Compact Refrigerator Buying Guide
Find the mini fridge fit for your dorm room, home bar, kitchen, and more.
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Whether you’re searching for a regular fridge stand-in or want to outfit your home with the convenience of an additional one, there are a range of compact refrigerator options to choose from. This ubiquitous college dorm appliance is also a welcome amenity in an outdoor kitchen, bar, or even workout area. Learn more about each mini refrigerator style and its benefits to find the right one for your space and cooling needs.
Style Options
Compact refrigerators are available as either a stand-alone unit or one designed to be built into cabinetry, though some models work either way. Not all styles are designed for the same purpose, so it helps to start with exactly what you want your fridge to do—store perishable foods, freeze, or simply cool beverages—before you start shopping.
Refrigerator
This standard option is an “all-refrigerator,” meaning it’s meant for both food and beverages, but does not include a freezer. These mini fridges feature an adjustable thermostat (either a dial or digital), typically three adjustable interior shelves, and a door with more shelving or beverage dispensers.
This style is ideal for those looking to store more than just drinks, but not freeze. The most common size averages about 3-6 cubic feet, giving you ample room for taller items like 2-liter bottles. Smaller cube styles, typically 1.7 cubic feet, are also readily available for tighter spaces.
Refrigerator with Freezer
While the same size as your standard compact fridge, these models also feature freezer space—either with a small shelf within the main refrigerator, or separated with its own door. A compact fridge with freezer is the best choice for those without a full-size fridge.
The shelf-style freezer is ideal for those with minimal needs (ice cube tray or one frozen meal), who want to keep as much refrigerator space as possible. Styles with a distinct freezer with door provide more storage space as well as better, more even cooling.
Refrigerator and Microwave Combination
Just as the name suggests, these models include both a fridge and microwave, which have been bracketed together into one unit—and feature just one plug for both.
The compact refrigerator is designed for both food and drink, and is typically on the smaller end of the standard size (2.5-3.5 cubic feet). The included microwaves average around 700 watts. This combo is tailored for those who need both appliances, but have limited wall outlets.
Beverage Centers
These models are specifically designed for drinks, and do not feature the cooling power needed for perishable foods, making them the energy efficient choice for this purpose.
This is the style to choose for your kitchen (indoor or out!), home bar, or game room. Similar in size to regular mini fridges, it often also lists the number of cans it can hold.
Novelty
Whether you want to flaunt your pro-team pride, bring back the nostalgia of decades past, or emulate a vending machine—there’s a mini fridge for that! Novelty compact refrigerator come in many sizes and styles, but are often smaller and focused solely on beverages.
The more unique the shape, the more limited the storage options and overall capacity are, so check product descriptions carefully. Some models hold just six soda cans, while others are designed for a crowd.
Tip!
Adjustable shelves can make all the difference with this small appliance, allowing you to change up the layout based on what you need to keep cool on any given day.
