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The best small dorm fridge fits under a desk, beside a bed or inside a closet nook. Cube fridges hold about 1.6 to 1.7 cubic feet, enough for drinks, yogurt, fruit and a few leftovers, and they weigh little enough to carry up stairs on move-in day.
We compared 1.6 to 1.7 cubic foot cube fridges on Amazon on height, listed energy use, noise and power options.
Quick Answer: The Best Small Dorm Fridge
- Best OverallBLACK+DECKER BCRK17B
- Best WarrantyMidea 1.6 ENERGY STAR
- ShortestFrigidaire 1.6 Compact
- QuietestFrigidaire 1.6 Onyx
- Best SettingsFeelfunn 1.7 Cube
- Best 12V OptionKoolatron 1.7 Stainless
BLACK+DECKER BCRK17B is the best small dorm fridge for most students: ENERGY STAR certified at a listed 201 kWh a year and about 70 watts. Midea 1.6 adds a two-year compressor warranty, Frigidaire 1.6 Compact is under 18 inches tall, Frigidaire 1.6 Onyx lists under 37 dB, Feelfunn 1.7 lists 38 dB or less and Koolatron 1.7 runs on 12V or 110V.
Best Small Dorm Fridge Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK+DECKER BCRK17B | Best Overall | Cube compact, chiller | 201 kWh/yr, ENERGY STAR | Check Price |
| Midea 1.6 ENERGY STAR | Best Warranty | Cube mini fridge | 2-year compressor | Check Price |
| Frigidaire 1.6 Compact | Shortest | Cube mini fridge | 17.5 in. tall | Check Price |
| Frigidaire 1.6 Onyx | Quietest | Cube mini fridge | Under 37 dB | Check Price |
| Feelfunn 1.7 Cube | Best Settings | Cube compact with freezer compartment | 7 levels, 38 dB | Check Price |
| Koolatron 1.7 Stainless | Best 12V Option | Compact fridge, 12V DC / 110V AC | 12V DC or 110V AC | Check Price |
The 6 Dorm Picks We Recommend
Many colleges limit refrigerator size, usually to around 3 to 5 cubic feet, and some restrict microwaves or high-wattage appliances, so check your housing rules before you buy.
1. BLACK+DECKER BCRK17B 1.7 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator
1. BLACK+DECKER is efficient and compact.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- ENERGY STAR certified
- Lowest listed energy use in this size class
- Fits under most desks
- Door holds 1-liter bottles
Cons
- One shelf limits storage
- Manual defrost
- Chiller is for ice trays, not frozen meals
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 1.7 cu ft (0.33 cu ft chiller)
- Dimensions: 17.5" W x 18.5" D x 19.7" H
- Listed energy use: 201 kWh/year
- Certification: ENERGY STAR, R600a refrigerant
- Power: About 70 watts (manufacturer)
- Defrost: Manual
The BCRK17B is BLACK+DECKER’s smallest compressor fridge. It stands under 20 inches tall, uses R600a refrigerant with an ENERGY STAR certified compressor, and lists 201 kWh per year. A removable glass shelf, a small chiller and a door bin for 1-liter bottles cover snacks and drinks.
Fits under most desks.
2. Midea WHS-65LB1 1.6 Cu. Ft. Mini Fridge, ENERGY STAR
2. Midea 1.6 is ENERGY STAR.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- ENERGY STAR certified per listing
- Fits under a desk
- Glass shelf
- Two-year compressor warranty
Cons
- Small
- Tiny freezer section only
- Manual defrost
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 1.6 cu ft
- Dimensions: 18.6" W x 17.7" D x 19.4" H
- Energy: 207 kWh/year, ENERGY STAR (listed)
- Noise: Under 42 dB (listed)
- Shelf: Removable glass shelf
- Warranty: 1 yr full, 2 yr compressor
Midea’s 1.6 cubic foot cube fridge is ENERGY STAR certified with a listed 207 kWh a year, fits under a desk at 19.4 inches tall and carries a two-year compressor warranty.
Glass shelf.
3. Frigidaire 1.6 Cu. Ft. Compact Mini Fridge with Freezer Compartment
3. Frigidaire 1.6 fits low spaces.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Under 18 inches tall
- 2-liter rack
- Trusted brand
- Low price
Cons
- Wire shelf
- Small
- No real freezer
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 1.6 cu ft
- Dimensions: 19.21" W x 18.3" D x 17.51" H
- Energy: 200 kWh/year (listed)
- Storage: Full-width shelf, 2L bottle rack
- Freezer: Small compartment
- Warranty: 1 year limited
Frigidaire’s 1.6 cubic foot cube fits under most desks at 17.5 inches tall, with a full-width shelf and a 2-liter bottle rack.
2-liter rack.
