If you are currently studying in a university or college, there’s a big chance that you are staying in a dorm room along with some other fellow students. The dorm can be now considered a second home for many students. In the dorm, you will sometimes need to make and store food. That’s where a mini fridge (also known as compact refrigerators) comes in handy. Let’s find out the 11 best mini fridges for dorm rooms in the following article.
Small fridges’ benefits are that they are compact; they don’t consume much electricity, yet still get the job done.
The ideal sizes for mini fridges in dorm rooms
Dorm rooms are often small and likely shared with many people. So you should choose a mini fridge that should fit nicely with the space you have.
Just like normal fridges, mini fridges come with many sizes and range from 1.7 cubic feet to 4.5 cubic feet.
Most importantly, you should wait until you move into the dorm and see how much space you have and choose the right-sized mini fridge accordingly.
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Top 11 best mini fridges for dorm rooms
So what small fridge should you get? Here are the 6 best small fridges for dorm rooms that should fit different usages.
1. RCA RFR321 Fridge
Dimensions: 17-1/2” W x 18.5/8” D x 31.5/8” H
Capacity: 3.2 cubic feet
Weight: 50.7 pounds
The fridge has built-in freezer with 0.2 cu ft, so you can keep frozen item as snacks. Besides, the reversible door allows users to open the door both left and right side, that make it easily to fit any spot of your room. It comes in various colors.
Pros:
- With built-in freezer
- Multi-color
2. EUHOMY Mini Fridge with Freezer
Dimensions: 19.4 x 19.9 x 33.5 inches
Weight: 53.1 pounds
Capacity: 3.2 Cubic Feet
EUHOMY mini fridge is a great option for a dorm because it is not only energy saving but also operates quietly and efficiently. As a mini fridge with freezer, it has automatic defrost function and interior lighting.
In term of quality, value, size and functions, this fridge can be considered one of the top best mini fridges for the college on-campus life.
Pros:
- Reversible door hinges
- Adjustable feet
- Auto defrost fridge compartment
- Ice cube tray & ice scraper attached
- Energy saving
3. Midea WHS-121LSS1
Dimensions: 17.7” D x 18.6” W x 33.9” H
Capacity: 3.3 Cubic feet
Weight: 39.5 lbs.
The fridge has large storage area that enable you to keep beverages and snacks. Also, it is energy saving with Energy star rated. It’s best for your dorm room as it works quietly.
Pros:
- Operate quietly
- Budget friendly
4. EdgeStar CRF321SS
Dimensions: 19.75 x 18.75 x 33.5 inches
Weight: 52 pounds
Capacity: 3.1 cubic feet
EdgeStar CRF321SS is a good option for small paces with interior lighting. The new model is more energy efficient than the previous models. Separated cooling and freezing compartments make it easily to store foods. The temperature in freezer can go down to 0-degree F for better freezing.
Pros:
- Stainless steel
- Doors are reversible
- Energy Star
- Separated freezing and cooling compartments
5. Midea 3.1 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator
Dimensions: 18.5 x 19.37 x 32.95 inches (W*D*H)
Capacity: 3.1 cubic feet
Weight: 52.2 lbs.
Midea 3.1 Cu. Ft has separated freezing and cooling compartments as well as separated fruit and vegetable drawers. Therefore, you can organize your fridge easily and keep the food fresh longer. It also has 1 year of warranty.
Pros:
- Solid
- Separated fruit and vegetable drawer
6. INSIGNIA Mini Fridge
Dimensions (LxWxH): 17.72 x 19.1 x 27.6 inches
Capacity: 2.6 Cubic Feet
The INSIGNIA’s Black Mini Fridge comes with just enough space inside for snacks, drinks, or even some fresh food. The inside space has 4 shelves; the last shelf should be enough to fit big water bottles (the 1-liter ones) and condiment space. You can also find can and normal bottle tray on the door.
Finally, you can adjust the fridge’s temperature using the thermostat so that your food and drink stay at the most ideal condition.
