Finding the right temperature setting can be tricky since the temperature dial has no markings. Freezer burn is inevitable if you leave anything in there for more than a few days. They’re all built around similar parts, just in different capacities with different shelves. Most manufacturers measure the interior of a fridge by essentially flooding it with water and accounting for every empty inch inside the fridge. We don’t use these measurements for our testing, because they would suggest you could store items in the area between the shelves and the door bins, or floating up against the ceiling.
The manufacturer dresses up the description with terms like “sealed compressor for quiet operation,” but that’s just marketing. We did not have problems with temperature fluctuation in the fridge section of the WHS-65L. We also put half a head of iceberg lettuce on the top shelf of the fridge to see how well the fridge could preserve perishable produce, as well as to see if it accidentally froze items sitting near the freezer. The Smeg Mini Refrigerator is an Italian-made, 1950s-inspired mini fridge that comes in a variety of colors .
A mini fridge is a great addition to small space dorm rooms while an apartment sized fridge may be a better option for larger dorm rooms or small shared kitchen spaces. We used a low-temperature digital thermometer to take readings in each appliance. For the fridge compartment, we recorded the maximum and minimum temperatures it reached over a period of half an hour. After narrowing down the group to our top two picks, we recorded overnight temperature readings to be sure that they worked well. For now, we’ve decided to ignore two-door mini fridges, but we may test them in the future. In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, Eva Bleyer has tested all types of kitchen products from blenders to kitchen scales.
We updated this story in November 2022 to ensure all picks tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab were available, in stock and correctly priced. Kyle Hamilton is a product tester at Reviewed, specializing in home appliances and technology. Though it does have some Arctic King performance and usability issues, the Galanz GLR31TBEER still looks great and offers a ton of usable storage area. If you’re not planning on keeping anything particularly perishable in your freezer, it may still be a good pick-up. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.
We love the sturdy handle, which makes the unit easy to open, and the adjustable door bins, which are perfect for fitting taller bottles. Take note that while the hinge is not reversible, you can choose a left or right hinge when you order. When you’re using a mini fridge for snacks and beverages in your dorm room or home office, you want something small. Since this is a convenience item, affordability is also important.
Convenient, up-front electronic temperature controls let you choose the ideal temperature for whatever foods you’re storing. When you load the fridge compartment with food, leave space for cold air to fully circulate around items. Make the most of every inch with flexible storage, like hanging storage for cans, ways to instantly add shelf space, and bins that slide up and down. You can also free up shelf space by storing bulky items like milk in a gallon door bin. Under-counter refrigerators provide a sleek look for your home while offering the same practicality as a compact unit.
Yes, and generally, motors last longer when they’re regularly run. What really speaks to your fridge’s longevity is how often you open and close it. The more you do so, Arctic King the harder the compressor works, and the shorter you can expect it to live. Over time, the wrong mix of spills and ensuing mold can start to damage the components.
Check the yellow Energy Guide Label to get an estimate of how much it will cost to run the refrigerator and how that cost compares to similar models. In addition to helping to keep your electricity bill down, it’s better for the environment. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay.