What To Look For When Picking Out A Mini-Fridge

When buying a mini-fridge, you don’t want some crappy box that barely chills a few soft drinks. Here are the features you should keep an eye out for when you’re shopping for the perfect mini-fridge.

Over at The Sweethome, Tyler Wells Lynch spent an entire week testing the most popular mini-fridges out there to see which ones deserve to be in your tiny dorm room. Lynch says, for the most part, all mini fridges work fine. What it comes down to is storage capacity, shelf layout and the best bang for your buck. Here are some of the key takeaways from Lynch’s review:

• Only buy a mini-fridge that uses a compressor for cooling, not a thermoelectric element (they don’t get cold enough to keep food safe to eat).
• Look for mini-fridges that have a full-width freezer — spanning the entire width of the fridge — so you have more space for frozen food. Some models have a much smaller freezer compartment.
• Avoid cube-shaped fridges if you have the space. They don’t hold very much and aren’t that much cheaper.
• Avoid two-door mini-fridges as well. They have a hard time holding consistent temperatures.

For tall mini-fridges, overall capacity is pretty consistent, but some fridges use that capacity smarter. Things like individual can holsters, adjustable shelving and door shelves that can hold a full jug of milk make all the difference.

The Best Mini Fridge [Tyler Wells Lynch]