7 Best Mini Fridges of 2023
Having a mini fridge or a compact refrigerator can help make any space away from home feel a little more like home, especially one that can fit to your desired needs to make your space comfortable.
Mini fridges are good for holding anything you want to keep cool or storing whenever you are ready to eat or drink without worries.
It is great for rooms or dorms where you can have what you need without having to go so far out of your comfort zone or your leisure area.
Compact refrigerators can also be used for offices to avoid having to put it in the company fridge and avoid the hassle of potentially getting your lunch stolen.
When you’re relaxing, you might want a mini fridge stocked with your favorites just to have it nearby within arm's reach without having to make a trip to your main fridge.
Whatever your reasons for getting a mini fridge, there are many factors to consider when looking for the right one.
This includes factors such as the right size fit for your space, your budget, and features fit for your needs.
The right mini fridge can help relieve worries for yourself and your loved ones, and even make your life easier in ways you would not expect.
As overwhelming as it sounds to think about all this when finding a mini fridge, we made a list of the best mini fridges available to help you find the one that’s best for you.
The Best Mini Fridges
Our editorial team did the research for you by looking through all the major brands, retailers, features, and new tech in refrigeration.
We compared prices, with function, and what the consumer experience was. There is a surprising amount of variation within the realm of mini-refrigeration, even in shape and size. So, we selected a variety that is sure to fit various needs and categories.
- GE Double Door Compact Refrigerator: Best Mini Fridge for Design
- Insignia Mini Fridge w/ Top Freezer 3.0 Cu. Ft.: Best Fridge for a College Student’s Dorm Room
- RCA Mini Refrigerator: Best Under-the-Counter Beverage Cooler
- Crownful Mini Fridge: Most Compact Mini Refrigerator
- Midea Compact Refrigerator: Best Mini Fridge With a Tall Profile
- Cooluli Infinity Mini Fridge: Best Retro-Style Compact Refrigerator
- Thor Kitchen TWC1501 15-inch Wine Cooler: Best Compact Wine Cooler Under $1,000
Compare Compact Refrigerator Styles
GE Double Door Compact Refrigerator: Best Mini Fridge for Design
Designed with both fridge and freezer compartments, this is the ideal compact refrigerator to have if you want to keep foods frozen on hand.
It also comes with specified shelves to stock more food and drinks of different sizes in the doors of the fridge and freezer compartments giving you more space inside the fridge.
It even has a clear crisper which is designed to be able to store fresh fruits and vegetables for about a week.
Adding on to its features, it comes with a partial automatic defrost to keep your fresh foods in the fridge compartment from freezing.
Customers have rated this mini fridge as very convenient. The small design and color make it great for any space that allows it, and people have also pointed out that it barely makes a sound, so it will not be distracting in quiet environments.
The cost can be seen as a bit pricey. However, many customers have recommended that it is worth it if you will use it frequently.
Prices vary from $300 to $400 depending on where you get it from.
Insignia Mini Fridge with Top Freezer 3.0 Cu. Ft.: Best Fridge for a College Student’s Dorm Room
Insignia is a rather well-known brand and makes this mini fridge in a way able to fit tight spaces while also having a fridge and freezer compartment.
The two-door fridge is ideal for rooms, offices, and even college dorms, allowing you to store fresh and frozen foods each week.
It also has an easy-to-use adjustable thermostat between 32o to 50o that quickly sets and keeps your foods cool.
There's generous space in the fridge and freezer compartments, making it easy for you to stock up on all your favorite food and drinks.
Many reviews have claimed this is perfect for the ideal room or college dorm, and they enjoyed its compact yet spacious ability making it easy for weekly living.
The price is fairly moderate, given you want a mini fridge with a freezer that has good quality and longevity for your space. Coming in at under $200, this can be a great entry-level option.
RCA Mini Refrigerator: Best Under-the-Counter Beverage Cooler
Known for being a great substitute for a large refrigerator this would be ideal as the freezer compartment is inside the fridge compartment.
You won't have to worry about it over-freezing as it has adjustable temperature and defrost options that are easy to use.
Its small size makes it perfect for tight spaces and can be put under or on top of a desk or table with an adjustable door.
