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Best Mini Fridges for College Students

Updated August 2022
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
BLACK + DECKER BCRK25B Compact Refrigerator
BLACK + DECKER
BCRK25B Compact Refrigerator
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Full-featured
Bottom Line

This mini fridge maximizes its storage, including a freezer, while still staying compact.

Pros

Freezer section is big enough for several frozen dinners or ice trays. Door features almost a cubic foot of drinks storage including a soda can holder and 2-liter bottle compartment. Two glass shelves to subdivide the main space. Reversible door with recessed handle.

Cons

Some reviewers say the freezer hasn't kept their ice cream solid.

Best Bang for the Buck
Walsh WSR17S5 Compact Refrigerator
Walsh
WSR17S5 Compact Refrigerator
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Most Compact
Bottom Line

At under 2 cubic feet, this tiny mini fridge can fit in almost any dorm room.

Pros

Compact size fits easily under desks or on dressers. Offers 1.8 cubic feet of storage including an ice cube tray and 2-liter bottle compartment in the door. Uses compressor for good cooling power as low as 27 degrees in the chiller. Reversible door.

Cons

The freezer compartment is best for an ice cube tray only.

Frigidaire EFR331 Eraser Board Mini Dorm Fridge
Frigidaire
EFR331 Eraser Board Mini Dorm Fridge
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Handy Chalkboard
Bottom Line

The door of this mini fridge can be used as an eraser board for quick reminders and messages.

Pros

Offers 3.2 cubic feet of space. Freezer section can hold frozen dinners or ice. Door includes 6-7 regular can storage, tall can storage, and 2-liter bottle storage. Door has a blackboard finish for notes and reminders. Has 2 adjustable shelves.

Cons

The handles are plastic, not metal. Eraser board accepts dry erase markers only.

Galanz GLR31TBEER Retro Compact Refrigerator
Galanz
GLR31TBEER Retro Compact Refrigerator
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Retro Fun
Bottom Line

This 2-door retro-style mini fridge boasts a big freezer and chic colors.

Pros

Two-door design separates freezer and refrigerator. Almost 1 cubic foot of freezer space plus freezer door storage. Offers vegetable bin and crisper. Door features a 2-liter bottle compartment. Cool retro handles and colors.

Cons

Lacks automatic or pushbutton defrost. Handles need installation.

RCA Mini Refrigerator
RCA
Mini Refrigerator
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Tall & Spacious
Bottom Line

The tall design of this mini fridge allows for a wide freezer and spacious door storage.

Pros

Comes with 3.2 cubic feet of storage. Offers a variety of attractive and bold colors. Door storage includes a can rack that can hold 6-7 standard drink cans and a 2-liter bottle compartment with adjustable width. Two adjustable shelves. Reversible door.

Cons

Some complaints of dented or scratched deliveries.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Consumers
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Buying guide for Best mini fridges for college students

Living in a college dorm or apartment presents plenty of challenges. You have limited space and often don’t have access to a full kitchen. With a mini fridge for college students, you can maximize your available space and have a place to chill perishable foods and drinks.

Mini fridges for college students are like any mini refrigerator except a little smaller. The compact design means they fit well in most dorm rooms without wasting space. Mini fridges for college students usually use less energy too, which can benefit students who have to pay their own utility bills. A mini fridge is still large enough to hold essentials, so you can keep fruits, veggies, milk, and other items fresh. It’s usually designed to hold bottles and cans to give you plenty of room for beverages too.

Looking for a high-quality mini fridge for college students? Our buying guide provides the knowledge you need to decide on the ideal size and capacity, cooling system, energy consumption, and other features that would suit you. If you’re still unsure, we’ve included several product recommendations for the easiest shopping possible.

mini fridge for college students
Make sure there are at least 3 inches between your mini fridge and the wall. Air must be able to circulate around it so the compressor can work properly.

Key considerations

Size and capacity

The most important things to decide before shopping for a mini fridge are the size and capacity that will work best in your dorm room or apartment. You want to be sure you have enough space for any model you’re considering, but the fridge should also be able to hold the food and beverages you need. Keep in mind that the smaller the mini fridge, the smaller the capacity.

Size: The smallest mini fridges are 22 to 24 inches tall and fit beneath a desk. They’re usually cube shaped and very compact, making them the most versatile option. The tallest mini fridges measure between 32 and 36 inches. These models won’t fit beneath a desk or counter, but they provide more storage for food and work well beneath loft beds. Make sure to measure the area where you plan to place your mini fridge. If it’s a particularly tight spot, you’ll have to stick to a smaller model.

Capacity: Cube mini fridges usually offer 1.5 to 2 cubic feet of interior space, enough for about 12 cans of soda and some small containers of foods or snacks. Taller mini fridges provide 3 to 6 cubic feet of interior space, enough for up to 24 cans of soda or enough food for three or four days.

Cooling system

Mini fridges generally use one of two types of cooling systems: thermoelectric or compressor.

Thermoelectric fridges are more affordable, making them ideal for students on a budget.

Compressor-powered mini fridges typically maintain a consistent temperature more effectively because the cooling system is the same as the one found in full-size refrigerators.

