
SteamVertical
CordRetractable
Power strips
UW–Madison asks for surge protectors with their own built-in fuse. Every pick here has a built-in 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
Don't forget
Move-in basics that fit UW–Madison 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; halogen prohibited
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
Avoid tape on walls
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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