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Ahh, the mini fridge—the holy grail of every dorm room. While these small but mighty appliances might instantly bring us back to college, there’s so much more to them than storing your favorite snacks and (shh!) mixers. With the right mini fridge, the possibilities are endless.
“They’re good for dorm rooms, dens, or basements,” said Nicole Papantoniou, the Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Appliances & Culinary Innovation Lab. “One big trend we’re seeing now is people putting them in their walk-in closets or their makeup rooms, or even in their bedrooms to have cold drinks on hand whenever they need them. They can also be used for storing milk, so another trend we’re seeing is storing them in your bedroom so you can make your coffee upstairs. Or, if you’re breastfeeding, you can pump and store it in your mini fridge without having to go downstairs in the middle of the night.”
The possibilities are truly endless, but finding a good mini fridge worth the investment can be tricky. That’s why we sat down with Papantoniou to discuss her team’s search for the best of the best, from the most reliable mini fridge to small, portable models that offer the versatility of taking your refrigerator on the go. With these recommendations, you’ll never have to worry about running low on fridge space—or being without an ice-cold beverage—ever again.
Ready to chill out? Be sure to check out our tips for getting the most out of your fridge, such as guidance on what foods you shouldn’t store there, what condiments should go in it (because the last thing you need is a catastrophe of Pink Sauce proportions), and how your new fridge can help you reduce food waste.
Our Top Picks
- Best Mini Fridge: GE Double-Door Mini Fridge
- Best Budget Mini Fridge: Frigidaire Mini Fridge
- Best Splurge Mini Fridge: Smeg Mini Refrigerator
- Most Versatile Mini Fridge: Whirlpool Dual Door Mini Fridge
- Most Stylish Mini Fridge: Galanz Retro Compact Refrigerator
- Best Portable Mini Fridge: Cooluli Skincare Mini Fridge
- Best Mini Fridge for Dorms: COSTWAY Compact Refrigerator
- Best Mini Fridge for Offices: Insignia Mini Fridge
- Best Mini Fridge for Skincare: COOSEON Mini Fridge
How We Picked These Products
To find the best mini fridge, we turned to our friends at the Good Housekeeping Institute, who have identified the best and highest-rated brands and put them to the test. Their team of on-staff experts—which includes all types: engineers! data analysts! registered dietitians!—rigorously put everyday products to the test (and then more and more tests) in their New York City-based labs to determine which ones you can trust.
Using extensive research, lab testing, and expert insights, these Kitchen Tech Experts assessed a multitude of mini fridges based on their ease of use and assembly, performance when keeping food and beverages cold or frozen, cleanability, bonus features, and ability to regulate temperature and humidity. After reviewing their findings and discussing their evaluations in-depth with Papantoniou, we’ve determined that these are the best mini fridges you can buy in 2022.
GE 3.1 cu. ft. Double- Door Mini Fridge in Clean Steel
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Includes built-in can dispenser
Cons
- Heavy
The GE Double-Door Mini Fridge “received top marks for temperature maintenance and uniformity” from the Good Housekeeping Institute, which is why they feel confident recommending it and why we wholeheartedly agree.
This model has a 2.12 cu. ft. capacity, an automatic interior light, and tons of storage opportunities, including a can rack, a clear crisper drawer, and removable glass shelves. And don’t forget about the 0.93 cu. ft. freezer compartment, which features a manual defrost function so you can defrost your freezer on your own schedule.
Whether you choose the black or stainless steel finish, the sleek design of the GE Double-Door Mini Fridge is sure to fit in with the surrounding décor with its rounded doors and recessed handles for easy opening and closing. Though it could be a bit lighter weight (it’s a whopping 56 lbs.), temperature management could not be easier thanks to the interior temperature controls at the front of the refrigerator.
Frigidaire Frigidaire Mini Fridge
Pros
- Affordable
- Tons of bonus features
Cons
- Small freezer
You know what Harry Potter and his friends were missing when they were hiding out in that magical tent during their Horcrux hunt? A Frigidaire Mini Fridge.
This ultra-quiet unit is nice and compact (1.6 cu. ft., to be exact!) while its leveling legs offer stability on uneven surfaces, making it a perfect option for RVs or even glamping.
Calling the Frigidaire Mini Fridge “ideal for smaller spaces,” the Good Housekeeping Institute’s lab panel said “We love that there is quite a lot of door storage and that the door is reversible to help the fridge work in your space.” Plus, that reversible door also features a basket that’s large enough to hold even two-liter bottles of your favorite soda.
Its freezer isn’t very large, but this mini fridge makes up for its shortcomings with convenient details like an adjustable thermostat, an ice cube tray, an invisible door handle, and a side-mounted bottle opener. It even comes with spill-proof, removable shelves that slide out for easy cleanup! And if you’d like to add an extra splash of personality to your space, you can also snag the Frigidaire Mini Fridge in fun, vibrant hues like blue, red, and purple.
Pros
- Compressor-style cooling
- Aesthetically-pleasing look
Cons
- Pricey
With its wide range of color options and myriad of fancy features (and yes, it’s hefty price tag), the only thing mini about the Smeg Mini Refrigerator is its small size, with an interior capacity that’s just a slightly smaller than the Frigidaire Mini Fridge at 1.34 cu. ft. This compressor-style model cools its contents by pushing out hot, compressed gas through its exterior metal coils, which ensure a nice, chilly internal temperature and minimal noise.
“We love the sturdy handle, which makes the unit easy to open,” said the Good Housekeeping Institute’s testers, adding “While the hinge is not reversible, you can choose a left or right hinge when you order.” The door also comes with a balcony shelf and a bottle shelf built in.
Made in Italy, the Smeg Mini Refrigerator’s thoughtful design strikes the perfect balance between fashion and function with an adjustable thermostat, two adjustable glass shelves, and an LED interior light—all of which are encased in a sleek plastic body.
Whirlpool Whirlpool Dual Door Mini Fridge
Pros
- Spacious separate top freezer
- Includes built-in can dispenser
Cons
- Heavy
The Whirlpool Dual Door Mini Fridge is the Harry Styles of mini fridges: It’s versatile, indefatigable, and oh so cool (thanks to its separate, full-width freezer, which is perfect for storing your favorite frozen meals, popsicles, and other ice-cold treats).
Like the Smeg Mini Refrigerator, this two-door mini fridge is compressor-cooled, but it comes in a more modern stainless steel design and nearly triple the capacity at 3.1 cu. ft.— not to mention, it costs a fraction of the price.
The Good Housekeeping Institute appreciated that the Whirlpool Dual Door Mini Fridge came with an “adjustable mechanical thermostat control and interior lighting for great ease of use,” but warned that it’s “heavy.” Its 64-pound weight may not be ideal for lugging in and out of a college dorm for four years, but we think the extra heft is worth it for all the add-ons it comes with. That includes an interior light, two pull-out glass shelves, a mechanical thermostat, a crisper drawer, and a reversible door with a handy can dispenser and the ability to store even larger two-liter bottles.
Pros
- Chiller gets really cold
Cons
- No freezer
- Flimsy, tough-to-attach handle
Who said a mini fridge had to be boxy and boring? The Galanz Retro Compact Refrigerator brings major style to any room with its retro-chic design, three levels of storage, and variety of color and size options. Boasting a 3.3 cu. ft. capacity, adjustable glass shelves, and a can rack, it can hold plenty of snacks and drinks.
“While this mini fridge does not offer a freezer, it does offer a small chiller compartment to freeze a compact ice cube tray,” noted the Good Housekeeping Institute. And the Galanz Retro Compact Refrigerator’s chiller certainly does its job well—if you have items that need to be extra cold, it can keep them at a frosty 27° to 37° F.
You also can easily control the temperature of this mini fridge with the adjustable thermostat, but it's good to note that their testers said its “plastic handle does not seem sturdy” and called it “difficult to attach.”
Cooluli Cooluli Skincare Mini Fridge
Pros
- Small footprint
- Multiple power options
Cons
- More like a cooler
- Not suitable for perishables
You may recognize the viral Cooluli brand from beauty influencers on TikTok who love these countertop chillers for their classic Americana design. But if you’ve been on the fence (after all, how good can a mini fridge with just a 0.14 cu. ft. capacity really be?) the Good Housekeeping Institute’s experts confirmed that the Cooluli Skincare Mini Fridge lives up to the hype… for storing non-food products, that is.
“Though we have not tested [the Cooluli Skincare Mini Fridge], we noted that it also includes a warming function,” said their experts, though they went on to warn: “One caveat is that the coldest temperature this model can achieve is 40˚F, so it's best for cooling.”
“It’s not really designed for food,” Papantoniou added. “You can put things like your lunch in there to eat later or something like that, but it’s really for stuff like skincare products. It’s more like a cooler, it’s designed to maintain temperatures, but not to make temperatures drop.”
Available in a variety of colors and patterns, this 4 lb. model uses advanced semiconductor technology for quiet, energy-efficient performance, and it also features a built-in handle for easy transport. Perfect for indoor or outdoor use, the Cooluli Skincare Mini Fridge comes with both AC and DC power cords—you can even use the USB cord to power it up in your car.
COSTWAY COSTWAY Compact Refrigerator
Pros
- Separate top freezer
Cons
- Heavy
Forget textbooks, backpacks, and laptops: The most essential item on any college student’s back-to-school checklist is a mini fridge. But of all the models you can buy, the COSTWAY Compact Refrigerator gets an A+ for storing everything from leftover dining hall waffles to some Strawberry Bell Truffles from the latest Taco Bell/Milk Bar collab.
Lauding it as the “ultimate dorm addition,” the Good Housekeeping Institute praised the COSTWAY Compact Refrigerator for being “just like your regular fridge, only smaller… [and] just as quiet.” With a 2.2 cu. ft. capacity refrigerator and a 1 cu. ft. freezer (which even comes with an ice cube tray!), this two-door mini fridge also comes with a crisper drawer and adjustable and removable glass shelf for easy organization and cleaning.
However, their experts did point out that it’s pretty heavy at 52 lbs, so maybe try to score a first- or second-floor dorm room if you can.
Pros
- Temperature control knob
- Small footprint
Cons
- No interior light
- No freezer
Tired of labeling your packed lunches only to find come break time that one of your co-workers has claimed it as their own? Rather than waging a years-long prank war that involves antics like ensconcing their stapler in Jello à la Jim Halpert, you could take matters into your own hands by picking up an Insignia Mini Fridge.
Available in black and white, we appreciated this unit’s built-in temperature control knob (which offers seven cooling functions and an off setting) and automatic defrost system to prevent and remove ice build-up by circulating heat as needed.
“Standing at just over 27 inches tall, this mini fridge provides enough space for snacks and drinks and can fit nicely under most desks or inside a cubicle,” noted the Good Housekeeping Institute.
Though it lacks a freezer and an interior light, the Insignia Mini Fridge boasts an adjustable thermostat, a reversible door, and three glass shelves. And that’s not all. This model’s 2.6 cu. ft. storage capacity is ample enough to store lunches and up to eight cans of your favorite beverages, from soft drinks to some refreshing energy drinks to put some pep in your step once the 3 p.m. slump hits.
Pros
- Illuminating mirror on door
- Multiple charging options
Cons
- No freezer
Great for storing beauty products and medications, the COOSEON Mini Fridge is like the Cooluli Skincare Mini Fridge, except, well, better. It’s slightly larger and heavier at 5 lbs. with a 0.21 cu. ft. capacity, but it still comes with AC, DC, and USB cords—plus plenty of additional features. That includes a removable shelf to maximize your storage space and a convenient mirror equipped with LED lights, which can be controlled and adjusted using the touchscreen at the bottom center of the mirror.
The Good Housekeeping Institute’s testers “love how lightweight it is to carry” and appreciated how “the illuminated mirror on the front of the fridge is a convenient bonus.”
We do think it’s worth noting that you’ll need to power off this mini fridge for at least an hour when switching between the cool and warm settings. But overall, the COOSEON Mini Fridge’s convenience makes it well worth the extra time and effort, so go forth and chill those hydrating alkaline waters, jade rollers, and all your other beauty essentials.
Are mini fridges worth it?
A mini fridge can serve a variety of useful purposes, but they differ in size, features, and how well they keep food cold.
Regular-size refrigerators tend to consume anywhere from 100 to 400 watts of power every hour. Mini fridges use between 55 watts and 85 watts per hour, depending on factors like size and insulation. On average, it costs around $5-$6.67 per month to run a mini fridge, according to Daniel Lahey, the founder of Refrigerator Planet. But think about how often you open your fridge to grab a can of your favorite soda, seltzer, or beer—because mini fridges are so much smaller in size, they lose a lot less cold air than their larger counterparts when opened and are therefore more energy efficient. Before you kick your full-size fridge to the curb, however, you should keep in mind just how cold mini fridges get and what you plan on storing, as those circumstances play a role in whether they’re capable of keeping your food cold enough.
“It depends on the fridge, but I would say that, yes, the larger ones can [keep food as cold as regular size fridges],” Papantoniou said, though she warned “I wouldn’t trust the smaller ones that you keep on your desk or counter.”
