#10 Best Refrigerators for Dorm Rooms 2023

Do you want to learn more about dorm fridges, but where do you start? There seem to be a lot of different kinds of dorm fridges on the market, and you don't know which one to buy. If you're having trouble finding the best refrigerators for dorm rooms and other things you'll need for college, this article lists the best refrigerators for your needs. So look down below!

👤 Written by: A. K. Sari
⏳ Updated on:
📋 List: 10 items
👀 Reader: 37 views

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Shopping for a dorm room for college can be stressful, especially if it's your first time. It's essential to find appliances that could last you through college. A refrigerator is, of course, one of the essential appliances because it keeps snacks and quick meals fresh, cold, and close by. You're going to get hungry from all that studying.

Even if you have a shared fridge, you might want a separate place to store your stuff in case it's too full to fit your latest grocery haul, or you don't trust your roommates not to eat your lunch. We made a list of the best refrigerators for dorm rooms that can fit the smallest spaces, along with tips on what to consider before bringing one to the dorm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Cant find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to our Q&A community.

Do I need a mini fridge for college?

Even though a mini fridge isn’t required for college, it’s great to have one. Having a place to store food you don’t eat right away is a benefit that can’t be missed. You can, of course, also keep your skincare tools in it. If living a healthy life is essential, you can also save some fresh food to eat. Even though you are far from your parents, you can live quietly in a dorm.

What is a dorm-style refrigerator?

The best refrigerators for dorm rooms are called “dorm-style” refrigerators. It has one door on the outside and a cooling coil (evaporator plate) that is usually in the icemaker compartment of the freezer inside the refrigerator.

What size fridge should I get for my dorm?

The size of a refrigerator is based on how much it can hold, measured in cubic feet. The standard size for best refrigerators for dorm rooms is about two cubic feet, a small, square model, or about 4.5 cubic feet, which is desk height. Some dorm fridges are smaller than two cubic feet, while others are larger than 4.5 cubic feet. Your college housing office can also tell you if you have to have a refrigerator that uses less energy. Before buying a dorm fridge, ensure you know how much space you have.

What type of refrigerator should I choose as the best for dorm rooms?

There are four kinds of fridges to think about: portable mini-fridges, which are small and easy to move; freestanding fridges, which are usually bigger and range from 3 to 4.5 cubic feet; under-the-counter fridges, which come in different sizes but can fit under tables and desks; and countertop fridges, which are better placed higher up. But in general, mini fridges are what are used in dorm rooms. But in the end, it’s up to the user to follow the rules set by the dorm.

*Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct. Read more
Name Rank Check Prices
CMF4LB Mini Fridge Cooluli
Cooluli
CMF4LB Mini Fridge
#1 Amazon Lowes.com eBay
EFR341 Door Fridge and Freezer Frigidaire
Frigidaire
EFR341 Door Fridge and Freezer
#2 Amazon Bestbuy.com eBay
Retro Compact Mini Fridge Galanz
Galanz
Retro Compact Mini Fridge
#3 Amazon Homedepot.com eBay
22672GR-CYEP Compact Refrigerator COSTWAY
COSTWAY
22672GR-CYEP Compact Refrigerator
#4 Amazon Costway.com eBay
Beverage Refrigerator Cooler Antarctic Star
Antarctic Star
Beverage Refrigerator Cooler
#5 Amazon Antarctic-star.com eBay
CRF321SS Compact Fridge/Freezer EdgeStar
EdgeStar
CRF321SS Compact Fridge/Freezer
#6 Amazon Edgestar.com eBay
Retro Mini Compact Beverage Refrigerator Frigidaire
Frigidaire
Retro Mini Compact Beverage Refrigerator
#7 Amazon Sears.com eBay
99098 Compact Mini Refrigerator Kenmore
Kenmore
99098 Compact Mini Refrigerator
#8 Amazon Wayfair.com eBay
GME04GGKBB Mini Fridge GE
GE
GME04GGKBB Mini Fridge
#9 Amazon Geappliances.com eBay
3.1 cu. ft. Retro Mini Fridge Insignia
Insignia
3.1 cu. ft. Retro Mini Fridge
#10 Amazon Insigniaproducts.com eBay

10 List of Best Refrigerators for Dorm Rooms

  • Cooluli CMF4LB Mini Fridge
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    #1

    Cooluli CMF4LB Mini Fridge

    Best Fridge with Warming Feature

    1  experts agree 1  experts disagree
    WHY WE LIKE IT:

    The Cooluli Classic 4-liter thermoelectric cooler/warmer mini fridge has a modern matte finish and is easy to carry around. The Classic 4-L has a lot of uses. Even though this mini fridge is often used to store beauty products, the warming feature makes it stand out. You can store coffee, tea, or hot cocoa between classes, study groups, and especially during finals week. The unique semiconductor operation is ultra-quiet and 100 percent environmentally friendly.

    Pros (reasons to buy)

    Portable
    Space efficient
    Lightweight

    Cons (reasons to avoid)

    Super small

    What other experts liked

    The Cooluli Mini Fridge is a tiny cooler or heater that fits on a desk or countertop. It's very quiet and can run on your make-up stand or work desk all day, every day.
    Outdoor Gear Lab

    What other experts didn't like

    As usual, I plugged the fridge in using the AC wall plug. After about an hour, we could smell electronics burning and saw smoke coming from the back of the fridge.
    Vince and Gina
  • Frigidaire EFR341 Door Fridge and Freezer
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    with this product?
    #2

    Frigidaire EFR341 Door Fridge and Freezer

    Best Quick and Easy Cooling Options

    1  readers vote
    1  experts agree 1  experts disagree
    WHY WE LIKE IT:

    This 3.2 cu. ft. Frigidaire EFR341 refrigerator with two doors can be used to cool drinks. This elegant refrigerator illuminates even the dullest dormitories since its feet are adjustable. The silver pull-handle and decorative details give it a sleek, retro look, and the flush-back design and adjustable feet make it easy to put in tight spaces and on uneven surfaces. This dorm room refrigerator has a built-in bottle opener on the side, so you don’t have to look for a tool.

    Pros (reasons to buy)

    Freestanding
    Quick and easy cooling options
    Retro vibes

    Cons (reasons to avoid)

    Mostly suitable for cans
    Small headspace

    What other experts liked

    This mini fridge is cute and works well. The freezer is small, but it can hold a bag of ice without any trouble.
    Greenkids

    What other experts didn't like

    The handle on the fridge is made of plastic that looks cheap. Somewhere, the fridge was letting air out. When the motor starts, it makes a lot of noise.
  • Galanz Retro Compact Mini Fridge
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    #3

    Galanz Retro Compact Mini Fridge

    Best Space Efficient

    1  experts agree 1  experts disagree
    WHY WE LIKE IT:

    With a width of fewer than 20 inches and a height of 36 inches, this dorm room refrigerator takes up very little space and can hold a surprising amount of food. It comes with a glass shelf that slides out and can be taken out, so you can organize it however you want. Galanz Retro Compact Mini Fridge also has extra storage space by the doors and a freezer that can be used to store frozen food or make ice cubes.

    Pros (reasons to buy)

    Low-energy compressor
    Stores a wide range of things
    Retro look

    Cons (reasons to avoid)

    Temperature control can be problematic

    What other experts liked

    This looks great because it has a nice retro design. This also has shelves that are easy to take down and move.
    The-gadgeteer

    What other experts didn't like

    All the time, you can hear humming, water running, and water boiling.
    Jonathan
  • COSTWAY 22672GR-CYEP Compact Refrigerator
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    with this product?
    #4

    COSTWAY 22672GR-CYEP Compact Refrigerator

    Best for Keeping Fruits and Veggies Fresh

    1  experts agree 1  experts disagree
    WHY WE LIKE IT:

    This 22672GR-CYEP Compact Refrigerator is for people who like fruits and vegetables. This dorm room refrigerator by Costway has a crisper drawer so you can keep your groceries from the farmers market on campus as long as possible. It also has a separate freezer section and an ice tray, so you can keep drinks cool on the go or hang out in your room.

