Mini fridges work best for small spaces. If you live in a one-bedroom apartment or wish to possess a miniature refrigerator, so your daily needs are within your reach, you may dream of owning a mini-fridge.
However, with plenty of small refrigerators out there, which ones are the best, and how to choose the right one for your needs?
This article will discuss the things you need to consider when buying a mini refrigerator for your bedroom. It will also guide you through the best mini fridges around and tell you about their pros, cons, and practical uses.
Things to Consider When Buying a Mini Fridge for Your Bedroom
Purchasing appliances isn’t something you should take lightly. You buy appliances to ease your way of living and serve their purposes, so it’s best to consider some factors before deciding on your purchase. Specifically, you need to figure out how the appliance accommodates your needs and whether or not it’s the most suitable object for your home.
When buying a mini-fridge, take note of your size preference and where you plan to store it. Also, consider the things you intend to store within the fridge, how much noise the fridge produces, and its cooling system type.
Size and Placement
Besides being cheaper than their bigger counterparts, mini-fridges are smaller as well. So, it’s highly likely that you’re trying to purchase a miniature refrigerator for the convenience its size offers. And if that’s the case, ensure that you purchase a mini-fridge with dimensions that suit your bedroom.
Generally, you’ll want the smallest fridge if you live in a tight space. This means you should opt for a refrigerator that’s around 17 inches in width and 20 inches in height. It’s the smallest fridge available. However, if your space can handle it, it’s best to choose a fridge that’s a little more spacious than that. Consider your room’s space and the things you’ll place inside the refrigerator.
Alongside the size, think about where your fridge will reside. Will you place it on a corner, under a desk, out in the open? Some people prefer hiding their miniature refrigerators, while other people choose fridges that stand out. Consider power outlets as well. Will the refrigerator have electric access? If not, you may opt for a wire extension or obtain a fridge that works on USB.
Food and Drinks
You may find it tempting to simply pick a mini-fridge without factoring in the food and drink you plan on placing there. Don’t fall for this. Always think about what you want to use your fridge for, and then pick the fridge that accommodates your need.
Most mini fridges offer a big area for simple cooling, others offer plenty of racks for chilling drinks, and some feature a large freezing space. It’s best to pick a mini refrigerator that features a few compartments paired with extra storage on its door for general needs. That way, you can store most of everything within its varying compartments.
Freezer Space
Consider if you need a freezer in your mini-refrigerator. If you already possess a bigger, standard fridge outside your bedroom, you may get away with just a small freezer or even no freezer on your mini-fridge. That small freezer compartment offers enough space for ice cubes.
On the other hand, if you’re thinking of using a mini-fridge as a regular refrigerator, consider getting a mini-fridge with a bigger freezer compartment. This way, you can freeze a couple of other things besides ice in there. You’ll usually find that two-door mini-refrigerators offer a wider freezer space than the more compact models.
Noise Level
If you plan on placing your mini-fridge next to your bed or under a work desk within your room, you may find it distracting. Hence, you need to factor in a miniature refrigerator’s noise emission levels. The best way to figure out how noisy a mini-fridge can get is to check reviews of that product on Amazon and other sites. However, if you don’t mind the possibility of a noisy fridge, you can shrug this part off.
Frost Requirements
Most standard refrigerators feature auto-defrost, but not all mini-fridges do. So, ensure that you check whether your fridge comes with an auto-defrost function or if you will need to defrost it by yourself occasionally. Alternatively, you can look for a mini-fridge advertised as frost-free or having no-frost.
Cooling System
Miniature refrigerators feature one of these three cooling systems:
- Absorption cooling system: The quietest but most energy-consuming option
- Compressor cooling system: The most energy-efficient and temperature-stable option
- Thermoelectric cooling system: The most affordable but less durable option
You need to think about which one of them suits you. Do you want a mini-fridge that stays quiet, and do you not mind if it consumes quite a lot of energy? If so, opt for a refrigerator with an absorption cooling system. This system uses heat and not a motor, which ensures its smooth and hushed noise output.
Meanwhile, if you want a long-term refrigerator that offers energy efficiency, opt for a mini-fridge that features a compressor cooling system. It offers perfectly regulated temperature, too. Alternatively, you may choose a fridge with a thermoelectric cooling system if you’re handling your fridge with care. It’s the most affordable option, but it may not provide much durability.
Best Mini Fridges for Bedrooms: Top 7 Picks
As mentioned earlier, most people find Midea and Danby compact refrigerators as the best ones alongside Cooluli electric cooler and warmer. However, we also have a couple more mini-fridges on our list, so please compare them to each other and consider which one meets your needs.
1. Midea Compact Refrigerator: A No-Frills Mini Fridge
Midea Compact Refrigerator is as it promises to be: a miniature fridge offering adjustable legs, a tiny freezing compartment, and a stable cooling system. It doesn’t come with plenty of shelves or a place for vegetables. In fact, it only features one adjustable shelf.
However, it’s really small enough to fit under a desk or within a small bedroom. This is important if you’re after a mini-fridge that won’t consume a big area. It’s also quieter than other miniature refrigerators within its price range.
You will find that you can store about 24 500mL water bottles in Midea compact fridge. This is equivalent to enough snacks, soda cans, water bottles, and jars for a few days’ supply. So, if you aimed to buy a mini-fridge for easy access to your snacks, this one may suit you perfectly.
Pros
- Quiet
- Adjustable legs
- Tiny freezing space
- Easily fits in small spaces
- Holds up to 24 500mL water bottles
Cons
- Single shelf
- Tiny freezer compartment
2. Cooluli Electric Cooler and Warmer: A Portable Mini Fridge
If you love the idea of a portable mini fridge that runs on a USB power source, Cooluli may turn into your favorite. It can keep your food and drinks cool, and you can even set it to warm if you want. It’s also quite light at just 4 pounds (1.8 kg).
Hence, you can bring and use Cooluli not just in your bedroom but also outside when you travel. Just plug it into a USB device or outlet and place it somewhere stable. It’s best for keeping snacks and drinks at a constant temperature. You can also place cosmetics in it.
However, note that you can’t quite use Cooluli as a chiller. It doesn’t feature a freezer, too, so it’s only best for cooling food and other things.
Pros
- Very compact with a height of 10 inches (25.4 cm)
- USB-powered and travel-friendly
Con
- Can’t chill or freeze
3. Danby Contemporary Mini Fridge: An Almost-Standard Refrigerator
Danby Classic Mini Fridge offers you plenty of space to store your food and drinks in, but it doesn’t feature a freezer. It possesses two and a half shelves alongside a vegetable crisper, and it showcases a sleek look that most people love. Moreover, it also features a reversible door and eight can holders.
Pros
- Stylish
- Good shelves
- Reversible door
- Vegetable crisper
Cons
- No freezer
4. Arctic King Mini Fridge: An Affordable Two-Door Mini Fridge
If you’re looking for a two-door mini-refrigerator that can handle food and drink varieties, you might love Arctic King Mini Fridge. Of course, it’s not compact, but it’s not that big either. Its highlight relies on its separate freezer, two-liter bottle rack, bottom shelf, six-can storage, and two glass shelves.
You’ll benefit from an Arctic King fridge the most if you plan on using your mini-fridge like a standard refrigerator. Its small size allows it to fit a bedroom, but its built allows you to store plenty of food and drinks within it. It should cover your freezing and chilling necessities for almost a week.
Pros
- Reversible two doors
- Adjustable legs
- Plenty of storage spaces
Cons
- Only front legs are adjustable
- Not as well-known as other brands
5. Costway Compact Two-Door Refrigerator: Noiseless Mini Fridge
Costway’s Compact Two-Door Mini Fridge feels similar to a standard refrigerator except for its size. It functions just as smoothly as a big fridge and noiselessly does its job. It features two doors, removable glass shelves, a vegetable crisper, a thermostat, and an ice tray.
With a Costway mini-fridge, you’ll have access to your go-to snacks and meals and enjoy a quiet night’s sleep. You can also trust that it acts just like a standard refrigerator but saves you plenty of precious space.
Pros
- Noiseless
- Glass shelves
- Vegetable crisper
- Reversible two doors
Con
- A bit heavy
6. RCA Igloo Foot Fridge: A Compact Mini Fridge
RCA Foot Fridge will turn into your favorite if you plan on storing your mini-fridge under a desk in your bedroom. It’s perfectly cute and compact, and it can fit in most places. It also provides an excellent cooling system that keeps your vegetables and drinks at the right temperature.
Moreover, despite its size, it manages to offer a freezer space, too. You can place ice cream, ice, or a small frozen meal in it. You can also add two small cans, two tall cans, and one big bottle in its door storage compartment.
RCA Igloo comes in different colors, too, so if you’re looking for a breath of fresh air against the classic refrigerator shades, why not give this mini fridge a try?
Pros
- Compact
- Freezer space
- Comes in different shades
Con
- Single, non-reversible door
7. Daewoo Retro Refrigerator: A Stylish Mini Fridge
If you’re tired of the same old refrigerator designs, check out Daewoo Retro Mini Fridge. It brings in the sense of playfulness with its design while simultaneously offering excellent refrigerator functions.
Daewoo features a decently-sized freezer compartment, a glass shelf to layer into one of its three layers, a vegetable crisper, and a door bin storage that can accommodate various shapes. Best of all, you can use its tabletop to place even a microwave on.
Pros
- Stylish
- Freezer space
- Spacious storage
- Tabletop
Con
- A bit tall at 36 inches (91.44 cm)
Final Thoughts
The top mini-refrigerators for bedrooms are Midea Compact Refrigerator, Danby Mini Fridge, and Cooluli Mini Fridge. However, mini-fridges such as Daewoo Retro, RCA Igloo, Costway Compact, and others are also great.
Hence, your needs and preferences should dictate the best mini fridge for your bedroom. Consider the factors and features mentioned above before picking a miniature refrigerator for your room.