The simple black or stainless steel design makes it great to match any room or space you put it in.
Many customers were raving about how small yet so spacious it is. It can pack away a lot of food, especially with its adjustable shelves.
The price is worth the quality this mini fridge gives. It’s ideal for anyone and any place and can last for a long time.
Prices can vary between $200 to $300, depending on the store you get it from.
CROWNFUL Mini Fridge: Most Compact Mini Refrigerator
This model has a very miniature size with a capacity of 4-Liters, which is great for holding up to 6 cans of 12 oz. sodas.
It comes with a carry handle, making it portable, and features strong durability, which is perfect for those on the go.
This mini fridge is also versatile as it can hold food and personal skincare items, keeping them fresh. It's small enough that it won't take up too much space in, say, a bedroom.
The perks of being compact and portable are that it's also eco-friendly and doesn't consume much energy.
In a way, it can be used as a lunch box without worrying about it getting too warm or too cold.
If you want an on-the-go option, this is a perfect pick. Its small size makes for great pricing, too.
Pricing varies; however, based on what we researched, it is often significantly less than $100.
Midea Compact Refrigerator: Best Mini Fridge With a Tall Profile
This brand gives the ability to adjust the legs of the fridge perfect for leveling to your desires for any space.
Its design gives it a very modern look on the outside, while the design on the inside makes it easy to store different sizes of items and is also easy to clean.
The door can easily adjust from left to right, making it easy to accessorize it to your room however you want to.
Customers have stated this is ideal for small spaces and has easy-to-use mechanical temperature controls. Depending on the size you get, prices vary from $200 to $400 on average.
Cooluli Infinity Mini Fridge: Best Retro-Style Compact Refrigerator
The Cooluli mini fridge is well known for its stylish design as it has a sort of retro look people have come to love and want.
It’s very small, which is good for traveling but is still spacious with a 10-liter capacity, enough to easily hold ten 12 oz. cans of soda.
You can use this mini-fridge for staying in or out on the go, and its versatile use is great for a single person or the whole family.
Customers have commented that it's an excellent cooler as it keeps things insulated for a long time while its stylish looks help it stand out in spaces.
It has versatile use, while also being lightweight. This model will typically cost users less than $200.
Thor Kitchen TWC1501 15-inch Wine Cooler: Best Compact Wine Cooler Under $1,000
An under-the-counter wine cooler or beverage cooler can make anyone's kitchen, dining area, wet bar, or office have the wow factor. It automatically conveys the idea of luxury.
Not to mention if you are a wine connoisseur or just enjoy having easy access to a cool beverage without crowding your refrigerator, a wine cooler or beverage center could be a practical choice for your lifestyle.
We chose Thor Kitchen's 15" Wine Cooler as our top pick because of its basic reliability, removable shelves, straightforward installation, and incredible price point.
This wine cooler doesn't offer ultra-premium features like dual temperature zones or a reversible door but it gets the job done and looks beautiful and luxurious while doing it.
There are a few other models of wine coolers in the same price range that brag additional features but they tend not to function as advertised and in many cases not that well as just a basic beverage cooler.
Why include extra features that just don't work?
What's great about this wine cooler is that it looks a lot sleeker than a compact beverage cooler but can easily convert into a beer or soda cooler by removing shelves and shifting the temperature lower.
Customers love the look and the compact size which is great for tighter kitchen space. There were generally great reviews across different vendors on the Thor Kitchen Wine Cooler's performance.
While the wine cooler didn't always fit 33 bottles of wine as advertised, customers were still happy with their purchase.
Top Reasons to Purchase a Mini Refrigerator
Other than the obvious such as needing a fridge for your dorm room, owning a mini fridge can not only help keep food and drinks cold, but it can help you save a lot of money and help you budget.
They Can Be Used to Store Medications, Cosmetics, and Other Supplies
If you are a caregiver or suffer from any medical condition yourself, having a mini fridge conveniently in the bedroom can save a lot of time, energy, and risk of contamination when it comes to storing medication, injectables, or other medical supplies.
They can also come in handy for people who experience soreness or pain often; even if it is just from frequent exercise, as you can sore cold packs and water where you need it whether in your room or home gym.
People who have pricey cosmetics and skin care products that are highly perishable can extend their life with refrigeration.
Having a mini fridge in your bedroom or bathroom to store these products is a better bet than keeping them in your kitchen fridge for possible cross-contamination.
A Mini Refrigerator Can Help Roommates and Housemates
If you share a room or an apartment with another person, having your very own mini fridge can help keep the peace in your house.
It's ideal for rooms, offices, and dorms, especially if you have a specific diet or just certain preferences, as you can keep your meals safe without the risk of someone taking your food.
You Can Save Money On Your Energy Bills
If you have to pay for electricity, having a mini fridge can cut down your electricity by at least half, if not more.
This means you can worry less about spending your hard-earned money on energy bills.
You Might Be Able to Plan Your Meals Better
With an additional mini fridge, you can now buy in bulk and store food for up to a week, giving you a chance to cook ahead for the week or just buy a bunch of frozen meals instead.
This can even help you avoid take-out or meal delivery services, as paying for that is expensive and can take a toll on your wallet.
Furthermore, if you are looking to maintain a lifestyle of eating fresh foods daily, reducing your refrigeration to a compact size will help you do just that.
Having such little cooling storage will force you to obtain fresh food more often and regularly.
Having a Mini-Fridge Could Be More Practical For You and Your Space
You want a mini fridge that works the same as a regular one but doesn't take up so much space. Yet, you want it to be spacious inside to store whatever you want.
If you are single and don't cook a lot or each home very often, then a mini fridge may be all you need to keep some drinks, snacks, and leftovers cool.
Compact Refrigerators Can Offer Convenience
If you have many rooms in your house or multiple levels, keeping a mini-fridge won't cause your electricity bills to skyrocket, but you can still keep food and beverages close at hand wherever in the house.
Some convenient locations for mini fridges could be home offices, dens, basement recreation areas, and nurseries (for access to milk bottles, etc.).
You Can Keep Food and Drinks Cold On the Go
Some mini-fridges, such as a few that we listed in this article, are so small, lightweight, and compact, they can easily travel with you as well as just an appliance fixture in your home.
Some models even come with a handle and charging accessories so you can use them in your car.
Methodology
How We Decided
We have taken the time to carefully research the best mini fridges on the market fit for your taste and ideals and put it all in one place for you, so you don’t have to go through the headache of doing it yourself.
We based our decisions on customer ratings and reviews, overall pricing and quality, and what additional features it may have.
Customer Ratings
When finding the best mini fridges, we look to customers who have used these products and give their honest feedback, impressions, and opinions about them.
Brands will always want to try to make their products sound appealing, but it's the customers who have actually used these products that can help others find good brands.
Customers' inputs are very important as they have experience with the product, so they can help others decide what’s best among the many options available. The products we chose had very positive reviews and ratings of 4.5 on average.
Pricing
Price plays a big part in deciding the best because you want to have the best you can at a reasonable price.
Of course, higher quality can come with high prices, which is understandable. Thankfully, all of the items we’ve chosen are affordable while still maintaining a high degree of quality.
Too high of pricing can deter you from what you want and make you settle on something else, which is something you ideally don’t want to do.
It is best to consider the long-term value of the product when buying, because that’s how you know you’ve gotten your money's worth.
Quality
Overall quality also plays a big part when buying a product, which is what we think about when shopping for the best mini-fridges.
When purchasing a mini fridge, you want the best model you can get so you don't have to worry about food going bad and needing to buy more.
We consider that when looking for a mini fridge, you want something that fits tight spaces but is spacious enough to store food and drinks and keep it cool, and whatever features they give will help you even more.
Additional Features
When researching the best mini fridges, we came across many other features that each product has.
This helps narrow down to the best because these extra features can make things easier for you in ways you didn't realize.
This includes having distinct space and sections inside the fridge, defrosting options if necessary, the ability to adjust spaces, and even more.
You always want your food to be safe. With additional features provided, these mini fridges are all easy to clean and always cool enough for your food not to go bad, which is perfect for people with busy lives.