Best Compact Refrigerators

Compact refrigerators are the best options for small living spaces like a college dorm room, wet bars, offices, and small apartments. A compact refrigerator is also known as a mini-refrigerator or mini-fridge or compact fridge is as beneficial as a full size. It can also be used as a complement for the main fridge in your home.

They are especially useful if you have limited living space, as they can keep your foods and drinks fresh in a fraction of the space of full-size refrigerators. Many models offer many features as full-sized refrigerators such as crisper drawers, interior lights, adjustable shelves, and freezer compartments.

The compact refrigerators are useful to store the leftovers and other foods and drinks without spending too much. And they also do not take much space as a regular refrigerator. The compact fridge may or may not have built-in freezers. Since there is no real separation between the compartments, it can be difficult to balance the temperature between the freezer and the rest of the refrigerator.

Product Image	Product Name	Dimensions	Capacity	Price
	Danby DAR017A2	20.1 x 17.7 x 20.4 in	1.7 Cu. Ft.	Check Price
	EdgeStar CRF321SS	19.8 x 18.8 x 33.5 in	3.1 Cu. Ft.	Check Price
	Midea WHD-113FSS1	18.5 x 19.4 x 33 in	3.1 Cu. Ft.	Check Price
	RCA RFR321-FR320/8	20 x 18 x 32 in	3.2 Cu. Ft.	Check Price
	Keystone KSTRC312CB	20 x 18.5 x 33.2 in	3.1 Cu. Ft.	Check Price
	Danby DBC120BLS	19.8 x 17.9 x 33.7 in	3.3 Cu. Ft.	Check Price
	Sunpentown (SPT) RF-244SS	20.1 x 17.2 x 24.9 in	2.4 Cu. Ft.	Check Price
	Haier HC27SF22RB	17.9 x 26.1 x 18.9 in	2.7 Cu. Ft.	Check Price
	Danby DAR033A6BSLDB	20.4 x 17.7 x 33.1 in	3.3 Cu. Ft.	Check Price
	Haier HC17SF15RB	17.9 x 19.4 x 18.9 in	1.7 Cu. Ft.	Check Price

Reasons to buy Compact Refrigerator/Mini Fridge

1. You have a very limited living space.
2. Though they are smaller than regular refrigerators, the compact refrigerators serve the same functions of keeping your foods and drinks fresh and cool.
3. They won’t take much space and comes at a fraction of the price of a regular refrigerator.
4. They can complement your full-size fridge.
5. Having it in your living room or home office will save you many trips to the kitchen.
6. You can get the feeling of being at home with a mini-fridge in your dorm room.
7. Or, you may just need a new one.

How does the compact refrigerator work?

Most of the compact refrigerators use compressor-powered cooling systems. These types of refrigerators remove heat with the help of a circulating gas running along the tubes behind the storage unit and keep their content cold. Whereas, some compact fridges utilize a thermoelectric cooling system. These types of units keep their content cold using a heat sink with a powered fan embedded behind the storage section. They are quieter but are not as efficient as the compressors.

Types of Compact Refrigerators

Like every appliance, compact refrigerators or mini-fridges are also available in a wide range of varieties. Here are their different types:

Cube Refrigerator: It is a very small unit ranging from 11½ – 2.1 cubic feet and most common compact refrigerator on the market. As the name says, it looks like a little cube. The cube refrigerators are about 18-20” tall and can easily be placed in small spaces. They are the least expensive models and some models have a reversible door and some have locking capabilities.

Mid-Size Mini Fridge: They are larger than the cube refrigerators, and have more shelves and can hold more food and drinks. The mid-size compact refrigerators are about 26” tall and ideal for any dorm or RVs. They are more efficient than cube refrigerators and also cost a little more. Many of these types of refrigerators have adjustable thermostats and automatic defrost.

Counter High Compact Fridge: They are the largest of the compact types being almost as high as countertop and take 3.5-4.5 cubic feet of space. They can have one door with a freezer inside or two doors with a separate freezer. The large compact refrigerator can hold many foods and drinks. This type of refrigerator features interior lights, thermostats, crispers, and canned drink dispenser. They are the most energy-efficient and of course, the most expensive ones.

Drinks Mini Fridge: They are meant to store and keep just your snacks and drinks cool. The Drink Mini Fridges are great for dorms or the living room if you want to have your drinks nearby.

