The Best Mini Fridge Buying Guide
Table of Contents
Here are the best mini fridges we found based on features, reviews, and price.
1. Best Compact Refrigerator – Danby Mini Designer Two-Door Refrigerator
2. Best Reversible Mini Refrigerator – Midea WHS-65LB1 1.6 Cubic Feet Refrigerator
3. Best Single Door Refrigerator – Midea Reversible Compact Refrigerator and Freezer
4. Best Portable Fridge – Frigidaire EFMIS129 Portable Mini Fridge
5. Best Giftable Fridge – Koolatron KWC4 Coca Cola Personal Fridge
6. Bestselling Beverage Refrigerator – Astro AI 4L mini fridge
7. Best Cooler and Warmer – Astro AI 9L Portable Mini Fridge
8. Best Quiet Mini Fridge – SMAD 40 Liter Mini Refridgerator
With this model of Danby mini-fridge, you can optimize the storage of your drinks and fresh food. It is practical, as it has an independent freezer, a full-width tempered glass shelf, and a built-in door shelf ideal for putting the bottles. Also, note that it offers a transparent crisper with a glass lid.
On the design side, this mini fridge has a very nice stainless steel finish. It has a nice handle which makes it even more classy. Its door has an intelligent reversible function allowing it to be opened from both sides.
The appliance has a high-tech mechanical thermostat to help keep your food at the right temperature, and a practical cycle defrosting system. It has a total capacity of 0.9 m³. This small appliance will go very well in your office, your bedroom, or on the corner of your living room.
With the Midea WHS-65LB1 mini-fridge, you’ll get a capacity of 1.6 cubic feet. It can therefore contain different products, such as drinks, jam, yogurts, and butter, which can be arranged in. Also, it has a freezer compartment where you can put in your meat. Thanks to its removable shelf, you can store it according to your needs.
With its dimensions of 17.7 x 18.6 x 18.2 inches and its weight of 35 pounds, this model is easily transported anywhere. It is indeed suitable for use in a motorhome, but you can also put it in the trunk of your car. An adjustable thermostat is inside. This will allow you to adjust the operating temperature to achieve satisfaction. You will then choose between 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 35.6 degrees Fahrenheit, which will ensure the optimal freshness of drinks and snacks.
You can put this pretty mini-fridge in the kitchen, living room, or dormitory. Spacious, it has large storage areas to cool your bottles and snacks. For optimal preservation of drinks, you can adjust your appliance to the right temperature.
It also has small bulbs inside, which you can also adjust according to the brightness you are looking for. Among other things, this little fridge is easy to install. It is light and easy to carry. In addition, it has four adjustable feet.
Its door is reversible, which allows you to open it from the left side as from the right side. With its compact shape, the Midea refrigerator is perfect for blending into small spaces. It is effective and above all, it is inexpensive. It’s a device that is dedicated to small spaces. It blends easily into a small room.
This model is perhaps the most efficient of the mini-refrigerators. First of all, it is portable, light, and practical. It can be counted on for fast and efficient cooling of drinks. With a capacity of 4 liters, it can hold up to 6 cans. Perfect to equip in the dormitory, the kitchen, or the office, it is strong, sturdy, and durable.
The biggest advantage of this mini fridge is the fact that it is portable. It is easy to carry about, thanks to its handle. You can take it with you on outings with friends or a family picnic. This will keep your drinks cool to the delight of young and old.
In addition, the retro style of this small refrigerator brings out its authentic side. Installed in a choice room, it will not fail to bring a touch of sobriety.
Wherever you put it, this model of Coca-Cola mini fridge will add a decorative touch to your room. At first glance, you will immediately be won over by its style, color, and shape.
This pretty mini fridge has the advantage of being portable. In hot weather, you can take it in the car. You can also take this handy little device on outings with friends.
The Koolatron Coca Cola refrigerator is capable of cooling your cans up to 32 degrees below room temperature. Thanks to its capacity of 4 liters, it can hold 6 cans. Note, however, that it is not only intended for cooling cans. You can also use it to store fruit, yogurt, or jam for example. The fridge is equipped with a self-locking recessed handle. Portable, light, and easy to take with you, it weighs just 4.5 pounds.
Convenient for use in all seasons, this mini refrigerator can maintain a constant cooling temperature of 0 to 5 ° C. Interesting because it is even relatively effective in hotter temperatures. Indeed, it can cool down to 30 ° C below ambient temperatures. It can also keep food warm, with an internal temperature of up to 66 ° C.
