5 Best Mini Fridges (2023 Guide)

As opposed to a full-sized fridge that takes up a large area of your kitchen, a mini fridge is small enough to fit under a counter to give you additional storage space.

To help you select the right model for your setup, our small team researched the best mini fridges on the market and compiled our top choices in this guide.

You can also read our buying guide to major appliances to help you make a smart purchasing decision.

Top 5 Mini Fridges

• Best Mini Fridge Overall: Midea Compact Refrigerator
• Best Medium Fridge: BLACK+DECKER Compact Refrigerator
• Best Beverage Fridge: Vremi Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler
• Best Travel Fridge: AstroAI Mini Fridge
• Best Mini Fridge Layout: RCA Mini Fridge With Freezer

Best Mini Fridge Overall: Midea Compact Refrigerator

Key Features

• Adjustable fridge temperature between 32 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit
• Adjustable freezer temperature between -11.2 and five degrees Fahrenheit
• 3.1 cubic feet of storage space
• Two shelves, one drawer, three in-door compartments for the fridge
• One shelf and one in-door compartment for the freezer
• Interior light
• One-year warranty

What Customers Are Saying

We noticed that those who loved this product listed storage capacity, noise level, and temperature control as their favorite qualities. However, we also saw that those who were unsatisfied with their purchase said that the product produced condensation while it was changing temperatures.

Best Medium Mini Fridge: BLACK+DECKER Compact Refrigerator

Key Features

• Adjustable fridge temperature as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit
• 2.5 cubic feet of storage space
• Three shelves and three in-door compartments for the fridge
• One shelf for the freezer
• One-year warranty

What Customers Are Saying

We noted that customers praised this mini fridge for being durable and long-lasting and for operating at a noise level that didn’t disturb them. However, we also saw that those who didn’t enjoy their purchase said that the fridge arrived with some dents.

Best Beverage Fridge: Vremi Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler

Key Features

• Adjustable temperature between 34 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit
• 3.2 cubic feet of storage space
• Four shelves
• Interior LED light
• One-year warranty

What Customers Are Saying

We found that customers who enjoyed the product said that it was energy-efficient and sturdy. Purchasers also stated that the product was a great value. On the other hand, we noticed that those who were disappointed with their purchase expressed that it was difficult to contact customer service.

Best Travel Fridge: AstroAI Mini Fridge

Key Features

• Adjustable temperature between 32 and 150 degrees
• Four liters of storage space
• One shelf
• Cigarette lighter and wall outlet adapters
• Carrying handle
• Three-year warranty

What Customers Are Saying

Most reviewers we saw were satisfied with their purchase, with many pointing out this mini fridge was lightweight and stylish. Many purchasers mentioned that the product was perfect for storing breast milk and bottles for babies. Those we saw who were unsatisfied with their purchase said that the mini fridge was loud and accumulated ice.

Best Mini Fridge Layout: RCA Mini Fridge With Freezer

Key Features

• Adjustable temperature
• 3.2 cubic feet of storage space
• Three shelves and four in-door compartments for the fridge
• One shelf for the freezer
• One-year warranty

What Customers Are Saying

We noticed that several customers said that they liked the energy efficiency and storage capacity of this mini fridge. Other customers said that the mini fridge was a great value. Those who were unsatisfied said that the product arrived with scratches.

Buyer’s Guide to the Best Mini Fridges

Mini fridges vary based on what they’re intended to store. We created the following guide to help you learn more about how use affects the capacity, weight, and operational costs of a refrigerator.

Design/Intended Use

Mini fridges come in several designs, each of which is meant to store different types of foods and drinks.

• Cube: This type of mini fridge has a square shape that’s small enough to fit in tight spaces. However, it may not work well with taller food items, such as milk jugs.
• Beverage: This mini fridge can’t keep a consistent temperature, so it’s not safe for storing food. However, it can store drink bottles and cans.
• Travel: This type of mini fridge is meant for use during travel and is powered by your car’s cigarette lighter. Because this fridge pulls a lot of power from your car’s battery, you shouldn’t leave it running when the car is off; otherwise, you risk running your battery down so low that your car won’t start.
• Under-counter: This type of mini fridge fits under a countertop, making it a good choice for a home office. It’s more energy-efficient than the other types of mini fridges because it has the proper insulation to keep cold air in. However, it’s more expensive because of its larger size.
• Wine: This type of mini fridge is meant to hold your bottles of wine. Wine fridges usually have glass doors so that you can pick out your bottle before opening the door. These mini fridges often look similar to beverage mini fridges, but tend to be a little deeper to fit wine bottles on their sides.

