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Whether you are looking for the best mini fridge in India in 2023 or best mini fridge with freezer in India, your search will come to an end with the help of this blog post.
A mini fridge aka small refrigerator may not be as essential as a frying pan, casserole or a 3 burner gas stove, but it certainly brings a lot of value, especially if you have limited space or a specific set of requirements.
Any fridge which comes with a capacity of less than 100 litres can be considered a mini fridge. Mini fridges usually have a capacity which varies from 5 to 95 litres.
Depending on the type of brand, there may or may not be a freezer in the mini fridge. If you are a bachelor, have a small family, or want to keep the mini fridge in the bedroom, car for chilled beer, etc, this post is for you.
The mini refrigerators we are going to review today are from some of the best mini fridge brands in India such as Haier, Godrej, AmazonBasics, Mitashi, Hisense, Whirlpool and Tropicool.
While you are looking out for the best small fridge in India, keep these factors in mind —
- Capacity of the fridge
- Is there a freezer
- Type of technology used
- Safety lock included or not
- Dimensions of the fridge
- Power consumption
- Is there a reversible door
- Warranty on the fridge
If you are short on time, you can also jump to our “Top 3 Picks” for the best mini refrigerator in India.
You can also check out other related post on Best Fridge Stand in India, Best Fridge Bottles in India and Best Ice Box in India under 1500 rupees.
Comparison
Best Mini Fridge | Capacity | Freezer | Weight | Warranty | Ratings | Check |
53 litres | Yes | 15 kgs | 1 year | 5/5 | ||
30 litres | No | 11 kgs | 1 year | 4.9/5 | ||
5 litres | No | 3 kgs | 1 year | 4.8/5 | ||
43 litres | Yes | 16 kgs | 1 year | 4.9/5 | ||
46 litres | Yes | 15 kgs | 1 year | 4.9/5 | ||
44 litres | Yes | 14 kgs | 1 year | 4.9/5 | ||
46 litres | Yes | 15.20 kgs | 1 year | 5/5 |
Editor’s Pick
Reviews
1. Haier 53 L 2 Star Direct-Cool Single Door Mini Refrigerator Reviews
The first product in our today’s review of the best mini fridge in India in 2023 is from one of the best mini fridge brands in India, Haier.
For those who do not know, Haier is one of the very few Chinese brands that has earned respect and good brand value amongst the global consumers.
The Haier brand used to be German, but then in the 1980s, the company was sold to a small refrigeration factory in Qingdao, China.
The mini fridge from Haier comes with a capacity of 53 litres, out of which there is a dedicated freezer with a capacity of 3 litres.
This mini fridge has a 2 star rating, and comes with an annual power consumption of 179 kilowatts, which means approximately 15 units a month.
The Haier mini fridge has a Direct cool technology. In simple words, direct cool refrigerators are the perfect choice for small families, since they have a compact design.
Additionally, direct cool fridges are cheaper to maintain as compared to the frost-free refrigerators as they do not consume a lot of power.
The good thing is you do not need astabilizer, since the Haier mini fridge comes with a stabilizer free operation.
The shelves of the Haier mini fridge have been manufactured using spill proof toughened glass.
What we liked about this mini fridge is its noiseless operation and low vibration compressor, since it only produces noise upto 32 decibels (equivalent to whisper).
The mini fridge comes with recessed handles, in simple words, this type of handle makes the fridge more sleek and elegant, without taking a lot of space.
In order to maintain the cooling effect and freshness of your fruits and vegetables, the Haier mini fridge comes with a thicker PUF insulation.
For a sustainable and eco-friendly usage, the Haier mini fridge works with a R600a refrigerant, this means, the fridge will have a strong cooling, and it will not cause any green house effect.
For freshness of the food, the small fridge includes a thick and removable gasket. There is no complex wiring at the back, and the mini fridge has a smooth safety cover for its internal vital components.
There is a tray just under the freezer to hold the melted water from defrosting.
The Haier mini fridge looks super attractive with a black metallic stainless steel finish.
You should know that the door of this mini fridge is not reversible and can only be opened in the right direction.
There is a 1 year warranty on the mini fridge and 5 year warranty on the compressor.
Overall, if you are looking for a compact mini fridge with freezer, you can pick Haier 53 L 2 Star Direct-Cool Single Door Mini Refrigerator, since this is the best mini fridge in India in 2023.
You can also check out the 258 litre fridge from Haier, which comes with a 3 star rating and an inverter frost free double door.