Pros:
- Big spaces
- Change the temperature with the thermostat
7. RCA 465 RFR441 Compact Fridge
Dimensions: 22.24″ D x 20.31″ W x 32.06″ H
Capacity: 4.5 Cu Ft
Weight: 59 lbs.
RCA 465 is equipped with built-in can dispenser and freezer, accompanied with ice tray.
You can do the right or left opening as it has reversible door. With large storing capacity of 4.5 cu. Ft, you can store lots of food, drinks and snacks.
Pros:
- Spacious
- Stainless Steel
8. Midea WHS-87LB1 Refrigerator
Dimensions: 17.52 x 20.08 x 24.8 inches
Weight: 35.3 pounds
Capacity: 2.4 Cubic Feet
Noise: 42 dB
The MIDEA’s Compact Refrigerator is more affordable compared to the previous mini fridges on the list. But for the price, it gets the job done quite well; and people on Amazon loved it, with more than 1000 positive reviews.
Even though it only has one shelf, the space is decent and can apparently hold more than 20 water bottles. On the plus side, the mini fridge has a small freeze in the package if you need one.
Another nice perk is that the legs are adjustable so you can adjust the way the fridge fits into space in the dorm room.
Pros:
- Operate quietly
- Compact and minimal design
- Door hinges are reversible
9. Avanti RM4436SS Undercounter
Dimensions: 19-1/4″w x 33″h x 22″d
Capacity: 4.4 cu. Ft.
Specification met: Energy Star
The fridge is solid with under-counter stalling type, stainless steel door and large storage capacity, so you can put lots of favorite food inside.
Pros:
- Solid
- Durable
10. ARCTIC KING Mini Fridge with Freezer
Dimensions: 18.5 x 19.4 x 33 inches
Capacity: 3.2 Cubic Feet
Finish Type: Matte
Lock Type: Electronic
Certification: Energy Star
The ARCTIC KING’s 2-Door Mini Fridge with Freezer is feature-rich with 2 doors, and dedicated spaces for many types of food and beverage.
Those dedicated spaces include a freezer for separate storage with a separate door, a 2-liter bottle rack, a 6-can compartment, a shelf for fresh food, and 2 glass shelves for other types of food and drink.
Pros:
- Freezer with separate door
- Costs under $200
- Reversible doors
11. COSTWAY’s Compact Refrigerator
Dimensions: 19.5 x 19 x 34 inches
Weight: 52 pounds
Capacity: 3.2 Cubic Feet
Door Hinges: Reversible
Shelves: 3
From the outside, the COSTWAY’s Compact Refrigerator looks very similar to an ordinary fridge, just smaller. You can also expect the same quietness as ordinary fridges as well.
This mini fridge comes with a freezer with a separate space, an ice tray, a crisp drawer, an thermometer to adjust the inside temperature, glass shelves that can be rearranged to manage space or removed for extra space.
Pros:
- Removable and adjustable glass shelves
- A freezer with extra space
- Spacious compared to other fridges
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What to consider before buying a mini fridge for dorm room?
Here are the factors you should take into consideration before buying a mini fridge for your dorm room.
Housing policies: It is important to know the regulations related to fridges permitted by your college.
Space and Place: You should know the room size and the place you will put the fridge before buying a suitable mini fridge.
Capacity: You can make right decision about how big is your fridge based on your needs and plans, such as whether you will you share the fridge with roommate or you will cook for yourself or eat on campus,…
With or without freezer: Mini fridge is often suitable for storing some food, fruits and drinks. As the freezer can’t store frozen food, you should consider buying a mini fridge with freezer or not.
Noise: It is better to choose the fridge with low noise level to avoid being distracted while studying.
Cost: Price is also a factor that need to take into consideration. There are many types of mini fridges with different functions, features at affordable price for you to choose from.
Conclusion
Overall, those are the top 6 best mini fridges for dorm rooms. A mini fridge is a must-have item when you stay in the dorm whether with many other students or alone for storing food and drink.
Generally, you should choose the right-sized mini fridges depending on the actual space you have in the dorm room, so measure your space to get a rough idea on how big you want your mini fridge to be.
