Top Pick ✓ UL, under 2 A and 230 W
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
WSU Dorm Rules and Gear
All gear here fits WSU's housing appliance limits.
WSU dorm appliance rules
Washington State University Pullman residence halls. McCroskey, Orton and Rogers rooms come with MicroFridges; McEachern rooms have small refrigerators.
- Mini fridge Limits
- UL approved, up to 4.5 cu ft, 230 W and 2 A running. One per student.
- Microwave Limits
- Only in Community/Duncan Dunn, Global Scholars, Northside and Olympia Avenue (one per room); MicroFridges up to 900 W allowed.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- 16 gauge or heavier, grounded three-prong plug, built-in circuit breaker. No cube taps.
Kitchen
- Mini fridge Limits
- UL approved, up to 4.5 cu ft, 230 W and 2 A running. One per student.
do not exceed maximum capacity 4.5 cu. ft., 120 volts, 60 cycle AC, 230 watts, two amps when running, and are UL-approved
- Microwave Limits
- Only in Community/Duncan Dunn, Global Scholars, Northside and Olympia Avenue (one per room); MicroFridges up to 900 W allowed.
- Coffee maker Allowed
- Coffee and espresso machines are approved.
- Keurig / single-serve Not published
- Not published.
- Electric kettle Allowed
- Listed as allowed.
- Air fryer Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Toaster / toaster oven Not allowed
- Not allowed.
- Rice cooker Allowed
- Listed as allowed.
- Instant Pot / pressure cooker Limits
- Slow cookers, and pressure cookers up to 3 quarts.
- Hot plate Not published
- Not published.
- Blender Allowed
- Listed as allowed.
- Indoor grill / griddle Not published
- Not published.
Personal care
- Hair dryer Allowed
- Hair dryers, straighteners and curlers.
- Straightener / curling iron Not published
- Not published.
- Clothes iron Allowed
- Listed as allowed.
- Clothes steamer Not published
- Not published.
Climate
- Space heater Not published
- Not published.
- Fan Allowed
- Listed as allowed.
- Air purifier Limits
- 240 W or 2 A max.
Air Purifiers (max wattage is 240 or 2 amps)
- Humidifier Allowed
- Listed as allowed.
- Window / portable AC Not allowed
- Not allowed.
Power & lighting
- Extension cords Limits
- Three-wire, three-prong, at least 16 gauge.
- Power strips / surge protectors Limits
- 16 gauge or heavier, grounded three-prong plug, built-in circuit breaker. No cube taps.
- Halogen lamps Not published
- Not published.
- Desk lamp Allowed
- Study lamps.
- String / LED lights Not allowed
- Adhesive strip lights; no tape on walls.
- Candles / incense Limits
- No burning; unlit decorative candles with unburnt wicks are allowed.
- Wax warmers Not published
- Not published.
Room
- Lofts Limits
- Only with prior approval and WSU equipment.
- Bed risers Not published
- Not published.
- Adhesive hooks / strips Not allowed
- No tape, nails, screws or tacks on walls; push pins only in some halls.
- Over-the-door hooks Not published
- Not published.
Official sources (2)
Policies change. Always confirm current rules with WSU Housing and Dining. Rules verified Oct 9, 2026.
Mini fridges
WSU allows UL fridges up to 4.5 cu ft drawing no more than 230 W and 2 A. Each pick is UL listed and rated under 1.9 A (about 230 W at 120 V).
Best Value ✓ UL, under 2 A and 230 W
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
Microwaves
WSU allows personal microwaves only in Community/Duncan Dunn, Global Scholars, Northside and Olympia Avenue, one per room.
Top Pick ✓ Fits 900 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 900 W limit
Chefman 0.7 cu ft Compact Microwave
Best for: Tight budgets
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.5"
✓ Fits 900 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 900 W limit
Farberware 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave
Best for: Multi-stage cooking
Power700 W
Capacity0.7 cu ft
Width17.3"
✓ Fits 900 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 900 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
Coffee and espresso machines are approved.
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
Listed as allowed.
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
Listed as allowed.
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
Fans
Listed as allowed.
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
WSU requires grounded strips of 16 gauge or heavier with a built-in 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
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 WSU 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
Study lamps OK
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
-
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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