Haier 53 L 2 Star Direct-Cool Single Door Mini Refrigerator Ratings – 5/5
Product Specifications:
Capacity – 53 litres
Freezer – Yes
Energy – 2 star
Annual Power Consumption – 179 KW
Reversible Door – No
Warranty on Product – 1 year
Warranty on Compressor – 5 years
Weight – 15 kgs
Dimensions – 49.4 x 47.6 x 67.6 cms
Pros of Haier 53 L 2 Star Direct-Cool Single Door Mini Refrigerator:
Massive capacity of 53 litres
3 litres inbuilt freezer
Direct cool technology
Stabilizer free operation
Big ice making space
Noiseless operation
Recess handle
Eco-friendly refrigerant
Thicker PUF insulation
Shelves made from toughened glass
5 years warranty on the compressor
Cons of Haier 53 L 2 Star Direct-Cool Single Door Mini Refrigerator:
No reversible door
2. Godrej 30 L Qube Personal Cooling Solution Reviews
Godrej is one of the most reliable and oldest large appliances brand in India, operating since 1897. In fact, Godrej made the first Indian refrigerator in the year 1958.
As of today, Godrej deals in all types of appliances, including soaps, hair colour, liquid detergents, room fresheners, hand wash, mosquito and pest repellent products.
Speaking about Godrej’s mini fridge, it comes with a capacity of 30 litres.
One thing you should know about the Godrej mini fridge is that it is a food and beverage cooling box, and it does not have a freezer inside it, so you cannot make any ice with it.
Since there is no freezer in the Godrej mini fridge, no defrosting is required either.
The Godrej personal cooling solution fridge has an annual energy consumption of 208 kilowatt hours, which is a bit more than the Haier mini fridge.
The Godrej mini fridge features an advanced solid state technology, which is powered by a small thermoelectric chip, that helps to deliver an energy efficient cooling.
One thing we liked about the Godrej mini fridge is the addition of power saving dual LED lights, which helps to check what is inside the fridge, especially during the night.
Remember, there is no compressor in the Godrej fridge, which means, you can enjoy a noiseless operation.
In order to ensure fast and quick cooling, Godrej has added a 5 cm thick PUF insulation in this mini fridge.
You will not need a stabilizer with this fridge, and you can run it on a home inverter, if required during the power cuts.
The innovative technology of cooling ensures cooling without a refrigeration compressor, so not water dripping, or a need to defrost from time to time.
Godrej is offering a 1 year warranty on this mini fridge, but given the Godrej’s brand reputation, you should not face any problems while using this fridge.
If you are looking for a mini fridge to make ice, you should not pick Godrej mini fridge, as it is ideal only to cool beverages, fruits, vegetables, milk, chocolates, flowers, dairy products, etc.
To sum it up, if you have been looking for the best mini fridge for bedroom in India, you can choose Godrej 30 L Qube Personal Cooling Solution.
You can also check out Godrej 255 litre 2 Star Inverter Frost-Free Double Door Refrigerator with Jumbo Vegetable Tray.
Godrej 30 L Qube Personal Cooling Solution Ratings – 4.9/5
Product Specifications:
Capacity – 30 litres
Freezer – No
Energy – NA
Annual Power Consumption – 208 KW
Reversible Door – No
Warranty on Product – 1 year
Warranty on Compressor – NA
Weight – 11 kgs
Dimensions – 48.3 x 38.1 x 45.7 cms
Pros of Godrej 30 L Qube Personal Cooling Solution:
Decent capacity of 30 litres
Compact and sleek design
100% environment friendly, efficient and silent small fridge
No need to defrost, since there is no compressor
Silent whisper operation
Made in India
Easy to clean as well as maintain
Solid state electronic cooling technology
Dual LED lights
Stabilizer free operation
1 year warranty
Cons of Godrej 30 L Qube Personal Cooling Solution:
No reversible door
No freezer
3. Tropicool PortaChill 5L Car Refrigerator Chiller Reviews
For those who do not know, Tropicool is a car gadget and accessory provider which aims at improving the on-road experience for car owners.
The brand Tropicool deals in portable refrigerator for cars, ice box, ice bucket, tyre inflator, other car accessories, etc.
If you have been looking for the best mini fridge for car in India under 5,000 rupees, you can check out Tropicool portachill 5L car refrigerator chiller cum warmer.
This is a very compact car fridge with dimensions of 25.5 x 21 x 26.5 cms, and a weight of only 2.9 kgs.
The car chiller comes with a capacity of 5 litres, which is good enough for your travelling needs.
The Tropicool mini fridge has removable shelves, so you can keep more stuff inside the fridge by removing shelves, if required.
The Tropicool mini fridge operates on the basis of single thermoelectric cooling technology, and has a temperature range of 5 to 60 degree celsius.
If you do not want to use this fridge in the car, you can also use it in your bedroom or kitchen, with the help of AC/DC cords that you will get with the mini fridge.
Due to the temperature range, you can use this fridge for both chilling and warming the beverages, with the help of hot and cold switches.
The car mini fridge from Tropicool does not have a freezer, since there is no compressor, so the maintenance and cleaning is going to be easy.
The good thing about this mini fridge is that it comes with a magnetic lock on the front door, so you will not have to worry, if the door is closed or not.
The adjustable panel allows for easy accommodation of bottles, cans, food items, baby food, medicines, insulin, etc.
The mini fridge is available in 3 different colours, and all the 3 designs have a superior matte finish.
Tropicool is also offering a 1 year warranty on this mini car fridge.
If you are a bachelor, or if you are living in a hostel, or if you travel a lot, you can consider buyingTropicool portachill 5L car refrigerator chiller cum warmer.
Having said this, do not buy this fridge if you are expecting to make ice with it, since it does not have a freezer.
Tropicool PortaChill 5L Car Refrigerator Chiller Ratings – 4.8/5
Product Specifications:
Capacity – 5 litres
Freezer – No
Energy – NA
Annual Power Consumption – 35 KW
Reversible Door – No
Warranty on Product – 1 year
Warranty on Compressor – NA
Weight – 3 kgs
Dimensions – 25.5 x 21 x 26.5 cms
Pros of Tropicool PortaChill 5L Car Refrigerator Chiller:
Ideal for car usage, bachelors, small families, etc.
5 litres capacity
Front door has a magnetic lock
Shelves can be removed, if needed
Works on single thermoelectric cooling technology
Includes AC and DC cords
2 in one chiller & warmer
No compressor peltier cooling
Can be used for medicinal purpose too
1 year warranty
Cons of Tropicool PortaChill 5L Car Refrigerator Chiller:
Made in China
No freezer
4. AmazonBasics 43 L Single Door Mini Refrigerator Reviews
In India, Amazon has its own range of products, which are sold both by Amazon Solimo and AmazonBasics.
Amazon Solimo is only available in India, whereas AmazonBasics is a global brand which deals in consumer electronics goods.
Speaking about AmazonBasics, it is one of the best mini fridge brand in India, with a lot of features at an affordable price.
The AmazonBasics mini fridge comes with a good capacity of 43 litres, which is good enough for a family of 1-2 people, and bachelors.
The single door mini fridge from AmazonBasics has 8 temperature settings, which allows you to optimally store vegetables, meat and ice cream as per your need and requirement.
The mini fridge comes with a 2 star BEE rating, which is the most you will get in a mini fridge, so you can say this is a power efficient mini refrigerator from AmazonBasics.
In order to ensure enhanced cooling retention, AmazonBasics has added a cyclopentane foaming agent, cyclopentane is a highly flammable liquid with very low global warming potential.
This is one of the very rare mini fridges in India, which comes with a reversible door, so you can open the fridge on the right as well as the left.
Some features such as freezer compartment, dairy rack, drip tray, removable shelf, adjustable feet and a reversible door sets this mini fridge from AmazonBasics apart from the other best mini fridges in India.
For defrosting, simply use the drip tray and there will not be any mess on the floor.
The built of this mini fridge seems to be very sturdy, and it can work in any location with a range of ambient temperature up to 43 degree celsius.
The annual power consumption of this mini fridge is 186 KW, which is really impressive. Moreover, you do not need a stabilizer to operate this mini fridge.
AmazonBasics is also offering a 1 year warranty on the mini fridge and 5 year warranty on the compressor, which is excellent.
Everything about AmazonBasics mini fridge is superb and classy, but the only issue is there is no LED light inside the fridge.
If this is not a problem for you, you can consider going for the best mini fridge in India in 2023 from AmazonBasics.
AmazonBasics 43 L Single Door Mini Refrigerator Ratings – 4.9/5
Product Specifications:
Capacity – 43 litres
Freezer – Yes
Energy – 2 star
Annual Power Consumption – 186 KW
Reversible Door – Yes
Warranty on Product – 1 year
Warranty on Compressor – 5 years
Weight – 16 kgs
Dimensions – 51 x 47 x 44 cms
Pros of AmazonBasics 43 L Single Door Mini Refrigerator:
Comes with a freezer
Includes a reversible door
8 temperature settings
Power efficient consumption
1 year warranty on the fridge
5 year warranty on the compressor
Looks very classy and premium
Inbuilt freezer compartment
Adjustable feet
Includes a drip tray, removable shelf, dairy rack, etc.
Eco-friendly usage
Cons of AmazonBasics 43 L Single Door Mini Refrigerator:
LED lights could have been added
5. Mitashi 46L 2 Star Direct Cool Single Door Refrigerator Reviews
Mitashi is an Indian brand which was launched in the year 1998. The brand Mitashi is a manufacturer of audio video products and supplies, electronic products, televisions, multimedia speakers and DVD Players.
A lot of people confuse Mitashi to be a Chinese or a Japanese brand, but in reality, it is an Indian brand.
This is a 46 litres small fridge from Mitashi, which comes with 2 star ratings. The mini fridge has an annual power consumption of 188 KW.
This is a single door mini fridge with a silver stainless steel finish, which looks very neat.
The mini fridge from Mitashi is an ideal choice for those who are looking for a small size refrigerator at an affordable price.
The mini refrigerator uses the R600A refrigerant that gives higher performance in faster cooling, excellent thermodynamic performance, causes lower impacts and ozone depletion potential.
As far as the cooling technology is concerned, Mitashi mini fridge uses the direct cool system, which provides optimum cooling, better performance at a low cost.
You can adjust the legs of this mini fridge as per your convenience.
The mini fridge has a manual defrost system, which can be done at regular intervals to avoid ice-build up and maintain the regular cooling temperatures for large quantities of food.
You do not need to spend your money on a stabilizer with the Mitashi mini fridge.
There is a temperature control knob, which can be used to adjust the cooling of the fridge as per your needs.
You also get a lock and key feature, which you can use to keep the edibles safe from kids.
In this mini fridge, you can easily store beer, water bottles, vegetables, other beverages. If you are looking to make ice in the freezer, it will take around 30 to 40 minutes, which is reasonably good.
The Mitashi fridge is absolutely noise free, and you may not even know whether it is working or not.
Mitashi is also offering a 1 year warranty on the mini fridge and 5 year warranty on the compressor, which is really good.
The only drawback is there is no LED light inside the fridge.
The cooling performance of the Mitashi fridge is really good, so if you are looking for the best mini fridge for home in India, you can choose Mitashi 46L 2 Star Direct Cool Single Door Refrigerator.
Mitashi 46L 2 Star Direct Cool Single Door Refrigerator Ratings – 4.9/5
Product Specifications:
Capacity – 46 litres
Freezer – Yes
Energy – 2 star
Annual Power Consumption – 188 KW
Reversible Door – No
Warranty on Product – 1 year
Warranty on Compressor – 5 years
Weight – 15 kgs
Dimensions – 44.6 x 47.4 x 49.3 cms
Pros of Mitashi 46L 2 Star Direct Cool Single Door Refrigerator:
Includes a freezer
R600A refrigerant
Made in India
Manual defrost
Temperature control feature
Lock and key feature
Noise free operation
1 year warranty on the fridge
5 year warranty on the compressor
Cons of Mitashi 46L 2 Star Direct Cool Single Door Refrigerator:
LED lights could have been added
6. Hisense 44 L 1 Star Direct-Cool Single Door Mini Refrigerator Reviews
Hisense is a Chinese multinational goods and electronics manufacturer headquartered in Qingdao, and the brand has been operating since 1969.
This brand is mainly known for its televisions, and you will be surprised to know that Hisense retails products under several brand names, including Hisense, Toshiba, Gorenje, Sharp, etc.
Speaking about this mini fridge from Hisense, it comes with a capacity of 44 litres. The fridge comes with a single door, and has a freezer included too.
The mini fridge works on the basis of direct cool technology. Refrigerators with this technology are cheaper to maintain as compared to the frost-free refrigerators, as they do not consume a lot of power.
Inside the Hisense mini fridge, you will find a bottle bin which can easily accommodate 2 litre bottles and a wire shelf to easily manage your food items.
There is a chiller zone on the top end of the mini fridge, where you can make ice or keep other items.
A lot of mini fridges in India do not come with a reversible door, however this one from Hisense has a reversible door. This means the door can be adjusted to open from the right or the left as per your convenience.
The addition of the recessed handle in the Hisense mini fridge offers both convenience and style.
When it comes to the power consumption of the Hisense mini fridge, you should know this is a 1 star fridge, which consumes around 207 KW of electricity per year.
However, the good thing is that Hisense is offering a 1 year warranty on product, and 10 years warranty on the compressor.
The mini fridge works pretty much silently with only 40 decibels of noise. There is no provision for LED light inside the mini fridge, which could have been added.
Hisense has a good customer service team, which is a factor you should consider while looking for the best mini fridge in India.
Overall, if you are looking for the best mini fridge with freezer in India, you can check out Hisense mini fridge.
If 44 litres is too small for your usage, you can also check out Hisense 93 L 1 Star Direct-Cool Single Door Mini Refrigerator.
Hisense 44 L 1 Star Direct-Cool Single Door Mini Refrigerator Ratings – 4.9/5
Product Specifications:
Capacity – 44 litres
Freezer – Yes
Energy – 1 star
Annual Power Consumption – 207 KW
Reversible Door – Yes
Warranty on Product – 1 year
Warranty on Compressor – 10 years
Weight – 14 kgs
Dimensions – 47 x 43.9 x 51 cms
Pros of Hisense 44 L 1 Star Direct-Cool Single Door Mini Refrigerator:
Comes with a freezer compartment
10 years warranty on the compressor
Excellent customer service
Compact, yet decent space inside the fridge
Reversible door
Recessed handle
Direct cool technology
Easy to install
Noise free operation
1 year warranty on the fridge
Cons of Hisense 44 L 1 Star Direct-Cool Single Door Mini Refrigerator:
No LED Lights
This is a 1 star fridge, not 2 star
7. Whirlpool 46L 3 Star Mini Refrigerator Reviews
The last product in our today’s review of the best mini fridge in India in 2023 is from one of the best mini fridge brands in India, Whirlpool.
Whirlpool is an American multinational manufacturer and marketer of home appliances, this brand is hugely popular in India for their washing machines and refrigerators.
Whirlpool is a trustworthy brand in India, which is known for quality products at affordable rates.
Speaking about this mini fridge, if you have been searching Internet for the best power efficient mini refrigerator in India, look no further than Whirlpool 46L 3 Star Mini Refrigerator.
The majority of the mini fridges in India are 1 or 2 star, however this one from Whirlpool has a 3 star rating.
This implies, the Whirlpool 46L 3 Star Mini Refrigerator has the lowest power consumption of only 152 KW.
This mini fridge comes with a decent capacity of 46 litres, and includes a freezer too.
In order to ensure ease of usage, the mini fridge comes with ergonomically designed recess handles.
In addition to this, the Whirlpool mini fridge also includes 2 dedicated door racks, 7 cooling modes, and a chocolate tray.
To give you an idea on the storage of this mini fridge, you can easily keep 30 (300 ml) cans or 11 (500 ml) bottles together in one go.
The in-built stabilizer reduces the need for extra stabilizer, so you do not have to spend more on the stabilizer with this mini fridge.
With the help of 7 different cooling modes, you have a lot of flexibility in cooling the food items.
There is an easily accessible ice-tray available in this refrigerator and a separate freezer section.
You should also know that there is no problem of water at the backside when the fridge is switched off, instead the water collects in the tray under the freezer section itself, so it is very convenient to clean, whenever required.
The best part is Whirlpool is offering a 10 years of warranty on the compressor and 1 year of warranty on the fridge itself.
If you are looking to buy a mini fridge from a reputed brand, you can consider buying Whirlpool mini fridge, since this is the best small fridge in India.
Whirlpool 46L 3 Star Mini Refrigerator Ratings – 5/5
Product Specifications:
Capacity – 46 litres
Freezer – Yes
Energy – 3 star
Annual Power Consumption – 152 KW
Reversible Door – Yes
Warranty on Product – 1 year
Warranty on Compressor – 10 years
Weight – 15.20 kgs
Dimensions – 47.4 x 44.7 x 49.6 cms
Pros of Whirlpool 46L 3 Star Mini Refrigerator:
One of the best mini fridge brands in India
American brand for refrigerators in India
Separate freezer compartment
Lowest annual power consumption
3 star rating mini fridge
Ergonomically designed recess handle
2 dedicated door racks
7 cooling modes
Stabilizer free operation
In-built ice maker
10 years warranty on the compressor
Noise free operation
1 year warranty on the fridge
Cons of Whirlpool 46L 3 Star Mini Refrigerator:
No LED Lights
Which is the Best Mini Fridge in India in 2023
Now, if you are looking for the best mini fridge in India in 2023, you will have to figure out if you want a fridge with or without a freezer, similarly, the capacity will vary from brand to brand.
If you are looking for the best mini fridge with freezer in India, you can choose anyone between Whirlpool 46L 3 Star Mini Refrigerator and Haier 53L 2 Star Direct-Cool Single Door Mini Refrigerator.
Similarly, if you are looking for the best mini fridge under 5000 rupees in India for car, you can choose Tropicool PortaChill Black 5 L Car Refrigerator Chiller Cum Warmer.
Lastly, if you have been searching for the best mini fridge for hostel in India, you can buy AmazonBasics 43L Single Door Mini Refrigerator.
Buying Guide
There are more than 700 mini fridges available on Amazon alone, so, picking the best one for your home may not be a very easy task. In addition to this, there are different types of mini fridges available in the market.
In this buying guide, we intend to cover everything you need to know about the best small fridge in India, along with some other doubts that people usually have.
Who Should Buy a Mini Fridge?
Mini fridges may not be as popular as a regular sized fridge, but they are a very useful utility for some. Mini fridges are lightweight, as they weigh around 15 to 16 kgs, and are compact in size and dimensions.
If you are a bachelor, or a student living in a hostel, or if you have a very small family, and lastly, if you live in a small apartment, you can certainly consider buying a mini fridge. A mini fridge is a perfect cooling appliance for smaller rooms, especially hostels and dorms.
Even if you have a regular fridge in your home, you can still consider going for a mini fridge as you can keep it in your bedroom, so you do not have to walk to the kitchen in the middle of the night. If you have a thing for cold beers or other beverages, you can keep those beers in the mini fridge without affecting the space in your regular refrigerator.
The good thing is mini fridges do not consume a lot of power, and they are easy on the pocket, since you can get one for around 6,000 to 8,000 rupees in India.