Capacity

During our research, we determined that you can split the size of a mini fridge into three categories.

• 1.5 cubic feet or less: A fridge of this size can only hold smaller items, such as individual yogurts or beer cans. It’s rare to find a mini fridge of this size that has a freezer section, but if you do find one, the freezer section will likely be too small to fit anything other than an ice tray. These mini fridges are best for small spaces, such as under a desk.
• 1.5 to three cubic feet: You can fit larger items in a fridge of this size, including a milk jug on its side. The fridge will likely have a freezer section, which may be large enough to fit one or two items, like a pint of ice cream, in addition to an ice cube tray.
• Three cubic feet or more: This is the largest mini fridge you’ll find. It usually has a large freezer section, several shelves, and door storage.

Weight

We found that most mini fridges weigh between 30–100 pounds. If you plan on moving your fridge frequently, consider buying a lighter model.

Operation Cost

On average, we found that mini fridges cost between $25–$60 per year to run, which is only slightly cheaper than running a full-sized fridge with way more capacity.

Wattage

On average, most mini fridges we research use between 50–65 watts to run. However, some larger or older models need more energy and may approach using up 100 watts. Fridges with poor insulation systems are less energy efficient and will operate at a higher wattage. To see how much wattage your mini fridge uses, check inside and look for a sticker with technical information. To calculate the wattage, multiply the amps by the volts.

Temperature Control

Most mini fridges have an adjustable thermostat so you can set the temperature to your liking. While most foods should be kept at around the same temperature, some items, like cosmetics, must be stored at a particular temperature.

Adjustable temperature can also be a factor if you are storing a lot of items in your fridge, as you may need to set it to a lower temperature to ensure everything is getting proper ventilation.

Brand

Dozens of companies make mini fridges. Some of the most well-trusted brands, according to our research, include RCA, Black + Decker, Frigidaire, Galanz, Cooluli, Midea, Insignia, hOme labs, and Magic Chef, thanks to impressive warranties and specialized purposes.

Additional Features

For added convenience, some mini fridges come with extra features such as a reversible door, two doors, or removable glass shelves. Some mini fridges also come with a crisper drawer for storing items like fruit, drinks, or vegetables.

How To Best Utilize Your Mini Fridge

Mini fridges are a great choice for keeping a small number of drinks, food items, or even other items that need to be refrigerated, like skincare or certain plants. However, there are some important things to remember we recommend you keep in mind when using a mini fridge to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. Here are some important mini fridge tips to keep in mind.

• Keep a close eye on your fridge’s temperature level. For optimal safety, perishable food should usually be kept between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the temperature levels periodically to make sure your fridge is not getting too warm and overheating your food.
• If your mini fridge has a freezer, it’s best to use it only for short-term use and not to keep meats or other items for an extended period. Freezers should be kept at around 0 degrees and no more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Use your space creatively to help you fit more things. For example, if you have soda or beer bottles that are not fitting properly, try stacking them in a pyramid shape or using a stacking mat to keep them in place.
• It may be necessary to defrost the freezer. This can be done by turning the fridge off and allowing the built-up ice to melt off. Make sure the fridge is empty before doing this so your food doesn’t spoil.
• Save space by grouping similar items together in containers. Since mini fridges are low on storage space, you can stack multiple containers on top of each other and use labels to identify what food is in each container.
• Avoid keeping your mini fridge in an unheated garage or basement, as they may be too cold for the fridges to operate properly.

Mini Fridge FAQs

Who needs a mini fridge?

If you want to store your lunch at the office or don’t have any more space in your full-sized fridge, a mini fridge may be a good option. We also found that some customers use a mini fridge in college dorms or for skin care, beauty, and makeup products.

What kind of mini fridge can I use in my college dorm?

The type and size of fridge you can use may vary based on your college dorm’s guidelines. Before buying a mini fridge, read up on any dorm room limitations so that you don’t spend a couple of hundred dollars on a fridge that your university doesn’t allow.

What are the disadvantages of a mini fridge?

The main drawback of a mini fridge is its limited food storage space. You can’t store a lot of refrigerated items in it, and you can store even fewer items in its separate freezer section. We also found that mini fridges are also less energy-efficient than full-sized refrigerators, eating up about the same energy at a fraction of the size.

How We Selected the Best Mini Refrigerators

To provide our readers with the best mini refrigerator recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of mini fridges with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers. 

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature-set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. 

As the sole Reviews Team for This Old House, we focus on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home improvement and major appliance categories, from doorbell cameras and backyard fencing to pool vacuums and snow blowers.

Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

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