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College life is all about being on the go, which means Digiorno pizzas, Hot Pockets, cups of fruit and, of course, copious amounts coffee are your best friend as you head back to school. This automatically makes a mini fridge one of the most important appliances any incoming freshman can have (like a microwave and coffee maker perhaps, in addition to other home essentials like a shower caddy and comforter sets). Even if you have a communal fridge, you may want a separate place to stash your stuff, in case that one is too crammed to fit your latest grocery haul…or you can’t trust your roommates not to eat your lunch. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the top-reviewed dorm room refrigerators, from a standard mini fridge that can fit into even the smallest spaces, to a retro-inspired Frigidaire that’ll impress everyone on your floor. (And of course, I’ve also included some guidelines of things to consider before you haul one to school.)
Best Mini Fridge With Freezer
Best Mini Fridge Without a Freezer
Best Mini Fridge For Drinks
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Great for placing in cramped spaces or uneven surfaces (thanks to its adjustable feet), this sleek refrigerator can liven up even the most uninspired of dorms The silver pull-handle and ornamental details give it a retro vibe, plus, it has a built-in side bottle opener, so you don’t need to rummage for utensils to crack one open.
While this mini fridge doesn’t have a freezer per se, it does have a chiller compartment to store anything you want to keep extra cold (and a customizable temperature from 32 to 39 degrees). Aside from its compact, cube-like shape, its best feature is the two-liter bottle rack. It frees up major shelf space, and there’s no rummaging around or playing Tetris with your groceries any time you need a refill.
3. Insignia Mini Fridge with Top Freezer
Simple, sleek and straightforward to operate (down to its adjustable thermostat), this fridge offers a whopping three cubic feet of storage space without using a lot of energy (thanks to its Energy Star certification). It’s specifically designed for tight spaces, with a top freezer that’s perfect for storing meat and your favorite pints of Serendipity—and the adjustable shelves make it easy to house larger grocery items (with enough room for your almond milk and your roommate’s 2 percent).
4. Frigidaire Retro Dry Erase Fridge
If you’re looking for something with spacious storage that isn’t an eyesore, this Frigidaire is your best bet. Aside from its 20-inch width and 30-inch height, the fridge has four separate storage compartments on the reversible door, which you can customize to open to the left or right. Add to that, the fact that it includes a mechanical adjustable thermostat, a separate chiller compartment—which features a defrost button that works with a push of a button—and a dry-erase front door (that your friends will definitely abuse).
If you know you’re going to be leaning on the dining hall for all your meals but need your water, cold brew and energy drinks handy, opt for this refrigerator cooler that holds up to 62 cans. Plus, if you’re looking to keep your drinks separate from your roommate’s (who plays dumb every time your stash disappears), this is a great solution: It includes a lock with two sets of keys.
For hardcore fruit and vegetable lovers, this one’s for you. This compact pick by Costway comes with a crisper drawer, so you can enjoy your Trader Joe’s goods (or farmers market haul, if your campus has one) for as long as possible. It also comes with a separate freezer compartment and includes an ice tray so you can keep drinks cool on the go or while chillin’ in your room.
At less than 18 inches deep and 28 inches tall, the beauty of this mini fridge is that it not only takes up very little space, but it can hold a deceptive amount of food. It comes with a removable, slide-out glass shelf, which allows you to organize the fridge according to your needs. It also features additional storage by the doors and has a freezer compartment that can be used for storing frozen foods or making ice cubes.
8. Marshall Fridges Mini Fridge
This refrigerator earns style points for its unexpected, vintage-inspired look. It’s designed with Marshall’s signature black FRET cloth, white piping, tunable knobs, brass finished faceplate and the iconic white logo (though, sadly, it doesn’t double as a functioning speaker). As for the fridge itself, it has a mechanical temperature control, three branded glass shelves, 2-liter bottle storage, 12-ounce can storage on the door (reversible) and an internal freezer that comes with an ice tray.
9. Frigidaire Mini Retro Beverage Fridge
Ideal for chilling your vitamin C serum or your orange juice, this mini fridge can be propped right on a shelf, desk or table and still get the job done. It’s also quiet, so you don’t have to worry about being distracted by an annoying hum while you study. The cherry on top? It goes from cooling to heating with just the flip of a switch (so you can use it as a makeup fridge/warmer, too).
Sure, it’s a splurge. But this ‘smart’ refrigerator has a lot going for it—an adjustable LED temperature control, automatic daily defrosting, a triple pane glass door. But its best feature is the quiet compressor technology, which makes this baby virtually silent when it’s running. It also features reversible doors, so if the best spot is an awkward corner that won’t let you open the door on the right side, you’re just seconds away from a switch—rather than having to redo your entire floor plan.
To find out what size mini fridge is acceptable, you'll have to factor in your school’s housing policy (3.5-to-5 cubic feet is the typical range for most schools), along with how much space you have in your room. Weight is another factor to consider, as you may need to move your fridge around, and you will ultimately have to take it with you when you move out.
According to Re-Fridge, the average lifespan of a mini fridge is about nine years depending on the brand and how much you use it. You can increase the life of your fridge by keeping it away from direct sunlight and heat sources like hot water heaters and ranges.
It is OK to lay a dorm fridge on its side, however, you should not lay your fridge on its back, as it can cause damage to the internal parts of your fridge from oil, coolants and gases leaking into the compressor. If you do accidentally lay your fridge on its back, unplug it for 24 hours so you can avoid causing excess damage.
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