We Found the Best Mini Fridge With Freezer After 4 Weeks of Testing

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Best Overall Mini Fridge With Freezer

Insignia 3.0 Cu. Ft. Mini Fridge with Top Freezer

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The Insignia Mini Fridge with Top Freezer earned the top spot on our list for its storage capabilities, ergonomic handles and sleek design. Our testers appreciated the fact that it’s one of the most affordable options on our list.

This fridge arrived in a box securely packed with foam, tape and stickers that were easily removed by our testers during setup. Our team found the instruction manual to be quite thorough, noting that it included detailed instructions on how to reverse the fridge and freezer doors. They opted not to reverse the doors and instead just allowed the refrigerator to sit for a few days before plugging it in. The only hitch came when our testers noticed that the legs had to be adjusted. “This one’s legs were really wonky and off-kilter upon arrival, so I had to mess with the levels for a while,” explains Higley.

The overall design also impressed our team.

“I think this is the most attractive of the stainless steel options by far. It’s seemingly fingerprint-resistant, meaning it will stay nicer-looking longer, and it has subtle stripes that add some interesting texture when looking at the fridge from afar,” raves Higley. “It looks sleek and elevated.”

Additionally, they loved the concealed door handles. In fact, our testers loved everything about the doors on this fridge. They found that the seals disengage easily, and the doors move and swing effortlessly.

Inside the refrigerator’s main compartment, you’ll find a crisper drawer, two tempered glass removable shelves and a can rack. The freezer, which has its own separate door, includes a wire shelf in the main compartment, a shelf on the door and an ice cube tray. Our team was delighted to find that all of the items fit inside the fridge and freezer, although they did have to remove the top shelf in order to fit the gallon of milk.

Over the course of four weeks, our team found that the temperatures remained fairly consistent. However, the refrigerator temperature averaged 41 degrees Fahrenheit, which is one degree over the recommended range of 34-40 degrees Fahrenheit for food safety. The freezer averaged 6 degrees Fahrenheit. Another thing to consider is the humidity in this mini fridge with a freezer. According to our testers, humidity levels should hover around 65%. This refrigerator averaged 79%, which is quite high.

Overall, the Insignia Mini Fridge with Top Freezer is a solid choice. It holds a variety of common refrigerator and freezer items, has smart can storage and features an ergonomic and attractively modern design. It’s also reasonably priced and a breeze to set up and move as needed.

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Best Budget Mini Fridge With Freezer

Whirlpool 3.1 cu. ft. Compact Mini Fridge with Dual Door True Freezer

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If you’re looking for the best mini fridge with a freezer that won’t set you back a lot of money, the Whirlpool Compact Mini Fridge is your best bet. With very consistent temperatures and humidity levels, plenty of storage and a sleek design, this appliance offers great value and performance. “This is one of the least expensive units on our list, but it’s one of the most elevated-looking,” says Higley.

This stainless steel refrigerator has a subtle striped pattern with black trim and a small black logo on top of the freezer door. According to our testers, it seems to be mostly fingerprint-resistant and won’t stick out like a sore thumb in your home or office. Two long divots that run the width of the top of the fridge door and the bottom of the freezer door serve as door handles. While this adds to the sleek look of the appliance, our testers felt that there wasn’t enough spacing between the doors.

“There’s very little room between the end of the freezer door and the start of the fridge door, so my knuckles keep bumping on the opposite door as I try to open either,” explains Higley. “This wouldn’t fly for a person with bigger hands.”

Not only that, but Higley found that the doors weren’t as easy to open as other models they tested. “I feel like the freezer is comparatively pretty tough to open,” she says. “You need to pull with some gumption.” That said, the team did note that the doors make a satisfying sound as they seal and suction shut.

The main compartment of the fridge, which has an interior light, features a crisper drawer and two glass shelves. It also has what our testers referred to as a can dispenser on the door. The freezer, which has its own door, has a storage shelf on the door. Our testers were able to fit a 2-liter bottle of soda, carton of eggs, gallon of ice cream and frozen pizza with plenty of room to spare.

Unfortunately, even though this is one of the deeper refrigerators on our list, they were unable to fit the gallon of milk. While our team appreciated having designated can storage, they weren’t thrilled by the design of this fridge.

“The cans are easy both to insert and remove, though I don’t love that you have to drop them in there,” explains Higley. “It feels like a foamy explosion waiting to happen.” In other words, you’ll want to be careful when placing cans of soda or beer in this fridge.

The consistent temperatures and humidity levels in this refrigerator especially impressed our team. During the testing month, the temperature averaged 40 degrees Fahrenheit and fluctuated only two degrees the entire time. Similarly, the humidity levels remained quite consistent, averaging 74% (which is still quite high). The freezer, on the other hand, averaged 18 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the product testing team, this is generally warmer than you’d want. That said, the testers noted that there was no frost buildup.

Another thing to consider when purchasing this fridge is its weight. It weighed 52.9 pounds but felt very heavy to our testers. “Based on specs listed on websites, this is not supposed to be the heaviest, but it kind of feels that way,” cautions Higley. She recommends having a second person on standby to help but points out that an able-bodied adult should be able to maneuver all of these appliances, to an extent, on their own.

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Best Splurge Mini Fridge With Freezer

GE Double-Door Compact Refrigerator

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We’ve all heard the saying: “You get what you pay for.” Well, that couldn’t be more true when it comes to this GE Double-Door Compact Refrigerator. “It might be a little expensive, but this fridge is a workhorse. On the medium settings, the fridge’s and freezer’s temperatures, as well as the humidity levels, were exactly where should should be, for the entirety of this weeks-long test. You’re paying for reliability,” says Higley.

This high-performing mini fridge with freezer is offered in four colors, including a fingerprint-resistant slate. Like other models on our list, two long divots extend about 80% of the width of the top of the fridge door and the bottom of the freezer door and serve as handles. While our testers would have preferred more room between the two handles to keep their knuckles from bumping, they were pleased by the overall look and performance of the doors.

“The seals seem to be working about as you would expect, and the doors hinge nicely,” notes Higley. “Neither of them have stoppage, friction or places at which they stop when pushing closed.”

While the inside of this mini fridge with freezer isn’t exceptional in terms of style or features, our team was able to fit all of their items inside with plenty of room to spare. They do note that a gallon of milk fits with quite a bit of headroom, but only when the upper interior shelf is removed. And since this is one of the deeper refrigerators on our list, our testers were able to fit a carton of eggs both perpendicular and parallel to the door on an interior shelf.

So what makes this refrigerator worth the splurge? According to our testers, it proved to be incredibly reliable for the duration of testing. The refrigerator temperature averaged 41 degrees Fahrenheit, which is just one degree over the recommended range of 34-40 degrees Fahrenheit, while the freezer averaged 1 degree Fahrenheit. Humidity levels averaged 64%, which is exactly where they should be. Our team did notice some frozen beads of water on the back wall of the fridge from frost buildup, but nothing that would affect the contents or performance.

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Best Mini Fridge With Freezer For a Dorm Room

Danby 3.1 cu. ft. 2-door Compact Fridge

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College students looking to outfit a dorm or bedroom with a nondescript mini fridge with freezer don’t have to look any further than Danby’s 2-Door Compact Fridge.

“This fridge is squat, lighter-weight and discrete, with a solid warranty. Plus, it performs. It’s the perfect unit to tuck into the corner of a dorm or bedroom,” says Higley. Not only that, but the setup is minimal. All they’ll have to do is take it out of the box, remove the protective tape and foam and plug it in: a process our testers described as “easy-peasy.”

And since simplicity is key for college students, they’ll especially love the clean look of this appliance. The outside is perfect for their favorite magnets or vinyl stickers, and the inside will hold all of their favorite drinks and snacks. We know because it fits all of our test items, including a gallon of milk, a two-liter bottle of soda, ice cream and frozen pizza. In other words, all the things that college kids love. What our team didn’t love, however, was the can-dispensing system, which the brand refers to as CANSTOR.

According to the Product Testing Team, it’s just wide enough to fit the cans, which means they must be inserted at the just-right angle to make their way to the bottom where the actual dispenser is. “They also need to essentially be dropped into place, which I don’t love. It makes me feel like they’re going to explode,” explains Higley. “Also, the whole stack of cans needs to be pushed upward in order to snake the can that’s being ‘dispensed’ out of opening in the bottom of the rack.”

Our testers found consistent refrigerator temperatures, with an average of 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity levels averaged 67%, which isn’t a far cry from the recommended 65%. The freezer, however, was a different story. Our testers described the freezer temps as volatile, as they varied between -6 degrees Fahrenheit and 14 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of four weeks with an average temperature of 4 degrees Fahrenheit. And while the team found a little bit of frost on the back wall of the refrigerator, they noted it was nothing too admonishable.

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Best Retro Mini Fridge With Freezer

Frigidaire 3.2 cu. ft. 2 Door Retro Fridge with Side Bottle Opener

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Appliances don’t have to be boring, and Frigidaire’s Retro Mini Fridge proves this. Not only is it stylish and fun, but it’s extremely functional and reliable. In fact, this mini fridge with freezer received the highest overall score of all the models we tested. “Between the heart-shaped ice cube tray, the bottle opener and the catchy color, this fridge is so fun. It caught the eye of countless co-workers as I tested it in the office. But it’s hard at work while it adds a punch to your space, too. The fridge and freezer temperatures were spot-on, and the storage systems are smart,” raves Higley.

And yep. You read that right. It does come with an adorable ice cube tray. “It makes four rectangular pieces of ice, four heart-shaped pieces of ice and four spherical pieces of ice. Points for playfulness,” Higley explains. Other notable features include a built-in bottle opener, two stylized, retro-looking chrome door handles and bright color options, though colors vary by vendor.

Like most of the other mini fridges with freezers on our list, this model has an interior light, crisper drawer and two removable glass shelves, plus in-door bottle and can storage. In addition to the ice cube tray, the freezer has one main compartment and a shelf in the door. Our testers were able to fit all of the items in the fridge and freezer, including the gallon of milk. They were especially impressed by the can storage.

“This has superior can storage compared to all the others. The designated racks, shaped themselves like cans, make for easy grabbing and storage that ensures cans are secure and not shaken up,” says Higley. She adds that it holds up to six cans. The only thing to keep in mind here is that despite claims in the manual that the door holds two-liter sodas, our team found that a 2-liter bottle of soda only fits on its side in the interior of the fridge.

When it comes to the overall performance of this mini fridge with freezer, our testers were blown away by the Frigidaire’s consistency. After four weeks of monitoring temperatures, the product testing team found that the refrigerator’s temperature stayed within a three-degree range and averaged 39 degrees Fahrenheit with 63% humidity. The freezer had an average temperature of 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

While we know that this mini fridge with freezer likely doesn’t fit everyone’s taste, it definitely has some flair and personality, especially when compared to modern-looking appliances. Not only that, but it’s sure to maintain perfect conditions for your food and drinks.

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Mini Fridge and Freezer With the Best Storage

Hisense 3.1-cu ft Mini Fridge with Freezer

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If you plan on using your mini fridge with freezer for essentials like an extra gallon of milk, eggs or an overflow of produce or snacks, then you’ll want this Hisense Mini Fridge with Freezer, which can store it all with ease. It’s about an inch taller than most of the other models we tested but not so tall that it looks out of place in a bedroom or office. In fact, our team loved the overall look of this mini fridge with a freezer.

“This is very handsome—it has a matte-like finish to it. It’s super streamlined, with a chrome Hisense logo on the top; and the black trim is almost like a vinyl,” says Higley. “It’s another unit in which the door is completely flat rather than convex. I think this gives a super-modern vibe to it.”

While our testers were pleased with the outside of this mini fridge with freezer, they were taken aback by the inside. Unlike every other model we tested, this is the only one without a shelf in the freezer. But in spite of this design choice, our testers were happy to discover that everything fit inside this fridge and freezer without having to turn it into a game of Tetris or muscle the door shut. “These are smarter designs in terms of storage solutions. The door alone fit cans, eggs and the large soda bottle, with room to spare,” raves Higley.

Though our team was excited about the storage in this unit, the temperatures were so wonky that they questioned whether or not something was wrong with the thermometer they were using.

With an average temperature of 43 degrees Fahrenheit and 71% humidity, this was the warmest fridge we tested. But it was the freezer temperatures that left our testers scratching their heads. The freezer averaged -24 degrees Fahrenheit. “Just insanely cold freezer temps,” muses Higley. “So much so that I almost wonder if this thermometer was screwy. I think this would definitely freezer-burn food.” That said, a super cold freezer is perfect for storing ice and extra meat in the short term.

Overall, our team agrees that this mini fridge with freezer is a good value. “This fridge is just as slick as it looks. It has the most impressive features and storage solutions of those we tested by far,” says Higley.

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Best Mini Fridge With Freezer on Amazon

Galanz Retro Compact Mini Refrigerator

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With hundreds of options to choose from, selecting the best mini fridge and freezer on Amazon can be rather overwhelming. But you can stop your search because we went ahead and found it for you. The Galanz Retro Compact Mini Fridge is the mini fridge with a freezer you’ll immediately want to add to your cart. It’s a stylish option that provides ample storage and is sure to be a conversation starter. “Cute, cute, cute,” raves Higley. “It’s received a lot of oohs and aahs from passersby in the office. It has lots of personality, and the rounded top sets it apart even further.”

Unlike the other models we tested, this mini fridge does not have a separate freezer door or freezer controls. But in spite of a smaller freezer space, our team was able to fit a gallon of ice cream and frozen pizza with ease. They were also able to fit their 2-liter bottle of soda in the door and a carton of eggs on the door shelf as well as in the main compartment.

The gallon of milk was another story: “A no-go in any orientation or spot,” explains Higley. “I think it’s because the crisper door is so deep that there’s no room for the milk to sit atop the drawer cover like it was in the other models.”

Speaking of other models we tested, this refrigerator stands around 1 to 2 inches taller than the rest, likely due to its stylized rounded top. Our product testing team advises that buyers keep in mind that while it doesn’t have the same physical dimensions as other models on our list, it has the same inner capacity.

It’s also worth pointing out that this fridge is just as reliable as it is stylish. During testing, our team found that the fridge temperatures were consistent, though the average temperature was 41 degrees Fahrenheit as opposed to the recommended 40 degrees. The freezer temperatures, on the other hand, fluctuated most days, though the average freezer temperature was 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, this unit had surprisingly low humidity levels, with an average of 56%.

When all is said and done, this is one Amazon purchase you won’t want to return.

Other Models We Tested

Unfortunately, not every product we get our hands on is a winner. Although we tested nine mini fridges with freezers for this story, only seven made the cut. Here’s why those other machines didn’t earn a “best” spot:

• Magic Chef 3.1 cu. ft. Mini Fridge: Though this fridge was a breeze to set up, our testers found that its temperatures were less than ideal. “The refrigerator averaged a whole two degrees above recommended fridge temps,” explains Higley. “And freezer temps were legitimately all over the place, with swings of nearly 30 degrees.”
• Midea 3.1 cu. ft. Double Door Compact Refrigerator: Our testers were impressed by this fridge’s low power consumption, but they deemed it to perform averagely in all other areas. Moreover, they found that it runs super cold and dry, with an average temperature of 31 degrees Fahrenheit and an average humidity level of 49%. “This fridge is super arid and insanely cold on both fronts,” says Higley. “Food would be frozen in the fridge.”

What to Look for When Buying a Mini Fridge with Freezer

Temperature: According to the USDA, refrigerators should maintain a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, while a freezer should be set to maintain 0 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they acknowledge that combination refrigerator freezers cannot keep the freezer air that cold. As long as foods are solidly frozen when they go in, they will stay safe.

Storage: Consider what you’ll be storing in your mini fridge with freezer. If you intend to store mostly beverages, then look for a model with smart can storage. If you’re planning on storing household essentials like milk and eggs, be sure to select a mini fridge that can hold those items.

Energy efficiency: Mini fridges already use much less energy than their full-size counterparts. Look for a mini fridge with an Energy Star-certified freezer to ensure your costs remain as low as possible.

Style: Mini fridges with freezers have come a long way from the small, boxy look of yesteryear. Today, you’ll find a variety of styles and finishes, from colorful, retro-style fridges to sleek appliances with matte finishes.

Why You Should Trust Us

At Family Handyman, we know how important it is to invest in products that are reliable, efficient, and well-constructed. Bonus points if they match your home’s existing aesthetics! At the end of the day, we value products that enhance our spaces and make our busy lives easier. This especially applies to home appliances which is why we have painstakingly tested dozens of refrigerators.

From beer refrigerators that will spruce up any man cave to high-tech smart refrigerators, we’ve tried dozens. We even tested the popular Gladiator refrigerator. The best mini fridges with freezers that made this list have been rigorously tested by our dedicated product testers on the product testing team in our testing lab. The end result? A list of tried-and-true mini fridges with freezers to suit every space and budget.

How We Found the Best Mini Fridges with Freezers

Product testing manager Annamarie Higley led our product testing team as they set out to evaluate nine mini fridges with freezers in our studio. The team spent around 18 hours performing 13 tests on each refrigerator. They collected roughly 500 data points. Each refrigerator ran for about 500 hours. With in-depth research and a rubric that tested temperature, humidity, storage capacity and functionality, we narrowed that list from nine to seven.

Our testers began by sourcing a variety of common refrigerator and freezer items to assess how well they fit in each mini fridge. Items included a dozen eggs, a gallon of milk, a 2-liter bottle of soda, a gallon of ice cream and a standard-size frozen pizza.

Next, they placed three thermometers in each appliance: one in the main compartment, one in the crisper, and one in the freezer. They recorded the temperature of each thermometer in the morning and again in the late afternoon. They did this once a week for the entire month of August, to determine the average temperature.

Our testers also placed one humidity gauge in the main compartment of each fridge. Along with the temperature, our testers recorded the humidity in the morning and again in the late afternoon once a week for the month in order to see how close they were to the recommended 65%. After thorough testing and recognition of notable differences, we’re confident in these product picks.

FAQ

Do mini fridges have freezers?

No, not all mini fridges have freezers. That said, all of the mini fridges on our list do have them.

Can a mini fridge keep things frozen?

Yes. A mini fridge can keep things frozen as long as the temperature is consistently low enough (0 degrees or below).