Best Mini Fridges for Every Need (2024)

Hey friends, mini fridges aren’t just for dorm rooms. If you love entertaining, backyard summer fun, or sipping iced tea in your home office, these compact fridges are for you. These pint-sized appliances work wonderfully to chill our favorite treats and beverages, from offices to bedrooms to summer homes to, yes, dorms. To help you on this fridge-focused endeavor, we've scoured the market to bring you the best in mini fridges from retailers such as Amazon and Walmart. They all are built with space-saving design in mind and feature stellar tech and cooling capabilities. Keep reading for the best mini fridges to keep things fresh and refreshing, no matter the setting.

Best Overall: Upstreman 3.2 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer

Price: $170 at Amazon

If you love staying organized, this fridge is for you. If you struggle with staying organized, and want a fridge that magically does the grunt work for you thanks to a smart layout with shelves, a producer drawer, and a can holder rack, this is also for you. Complete with a freezer, two removable shelves, an ice tray, and a defrost tool, this very quiet, energy efficient mini fridge has plenty of room to keep all your drinks and food in the office, dorm, RV, or whatever floats your boat spaces. Another thing we love about this mini fridge with an average Amazon rating of 4.5 stars is that the cooler’s temperature is adjustable from 33.8° F to 46.4° F, so you can set the temp to best suit your personal beverage chilling bliss levels.

Key Specs:

  • Product dimensions: 17.4"D x 33.1"W x 18.7"H
  • Capacity: 3.2 cubic feet
  • Colors: Black, white, stainless steel

Most Multifunctional: FRIGIDAIRE Portable 10L Mini Fridge

Price: $49 at Amazon, $59 at Walmart

Hello, gorgeous design. Ahem, gorgeous, super quiet design courtesy of this Frigidaire’s thermoelectric cooling system, which means there’s no noisy compressor. What’s more, we love the wide variety of uses for this mini fridge, with Amazon customers saying they’ve used it to store everything from breast milk to makeup. Ideal for small spaces such as office cubicles or dens where you hang on game days (and walking to the kitchen for a six-pack or seltzer seems like too much capital “E” effort). We also swoon for the fact that this model is super lightweight for easy, breezy portability. Now which of the stylish finishes should we opt for, friends?

Key Specs:

  • Product dimensions: 11"D x 15"W x 16"H
  • Capacity: 10 Liters
  • Colors: Stainless steel, glass, pink, black, white

Best All-in-One Pick: Midea Stainless Steel Compact Refrigerator

Price: $259 at Amazon

Sometimes the simplest option can be the best one. This plain-Jane mini fridge doesn't have a flashy exterior, but the inside has everything you could possibly need (and it also comes in black and white). It's equipped with fruit and vegetable drawers, a sizable and separate freezer, and shelving that can be moved around. This unit is great for studio apartments, offices, and basem*nts, and it even has reversible doors in case you need to move it around.

Key Specs:

  • Product dimensions: 19.4"D x 18.5"W x 32.95"H
  • Capacity: 3.1 cubic feet
  • Colors: Stainless steel, black, white

Most Compact: RCA RMIS129-YELLOW Mini Fridge

Price: $43 at Amazon, $59 at Walmart

Enter vintage-cool territory with this RCA mini-fridge that comes in a range of colors to fit various aesthetic preferences. Thanks to adjustable shelves you can arrange the space to best fit your snacking and imbibing needs. Plus, this mini fridge has nearly 3,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, with customer reviews praising the tiny appliance for its “great quality” and “just too cute.” Did we mention it’s very quiet and has a portable inset handle to lug it around? Worth noting: This fridge stores up to six 12-ounce beverage cans, so yes, it’s quite small but if you’re using this for, say, a home office or while traveling, that may be plenty of room.

Key Specs:

  • Product dimensions: 7.5"D x 10"W x 11"H
  • Capacity: 0.3 cubic feet
  • Colors: Black, blue, mint, pink, red and yellow

Energy Efficient: BLACK+DECKER Compact Refrigerator

Price: $181 at Amazon, $180 at Walmart, $180 at Wayfair

You can never go wrong with a BLACK+DECKER appliance, and we swear by its sleek mini fridge. It's aesthetically pleasing enough not to distract from the room it's in, and the price point is pretty unbeatable for the size and quality. It has two full-width glass shelves inside, plus a full-width freezer compartment with an ice cube tray. It's also Energy Star-certified, so it won't suck up too much power and cause your bill to spike.

Key Specs:

  • Product dimensions: 17.5"D x 18.5"W x 26.6"H
  • Capacity: 2.5 cubic feet
  • Colors: White, black, gray

Best for Cosmetics: Cooluli Mini Fridge

Price: $46 at Amazon, $49 at Walmart, $50 at Macy's

This 4-liter mini fridge from Cooluli is super popular among reviewers who love to keep their eye cream, skincare, and other cosmetics at a specific temperature. This lightweight fridge only weighs around 4 pounds, making it a nice option to stow in a corner of your bedroom or dorm room.

Key Specs:

  • Product dimensions: 7.25" W x 10.25" D x 10.75" H
  • Capacity: 4 Liters
  • Colors: Pink, black, blue, cow print, fuchsia, red, white

Best for Wine Storage: Ivation Thermoelectric Wine Fridge

Price: $180 at Amazon

With its precise temperature control, helpful interior lighting, and 12-bottle capacity, this minimalistic wine fridge is perfect for the home or office. Whether you're storing wines for upcoming parties or long-term collection purposes, this mini fridge is an essential for any true wino.

Key Specs:

  • Product dimensions: 10.4"D x 20.3"W x 25.6"H
  • Capacity: 12 wine bottles
  • Colors: Black

Best for Beauty Junkies: Cooluli Infinity Compact Mini Fridge

Price: $100 at Amazon, $100 at Walmart, $100 at Wayfair

If the Cooluli 4-liter option we recommended earlier in this list doesn't quite cut it for your storage needs, upgrade to this larger and more versatile 15-liter pick. We love the storage baskets attached to the door, as well as the dual racks in the fridge body, which can all be moved around to fit your storage needs.

Key Specs:

  • Product dimensions: 11.25"D x 13.75"W x 16.25"H
  • Capacity: 15 Liters
  • Colors: Gold, white, black, blue, fuchsia, black checkered pattern, checkered green, fractal pink

Best for Makeshift Kitchens: FRIGIDAIRE Mini Refrigerator

Price: $125 at Amazon, $104 at Walmart

If you have to stack the fridge on top of your Ikea shelves to make do with a small space, this countertop option will definitely do the trick. It's small enough to stack with ease, and it can even bear the weight of a coffee maker or another appliance on top of it. Inside you'll find two levels for food and a small freezer alcove for ice cubes or frozen meals.

Key Specs:

  • Product dimensions: 19"D x 21"W x 21"H
  • Capacity: 1.6 cubic feet
  • Colors: Red, blue, black, coral

And there you have it, the best mini fridges for every need. Whether you're looking for a compact fridge for your dorm room, home office, or entertainment area, these options have got you covered. Choose the one that suits your needs and enjoy the convenience of having chilled treats and beverages at your fingertips.

Best Mini Fridges for Every Need (2024)

FAQs

Best Mini Fridges for Every Need? ›

How Long Do Mini Fridges Last? While the lifespan of any appliance can vary wildly due to several factors, you should expect your fridge—either full-size or mini—to last for about 10 years.

What is the most reliable brand of mini fridge? ›

More
  • Best Overall: Black+Decker BCRK25B Compact Refrigerator » ...
  • Best Budget: Upstreman 3.2 Cu. ...
  • Best for Dorm Rooms: Midea WHS-65LB1 Compact Single Reversible Door Refrigerator » ...
  • Best With a Freezer: Midea WHD-113FB1 Double Door Mini Fridge with Freezer » ...
  • Best Outdoor: MOJGAR 24 Inch Outdoor Beverage Fridge »
Feb 27, 2024

What is the life expectancy of a mini fridge? ›

How Long Do Mini Fridges Last? While the lifespan of any appliance can vary wildly due to several factors, you should expect your fridge—either full-size or mini—to last for about 10 years.

