Are you looking to keep food and drink cool but are lacking in space? Then a compact fridge might be what you need! Their small space but ability to keep things cool makes them ideal for bedrooms, dorms, or game rooms. You can ensure you always have a cold drink at hand with one of these fridges.
Choosing the best compact fridge can be confusing as there are so many options available. Thankfully, we’ve done the research for you and picked the Compact Refrigerator Two Door Mini Fridge by Bossin as our favorite compact fridge. It has a freezer, multiple temperatures, and cools effectively. We’ve also put together a top 10 list for you to consider and created a handy buying guide to help you make your choice!
We’ve searched the internet to find the best compact fridges available. We’ve picked a variety of fridges, so no matter what you’re looking for, we have a compact fridge for you!
$199.99
Size | 20 x 19 x 33.5 in. |
---|---|
Type | Compressor |
Freezer | Yes |
Capacity | 3.2 cu. ft. |
$289.99
Size | 17.3 x 18.9 x 33.3 in. |
---|---|
Type | Compressor |
Freezer | No |
Capacity | 3.2 cu. ft. |
WHS-65LB1
$128.54
Size | 17.7 x 18.6 x 19.4 in. |
---|---|
Type | Compressor |
Freezer | Yes |
Capacity | 1.6 cu. ft. |
$150.71
Size | 18.5 x 21.5 x 32.5 in. |
---|---|
Type | Compressor |
Freezer | Yes |
Capacity | 3.2 cu. ft. |
RFR321-FR320/8
$139.99
Size | 17.5 x 18.6 x 31.6 in. |
---|---|
Type | Compressor |
Freezer | Yes |
Capacity | 3.2 cu. ft. |
$39.09
Size | 9.5 x 6.9 x 10 in. |
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Type | Thermoelectric |
Freezer | No |
Capacity | 4L |
$249.99
Size | 17.5 x 19.7 x 31.5 in. |
---|---|
Type | Compressor |
Freezer | No |
Capacity | 3.2 cu. ft. |
GLR31TBKER
$249.99
Size | 19.2 x 23.3 x 35.2 in. |
---|---|
Type | Compressor |
Freezer | Yes |
Capacity | 3.1 cu. ft. |
BCRK25V
$149.99
Size | 17.5 x 18.5 x 26.6 in. |
---|---|
Type | Compressor |
Freezer | Yes |
Capacity | 2.5 cu. ft. |
$189.99
Size | 17.5 x 19.6 x 18.6 in. |
---|---|
Type | Compressor |
Freezer | No |
Capacity | 1.6 cu. ft. |
Image | 1 ![]() Bossin | 2 ![]() hOmeLabs | 3 ![]() Midea | 4 ![]() Frigidaire | 5 ![]() RCA | 6 ![]() AstroAl | 7 ![]() Crownful | 8 ![]() Galanz | 9 ![]() Black+Decker | 10 ![]() Antarctic Star |
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Name | Two Door Mini Fridge | Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler | Compact Single Reversible Door Refrigerator | Retro Bar Fridge | Igloo Mini Refrigerator | Portable AC/DC Power Cooler and Warmer | Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler | Retro Compact Refrigerator | Compact Refrigerator | Mini Fridge Cooler |
Features | Comes With a Vegetable Crisper, Ice Tray and Scraper | Smart Design and Keeps Drinks Cold | Effective Refrigeration in a Tiny Package | Retro Fridge That Will Look Stylish in Any Room | Available in Multiple Colors | Portable Fridge That Can Keep Items Cold or Warm | Adjustable Layout Can Hold a Variety of Drink Sizes | Two Door Retro Fridge | Effective and Efficient Fridge and Freezer | Small Size but Large Capacity |
Price | $199.99 | $289.99 | $128.54 | $150.71 | $139.99 | $39.09 | $249.99 | $249.99 | $149.99 | $189.99 |
Size | 20 x 19 x 33.5 in. | 17.3 x 18.9 x 33.3 in. | 17.7 x 18.6 x 19.4 in. | 18.5 x 21.5 x 32.5 in. | 17.5 x 18.6 x 31.6 in. | 9.5 x 6.9 x 10 in. | 17.5 x 19.7 x 31.5 in. | 19.2 x 23.3 x 35.2 in. | 17.5 x 18.5 x 26.6 in. | 17.5 x 19.6 x 18.6 in. |
Type | Compressor | Compressor | Compressor | Compressor | Compressor | Thermoelectric | Compressor | Compressor | Compressor | Compressor |
Freezer | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Capacity | 3.2 cu. ft. | 3.2 cu. ft. | 1.6 cu. ft. | 3.2 cu. ft. | 3.2 cu. ft. | 4L | 3.2 cu. ft. | 3.1 cu. ft. | 2.5 cu. ft. | 1.6 cu. ft. |
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Before buying a compact fridge, take into consideration the capacity, the type of fridge, and how adjustable it is. To help you with this, we’ve put together this handy buying guide!
