Know someone who is headed off to college soon? A mini fridge with freezer is a must-have for a dorm room. It’s the perfect place to stash quick snacks, meals, and beverages so your student doesn’t always have to head to the cafeteria for food.
Speaking from experience, I much preferred having a mini-fridge with a separate freezer (and separate door) vs the mini-fridge/freezer with only one door.
The cooling system is more efficient that way and you’re much less likely to find thawing food in the freezer compartment or frozen food in the refrigerated compartment.
FYI: At the time of this post, I couldn’t find any mini fridge/freezer combos priced under $200 at Amazon.
Table of Contents
- Mini Fridge with Freezer for College
- 1. Arctic King 3.2-Cubic Foot Two Door Mini Fridge with Freezer (Walmart)
- 2. Insignia 3.0-Cubic Foot Mini Fridge (Best Buy)
- 3. Whirlpool 3.1-Cubic Foot Mini Refrigerator (Target)
- 4. Insignia Retro 3.1-Cubic Foot Mini Fridge with Top Freezer (Best Buy)
- 5. Magic Chef 3.1-Cubic Foot Mini Fridge (The Home Depot)
- FAQs About Mini Fridge with Freezer
- Summary
Mini Fridge with Freezer for College
Here are the best deals we could find on a mini-fridge for college students – each priced under $200 with free shipping! All of these have separate freezer compartments and double doors.
1. Arctic King 3.2-Cubic Foot Two Door Mini Fridge with Freezer (Walmart)
Walmart: Arctic King 3.2 Cu Ft Two Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, Stainless Steel – $174 + FREE shipping
Features include:
- 3.2 cubic foot storage capacity
- Energy Star Certified
- Reversible door hinge for right or left opening
- Vegetable and fruit crisper
- 2L bottle storage rack and can dispenser
- Glass shelves
- 2 adjustable front legs for leveling
- Interior light
- Adjustable thermostat
2. Insignia 3.0-Cubic Foot Mini Fridge (Best Buy)
Best Buy: Insignia™ – 3.0 Cu. Ft. Mini Fridge – Stainless Steel – $179.99 + FREE shipping
Features include:
- 3.0 cubic foot storage capacity
- Mechanical thermostat controls (32º – 50º F)
- 2 shelves: adjustable shelf and half-depth shelf
- Can rack
- 0.9 cubic foot top freezer compartment
- Freestanding design
- Adjustable front feet
3. Whirlpool 3.1-Cubic Foot Mini Refrigerator (Target)
Target: Whirlpool 3.1 cu ft Mini Refrigerator Stainless Steel BCD-88V – $159.99 + FREE shipping
Plus, use your REDcard to pay to drop the price to $151.99!
Features include:
- 3.1 cubic foot storage capacity
- Reversible door
- 2 glass shelves
- Manual defrost
4. Insignia Retro 3.1-Cubic Foot Mini Fridge with Top Freezer (Best Buy)
Best Buy: Insignia™ – Retro 3.1 cu. ft. Mini Fridge with Top Freezer – $179.99 + FREE shipping
Features include:
- Retro details (choose from Cool Mint Green, Hot Rod Red, or Creamy Vanilla)
- 3.1 cubic foot storage capacity
- Glass-covered crisper
- 2 adjustable shelves
- Door racks
- Interior light
- Temperature control
- Ice tray and scoop
5. Magic Chef 3.1-Cubic Foot Mini Fridge (The Home Depot)
The Home Depot: Magic Chef 3.1 cu. ft. Mini Fridge – $180.43 + FREE shipping
Features include:
- Energy Star qualified
- Adjustable thermostat control
- Glass refrigerator shelves
- Can dispenser in the door
- Door racks
- 3.1 cubic foot storage capacity
- Manual defrost
- Interior light
- 2 reversible doors
- Flush back for easy placement
FAQs About Mini Fridge with Freezer
Is it better to get a mini-fridge with a freezer?
Yes, it’s better to get a two-door mini fridge with a separate freezer door. This ensures that your frozen food will stay at the proper temperature and remain safe to eat.
Also, having separate compartments helps prevent your refrigerated food from getting freezer burn and your frozen food from partially or completely thawing.
Can you store meat in a mini-fridge?
You can store any perishables in a mini-fridge, including meat.
Now, is it likely that college students will need to keep fresh meat in their fridges? Well, no, but at least you know that if they do, it will be safe to eat.
What should I keep in a mini-fridge for college?
A mini-fridge is great for college students to keep quick and easy breakfast, lunch, and snack items on hand.
Typical items to keep in the fridge include cut-up fruit and vegetables, milk, cold brew coffee, fruit juice, string cheese, creamer, yogurt cups, and even leftovers.
For the freezer, you’ll probably want to have some ice cube trays, freezer meals, and some treats like ice cream or popsicles.
Do college dorms allow mini fridges?
Yes, most college dorms allow you to have a mini-fridge inside your room. Be sure to check size regulations at your particular college, and coordinate with your roommate(s) to see if they want to share.
How big of a mini-fridge do I need for college?
If you don’t need a separate freezer compartment, you should be able to find a mini-fridge with a 2 cubic foot storage capacity. It will probably be a “cube” style. However, if you want a freezer, you’ll probably need a fridge with around a 3 cubic foot capacity or larger.
Where should you not put a mini-fridge?
Generally, you want to leave some room around your mini-fridge to allow the compressor and cooling system to properly function. Check to see where the coils on your fridge are located, and give them plenty of room.
We strongly recommend you check your mini fridge’s user manual for recommendations for your specific model. For example, you may or may not be able to put your mini-fridge on the carpet.
Summary
Even if you don’t have a student heading off to college, a mini-fridge is still nice to have on hand for extra beverages in the den, snacks at the workplace, etc.
And if you do have a prospective college student, be sure to check out these posts: