A mini-fridge is not just useful as a complement in the house but also works well in a garage or office. Furthermore, it is ideal for college students or teens' dorm rooms. Think about having the best mini-fridge in your space where you can stash your beverages, a few hold-you-over snacks and mealtime goodies. Is that not refreshing?
You should know that mini-fridges are not as energy efficient as standard-sized refrigerators, and some don’t sustain a consistent enough temperature for an extended period of food storage. Therefore use them for keeping beverages and fast-consumed items cold.
When choosing the best mini-fridge for your home, dorm, or office, the key is finding the right size, capacity, and features that fit your needs while also staying within budget. There are other considerations that we will look into later on. This article will guide you in purchasing a suitable mini-fridge for your space. Keep reading!
Best Mini Fridges
1. RCA RFR320 3.2 Cu Ft Compact Mini Fridge
- STYLISH: Features vibrant, bold, glossy colours. It adds a unique...
- REVERSIBLE DOORS: it is easy to fit in any spot of your dorm,...
- ADJUSTABLE THERMOSTAT CONTROL: Easily control the thermostat with...
- FRIDGE DIMENSION: 17-1/2” W x 18.5/8” D x 31.5/8” H | 84 L...
- ENERGY SAVING: Energy efficient compressor cooling with an annual...
If you are looking for an excellent dorm fridge, you will find everything you need in this RCA RFR320 refrigerator. This mini-fridge comes with a freezer section where you can store things like chocolates or creams and a reversible door that makes it easy to fit in any spot in the dorm rooms without a hassle. Moreover, it has an adjustable thermostat to set the perfect temperature to your desire and adjustable lever feet, which provides the ultimate versatility.
The color of these models is something worth mentioning. The manufacturer offers eight different colours, which are very attractive to buyers. Nonetheless, the price varies depending on the color you choose.
Lastly, RCA RFR320 compact mini fridge has a compressor cooling for ultimate performance even in hot weather. Hence you don’t have to worry about your soda; you can still enjoy the refreshing feeling even when it is scorching.
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2. Frigidaire Mini Cooler
- RETRO CHARM: Add a touch of vintage flair to your space with this...
- AMPLE STORAGE: With a 4L capacity, this electric cooler can store...
- SKINCARE COOLER: You can also use the interior space of this...
- PORTABLE & SECURE: Compact and portable with a convenient...
- VERSTAILE POWER OPTIONS: Equipped with cords for both a 12V car...
We noticed that the Frigidaire Mini Cooler could be suitable for various uses. We have used it in a home office, and it was perfect for making drinks very cool for the whole working day. Due to its small dimensions it can easily be placed on a desk or on the floor of a student dorm.
It holds roughly six standard tins which is just about right for a 4-liter can and the removable half shelf is useful for things like soaps and skincare products. We have found it suitable to use for beverages and products such as soap, shampoo, among others, as it gives us an old-fashioned feel.
However, when it comes to large cans, the mini fridge might not be suitable. There is some noise as a result of the fan but the cooling capacity tends to outweigh this factor most of the time. All in all, if you are in need of a compact, energy-saving, personal refrigerator, this Frigidaire could meet your needs.
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3. Igloo 3.2 Cu.Ft. Compact Fridge
- Capacity: Spacious 3.2 Cu. Ft.. Capacity
- Refrigerator Cooling Range: 32 – 50 degrees F
- Freezer: Separate Freezer Compartment Is Ideal For Any Frozen...
- Thermostat: Adjustable Mechanical Temperature Control
- Cooling Type: Compressor Static Cooling No Fan
This Igloo 3.2 Cu.Ft. fridge has been making the rounds in our office and it has done well for us. The fact that this fridge has a separate freezer section is beneficial for ice and frozen food which is helpful for a mini one. We got to discover that by setting the temperature on 2 we were able to achieve the goal of most of the produce being cool but not necessarily frozen even after placing some on the top shelf.
