The best thing about going off to college is the fact that you’re finally free to eat and drink what you want. However, most students quickly realize that going outside of their bedrooms when they’re hungry is the last thing they want to do. If you get similarly lazy, why not treat yourself to one of the best quiet mini fridges on the market?
Ultimately, quiet mini fridges can save you valuable time and money you would’ve spent going to a vending machine. They’re also incredibly convenient, useful, and even energy-saving, especially in comparison to bigger refrigerators. And dorm rooms certainly aren’t the only areas that could benefit from having one of these. So let’s talk about some other reasons you would need a quiet mini fridge.
QUIET MINI FRIDGES: TOP PICKS
» QUICK NAVIGATION «
Why You Need a Quiet Mini Fridge
It seems that every time the finals roll up, self-care goes out the window. Most students even settle on eating horrifically unhealthy food to comfort themselves in those trying times, or they don’t eat at all.
Well, if you had a quiet mini fridge in your dorm, you wouldn’t get the chance to develop those kinds of eating habits. Instead, you could keep leftovers, meat and cheese for sandwiches, pudding cups, or whatever else you might think of right there next to your bed.
And the fridge doesn’t even have to take up valuable floor space. You can pretty much keep it anywhere — on the nightstand, your desk, or in the closet. Anything goes when the item in question is about 10 by 10 inches deep and tall.
Aside from dorm rooms, there are plenty of other places that would benefit from the addition of a mini fridge. For example, you could keep one in the living room in lieu of a mini bar. Alternately, you could get one for the office to store fruit salads, snacks, and coffee.
Some ladies even get them for their bedrooms to keep their skincare products fresh. They’re also perfect for nurseries if you need to keep temperature-sensitive medication or breast milk at the ready.
And you don’t even have to stick to your home — you can always take your mini fridge on the road with you. Many of them can be plugged into the car, and some can even use power banks. However, figuring out what kind of fridge you need and how to find a quiet model can be tough.
Features to Consider Before Buying a Quiet Mini Fridge
As always, before I get into my reviews, I ought to establish a baseline for the products we’re looking for. No matter what you need a mini fridge for, there are some basic features you should pay attention to.
On top of those, there are all sorts of extra components that can make a mini fridge go from basic to extra in just a few moments. So let’s start with the most obvious one.
Noise Level
You’re probably already aware of the kinds of noises regular refrigerators tend to make. After a while, many of them start making whirring or rattling noises due to different design aspects.
After all, big fridges have several fans that are susceptible to breaking down. And even if they don’t break down, older models might vibrate against the floor due to the strength of the fans.
In general, mini fridges are quieter and much less prone to breaking than the regular ones. Their smaller fans are typically pretty noiseless, both due to their build quality and due to the units’ less powerful motors.
The trade-off for the quiet operation is pretty obvious. On the one hand, you get a pretty energy-efficient, low-maintenance product. On the other hand, you have to make peace with the fact that it’ll probably take a minute for your items to cool to the temperature you want them to be.
So how do you decide which products are quiet? Personally, I like it when companies include some kind of noise measurement, preferably in decibels. That’s not an industry standard for mini fridges, but lately, more and more manufacturers have started including that information. The products I’ll mention in my reviews produce about 45 decibels at most, some smaller fridges even as low as 25 decibels.
Size and Capacity
If you’re looking for a mini fridge for a dorm, an office, or a bedroom, size probably matters to you — and it should! The smallest models on the market are typically about 10 by 10 inches tall and deep, with a slightly more narrow front side.
On the other hand, you can also get a much larger unit that’s still considered a mini fridge. The largest one on my list is about 30 inches tall, 20 inches deep and 17.5 inches wide, which is basically the size of a small cabinet.
Obviously, most fridges have shelves inside — although they tend to be removable. Still, the shelves usually determine the capacity of the unit by sectioning the inside of the fridge.
For example, the Cooluli product has space for two cans on the shelf and four more below it. So the manufacturer says that the unit has a 6-can capacity. Other products may have their capacity listed in bottles, liters, or cubic feet — if they’re on the larger side.
Functionality
The next thing you’ll need to consider before getting a mini fridge is why you need it. Whatever your intended purpose for the product is, you’ll need to ask yourself several questions:
- How big do you need the fridge to be? But since we’ve already talked about fridge capacity and dimensions, we can move right along.
- Do you need the fridge to be portable? If so, you have to consider the size of the fridge before you opt for a certain model.
- How will you power it? While the bigger units usually have a regular power cable attached to them, most of the smaller ones come with DC and AC power adapters. You could even find ones with USB charging — so you could easily use a power bank and take the fridge on the road with you.
- What is the temperature range of the device? The items may go bad if you don’t keep them at the appropriate temperature. Furthermore, in addition to their cooling functionality, some mini fridges also have warming capabilities. Those would be perfect for making a warm meal last in your dorm room.
Design
If you’re a complete pragmatist, you may think that the design of your fridge doesn’t matter. However, I’m not only talking about the outer appearance of the appliances I’ll be reviewing. Even though it would be fun to play around with different colors or images that decorate some of the products on my list, that’s not the only choice you’ll have to make.
Namely, you can also choose your fridge by looking at the build quality and the materials. The materials that were used to make the mini fridge can also influence its weight. So if you’re planning on using the fridge as a portable unit, you’ll want to stick to plastic. Moreover, if you’re eyeing a lightweight and portable device, you should choose one that has a convenient carrying handle.
Even if you’re not going to take your mini fridge on road trips, you should still pay attention to the design of the product. For example, depending on the placement of the fridge, you may need its door to swing open in a certain direction. Many fridges are designed for right-handed people, so they open from left to right. However, plenty of them have reversible doors, so if you’re a lefty, pay attention to that feature while deciding on a fridge.
Best Quiet Mini Fridges Available Right Now
Now that you know what to look for when buying a quiet mini fridge, let’s take a look at some specific products. I’ll present different options, from classic mini fridges, mini fridges with freezers, to small portable devices.
1. BLACK+DECKER BCRK17W Compact Mini Fridge With Freezer
The Black+Decker company has already shown that its priorities lie in providing its customers with premium-quality kitchen appliances with an emphasis on quiet performance. So I wasn’t surprised with the astounding functionality of this fantastic mini fridge, which comes complete with a freezer section.
That particular feature makes this little fridge perfect for RVs, dorm rooms, offices, garages, and even hotels. What’s more, its quiet operation makes it ideal for waiting rooms and nurseries!
The cubic unit measures in at 17.5 by 18.5 by 19.5 inches, which gives it a certain charm. It’s available in black, silver, and white, with all three versions having reversible metallic hinges. In addition to the neatly sectioned interior and the 2 by 8 inches freezer, the fridge also has storage space in the door that can even fit liter bottles. Overall, that gives you 1.7 cubic feet of space.
Even though the freezer section is smaller than most, it can still fit a frozen dinner or some ice trays. The rest of the fridge has adjustable temperature controls starting as low as 33.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Best of all, it uses only 70 watts of energy, which earned it the Energy Star award for the Most Efficient device in 2020.
Features:
- 17.5 by 18.5 by 19.5 inches
- Removable glass shelf, a freezer section, and additional door storage
- Adjustable temperature controls above 33.8 degrees Fahrenheit
- The customizable fridge comes in black, silver, and white
- 45 dB
2. Bodare 2-Door Mini Fridge With Freezer
This Bodare mini fridge is slightly larger than most other models on this list. However, it also has the largest capacity and a double door, making it highly convenient and functional.
The capacity of the unit is a total of 3.2 cubic feet. The lower portion is a 2.8 cubic feet refrigerator, while the upper part is a 0.7 cubic feet freezer. So, the fridge is suitable for small apartments and dorms alike, since it features two compact but spacious compartments.
Bodare uses 3D surround cooling and fluorine-free microcellular foaming technology to ensure the fridge is incredibly powerful. However, the unit also features a compressor that absorbs most of the sound. Thus, the fridge never exceeds 38 decibels of noise even on its highest cooling setting.
Speaking of cooling settings — there are 7 of them to choose from! They range from 23 to 53.6 degrees Fahrenheit for the refrigerator and from -11.2 to 10.4 degrees for the freezer.
This model is also an excellent choice if you’re looking to save up on your electricity bill. It uses around 77 watts of power per day, making it one of the most cost-efficient options on the list.
Furthermore, the mini fridge comes with removable shelves, so that you can adjust the inside of the unit according to your needs. The manufacturer claims that the shelves also have a higher bearing capacity than most other fridges on the market, which is a nice bonus.
