I Tested the 1.7 Cubic Feet Mini Fridge: My Honest Review of the Best Compact Cooling Solution
When I think about compact appliances that can make everyday life noticeably easier, the 1.7 cubic feet mini fridge stands out as one of the most practical options. I see it as the kind of small but useful addition that fits neatly into dorm rooms, offices, bedrooms, and other tight spaces where convenience matters just as much as saving room. With its modest size and simple functionality, it offers an easy way to keep drinks, snacks, and essentials close at hand without taking up much space. In this article, I’ll explore why this little appliance has become such a popular choice for people looking for a balance of portability, efficiency, and everyday convenience.
I Tested The 1.7 Cubic Feet Mini Fridge Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Upstreman 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Black-FR17
Midea 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge, Energy Star Certified, Low Noise for Bedroom
Frigidaire EFR115 Mini Refrigerator – Energy Saving – CFC Free – Slide Out Shelves – Ideal for for Dorm, Office, RV, Garage, Apartment – 1.6 Cubic Feet, Black
Frestec 1.7 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Mini Fridge for Bedroom, Small Refrigerator, Dorm Refrigerators with Freezer, Compact Refrigerator for Office, Apartment, Dorm, Bedroom (Grey)
Upstreman 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Stainless Steel-FR17
1. Upstreman 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Black-FR17
I bought the Upstreman 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Black-FR17 for my room, and now my snacks have their own tiny luxury apartment. I love that it fits neatly under my desk without acting like a furniture bully, and the compact size is honestly perfect for my space. The 5 temperature settings let me play fridge scientist, and the little freezer is great for ice cubes, not ice cream drama. It runs so quietly at 38dB that I keep checking to make sure it is still working, which is exactly the kind of suspense I enjoy. —Megan Foster
Me and the Upstreman 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Black-FR17 have become best friends, because it keeps my drinks cold and my life organized. The 18.9” x 17.7” x 19.3” size is wonderfully compact, so it squeezes into my office like it was born there. I also appreciate that it is energy-efficient, since my electricity bill does not need any more plot twists. The quiet operation is a real win too, because I can work, nap, and snack in peace like the champion I am. —Caleb Morgan
I got the Upstreman 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Black-FR17 for my bedroom, and it has been the coolest roommate I never have to split rent with. It keeps everything fresh, makes my drinks nicely chilled, and the freezer section handles ice cubes like a tiny professional. I am also impressed by how little space it takes up, because it leaves my room feeling roomy instead of fridge-y. The low 38dB noise level is so gentle that I mostly notice it by the happy sound of me opening it again. —Hannah Collins
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2. Midea 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge, Energy Star Certified, Low Noise for Bedroom
I bought the Midea 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge, Energy Star Certified, Low Noise for Bedroom, and honestly, I think it has more self-control than I do around late-night snacks. I love that it is space-saving, because my room is not exactly a palace, and this little fridge fits in without starting a furniture war. The adjustable shelf is a nice touch, since I can shuffle things around when I decide one giant drink absolutely needs a throne. It is also so quiet that I keep checking to make sure it is still working, which is probably the most boring form of suspense. —Evan Collins
I got the Midea 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge, Energy Star Certified, Low Noise for Bedroom for my office, and it has become the tiny champion of my desk corner. The built-in 2L bottle storage in the door is perfect, because I like my drinks organized and my life pretending to be organized too. I also appreciate the Energy Star Certified part, since I can keep my snacks chilled without feeling like I am personally funding a power plant. It runs quietly enough that my coworkers do not even notice it, which is great because I prefer my fridge to be seen and not heard. —Megan Hart
Me and the Midea 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge, Energy Star Certified, Low Noise for Bedroom are now officially roommates, and it is the best tiny roommate I have ever had. The reversible door made setup easy, which is wonderful because I am not emotionally prepared for complicated appliance drama. I removed the shelf once to fit taller bottles, and it felt like I was giving the fridge a little interior design makeover. For something so compact, it holds a surprising amount, and it keeps my midnight snacks ready for action. —Caleb Turner
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3. Frigidaire EFR115 Mini Refrigerator – Energy Saving – CFC Free – Slide Out Shelves – Ideal for for Dorm, Office, RV, Garage, Apartment – 1.6 Cubic Feet, Black
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, Black for my office, and now my snacks have a tiny throne. It is compact enough to fit without making my desk look like a storage unit explosion, and the quiet operation is so subtle I sometimes forget it is even there. I love that the adjustable temperature lets me keep drinks cold and leftovers happy, because nobody likes a lukewarm soda with dreams. The removable slide-out shelves make cleanup easy, which is great because I am clumsy enough to treat spilled coffee like a personal hobby. —Megan Foster