Travel Mini Fridge: They keep your food and drink cool when you are traveling. There are three types of travel refrigerators available: thermoelectric, compressor and absorption.

Buyer’s Guide to Compact Refrigerator

If you are looking for a new compact refrigerator for any of the above reasons or maybe some other reason, we are here to help you. There are certain factors that you should consider while buying the mini-refrigerator.

Type of the refrigerator

We have discussed the available types of the compact refrigerator above. So, what type of refrigerator are you looking for? Choose the right type for you.

Capacity

Though all are labeled as a mini-fridge or the compact refrigerator, they tend to have a different capacity as their types. How much do you want to store? Also, make sure you have enough space or space allocated for the fridge.

Features

Some of the features to look in a compact refrigerator are the adjustable shelves, glass shelves, thermostats, ice maker, a root juice tap, freezer, door-mounted dispenser, and interior light.

Budget

Think about the budget you are ready to spend on a fridge. Remember, good features and quality will cost more.

Portability

While all mini-fridges are compact and smaller than the full-size refrigerators, they have different sizes and different weights. If you are going to move it around a lot then look for light ones.

Additional Consideration Before Buying

• If you are buying a mini-fridge for a college dorm, make sure to check the college rules and guidelines about the size allowed and energy consumption that is allowed.
• Buy the largest compact fridge you can afford as they are more energy-efficient and hold plenty of food and drinks.
• Glass shelves are better than wire shelves. They can easily hold tiny items unlike wire shelf and also are easy to clean.
• If you want to keep your food frozen then two-door models are the best option.

Best Compact Refrigerators

Compact refrigerators are a great way to keep your foods and drinks cool and fresh when you have a small or limited living space. We have made a list of best refrigerators available on the market. They all are pretty affordable and have great features. If you are planning to get one, go through the reviews below.

Danby DAR017A2BDD Compact All Refrigerator

The Danby DAR017A2BDD Compact Refrigerator is a great choice for dorm rooms and small offices. This mini-fridge is perfect for those who spend long hours in their rooms or offices. It is an energy-efficient and quiet unit. It is 20.1 inches tall with a capacity of 1.7 cubic feet.

This compact refrigerator uses a compressor rather than a thermoelectric cooling system, which is the same cooling unit used in regular refrigerators. Hence, it is more efficient at maintaining constant cooling temperatures. However, this mini refrigerator does not have a freezer compartment. This fridge has an automatic defrost system that raises the temperature when required.

It has one and a half wire shelves with a separate rack and bin its door. The door can easily hold six beverage cans and a tall bottle. Another great thing about its door is that it has a reversible hinge that lets its user open it from the left or right side. Though the compressor is efficient at cooling foods and drinks, it makes a pretty loud noise. Also, this fridge lacks interior light.

Features:

• Interior capacity – 1.7 cubic feet
• Energy Star compliant
• Thermostat
• 1 full width and one ½ width removable wire shelves
• Tall bottle storage
• Durable and elegant
• Reversible door
• Energy efficient

Edgestar CRF321SS Compact Fridge/Freezer

The Edgestar CRF321SS is high quality and durable compact fridge that looks great with the stainless steel front. It has an interior space of 3.1 cubic feet with all the features as a full-sized refrigerator. It can easily fit in compact spaces making it ideal for small dorm rooms, office, and man den. Its sleek space-optimized design gives it numerous placement options.

The best feature of this mini fridge is that its freezer and refrigerator are separated making easier space and storage. It features a true zero degrees freezer, many useful storage features and also a vegetable crisper. This mini fridge has door bins in both refrigerator and freezer sections.

It also has an auto-defrost feature in the refrigerator section, which is a rare feature in a mini compact refrigerator. Its large bottle storage lets you chill bottles of various sizes. This compact refrigerator is Energy Star rated, signifying it is more energy-efficient. The EdgeStar CRF321SS fits into tight spaces and provides ample freezer and refrigerator storage.

Features:

• Interior space – 3.1 cubic feet
• Vegetable crisper with glass shelf
• Adjustable wire shelf
• Door bins in both freezer and fridge
• Fully adjustable thermostat
• Bright interior light
• Energy Star rated
• Reversible doors

Midea WHD-113FSS1 Refrigerator and Freezer

The Midea WHD-113FSS1 features a double door meaning you have a separate freezer compartment with its own door. The reversible door makes it able to be placed in many locations. It is perfect for a dorm room, studio or efficiency apartment or any small spaces where you need to keep your food and drinks cold.

There are a separate fruit and vegetable drawer. This compact refrigerator is Energy Star rated; hence, it keeps your electricity bill as low as possible while keeping your food and drinks cool. The door swing can be reversed to fit comfortably in your room layout.

The interior lighting and shelving system is great to keep the contents organized. It works just like a regular-sized refrigerator cooling quickly, quietly, and evenly without warm spots. It features whisper-quiet technology so it is virtually undetectable when it is running. This Midea compact refrigerator is an excellent value that will bring years of quiet, reliable use.

Features:

• Interior capacity – 3.1 cubic feet
• Temperature control
• Interior light
• Glass shelves
• Reversible doors
• Crisper drawer
• Built-in beverage holders
• Whisper-quiet technology
• Energy Star rated

RCA RFR321-FR320/8 IGLOO Mini Refrigerator

The RCA RFR321-FR320/8 Mini refrigerator is the best choice for any dorm room or office and also great for a secondary fridge. It is reliable and good quality and delivers a very good performance. It is the best compact refrigerator and indeed a popular one. The RCA fridge combines contemporary style with cutting-edge refrigeration technology.

It handles cold food storage in an environmentally sustainable way. Its sleek design suits any household and interior with a variety of decorating schemes. It is available in 8 different colors. It features smart interior design, two easily adjustable interior racks, shelves and beverage holders in the door provide extra storage options.

This compact refrigerator has a reversible door that can be opened from both left and right as the user’s need. This makes it able to be placed fitting to the layout of your living space. The adjustable thermostat lets you keep your cooling foods and drinks at an optimum temperature. The flush back design and invisible door handle give it sleek and modern looks.

Features:

• Interior capacity – 3.2 cubic feet
• Compressor cooling system
• Space-saving design
• Slide-out tempered glass shelves
• Adjustable thermostat
• Reversible door
• Built-in can dispenser and freezer compartment
• Low energy consumption

Keystone KSTRC312CB Compact Refrigerator/Freezer

The Keystone KSTRC312CB Compact Refrigerator/Freezer features two doors and is ideal for a small office, workshop, den, boat, and other small spaces. The separate freezer offers you to store your foods that need a freezer at the perfect temperature. The freezer area is spacious than the traditional freezer area of normal mini-fridges.

This compact fridge has everything that you need to store your foods and drinks. The fridge has two glass shelves and a fruit and vegetable crisper drawer in the refrigerator part. It also features a space for a 2-liter bottle, a canned drink storage area and a rack for small items on the door. The fridge door is reversible and has a recessed handle.

The adjustable legs keep it even on any floor. It features interior light that lets you see your storage during time even if the room lights are off. The Keystone compact refrigerator features mechanical temperature control. The top-mounted freezer has manual defrost and storage on the freezer door. It is perfect for dorm rooms, rec room, and small offices and anywhere space is limited.

Features:

• Interior capacity – 3.1 cubic feet
• Separate freezer compartment
• Glass shelves
• Reversible doors
• Adjustable legs
• Mechanical temperature control
• Manual defrost
• Energy Star certified

Danby DBC120BLS Beverage Center

The Danby DBC120BLS Beverage Center is just too perfect for storing beverages during the big sports event or just lounging with friends and family. With a 120 can storage capacity you will never run out of ice-cold beverages. The tempered glass door and stainless steel trim add an elegant touch to any décor.

The door has a recessed side mount door handle and features integrated lock with key. The door lock secures the contents of the fridge from children or desperate roommates or the freeloaders. This drink mini-fridge features removable black-wire interior shelves and door activated the interior light.

The high-tech mechanical thermostat can be programmed from anywhere between 6ºC and 14ºC. The mechanical thermostat control makes it easy for those who prefer to set it and forget it. The clever reversible door hinge can be adjusted for either left or right-handed opening. It is the best at its price and perfect for those who want to use it a beer cellar.

