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Best Compact Refrigerator - Consumer Reports

Glenda Davies
  Mar 29, 2023 4:44 PM

Your search for the best compact refrigerator ends here. Best Compact Refrigerator vary in size and price, but they all have one thing in common: they're practical, easy to use, and fast.


Overview

Although the majority of the best compact refrigerator is designed for a garage or dorm room and are reasonably priced, you should still have the best compact refrigerator. Over the years, our experts have tested hundreds of full-size refrigerators and discovered that some are unquestionably superior to others. Mini fridges are excellent for storing drinks, snacks, and lunches that were brought from home in an office or family, or recreation area. They differ, nevertheless, in terms of size, attributes, and how well they keep food chilled. No matter what your needs are, there is a model available that will maintain proper temperatures for food safety in a range of sizes.

A compact fridge gives you more storage space because it is small enough to fit under a counter, unlike a full-sized fridge that occupies a lot of space in your kitchen. In numerous crucial areas, small refrigerators fall short of full-size, all-purpose refrigerators. Since most minis lack a crisper drawer, produce eventually loses its fresh flavor and texture. Additionally, freezer burn is frequent, and the freezer sections don't even come close to the 0 degrees required for secure, long-term meat preservation. Additionally, we look for practical features like crisper drawers, inside illumination, and moveable shelving. According to our exhaustive research, expert opinions, and lab testing, these are the best compact refrigerator for 2022.


Compare Products

Showing  1 - 10  in  16 results
1
  • SCORE
    9.4
    OfErtix Score

    OfErtix Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our OfErtix Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Walsh
2
  • SCORE
    9.4
    OfErtix Score

    OfErtix Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our OfErtix Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Antarctic Star
3
  • SCORE
    9.2
    OfErtix Score

    OfErtix Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our OfErtix Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Midea
4
  • SCORE
    9.2
    OfErtix Score

    OfErtix Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our OfErtix Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Willz
5
  • SCORE
    9.0
    OfErtix Score

    OfErtix Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our OfErtix Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    BLACK+DECKER
6
  • SCORE
    9.0
    OfErtix Score

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  • Brand
    BLACK+DECKER
7
  • SCORE
    9.0
    OfErtix Score

    OfErtix Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our OfErtix Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Danby
8
  • SCORE
    9.0
    OfErtix Score

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  • Brand
    BLACK+DECKER
9
  • SCORE
    9.0
    OfErtix Score

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  • Brand
    COSTWAY
10
  • SCORE
    9.0
    OfErtix Score

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  • Brand
    Walsh

Last update on 2023-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Top picks

1. Walsh WSR17S5 Compact Refrigerator, 1.7 Cu.Ft Single Door Fridge, Adjustable Mechanical Thermostat with Chiller, Reversible Doors, Stainless Steel Look

  • Compact & stylish This space saving refrigerator (17.48’’ * 19.09’’ * 19.49’’ (W * D *H)) stores food, soda, beer, and other beverages with minimal energy and without taking up too much space. The sleek, modern design refrigerator is perfect for college dorm rooms, offices, garages, home bars.
  • Adjustable mechanical thermostat control Walsh refrigerator can be controlled manually with the control dial from cool to cold to coldest, you can turn the knob to set the temperature you want. And the temperature range for refrigerator compartment is 32℉ to 47℉, chiller compartment is 27℉ to 37℉.
  • Reversible doors & leveling front legs Reversible door that can open from left or right, reversible door that can be suitable for different kitchen layout. Leveling legs can adjust feet and keep level placement in anywhere.
  • Energy-saving Compact refrigerator uses R600a high-efficiency and low-energy consumption compressor, it can cool food quickly with lower energy.