Lastly, this fridge is another model that comes with a mini LED light inside. The light is yellow, and it’s located in the upper left section of the unit.
Features:
- 11.12 by 18.23 by 36 inches
- Double-door unit with 3.2 cubic feet capacity
- Has adjustable legs
- Comes with a LED light
- 38 dB
3. Cooluli Classic Portable Mini Fridge With Cooler and Warmer
Despite its diminutive size, this Cooluli mini fridge is actually one of the most impressive products I’ve come across in my search for the quietest appliance in this category. According to the manufacturer, the small fan only makes about 28 decibels of noise — which is basically completely silent. If you are looking for a mini fridge to keep in the nursery, you’ve found it!
In addition to being able to keep your items cool, this fridge can also warm them up. On the backside of the fridge, you’ll see a simple switch that will allow you to change between these two modes.
There are also three charging ports in the back for AC, DC, and USB charging. You’ll even be able to power the fridge with a 2 amp power bank since it works with an energy-efficient, high capacity 3 amp cooling chip.
The fact that this fridge can only store six cans at a time makes it that much more portable. There’s a single removable shelf inside the fridge, as well as a small notch inside the door that’s great for holding chocolate bars or small medicine bottles.
The fridge is 10.75 inches tall, 10.25 inches deep, and 7.25 inches wide. Furthermore, it only weighs 4 pounds. Given that it has a convenient carrying handle, you’ll have no trouble carrying it around with you if needed.
Features:
- 7.25 by 10.75 by 10.25 inches
- 6-can capacity (or four liters)
- Cooling and warming options
- Seven colors available
- 28 dB
4. Antarctic Star Mini Fridge and Wine Cooler
The Antarctic Star wine cooler produces only 38 dB of noise which makes it the perfect appliance for your entertainment room, basement, or kitchen.
It can fit seventeen or eighteen 750 ml wine bottles, though it’s also available in 26 and 36-bottle capacities. The smallest one measures in at 17.52 inches wide, 19.69 inches tall, and 17.99 inches deep.
Since the primary function of this device is wine cooling, it has a temperature setting dial inside the fridge. Most people suggest that the perfect wine storing temperature is 55 degrees Fahrenheit. But if you use the dial, you’ll be able to set it to anywhere in the 40–61-degree range.
Thanks to the removable partitions, there are multiple ways to arrange the contents of the fridge. However, with both of them in, you’d get three levels of storage. The reversible glass door doesn’t give you any additional storage, but it does let you check inside the cooler. Because of the blue LED light inside, your items will be visible.
Between the dual-pane door and the airtight gasket, the door should protect your beverages from UV light and unwanted moisture. Like the door itself, the legs of the cooler are adjustable, guarding the device against dampness and allowing you to make it level.
Features:
- 17.25 by 17.99 by 19.69 inches
- 18-bottle capacity (also available in 26 and 36-bottle sizes)
- Temperature adjustable between 40 and 61 degrees Fahrenheit
- Black with a reversible UV-blocking glass door
- 38 dB
5. Midea WHS-65LB1 Compact Fridge With Reversible Door
The Midea mini fridge resembles a regular fridge and stands at 19.37 inches tall, 17.72 inches wide, and 18.58 inches deep. It’s certainly big enough to store all sorts of snacks.
Its 1.6 cubic feet capacity interior is split in half by a removable metal grate shelf. Additionally, it has two shelves on the inside of the door for holding bottles and cans.
I should mention that the door of this fridge is actually reversible. Therefore, it’s one of the few products that would suit left-handed people. It also offers variety when it comes to color. You can get it in all black, all white, or you can choose a stylish combo — black with a stainless steel door.
The same options are available for the 2.4 cubic feet version of the product. There is also a larger, 3.4 cubic feet version that features a freezer compartment and a separate fruit drawer. However, since that product is 34.5 inches tall, I think that’s stretching the definition of the term “mini fridge.”
Unlike the smaller units I’ve described, this one only has cooling capabilities. However, despite its resemblance to a freezer, it can’t be used for storing frozen foods. The adjustable temperature only ranges from 32 to 35.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Features:
- 72 by 19.37 by 18.58 inches
- 6 cubic feet capacity (or 2.4 cubic feet)
- Reversible door and adjustable legs
- Comes in black, white, and black with a stainless steel door
- Between 36 dB and 45 dB
6. Galanz GLR31TBEER Retro Mini Fridge With Dual Doors
Galanz gives us another retro mini fridge with this light blue model. Besides light blue, you can also get it in light green, red, shiny black, and plain white.