Energy consumption

Mini fridges require a standard 120-volt A/C electrical outlet. They are more energy efficient than full-size refrigerators, but there are some differences among models when it comes to energy consumption. Energy Star-certified mini fridges are designed to use less power than the average mini fridge, so they can help you save on energy costs.

mini fridge for college students
DID YOU KNOW?
If there are any stubborn stains inside your mini fridge, use a mixture of water and baking soda and gently scrub them with a soft sponge.
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Features

Color and finish

Like full-size refrigerators, mini fridges are available in various colors and finishes. White and black are the most common options, but you can find stainless steel and wood-grain finishes as well. Other neutral colors like beige and cream are also pretty common.

Some mini fridges for college students come in bolder, brighter colors for a little more personality. You can find models in red, orange, aqua, or yellow. Some mini fridges even feature novelty designs, such as sports team logos or popular movie artwork.

Freezer

Some larger mini fridges have a freezer. These compartments are pretty small, with only enough room for a single box or bag of frozen food and possibly a small ice cube tray. They’re usually not as effective at maintaining accurate freezing temperatures either, so they may not keep all foods fully frozen.

However, if you want to make ice or keep some popsicles on hand, you might want a mini fridge with a freezer. You can also find larger models with a larger freezer compartment that fits multiple frozen meals or pints of ice cream.

Light

Most mini fridges for college students don’t have an interior light like full-size models do. However, you can find some higher-end models with an LED interior light. That can make it much easier to find what you’re looking for, particularly if you don’t want to disturb your roommate in the middle of the night.

Food storage

Shelves: Most mini fridges have at least one shelf to hold food and beverages. Some shelves can be repositioned to make room for larger items when necessary.

Drawers: Some larger mini fridges have a drawer for storing certain food items. This feature can be extremely helpful if you like to keep fresh fruits and vegetables on hand because the drawer helps keep the produce crisp.

Purge the contents of your mini fridge every couple weeks. If there is any food you haven’t eaten during that time, toss it to free up space.

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Accessories

MicrowaveIn addition to a mini fridge, a microwave can make it much easier to eat in your dorm room. 

Electric kettleIf you don’t have much room but enjoy tea and instant noodles, an electric kettle can come in handy for your dorm room.

College student mini fridge prices

These mini fridges vary in price based on the size, capacity, cooling system, and other features. Most models cost between $40 and $350.

Inexpensive

The most affordable mini fridges for college students have a thermoelectric cooling system. Most of these are extremely small, offering a capacity of less than 1 cubic foot. They don’t often have many special features like an interior light. You’ll generally pay between $40 and $99 for these mini fridges.

Mid-range

These mini fridges have a compressor-powered cooling system. They’re typically larger in size too, with a capacity of 1 to 3 cubic feet. Some may also have special features like an interior light. You’ll generally pay between $99 and $200 for these mini fridges.

Expensive

The most expensive mini fridges have a compressor-powered cooling system and are larger than mid-range models, with a capacity of 3 to 6 cubic feet. Some models have a freezer compartment and special features like an interior light. You’ll generally pay between $200 and $350 for these mini fridges.

mini fridge for college students
DID YOU KNOW?
Be careful not to stuff your mini fridge too full. It can affect the airflow inside the fridge and raise the temperature. It can affect energy efficiency too.
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Tips

  • Position your fridge away from heat. Find a spot away from heat sources like heaters or vents. Keep it out of direct sunlight if possible, too.
  • Set the thermostat. Many mini fridges have an adjustable thermostat, so you can control the temperature. When you first plug in your new fridge, choose a medium-cold setting and give the appliance time to get cold. You can then experiment with the temperature to determine how cold you need it to be.
  • Store your produce in the drawer. If your mini fridge has a crisper drawer, make sure to store your produce in it to keep fruits and veggies fresher longer.
  • Clean out the fridge periodically. Throw out spoiled food and wipe down the interior. It’s particularly essential to clean out the fridge if you’ll be away for a few weeks or months.
  • Keep all your food near the fridge. To keep your dorm room organized, consider storing all your food in the area around your mini fridge. You can keep nonperishable foods like pretzels, crackers, peanut butter, and granola bars right on top of the fridge.
mini fridge for college students
If you’re going to be away from your dorm room for a few weeks, throw out any food and unplug the refrigerator.

FAQ

Q. Why do I need a mini fridge in my dorm room?

A. There are plenty of reasons to get a mini fridge for your dorm room. It can save you money on eating out or eating meals in the dining hall because you can keep fresh food in your room. For students with food allergies, you’re often safer keeping foods you know you can eat in your room’s mini fridge rather than risking meals in the dining hall.

If you’re eating too much takeout, it can also be easier to eat more healthfully with a mini fridge in your room. You’ll also find it more convenient to have snacks and drinks in your dorm room when you’re studying late and need a break because you won’t have to run out to the dining hall, convenience store, or vending machine.

Q. Can I use the same mini fridge all through college?

A. Most mini fridges last for at least five years, so you should be able to use the same fridge throughout your college career. However, lower-end models with a thermoelectric cooling system aren’t as durable, so you might need to replace your fridge after a year or two.

Q. How should I clean my mini fridge?

A. Start by removing all the food and tossing out anything spoiled or questionable. Next, take out the shelves and any other parts, and wash them in warm, soapy water. Let them dry completely before replacing them. Wipe down the interior with a mixture of one part water and one part vinegar. Dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth.