The Whirlpool mini fridge with freezer may not be the most expensive appliance we tested, but it's one of the most reliable.
We Tried the Whirlpool Mini Fridge with Freezer and It’s Our Favorite Budget Appliance
Updated Sep. 26, 2024
If you’re in the market for a new refrigerator, start by determining the best size for your needs. If you’re storing loads of extras, a full-size garage refrigerator may be for you. But if you’re simply looking for something to hold a few extra drinks or snacks, a mini fridge could be exactly what you need—or, better yet, a mini fridge with a freezer.
These compact appliances are perfect for placing within arm’s reach in a home office, finished basement, bedroom or dorm room. Many models hold more than you might expect, and they keep your food and drinks just as cold as your trusty kitchen refrigerator. Better yet, a mini fridge costs a fraction of a full-size refrigerator. We tested nine different mini fridges with freezers, and there’s one that really stood out from the rest: the Whirlpool Mini Fridge with Freezer. Here’s everything you need to know before you buy.
What is the Whirlpool Mini Fridge with Freezer?
The Whirlpool Mini Fridge with Freezer is a stainless steel mini fridge with a top door freezer and a total capacity of 3.1 cubic feet. Both doors are reversible and have recessed handles that extend the width of the top of the fridge door and the bottom of the freezer door. It has one power cord that measures 59 inches long and is Energy Star certified.
The main compartment of the fridge has interior lighting, two removable glass shelves, a crisper drawer, a can storage system and adjustable door shelving. It also has a temperature dial ranging from 0 to 7. The freezer compartment has a door rack and does not include any shelving, baskets or bins.
The dimensions of the Whirlpool mini fridge with freezer are 19.1 inches wide, 21 inches deep and 32.8 inches tall. It weighs 52.9 pounds.
VIA MERCHANT
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Whirlpool Compact Mini Fridge with Dual Door True Freezer
The Whirlpool mini fridge with freezer had very consistent fridge temperatures and fit most of the items we had on hand.
Whirlpool Mini Fridge with Freezer Product Features
Stainless Steel Finish
This mini fridge with freezer has a stainless steel finish that our testers feel is mostly fingerprint resistant. It has black trim and a small black Whirlpool logo at the top.
Mechanical Thermostat
The Whirlpool mini fridge with freezer has an adjustable mechanical thermostat that ranges from 0 to 7, with 0 being the warmest setting and 7 being the coldest.
Internal storage
The refrigerator has two removable glass shelves, a crisper drawer, and adjustable door storage. On the door is a can storage system that holds up to four cans.
How We Tested It
Product Testing Manager Annamarie Higley ran the Whirlpool mini fridge with freezer for 500 hours in the testing lab to assess how well it maintained the proper temperature and humidity levels. Higley set the thermostat to 4, which is the middle setting recommended by the manual.
In order to test the temperature, Higley placed three thermometers inside—one in the freezer, one in the crisper drawer, and one in the main compartment of the fridge. She proceeded to record the temperature in the morning and again late afternoon, once a week for the entirety of August. She also placed a humidity gauge in the main compartment and checked it along with the temperature. The recommended temperature range for food safety is between 34-40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Over the course of the month, this refrigerator averaged 40 degrees Fahrenheit. According to Higley, the temperatures were very consistent and only fluctuated two degrees the entire time. The freezer, on the other hand, averaged 18 degrees Fahrenheit. “I considered target freezer temperatures to be around 0 degrees Fahrenheit,” she explains. “This freezer is generally warmer than you’d want.” She also notes that the humidity levels were quite consistent and averaged 74%. Higley’s target humidity level was 65%.
In addition to carefully monitoring temperature and humidity levels, Higley performed a fit test. She gathered an assortment of common refrigerator and freezer items, including a gallon of milk, a 2-liter bottle of soda, a carton of eggs, a gallon of ice cream and a standard-size frozen pizza and checked to see how well each item fit inside this mini fridge with freezer. She had no trouble fitting the soda, eggs, ice cream and pizza. However, she was unable to fit the gallon of milk.
