For College Dorms and Efficiency Apartments, These Fantastic Mini Fridges Give You a Space to Store Your Snacks

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

You know how it is—the urge for a cold one strikes when you’re working in the garage or in the throes of an Xbox marathon, but that long walk to the refrigerator is a buzzkill. The solution? Get a mini fridge for your basement, garage, dorm room, or workshop. They’re convenient and affordable, offering extra storage for drinks and snacks without the footprint of a full-sized fridge.

A good mini fridge walks the line between a compact size and a high capacity interior, with enough space to store a few cans of your favorite drink, some leftovers, and a few frozen items. If you’re working with limited space, check out our picks for the best mini fridges below, along with advice on what to consider before you buy.

Looking for more small appliances to use around the home? Check out our picks for the best small espresso machines, small printers, and small shop vacuums.

Best Mini Fridges

• Best Overall: Black + Decker 3.2-Cubic-Foot Mini Fridge with Freezer

• Best Value: Frigidaire 1.6 Cu Ft Bar Fridge

• Best Two-Door Fridge: Costway Compact Unit 2-Door Mini Freezer Fridge

• Best Large Capacity: Black + Decker 4.3-Cubic-Foot Mini Fridge With Freezer

• Best for Cans: hOmeLabs 3.1-Cubic-Foot 120-Can Mini Fridge

What to Consider

Purpose and Design

While some mini fridges are miniature versions of full-size refrigerators, there are also models specifically for beverages. These fridges have specific interior designs that prioritize fitting the maximum amount of cans or bottles inside. This design decision may eliminate space to fit other items like food or ice trays, so think about what you want to store inside before you buy.

Capacity

The capacity of your mini fridge is measured in cubic feet—most clock in around three cubic feet. You need around five cubic feet per person for a full-sized fridge, so consider this if you want enough space for your groceries. For fridges designed specifically for holding cans or bottles, you can measure by the amount of cans it can hold, which is usually provided on the product listing.

Additional Features

Many options come with internal freezers. They usually have enough space for some ice trays or ice cream. Some larger mini fridges come with a separate freezer with its own door. This provides more space and more consistent temperatures, at the expense of a larger frame.

Many fridges also come with reversible doors so they can open in either direction. This is particularly notable for smaller spaces where the you may only have room for a door to open one way. Other mini fridges can even serve as food warmers with adjustable thermostats switching between hot and cold.

How We Selected

We scoured the internet looking at dozens of models, and highlight a handful of the best mini fridge options in a range of sizes, from value-forward to high-end. Features in mini fridges are minimal in comparison to full-size models; we called out the most essential, such as cubic feet, adjustable shelving, reversible doors, and, when applicable, noise ratings.

3.2-Cubic-Foot Mini Fridge with Freezer

This stainless steel mini fridge is a beast, with a substantial 3.2 cubic-foot capacity, versatile shelving, and a recessed handle. Despite is power, this mini fridge operates quietly, averaging just 45 decibels when in use.

Inside, there’s a manual temperature control dial and three tempered glass shelves, two of which are removable. There’s also a small freezer with an ice tray and compartments for designed for liter bottles and a few cans of your favorite drink.

The door is reversible—you can set it up to open in either direction—and it comes with adjustable leveling legs, which is crucial in a dinky apartment or dorm. You can snag this one in gray, white, or black.

1.6 Cu Ft Bar Fridge

Small enough to fit in the corner of even the most compact dorm rooms, this mini fridge from Frigidaire is perfect for tight spaces. While the 1.6 cubic feet won't hold everything, the can chute comfortable holds five cans and six if you want to squeeze in the full six-pack.

This mini fridge also comes with a top internal freezer which, while not large, will comfortably fit two ice trays. There is also a door basket designed specifically to hold a large liter bottle.

Compact Refrigerator Unit 2-Door Mini Freezer Fridge

A mini fridge with a little extra panache, this option comes with a two door design. Unlike other options that come with a small internal freezer or no freezer at all, this mini fridge from Costway comes with a fully separate top door freezer.

The fridge portion of the device comes with a bottom drawer for vegetables, removable glass shelves and two different door baskets. On top of this, there is also a chute for your cans.

These features do require some added space which makes it larger than many other options on this list.

4.3-Cubic-Foot Mini Fridge With Freezer

This option is truly designed like a mini version of a full-size refrigerator, with three deep tempered glass shelves–two that are adjustable—a crisper drawer, and modular door bins.

It has a generous 4.3-cubic-foot capacity and has a full-width freezer, and on the inside door, there’s a six-can compartment, plus full- and half-width door shelves for versatile storage space that can hold tall items and a 2-liter bottle of soda.

The mini fridge is energy-efficient and the door is reversible so it can squeeze into tight spots without the door jamming.

3.1-Cubic-Foot 120-Can Mini Fridge

This best-selling mini fridge can hold a whopping 120 cans, perfect for home bar use or as an overflow fridge for the basement. It's also big enough for office sharing and commercial settings.

The 3.1-cubic foot fridge has a see-through door with upscale appeal, and inside there’s a bright LED light, three adjustable chrome shelves, and a digital touchpad temperature control in front. The mini fridge cools to 34 degrees Fahrenheit and there’s a sensor for auto-defrost mode, plus the door is reversible.

If you're throwing a party or don't care about storing your leftovers, this might be the right fridge for you.

6-Can Cooling and Heating Mini Fridge

For a fun and practical addition to your dorm room or home office, this mini-mini retro countertop fridge is sure to please—plus it doubles as a warmer for food and hot drinks, with a temperature range of 45 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

It can hold up to six 12-ounce cans and has a removable shelf, plus a handle for picking it up to restock it in the kitchen. The write-and-erase board on the front of the fridge is a bonus. Plus, we love the eye-catching aqua as a statement piece for any room.

2.3-Cubic-Foot 24-Bottle Wine Mini Fridge

Look no further if you’re in the market for a sleek, modern wine fridge with a two-case capacity. This freestanding option’s glass door is framed in high-gloss black and stainless steel, with a digital control panel on the front and a soft, blue LED light inside to showcase the bottles. It’s also whisper-quiet, with a 38dB rating.

You can customize the temperature from 40 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit, which is ideal for wine, and adjust the five chrome removable shelves to your liking. This isn’t intended for built-in use and the door isn’t reversible.

The fridge isn't just for wine either with enough space at the bottom to store cans and other drinks.

3.2-Cubic-Foot Mini Fridge

Here’s another stylized mini fridge to consider. It’s made by the ever-popular Marshall, known for its attractive speakers and audio equipment.

It features authentic amp parts on the reversible door, an all-black interior with a 3.2 cubic foot capacity, and mellow blue LED lighting. The only thing missing is the rest of your garage band to rock out with.

There’s one half-size and two full-size shelves, and the door has a designed shelf for cans plus a spot for a 2-liter bottle. The lack of a freezer may be a drawback for some.

You Might Also Like

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Painter’s Tape

• The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere

• Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?