10 Best Compact Fridges in 2022 (hOmelabs, Midea, and More)
Are you looking to keep food and drink cool but are lacking in space? Then a compact fridge might be what you need! Their small space but ability to keep things cool makes them ideal for bedrooms, dorms, or game rooms. You can ensure you always have a cold drink at hand with one of these fridges.
Choosing the best compact fridge can be confusing as there are so many options available. Thankfully, we’ve done the research for you and picked the Compact Refrigerator Two Door Mini Fridge by Bossin as our favorite compact fridge. It has a freezer, multiple temperatures, and cools effectively. We’ve also put together a top 10 list for you to consider and created a handy buying guide to help you make your choice!
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How to Choose Compact Fridges
Before buying a compact fridge, take into consideration the capacity, the type of fridge, and how adjustable it is. To help you with this, we’ve put together this handy buying guide!
Decide Between Compressor, Thermoelectric, or Absorption Fridges
There is more than one kind of compact fridge and the best fridge for you depends on your needs. Before deciding which fridge to purchase, you should consider what it will be used for.
Compressor Fridges Keep Everything Cool
Full-sized fridges are typically compressor fridges and they are the most popular choice for compact fridges, also. They operate by raising and lowering the temperature of a vaporized refrigerant liquid, which in turn cools down the inside of the fridge.
A compressor fridge can be relied on to maintain a constant temperature, making them a safe choice for meat or longer-term refrigeration. Due to the use of a compressor and fan, they make a constant humming sound and might occasionally make a louder sound.
Thermoelectric Fridges Have Limited Uses
Thermoelectric fridges are a great choice for dorms, offices, or game rooms. They run more quietly than compressor fridges, as they don’t use any liquid to cool down their contents. Instead, they use a fan to keep things cool and a pump to transfer heat.
As the temperatures can vary, they aren’t suitable for refrigerating meat or dairy, but will keep your drinks cool. You can use them for short-term refrigeration also, such as keeping your lunch fresh from morning to lunchtime.
Absorption Fridges Are the Quietest
If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel room that had its own mini-fridge, you might have noticed how quiet it was. This is because it was probably an absorption fridge.
These use a heat source to drive the cooling system, such as gas or propane gas. As well as hotel rooms, they’re also commonly found in campers and RVs as they can run without electricity.
Look at the Capacity of the Fridge
The capacity of the fridge is different from the size. Capacity means how much you can fit inside, and this is affected by more than just the fridge’s dimensions. To get the most from your compact fridge, look for ones with removable shelves for maximum flexibility. Fixed shelves can get in the way and cut into the space available.
Many fridges also have additional storage in their door. This can also help increase the capacity as it makes effective use of all of the space. There are often specific spaces for beverages in the door.
Something else to take into account is whether the door is reversible. This will give you more flexibility with positioning the fridge and make it easier to reach inside and retrieve the delicious food and drink that you are refrigerating.
Decide if You Need a Freezer
It is possible to get compact fridges that also have a freezer. This is usually above the fridge and can be behind its own separate door or just a drawer inside the main fridge. Freezers are a must if you’re looking to keep items like ice cream at the optimum temperature or have ice cubes always on hand.
However, a freezer will cut into the capacity of your fridge, so we would only recommend purchasing a compact fridge-freezer combo if you’re definitely going to use the freezer. Otherwise, it’s better to keep that extra space for more capacity in the fridge.
Choose Between Wire, Glass, or Plastic Shelves
The shelves inside a compact fridge are usually made from wire, plastic, or durable glass. As wire and plastic are cheaper, they are usually found in low-end compact fridges, with glass in higher-end ones.
Glass and plastic are easier to clean and only need to be wiped down. These shelves are solid too, so if anything does spill it won’t drip down to lower shelves unlike it would with wire shelves. A spill or leak on a wire shelf can easily spread throughout the entire fridge!
However, if glass isn't correctly treated and tempered, it does run the risk of being chipped. When putting heavy and solid items such as glass bottles or metal cans in the fridge, you should be careful not to bang them against the edge of the shelves. Plastic can also shatter and runs the risk of being scratched, too.
A Drinks Fridge Might be All You Need
One of the most popular uses for compact fridges is to keep beverages cold. This is why there are many compact fridges that are designed specifically for this purpose. These fridges have shelves that fit standard bottle and can drink sizes and therefore make the most of the available space.
Some will have a mix of heights that are suitable for regular-sized cans and also smaller ones, and may even have smaller shelves that are designed for cans to lie on their sides. Another common feature of drinks fridges is a glass door. This is both a stylistic and practical feature, as it means you can also quickly see what drinks are on offer!
Look for Energy Star Efficient Fridges
Like any appliance that requires electricity, the amount of power the fridge consumes is an important consideration. Some fridges might be Energy Star recommended. Energy Star is a government-backed program that certifies the energy efficiency of products. It isn't related to any manufacturers and tests products independently.
10 Best Compact Fridges Ranking
| Products | Image | Click to purchase | Popularity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Two Door Mini Fridge Bossin |  | No.1 | |
2 | Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler hOmeLabs |  | No.2 | |
3 | Compact Single Reversible Door Refrigerator｜WHS-65LB1 Midea |  | No.3 | |
4 | Retro Bar Fridge Frigidaire |  | No.4 | |
5 | Igloo Mini Refrigerator｜RFR321-FR320/8 RCA |  | No.5 | |
6 | Portable AC/DC Power Cooler and Warmer AstroAl |  | No.6 | |
7 | Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler Crownful |  | No.7 | |
8 | Retro Compact Refrigerator｜GLR31TBKER Galanz |  | No.8 | |
9 | Compact Refrigerator｜BCRK25V Black+Decker |  | No.9 | |
10 | Mini Fridge Cooler Antarctic Star |  | No.10 |
Both of the doors on this compact fridge-freezer have storage space, with the fridge door being ideal for beverages. The fridge has a vegetable crisper and the glass shelves can be removed if needed. There are seven different temperature settings for the fridge and you will also receive an ice-tray and scraper.