Higley also liked the can storage on the door, pointing out that while it only held four cans, it worked better than other models. “The cans are easy both to insert and remove,” she says. “Though I don’t love that you have to drop them in there. It feels like a foamy explosion waiting to happen.”
Overall, Higley feels that the Whirlpool mini fridge with freezer is a great value. “This is one of the least expensive units on our list, but it’s one of the most elevated-looking,” she raves.
Pros
- Minimal assembly and setup
- Very consistent fridge temperatures
- Attractive design
- Designated can storage
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Does not fit a gallon of milk
- Freezer ran a little warm
Why You Should Trust Us
At Family Handyman, we know how important it is to find quality products that make your life easier and won’t leave you with a bad case of buyer’s remorse. This especially applies to appliances, which can be a significant investment. Our editors and testers have years of personal experience with some of the most reliable refrigerator brands that won’t require frequent repairs, from the RCA Mini Fridge to the Gladiator refrigerator. And we only recommend a product if we believe it’ll enhance your own space as it did ours.
Our product testing experts on the product testing team spent hours in our testing lab getting up close and personal with nine mini fridges with freezers. At least 18 of those hours were actively spent with the Whirlpool mini fridge with freezer, though we ran it for a total of 500 hours. We performed 13 tests on each appliance and collected roughly 500 data points overall.
FAQ
What is the life expectancy of a Whirlpool mini fridge?
Since Whirlpool is one of the most reliable refrigerator brands on the market, your Whirlpool mini fridge will last several years with proper care and maintenance.
Is 0 or 7 colder in a Whirlpool mini fridge?
0 is the warmest temperature setting, and 7 is the coldest temperature setting in a Whirlpool mini fridge with freezer. The manual recommends putting your mini fridge on a middle setting. Higley set it to 4 during testing.
How do I adjust the temperature of a Whirlpool mini fridge?
This model has a temperature dial located in the main compartment of the refrigerator. You can adjust the dial from 0 to 7.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
Walter, a verified purchaser at The Home Depot, gave this Whirlpool mini fridge with freezer a five-star review. “Very nice refrigerator. So much room, it’s almost like getting two refrigerators for the price of one. I highly recommend it to anyone else,” they write.
Heather, another happy The Home Depot customer, is delighted by how much this fridge can hold. They write, “Perfect size for small office. Can fit several frozen meals in freezer and plenty of room in fridge for lunches, beverages, creamer containers and soda cans. Quiet machine, was quick to cool once we plugged it in.”
And out of the many reviewers who call this the perfect dorm refrigerator, verified user LDS5 explains why. “Great for a college dorm! My daughter loves that the freezer is separate from the fridge. Nice size for a mini fridge! Plenty of room in both the fridge and freezer,” they write.
Whirlpool Mini Fridge with Freezer vs. Insignia Mini Fridge with Freezer
Our product testing team tested nine mini fridges with freezers. We found that the Whirlpool mini fridge with freezer had very consistent fridge temperatures and a pretty affordable price point, given its elevated look. That said, its freezer did run warmer than other models we tested, including the Insignia Mini Fridge with Freezer.
The Insignia mini fridge with freezer also has a stainless steel finish and a separate freezer door and is similarly priced at $220. The Insignia’s freezer averaged 6 degrees Fahrenheit as opposed to the Whirlpool’s 18 degrees Fahrenheit. However, Insignia’s fridge had an average temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit, which is just above the recommended temperature range for food safety. Additionally, the Insignia includes an ice cube tray and ice shovel, whereas the Whirlpool does not come with any accessories.
Final Verdict
The Whirlpool Mini Fridge with Freezer is a great option for those looking to add a refrigerator to their home office, bedroom, dorm room or any other small space. It maintains consistent fridge temperatures and humidity levels, has plenty of storage space and looks great in any space. And at just over $200, it’s a great value.
Where to Buy the Whirlpool Mini Fridge with Freezer
The Whirlpool mini fridge with freezer is available at Target and costs around $230.Â
VIA MERCHANT
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Whirlpool Compact Mini Fridge with Dual Door True Freezer
A sleek design and stainless steel finish make this compact fridge the perfect addition to any space.
Originally Published: September 26, 2024
