The 27 best mini fridge brands
Frigidaire, Summit and Koolatron lead our ranking of 27 mini fridge brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Mini Fridge brands, ranked
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1
Frigidaire
Brushed-steel 10L personal fridges holding about fifteen cans, sold for dorms and desks.
Top products: EFMIS183· EFMIS429
Website: frigidaireapplianceparts.com |Brands like Frigidaire
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Summit
Undercounter compacts meant to slide into a counter gap, often bought for hotels, clinics and break rooms.
Popularity 5.9/10
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3
Koolatron
Thermoelectric 12-volt coolers that also warm, mostly for cars and travel.
Top products: DC04-B
Website: koolatron.com |Brands like Koolatron
Popularity 5.2/10
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4
Galanz
Two-door mini fridges with a freezer section, useful if you need frozen storage too.
Top products: GLR31TS1E02· GL17BK
Website: galanz.com |Brands like Galanz
Popularity 4.7/10
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5
Cooluli
Bright-coloured 4L cooler-warmers, plus a 12L model aimed at cosmetics.
Top products: GLOW-4L· Classic 4L· Beauty 12L
Website: cooluli.com |Brands like Cooluli
Popularity 4.1/10
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6
Danby
Classic bedroom-sized compacts, including a mirrored-door model with a light.
Top products: Dar044a4bdd
Website: danby.com |Brands like Danby
Popularity 3.2/10
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7
Red Bull
LED-lit glass-door display fridges, sold as branded novelty coolers.
Top products: GDC Baby ECO· RBI-BC2
Website: redbull.com |Brands like Red Bull
Popularity 3.0/10
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8
Whirlpool
Stainless 2.7 cubic foot compacts from a major appliance maker.
Top products: WH27S1E
Website: whirlpoolindia.com |Brands like Whirlpool
Popularity 3.0/10
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9
U-Line
Built-in and undercounter refrigeration for bars and offices, mostly stainless steel.
Popularity 2.9/10
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10
Hisense
Budget-friendly compacts sold alongside TVs and other home electronics.
Website: global.hisense.com |Brands like Hisense
Popularity 2.7/10
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11
Chefman
Dry-erase door and a 4L cooling-and-heating mode make these personal desk fridges.
Top products: Portable Personal Fridge
Website: chefman.com |Brands like Chefman
Popularity 2.6/10
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12
Insignia
Sold through a national electronics chain, these 1.7 cubic foot compacts have a door shelf for drinks.
Top products: 1.7 Cu. Ft. Mini Fridge
Website: bestbuy.com |Brands like Insignia
Popularity 2.5/10
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13
Perlick
Commercial-grade bar and beverage refrigerators, pricier than typical home compacts.
Website: perlick.com |Brands like Perlick
Popularity 2.5/10
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14
Midea
Single-door stainless compacts from a large appliance maker with a broad line.
Top products: MERM33S1ASL
Website: us.midea.com |Brands like Midea
Popularity 2.5/10
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15
Star Wars
The most famous American space opera, Star Wars, is now a vast community. The community also holds conventions known as comic cons for its fans. Doesn’t it remind us all of the popular TV series The Big Bang Theory? Their...
Website: starwars.com |Brands like Star Wars
Popularity 2.4/10
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16
Avallon
avallon, portable air conditioners, PAC, PACS, wine refrigerator, wine coolers, wine coolers + austin, PAC + austin, premium wine cooler, commercial wine cooler, wine, avallon+wine, avalon, factory+direct+wine+coolers
Website: avallon.com |Brands like Avallon
Popularity 2.2/10
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17
Kenmore
The American brand of home appliances Kenmore is owned and distributed by Sears Holdings Corporation. It comprises large household appliances such as refrigerators (excluding under-counter ice makers), freezers, stoves, clothes washers and dryers, ranges, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and lawn equipment....
Website: kenmore.com |Brands like Kenmore
Popularity 1.9/10
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18
GE
GE Lighting has been leading the lighting technology industry for over 130 years. Its mission is to provide customers with a first-class smart home experience. To do so, it has created novel lighting products designed to improve one's lifestyle and...
