When it comes to mini fridges, there are a few installation types you can choose from. The right one for you depends on where you're planning to install it, and whether that spot will be its permanent or temporary residence. There's a freestanding mini fridge, which can be installed in any spot in your home with the correct outlet and is the most traditional style of mini fridge. There's also a built-in mini fridge—otherwise known as an "under-counter fridge"—which should seamlessly blend in with your kitchen cabinets or integrate with your kitchen island layout. Another big feature is the optional freezer box, which is included in many larger mini fridges and can be used for small things such as ice cubes or the odd emergency Cornetto during the summer months. You won’t be able to fit much more in there, but freezer space is a commodity that can prove essential for some customers. Two removable shelves allow for greater customisability, depending on what you wish to store, and the small icebox is a fantastic bonus. It also offers anti-bacterial protection, keeping your perishables safe, and has an A* energy rating. Type:Thermoelectric | Dimensions: 17.3 x 18.9 x 33.3 inches | Weight:68 pounds | Capacity: 3.2 cubic feet | Energy Star certified: Yes

Note, this fridge does not include a freezer, but with the flip of a switch it can be used as a warmer. (You know that dip you want to bring to the big game watch party? You're covered!) It does have limitations when it comes to cooling. You can count on 32 degrees cooler than the room (or outside) temperature, so plan accordingly if you live in a hot climate or anticipate lots of temperature fluctuations in your future. The manual recommends giving room-temperature drinks about two to three hours to completely chill after you've added them in. (To speed up this process, you can always pre-chill your items before popping them into the interior.) However, this detail shouldn't be worrisome. It's no indication that the fridge is not functional. In fact, the fridge keeps your items chilled without creating lots of noise or using a ton of energy. It has a frost-free design that also makes it ideal for installing in a basement bar, office, boat, nursery, or dorm room.The door opens from left to right and features adjustable feet to ensure the fridge stays sturdy and level wherever its placed. Plus, at 85W, with an E energy rating, this fridge won't take up too much energy - making it a great and economical choice for any home. This fridge makes a brilliant party piece when it comes to game nights, have Rangers on your side with this sports fan essential.

With a 4-liter or six-can capacity, it sits right alongside other countertop mini fridges in terms of volume, and the slide-out shelf can be adjusted to make the interior work for you. This wouldn't necessarily be a piece to replace your kitchen fridge, but an added convenience you can use in any room of your choosing, or even on-the-go! It weighs just 3 pounds and boasts a handle at the top for easy transport. Plug it in at home, or bring a charger with you for tailgating, barbecues, or any other gatherings. An aesthetically pleasing, brightly colored, retro-inspired mini-fridge with a built-in bottle opener? Yes, please! This adorable Frigidaire offers all of that and more. The cute design and cheery color choices (including red, blue, moonbeam, and coral) make it easy to style in your bedroom, and the reversible door gives you added flexibility. This model is compact at 16 inches deep, 18 inches wide, and just under 19 inches tall, and it weighs just 31 pounds—lightweight by appliance standards, giving you more options for placement than more sizable models. You can even store it under a desk or lofted bed. (Just be warned that it's cute enough that you'll want to keep it in view.) Johnathan Brewer, licensed general contractor and member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board The capacity of a mini fridge is often measured in cubic feet. If the mini fridge is dedicated to storing beverages, then it may also be measured in the number of Bordeaux-style wine bottles and cans you can fit inside. The larger the capacity of your fridge, the more you can store at one time. The average hovers between 3 and 4.5 cubic feet. Some countertop models will have just 0.5 cubic feet of space, while high-capacity models can reach 6 cubic feet and store the weekly groceries of two people. Review Board Member Johnathan Brewer says, if you're selecting a mini fridge to fit inside a specific compartment (such as within a cabinet space), you should verify the actual true dimension of the fridge. That includes the open door and will help you make sure the appliance fits in the desired space before purchasing or installing. A reversible door can make your mini fridge more accessible and flexible to install in your space. This feature means you can access your fridge by opening the door to the left or right. You'll usually need to switch the hinges by attaching them with screws, which already have designated holes added by the manufacturer. This feature is most suitable for those installing a fridge in a tight location, like the corner of a garage or a dorm room.Type: Compressor | Dimensions: 17.5 x 18.6 x 31.6 inches | Weight: 50.7 pounds | Capacity: 3.2 cubic feet | Freezer: Yes | Energy Star certified: Yes It can be used with a standard electrical plug, and it comes with a car adapter, and it's USB-compatible, making it a great choice for travel. Buyers also report that it's quiet enough to use at work, too, although some note issues with using it long-term, such as temperature fluctuations and water collecting inside.

When you open the door, you'll get a better glimpse at the adjustable shelves. The three shelves are made of glass, meaning any spills will be contained, and small items will stay put. An interior light also illuminates the inside, which is convenient if you're hosting a gathering at night. Plus, you don't need to roll up your sleeves and manually defrost the fridge whenever there's frost buildup, because the unit automatically does this task. When it comes down to overall cost, you may also need to take energy consumption into account when buying your mini fridge. The higher the efficiency, the more money you save in the long run – important if you plan to keep it plugged in all the time, and obviously better for the planet. What features do I need? You might want to put a folded paper towel along the bottom of the interior to catch drips from the automatic defroster, and you'll need to store frozen goods elsewhere. But when all is said and done, this retro fridge will get the job done and help ensure that you have fresh items wherever you are. You can shop it in several unique colors to show off your personal style. We researched dozens of mini fridges, from the traditional, one-door mini fridge to the retro, countertop model that took over TikTok, evaluating capacity, reliability, efficiency, and value.Notably, as with similar cooling fridge models, the fridge's effectiveness can be affected by the external temperature around it, and you can expect it to reach 32 to 40 degrees cooler, so take extra caution on those hot days if you have perishables inside. For day-to-day use, we think this model has lots to offer. Of course, if you’re looking for a mini fridge that can travel with you, smaller is better. While you have to keep an eye out for models that require power leads to be bought separately, a travel fridge for the car is ideal for camping trips or long drives. There's much to consider when it comes to the freezer of a mini fridge. First, you must decide what type of freezer you want. There are mini fridges with no freezer, a top-door freezer (which has a very similar look and feel of a full-size, top-freezer refrigerator), and an internal freezer. Buyers also rave about its quiet operation, and we're glad to see that it's Energy Star certified, too. One potential downside is that you'll need to defrost it manually, but we see that as a (small!) price to pay. We could see this model in a bedroom, dorm room, or game room, or even an office where it makes sense to have a mini fridge that serves as both form and function. While there are other products on the market that are very similar (and beloved by those on TikTok), we ultimately recommend this one for your compact refrigeration needs because it's super versatile and actually keeps items cool—something that other ones like it can't necessarily do past eight or nine months of use.