4. Frigidaire Onyx is quiet.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Quiet 37 dB rating
- Low price
- Trusted brand
- Under-desk size
Cons
- Small
- Wire shelf
- No real freezer
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 1.6 cu ft (1.55 listed)
- Dimensions: 18" W x 18.5" D x 20" H
- Noise: Under 37 dB (listed)
- Energy: 200 kWh/year (listed)
- Shelves: Removable
- Door: Reversible with can storage
Frigidaire’s 1.6 cubic foot onyx mini fridge lists under 37 dB, among the quietest ratings we found, in an under-desk cube.
Low price.
5. Feelfunn 1.7 Cu. Ft. Mini Fridge with Freezer, Silver
5. Feelfunn has fine control.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fits under a desk or nightstand
- 38 dB or less
- 7 settings
- Compressor cooling
Cons
- Tiny freezer compartment
- 1.7 cu ft fills quickly
- Manual defrost
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 1.7 cu ft
- Dimensions: 17.5" W x 16.9" D x 19.1" H
- Temperature: 32–50°F, 7 levels
- Noise: 38 dB or less (manufacturer)
- Listed energy use: 230 kWh/year (0.55 kWh/day)
- Doors: Reversible
Feelfunn’s 1.7 cubic foot cube is just 19.1 inches tall, so it slides under a desk or sits on a sturdy shelf. It runs 32–50°F across seven levels, is rated 38 dB or less and lists 0.55 kWh per day.
Compressor cooling.
6. Koolatron 1.7 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Compact Fridge with Freezer
6. Koolatron also runs in a car.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Runs on 12V DC or 110V AC
- Stainless steel front
- Recessed handle
- Compact cube size
Cons
- Small capacity
- Freezer compartment is small
- Pricier than basic cubes
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 1.7 cu ft (48 L)
- Dimensions: 17.25" W x 19.5" D x 20.25" H
- Power: 12V DC or 110V AC
- Listed energy use: 235 kWh/year
- Finish: Stainless steel and black
- Extras: Reversible door, recessed handle
Koolatron’s 1.7 cubic foot fridge can run on 110V AC at home or 12V DC in a vehicle, which makes it popular with travelers and truckers. It has a stainless steel and black finish, recessed handle, reversible door and small freezer compartment, with listed use of 235 kWh per year.
Stainless front.
How We Chose the Best Small Dorm Fridge
To choose the best small dorm fridge, we compared mini fridges and dorm appliances sold on Amazon in the U.S. on listed capacity, outside dimensions, whether the freezer is a separate compartment or a small chiller, listed yearly energy use, ENERGY STAR status, manufacturer noise ratings and warranty. Because many colleges limit refrigerator size, wattage and microwave types, we also flag features that commonly run into housing rules. We read owner reviews for recurring problems such as noisy compressors, freezers that ice up and doors that do not seal.
We checked efficiency claims against ENERGY STAR refrigerator guidance and food-safety temperatures against the FDA’s food storage advice (40°F or colder in the fridge, 0°F in the freezer). Our full process is explained on our How We Test page. We do not list prices or star ratings because they change daily.
How to Choose the Best Small Dorm Fridge
Measure the space
Height under desks varies.
Cube capacity
1.6 to 1.7 cubic feet.
2-liter storage
Check the door rack.
Energy
About 200 to 250 kWh a year listed.
Noise
Cubes sit close to you.
Freezer
Cubes have small compartments at most.
Weight
Most are under 30 pounds.
Defrosting a manual-defrost mini fridge
Most budget mini fridges are manual defrost. When frost on the freezer plate builds to about a quarter inch, unplug the fridge, move food to a cooler, put a towel under the drip tray and let the ice melt. Never chip ice with a knife, which can puncture the cooling lines.
Energy use in real numbers
Listed yearly energy use for the fridges here runs from about 180 to 420 kWh. At a typical U.S. residential rate, that is roughly 30 to 70 dollars a year, so a more efficient fridge pays back a small price difference over a few years. ENERGY STAR certified compact refrigerators use less energy than the federal minimum standard requires.
Tips for Living With a Dorm Fridge
- Raise it on a stand. Easier access.
- Leave space behind. Airflow.
- Keep it at 40°F. Food safety.
- Do not overpack. Cubes fill fast.
Below are common questions readers ask about choosing the best small dorm fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best small dorm fridge?
BLACK+DECKER BCRK17B for most students.
How small is a cube fridge?
About 17 to 20 inches tall.
Can a cube fridge fit under a desk?
Most can; measure first.
Do small fridges have freezers?
Some have tiny compartments.
Are small fridges efficient?
Several are ENERGY STAR listed.
Final Verdict
BLACK+DECKER BCRK17B is the best small dorm fridge for most students, with Midea 1.6 for warranty and Frigidaire Onyx for quiet. Measure your space and pick the best small dorm fridge for it.
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Prices and availability change often. Check the retailer listing for the current price, warranty and exact dimensions before you buy.