Website: gelighting.com |Brands like GE
Popularity 1.8/10
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19
RCA
The electronics industry is one of those industries that saw a lot of changes. And surprisingly, this field is still under massive growth even today. RCA, the acronym for Radio Corporation of America, is one of the oldest companies in...
Website: rcaaudiovideo.com |Brands like RCA
Popularity 1.8/10
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20
Haier
One of the top home electronics manufacturers, Haier offers top-quality goods with innovative technology. To provide a wide selection of household appliances, Haier has its advanced manufacturing facilities and a sizable network of distributors worldwide. With the aid of the...
Website: haierappliances.com |Brands like Haier
Popularity 1.7/10
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21
BLACK+DECKER
BLACK+DECKER made a name for itself as one of the powerhouses in the tools and cleaning equipment industry. The company designs products for every part of your home to ensure that you have a smooth, functioning, and efficient household. With...
Website: blackanddecker.com |Brands like BLACK+DECKER
Popularity 1.5/10
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22
Emerson
Emerson Radio is the country's oldest wholesaler of consumer electronics. They are a family-owned firm that collaborates with renowned brands to offer goods and solutions for the home, business, commercial, automobile, and marine markets. They have been one of the...
Top products: EFC-5000
Website: emersonradio.com |Brands like Emerson
Popularity 1.5/10
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23
Newair
The cold sip of soda drink on a hot summer day and the glass of hot cocoa on a cold winter evening, these simple joys of life make it worth living. Newair offers you products that make your life simple....
Website: newair.com |Brands like Newair
Popularity 1.5/10
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24
Whynter
Whynter combines form and function into their products so that you can enjoy daily life. They help make products that can redefine the way you live. The company has a range of ice cream makers and air purifiers. They make...
Website: whynter.com |Brands like Whynter
Popularity 1.5/10
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25
Thermador
There's a reason kitchen is considered the heart of the home; it's where memories are homemade and seasoned with affection. Thermador, a subsidiary of BSH, brings the imaginative cooking experience with an extensive range of cooktops, ovens, dishwashers, and more....
Website: thermador.com |Brands like Thermador
Popularity 1.4/10
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26
Nostalgia
Customers can find antique kitchen appliances from the 1950s to the 1990s at Nostalgia. Nostalgia's product range includes a competitive price for mixers, blenders, juicers, and other devices. Nostalgia is an ideal brand for people interested in vintage homeware or...
Website: nostalgiaproducts.com |Brands like Nostalgia
Popularity 1.3/10
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27
EdgeStar
EdgeStar was set up in 2004 as a house brand and focused on providing insight into the needs of specialized appliances. As a customer-centric brand, it is incredibly dedicated to serving customers effectively and ensuring they get what they need....
Website: edgestar.com |Brands like EdgeStar
Popularity 1.3/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frigidaire | frigidaireapplianceparts.com | – | – | – | – |
| Koolatron | koolatron.com | – | – | – | – |
| Galanz | galanz.com | /galanz.vn | galanz_vietnam | @Galanz_Vietnam | – |
| Cooluli | cooluli.com | /CooluliUSA | cooluli_usa | @CooluliUSA | – |
| Danby | danby.com | /DanbyAppliances | danbyappliances | @DanbyAppliance | DanbyProducts |
| Red Bull | redbull.com | – | – | – | – |
| Whirlpool | whirlpoolindia.com | – | – | – | – |
| Hisense | global.hisense.com | /Hisense | hisense_international | @HisenseIntl | Hisense |
Mini Fridge Buying Guide
Mini fridges are becoming increasingly popular as more people adopt small-space living. They are ideal for dorm rooms, tiny apartments, bedrooms, and small offices. They are also great for anyone who wants an extra fridge for beverages, snacks, or leftovers. However, with so many options on the market, choosing the right mini fridge can be overwhelming. This buying guide will help you navigate the various factors to consider when purchasing a mini fridge.
1. Capacity
The first and most important factor to consider when buying a mini fridge is capacity. This refers to the amount of food and beverages the fridge can hold. Mini fridges have a capacity of between 1.7 and 5.5 cubic feet. The capacity you choose will depend on your needs and the size of your space.
If you live in a dorm room and need to store a few drinks and snacks, a small fridge with a capacity of 1.7-2.5 cubic feet should suffice. For a small apartment or a bedroom, a medium-sized fridge with a capacity of 3.0-4.5 cubic feet should be enough. However, if you need to store a lot of food and beverages, or you have a big family, a larger fridge with a capacity of 5.0-5.5 cubic feet is the best choice.