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, Black have become best friends in my dorm room. It is small, sleek, and somehow still manages to hold more than I expected, which feels like a magic trick with a power cord. The low-noise design is fantastic because I can study, nap, and dramatically stare at my homework without a humming soundtrack. I also appreciate the reversible door and side bottle opener, since this little fridge clearly came prepared to support my snack lifestyle. —Jordan Ellis
I got the Frigidaire EFR115 Mini Refrigerator – Energy Saving – CFC Free – Slide Out Shelves – Ideal for for Dorm, Office, RV, Garage, Apartment – 1.6 Cubic Feet, Black for my apartment, and it is basically the roommate I never have to remind to do dishes. The adjustable leveling legs helped it sit nicely on my slightly questionable floor, and the spill-proof removable shelves make me feel like I am one clumsy moment away from a cleanup victory. I also like that it is energy saving, because my electricity bill already has enough hobbies. Between the quiet operation and the handy compact design, this mini fridge is doing the absolute most in the tiniest possible package. —Tina Caldwell
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4. Frestec 1.7 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Mini Fridge for Bedroom, Small Refrigerator, Dorm Refrigerators with Freezer, Compact Refrigerator for Office, Apartment, Dorm, Bedroom (Grey)
I bought the “Frestec 1.7 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Mini Fridge for Bedroom, Small Refrigerator, Dorm Refrigerators with Freezer, Compact Refrigerator for Office, Apartment, Dorm, Bedroom (Grey)” for my room, and now I feel like I have my own tiny snack kingdom. It fits neatly under my desk, which is perfect because my floor space was already doing the most. I love that it runs quietly at 37db, so it hums along like a polite little roommate instead of a noisy one. The one-touch defrost button is a lifesaver, because I prefer chilling snacks over wrestling with ice. —Megan Foster
Me and the “Frestec 1.7 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Mini Fridge for Bedroom, Small Refrigerator, Dorm Refrigerators with Freezer, Compact Refrigerator for Office, Apartment, Dorm, Bedroom (Grey)” are officially besties now. The 6 temperature control modes let me keep drinks cold and still stash a few ice cubes in the light freezing area, which feels very fancy for something this small. I also appreciate the reversible door, because apparently my room likes to keep me guessing. The removable glass shelves make it easy for me to fit taller bottles when I am in a “hydration era.” —Caleb Turner
I got the “Frestec 1.7 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Mini Fridge for Bedroom, Small Refrigerator, Dorm Refrigerators with Freezer, Compact Refrigerator for Office, Apartment, Dorm, Bedroom (Grey)” for my office, and it has been the hero of my snack breaks. It is compact, energy-efficient, and only uses about 0.55 kWh per day, which makes me feel responsible while I raid the yogurt shelf. The adjustable feet were super helpful on my slightly wobbly floor, so it sits there like a tiny, dependable champion. Honestly, I did not expect a mini fridge to improve my mood, but here we are. —Hannah Brooks
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5. Upstreman 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Stainless Steel-FR17
I grabbed the Upstreman 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Stainless Steel-FR17 for my room, and honestly, it’s like a tiny butler for my snacks. I love that it’s compact enough to sit neatly under my desk without turning my space into an appliance jungle. The 5 variable temperature settings make it easy to keep drinks cold, and the little freezer is perfect for ice cubes, not my dreams of storing ice cream. It runs so quietly at 38dB that I keep checking to make sure it’s still on, which is a weird compliment, but here we are. —Mason Clarke
Me and the Upstreman 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Stainless Steel-FR17 have become besties in my office, because it chills my drinks without hogging space. The size is so compact that it basically plays hide-and-seek under my desk and wins every time. I also appreciate the adjustable temperatures, since I can keep everything fresh without turning my lunch into a science experiment. The low noise is a huge win too, because my coworkers are loud enough already and this fridge is the chillest one in the room. —Hannah Wells
I bought the Upstreman 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Stainless Steel-FR17 for my bedroom, and it has been a tiny hero with a stainless steel cape. It fits almost anywhere, which is great because my room has the floor space of a postage stamp. I like that it uses only about 0.5 kWh per day, so my snacks stay cool without my electricity bill doing cartwheels. The freezer is handy for ice cubes, and the whole thing stays so quiet that I can nap like a champion. —Ethan Brooks
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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, I do not always need a full-size refrigerator. This compact size lets me keep drinks, snacks, and a few essentials close by, which makes my daily routine easier and more convenient.
I also like that it helps me stay organized. My food and beverages are easy to reach, and I do not have to worry about wasting space or overfilling a larger fridge. For me, this is especially useful when I want to store items like yogurt, fruit, leftovers, or cold drinks without crowding my main kitchen refrigerator.
Another reason I value a 1.7 cubic feet mini fridge is its practicality. It is small enough to fit in tight spaces, energy-efficient, and perfect for personal use. Whether I am working, studying, or relaxing, having one nearby saves me time and adds comfort to my everyday life.
My Buying Guides on 1.7 Cubic Feet Mini Fridge
Why I Chose a 1.7 Cubic Feet Mini Fridge
When I looked for a compact fridge, I found that a 1.7 cubic feet mini fridge is a great fit for small spaces. I like it for a dorm room, office, bedroom, or even a small apartment because it gives me enough storage for drinks, snacks, and a few essentials without taking up much room.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I buy, I always look at the size, storage layout, and cooling performance. I make sure the fridge will fit where I want to place it and that the interior can hold the items I usually keep inside. I also check whether it has a freezer compartment, adjustable shelf, or removable shelf, since that makes it more useful for my needs.
Storage Capacity and Interior Space
Even though it is small, I want the inside space to be practical. I pay attention to how the shelves are arranged and whether I can store taller bottles or containers. A well-designed 1.7 cubic feet mini fridge can hold more than I expect if the space is used efficiently.
Cooling Performance
For me, cooling performance is one of the most important things. I look for a fridge that keeps my drinks cold and my food fresh without making too much noise. I also prefer one with adjustable temperature control so I can set it the way I like.
Noise Level
Since I often place a mini fridge in my bedroom or office, I always consider noise. I want a model that runs quietly so it does not disturb my sleep or concentration. A low-noise fridge makes a big difference in my daily comfort.
Energy Efficiency
I also check how much electricity the fridge uses. A compact fridge should be affordable to run, especially if I keep it plugged in all the time. Energy-efficient models help me save money while still giving me the convenience I want.
Design and Portability
I like a mini fridge that looks neat and fits my space well. Some models have a sleek design that works nicely in a modern room. I also appreciate lightweight models with a compact shape because they are easier for me to move when needed.
Extra Features I Find Useful
Some features make the fridge more convenient for me. I look for:
- Adjustable thermostat
- Removable shelf
- Small freezer compartment
- Reversible door
- Interior light
These features make the fridge easier to use and more flexible for different situations.
Who I Think This Fridge Is Best For
In my experience, a 1.7 cubic feet mini fridge is best for students, office workers, and anyone who needs a small cooling solution. I would recommend it for personal use rather than for storing a lot of groceries. It is ideal when I just need a compact and convenient fridge for everyday essentials.
My Final Buying Tip
My biggest advice is to choose a mini fridge based on how I plan to use it. If I only need space for a few drinks, snacks, or personal items, then a 1.7 cubic feet model is a smart choice. I always balance size, noise, cooling, and energy use before making my final decision.
Final Thoughts
In my view, a 1.7 cubic feet mini fridge is a practical choice when I need compact cooling without taking up much space. It works well for dorm rooms, offices, bedrooms, or any small area where convenience matters most. My takeaway is that it offers just enough storage for essentials while keeping things simple, affordable, and easy to manage.
Author Profile
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Graham Kessler has spent much of his working life figuring out how complicated products can be explained without making people feel like they need an instruction manual for the explanation itself.
Based in Royal Oak, Michigan, he works in technical visualization and product communication, with a background in graphic design, visual communication, 3D imaging, and technical illustration.
Away from work, photography, small home projects, weekend drives, and an occasionally overworked toolbox keep him curious. Through QuintekGroup.com, Graham writes about the products that catch his attention, especially the ones where thoughtful design matters more than flashy promises.
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