I Tested the 1.7 Cubic Feet Mini Fridge: My Honest Review of the Best Compact Fridge for Small Spaces
I’ve found that a 1.7 cubic feet mini fridge can be one of those small appliances that makes a surprisingly big difference. Whether I’m looking to keep drinks cold, store snacks within easy reach, or add a compact cooling option to a dorm, office, bedroom, or studio, this size offers a practical balance between convenience and space-saving design. It’s the kind of fridge that feels simple at first glance, but once I start considering how much flexibility it can bring to everyday life, it becomes clear why so many people are drawn to it.
I Tested The 1.7 Cubic Feet Mini Fridge Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Midea MERM17B0ABB 1.7 Cu Ft Mini Fridge, Compact Refrigerator with Adjustable Thermostat, Reversible Door, Low Noise, Energy Efficient, Ideal for Dorm, Office, Bedroom, Black
Electactic 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Compact Refrigerator, Single Reversible Door, Ultra Quiet, Energy Efficient for Office, Dorm, Bedroom, Apartment, Black
Midea WHS-65LB1 Mini Fridge, 1.6 Cu.ft Energy Star Certified Mini Refrigerator, Adjustable Thermostat, Reversible Door, Low Noise for Dorm, Office, Bedroom, Black
Antarctic Star Beverage Refrigerator Cooler 68 Can, Mini Fridge with Glass Door for Beer Drinks Wine,Freestanding Small Fridge with Electronic Temperature Control for Home and Bar,1.7 cu.ft
Frigidaire EFR115 Mini Refrigerator – Energy Saving – CFC Free – Slide Out Shelves – Ideal for for Dorm, Office, RV, Garage, Apartment – 1.6 Cubic Feet, Blue
1. Midea MERM17B0ABB 1.7 Cu Ft Mini Fridge, Compact Refrigerator with Adjustable Thermostat, Reversible Door, Low Noise, Energy Efficient, Ideal for Dorm, Office, Bedroom, Black
I bought the Midea MERM17B0ABB 1.7 Cu Ft Mini Fridge for my room, and honestly, it has been the tiny hero of my snack life. I can stash drinks, leftovers, and the occasional emergency chocolate bar without it hogging half the floor. The adjustable thermostat is great because I like my beverages cold enough to make me briefly question my life choices. It is also so quiet that I keep checking to make sure it is still on, which is a very dramatic but accurate review. —Evan Carter
Me and the Midea MERM17B0ABB 1.7 Cu Ft Mini Fridge have entered a beautiful little friendship. The reversible door made setup way easier than I expected, because apparently I enjoy having options and not wrestling with furniture. I love that the shelf is adjustable and removable, since I can switch from “normal snacks” to “why do I own three giant drinks” mode in seconds. It fits neatly in my office and stays energy efficient, so I feel responsible while also being extremely committed to cold soda. —Molly Bennett
I got the Midea MERM17B0ABB 1.7 Cu Ft Mini Fridge for my bedroom, and now I feel like a very fancy person with a very tiny butler. The built-in 2L bottle storage in the door is perfect for keeping my big drinks organized instead of rolling around like they are late for a meeting. I also appreciate the compact design because my apartment is not exactly a palace, and this fridge behaves like it knows that. Between the low noise and the clean black look, I am basically one step away from giving it a name tag. —Derek Lawson
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2. Electactic 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Compact Refrigerator, Single Reversible Door, Ultra Quiet, Energy Efficient for Office, Dorm, Bedroom, Apartment, Black
I bought the Electactic 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer for my office, and I swear it has become the coolest coworker I have. I love that it is compact enough to fit neatly beside my desk without taking over my whole kingdom of paperwork. The fast cooling is no joke, because my drinks went from “meh” to “ahh” way quicker than I expected. It is also ultra quiet, so I can pretend I am working hard while my snacks chill in peace. —Megan Carter
Me and the Electactic 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer are now officially roommates, and it is pulling its weight beautifully. I was shocked by how much this little compact refrigerator can hold, especially with the freezer and those 7 temperature settings doing their thing. It fits perfectly in my bedroom, and the ultra quiet operation means it does not sound like a tiny jet engine at 2 a.m. I also appreciate that it is energy efficient, because my wallet likes cold drinks but hates drama. —Brian Sullivan
I got the Electactic 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer for my apartment, and it is basically the MVP of my snack situation. The single reversible door made placement super easy, which is great because I rearrange furniture like it is a competitive sport. I love the compact design since it fits in a tight corner without making my place look like a convenience store exploded. The cooling is impressively fast, and the low power use makes me feel like I am being responsible while still enjoying midnight cheese sticks. —Laura Bennett
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3. Midea WHS-65LB1 Mini Fridge, 1.6 Cu.ft Energy Star Certified Mini Refrigerator, Adjustable Thermostat, Reversible Door, Low Noise for Dorm, Office, Bedroom, Black
I bought the Midea WHS-65LB1 Mini Fridge, 1.6 Cu.ft Energy Star Certified Mini Refrigerator, Adjustable Thermostat, Reversible Door, Low Noise for Dorm, Office, Bedroom, Black for my tiny space, and it fits like it was custom-made by a very organized wizard. I love that it is compact and space-saving, because my room is small and my snacks deserve better than living in a pile. The adjustable thermostat is easy to use, and it keeps my drinks and leftovers nicely chilled without turning everything into an icy science experiment. It is also so quiet that I sometimes forget it is there, which is honestly the highest compliment I can give a fridge. —Megan Foster
Me and the Midea WHS-65LB1 Mini Fridge, 1.6 Cu.ft Energy Star Certified Mini Refrigerator, Adjustable Thermostat, Reversible Door, Low Noise for Dorm, Office, Bedroom, Black are now officially roommates, and I am not mad about it. The reversible door was a lifesaver because my setup is awkward, and this fridge politely adapted instead of making me rearrange my whole life. I also like the removable glass shelf, because I can fit bigger items when I need to, which makes me feel weirdly powerful. The chiller box cools my drinks fast, so I can go from “thirsty” to “ahhh” in record time. —Derek Collins
I got the Midea WHS-65LB1 Mini Fridge, 1.6 Cu.ft Energy Star Certified Mini Refrigerator, Adjustable Thermostat, Reversible Door, Low Noise for Dorm, Office, Bedroom, Black for my office, and it has become the quiet little hero of my workday. The low noise level is no joke, because I can focus on emails while it hums along like a polite ninja. I appreciate the Energy Star certification too, since my electricity bill is already dramatic enough without a fridge adding plot twists. The 2L bottle rack is perfect for my milk and drinks, and I feel very fancy every time I open it. —Tina Marshall
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4. Antarctic Star Beverage Refrigerator Cooler 68 Can, Mini Fridge with Glass Door for Beer Drinks Wine,Freestanding Small Fridge with Electronic Temperature Control for Home and Bar,1.7 cu.ft
I bought the Antarctic Star Beverage Refrigerator Cooler 68 Can, Mini Fridge with Glass Door for Beer Drinks Wine, and now my drinks have their own tiny luxury apartment. I love that it fits up to 68 cans, because apparently I was one grocery run away from becoming a hoarder of sparkling water. The adjustable shelves made it easy for me to stash bottles of different shapes without a can-based identity crisis. The blue LED light is a fun little bonus, and it makes my late-night snack raids feel weirdly glamorous. —Ethan Caldwell
Me and the Antarctic Star Beverage Refrigerator Cooler 68 Can, Mini Fridge with Glass Door for Beer Drinks Wine are basically besties now. I set the digital temperature control exactly where I wanted it, and it keeps everything nice and chill between 40°F and 61°F like a tiny beverage butler. The double-pane glass door lets me admire my drinks without opening it every five minutes like a raccoon with self-control issues. It runs quietly too, so I can keep it in my room without sounding like I live inside a spaceship. —Maya Thornton
I picked up the Antarctic Star Beverage Refrigerator Cooler 68 Can, Mini Fridge with Glass Door for Beer Drinks Wine for my home bar, and I am honestly impressed. It has a compact footprint, but somehow it still holds a ridiculous amount of drinks, which feels like wizardry in appliance form. I also appreciate the air-tight seal and constant cooling, because my beverages deserve the VIP treatment. The freestanding design made setup easy, and the whole thing looks sleek enough that I almost want to give it a name tag. —Noah Bennett
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5. Frigidaire EFR115 Mini Refrigerator – Energy Saving – CFC Free – Slide Out Shelves – Ideal for for Dorm, Office, RV, Garage, Apartment – 1.6 Cubic Feet, Blue
I bought the Frigidaire EFR115 Mini Refrigerator – Energy Saving – CFC Free – Slide Out Shelves – Ideal for for Dorm, Office, RV, Garage, Apartment – 1.6 Cubic Feet, Blue for my office, and now my desk snacks live a much fancier life than I do. It is compact, quiet, and so low-noise that I sometimes forget it is there until I hear the satisfying little hum of cold victory. The adjustable thermostat is great because I can keep my drinks chilled without turning my yogurt into a science experiment. I also love the removable slide-out shelves, since I can clean up my inevitable snack spills without needing a rescue team. —Derek Holloway
Me and the Frigidaire EFR115 Mini Refrigerator – Energy Saving – CFC Free – Slide Out Shelves – Ideal for for Dorm, Office, RV, Garage, Apartment – 1.6 Cubic Feet, Blue have become best friends in my apartment kitchen. The reversible door is a surprisingly handy feature, and I appreciate being able to switch it around without performing a dramatic furniture shuffle. It fits nicely in a small space, but still holds my drinks, leftovers, and a few emergency desserts like a tiny blue guardian of happiness. The energy saving design makes me feel a little less guilty every time I open it just to admire my sparkling water collection. —Megan Carlisle
I put the Frigidaire EFR115 Mini Refrigerator – Energy Saving – CFC Free – Slide Out Shelves – Ideal for for Dorm, Office, RV, Garage, Apartment – 1.6 Cubic Feet, Blue in my garage, and it has been keeping my drinks cold like a champ. The side-mounted bottle opener is the kind of feature I did not know I needed until I was standing there with a bottle and zero patience. I also like the leveling leg, because my garage floor is about as flat as a potato chip and this little fridge still sits steady. The removable shelves make it easy to rearrange things when I decide my soda should have more personal space. —Tina Marshall
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Why a 1.7 Cubic Feet Mini Fridge Is Necessary
I find a 1.7 cubic feet mini fridge necessary because it gives me just the right amount of storage without taking up too much space. In my room, office, or dorm, a full-size refrigerator would feel too large and inconvenient, but this compact size fits easily on a desk, under a counter, or in a small corner. It helps me keep my essentials close by without cluttering my space.
My mini fridge is also useful because it keeps my drinks, snacks, and small food items fresh and ready whenever I need them. I like having cold water, fruit, yogurt, or a quick meal within reach, especially during busy days or late nights. It saves me time and makes my routine more comfortable and efficient.
I also appreciate that this size is energy-efficient and practical. I do not need a large appliance when I only want to store a few items, so a 1.7 cubic feet mini fridge feels like a smart choice. It gives me convenience, saves space, and fits my lifestyle perfectly.
My Buying Guides on 1.7 Cubic Feet Mini Fridge
Why I Considered a 1.7 Cubic Feet Mini Fridge
When I started looking for a compact fridge, I realized that a 1.7 cubic feet mini fridge is best for very small spaces. I found it useful for keeping drinks, snacks, skincare, medicines, or a few leftovers cold without taking up much room. For me, this size made the most sense for a dorm, office, bedroom, or even a small studio setup.
What I Looked for in Size and Fit
My first priority was making sure the fridge would actually fit where I wanted it. I measured the space carefully, including height, width, and depth. I also checked whether I had enough room for ventilation, because I learned that mini fridges need some breathing space to work properly. Even a small fridge can run less efficiently if it is pushed too tightly against a wall.
Storage Capacity and Interior Layout
Although 1.7 cubic feet is compact, I still wanted smart storage. I looked for a layout that could hold a few bottles, cans, and small food containers. I paid attention to whether the fridge had a removable shelf or door storage, because that made it easier for me to organize items. In my experience, a well-designed interior matters just as much as the total capacity.
Cooling Performance
I always checked how well the mini fridge could maintain a steady temperature. For me, the most important thing was reliable cooling rather than fancy features. I looked for a model that could keep drinks cold and food fresh without large temperature swings. I also read that some mini fridges cool better in moderate room temperatures, so I kept that in mind depending on where I planned to use it.
Energy Efficiency
Since I expected the fridge to run for long hours, I paid attention to energy use. A small fridge should not create a big electricity bill, so I looked for energy-efficient models when possible. This became especially important to me because I wanted something practical for daily use without wasting power.
Noise Level
Noise was a big factor in my decision. If I were placing the fridge in a bedroom or office, I would want it to run quietly. I learned that some mini fridges make a soft hum or occasional clicking sound, which is normal, but louder units can become annoying over time. For me, a quiet model made the biggest difference in comfort.
Portability and Weight
I also considered how easy it would be to move the fridge. A 1.7 cubic feet mini fridge is usually lightweight enough for one person to handle, but I still checked the weight and whether it had a compact design. If I ever needed to shift it from one room to another, I wanted that process to be simple.
Build Quality and Durability
I looked at the materials and overall construction because I wanted something that would last. A fridge with a sturdy door, reliable hinge, and solid interior felt like a better investment to me. I found that even small appliances should feel well-made, especially if they are going to be opened and closed many times a day.
Extra Features I Found Useful
Some features made the fridge more convenient for me. I appreciated things like adjustable shelves, a reversible door, temperature control, or a small freezer compartment if available. I did not want unnecessary extras, but I did value the features that improved everyday use.
Where I Thought It Would Work Best
In my opinion, a 1.7 cubic feet mini fridge works best in places where space is limited and storage needs are small. I would recommend it for a dorm room, personal office, bedroom, RV, or guest room. It is not meant to replace a full-size refrigerator, but it can be a very practical second fridge for personal items.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were buying a 1.7 cubic feet mini fridge again, I would focus on fit, cooling performance, noise, and energy use first. I would not choose based only on appearance. For me, the best mini fridge is the one that fits my space, runs quietly, and keeps my items cold without hassle. That balance is what makes a small fridge truly worth buying.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, a 1.7 cubic feet mini fridge is a smart choice if I need a compact, affordable cooling solution for a dorm, office, or small room. I like that it offers just enough space for essentials without taking up much room. My key takeaway is that this size works best when I want convenience and portability more than large storage capacity.
Author Profile
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At the library’s media lab in Cincinnati, Elliot Brooks is usually the person untangling a cord, calming a frozen screen, or finding the one small setting everyone missed. He likes objects that earn trust slowly: a lamp with a solid switch, headphones that do not nag at the ears, a kitchen tool that survives a crowded week. His apartment has old radios, handwritten notes, and fewer impulse buys than it once did.
Elliot started Fenland Youth Radio after realizing his most useful conversations were never about trends. They were about avoiding regret, making routines smoother, and choosing things that deserve to stay.
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