What is the difference between a mini cooler and a mini fridge? ›

A beverage cooler is designed exclusively for chilling drinks, offering a narrow temperature range, while a mini fridge is a more versatile appliance suitable for storing both beverages and a wide range of food items, thanks to its broader temperature range.

Are mini fridges worth it? ›

Not only can a mini fridge fit just about anywhere, it's a quick and easy way to have your favorite snacks and drinks on demand. If there's a room in the house you spend a lot of downtime in, you can avoid heading to the kitchen every time you fancy a treat by having a small fridge in the room.

What brand of refrigerator has the fewest problems? ›

Which refrigerator brand is most reliable? All three of the appliance experts we spoke to for this roundup said Whirlpool and LG were the most reliable refrigerator brands due to their durability, reliability and ease of repairs. Samsung and GE were also mentioned by our experts as high-quality fridges.

Do mini fridges run up an electric bill? ›

In general, most mini fridges cost less than $50 per year to run. In fact, if you purchase an efficient mini fridge, you're looking at closer to $20-$30 per year. The cost of running a mini fridge depends on how much power it consumes.

Is it safe to sleep next to a mini fridge? ›

Allow space for ventilation.

Not to mention, little to no ventilation can be a fire hazard. Bonus tip: Place your mini fridge as far away from your bed as possible, especially if it makes noise, so it doesn't disrupt your sleep!

Should you leave a mini fridge on all night? ›

Mini Fridges have to run 24 hours a day so it's important to look after them to prevent a fire risk.

Can I leave a mini fridge on 24 7? ›

Absolutely yes, it has a built in thermostat that will shut down when it reaches the desired temperature setting. Keep in mind, if it's a non frost fridge, your going to have to remove some of the heavy frost that builds up, reason being the compressor will run longer and shorten the life of the compressor.

How big should a mini fridge be? ›

Mini fridges are a great solution when you either have very limited space or need somewhere to store excess items. The specific size of mini refrigerator that you need will depend on what you plan to use it for, but most often range from 30 to 35 inches in height, 18 to 24 inches in width, and 19 to 26 inches in depth.

Do mini fridges make your room cold? ›

In general, a mini fridge, like any other refrigerator, does produce heat as a byproduct of its cooling process. However, the impact on the overall temperature of your room is typically minimal.

What to look for when buying a used mini fridge? ›

Here are some things to look for:
  • Age: A fridge that has been around for more than a decade is probably too old. ...
  • Coldness: If possible, check the internal temperature of both the freezer and the fridge. ...
  • Smell: ...
  • Door Seal:

Can you fit a gallon of milk in a mini fridge? ›

If you take out a shelf, yes you would be able to fit a gallon of milk or water.

What are the disadvantages of small fridge? ›

Space Limitations

Mini fridges are designed to be compact, which means they don't have much space for food or beverages. If you have a large number of items you want to store in your fridge, you may quickly run out of space.

Is Galanz a good brand? ›

Galanz appliances are known for their high quality and durability, with many customers reporting that their Galanz appliances have lasted for years without any major issues. Galanz appliances are often priced more affordably than comparable brands, making them a great option for those on a budget.

How do I know if my mini fridge is bad? ›

Listening to the Compressor

Your compressor is found at the back of the mini fridge. To diagnose if the compressor is having trouble, slide the unit out and carefully listen to any sounds it might be making. If the compressor is quiet, then inspect the sealed system's capillary tube, which is attached to the condenser.

How long does a mini fridge compressor last? ›

Generally, a compressor in a well-maintained refrigerator can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. However, it's essential to note that unexpected failures can occur with any appliance, and some compressors may last less than the average expected lifespan.

Does anyone make a decent refrigerator? ›

Refrigerator brands such as Whirlpool and Frigidaire make more affordable appliances with fewer features, and if you're looking for a model under $1,000, Insignia is a great choice. If you have a little more to spend LG, GE, and Bosch fall into a mid-tier price point and have more high-tech features.

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