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The Best Mini Fridge of 2024
Mini fridges are one of the most convenient innovations to exist in the modern world. Trust me—keeping drinks in my room has been a life changer. Mini fridges offer all the utility and features of a regular fridge in a smaller, more convenient size. These fridges are often portable and can fit almost anywhere. Whether you need it for your room, shop, salon, or car, we’ll help you find the best mini fridges in 2024. In fact, we've already done just that. We tested the top mini fridges of the year, and it was the Upstream Single-Door Mini Fridge With Freezer that impressed us the most. Read on to learn more!
Our Top Picks For Mini Fridges
View all ContentsThe Best Mini Fridges
Best Overall
The Upstream Single-Door Mini Fridge With Freezer is your ultimate companion for compact and convenient refrigeration needs. Designed with modern living spaces in mind, this sleek and stylish mini fridge is perfect for dorm rooms, offices, studios, and small apartments. If space is at a premium, this mini fridge can help thanks to its petite footprint. Not only does it offer an array of features but it caters to everyday cooling and freezing requirements as well. At the heart of this mini fridge is its cooling system. You can rely on it to keep your beverages, snacks, and fresh produce chilled to perfection. The built-in freezer compartment adds even more functionality. That way, you can store ice cream, frozen dinners, or ice cubes for your favorite drinks. Thanks to the thoughtfully organized interior, adjustable shelves, temperature controls, and door storage, this mini fridge is the top choice on our list.
Pros
- Small and space-saving design
- Comes with a freezer compartment
- Energy-efficient compared to larger refrigerators
- Small size and lightweight design for portability
Cons
- Limited storage capacity
Top Design
I don’t know about you, but I love a pop of color in my decor. Colorful, portable, and fun, the AstroAl Mini-Fridge is perfect for anyone who wants to keep their things cool in style. This mini fridge has a 4L storage capacity and can fit up to 6 cans of soda. I could see myself using this for small gatherings so I don’t have to go all the way to the kitchen for drinks. This mini fridge also has freon-free environmental cooling that works with a special noise reduction technology.
You can store all sorts of products such as snacks, beauty products, drinks, and more in this little product. It has an adjustable temperature setting which makes it ideal for specific cooling modes. It runs on AC and DC power supply so you can easily plug it into your car. Road trip, anyone?
Pros
- Supports multiple power supplies
- Environment-friendly cooling
- Noise reduction technology
- Cool to warm temperature settings
Cons
- It can drain a car’s battery
Top Multi-Purpose
If you’re looking for a convenient and lightweight fridge that can sit in the corner of a room or in the back of your car, then the Cooluli Skin Care Mini Fridge is the one for you. I can’t wait to stack up all my skin-care products in a cute little fridge like this! It offers special settings like temperature control specifically with skin-care products in mind.
However, its uses don’t end there. It can be used to store snacks, drinks, and medicines as well. Its freon-free cooling makes it environment-friendly. You can easily plug it into a power source or connect it to your car’s battery.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Supports multiple power supplies
- Environment-friendly cooling
- Temperature control for sensitive products
Cons
- May leak water occasionally
Most Versatile
A two-in-one mini-fridge that converts into a freezer is a dream come true for many people. Imagine all the extra freezer space! Lucky for us, this RCA Single Door Mini Fridge can be used as either a refrigerator or a freezer. It also comes with a reversible door that enables this refrigerator to fit any space. In addition, it offers a large storage capacity with temperature controls.
Its compact structure makes it durable and versatile. The energy-saving option ensures that even in freezer mode, the energy bill is always affordable. Still not sold? This product contains multiple compartments on the insides for effective storage and it comes in many catchy colors.
Pros
- Multiple color options
- 2-in-1 freezer and fridge
- Large storage capacity
- Energy-saving option
Cons
- Can be noisy at times
Most Portable
What if I told you that a mini fridge could run hot as well as cold? Well, the Crownful Mini-Fridge can do just that. With the flip of a switch, it can go from cool to freezing ice to a hot box. The maximum heating temperature is 149°F, and it has a 4-liter storage capacity.
This mini-fridge is lightweight and portable with a modern chic design that comes in many colors. Its quiet cooling makes it noise-free and perfect for dorm rooms or offices. The freon-free cooling and energy-saving options make this product sustainable as well.
Pros
- Cool to warm temperature settings
- Lightweight and portable
- Super quiet operation
- Freon-free cooling
Cons
- Condensation occurs at the bottom
Most Traditional
Eye-catching styles and curved silhouettes are not everyone’s forte. If you’re looking for a mini-fridge that gives you every benefit of a regular fridge except for the size, then Midea Single Reversible Door Fridge is just for you. It comes with different compartments for storage, along with options to adjust the door swing and height.
The internal freezer chamber makes it ideal to store ice or popsicles while the rest of the fridge cools things to a lesser extent. Its quiet functioning allows it to go unnoticed. If you have larger objects, the compartments are easy to remove as well.
