Finding the right temperature setting can be tricky since the temperature dial has no markings. Freezer burn is inevitable if you leave anything in there for more than a few days. They’re all built around similar parts, just in different capacities with different shelves. Most manufacturers measure the Arctic King interior of a fridge by essentially flooding it with water and accounting for every empty inch inside the fridge. We don’t use these measurements for our testing, because they would suggest you could store items in the area between the shelves and the door bins, or floating up against the ceiling.
My pick for the best mini fridge is the Hisense LCR44D6NSE with its reversible door hinge, 4.4 cubic feet of interior storage, and stainless steel design that will complement almost any kitchen or garage decor. The Midea WHS-160R is a tall mini fridge with a slightly larger raw fridge capacity than the Danby, but in practice the difference is negligible. As far as temperature performance, it hit similar marks as the Danby did once we adjusted the dial. But the lettuce we stashed near the freezer frosted slightly after a few days of testing—not an issue we ran into with the Danby.
Eva (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she tests kitchen gear, home appliances and culinary innovations. If you have a Target REDcard, you will get an extra 5% off most purchases and you’ll get free shipping on eligible items if you shop online! Food isn’t properly frozen at freezer temperatures above 0°F. Furthermore, the whirlpool mini refrigerator less consistent a freezer’s temperature is, the more trouble you’ll have with freezer burn. While the Cooluli C20LDXW was the only fridge equipped with a digital readout, we found it wasn’t accurate, as temperatures were 7°F cooler than what we had programmed. We also noticed some frost building up along the back of the fridge within the first few days of operation..
And if you’re looking to store frozen goods, the freezer in the Danby is just as wide as the fridge itself, which is a big improvement on the smaller, partial-width freezers in many other models. Our temperature tests showed that both sizes of freezers hold temperatures roughly equally, so it’s a no-brainer to choose the extra space. In addition to a nine-egg tray in the door, the Danby has a slide-out tray under the freezer, which is a great place to keep deli meats and cheeses. (It also serves as the drip tray during the defrost cycle.) Most other mini fridges don’t have these kinds of options. You can also raise or lower the individual shelves (not made of wire!) throughout the interior to adjust for items of different heights.
Check the yellow Energy Guide Label to get an estimate of how much it will cost to run the refrigerator and how that cost compares to similar models. In addition to helping to keep your electricity bill down, it’s better for the environment. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay.
The door hinge is reversible, allowing you to choose whether it opens to the left or right to better fit into your space. For full-size refrigerators and mini fridges, we rate the ability to regulate temperature and humidity for grocery list staples like lettuce, deli meat and frozen foods. We assess the uniformity of temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer compartments, as well as temperature variations in single areas over time. Basically, you could easily live out of this fridge if you wanted. This mini fridge from Whirlpool sells for under $200, making it a great choice for anyone who has to stick to a modest budget when shopping. It features both a refrigerator and a freezer section, each with its own door, so you can chill drinks or store extra groceries and even make extra ice for gatherings with family and friends.