This fridge features an R600a high-efficiency and low-energy consumption compressor. As such, it is a powerful cooler that doesn’t consume too much energy. In fact, it uses just about 320 kilowatt hours on a yearly basis.
Regarding space, this model is a fantastic option. The refrigerator portion has a capacity of 2.08 cubic feet, and the freezer is just slightly shy of 1 cubic foot. In total, the unit has a 3.1 cubic feet capacity.
Although the appliance does feature a compressor that absorbs some of the noise, it is not as quiet as some other models covered. Still, seeing that the noise is somewhere around 42 decibels, the fridge is quieter than most others on the market.
The shelves in the fridge are made of sturdy glass, and they are all slide-outs. So, you can organize the fridge however you want based on the food and beverages you usually have at hand.
Inside the fridge, there is a thermostat knob you can use to control the temperature manually, ranging from 32 to 47 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, you can easily adjust the temperature according to what you’re storing.
Features:
- 19.17 by 23.31 by 35.16 inches
- Retro design is available in 6 different colors
- Semi-automatic defrosting system
- Has gotten the Energy Star award for efficiency
- 42 dB
7. CROWNFUL Portable Mini Fridge Cooler and Warmer
With dimensions of 7.48 by 9.85 by 10.83 inches, this CROWNFUL model truly puts the mini in mini fridge. It can fit into most spaces, from small RVs and counters to that small space under your desk.
Since the fridge is so compact, it is also portable. You can take it with you on trips and ensure you always have a cold beverage at hand, no matter where you are going.
Although the fridge is advertised as a beverage model, you can use it to store your food as well. The capacity is 4 liters (0.004 cubic feet or 6 cans), so you should be able to fit your most basic necessities in it.
Besides cooling, you can also use this unit for warming. The temperatures range from 32 to 149 degrees Fahrenheit. You simply flip a switch based on your needs, and the fridge does the rest.
The fridge is fully eco-friendly and freon-free, making it a great choice if you’re trying to lead a more sustainable lifestyle. Plus, this model is made using an innovative ETL-certified safety technology, ensuring all your drinks and snacks are safe to eat.
And finally, this mini fridge is the quietest on this list. If you put it in the Sleep Mode, the sound won’t cross 25 decibels, allowing you to rest or relax in a nearly soundless environment.
Features:
- 7.48 by 9.85 by 10.83 inches
- Portable mini fridge with a 4-liter capacity
- Made with ETL-certified safety technology
- A cooler and warmer combined
- 25 dB
8. RCA RFR321 IGLOO Mini Refrigerator With Freezer
If you liked the previous 3.2 cubic feet unit I’ve described, but you don’t necessarily need a glass door, you might want to check out this RCA mini fridge. Due to such a large capacity, the size of this fridge should come as no surprise. It’s about 31.6 inches tall, 17.5 inches wide, and 18.6 inches deep from the outside.
When you open the fridge, you’ll find the whole top section is taken up by the 0.2 cubic feet freezer. What’s more, you’ll see a temperature dial right next to it, allowing you to set the device to one of five cooling settings.
Depending on what you need to put inside, you may have to play around with arranging the two removable shelves in the six available slots. There are also four storage compartments built into the reversible door. The vertical can dispenser alone can fit seven or eight cans at one time, and the other sections can hold even taller bottles.
Lastly, you’ll be able to choose between seven stylish colors. If you’re not particularly flashy, you could stick with black, stainless steel, or white. However, if you want to bring some color into the mix, blue, orange, purple, and red versions are available too.
Features:
- 17.5 by 18.6 by 31.6 inches
- 84-liter capacity (3.2 cubic feet)
- Adjustable thermostat and reversible door
- Seven colors available
9. COMFEE Solo Series Retro Mini Refrigerator
If you’re looking for a fridge without a freezer compartment, this model will check all your boxes. It has an impressive capacity of 3.3 cubic feet, and dimensions of 17.3 by 19.2 by 32.9 inches.
