College life can be considered as one of the most memorable and remarkable times of one’s life. As a college student, you are not only busy with studying, outside-class activities but also start joining the social life. Some fresh fruits, cold drinks or favorite snacks will bring you more energy to complete these tasks. A fridge is necessary but why should you choose a mini fridge? What are the best mini fridges for college?
Why is mini fridge a perfect choice for college?
It is necessary for you, as a new college student, to choose a mini fridge for your college dorm room. These fridges are usually at reasonable price and have compact design that can fit any spaces.
You may prefer a large-size mini fridge so you can keep many items like food, beverage, snacks, or quick meals and even leftovers or frozen food. However, depending on the specific needs and how you plan to use your mini fridge, you can choose the most suitable one for your college dormitory room.
The most common types of mini fridges are:
- Mini fridges with one door
- Mini fridges with two doors (with a separated freezer compartment)
- Portable mini fridges
Common types of mini fridges and key features
Mini fridges with one door
This is the most common type of mini fridge which has a single door and typically has a small freezer or chiller box near the top of the fridge. These tiny freezers are convenient and easy for storing small frozen items, but they are not as cold as the regular freezers.
You can buy a single door mini fridge with the budget from $100-$250.
Mini fridges with two doors
This type of fridge has more space and it offers a large fridge compartment and additional freezer compartment on top. The fridge and freezer sections have different doors which enable you to keep frozen items separately and safely.
These fridges usually have higher price, compared to the one-door mini fridges.
The price ranges from $200-$300 or a little higher.
Portable mini fridges
They can be powered by 12-volt DC outlets and these smallest fridges are good for keeping beverage or some fruits.
You can easily find a portable mini fridge with a cheap price at around $40 to $100.
Further reading: 6 Best Mini Fridges for Dorm Rooms
Best mini fridges for college
Compact mini fridges with one door
1. Midea WHS-65LB1
Dimensions: 17.72 x 18.58 x 19.37 inches
Weight: 35.3 pounds
Capacity: 1.6 cubic feet
Key features:
- Compact size
- Adjustable legs
- Reversible door
- 1-year warranty
- Large storage areas
- Good at chilling beverages
This Midea mini fridge has compact design which is suitable for small dorm room and those who don’t need a big capacity fridge. The temperature can range from -2 degree C to 2 degree C that will keep your food fresh.
2. BLACK+DECKER BCRK17B
Dimensions: 18.5 x 17.52 x 19.72 inches
Weight: 33.1 pounds
Capacity: 1.7 Cubic Feet
Key features:
- Compact
- Single door
- Energy star
- Leveling legs
- Low noise level
- Reversible doors
- Manually defrosted
- Glass shelves included
- Adjustable thermostat control
The Black and Decker has low noise level, with design for space-saving and 2-year warranty on compressor. These should be the notable points that can make it stands out from others.
Therefore, it is perfect for college student to store favorite items like beverages, snacks, or leftovers. A small freezer box is ready for frozen meals or your favorite ice cream.
3. RCA RFR321-Purple
Dimensions: 20 x 18 x 32 inches
Weight: 50 pounds
Capacity: 3.2 cubic feet
Key features:
- Compact size
- Glossy colors
- Energy efficient
- Reversible doors
- Adjustable thermostat
- Easy thermostat control
With compact size, the RCA RFR321 is also designed for power-saving and suitable for any corner in your room.
4. hOmeLabs Mini Fridge
Dimensions: 21.3 x 19.1 x 37.6 inches
Weight: 45.2 pounds
Capacity: 3.3 Cubic Feet
Key features:
- Spacious
- Reversible door
- Under counter fridge
- Built-in adjustable temp control
- Compact and light-weighted design
- Adjustable multiple mode temp control
The mini fridge provides removable glass shelves, so you can adjust the fridge compartment as you want. It has built-in removable drain tray that helps to clean it easily. Especially, it is designed with stainless steel door that you can write on it and then erased easily.
So, hOmeLabs mini fridge is suitable for keeping drinks, food and beverage for dorm or apartment with spacious storage capacity.
5. RCA RFR321-Black
Dimensions: 18.5 x 17.7 x 32.8 inches
Weight: 50 pounds
Capacity: 3.2 Cubic Feet
Key features:
- Compact fridge
- Large storage inside
- Adjustable lever feet
- Reversible door hinges
- Adjustable thermostat
The RCA fridge with small freezer compartment is ideal for keeping foods like beverages, veggies, fruits, vegetables, even frozen desserts, and frozen foods.
Moreover, with thermostat control, this high-quality small fridge allows you to take care of your drinks and meals in good quality. Besides, the reversible door and adjustable feet will make the fridge fit well in any space.
Best mini fridges with two doors
1. Midea WHD-113FSS1
Dimensions: 18.5 x 19.37 x 32.95 inches
Weight: 52.2 pounds
Capacity: 3.1 Cubic Feet
Key features:
- Quiet
- Stainless steel
- Adjustable feet
- Reversible doors
- Energy star rated
- Ice cube tray and scraper are attached
With quiet operation, energy efficient, and spacious interior, this compact fridge is suitable for college student. Also, the product has 1-year warranty.
It can meet the storage needs of preserving items like beverages, snacks, veggies, and frozen meals.
2. BLACK+DECKER BCRK32B
Dimensions: 17.5″ x 19.3″ x 32.7″ inches
Weight: 50.7 pounds
Capacity: 3.2 Cubic Ft
Key features:
- Compact
- Single door
- Energy saving
- Built with leveling legs
- Mini fridge with freezer
- Thermostat is adjustable
- Multiple width adjustable shelves
- Flat-back design for space-saving
This fridge has auto defrosted system that can save time in cleaning. It offers 2-year warranty on compressor that good enough for college life.
The Black and Decker BCRK32B is good choice for tiny spaces because it has small and compact size which will fit perfectly into the college dorm or bedrooms.
3. COSTWAY Compact Refrigerator
Dimensions: 19.5 x 19 x 34 inches
Weight: 52 pounds
Capacity: 3.2 cu ft.
Key features:
- Quiet
- Interior light
- 2-door fridge
- Strong hinge
- Reversible door
- Mechanical control
- Removable glass shelves
- Cools quickly and evenly
The fridge operates quietly will not distract you from learning. Also, it has seven levels to adjust the inside temperature that helps to store different types of food fresher. Besides, the separated freezer compartment allows you to store frozen meals and ice cream.
With a spacious fridge compartment, the Costway compact fridge provides large storage capacity that enable you to store all types of food and beverages as you wish. You will be impressed with the worth you get for your money.
Best portable mini fridges
1. Cooluli 15L
Dimensions: 10.5″ W x 13″ D x 14.75″ H
Weight: 10.7 pounds
Capacity: 15 L
Notable features:
- Chick
- Portable
- Convenient
- Light weight
- Quick cooling
- 1-year warranty
- 12v Refrigerator
The fridge is equipped with EcoMax Technology that helps to minimize energy and prevents frost happens inside. With stylish design, the Cooluli 15L mini fridge is good to use anywhere in your dorm room, road trips, or outdoor parties.
Also, there are seven colors and patterns available for you to decide. This may be a novel mini fridge to indicate your style.
2. Cooluli 20L
Dimensions: 11.25″ W x 13.75″ D x 16.25″ H
Weight: 13 pounds
Capacity: 20 L
Notable features:
- Small
- Ultra-quiet
- 12v refrigerator
- Energy-efficient
- Digital thermostat
- 100% eco-friendly
- 1-year limited warranty
- Made of aluminum & plastic
- Advanced dual-core cooling
It can be used as a cooler or a warmer mini refrigerator which the temperature can cools down to 40°F and warms up to 149°F.
The Cooluli 20L Mini Fridge can be suitable for school dormitory room, bedroom, car to store food, drinks and snacks or fruits.
3. NewAir Mini Fridge
Dimensions: 18.9 x 16.75 x 21.1 inches
Weight: 45 pounds
Capacity: 1.6 Cubic Feet (60 cans)
Notable features:
- Glass door
- Free standing
- Compact size
- Spacious interior
- Best for keeping beverages
- With 5 levels of temperature setting
Built with stainless-steel frame, the fridge is sturdy and solid. It also offers a removable shelf that enables you to store larger cans or bottles. Besides, the temperature ranges from 37°F-64°F that can keep soda at the proper temperature for serving.
This glass-front beverage refrigerator may be a great option for keeping beverage cold. It may also be perfect for storing quick meals, fruits, and leftovers in your dorm room. You will be pleased with the standard and sturdiness of this mini fridge for drinks.
The bottom line
Choosing the right mini fridge for college life is vital as it can help you refresh and have enough energy for busy days or the nights you must stay up late studying.
So, if you need spacious interior to store all kinds of food items but no need for ice or frozen meals, the single door mini fridge is a good option. Its price is normally reasonable. Otherwise, you may pick a mini fridge with separated freezer compartment if you need to store frozen items. This double door mini fridge is often more expensive than the one without freezer.
Finally, a portable mini fridge can also be considered if you don’t have much food or drink to store. It usually has a very low price, and you can bring it to outdoor parties or picnics.
Reference
Compact refrigerators, amazon.com, Retrieved on Nov. 3, 2021