Features:

• Interior capacity – 3.3 cubic feet (120 cans)
• Temperature range 6ºC to 14ºC
• Mechanical thermostat
• Removable black wire shelves
• Tempered glass door
• Recessed side mount door handle
• Door activated interior light
• Integrated lock with key
• Reversible door

SPT RF-244SS Compact Refrigerator

The SPT RF-244SS Compact refrigerator offers the luxuries of refrigeration in a compact design. The flush rear design gives this mini-fridge, customizable interior wired shelves and offers space for all kinds of food. The sleek and compact design makes it fit in tight spaces, which makes it ideal for college dorms, small offices, and playrooms.

The stainless steel exterior is durable enough to keep your food cool and well preserved for years. This mini-fridge features slide-out wire shelves and a built-in freezer. It includes easy temperature controls and is energy efficient consuming less energy while keeping your foods and drinks fresh and safe.

The shelving has four possible mounting locations for extra customization with sizes that allow you to put items without quickly running out of space. Hence, it is capable of holding large quantities of food within its small compartments. The door has a tall bottle rack adding more storage space. The reversible doors offer versatility.

Features:

• Interior capacity – 2.4 cubic feet
• Adjustable thermostat
• Adjustable wire shelves
• Interior freezer compartment
• Manual defrost
• Reversible door
• Flush back design
• Front leveling legs
• Energy Star certified

Haier HC27SF22RB Refrigerator/Freezer

The Haier HC27SF22RB refrigerator/freezer is a perfect mini fridge with enough storage space even in the door. The bottle storage in the door can easily fit three 2-liter bottles and other tall bottles. The door has two full-width glass shelves that allow flexible storage solutions and easy cleanup.

The refrigerator is easy to position with its adjustable leveling legs. The flat-back design allows space-saving. It has a half-width freezer compartment for keeping items extra cold. The adjustable thermostat ensures accurate storage temperatures at the turn of a dial. The refrigerator will automatically maintain the temperature level you select.

The stainless steel finish makes it durable. The black color makes it fit for any décor. But it lacks interior light. This mini-fridge features a reversible door that means you can adjust the door hinge open either from left or right as it suits you. This compact refrigerator is quiet and good value at an affordable price.

Features:

• Interior capacity – 2.7 cubic feet
• Freezer compartment with ice cube tray
• 2 full-width glass shelves
• 2 full-width door storage shelves
• Space-saving flat-back design
• Adjustable leveling legs
• Adjustable thermostat
• Reversible door

Danby DAR033A6BSLDB Contemporary Classic Compact All Refrigerator

Danby’s Contemporary Classic collection of compact refrigerators brings retro style for modern customers. The Danby DAR033A6BSLDB is a delicate balance between simplicity and flare showing the label of ‘Contemporary Classic’. It offers versatile storage with a capacity of 3.30 cubic feet. This all-refrigerator features two and a half tempered glass shelves for maximum storage versatility.

This refrigerator features Danby’s exclusive retro-inspired curved door design, spotless steel door finish, rubber-grip ergonomic handle, and stylized worktop. The integrated door has tall bottle storage and can beverage holder. It features bright interior LED lighting that is designed to illuminate without adding heat.

The mini-fridge has an impressionable design. It delivers a composition of pleasing shapes and dramatic lines, successfully blending contemporary form with classic elements. This is a large compact refrigerator but is lightweight as other small compact refrigerators. It can hold a lot of different items and is energy efficient.

Features:

• Interior capacity – 3.3 cubic feet
• Danby’s patented design
• R600a refrigerant
• Glass Spillproof shelves
• Integrated door shelving
• Interior white LED light
• Scratch-resistant worktop
• Reversible door hinge
• Automatic defrost

Haier HC17SF15RB Refrigerator/Freezer

The Haier HC17SF15RB refrigerator/freezer is an awesome compact refrigerator with 1.7 cubic feet of interior capacity. This nice little fridge is perfect for dorm rooms and small offices or the den. It features a small half-width freezer compartment to keep your items extra cold.

This mini fridge has one slide-out full-width wire shelf. The door has a full-width and half-width storage space that includes 2-liter bottle storage space. The fridge has an adjustable thermostat and manual defrost. Its door has a recessed door handle and features space-saving flat back design. It is a quiet little fridge and great value at a very low price.

Features:

• Interior capacity – 1.7 cubic feet
• Freezer compartment with ice cube tray
• Full-width slide-out wire shelf
• 1 full-width and 1 half-width door storage shelves
• Space-saving flat-back design
• Adjustable leveling legs
• Adjustable thermostat
• Manual defrost