![COMFEE 3.3 Cubic Feet Solo Series Retro Refrigerator Sleek Appearance HIPS Interior, Energy Saving, Adjustable Legs, Temperature Thermostat Dial, Removable Shelf, Perfect for Home/Dorm/Garage [Black]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21Mq+NFTTbL._SL500_.jpg)
Furthermore, the unit uses only 220 Kilowatt hours per year, a stat that earned it a 5 Energy Star grade. In other words, this fridge is one of the best decisions you can make if saving up on your electricity bill is your main goal.
Although the model has a retro design, the manufacturer did an excellent job mixing it up with modern colors and details. Therefore, the fridge will fit into any interior you have, even if you aren’t crazy about vintage appliances.
The fridge hinges feature a self-closing mechanism that will shut the door as soon as it is at 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Still, it’s always best to close the door by hand so you don’t leave it open on accident.
Comfee makes all its fridges 100% suitable for different types of foods. This particular model is made from a food-grade HIPS material that will ensure all your fresh food is always safe for consumption.
Features:
- 17.3 by 19.2 by 32.9 inches
- Self-closing door hinges
- Interiors made of a food-grade HIPS material
- 3.3 cubic feet capacity
- 42 dB
10. HomeLabs Mini Fridge With Glass Door
HomeLabs is another company that excels at making quiet devices — whether they’re air purifiers and dehumidifiers or kitchen appliances like ice makers or compact fridges. I say “compact” only because I could hardly refer to this 120-can capacity cooler as a “mini fridge.” However, it’s still small enough to be mentioned in this article.
At 19 inches wide, 33.3 inches tall, and 17.3 inches deep, this fridge is one of the largest units on my list. Its internal dimensions measure 16 inches wide, 29 inches tall, and 12 inches deep, which gives you plenty of space for any food or beverages you’d like to keep cool.
There are also three removable shelves you can set to different heights to customize the interior. Thanks to the glass door, you’ll be able to see the items you’ll need to restock without even opening the fridge.
The device also has touch controls that allow you to turn on the white LED light inside and tweak the temperature settings. You’ll be able to get it down to 34 degrees Fahrenheit — and your fridge will remember your preference even if the power goes out.
But remember, you’ll have to keep it level if you expect quiet performance. Thankfully, the feet of the device are individually adjustable.
Features:
- 18.9 by 33.3 by 17.3 inches
- 120-can capacity (or 3.2 cubic feet)
- Adjustable temperature settings via touch controls
- Stainless steel fridge with a left-hinge glass door and internal LED light
- 42 dB
Tips for Making Your Mini Fridge Even Quieter
As we have discussed, the mini fridges in my reviews are all dependably quiet. Usually, that means you won’t hear a peep out of them. On top of that, there should be none of those weird vibrations you sometimes hear coming from a large fridge! That being said, let’s talk about what you should do if the device you get eventually starts buzzing or vibrating.
If it happens, there are some things you could do to make it quieter:
- Adjust the feet of the fridge: For starters, check if the surface the fridge is on is even. If it’s not, try to make it so by adjusting the feet.
- Put the fridge on a soft surface: If you still hear some vibrations, put the fridge on a soft surface, like a quarter-inch thick carpet or an anti-vibration mat. Alternatively, you could make your own mat out of some old mousepads. As long as whatever you end up using is level, the fridge noise should subside.
- Make sure the fridge has enough room: You should check if the fridge is working overtime to keep itself cool. If the device has a fan in the back, make sure it has plenty of room to do its thing.
- Move the fridge: If all else fails, just keep the fridge on the other side of the room. It’ll be less convenient when you have to get up to get a drink, but at least the noise won’t bother you as much.
Last Thoughts
Honestly, you could definitely survive without a mini fridge — but why would you want to? Now that you’ve seen all the different kinds of fridges there are and the many ways you can use them, there’s no reason not to get one.
Whether you need it to store pick-me-up beverages at the office, keep snacks in your dorm, or for a road trip — one of the products from my list will surely fit the bill. And best of all — you won’t hear a peep!
RELATED POSTS:
- Why Is My Fridge Making A Buzzing Noise?
- What To Do If Your Fridge Makes A Loud Popping Noise
- How To Make A Noisy Fridge Quieter
- Best Quiet Electric Kettles
- Quiet, Non-Squeaky Bed Frames
SHARE ON:
- By Soundproof Living