    Pros (reasons to buy)

    Crisper drawer
    Cools quickly
    Adjustable glass shelf

    Cons (reasons to avoid)

    Can get noisy

    What other experts liked

    The price was so low. There is a separate freezer that is big enough to use. It is quiet. If I needed to, I would buy another one.
    George Spillwell

    What other experts didn't like

    The fridge didn't get cold enough, and after just one week, the freezer got full. I've tried different settings, but none of them work.
    David Britton
  • Antarctic Star Beverage Refrigerator Cooler
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    with this product?
    #5

    Antarctic Star Beverage Refrigerator Cooler

    Best for Beverages Only

    1  experts agree 1  experts disagree
    WHY WE LIKE IT:

    The Antarctic Star beverage fridge can keep all of your favorite drinks nice and cold in a small space. Users love this fridge’s durability. It will last through all your moves from apartment to apartment. The temperature in the refrigerator can be changed. It can be between 40°F and 61°F. Be careful because the safest temperature to store food without it doesn’t go well is 40 degrees, so only store drinks in this fridge.

    Pros (reasons to buy)

    Quiet
    Double pane tempered glass door

    Cons (reasons to avoid)

    It doesn't have a freezer component

    What other experts liked

    It has advanced temperature controls that can be set between 6°C and 14°C for the best chilling. The LCD controls make it easy to use.
    Best Views Reviews

    What other experts didn't like

    The Antarctic INAS90 Wine Cooler works well as a basic wine fridge, but it doesn't have sturdy shelves or cooling in two zones.
    TopTen Reviews
  • EdgeStar CRF321SS Compact Fridge/Freezer
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    with this product?
    #6

    EdgeStar CRF321SS Compact Fridge/Freezer

    Best Convenient Fridge

    1  experts agree 1  experts disagree
    WHY WE LIKE IT:

    The fridge and freezer in the EdgeStar CRF321SS have 3.1 cubic feet of space between them. This mini fridge looks like a smaller version of a regular-sized fridge. It has a separate freezer door on the outside. Also, the freezer can get as cold as 0°F, which means it makes ice better than many of its competitors.

    Pros (reasons to buy)

    Reversible doors
    Automatic defrost
    Gets super cold

    Cons (reasons to avoid)

    Noisy

    What other experts liked

    The auto-defrost feature on this mini fridge makes it easy to clean.
    TopTen Reviews

    What other experts didn't like

    The inside is not well made at all. The shelf can't hold anything. Even soft drinks shouldn't be too big for it, but they don't fit. When you try to open the drawer, it falls out.
    AtlantaAnne
  • Frigidaire Retro Mini Compact Beverage Refrigerator
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    with this product?
    #7

    Frigidaire Retro Mini Compact Beverage Refrigerator

    Best Budget-friendly Refrigerator

    1  experts agree 1  experts disagree
    WHY WE LIKE IT:

    This mini fridge is perfect to put on a shelf, desk, or table, and it will still do the job. Also, it’s quiet, so you don’t have to worry about an annoying hum getting in the way of your studying. It runs on 110v (AC) from the wall and plugs into a 12v car adapter. Frigidaire Retro Mini Refrigerator also has a beautiful front door made of clear glass that gives your home an elegant look and a useful function. Works with any style of decor, from very modern to very old. Your furniture won’t get scratched.

