From beverage centers with Dual-Temperature Controlled Zones to small refrigerators perfect for apartments, find the features you’re looking for. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right . Most of the Midea WHS-65L’s flaws can be chalked up to problems with mini fridges in general.
Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Some of these small refrigerators even come with their own freezers. Fridge temperatures higher than 40°F, allow bacteria to proliferate quickly; fridge temperatures lower than 32°F can cause some food to freeze. The ideal temperature settings for the fridge and the freezer are 37°F and 0°F, respectively. We measure each shelf, bin, or other storage location separately, then add those areas together. That way we’re only accounting for the usable storage inside the fridge, and different capacities are more cross-comparable.
However, if you want a freezer, you’ll probably need a fridge with around a 3 cubic foot capacity or larger. Yes, it’s better to get a two-door mini fridge with a separate freezer door. This ensures that your frozen food will stay at the proper temperature and remain safe to eat. We spend a week testing each refrigerator with our standardized battery of tests.
They tend to be slimmer with a width of 24 inches, yet maintain standard heights of 60 to 75 inches. The common capacity for these models range from 11 to 13 cubic feet. We think the the cube-shaped Midea WHS-65L is the best mini fridge for most people. It’s cheap and surprisingly spacious despite its small footprint, it offers solid temperature performance, and it boasts a freezer compartment to boot. That said, we set out to find the standout models, the ones the with best shelves and the best prices, for anyone who wants a slightly better experience with their mini fridge. The Danby Designer DCR044A2 has the best shelving and storage design we’ve seen, including individual can holders and a full-width freezer.
They’re not designed to work in temperatures below those in a home. We strongly recommend you check your mini fridge’s user manual for recommendations for your specific model. For example, you may or may not be able to put your mini-fridge on the carpet. Also, having separate compartments helps prevent your refrigerated food from getting freezer burn and your frozen food from partially or completely thawing. The cooling system is more efficient that way and you’re much less likely to find thawing food in the freezer compartment or frozen food in the refrigerated compartment.
The Cooluli C20LDXW is definitely the cutest and smallest mini fridge we tested, with a total capacity smaller than most of the other mini fridge’s freezers. The Frigidaire FFPE3322UM is actually the warmest fridge of the bunch, with an average temperature of 41°F at its default settings. Given that anything above 40°F isn’t safe for food storage, this is a disappointing test result. Fortunately, its temperatures are remarkably consistent, so once it’s properly calibrated you shouldn’t have any problems with its performance. Despite its name, the Arctic King ATMP032AES has some of the warmer default fridge temperatures we measured. On default settings, it was actually slightly warmer than the cut-off for food safety, 40°F.
Speaking from experience, I much preferred having a mini-fridge with a separate freezer vs the mini-fridge/freezer with only one door. Do not place heavy objects or magnet items on top of the refrigerator. Consult a qualified electrician or serviceman if the grounding instructions are not completely understood or if 11. The refrigerant of this product is R600a, which is in flammable. Make sure not to doubt exists as to whether the appliance is properly damage the cooling system during the transportation and installation.
At under $175, the Frigidaire Single Door Mini Fridge is our best value mini fridge. This pick is ideal for smaller spaces, yet it still offers enough room to store cans of soda and plenty of snacks. We love that there is quite a lot of door storage and that the door is reversible Arctic King to help the fridge work in your space. There’s even a small freezer compartment for a little ice cube tray or an ice roller. Thanks to its strategic shelving, the Whirlpool 4.3 Cubic Feet Mini Refrigerator meets your every storage need without crowding your space.
The back of the refrigerator compartment also tends to get colder, which you can use accordingly, but it can also be a nuisance. A mini fridge with a separate freezer is a great package Frigidaire fridge for galley kitchens, dorms, and wet bars where you want to have all possible storage options. It’s a good idea to buy a refrigerator thermometer and check the temperatures periodically.