College is often a time of confusion and uncertainty. Especially if you are the first of your family to attend college. We want to make this time less uncertain. While we can’t help with your homework we can help you find the best mini fridges for dorms.

We have a list that ranges from the best overall to the best for on the go. Each product has the details listed as well as the pros and cons for your consideration.

10 Best Mini Fridges for Dorms

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1. Midea WHS-65LSS1 Compact Refrigerator

This mini-fridge is the best we’ve found. It is a great compact size that can still hold what you’ll need in the dorms. This model comes with a single interior shelf and door storage to keep its contents organized. It also has a small portion for extra chilling.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 17.72 x 18.58 x 19.37 inches
• Capacity: 1.6 Cubic Feet
• Cooling Range: 32°-35.6°F

Sample Customer Review…I was surprised with the size. When I ordered I thought it would be small only because it’s labeled a “mini” fridge. But it comes to my waist. Love the size. It’s not too big and not too small. It’s perfect for a wide variety of items. Decided to place it in my son’s room that he has at his grandparents’ house. Easy to set up! Lightweight to move around. Very sturdy. I set it up and let it run for a couple of days before placing food items inside. Then we loaded the fridge with goodies. The next day checked on the temp of the food and everything was great! It’s not loud. Doesn’t take up too much space. I would say it’s the size of a small nightstand. Fits perfectly in the corner and it’s not a sore eye. My son is loving having healthy snacks easily at his disposal. The shelves have space. We fit all kinds of items, even a quart of milk.

Read more reviews at Amazon.com

2. Midea Compact Refrigerator

For those who do more cooking but still need a small fridge, this is the one for you. This model comes with a crisper drawer to keep fruit and veggies fresh. It also has two shelves, one of which is removable, in addition to a can holder in the door. The freezer section can get as low as -11.2°F so it will be much more reliable than other mini-fridges without a dedicated freezer.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 18.5 x 19.37 x 32.95 inches
• Capacity: 3.1 Cu Ft
• Cooling Range: 32°-50°F (-11.2° to -5°F)

Sample Customer Review…This is a good dorm mini-fridge. The freezer keeps things frozen, the fridge keeps things cold, and I don’t have to use the overstuffed communal fridges in the kitchen. It’s big enough to hold quite a bit of food, yet small enough to fit well in my ~200 sq ft dorm room. Highly recommended for any college student who wants/needs to cook for themself.

Overall, this was the perfect fridge for me. If you’re looking for a dorm minifridge I’d recommend getting this one since it has a good-sized freezer with a separate door, but if you don’t really need a freezer and just want people to stop taking stuff you put in the fridge, consider getting a different minifridge without a freezer. It cost around $150 when I bought it, so if the price is significantly higher when you read this, I’d recommend waiting for it to go down.

Read more reviews at Amazon.com

3. HomeLabs Mini Fridge

This sleek mini-fridge will add both function and class to any dorm room. With 3.3 cubic feet of storage, this model will fit everything you’ll need. All three of the shelves are removable so you can fit all sorts of different things. The door also has several shelves and a can holder. This model has three settings of coldness depending on how cold you want it to be. If for some reason something goes wrong there is a 2-year warranty included.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 18.5 x 17.7 x 33.9 inches
• Capacity: 3.3 Cu Ft
• Cooling Range: 33°-35°F (on medium)

Sample Customer Review…I had been waiting for a mini-fridge for such a long time but struggled to find one that I could afford but also a great size, etc. I love our little fridge! We were worried about it being directly on the carpet so we placed a clear office chair mat down underneath it and it makes me feel more comfortable and works just fine. The fridge truly stays cold – and I’m extremely picky about my cold beverages. I have to have drinks that are 1° from the ice it seems like and this fridge hits that perfectly. The freezer works fine and is perfect for an ice tray. The shelves are movable but I haven’t moved anything around. Noise- at first while it was settling in I noticed some little noises but thankfully after reading the reviews I expected that. Honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I had imagined and even right now as I lay down in a quiet room with just a ceiling fan going, it is very quiet. It really works well for what we need it for and it doesn’t take up much room. I’m very satisfied with our purchase!

Read more reviews at Amazon.com

4. Euhomy Mini Fridge with Freezer

At first glance, this may seem just like any other quality mini-fridge. However, this model has some great features that few have even among the best mini fridges for dorms. This mini fridge will fulfill your every need with its 3.2 cubic feet of space. Inside there are two removable shelves and a crisper drawer. The only issue with the drawer is that it isn’t really a drawer. It’s just a bucket set on the bottom of the fridge. It doesn’t have any tracks to slide on. The fridge door has two more shelves and a can holder.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 19.4 x 19.9 x 33.5 inches
• Capacity: 3.2 Cu Ft
• Cooling Range: 32°-50°F (Freezer gets as low as 0°F)

Sample Customer Review…Was looking for a mini fridge that had a separate freezer compartment, since other mini-fridges that I’ve used with that small icebox in the corner don’t really work all that well. This fridge is a bit larger than your typical mini-fridge, but it works great! Has temperature settings from 1-7, and comes with a mini ice cube tray and plastic scraper (for frost build-up I’m assuming).