Although the design is compact and takes little space on the floor, this model can have temperature fluctuations meaning that the items placed at the rear may freeze more than those close to the door of the freezer. It also has an automatic defrost option which makes it even easier to maintain the refrigerator.
Accessibility is also a factor as we noted that the fridge performs better when placed in a large area not a confined corner. The black sleek design of the product fits in almost any environment, from working from home to a university student’s dorm. In general, this is the solution that can suit our needs successfully and does not need a large space.
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4. Sweetcrispy Mini Fridge
- Compact and Convenient: With a compact...
- Energy Efficient: Our mini refrigerator is designed with energy...
- Adjustable Temperature: With a user-friendly dial, you can tailor...
- Spacious Interior: Despite its compact size, the small fridge...
- Quiet Operation: The low-noise fridge operates at 38dB. This...
We recently used the Sweetcrispy 3.2 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge and our first impression was quite good. It is small and portable hence it can easily be placed in limited spaces such as in a dorm or a small office. It also contains far more food and beverages than one would expect given the small size due to smart shelving and compartments in the doors.
When used, it kept everything at the right and cool temperature and thus very effective when in use. The adjustable thermostat helped fine-tune the chilling to the type of good being chilled – whether it be drinks or other snacks. It is also an energy-saving device, which is never a bad thing; we are glad that there are no steep incline in electricity charges.
However, we observed that it lacks interior light that would help locate any item in the dark. Also, it is relatively quiet but might be heard during silent moments depending on the room acoustics of the space. Lastly, manual defrost is easy to use, but it does need a certain amount of effort to implement. In conclusion for both the price and performance this refrigerator provides reasonable value and usability.
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5. Frigidaire Mini Portable Fridge
- MULTI-PURPOSE: Perfect for storing lunches, drinks, beers, baby...
- MAKEUP STORAGE: Great for doing your make-up at home or on the...
- QUIET OPERATION: Thermoelectric cooling system, so no loud...
- COMPACT PORTABLE DESIGN: Equipped with a carrier handle. An ideal...
- MODERN CONVENIENCE AND DESIGN: Add a touch of elegance to your...
Using the Frigidaire Mini Portable Fridge has been great. The first thing that caught our attention has been its mobility; being as light as 7 pounds, this model can be easily transferred from one room to the other or even be taken for a trip. The carrying handle is a nice touch, so it would be great for bbq or picnic, or any outdoor event or a car trip.
Cooling efficiency is sufficient enough to accommodate drinks and snacks. Although it took time to adjust and bring better temperatures from that 90°F room to a more comfortable 70°F, it does help chill our drinks quickly once it is set. That being the case, it is a great option for items that do not require much heaving lifting as well as occasional use.
We also noticed that it is effective for skincare products since it helps prolong the product’s shelf life by refrigerating it. All in all, according to the price and standards this fridge is quite useful and can be used in homes offices or even dorms and also during car trips. If you are in the market for a small but effective refrigerator, this Frigidaire model may well be for you.
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Features to Consider When Buying the Best Mini Fridge
1. Door bins storage
Most mini-fridges can fit a 2-litre bottle, and a few can even hold a 1-gallon jug. They have specialized door bins where drinks are put one on top of the other, horizontally. However, these are not great if you have varying types of drinks or cans of different sizes as they dispense one at a time.
Overall, both designs tend to hold the same amount of cans.
2. Reversible doors
This feature allows you to change the side that the door hinge is on. Always check it before buying the mini-fridge, though. If you have limited space, a reversible door can make a significant difference.
3. Iceboxes and freezer compartments
A standard freezer box and under-the-counter mini-fridges with two doors are the best options for frozen foods. Although they do well with frozen meals that we consume frequently, they are not recommended for long-term storage, which requires lower temperatures.
Single-door fridges can have a half-width or full-length icebox. The full-length iceboxes can store packs of frozen food for a limited period.
Cube fridges sometimes have half-width iceboxes. However, they are not powerful enough to make ice but can store things like chocolates or creams. Moreover, the refrigerator area under or near the icebox is regularly colder, but you can use it to keep cheese, milk, butter or drinks cool.
Mini fridges without iceboxes are the best choice if you already have a standard refrigerator. They usually have a more functional storage area with easier maintenance and lower energy costs. They are a good choice as a beverage cooler as well.
4. Adjustable legs
These adjustable legs allow you to raise or lower the fridge’s corners to balance it on uneven floors. It is a great feature, but you are not assured of finding this on most models on the market.
5. The shelving system of the best mini fridges
Almost all affordable fridges have wire shelves with a few stands to adjust the space for taller objects. Wire shelves are ideal for storing bottles horizontally. Although glass shelves cost more, they are easier to clean and stack items, but also, you have to be careful with them. If you wish for more storage space for cans besides what the door can provide, having two or more adjustable shelves is better.
6. The sizes of the best mini fridges
Consider the size of the fridge both inside and out. Ensure you measure your space carefully so that the refrigerator can fit well. Also, make sure to consider what you will be stored in it. Some mini-fridges have more spacious interiors that can accommodate more oversized items, while others are better suited for drinks and snacks only. Let us look at some of the mini-fridges types;
- Cube-shaped mini fridges: For mini-bars and small dormitories, you can buy a cube-shaped mini-fridge. This type of refrigerator is as tiny as a bedside table and can under your desk. It features 1-2 shelves and has a small storage space. A cube-shaped is multi-functional and works as both coolers and warmers.
- Mid-sized mini-fridges: They are 24-28 inches high and can fit well under an office desk or kitchen counter. The compact size of these refrigerators makes them perfect for storing beverages. They are cube-shaped appliances and not suitable for storing perishable items.
- Under-the-counter mini fridges: These refrigerators are highly space-savvy and can easily fit under the kitchen counter. They are33 inches high and are designed for tiny apartments.
7. Ice-cube tray
Almost all mini-refrigerators don’t come with a freezer. Nevertheless, some may have a freezer compartment that can store vegetables, fruits, drinks and an icebox.
8. Energy-Efficiency
A standard mini fridge usually is very energy-efficient. The Star-certified models use 100-200 watts only. Therefore, if you are willing to save on your electricity bills, ensure you pick a certified and energy-efficient model.
9. Weight
The mini fridge’s weight will matter if you want chilled beverages while travelling. Conversely, a mini-fridge that can hold 6-8 cans of drinks is lightweight, travel-friendly.
10. Capacity
There are plenty of sizes and capacity levels of mini-fridges available on the market ranging from 1.6-4 cubic feet. Small cube refrigerators are perfect for storing a few cans, while others are ideal for storing various items like drinks, food, beauty care items and medication. Hence, consider the storage capacity based on the number and types of things you want to store.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mini Fridges
1. Is ventilation essential for a mini-fridge?
Yes, just like standard fridges, a mini-fridge needs proper ventilation. Avoid placing it in a regular cupboard or low-ventilated places because heat builds up around the unit, causing a failure or degraded unit performance.
2. Can you connect a mini fridge into a regular power outlet?
Yes. The mini fridges feature regular-sized electric cords, and you can connect to the regular power outlets.
3. Does food remain cold enough in a mini-fridge?
Yes. Just like standard fridges, mini-fridges are designed to keep foods and beverages cool. Nonetheless, the time that a fridge takes for cooling relies on its brand as well as size. Some fridges offer efficient cooling within 2 hours of powering up, while others may take up to 24 hours to reach their cooling capacity. If your mini fridge doesn’t cool up, ensure it is correctly plugged in, in the upright position, and get the required airflow.
4. Will a mini-fridge cause an increase in the electric bill?
No. operating a mini-fridge will cost you as low as $27. Even the mini-refrigerators with a capacity of 20.6 cubic feet cost not more than $47 annually. Hence, a mini-fridge doesn’t increase electricity bills but rather is energy-efficient.
5. Is it safe to place a mini-fridge on the carpet?
A carpet might lower the airflow of the condenser at the bottom of the fridge. Therefore, it is not recommended to put the mini-fridge on a rug.
