10 Best Mini Fridges for Dorms and Bedrooms
So you're flying the coop? Your list of dorm room essentials is probably a mile long, but one thing you certainly won't want to forget? A mini fridge.
Having a mini fridge gives you the freedom to store your favorite snacks, food, and drinks right in your bedroom or dorm common space—no need to hike over to the caf when a craving strikes. And let's be honest, that's especially helpful during a middle-of-the-night exam cram.
What you might not know about mini fridges, though, is that no two models are exactly alike—and there are dozens upon dozens to choose from. Some are solely refrigerators, others have small built-in freezer. Some of the nicest have double doors that separate the fridge and the freezer, which not only makes the unit more efficient, but also typically means a little more storage space in both compartments. Mini fridges also come in a host of different sizes, typically measured in cubic feet.
What is a good size mini fridge for a dorm room?
There's really no black and white answer, because it largely depends on your personal needs and preferences. However, a mini fridge with about 3.3 cubic feet of storage space tends to be the most popular choice among dorm dwellers, says Jason Carter, a professional appliance repairman from Oregon.
“This size provides enough space for keeping drinks, snacks, sandwiches, and some small food items,” says Carter. “But, if you plan on using your mini fridge for more substantial storage, like frozen meals or a variety of frozen goodies, then going for a slightly larger size—like a 4.4 cubic foot fridge—might be a smart move.”
How we picked the best mini fridges for dorm rooms
To help you find the best mini fridge for a dorm room, we scoured top retailers for the most well-reviewed options. We also spoke to appliance experts to learn more about what attributes to look for—size, capacity, features, and energy efficiency, among others—in a quality mini fridge. With this combined information, we were able to cherry pick the best, most reliable dorm room mini fridges to suit a wide range of needs.
Our Top Picks:
- Best overall: COSTWAY Compact Refrigerator, $260
- Best budget-friendly: Upstreman 1.7 Cu. Ft. Mini Fridge, $110
- Best with a freezer: Frigidaire 3.1 Cu. Ft. Two-Door Fridge and Freezer, $193
- Best small: BLACK+DECKER Compact Mini Fridge With Freezer, $132
- Best quiet: Danby Designer 4.4 Cu. Ft. Mini Fridge, $301