The freezer has plenty of space and can fit a frozen Digiorno pizza if you wanted. The fridge section is nice for storing smaller items or just drinks. Smaller space than other mini fridges granted it has a massive mini-freezer, but you can definitely fit a gallon of milk if you just remove the center glass panel. My priority was getting freezer storage that actually froze things and this fridge works great for that!

Read more reviews at Amazon.com

5. COSTWAY Compact Refrigerator 2-Door Mini Freezer Cooler Fridge

This mini-fridge takes our runner up position. This model is bigger than the previous one so it’s a great pick if you have enough space for it. It comes with two shelves and a crisper drawer in the fridge half. The door has a convenient rack for cans or a tall thin bottle such as a wine bottle. The door also has two little shelves. The freezer half has no shelves except for in the door.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 19 x 19.5 x 34 inches
• Capacity: 3.2 Cubic Feet (Fridge: 2.2 Cu Ft Freezer: 1 Cu Ft)
• Cooling Range: 32°-50°F (5°F minimum in freezer)

Sample Customer Review…I have a lot of medical issues, one of which is not being able to drink sufficient quantities of liquids to keep my kidneys happy- so I decided to move a mini-fridge into my bedroom for the days I’m not feeling up to getting too far out of bed, and get myself some ice and water or Gatorade. It’s making a noticeably positive difference with having more fluids ready to go without going way out to the kitchen. Arrived in perfect condition, no dings, and set up in a flash. The freezer is large enough for an ice cube bin, 4 stacked Rubbermaid ice cube trays, and space between them for other things. The little door rack doesn’t hold a lot, but it’s nice to have. It’s SUPER quiet. Even with my limitations, I was able to get it set up by myself- no assembly, just have to let it sit upright for a while before plugging it in.

Read more reviews at Amazon.com

6. Galanz Retro Fridge

As soon as you see this Galanz mini-fridge you know how much character it has. Being as showy as it is this model is not to everyone’s taste. This mini-fridge is great aesthetically and functionally. Galanz offers several different colors to match your look. The fridge is organized by two shelves and a crisper drawer. This model is powered by an R600 compressor to quickly cool without using a lot of energy. 

Specifications

• Dimensions: 19.17 x 23.31 x 35.16 inches
• Capacity: 3.1 Cu Ft

Sample Customer Review…Looks even better in person. Arrived quickly, was not terribly heavy to move but still sturdy, and installation was a piece of cake. I live in a travel trailer and so this was the perfect size for us. Freezer can actually fit a lot in it; I can fit two full-size frozen pizzas, two big bags of frozen fruit from Costco, and more! This is helpful because the fridge compartment is not very big, a little bit tinier than I expected actually. Overall, I am very happy with this purchase, and I feel I received a quality product with a fantastic value for the price! And the energy efficiency is a bonus to the retro beauty! Would love to order a full-sized one when I live in a space big enough to allow it.

Read more reviews at Amazon.com

7. EdgeStar Dorm Sized Energy Star Compact Fridge/Freezer

The last mini-fridge on our list is Edgestar’s 3.1 cubic feet fridge and freezer combo. This model features an automatic defroster in the fridge portion as well as two shelves and a crisper drawer. The fridge door has a can holder and two more shelves. The doors are also reversible to allow it to fill any spot in your dorm. Best of all, this model is energy star certified.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 19.75 x 18.75 x 33.5 inches
• Capacity: 3.1 Cu Ft

Sample Customer Review…The fridge arrived packed extremely well, two separate boxes plus a ton of styrofoam and padded edges that would have likely required it to literally be thrown from a moving truck in order to damage it. It took almost 10 minutes just to unpackage it, but well worth it. Perfect condition and I couldn’t ask for a more contemporary look. Got cool quickly and is much more spacious than I would’ve thought. I won’t use the crisper, but this can be removed for extra room and you can fit quite a bit in both the fridge and freezer door. Very happy with this purchase.

Read more reviews at Amazon.com

8. Cooluli Vibe 15LE Thermoelectric Cooler/Warmer Mini Fridge (110-240V/12V)

The Cooluli Vibe Thermoelectric Mini Fridge is the perfect addition to any dorm room. Not only does the Cooluli Vibe have a cooling and warming setting, but the mini-fridge also has a magnetic dry erase board to easily stay organized, writing notes and having a convenient place to post your shopping lists. The compact design has a 15 -liter capacity and is perfect for storing food, drinks, medicine, and skincare and beauty products. With the EcoMax technology, the Cooluli Vibe has a unique cooling feature that prevents the interior from frosting, keeping your food or other products at just the right temperature. In addition, the mini-fridge has an ECO mode available, making it energy-efficient and cost-effective.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 12.75 x 10.5 x 14.75 inches
• Capacity: 15 Liters
• Weight: 9 lbs
• Temperature Range: 35°– 40°F -149°F
• Material: Aluminum and plastic

Sample Customer Review…This little beauty is wonderfully portable and holds a shocking amount of stuff. The shelves and baskets can be removed to configure the space to serve you best. It holds its temperature really well, and it uses a simple system of hot/cold.

On a recent trip, after taking the baskets off the door, I was able to fill the fridge with three bagged salad kits, a six-pack of yogurt, a quart of blueberries, a container of hummus, and a one-pound bag of baby-cut carrots. Everything fit, the door stayed closed, and everything stayed at appropriate temperatures. I could carry the filled fridge with one hand, and the door stayed closed.

Read more reviews at Amazon.com

 

9. Cooluli Concord Pink Mini Fridge

The Cooluli Concord Pink Mini Fridge is a stylish but practical choice when it comes to finding the perfect fridge for your dorm. This model comes in a variety of color choices to fit your dorm room décor, including concord pink, aqua blue, black, and white. One great feature of the Cooluli mini fridge is that it offers a customized temperature control setting on the front of the door, allowing you to easily change it with the touch of a button, and conveniently displaying the current temperature on an LED screen. This fridge has a capacity of 20 liters and is the perfect solution for storing drinks, snacks, skincare and beauty products, and certain medications. With its lightweight and compact design, the Cooluli mini fridge can be used on a desktop in your door, in your car for road trips, or even tailgate parties.

 Specifications

• Dimensions: 11.4 x 13.8 x 16 inches
• Capacity: 20 Liters
• Weight:13 lbs
• Temperature Range: 40°F -149°F
• Material: Aluminum and plastic

Sample Customer Review…I absolutely love this 20-liter Cooluli Concord compact cooler mini-fridge! What really sold me on the purchase was the fact we can program the desired temperature for the mini-fridge. The current inside temperature is displayed at the top of the door. We checked the inside temp with a fridge thermometer and found the inside temp was actually 2-3 degrees below the displayed temp on the door. The inside temperature cools very quickly once the unit is plugged into the power source in our truck and also in our RV. It holds quite a few items after we removed the 2 door shelves and one of the shelves inside the cooler mini-fridge. The shelves just slid right out very easily. I normally kept 4 Greek yogurts and 2 sticks of butter on the top shelf. The bottom compartment held 4 quarts of milk or 2 quarts of milk and 2 cartons of orange juice to supplement our small fridge in our RV. The pink unit was not my first choice because the photo on Amazon looked like a bright neon hot pink. I ordered the pink one because it was the only color available that would arrive in time before we had to leave to travel out of town for my husband’s surgery. Thankfully when it arrived I loved the color that is more of a rose blush pink color. The cooler does make a slight noise when running but is not that noticeable. I highly recommend this cooler/mini-fridge for use while traveling to keep lunches, snacks, and/or drinks cool, as well as for use in an RV, dorm room, or office!

Read more reviews at Amazon.com

10. RCA Mini Refrigerator

College is a great time to figure out who you are and really express yourself. This mini-fridge from RCA comes in many different colors such as blue, green, red, purple, orange, black, and white. This model will bring your dorm room together while also being a great mini-fridge. Inside there are two adjustable shelves and three in the door. RCA designed this model to fit anywhere you need it by inserting the handle and making the back completely flush.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 17.5 x 18 x 32 inches
• Capacity: 3.2 Cu Ft

Sample Customer Review…It’s a great red color and is working very well. At the 4 setting, it keeps drinks and food very cold and I haven’t noticed any smells or felt overheating on the sides. The freezer keeps ice cream bars just fine. It was light enough to carry up a flight of stairs without too much hassle. It isn’t noisy at all, and I don’t think it would bother me even if it was in my bedroom. It doesn’t run all the time anyway. Right now I’ve got it in the office area next to my bedroom and it’s incredibly handy. It was also level right out of the box. No complaints about it at all so far! My one and only complaint is that the box on delivery was practically disintegrated. Huge, gaping holes all over and the fridge was exposed in many areas. However, no scratches or dents were on the unit at all, so kudos to the transport and delivery people!