2. Type of Mini Fridge
Mini fridges come in three types: thermoelectric, compressor, and absorption. Each type has its benefits and drawbacks, so understanding the differences can help you choose the right one for your needs.
Thermoelectric mini fridge
Thermoelectric mini fridges use electricity to create a temperature differential, causing one side to become cooler than the other. They are quiet, lightweight, and energy-efficient, making them ideal for small spaces. However, they don't get as cold as compressor fridges, making them unsuitable for storing perishable food like meat or dairy products. Thermoelectric fridges also struggle in very hot environments, so they are best suited for air-conditioned rooms.
Compressor mini fridge
Compressor mini fridges use a refrigerant and compressor to cool the interior of the fridge. They are the most common type of mini fridge and offer the coldest temperature, making them ideal for storing perishable food. They are also energy-efficient compared to absorption fridges. However, they can be noisy and heavy, making them unsuitable for quiet spaces or moving around frequently.
Absorption mini fridge
Absorption mini fridges use heat instead of electricity to cool, making them the most environmentally friendly option. They are also quiet, making them ideal for small spaces. However, they have a slower cooling process than compressor fridges, and they don't get as cold. Absorption fridges also require a flat surface to work correctly, which may make them unsuitable for some spaces.
3. Power Consumption
Power consumption should be one of the top considerations when buying a mini fridge. A typical mini fridge consumes an average of 100 to 200 kilowatt-hours per year. However, the actual energy consumption will vary depending on the size, type, and usage of the fridge.
Choosing an energy-efficient fridge can help you save on your electricity bills. Look for mini fridges with an Energy Star rating, which signifies that they meet or exceed energy-saving standards. Energy Star fridges can save you between 10% to 15% on your energy bills compared to non-rated fridges.
4. Noise Level
Mini fridges can produce a reasonable amount of noise, which can be disruptive in small spaces like bedrooms or dorm rooms. The noise level varies depending on the type, brand, and model of the fridge. As a general rule, absorption fridges are the quietest, followed by thermoelectric fridges, while compressor fridges tend to be the noisiest.
Most mini fridge manufacturers provide a decibel rating that indicates the noise level of the fridge. A rating of 40 decibels or lower is considered quiet, while a rating of 50 decibels or more is loud. When shopping for a mini fridge, check its decibel rating and choose one that suits your noise tolerance.
5. Cooling Technology
The cooling technology used in the mini fridge affects its cooling performance, energy efficiency, and noise level. The technology used depends on the type of fridge, as explained earlier.
Compressor fridges are known for their rapid cooling, and they can attain very low temperatures. However, they tend to be noisier and less energy-efficient than thermoelectric and absorption fridges. Thermoelectric fridges are quieter and consume less energy than compressor fridges, but they don't get as cold. Absorption fridges are the quietest and most energy-efficient, but they don't get as cold and take longer to cool.
6. Style and Design
Mini fridges come in various styles and designs, making it easy to find one that blends with your interior decor. Some of the popular styles include the classic compact fridge, retro fridge, glass-front fridge, and outdoor fridge. You can choose between various colors, such as black, white, stainless steel, and red.
When choosing a mini fridge, consider its size and design, as well as the interior layout. Look for a fridge with adjustable shelves or bins that allow you to customize the storage space according to your needs.
7. Price
The price of a mini fridge varies depending on its brand, size, type, and features. A basic compact fridge can cost between $75 to $150, while a high-end outdoor fridge can cost over $1000. As a general rule, compressor fridges tend to be pricier than absorption and thermoelectric fridges.
When shopping for a mini fridge, choose one that fits your budget and offers the features you need. Remember that a cheaper fridge may not be as durable or energy-efficient as a more expensive one in the long run.
Conclusion
Buying a mini fridge doesn't have to be complicated if you know what to look for. Capacity, type of fridge, power consumption, noise level, cooling technology, style, design, and price are some of the essential factors to consider. Choose a fridge that suits your needs, budget, and space. With the right mini fridge, you can enjoy cold drinks and snacks, and save on energy bills in the long run.
