They’re not designed to work in temperatures below those in a home. It’s a good idea to buy a refrigerator thermometer and check the temperatures periodically. Don’t rely on one reading but take several over a few hours. To keep foods safe, the fresh food compartment should be no higher than 40 degrees F and 37 degrees F is optimal. Ideally, the freezer should stay at 0 degrees F or lower.
Compact refrigerators come in different colors and finishes, including black, white, faux stainless steel, and wood grain. Black is most popular, perhaps because it blends into many décors, and a stainless-look metallic finish is a close second. Take a look at your school’s housing policy to find out what dimensions are acceptable (many schools require ones that are 5 cubic feet or smaller, though some max out at 3.5 feet). You’ll also want to factor in where you might place it, once you consider the major furniture that’s provided—and that you’ll be bringing with you.
Due to supply chain challenges and soaring demand, there is widespread unavailability of home appliances and long wait times for delivery of backordered products. If you’re a consumer in need of a compact refrigerator, here are the best places to buy in-stock appliances right now. Tackle mealtime from start to finish with compact refrigerators, wall ovens, microwaves, cooktops, hoods and dishwashers designed for small spaces. ZDNET’s recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
One-door compact refrigerators often have the most capacity for cold items such as snacks, drinks and produce. However, the small frozen compartment contained within most one-door models is often very small and not as functional. Unless all you need a frozen section for is to hold an ice tray, you may be better off choosing a two-door compact fridge.
But keep in mind that use cases and environmental factors will have an impact on energy use. A mini fridge can absolutely be worth the cost, especially if you’re going off to college. Having a small refrigerator in your dorm room makes it easy to keep fresh food and cool drinks on hand between classes or when you just can’t bring yourself to eat another meal in the dining hall. Mini fridges are also great for use at home when you might need a bit of extra cold storage for groceries like meat, drinks, and vegetables. The Smeg Mini Refrigerator is an Italian-made, 1950s-inspired mini fridge that comes in a variety of colors . We love the sturdy handle, which makes the unit easy to open, and the adjustable door bins, which are perfect for fitting taller bottles.
We may get paid by brands or deals, including promoted items. Son moved to a new shared apartment and thought a mini in his room would be good. Great for placing in cramped spaces or uneven surfaces , this sleek refrigerator Arctic King livens up even in the most uninspired of dorms. The silver pull-handle and ornamental details give it a retro vibe, plus, it has a built-in side bottle opener, so you don’t need to rummage for utensils to crack one open.
Sleek and discreet, the Whirlpool 2.7 Cubic Feet Mini Refrigerator measures 24.69 inches high, 19.13 inches wide, and 19.69 inches deep and can easily fit in your space. Offering flexibility with its reversible door, the two-shelf mini fridge has a small freezer compartment, an adjustable Frigidaire fridge thermostat, and a four-can dispenser to conveniently hold your snacks and beverages. At under $175, the Frigidaire Single Door Mini Fridge is our best value mini fridge. This pick is ideal for smaller spaces, yet it still offers enough room to store cans of soda and plenty of snacks.
You might not need one in your house, but you’ll welcome being able to thwart freeloading co-workers or roommates in an office or dorm. Shelves and door bins that you can raise, lower, or remove facilitate storage. Glass shelves contain spills better than wire shelves. A door-mounted dispenser holds a vertical stack of cans.
It also features a 1 gallon water tank and dispenser so you can fill your reusable water bottle with fresh, cool water whenever you like. The interior has 4.5 cubic feet of space, and the door has enough room for gallon water jugs and 2 liter soda bottles. There’s a freezer section at the top that you can either use to make ice for your drinks or to store frozen meals for quick lunches at your desk. It also has three removable glass shelves for making more room for tall items or when you need to wipe out the fridge. Having a mini fridge with a dedicated freezer is convenient if are looking to store pints of ice cream or frozen meals. This mini fridge also includes an adjustable mechanical thermostat control and interior lighting for great ease of use.