This post will help you find the best mini fridge for your dorm this year.
When I first went to college, I dormed on campus. And it felt like a chance for independence. But being away from home leaves you to your own devices, including making sure you are getting everything you need to live for probably two semesters at least.
One of the first things I wanted to get was a mini-fridge to hold my food and drinks. I lived in a small dorm room with another person, so I didn’t want too much stuff in the way, plus my roommate also had their own mini-fridge.
Related Post: 15 Dorm Essentials to Make Life Easier
Getting items for college, like mini-fridges, cleaning supplies, and kitchenware, can be overwhelming with so many options. So I’ve compiled a list of some of the best mini fridges for dorms based on different needs you might have.
So for today, we will list 5 different mini-fridges and make sure they can fit where you want them to in your dorm.
Table of Contents
5 Different Mini-Fridges
1. Cooluli Classic Retro Mini Fridge
- Color: Comes in pink, turquoise, and white
- Design: This is a lightweight and compact cooler/warmer mini fridge that can store things like food, drinks, or skincare products. Very portable. It comes in a retro design of white with three color variations. It has removable shelves and is versatile in what you do with your mini-fridge.
- Size: 10 Liters, Outer Dimensions: (9” x 11.25” x 13”) and Inner Dimensions: (7’x 6.5’ x 11”)
- Weight: 7.8 lbs
First, we will start with the smallest option for the first fridge. This retro-style fridge is available at Home Depot for $79.
I like the design and the option to bring it on a car ride. You can cool or warm things if you want to cool some water bottles or keep soup warm. Besides, you can put it on a dresser or your desk.
However, the obvious con is the size. It can’t hold much, and it’s better for holding skincare, beauty products, medication, or a couple of soda cans or small foods.
The mini-fridge is also the most affordable on the list; moreover, if you want to add more room, you can take out the shelves in the fridge. Also, you have to unplug it to defrost, so keep that in mind if you want to pick it up.
Pros:
- More affordable
- Smaller – can store on a desk or dresser
- You can use it for food, drinks, or skincare to keep cool
- You can plug into the cigarette lighter DC adapter in your car
- Removable shelves
- Change from cooling to warming
Cons:
- Very small – can’t fit much
- It might not keep items as cool as more powerful fridges
- Unplug to defrost
- Not for large food items like leftovers or frozen meals
2. BLACK+DECKER BCRK17B Refrigerator
- Color: Comes in black, white, and stainless steel
- Design: It has a sleek modern design and glossy finish, three color options, and a compact form with a solid color. It has leveling legs and adjustable temperature control with a small freezer inside. Removable glass shelf to expand storage and also easy to clean.
- Size: 1.7 cu. ft. (17.5” x 18.5” x 19.7”)
- Weight: 33.1 lbs
This compact, modern fridge from BLACK+DECKER reminded me of the size fridge I had in my dorm. It really made me think back to living on campus freshman year. I kept mine under my bed because I wanted more floor space.
The size of this unit is a pro as well as a con. Though it is space-saving, compact, and easier to carry or slide than many other fridges, unfortunately, it comes with the fact that you can only put so much in here, and the freezer is small. (You can slide out the shelves if you need to make room.) Anything bigger than 1 liter of soda or other tall beverages likely won’t fit unless in the fridge door or on its side.
If you are looking for space-saving and something to hold small amounts of food and drinks, then I think this is a good choice!
Pros:
- Compact and space-saving – easy to put under the bed.
- Portable – not as heavy so that you can put it in dorms, offices, and RV campers
- Shelves – removable
- Reversible door
Cons:
- Not the best for tall beverages unless taking out the shelf
- Small freezer
- Smaller fridge, so not as much space inside
3. Midea WHS-87LSS1 Refrigerator
- Color: Stainless Steel
- Design: This is a sleek stainless steel mini fridge with chrome trim with the brand name Midea on the front. It features adjustable Legs and a Reversible Door that can Open from Left or Right.
- Size: 2.4 cu. ft. (20.08″D x 17.52″W x 24.8″H) – comes in different size options
- Weight: 37.9 pounds
Introducing the Midea WHS-87LSS1 Refrigerator, a stylish and functional addition to any home! Measuring 20.08″D x 17.52″W x 24.8″H, this compact refrigerator has a capacity of 2.4 cubic feet, making it perfect for smaller spaces like apartments, dorm rooms, or offices. The stainless steel finish adds a modern touch to any decor.
One of the standout features of this refrigerator is its low noise level, making it ideal for shared living spaces. Its internal freezer configuration ensures that you can keep your produce and snacks fresh for longer. The mechanical temperature adjustment ranges from -2′ to 2′ Celsius (32′ to 35.6′ Fahrenheit), allowing you to customize the temperature settings to your liking.
This refrigerator also features large storage areas that are excellent at chilling beverages and healthy snacks/produce. However, it cannot be used for storing frozen foods or making ice cubes. The adjustable legs and reversible door that can open from left or right make it easy to fit into any kitchen, office, dorm room, or basement space.
In addition to its functionality, the Midea WHS-87LSS1 is also energy-saving, with an Energy Star 4-star rating. This means that you can enjoy all the benefits of a refrigerator without worrying about high energy bills.
Upgrade your home with the Midea WHS-87LSS1 Refrigerator and enjoy its sleek design and practical features!
Pros:
- The compact size makes it perfect for smaller spaces.
- A stylish stainless steel finish adds a modern touch to any decor.
- Low noise level makes it ideal for shared living spaces.
Cons:
- Internal freezer configuration means it cannot be used for storing frozen foods or making ice cubes.
- Manual defrost systems may require more maintenance compared to automatic defrost systems.
4. Insignia Mini Fridge with Top Freezer
- Color: Comes in stainless steel
- Design: A stainless steel mini fridge with a top freezer. It is easy to slide into tighter spaces. Inside is a can rack, two shelves, adjustable thermostat controls, adjustable front feet, and a top freezer compartment to store frozen foods and snacks.
- Size: 3.0 cu. ft. (33 2/5” x 19 1/10” x 33 2/5”), 0.9 cu. ft. Top freezer compartment
- Weight: 54.9 lbs
As mentioned above, I currently have a mini-fridge that is larger than the one I had in my freshman-year dorm. However, I still haven’t had a chance to get a mini-fridge with a top freezer, so I love this sleek one from Best Buy.
Pros for this one include the top freezer’s size and a rack inside to store soda cans in a designated spot. Cons are how much heavier the fridge is and the more space it takes up.
My roommate had a larger mini-fridge like this one, using it as a nightstand, so that’s an option here for placement. I’d also recommend if you have a living space in your dorm with your roommates but no kitchen area, putting this fridge out there could help save space, too.
I prefer this mini-fridge to the others because it gives off the feeling of a full-size fridge while still small. But be careful when moving into your place, because it is heavier than most other fridges.
Pros:
- Top Freezer
- Bigger so you can store more items
- Split – freezer and fridge sections
- Shelves adjustable and easy to clean
Cons:
- Bigger – can’t put under bed and takes up more space
- Defrost is manual
- If you don’t like the split design, don’t get this – freezer and fridge are separate
5. Midea WHD-113FSS1 Compact Refrigerator
- Color: Stainless Steel
- Design: Large Storage Areas Excellent at Chilling Beverages and Healthy Snacks/Produce.
- Size: 3.1 cu ft. (19.4 x 18.5 x 33 inches)
- Weight: 52.2 pounds
Finally, the Midea WHD-113FSS1 Compact Refrigerator is the perfect combination of style and functionality! Measuring 19.4″D x 18.5″ W x 33″H, this compact refrigerator has a capacity of 3.1 cubic feet, making it perfect for smaller spaces like apartments, dorm rooms, or offices. The stainless steel finish adds a modern touch to any decor.
This compact refrigerator features an automatic defrost system, making it easy to maintain and keep clean. The adjustable temperature ranges allow for customized temperature settings, with the refrigerator compartment ranging from 32′ to 50′ F and the freezer compartment ranging from -11.2′ to 5’F. The freezer has a capacity of 0.92 cubic feet, while the fresh food capacity is 2.2 cubic feet.
In addition to its functionality, the Midea WHD-113FSS1 is also energy-saving, with an Energy Star 5-star rating. This means that you can enjoy all the benefits of a refrigerator without worrying about high energy bills.
Pros:
- The compact size makes it perfect for smaller spaces.
- A stylish stainless steel finish adds a modern touch to any decor.
- The automatic defrost system makes it easy to maintain and keep clean.
Cons:
- Semi-automatic, manual defrost systems may require more maintenance than automatic defrost systems.
- Limited capacity may not be suitable for larger households or those who require more storage space.
Related readings: 19 Dorm Organization Tips Every College Student Should Know About
Quick Tips: Choosing the Best Mini Fridge
Here are some tips for choosing the best mini fridge for college dorms and small spaces:
Size Matters
Measure the space where you want to put the mini fridge before making a purchase. Mini fridges come in a variety of sizes, so be sure to find one that fits your space.
Energy Efficiency
Look for a mini fridge that is energy efficient. This will not only save you money on your electricity bill, but it will also help reduce your carbon footprint.
Capacity
Consider how much space you’ll need in your mini fridge. If you plan on storing mostly drinks and snacks, a smaller capacity fridge may be sufficient. But if you plan on storing meals and perishable items, you may need a larger capacity fridge.
Features
Look for features that will make your life easier, such as adjustable shelves, a built-in freezer, and a reversible door.
Noise Level
Mini fridges can be noisy, so if you’re sensitive to noise, look for a model that is designed to operate quietly.
Brand Reputation
Choose a reputable brand that offers a warranty and good customer service. This way, you can have peace of mind knowing that you can rely on the fridge if anything goes wrong.
Which fridge do you think would be best for your dorm?
Do you want a mini-fridge to put on your dresser or in your living space? What features do you want in a mini-fridge? Let us know what your favorite fridge was down below!
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