    Pros (reasons to buy)

    Retro aesthetic
    Affordable
    Easy to clean
    Fully insulated
    It comes with a carrying handle

    Cons (reasons to avoid)

    Water accumulates inside

    What other experts liked

    It has a small, retro design and is portable, so you can take it with you wherever you go.
    Refrigerators Reviewed

    What other experts didn't like

    Doesn't get as cold as it says in the description. Mine didn't get below 56 degrees F.
    Mdjdhdbbsns
  • Kenmore 99098 Compact Mini Refrigerator
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    with this product?
    #8

    Kenmore 99098 Compact Mini Refrigerator

    Best for Bringing a Retro Aesthetic

    1  experts agree 1  experts disagree
    WHY WE LIKE IT:

    This Kenmore dorm room refrigerator has three high-quality glass shelves that are easy to move so those tall items can fit. The stylish design is great for bringing a bit of the past into your space. It has a crisper drawer, fixed shelves on the door for putting drinks in order, and a separate cooling compartment on the top.

    Pros (reasons to buy)

    Sleek design
    Adjustable shelves
    Crisper

    Cons (reasons to avoid)

    Non-reversible doors

    What other experts liked

    I like this fridge a lot! It's well-made, and the way it's put together looks nice and makes good use of space. It's bigger than I thought it would be.
    Richard

    What other experts didn't like

    It arrived broken. The freezer door is broken, and when it's plugged in, the sides get very hot. When you put your hand on the sides, they feel hot.
    brenda Pousson
  • GE GME04GGKBB Mini Fridge
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    with this product?
    #9

    GE GME04GGKBB Mini Fridge

    Best for Adding a Modern Feel

    1  experts agree 1  experts disagree
    WHY WE LIKE IT:

    This freezer has a chiller function. This small GE fridge has a capacity of 3.9 cubic feet for the refrigerator and 0.5 cubic feet for the freezer. The freezer must be defrosted by hand and comes with a small ice tray. This appliance has a clean, modern look because it has rounded doors with handles that are set into them. This gives your space some personality without making the appliance the main focus.

    Pros (reasons to buy)

    Sleek design
    Can and bottle storage
    Easy to clean

    Cons (reasons to avoid)

    Shelves are not adjustable

    What other experts liked

    This fridge is great. It's small, cold, and fits most places.
    kj41777

    What other experts didn't like

    The stainless steel door looks like someone painted thin black lines on a cheap gray sticker.
    UnhappywithGE
  • Insignia 3.1 cu. ft. Retro Mini Fridge
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    with this product?
    #10

    Insignia 3.1 cu. ft. Retro Mini Fridge

    Best Energy Efficient Mini Fridge

    1  experts agree 1  experts disagree
    WHY WE LIKE IT:

    This Energy Star-certified mini fridge by Insignia has a huge 3 cubic feet storage space and doesn’t use much energy. It fits nicely in a basement, an office, or a dorm room because of its size. A crisper drawer is excellent for keeping fruits and vegetables fresh, and adjustable shelves let you organize everything the way you want. In the, you can keep your favorite frozen treats. The separate freezer compartment has 9 cu ft of space.

    Pros (reasons to buy)

    Can rack
    Adjustable shelves
    Freezer compartment

    Cons (reasons to avoid)

    Stainless steel shows fingerprint smudges easily

    What other experts liked

    I like this little fridge a lot. It's really cute and has a lot of space. I also don't need to set it any higher than 3 or 4, because geez, it's cold!

    What other experts didn't like

    Even though it arrived broken, it seems to work fine. Don't buy it online, though, because the foam they use to package it is cheap and doesn't protect it.
    Silencer

Conclusion: Best Refrigerators for Dorm Rooms

So, those are our ten choices for the best refrigerators for dorm rooms. You’re always on the move in college, so snacks, fresh food, junk food, and lots of coffee are your best friends. Because of this, a refrigerator is automatically one of the essential things a first-year student can have.

We hope this article’s recommendations will help you find the best fit for your needs. If you want a top freezer refrigerator but don’t have a lot of money, you can also read the article we wrote about the best top freezer refrigerators under $500.

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