Ream more reviews at Amazon.com

11. Chefman Mini Portable Eraser Board Personal Fridge

Going out for a picnic and want a warm lunch? The Chefman portable personal fridge is for you. This product is the best for on the go. You won’t be using this one to store the leftovers from last night. No, this one is designed to either keep things cool or warm as needed. It comes with plugs for the car or an outlet.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 9 x 10 x 6.7 inches
• Capacity: 4 liters (6 12oz cans)

Sample Customer Review…Love this little fridge. I keep it plugged in my work desk outlet M – F and unplug it on Fridays before I leave for the weekend (it only takes about 20 minutes to cool down when I plug it back in Monday mornings). It’s spacious enough to hold my snacks for my workday.

By Thursday or Friday, a couple of small beads of water collect at the bottom but one quick wipe of a paper towel and it’s good to go.

I have not used the heat/warmer function yet but will try it with a cup of soup.

I also love the handle that folds out so it makes it easy to carry if I ever want to take it home or bring it back to the office.

Read more reviews at Amazon.com

12. Danby Designer Compact Refrigerator

When you want a mini-fridge that is great for staying organized you go with this Danby designer mini-fridge. With three shelves inside and three more in the door, not to mention the can holders, this model is one of the best mini-fridges for dorms. There is also a small freezer section near the temperature selector. While this one may be on the larger side for mini-fridges it will serve you well with its energy star certification.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 20.87 x 20.71 x 32.72 inches
• Capacity: 4.4 Cu Ft

Sample Customer Review…It was packaged well and in excellent condition. The door was on opposite side I wanted. I followed directions to switch door to open to left and it was simple. I waited until next morning to plug in since I had it on its side. I plugged in and let it get cold before putting anything in it. Once cold I filled it to about 2/3 capacity content of fruit, juices, and condiments. It is VERY quiet. Much quieter than I thought it would be. Keeps everything cold as well. Really made a good choice here. I am glad I went with this one. You won’t be disappointed.

Read more reviews at Amazon.com

Buying Guide: Things to Consider When Purchasing a Mini Fridge

Consider a number of factors as you shop for the best mini fridge: physical dimensions, storage capacity, portability, organization, energy consumption, and accessories.

Physical Dimensions

Mini fridges come in two basic models: cube and tall.

• A smaller design option, cube-shaped mini-fridges top out at 22-24 inches in height, meaning they can fit under a standard desk. Most units weigh between 35-55 pounds—light enough for portability. These mini fridges usually have about 2 cubic feet of space inside, enough to hold about one case of soda, plus a few snacks or leftovers. 
• Tall mini-fridges are more popular due to the fact they are considered a better value, thanks to their extra interior space and better shelving options. These appliances have anywhere from 3-6 cubic feet of interior space and usually come with a separate freezer compartment. With an average height of 32-36 inches, most tall units won’t fit under a standard desk but can hold more than the cube design- about two cases of soda or a few days’ worth of food. Given their larger size, tall fridges are heavier than cube fridges, weighing an average of 50-65 pounds.

Shelving and Storage

In general, most mini fridges have a very similar design to each other. However, cube-shaped mini fridges tend to have fewer shelves and door bins than the larger, tall models. Some models have adjustable or removable shelves and door bins, which can come in handy when customizing internal storage. Some mini fridges include door bins that hold soft drink cans, while the doors on other units have bins large enough to hold full sized milk jugs. 

Attached Freezers

One-door mini fridges may have a small freezer box in the main compartment, but most can’t maintain accurate freezing temperatures because they lack thermostats. Two-door mini fridges, which have a separate freezer, generally keep frozen food colder and safer to eat. The two-door models usually have a thermostat mounted in the interior, so they maintain better temperature control than single-door models.

Cooling Systems

Mini fridges come with an option of three main cooling system options.

Absorption cooling system

• Because it relies on a source of heat rather than a motor, this is the quietest type of mini fridge, which makes it a great choice for dorm rooms, where you definitely need silence to sleep or concentrate.
• However, it’s not the most energy-efficient option

Compressor cooling system

• Because of the traditional system that is found in larger fridges, it can result in a low humming sound
• This cooling system is also the most energy-efficient

Thermoelectric cooling system

• These models are cheaper and rather quiet, but they aren’t the most durable nor do they offer temperature control features
• Thermoelectric models are a popular option for dorm rooms

Conclusion

With so many great options it can be hard to pick just one. Each of these products will serve you well, but which one will do the best for you? This depends entirely on what you want a mini-fridge for at your dorm. Smaller models would be great if you just want to keep drinks and snacks cool. If you want to do more cooking then one of the bigger models would be perfect.

Besides the question of price, most of the decision is a personal preference in regards to size and style. Whatever you pick we hope that this list has been helpful. Good luck in your quest for the best mini-fridges for dorms!

Written by Braeden Hudiburgh and Kayla Estes

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Written by Braeden Hudiburgh; Contributors: Raymond Lin, Leanne, Chip Draper, Leah Jarrell, Kayla Estes