View on Amazon

2. BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 2.5 Cubic Feet, VCM, cu.ft, Brushed Metal Finish

  • COMPACT & STYLISH - This space saving small refrigerator (17.5" x 18.5" x 26.6") stores food, soda, beer, and other beverages with minimal energy and without taking up too much space. The sleek, modern design - available in black, stainless steel, and white - is perfect for college dorm rooms, offices, garages, home bars, small apartments, and RV campers
  • LARGE CAPACITY - The 2 removable glass shelves expand the storage space and makes the fridge easy to clean. Additional door storage fits five 12 oz. cans (like soda and beer), small containers on the top shelf, and 2 liter door storage for taller bottles
  • CONVENIENT FEATURES - A reversible door, leveling legs, and adjustable temperature control (32 degrees Fahrenheit at the lowest setting) make this mini fridge even more practical. The small freezer (12.8 inches wide x 4.3 inches tall) fits ice packs, most frozen dinners, and the included ice tray
  • ULTRA QUIET - Low sound operation (45dB) is perfect for places where you don’t want a noisy appliance – waiting rooms, TV and game rooms, and even baby rooms where you can store milk for easy feeding
  • Reversible Door and Space Saving Flat Back Design lets you fit it just about anywhere
  • ONE YEAR WARRANTY - 1 year warranty for parts and labor, and 2 year warranty for compressor part

View on Amazon

3. BLACK+DECKER BCRK17W Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 1.7 Cubic Ft., White

  • COMPACT & STYLISH - This space saving small refrigerator (17.5" x 18.5" x 19.7") stores food, soda, beer, and other beverages with minimal energy (70 watts) and without taking up too much space. The sleek, modern design - available in black, stainless steel, and white - is perfect for college dorm rooms, offices, garages, home bars, small apartments, and RV campers.Freezer Capacity:1 cubic_feet.Fresh Food Capacity: 1 cubic_feet
  • LARGE CAPACITY - The removable glass shelf expands the storage space and makes the fridge easy to clean. Additional door storage fits two cans (like soda and beer) or small containers on the top shelf, and liter or taller bottles and containers (like water, wine and milk) on the bottom shelf
  • CONVENIENT FEATURES - A reversible door, leveling legs, and adjustable temperature control (33.8 degrees Fahrenheit at the lowest setting) make this mini fridge even more practical. The small freezer (8 inches wide x 2 inches tall) fits ice packs, most frozen dinners, and the included ice tray
  • ULTRA QUIET - Low sound operation is perfect for places where you don’t want a noisy appliance – waiting rooms, TV and game rooms, and even baby rooms where you can store milk for easy feeding
  • ONE YEAR WARRANTY - 1 year warranty for parts and labor, and 2 year warranty for compressor part

View on Amazon


FAQs

1. What qualifies as a small refrigerator?

Compact refrigerators are perfect for tiny kitchens or flats because they function efficiently in cramped spaces where every square foot matters. They often have a width of 24 inches and keep their typical heights of 60 to 75 inches. These versions typically have a volume between 11 and 13 cubic feet.

2. Is the use of mini fridges in bedrooms safe?

It is safe to maintain a contemporary mini fridge in your bedroom. No hazardous emissions or poisonous fumes are a concern for you. The only problem you'll have is with compressor-based tiny refrigerators' persistent humming noise. Keep the mini fridge outside of your bedroom if you require complete silence to get to sleep or consider a thermoelectric option that is completely silent.

3. Can someone place a compact refrigerator on the ground?

Compact models: These have to stay erect at all times. Compact models should always be maintained upright to avoid drain water from running back into the appliance, unless it is brand-new straight out of the box due to the drain's design.

4. What occurs if a refrigerator is plugged in too soon?

It's because the compressor's lubrication oil might spill into the compressor's cylinder and, if it isn't given enough time to drain back into the oil sump at the compressor's base, might seriously damage the compressor valve upon startup. A reasonable guideline to follow is 2 hours or more.


Final thoughts

With the best compact refrigerator, we thoroughly examine the products we recommend for each review, spending hours looking through the top models on Amazon. Our best picks are determined by a variety of criteria, including a product's Amazon sales history, customer reviews that are consistently favorable, and the presence of special features. Please refer to the best counter depth fridge that is always available.


4.4
7 ratings