When buying a mini fridge, Papantoniou said the primary factors people should consider are “Mostly the size and what they’re looking to put inside it. I like mini fridges that have separate freezers, so I can put my ice cream in there and not worry about it melting. I like the amount of and adjustability of the shelves on the inside and the door—I want to be able to fit a two-liter bottle of soda or a full-size bottle of wine upright.”
You’ll also want to be wary of thermoelectric models, which, though durable and long-lasting, aren’t typically temperature-controlled. And because they don’t maintain a set internal temperature, they’re not as adept at cooling food to an acceptable level for food safety standards in hot conditions.
In terms of the best size for a mini fridge, it depends on what you plan to use it for and where you plan to use it. But if you’re shopping for a dorm room, bedroom, or a similarly small space, it’s a good rule of thumb to find the right balance between fitting an ample amount of food without making the room feel cramped.
“I know that when I was in college, I liked being able to have a separate freezer, and even in general, I like having a separate freezer, and those tend to be around three cubic feet,” Papantoniou said.
How do you maintain a mini fridge?
The only thing not mini about a mini fridge is its cost. Some models, like the Smeg Mini Refrigerator, can set you back over $1200. While you can get a mini fridge for relatively cheap (helloooo Frigidaire Mini Fridge), it’s understandable that you’d want to protect your investment, and that starts with knowing how long you can expect a well-maintained mini fridge to last.
Papantoniou advised, “I’m not an expert in terms of longevity, but I would expect mine to last a modest 5-7 years.” But there are definitely some dos and don’ts to ensure you get the most out of your mini fridge.
When not properly cared for, problems can arise that range from minor inconveniences, like your food spoiling or your fridge burning out more quickly, to larger-scale (although rare) occurrences like your mini fridge catching fire and even potentially exploding. But don’t panic. Lucky for you (or your favorite college student), it’s easy to keep your mini fridge in good working order.
Papantoniou said, “You want to try not to overfill it, so it basically doesn’t have to work so hard. You also want to be sure you keep the door closed, as with any fridge, because that will also cause it to work harder, and you also want to keep it away from other appliances. Make sure there’s enough room behind it and on either side to operate, not just for easy access, but also for proper air circulation, as you would with a regular fridge. And then for cleaning it, you would just wipe it down like you would with your regular fridge too.”
Here are some other tips and tricks for keeping your mini fridge in tip-top shape:
- Despite being incredibly versatile, there are some places you can and can’t put your mini fridge. For example, you shouldn’t keep it in an uninsulated garage or basement, as they’re not designed to work in temperatures beyond what you’d typically find in the rest of your home. Contrary to popular belief, Papantoniou said mini fridges “can go on carpet, but you want to make sure that the bottom vents have room to circulate air, and I wouldn’t push it up against anything, like a couch,” she warned, adding, “Refrigerators have a lot of cooling systems on the backs of the units that you don’t want them to come in contact with and risk them overheating and breaking.”
- We don’t know where this rumor of leaky mini fridges got started, but Papantoniou was quick to set the record straight: “They shouldn’t leak. Leaking could be from the cooling agents if the machine is working really hard to keep things cold, like if you left the door open too long or something like that,” she suggested. “But that’s not something that you should experience with your mini fridge.”
- Do not—we repeat, do not—use your mini fridge freezer for long-term food storage. They’re fine for storing ice cubes or ice cream, but when it comes to other perishables, like meat, it depends on the quality of your mini fridge. The FDA recommends keeping the temperature at or below 40° F, but for long-term storage, it needs to be a frosty 0° F—a temperature that’s simply not attainable for most mini fridges.
- Speaking of FDA temperature recommendations, some mini fridges also come with a thermometer. But in the event yours doesn’t, we highly recommend picking one up so you can keep track of your unit’s performance. After all, the last thing you want is to open up your fridge only to find your food’s spoiled or—gasp—warm La Croix.
- After you’ve got your mini fridge all set up, Homex advises users to wait “24 hours before connecting it to a power source,” no matter how tempting it may be to get right to chilling. “Doing so allows the system to correct anything that may have shifted or moved during transport,” the home repair service provider explained.
- However, you can’t just unplug your mini fridge. Another common myth is that you shouldn’t leave your mini fridge on overnight, which Papantoniou quickly debunked: “You definitely should not unplug your mini fridge unless you’re not using it for an extended period of time, in which case you should not store any food in it and you should keep it open for an extended period of time after unplugging so it fully dries inside.”
- Once your mini fridge is up and running, you may be itching to load it up with all your favorite drinks and goodies. But don’t forget to leave space for the cold air to fully circulate around your fridge’s contents to actually cool them down.
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