Best Compact Refrigerators

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 23, 2023
Have no opportunity to set a conventional fridge? It's not a big deal! Compact fridges offer the same functions but do not take as much space. In our review, you'll find the best cooling units to suit your daily needs. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
CAPACITY
SHELVES AND TRAYS
TYPE OF DEFROST
CONVENIENCES
EXTRAS
POWER CONSUMPTION
DESIGN
DIMENSIONS
Warranty
 
PROS

Has an inside lighting. The temperature inside each of the compartments can be set within the range of 34-60°F, which is considerably more than it is in many other models. The fridge is Energy Star rated and super quiet in operation.

CONS

For a compact fridge, it is quite bulky. 

OUR VERDICT

This refrigerator is perfect for limited areas such as small kitchens, rooms, and dormitories. That the refrigerator and freezer sections have separate doors make its maintenance very convenient. 

detailed parameters
CAPACITY
3.1 cu. ft.
SHELVES AND TRAYS
2 x glass shelves, 1 x vegetable crisper, 1 x door shelf for 2-liter bottles, 1 x CanStor, 1 x door shelf for butter, 1 x freezer shelf
TYPE OF DEFROST

Fridge: Auto defrost

Freezer: Manual defrost

CONVENIENCES
Adjustable thermostat, Slide out adjustable shelves, Door shelves for beverages
EXTRAS
Energy Star Rated, Separate freezer, Interior light
POWER CONSUMPTION
270 kWh per year
DESIGN
Stainless steel refrigerator, Flush back design, Glass shelves
DIMENSIONS
33.5" x 19" x 19.75"
Warranty

12 months

PROS

This refrigerator constantly maintains the desired temperature of the products. It's equipped with a freezer, has a double-sided door and adjustable feet, which allows you to place it anywhere.

CONS

The plastic can be easily scratched and damaged.

OUR VERDICT

A compact refrigerator for a student dorm, bedroom, office, and anywhere you need a smaller fridge to keep your food and drinks cold at the right temperature.

detailed parameters
CAPACITY

3.2 cu. ft.

SHELVES AND TRAYS

2 x glass shelves, 1 x door shelf for drink cans, 1 x shelf for bottles (2 liter) on the door, 2 x door shelves for cans and small bottles, 1 x bottom compartment with divider

TYPE OF DEFROST

Auto defrost

CONVENIENCES

Reversible Door, Adjustable lever feet

EXTRAS

Separate freezer

POWER CONSUMPTION

219 kWh per year

DESIGN

Black color + 7 others to choose from

Material: plastic

DIMENSIONS

32.8" x 17.68" x 18.5"

Warranty

12 months

PROS

This compact refrigerator allows you to store food, soda, beer, and other drinks with minimal energy consumption (70 W). It has adjustable thermostat control, and the reversible door can be fixed on any convenient side.

CONS

The fridge can hold quite few bottles and cans.

OUR VERDICT

A virtually silent mini fridge that is perfect for RV, boat, garage, or bedroom. The drinks stay cold with minimal energy consumption.

detailed parameters
CAPACITY

1.7 cu. ft.

SHELVES AND TRAYS

1 x glass shelf, 1 x door drink can shelf, 1 x door bottle shelf

TYPE OF DEFROST

Auto defrost

CONVENIENCES

Adjustable thermostat, Adjustable shelves, Pull-out doors, Beverage door shelves, Adjustable feet, Reversible door hinges‎

EXTRAS

Energy Star rated, Separate freezer, Interior light

POWER CONSUMPTION

201 kWh

DESIGN

Colors: black, stainless steel, white; Glass shelf

DIMENSIONS

19.7" x 17.5"x 18.5"

Warranty

1 year

PROS

This fridge has adjustable feet for easy installation anywhere you need it. The ice cube compartment provides a compact freezer space. The bottle racks can support the 2 L (67.6 oz) containers.

CONS

The refrigerator comes in one color only.

OUR VERDICT

The sleek and stylish stainless steel finish, invisible doorknob, and clean lines blend beautifully with any décor. The cooling system is eco-friendly and does not contain CFCs.

detailed parameters
CAPACITY

1.8 cu. ft.

SHELVES AND TRAYS

1 x pull-out shelf, 1 x door beverage can shelf, 1 x door bottle shelf

TYPE OF DEFROST

Manual defrost

CONVENIENCES

Ice tray, Separate ice cube compartment, Adjustable thermostat, Adjustable feet, Reversible door hinges‎

EXTRAS

Pull-out shelf, Invisible door handle, Freezer shelf

POWER CONSUMPTION

225 kWh

DESIGN

Color: stainless steel

DIMENSIONS

20.5" х 20" х 18.5"

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The Midea WHS-160RB1 has a convenient food freezer compartment and a can storage shelf that holds up to 8 units at a time. Low noise and power consumption, a large number of shelves.

CONS

The fridge is rather noisy.

OUR VERDICT

A fridge with the manual defrost function to keep food fresh for a longer period of time. Customize its height for any kitchen with adjustable legs.

detailed parameters
CAPACITY

4.4 cu. ft.

SHELVES AND TRAYS

3 x fixed shelves, 1 x shelf for drink cans on the door, 1 x shelf for bottles on the door, 2 x shelves for sauces and preservers

TYPE OF DEFROST

Manual defrost

CONVENIENCES

Adjustable feet, Reversible door hinges‎

EXTRAS

Separate freezer

POWER CONSUMPTION

270 kWh

DESIGN

Colors: black and stainless steel

Material: iron, stainless steel door

DIMENSIONS

33.86" x 19.72" x 21.26"

Warranty

1 year

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EdgeStar CRF321SS

A Bit of Everything

The first on our shortlist is a compact fridge by EdgeStar. To begin with, this 3.1 cu. ft. compact refrigerator is large enough to keep plenty of food. It's the best choice for dormitory rooms or small offices. EdgeStar compact fridge turned out to be quite easy-to-use. The manufacturer has equipped it with all the necessities and let's make out what's inside of this fridge!

  • Two shelves made of durable tempered glass ensure heavy food storage. Besides, one of them is adjustable.
  • One slide-out crisper;
  • One door shelf for 2-liter bottles;
  • One shelf for cans storage;
  • One door shelf for butter or yogurt;
  • One freezer shelf.

So now you see how much food you can keep in this compact freezer! Next, we'd like to highlight its convenient door shelf where you can store up to 5 cans. If you take a can from the bottom, the upper one will just go down in its place. On top of that, an adjustable thermostat allows you to choose the necessary temperature mode for keeping foodstuffs fresh (34-60° F).

Review of EdgeStar CRF321SS Compact Fridge/Freezer

Design for Everyone

This quality 2 door compact refrigerator is made of stainless-steel with a glossy finish. Obviously, it'll ideally match most interiors. The shelves are manufactured from tempered glass. As for a freezer, it is really huge, being ideal for storing meat, fish, ice cream, etc. The next little thing we’d like to emphasize is a LED backlighting inside this EnergyStar compact refrigerator. The fridge is EnergyStar certified and its energy consumption of 270 kWh per year proves it. 

EdgeStar CRF321SS Compact Fridge/Freezer in the use

More Products to Consider

If you want to remove unpleasant odors from your fridge, we highly recommend getting a refrigerator deodorizer.

Hope's Perfect Stainless Steel Polish is an incredible solution for keeping the outside of the fridge all clean and shiny.

Detailed review of EdgeStar CRF321SS Compact Fridge/Freezer

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $249.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B00OBWEGQC

VIDEO
EdgeStar 3.1 Cu. Ft. Energy Star Fridge/Freezer- CRF320SS

What customers say about this product

Size & Weight

I'm impressed with the look, the build quality and the performance of the 3.1 Cu. Ft. compact EdgeStar Refrigerator

Capacity

This fits the space wonderfully, the freezer works as well as a full size refrigerator/freezer.

Storage

Decent room for the size and you can change out the shelving as you need.

Features

This fridge worked as advertised. It's been exceptionally quiet and has maintained constant temps. A good all around purchase, in my view.

Power

Quiet operation, and Energy Star certified... The freezer does a perfect job of keeping ice-cream cold enough, too.
 

RCA RFR321

A Super Compact Fridge

Your bulky old fridge sticks out like a sore thumb? Free up the precious kitchen space with RCA mini fridge. Ideal for fruit and veggies, beverages and frozen foods, this device will be a welcome purchase for your home or office.

Measuring 18.5 x 17.7 x 32.8 inches, this mini fridge is so compact that it will actually fit on a table (if required). Small apartment owners or office workers will be surprised with how nicely it fits in just about anywhere. Yes, there are bigger “smaller” options out there, but RCA really stands out if you’re aiming at the maximum free space.

The capacity of this model is 3.2 cu. ft., which is fairly average.

This modern fridge is sleek and stylish, coming in a variety of colors from the black to bright red and orange. Whatever interior you have, RCA has got you covered. Even an elaborate office space will not suffer if you bring it in. Yes, the plastic can get scratched with time, which could be further improved. But otherwise, you can match your walls, furniture, or aesthetic sense with no problem.

The door of this fridge is reversible for your convenience and can hold a few items on its own, like plastic bottles or milk packages.

Review of RCA RFR321 Mini Refrigerator

Control the Temp & Storage Space

RCA is not only compact but also flexible as a fridge. The compressor works top notch even in the hot weather and will keep the contents at an ideal temperature all the time. You can customize the temp level by simply twisting the knob. Using this fridge is a real no-brainer for anyone.

Great, but what about defrosting? No worries, you’ll only need to push that big button in the middle of the knob, and the fridge will start this process automatically. RCA values your time and does all the hard work for you. Just turn it on and forget all about it.

This handy fridge comes with two removable shelves. If you need to fit in something bigger, pull them off and rearrange to free more space inside. Now your wine or Cola bottles can be stored upright or on the side with very little effort. Show off what you’ve got to the guests – or just don’t bother and leave the shelves as they are.

Does your kitchen floor remind you of a Titanic deck near the end of the movie? If so, RCA is equipped with adjustable lever feet. Remove the tilt and enjoy the fridge for a longer time span.

Summing up, this mini fridge will be indispensable for a small kitchen, limited office space, or student dorm.

RCA RFR321 Mini Refrigerator in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B00P84EVMQ

 

BLACK + DECKER BCRK17B Energy Star

Cools It Down

Looking for a stylish and compact mini-fridge? The BLACK+DECKER single door unit may be the choice for you; it’s small, convenient, and packed with extra features. Just what you need for an RV, boat, or bedroom.

This portable fridge stands at 17.5" x 18.5" x 19.7", which means a smaller footprint and much more free space. Ideal for undersized rooms or offices, it can store food and beverages at 70 watts, conveniently saving energy. If the office kitchen is a zillion floors down, consider getting this device for storing your lunches, snacks, and water.

The design of this fridge will easily fit into a modern interior. Pick one of the 3 color options to customize it even further (black, white, stainless steel). Time to forget the dull and bulky fridges you’ve known – and used – before.

Being portable, this unit is not made for storing piles of food or beer cases. However, if you do need to store more inside, simply remove the glass shelf, and you’re good. The door storage can accommodate the 2 additional cans, and the top shelf will hold small-sized containers. You’re welcome to experiment with indoor space for the best possible layout.

Review of BLACK + DECKER BCRK17B Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer

Versatile Features

This fridge has many useful features to make it even more practical. Let’s start with the reversible door that can open left or right, depending on where you decide to place the unit. Next, the leveling legs allow you to position the fridge correctly and prolong its lifespan. Finally, you can adjust the thermostat with 33.8 °F being the lowest setting. Don’t worry, all your food and drinks will enjoy sufficiently low temps to come out fresh and cool.

If you need ice, this unit has got you covered. Yes, the freezer is extra small, but it can hold ice packs (and also frozen dinners). There’s even an ice tray included, so you won’t have to look for one.

Is this model noisy? Actually, not at all. Unlike some other mini fridges that can get hard on your ears, this one is super quiet and won’t disturb your work or rest. You’re free to use it at the office, in the bedroom, or onboard, and it will always keep a low profile. In case you need it for the nursery to store milk, no problem, as the baby wouldn’t mind.

All in all, this small but versatile mini fridge does exactly what it says on the tin: keeps your food/drinks cold and doesn’t waste your space.

BLACK + DECKER BCRK17B Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $120.79
Stock In stock
ASIN B01DZQI6YW

 

Frigidaire EFR182

A Bigger Smaller Fridge

You want a mini fridge but want it large? No problem. The Frigidaire unit can hold more without being oversized, and it’s also eco-friendly.

For a starter, the fridge measures 20.5" х 20" х 18.5" and boasts a stylish retro design that will remind you of the 1950s. With that in mind, the stainless steel finish and an invisible door handle make it a very nice fit for a modern kitchen/office décor. The only downside is that the fridge only has a single color option.

Despite being mini, this unit will accommodate your groceries and beverages, milk and cheese, while not becoming an overstuffed nightmare. It has a pull-out wire shelf as well as 2 compartments in the door storage. Try different layouts and find the one that works best with your typical load.

The Frigidaire lets you adjust the temperature from 32 to 35.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Anytime you need your food and drinks conveniently cold, just put them in and choose the lowest setting. As for the cooling system, it doesn’t contain CFCs, which is great for environmentally conscious owners. Keep our planet safe – and your food cold – with this practical fridge.

Review of Frigidaire EFR182 Mini Fridge

Fits Anywhere

The Frigidaire is not only stylish but also fitting for your home or office space. This mini fridge is a dream come true for those working in a smaller room, as you can place it right beside your worktable, and it won’t be sticking out. If you want it for your kitchen or a dorm room, absolutely no problem; this unit has a small footprint and will fit in between the pre-existing furniture.

Even better; the fridge comes with a reversible door, so you won’t have to move or replace anything for it to open normally. The left-handed users will also find this handy (pun intended). You can position the fridge at the right angle using the adjustable legs; and the right angle means increased lifespan for this device.

Need ice? Make it in around an hour using the freezer compartment. No ice tray at hand? Relax, the fridge has got one for your comfort. Even if you don’t need ice at all, why not store some snacks there? Minus one trip to the office kitchen if you’re using it at work. And did you know you can store up to 2 liter bottles on the bottle racks? Well, now you do.

Summing up, the Frigidaire mini fridge is the choice when you need more storage space – but want a smaller footprint.

Frigidaire EFR182 Mini Fridge in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B088GXKBYB

 

Midea WHS-160RB1

Just the Size You Need

Whether you want it for your kitchen, office, or mini bar, the Midea excels at saving your precious space – and protecting your wallet.

This compact fridge will fit in nicely with your kitchen or workspace. Smooth-looking, with a nice black finish, it will complement modern interior with its classy design. If you’re living in a small apartment, sharing an office space or a dorm room, this is exactly what you need to freeze and cool down food in style.

If your kitchen or office room is extra crowded, the reversible door will come to the rescue. You can have it open to the right or left, which is convenient if you don’t want to move the furniture. Also, the legs of this fridge are adjustable, making it stable at any given floor tilt.

Measuring 33.86" x 19.72" x 21.26", the Midea comes with the capacity of 4.4 cu. ft. This won’t be enough for a huge office party, but it can hold 2-liter bottles, a few canned drinks, and lunch food, which you can share with your friends or coworkers, naturally. The only downside to this amazing unit is that it can’t be used to store frozen food or make ice cubes.

Review of Midea WHS-160RB1 Single Reversible Compact Refrigerator

Pick Your Temp

The temperature range of this fridge is varied enough to store various foods and beverages. The unit features a thermostat to easily adjust the level of coldness. Thanks to this, all your supplies will be kept cold and fresh at all times.

Can you make for even more space inside the fridge? In fact, you can, thanks to the removable shelves. The bottles can stand vertically or be stored on side, and the can rack will hold up to 8 units at a time. Now bigger items or oddly shaped food packages will go right in without the extra effort of adjustment.

The Midea is quiet enough to be used in an office space, although sometimes it does make a certain wooshing sound. On the other hand, there will be no loud rattling, so unless you’re oversensitive to noise, this fridge should be just fine for your needs.

This model uses less energy per day; Energy Star rated, it helps you save money on the electricity bills. As for defrosting, you can do it manually and at any time you want.

As evident, this practical mini fridge by Midea doesn’t compromise on quality or storage space and can be used at home or office.

Midea WHS-160RB1 Single Reversible Compact Refrigerator in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B00MVVIF2G

 

Infographics

Comparison of Compact Refrigerators

What Is a Compact Refrigerator?

A compact refrigerator is a small cooling unit with rather small capacity to fit tight kitchens, dorm rooms and hotels. Refrigerators of this kind are widely popular among students, barmen and hotel managers who need to save some space and yet, set a fridge. Despite compact dimensions, these refrigerators are high-performing and provide sufficient cooling capabilities for proper food storage. So, if you need one, you’re lucky to have come to our website. We’ve selected 5 best compact refrigerators for you to choose the one you need.

If space is not an issue for you, you may also be interested in reading our other reviews on side-by-side refrigerators, french door refrigerators or built-in refrigerators. These are full-size refrigerators that can house in plenty of food, enough for most average and big families.

What Features to Compare

Dimensions and Capacity

If you are in search for a fridge to use in your office or dorm room, you should look in the direction of compact models. Compact fridges don't take up a lot of space while boasting the capacity between 1.6 up to 4 cu.ft, allowing them to accommodate quite a lot of goodies. 

Conveniences

The next aspect worth your careful consideration is the convenience of use, which is mainly determined by the fridge's shelves and drawers. Here you should consider the number of shelves, their width, and telescopic options. Aside from that, you may want some flexibility in terms of how the shelves can be arranged or removed to fit larger items.

Pay attention to the freezer compartment (if provided) as well. Make sure it offers ample spacing for your family storage needs. Defrost feature and thermostat are the things to take into consideration, too. The defrost feature will save you the hassle of having to clean it every other day, and the thermostat will help maintain the fridge's temperature at an optimal level. Other features that may contribute to the convenience of use are reverse doors and adjustable legs.

Design and Extras

The fridge's design can make a big difference, so there are a few things you should pay attention to when selecting a model for yourself. First things first, decide on a color. In general, white models are the most popular, but the downside is that white can get soiled easily and fingerprints are more visible on whites.

Besides, you should consider the materials the fridge is made of. Most models are made of stainless steel, which ensures their durability and high resistance to corrosion. Not only is stainless steel exceptionally durable but it's aslo easy to take care of. All you need is to regularly wipe its surface with a damp cloth and that's it.

Finally, pay attention if the fridge you chose has the Energy Star label. The advantage of models marked with this label is that they consume a lot less energy than most any typical fridge. Other add-ons to look for in compact refrigerators are LED backlighting, Dry Erase Boards, and so on.

Sources:

1. Pam Barclay Refrigerator Buyer’s Guide, Compact Appliance. April 30, 2014.

2. Maintenance Tips for your Refrigerator, RepairClinic.

3. Mini Fridge Buying Guide, ConsumerSearch. July 2016.

4. Martin Holladay Choosing an Energy-Efficient Refrigerator, GreenBuildingAdvisor. May 18, 2012.

5. Refrigerator Buying Guide, Lowe's.

6. How to Maintain Your Refrigerator, the balance. May 31, 2015.

7. 3 Ways to Defrost Food Safely, StillTasty.

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