Dorm refrigerators – also known as mini fridges – are great for small spaces and keeping things cool. Read on to find out more about dorm refrigerator sizes and how to choose the best mini fridge for you.

Mini

(Shop this image: mini mini fridges, marble kitchen islands and carts, marble backsplash tile, and hydroponic units)

Mini-sized fridges are less than 15 inches tall and do not come with a freezer. These tiny tabletop fridges have several features that make them great for dorms and beyond.

Features of Mini-Sized Mini Fridges

• Desktop Compatibility: Can fit on your desk for easy access to drinks and snacks while studying or on a vanity to store refrigerated skincare products.
• Convenient Portability: Many mini-sized compact fridges are under 10lb when empty making them easy to carry and move around. Most models also have USB power capabilities for use on the go.
• Quiet Cooling: Mini fridges of this size use thermoelectric cooling which results in whisper quiet refrigeration, perfect for dorm rooms where studying and rest are prioritized.

The Top Mini-Mini Fridges

Small Mini Fridges

(Shop this image: small mini fridges, marble kitchen islands and carts, blue dining bowls, and wood cutting boards)

Small mini fridges range from 15 to 30 inches in height. While bigger than the mini size, these fridges are still small enough to fit on a counter or tabletop, which can help free up the floor in a tight dorm room. The limited capacity is ideal for storing drinks, leftovers, or personal food items that you don’t want to stash in a more communal refrigerator.

Features of Small Mini Fridges

• Tabletop Compatibility: While not as easily portable as their mini counterparts, many small mini fridges can still be kept on top of a desk or table to help save floor space.
• Room for More: Small mini fridges can hold more than a few cans or your skincare routine. Small mini fridges can hold several drinks as well as leftovers or a few personal food items. This size mini fridge also has room for organizational extras like small shelves.
• Reversible Door Hinges: Many small mini fridges are made with awkward dorm room layouts in mind. Look for a model with reversible door hinges so you can adjust which side the door opens on. This makes it easier to fit your mini fridge in your dorm room if you’re short on space and placement options.
• A Mini Freezer: Some small mini-fridge models have a small freezer compartment with a flap that can store a few small frozen food items. This is great for storing your favorite ice-cream bars, or a couple frozen meals for an easy last minute dinner.

The Top Small Mini Fridges for Dorms

Medium Mini Fridges

(Shop this image: medium mini fridges, pink velvet sofas, pink velvet accent chairs, and black picture frames)

Medium mini fridges are typically 31 to 40 inches tall. This size mini fridge is ideal for busy students who prepare at least half of their meals in their dorm, saving them trips to the dining hall.

Features of Medium Mini Fridges

• More Shelf Space: Dorm refrigerators with this height typically have more than one shelf, which provides more storage space. It can also comfortably hold drinks, ingredients, and leftovers for one person.
• A Bonus Surface: These freestanding models are best placed on the floor rather than a tabletop or counter, but can be paired with a microwave for a convenient combo. If you don’t have a microwave you can use this extra surface to store extra food containers, dinnerware, or non-refrigerated snacks.
• A Separate Freezer: Some medium mini fridges are big enough to have a separate freezer door. This gives you better temperature control of the freezer compartment, which should be kept at 0°F to keep ice cream solid and prevent freezer burned food.

The Top Medium Mini Fridges for Dorms

Large Mini Fridges

(Shop this image: large mini fridges, white cabinets & chests, gold cabinet and drawer pulls, white vases and white benches)

Large dorm refrigerators stand at 41 inches tall (or higher), this is still considered miniature to the standard refrigerator size that ranges from 65 to 72 inches tall. Like medium-sized mini fridges, you can also add a microwave to create a kitchenette-like space that saves you from a trip to the dining hall or a shared kitchen.

Features of Large Mini Fridges

• Room for Two: The larger capacity is ideal for students who want to share a mini fridge with a roommate, prepare their own meals, buy frozen foods, or store plenty of beverages and ingredients.
• Spacious Freezer Compartments: This is the largest dorm refrigerator size available, often featuring a freezer compartment with multiple shelves. This is great for storing frozen fruits and vegetables, a pint of icecream, and a couple frozen meals.
• Crisper Bins: This size mini fridge leaves room for some models to include humidity-controlled crisper bins. This is ideal for keeping vegetables and fruits fresh longer, and is great for students who are able to cook in their dorms or who like to keep healthy snacks on hand.
• Long-Term Use: A large mini fridge is a great investment appliance. The added capacity and extra features makes the effort of moving this appliance worth it. Take it with you to your first studio apartment, and keep it as a second fridge in your garage or basement when you purchase a home.

The Top Large Mini Fridges for Dorms

Tip!

Read 11 Dorm Essentials for the School Year to discover any other important items you may need for your dorm room.

You Might Also Like