The device works thanks to a silent and economical electrical system. It’s quiet during operation as it only produces 28 dB. The device consumes 32w on heating mode and 40w on cool mode.
It has a storage volume of 4 liters for dimensions of 9.6 x 7.3 x 10.6 inches and the product weighs 4.5 pounds. The device is therefore very easy to handle and light, not to mention its carrying handle which facilitates movement.
Small silent and efficient, this is a portable fridge. Practical and easy to transport, it can easily be integrated freestanding in a kitchen, a bedroom, or an office. It is the bigger version of the Astro AI model reviewed earlier.
The device produces a sound of 25 to 38 decibels and it is very quiet. Other than a slight hiss from the fan, you shouldn’t hear anything else.
This small household appliance has a volume of 9 liters for dimensions of 12.8 x 11.6 x 13.8 inches. Its internal volume allows it to accommodate up to 12 cans of 33 cl. The shelf is removable, so you can remove it to store up to 6 bottles of 55 cl. Finally, it is equipped with a transport slot which makes it all the more manageable.
This model from the Smad brand is a silent mini-fridge in black color with matte finishes provided with a lock. Despite its compact dimensions, this mini fridge has a capacity of 40 liters.
Equipped with an adjustable thermostat, this mini fridge can deliver between 0 ° and 10 ° of temperature, perfect temperatures for storing and cooling your drinks and food. Note that this mini fridge comes with storage shelves, a reversible door, a lock, and keys to lock/unlock it.
Almost everyone agrees that this mini fridge is very quiet and that you can put it in the corner of your room without fear of noise pollution. Finally, note that the freon-free chip with which it is equipped and its absorption cooling system make it a very environmentally friendly device.
Let us consider that you get into your dorm room for the first time. You unpack all those stuff that you have brought in. At this juncture, you find that something is missing in your room. Yes, it is a mini-fridge. Nevertheless, you do not want an appliance that is just a crappy box. You do not want it to barely chill a few sodas, particularly when you plan to share it with a roommate.
Now comes the question of what to consider when shopping for this appliance. Let us delve into the top 10 considerations among the many factors that you will have to consider in the process of shopping for the right appliance:
You are looking for a refrigerator for your dorm room. So, you should remember that you have only a small space in your room. Thanks to mini-refrigerators! Compared to the big and huge side by side refrigerators, mini-fridges are designed mainly to help people like you. They are available beginning from an internal volume of one cubic to four cubic feet. You will come across this appliance in square and tall shapes. Of course, this is a small appliance. However, you will have to measure the space available in your dorm.
Also, when measuring the space in your dorm, remember to provide at least three inches of empty space. This space should be between the surrounding wall and the refrigerator. This measurement will ensure that your fridge will remain rightly ventilated. Once you have the measurement, you can decide on the refrigerator with the right dimensions.
As you intend to buy a mini-fridge, you should keep yourself aware of the types available. This knowledge will help you make the right choice as per your requirements:
This type of mini fridge is generally meant for short-term use. It works by using a pump for transferring heat from one side to another. It means that you can even get the warming function with this kind of fridge. As compared to compressor-based refrigerators, this type will operate quite. The reason is that there is no liquid used in the process of keeping things cool inside. You will hear only the sound of the fan from this refrigerator. This noise generally can grow in smaller fridges. The reason is that these units work harder to cope with the smaller space within. However, it will not be louder.
When you go for a compressor-based fridge, it will use liquid that is vaporized and moved through tubes and coils. This happens when the fan blows air through the coils from the compartment of the refrigerator. You will get a low humming sound from this type of fridge. The sound is created by the compressor motor that pumps the vaporized liquid. You might also hear a slight noise from the fan.
Absorption Fridges generally use a source of heat for keeping the foods cold. As compared to the two types discussed earlier this type will have quiet operation. The reason is that there is no motor involved in its operation. This type is commonly used in hotels and it will stay longer as well. Due to its quiet operation, it will not disturb your sleep in a small dormant.
Doors are essential aspects to be considered when you buy a mini-fridge. The fridge should have doors that offer better insulation. It will make your appliance to consume lesser power. When there is no proper insulation, some heat will get into the fridge slowly. This will happen particularly when the surrounding temperature is comparatively high.
Shelves in refrigerators generally come in a couple of types. They are smooth shelves and wired shelves. The former is easy to clean, while the latter is hard. The material outside also matters when considering a suitable fridge. In case, you cannot withstand smudges, it is better to avoid stainless steel. Rather, you should go for a unit with a smudge-free finish or white exterior.