There is more than one kind of compact fridge and the best fridge for you depends on your needs. Before deciding which fridge to purchase, you should consider what it will be used for.
Full-sized fridges are typically compressor fridges and they are the most popular choice for compact fridges, also. They operate by raising and lowering the temperature of a vaporized refrigerant liquid, which in turn cools down the inside of the fridge.
A compressor fridge can be relied on to maintain a constant temperature, making them a safe choice for meat or longer-term refrigeration. Due to the use of a compressor and fan, they make a constant humming sound and might occasionally make a louder sound.
Thermoelectric fridges are a great choice for dorms, offices, or game rooms. They run more quietly than compressor fridges, as they don’t use any liquid to cool down their contents. Instead, they use a fan to keep things cool and a pump to transfer heat.
As the temperatures can vary, they aren’t suitable for refrigerating meat or dairy, but will keep your drinks cool. You can use them for short-term refrigeration also, such as keeping your lunch fresh from morning to lunchtime.
If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel room that had its own mini-fridge, you might have noticed how quiet it was. This is because it was probably an absorption fridge.
These use a heat source to drive the cooling system, such as gas or propane gas. As well as hotel rooms, they’re also commonly found in campers and RVs as they can run without electricity.
The capacity of the fridge is different from the size. Capacity means how much you can fit inside, and this is affected by more than just the fridge’s dimensions. To get the most from your compact fridge, look for ones with removable shelves for maximum flexibility. Fixed shelves can get in the way and cut into the space available.
Many fridges also have additional storage in their door. This can also help increase the capacity as it makes effective use of all of the space. There are often specific spaces for beverages in the door.
Something else to take into account is whether the door is reversible. This will give you more flexibility with positioning the fridge and make it easier to reach inside and retrieve the delicious food and drink that you are refrigerating.
It is possible to get compact fridges that also have a freezer. This is usually above the fridge and can be behind its own separate door or just a drawer inside the main fridge. Freezers are a must if you’re looking to keep items like ice cream at the optimum temperature or have ice cubes always on hand.
However, a freezer will cut into the capacity of your fridge, so we would only recommend purchasing a compact fridge-freezer combo if you’re definitely going to use the freezer. Otherwise, it’s better to keep that extra space for more capacity in the fridge.
The shelves inside a compact fridge are usually made from wire, plastic, or durable glass. As wire and plastic are cheaper, they are usually found in low-end compact fridges, with glass in higher-end ones.
Glass and plastic are easier to clean and only need to be wiped down. These shelves are solid too, so if anything does spill it won’t drip down to lower shelves unlike it would with wire shelves. A spill or leak on a wire shelf can easily spread throughout the entire fridge!
However, if glass isn't correctly treated and tempered, it does run the risk of being chipped. When putting heavy and solid items such as glass bottles or metal cans in the fridge, you should be careful not to bang them against the edge of the shelves. Plastic can also shatter and runs the risk of being scratched, too.
One of the most popular uses for compact fridges is to keep beverages cold. This is why there are many compact fridges that are designed specifically for this purpose. These fridges have shelves that fit standard bottle and can drink sizes and therefore make the most of the available space.
Some will have a mix of heights that are suitable for regular-sized cans and also smaller ones, and may even have smaller shelves that are designed for cans to lie on their sides. Another common feature of drinks fridges is a glass door. This is both a stylistic and practical feature, as it means you can also quickly see what drinks are on offer!
Like any appliance that requires electricity, the amount of power the fridge consumes is an important consideration. Some fridges might be Energy Star recommended. Energy Star is a government-backed program that certifies the energy efficiency of products. It isn't related to any manufacturers and tests products independently.
When you're short on fridge space, every bit of square inchage counts. Here are some organization hacks you can use to keep your produce, drinks, and snacks separated while also making them last longer!
Now that you have a compact fridge, you need some items to put inside it! We have plenty of recommendations for things that you can chill inside your new fridge.
Household goods
Home electronics, PC, camera
Cosmetics and skincare
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Smartphones and mobile phones
Mobile data
Investment and asset management
Credit cards and loans
Insurance
Music
Smartphone applications