Today we are reviewing the best retro mini fridges you can find. There’s something so satisfying when you sit down in the comfort of your den, office, or bedroom and you have the ability to just reach over and pull a cold beverage and snack out of a retro mini-fridge. While the idea can come across as a tad absurd, college dorm rooms across the world live off of these mini-fridges and it’s only right to have them inside homes too. Even better? A retro mini fridge that’s able to bring some color and eclectic design into a room that’s normally mundane. Let’s talk about the best of them and what to look for.
Retro Mini Fridges – All the Small Things
Are all retro mini refrigerators small?
The word small is subjective when it comes to the mini-fridge. While some can only fit a 12-pack of sodas, others may be able to hold a rack of ribs. The brand and model will specify the measurements and that should let shoppers know if the mini-fridge is small enough for the space they have in mind. For instance, a tiny camper may only need something big enough to hold a six-pack while a large room with multiple people sharing the space will need something larger.
Keep in mind that because space is limited, it’s better to store smaller healthier snacks in the fridge as many don’t get cool enough to freeze normal household items like uncooked meat.
How Deep is the Freeze?
If you’ve never been shopping for a mini-fridge, then you’re in for a treat and a few surprises as well. All freezers aren’t built the same. Some offer up a little drawer big enough to hold half of an ice cube tray while others span the same width as the refrigerator itself. Pick a retro fridge with a freezer that’s the same width and hopefully the same depth as the larger space if you’re looking to store more items in the area, like water bottles or ice pops. Some of the retro refrigerators even come with an ice cube tray.
How Safe is it In My Bedroom?
Retro fridges are often thought to have the same components as large kitchen refrigerators but that’s not necessarily true. While there may be components of the icebox that aren’t recommended for the novice to handle, they’re safe to keep in bedrooms so long as they’re on a hard surface. Don’t keep it on the bed, keep your retro mini fridge in a corner, on the floor, a table, or any other piece of furniture with a flat surface large enough to hold it.
There’s also an option to purchase a mini-fridge stand that will be sturdy enough and level enough to keep it in place no matter where the fridge is plugged in.
Can You Put a Mini Fridge on the Carpet?
Generally speaking, putting a retro mini fridge on the carpet will reduce its airflow and stop it from getting as cold as it should be. Another thing to consider is if something’s not closed all the way inside and spills out. Cleaning out the fridge is one thing; on a hard surface, it should wipe away anything that spills or leaks out with ease. However, on a carpet, it may seep out and stain, or even worse, leave an odor behind. Owners would be better off setting it on some sort of stand or another non-porous surface.
In this article, we are going to review the following 10 retro mini fridges:
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- Galanz GLR44BEER Retro Refrigerator
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- Frigidaire EFR376-BLACK 3.2 Cu Ft Black Retro Bar Fridge with Side Bottle Opener
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- Igloo IRF16RSRD Classic Single Door Chrome Handle
- Frigidaire Mini Portable Compact Personal Fridge Cools & Heats
- RCA RMIS129-BLUE Mini Retro 6 Can Beverage Refrigerator
Top 10 Contenders for Best Retro Mini Fridges
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- Low Noise
- Two door design
- 7-gear temperature adjustment
This Northair compact retro fridge comes equipped with a wine rack and a dual door design that doesn’t let the cold escape from one compartment when the other is opened. It’s low noise barely reaches 40 decibels which is great for studying or simply enjoying the latest binge-worthy series. The retro mini fridge is also energy efficient and environmentally friendly with tempered glass shelves and a food drawer.
This powerful little unit can also maintain temperatures for up to 6 hours should the power go out. If that happens, however, it’s best to keep the doors closed until the power comes back on or deplete the fridge of its contents before they spoil or melt.
Galanz Retro Refrigerator
- Adjustable Mechanical Thermostat Control
- Interior Light
- Reversible Door and Retro Door Handle
The polished look with a pop of color makes this retro fridge stand out as it offers an energy-efficient way to store and cool items in a compact space of 4.4 cubic feet. The door is reversible which is great for users who want to swap it around to use with their dominant hand, or to let the door swing in the right direction for the space it’s in.
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- Fresh food sliding drawer
- LED lighting
- Low noise level
The Daewoo retro fridge is a compact energy-efficient appliance that doesn’t rumble loudly in the quiet. It can be set on a tabletop or on any other hard surface, but its petite frame lets it snuggle into tight spaces. It comes with a soft dial to easily control the temperature and an LED light to see what you’re grabbing late at night.
Frigidaire 3.2 Cu Ft Black Retro Bar Fridge with Side Bottle Opener
- Built-in side bottle opener
- 2 glass shelves
- 1 included ice tray
The retro mini fridge takes convenience an extra step with the handy bottle opener on the side. No longer worry about stocking the fridge with twist-off refreshments, keep your favorite chilly beverages inside without wondering which kitchen drawer the bottle opener has disappeared into. The freezer doesn’t leave much room for storage outside of the ice tray, but there’s plenty in the larger compartment below with two removable shelves that can be shifted around to accommodate the contents inside.
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- Adjustable temperature
- Removable glass shelves
- Low noise level
The compact design from Safeplus offers cabinet-like storage for cold items with the option to freeze one or two things. The unit runs quietly making it optimal for offices, labs, classrooms, and bedrooms. The shelves being removable make for easy cleaning in case of spills or messes. The temperature drops down to 32° F to keep items fresh and can rise up to 50° to keep items from freezing.
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- Compact and space-saving
- Low noise level
- Adjustable Temperature controls
All things small aren’t miniature, but when it comes to the KUPPET, this space-saving cooling box barely occupies 2 cubic feet. It’s small with a single divider inside and a shelf in the door to hold a few beverages. It has a high elasticity seal with sturdy construction that make the seal difficult to break. It can even be used to store beauty products and prolong their freshness.
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- LED Lighting
- Dual Door Design
- Adjustable Temperatures
The sleek 50s inspired vintage retro design with its bright color makes this model KUPPET a knock out in any space it’s in. There are two doors to help keep the cold in which is controlled from a thermostat knob inside the larger compartment. There is a removable shelf and drawer for easy storage and cleaning. Both the freezer doors and the fridge doors can hold an assortment of snacks and beverages.
There’s even enough room to house some wine bottles for an average occasion or a special one. Another option is to keep chilled glasses or cups inside of the mini-fridge.
Igloo Classic Single Door Chrome Handle
- Easy Access Thermostat
- Separate Freezer Compartment
- Versatile storage
Garages, offices, basements, dens, bedrooms, dorm rooms, workshops, and more can house a unit like this without taking up a bunch of space. This compact retro mini fridge is able to shift its storage space around by removing the shelf or sliding it into place to create two shelves of storage inside.
The temperature control option is easy to access next to the freezer. There’s room for several beverages from cans to larger containers in the door of this Igloo Classic that holds a vintage 1950s charm with a complimentary bottle opener attached to the front.
Frigidaire Mini Portable Compact Personal Fridge Cools & Heats
- Portable
- Freon Free & Ecofriendly
- Plugs into wall outlets or car chargers
Road trips will never be the same as this portable micro-fridge offers up a solution to the traditional cooler filled with ice and beverages that perspire and melt as the journey progresses. The compact unit is able to hold up to six 12 oz cans or anything else that can fit into the 5 in x 5 in x 7.5 in interior space.
It doesn’t need a special kind of socket like larger appliances either. It can be plugged into the car charger which is great when traveling with children, big and small, a group of adults, or even if you’re into the solo trip.
RCA Blue Mini Retro 6 Can Beverage Refrigerator
- Designed to fit easily where you need it
- Holds 6 X 12oz cans or 4 liters
- Vibration Free cooling system
This is an awesome option for a mini retro fridge. Not only it is it small and can be placed just about anywhere, but it is also pretty quiet. This mini-fridge is perfect for the home office or bedroom. It certainly saves you time when you consider all the runs to the kitchen or even the break room if you take this bad boy to work. It’s the perfect size for adding in a few cans and lunch for the day.
While we were surprised at how small this mini fridge was will be perfect for those who need a mini fridge that is actually “mini”. At 10.2 X 7.4 X 10.9 inches it makes for a great option.