A couple of reviewers report that when the fridge is actively running and cooling it can be a little noisy, but most of the time it is quiet and easy to ignore. Reviewers like the design of this fridge and praise the capacity it has, as well as how it keeps their food cool.
hOmeLabsBeverage Refrigerator and Cooler
The combination of a stainless steel frame and a transparent double-glazed glass door gives this beverage fridge a smart and classic look. It has a LED light inside and three adjustable chrome shelves that can hold up to 120 standard-sized cans.
Some reviewers say it doesn't hold as any drinks as advertised, and that the shelves can slip. Reviewers like the appearance of the door, however, and most say that the fridge keeps their drinks as cold as they need.
MideaCompact Single Reversible Door Refrigerator ｜ WHS-65LB1
This compact fridge makes the most of the space available by having spaces in the door specifically for various-sized beverages. The door is also reversible, so you can change the direction it opens depending on your needs. The center rack can be removed and the legs of the fridge are adjustable.
There are reports that the compressor in this fridge is noisy, so this may be more appropriate for an office or game room than a bedroom. Reviewers praise the fridge for keeping everything inside cold. They advise leaving the fridge on one of the higher temperatures as it can freeze some items at its coldest!
This retro fridge is available in multiple colors that have a glossy finish and has a bottle opener on the side of the fridge. The glass shelves are removable and can be adjusted, and the fridge door has dedicated space for cans and bottles.
If you choose the pink, be aware that many buyers say it doesn't match the color in the photos. Reviewers say that the direction of the door can be changed, but the position of the decorative handle can't. There are many compliments from reviewers for how cool this fridge keeps produce and they love the style!
RCAIgloo Mini Refrigerator ｜ RFR321-FR320/8
If you're looking for a brightly colored fridge, this might be for you! It's available in several colors, from lime green to purple to more common colors such as black and white. You can reverse the opening direction of the door and remove the shelves as needed.
Several reviewers report that the fridge didn't chill properly and the warranty is too short. But most say that the fridge runs quietly and has a good capacity. And they love the color choices.
AstroAlPortable AC/DC Power Cooler and Warmer
This portable compact fridge can be plugged into either standard wall outlets or 12V cigarette lighters in vehicles, making it truly portable. It is ideal for cans or medication and has a removable shelf inside. Due to it being thermoelectric, it runs very quietly, and can even be used to keep items warm.
Although most reviewers agree that this fridge does run very quietly, some found that it started to become noisier after a few weeks of use. Reviewers say that this fridge is very convenient for many purposes, but it's very popular for keeping cosmetics.
CrownfulBeverage Refrigerator and Cooler
With its tinted glass door and LED interior light, this compact fridge displays your beverages effectively. The wire racks can be removed and adjusted to fit your drinks, leaving you enough space for 80 to 118 canned drinks. You can also control the temperature of the fridge easily with touch buttons.
There are a few reports of defective units; the temperature was not accurate and drinks were either lukewarm or frozen when they weren't expected to be. Most reviewers say that the fridge keeps their drinks cool and they praise the adjustability of the space inside and the stylish design.
GalanzRetro Compact Refrigerator ｜ GLR31TBKER
This sleek retro fridge is available in a variety of sizes and colors. It has two separate freezer and fridge compartments and the fridge also has a salad crisper at the bottom. The temperature of the fridge can be adjusted and the glass shelves inside are removable.
The top of the fridge and the handles are plastic, and several reviewers thought that was a disappointing look. The functionality of the fridge is greatly praised, however, as both the fridge and freezer work as they should. Reviewers also love the retro style!
Black+DeckerCompact Refrigerator ｜ BCRK25V
Available in three neutral colors, this compact fridge-freezer also comes with an ice tray. The door is reversible and has storage space for cans and a large beverage bottle. The glass shelves inside the fridge are removable and the legs can be independently adjusted to keep the fridge level and balanced.
The compressor in this fridge is noisy, according to several reviewers. They say that whenever it kicks in and starts to work, it can easily be heard. Reviewers do say that it is effective at cooling and freezing items and the simple design is a hit with many purchasers.
This super-compact beverage fridge can hold up to 60 cans depending on their size and the shelving configuration inside. It has a transparent glass door with an air-tight seal and is lit inside with LED lighting. You can adjust the between three temperatures easily thanks to the temperature adjustment knob.
When filled with cans, some reviewers found that the fridge didn't get cold enough. Others say it's noisy. There are also comments that although the direction of the door can be changed, there are no instructions on how to do this.
But many reviewers love the small size and big capacity of this fridge and say it is very convenient. People like the look of the blue LED in their offices and homes.
Small Fridge Organization Tips
When you're short on fridge space, every bit of square inchage counts. Here are some organization hacks you can use to keep your produce, drinks, and snacks separated while also making them last longer!
Fill Your Fridge With These Recommendations
Now that you have a compact fridge, you need some items to put inside it! We have plenty of recommendations for things that you can chill inside your new fridge.
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