Pros
- Different compartments for storage
- Adjustable height option
- Reversible door technology
- Internal freezer chamber
Cons
- Lack of color options
Mini Fridge Buying Guide
With so many mini fridges to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the colors and shapes. I know I can get overwhelmed by it! Luckily, we’re here to help. So, whether you’re looking to store food, drinks, makeup, or medicine, here are the things to consider when purchasing a mini fridge.
What to Consider When Buying a Mini Fridge
Space
Space and storage are a key concern for anyone buying a mini fridge. Why else are you buying the miniature version of something? Most have a 4-liter capacity at minimum, while others can hold more than that.
Generally, a mini fridge can store up to a dozen cans or a picnic lunch. Alternatively, they can also hold multiple skin care products or medicines. People often prefer having bigger mini fridges in case they have to store things last minute.
Cooling
Some mini fridges offer the regular cooling that normal fridges do. With this, you can easily store drinks, snacks, medicine, and skincare here. They often come with adjustable cooling levels so that you can control temperates for your stored items. Additional cooling features in some mini fridges include the ability to turn the whole thing or a certain compartment into a freezer. With this, you can store ice cream or other frozen treats in the summer. Two-door mini fridges often have the feature to turn one compartment into a designated freezer while one-door fridges usually turn the whole unit into one.
Surprisingly, some fridges also come with a heating feature that keeps things warmer than the outside environment. This is often to prevent skincare products or medicines from freezing in the winter months. This can come in handy depending on what you’re planning to store in the mini fridge.
Purpose
Your purpose for a mini fridge plays a big role in what you should buy. If you only have things that need to be stored at one temperature, then you can easily opt for a single-door mini fridge. However, if you have certain items that need to be kept frozen while others need to be chilled, then a two-door mini fridge is the best option for you.
This applies to almost anything you would need to store. For example, if your skincare products need to be stored at a certain temperature then you can get a fridge that both cools and heats when required. Not sure which skin-care products can and can’t go in your mini fridge? Check out this YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JAzK_BfmLY
Portability
The size and weight of a mini fridge affect its portability. While I may only want my mini fridge for indoor use, some people buy a mini fridge for trips and picnics. They may also use it to carry medicines in the vehicle.
Portability also depends on the build of the mini-fridge. Some features that promote portability include a carrying handle, battery charging, and reversible doors. When buying a mini-fridge, you need to check how much room it gives for portability options.
Power
Another important feature of a mini-fridge is how it’s powered. The power factor greatly influences where you can take the fridge and whether it’s portable or not. Most fridges take power directly via an electrical socket. These fridges are best for keeping in a room, shop, or office with a guaranteed power supply.
Other fridges have USB power options and can be attached to a car battery or external power source as well. These fridges are easy to move around since they are not bound to a socket. More expensive versions include solar-powered fridges that require no wires at all.
Energy saving
Energy saving is important for people on a budget, such as students in dorms or people trying to save in general (like me!). This ensures that the mini-fridge doesn’t produce a very high cost of operation. Energy-saving mini-fridges are efficient and sustainable for those who do not have a lot of extra money to spend on bills.
Noise
Noise is a large factor that people consider when buying a mini-fridge. I doubt anyone likes being woken up in the middle of the night to the sound of their mini fridge whirring. Try to look for a mini fridge that makes less noise. Some fridges have noise reduction technology and extra insulation equipped to keep them quiet. This feature often does not cause any major change in price.
Appearance
The last thing that you should consider is the appearance of the mini fridge. Who doesn’t want a cute mini fridge? I know I do! As they come in many colors, you can easily pick a fridge that matches the aesthetic of your room.
Mini fridges can add a modern chic aesthetic to your living space, and the one you pick can say a lot about your personality. However, if you are buying a mini fridge for a car or picnics, white fridges stay cooler than most due to their reflective properties.
People Also Asked
Can I power my mini fridge via my car battery?
Yes, it is possible to power your mini-fridge via a car battery if it supports that option. However, you will need to keep it on for longer and it will quickly drain your battery. The best option to do this is during travel when the car is moving.
My mini fridge is leaking water, how do I fix this?
You must first figure out whether your fridge is leaking water or coolant from the back where all the wiring is. If it is leaking water, you may need to make sure you don’t leave the door open too long. However, if it is leaking coolant, that part will need a replacement.
How to stop ice from freezing inside the walls of a mini fridge in the freezer setting?
You must make sure you do not put wet objects into the freezer, nor do you let the door remain open for long periods of time. Try having the freezer in a horizontal setting to avoid the escape of air.
Why are water droplets accumulating on the walls of my mini fridge?
Water droplets often accumulate on the walls of the fridge if the cooling setting is too high and moisture is constantly being let in.
How long do mini fridges last?
A high-quality mini fridge should last about 10 years with proper use and care. Most brands offer a year-long warranty as well.