As mentioned earlier, different styles of mini-refrigerators are available in the market. Here are the different styles to consider:
This is the most common style popular for its design and size. Also, it allows fitting a lot of food inside as well. This style of mini fridge generally has an interior space of between 28 and 59 liters and can weigh around 30 pounds. This style will be of great help in game rooms, dorms and small offices as you can place them on any counters. In addition to being small, they are affordable as well. The downfall with this style is that it is not well insulated as this style is generally designed to be lightweight and portable. So, this is a less-economical option in the long run.
This style will be a bit larger as compared to the cube style. The interior sizes range between 80 and 96 liters and they come at an average height of 66 centimeters. These dimensions make them the perfect choice for hotel rooms, offices and bedrooms similar to the cube. The difference between the two apart from size is that the mid-size variants will be more energy-efficient as compared to the cube. The reason is its large size. However, they are not more expensive compared to the cube. They are easy to maneuver and compact as well. In this style, you will come across variants with reversible doors, locks and freezer compartments.
Under-the-counter mini-refrigerators come with an interior size that ranges from 99 and 127 liters. They come with an average countertop size of 90 cms. As they are large enough, they help with energy efficiency to a great extent. However, they are expensive variants. If the need arises, they can be used as additional or back-up refrigerators as well due to the large size. You can find them typically in garages and office kitchens. Counter-high mini-fridges generally come with attractive features. Some of them include the lock mechanisms, lighting, drink dispensers, and freezer section which can be used to freeze beef and pork.
If you have plans to buy the mini-refrigerator just to store drinks, you can go for a beverage refrigerator or wine fridge. These refrigerators are designed can reach the temperature that is suitable for storing beverages against meat and groceries. In general, this type of refrigerator will have glass door and will have racks that will permit you to store different quantities of drink bottles. This model is ideal for storing both white and red wine. If you have a soda maker, it can perfectly work with these kinds of mini-fridge.
To maximize the taste, both are kept at different temperatures. Some of these variants also come with glass doors that are tinted. The purpose of tinted doors is to prevent UV rays from getting into the fridge and destroying the wine. It is better to ensure that the glass is double-glazed. It will ensure that you can achieve the best insulation as a part of your home bar set.
If you are a frequent traveler, then the travel fridge can be your best companion. These fridges can also warm up themselves similar to thermoelectric fridges. Even though they can store both drinks and food, they are mainly designed for travel purposes. These are cheaper and get the power from the cigarette lighter in your vehicle. But, the thing to remember when you use this unit is that you should unplug it when you reach home. Otherwise, it will drain your car’s battery. This style is ideal for long car trips, holidays, and picnics, and camping.
Some people think to have just the fridge when opting for a mini-refrigerator. But, you should think about whether you need the fridge alone or the one with the freezer facility.
To identify this, you will have to first identify what will you put frequently in the fridge? Will you place drinks, ice creams, or lunch or all? Will food be vacuumed by a vacuum sealer before storing it? As you need a fridge for your dormant, you will be tempted to go for a low-capacity model. But, remember that too small can sometimes turn out to be impractical.
If you look for a mini-fridge that is energy-efficient, you should remember one thing. A standard refrigerator will have a condenser and a fan. These parts will help with the dissipation of excess heat.
However, in the case of mini-refrigerators, they generally have only the exteriors to dissipate heat. So, you should enquire about the power consumption before shopping for one.
The good thing about mini fridges is that they can fit in any place. Some people buy them with separate freezers for their semi-truck or RV and general outdoor usage. Even, if you plan to use a regular power source that provides the required voltage, it is better to check whether the power source can provide the required power in AMPs for the mini-fridge.
The mini-fridge is essential to keep your favorite drinks cold, but not only that. It also promotes the preservation of certain foods and sometimes even drugs and cosmetics. This small household appliance finds its place in the bedroom, in the corner of the living room, in the kitchen, the office, or in the bar area. It is also ideal for equipping studios or apartments that are not very spacious.
We recommend the two-door Danby model if you need one for the home. It has nice structure and it is very convenient. The Astro AI 4L Mini Fridge would be ideal for those looking for a popular model that is price-friendly and functional.
To sum up, besides the price of the mini fridges, considering the 10 factors mentioned above will help you with identifying the suitable mini-fridge for your requirement. Do consider making your shopping from the best brand.
This post was last modified on May 17, 2023 4:03 pm