Types of Mini Fridge
Depending on the size of the mini fridge, there could be various types of mini fridges available in the market. Some of these fridges are the best to store beverages, whereas, the others are ideal to store food contents. Let’s take a look at the different types of mini fridges available —
1. Cube Mini Fridge
If you search Internet in India for a mini fridge, most of the options you will get will be a cube sized mini fridge. A cube mini fridge is the most common type of mini fridge used due to the compact size it comes with.
The way a cube mini fridge is built allows you to put a lot of items inside the fridge at once. The capacity of a cube mini fridge varies from 25 to 60 litres. In this review, 6 of the 7 best mini fridges are cube sized.
A cube mini fridge is relatively lightweight with average weight around 14 to 15 kgs only. You can easily place a cube mini fridge on the kitchen countertop or even below the countertop. The reason this fridge is called a cube mini fridge is because of its cube like dimensions.
Depending on the model of the cube mini fridge, you may or may not get a freezer, a reversible door, etc. As far as the price is concerned, you can easily get a cube mini fridge for around 7,000 rupees in India.
Pros of Cube Mini Fridge:
One of the most common mini fridge
Plenty of choices, colours and designs to choose from
Ideal for bedroom, office, hostel, etc.
Inexpensive and easily available
Freezer is usually included
Lightweight as compared to the other types
Cons of Cube Mini Fridge:
Power consumption is a bit on the higher side
2. Portable Mini Fridge
Let’s say if you have a cube mini fridge, and you are going to travel for a vacation, it may not be very easy and viable for you to carry a 15kg fridge with you everywhere. This is where, a portable mini fridge comes into the picture.
A portable mini fridge is much smaller as compared to a cube mini fridge and can be easily accommodated in limited spaces. As a matter of fact, if you are looking for a mini fridge for your car, you can certainly choose a portable mini fridge.
The capacity of a portable mini fridge can be as low as 5 litres, which makes it a perfect choice for trips and picnics. The low capacity of the fridge also makes it very lightweight, so you can easily carry it around, when required.
A lot of portable mini fridges have a built-in handle or a locking wheel, which makes the transportation much easier. One thing you should is that you cannot make ice with a portable mini fridge, since there is no freezer in it.
Pros of Portable Mini Fridge:
Ideal choice for limited spaces
Perfect for picnic and vacations
Can be easily kept in the car
Includes a built-in handle or a locking wheel
Lightweight
Cons of Portable Mini Fridge:
No freezer
3. Mid-Sized Mini Fridge
For a lot of people in India, a cube mini fridge or a portable mini fridge may be very small, probably due to their requirements, including the family size. For those people, a mid-sized mini fridge may be a perfect choice.
A mid-sized mini fridge is larger than a cube mini fridge or a portable mini fridge, and offers way more storage than the 1st two types of mini fridges. Ideally, any fridge which has a capacity ranging from 70 to 99 litres is called a mid-sized mini fridge.
Since the capacity is large for this type of mini fridge, you can make more ice in the freezer and keep more beverages and food items in the fridge itself. Most of these fridges have a lot of features such as reversible doors, lock and key feature, temperature control, etc.
The good thing is some brands have even started offering 2 door mid-sized refrigerators in India, where one door is dedicated for freezer only. The price for a mid-sized mini fridge is on the higher side, but they are also very power efficient.
Pros of Mid-Sized Mini Fridge:
Ideal choice for mid-sized families
Offers more storage
Available in both single and double door options
More enhanced features
Power efficient
Cons of Mid-Sized Mini Fridge:
Can be expensive
4. Under the Counter Mini Fridge
As the name suggests, an under the counter mini fridge is ideal to be kept beneath the kitchen counter or any other counter in the house. You will seean under the counter mini fridge mostly in high-end hotels these days.
If you have a passion for mini bar in your home, you can choose to buyan under the counter mini fridge since most of these fridges have a glass door, which further adds elegance to your drinks, especially if you have a party or an occasion.
In terms of the capacity,an under the counter mini fridge may vary from 100 to 130 litres with an average height of 36 inches. Some of the under the counter mini fridges also have double doors, thermostat control, and other advanced features.
Due to their heavy built and design, these fridges may not be very portable, and they are expensive too, especially when you compare them to the other types of mini fridges available in India.
Pros of Under the Counter Mini Fridge:
Perfect choice for mini bars
Looks very classy and premium
Ideal for beverages
Comes with enhanced features
Available in single and double door options
Cons of Under the Counter Mini Fridge:
Most expensive type of mini fridges
Types of Technology for a Mini Fridge
If you are looking to buy a mini fridge for your home, you should be aware how a mini fridge works. To make this simple, a small fridge works on the basis of 3 types of different technologies. Needless to say, the cost and the performance depends on the type of technology used.
1. Thermoelectric
A mini fridge, which uses a thermoelectric technology, uses a pump to take out the heat from the inside of the fridge to expel it out of the fridge. This process helps to maintain the cold temperature inside the mini fridge.
A mini fridge with thermoelectric technology is available at a cheaper price, and they are also very lightweight, hence can be easily moved from one place to another, making them a portable choice.
With this type of mini fridge, you may hear noise coming from the fan, which may not be very pleasing to your ears. Also, these fridges use a lot of energy, increasing your power bills.
2. Compressor
If you look at the working mechanism of a regular full sized refrigerator, you will notice these types of fridge also use a compressor technology to operate. Mini fridges with compressor technology are very popular these days.
These fridges have a compressor liquid which vaporizes and passes through all the pipes that are connected to the interior of the fridge. The gas present in the vent absorbs this heat, which makes the inside of the mini fridge colder.
A mini fridge will compressor technology uses lower power consumption, but of course, you might have to pay a bit more for their long durable lives. Speaking about the noise, this type of mini fridge will hardly make any noise, which could bother your ears.
3. Absorption
One last type of mini fridge uses the absorption technology to operate. As the name suggest, this type of mini fridge comes with a heat source fitted in them, which keeps the food items and beverages cold.
A mini fridge with absorption technology hardly makes any noise, and is more durable as compared to the other types of mini fridges. This type of mini fridge is highly suitable for camping, hotel rooms, bedrooms, dorm, etc.
You should also know that cooling in absorption based models will always be less than the compressor models, which is why, absorption mini fridges do not consume a lot of energy.
How to Choose the Best Mini Fridge in India
If you are looking to buy the best mini fridge for your home in India, you should be aware of the fact that it is going to cost you at least 6,000 – 8,000 rupees. Naturally, when you are spending so much money, you would like to spend it on the right fridge. Therefore, while looking to purchase the best small fridge in India, do consider the below factors —
1). Storage Capacity – The first and the most important thing while looking to buy the best mini fridge in India is its storage capacity. The storage capacity of a mini fridge differs from brand to brand. Usually, the capacity of a mini fridge varies from 5 to 100 litres. The higher the storage capacity, the more expensive the mini fridge will be. Before purchasing a mini fridge, analyse your needs, number of members who will be using the mini fridge. You should also be aware of the fact that shelves and freezer will also consume some space in the fridge.
2). With or Without Freezer – Unlike a regular refrigerator, not every small fridge comes with a freezer. This varies from brand to brand, and the price will also go up if your mini fridge comes with a freezer. In our today’s post of the “Top 7 Best Mini Fridge in India in 2023“, 2 mini fridges from Godrej and Tropicool do not have an in-built freezer. However, if you are looking to make ice in your mini refrigerator, do make sure the mini fridge comes with a freezer.
3). Type of Mini Fridge – A mini fridge comes in various shapes, designs and types. You have an option to choose from cube mini fridge, portable mini fridge, mid-sized mini fridge and under the counter mini fridge. Depending on the type of mini fridges, the capacity will vary. For an example, if you are looking to buy a mini fridge for your car, you can choose a portable mini fridge. Such type of fridge will cost you less than 5,000 rupees, and you can easily keep it in your car. At the same time, if you are simply looking for a mini fridge, which comes with a capacity of around 50 litres, you can choose a cube sized mini fridge.
4). Type of Technology – Just as you have to choose from a type of fridge, you will also need to check the type of technology your mini refrigerator uses to operate. There are 3 types of technology a mini fridge uses, i.e. thermoelectric, compressor and absorption. In a nutshell, a mini fridge which uses the compressor technology is the best in the long run, since it comes with a freezer, uses low power and most importantly, it is very durable in the long run.
5). Type of Door – A mini fridge comes in 3 different types of variants, when it comes to the door. You will find mini fridges with single door, double door and reversible door. Mini fridges with single door allows you to place everything inside the fridge together. This type of fridge is usually inexpensive. On the other hand, double door mini fridges have 2 doors, where one is for regular food items, and the 2nd door is for freezer only. A mini fridge with double door is expensive as compared to a single door mini fridge. The third type is a mini fridge with reversible door. In a reversible door mini fridge, you can open the door from both the sides, the left and the right.
6). Adjustable Shelves – Considering the small storage of a mini fridge, it is very important how the interior of the mini fridge has been designed. Every mini fridge comes with shelves and dedicated space for keeping the beverages. Thus, it is very significant that a mini fridge comes with adjustable shelves, so that you can adjust the shelves and remove it, if necessary, to make more space for the all-important items you want to keep in the fridge.
7). Star Rating – While a regular sized fridge comes with a 4 or a 5 star rating, a mini fridge does not have that kind of energy efficiency. Most of the mini fridges in India have a 2 star rating, while some mini fridges have a 1 or a 3 star rating. To give you an idea, the higher is the energy efficiency, the lower will be your power bills. If your mini fridge comes with a 1 star rating, it will consume more energy and you will have to pay higher electricity bills. If you are looking to save money on a mini fridge, you can choose Whirlpool 46L 3 Star Mini Refrigerator.
8). Noise – If you are intending to buy a mini fridge for your bedroom, it is very important that it does not make a lot of noise, otherwise you will not be able to sleep peacefully. Hence, always check the noise decibels before purchasing a mini fridge. All the refrigerators we have reviewed today have a tendency to generate noise around 30 to 40 decibels, which is not very much. You should also note that with lack of maintenance and care, your mini fridge may produce more noise, which is why, you should take care of it from time to time.
9). Safety Lock – If you happen to leave your fridge’s door unlocked or opened, it will certainly impact the cooling performance of the refrigerator. This can happen, especially if you have kids in the house. This is why, you can choose to go for a mini fridge which comes with a lock and key feature, so you can lock the fridge, when required.
10). Defrosting – If your mini fridge comes with a freezer, then you should also check the type of defrosting available in the small fridge. For your reference, defrosting is the removal of frost and ice from the refrigerator. Mini fridges usually have 2 types of defrosting methods, i.e. direct cool and frost free. With a direct cool defrosting, your fridge will not consume much energy, however, you will manually need to defrost from time to time. On the other hand, in a frost free mini fridge, the ice will be automatically defrosted, without you having to do it manually.
11). Type of Installation – Mini fridges in India are either freestanding, or they have to be built-in in a given space. A freestanding mini fridge can be placed anywhere, as per your convenience and it is also easy to move around, if required. At the same time, a built-in mini fridge can be placed under the countertop, given you have that kind of space.
12). Dimensions – One of the most important reason you buy a mini fridge is to save some space, and hence it is very important to check the dimensions of the mini fridge, before you buy one. Check the dimensions, match it with the space you have for the mini fridge, and then only make a decision.
13). Temperature Control – A mini fridge which comes with a temperature control feature can be very useful to you. The good thing is most of the mini fridges we have reviewed in this post have a temperature control feature. This feature allows you to regulate the temperature inside the fridge depending on your requirements.
14). Other Add-Ons – Given the fierce competition these days, the more add-ons your mini fridge has, the better it is. Some essential features such as an alarm bell in case the door is open, water dispensing, stabilizer free operation, interior LED lights, etc can make the mini fridge very handy.
15). Price & Warranty – The price of a mini fridge in India depends on the capacity of the small fridge, the brand, and of course, the features a mini fridge has. Including everything, you can expect to pay around 7,000 rupees for a 50 litre fridge, which is a reasonable cost. As far as the warranty is concerned, there are 2 warranties on a refrigerator in India. Almost, all the brands will offer a 1 year warranty on the fridge itself, whereas, you may get a 5 year or a 10 year warranty on the compressor, depending on the brand.
16). Customer Reviews – Never hesitate to check the customer reviews of a product before deciding to buy it. While checking the reviews, you should also note that some reviews are very subjective, and may not indicate the true picture, hence always exercise your own judgement too. The good thing is all the mini fridges we have reviewed today have an excellent rating.
7 Advantages of a Mini Fridge
1). Convenience at an arm’s distance – No one likes to get up in the middle of the night to fetch a cold water bottle from the fridge, which is placed in the drawing room or the kitchen. This is where, a mini fridge comes handy as it is literally an arm’s distance from your reach, especially if you keep the mini fridge in the bedroom.
2). Saves Time – If you have a mini fridge right next to where you sit, work or sleep, you are going to save plenty of time, since you will not have to get up every time you want something from the fridge. Not only time, this will also save a lot of money, since you are not going to spend on cold beverages again and again.
3). Portable – Carrying a regular size refrigerator from one place to another is only possible, if you are a Hulk. A mini fridge which has a capacity of 5 litres only weighs around 3 to 5 kgs. You can easily transport this fridge from one place to another, and moreover, you can take it on your picnic as well, since the mini fridge is very lightweight.
4). Low Power Consumption – A mini fridge consumes anywhere from 140 to 200 KW annually. This means, even if you run the mini fridge for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 4 weeks a month, it is only going to consume approximately 12 to 15 units a month, which is very cheap, as compared to the other electrical appliances, you have in the house.
5). Affordable – A mini fridge is any day exponentially cheaper, as compared to a regular size fridge. A regular size fridge with essential features will cost you around 20,000, whereas, high-end fridges will cost you at least 40,000 to 50,000 rupees in India. Compare this price to a mini fridge, which you can get for as low as 7,000 rupees in India.
6). Space Saver – A regular fridge consumes a lot of space, irrespective of where you place it in the house. The more space it consumes, the cleaning becomes much more complex for that area. On the other hand, a mini fridge consumes very less space, and since it can be easily moved around, regular cleaning will never be a problem.
7). Aesthetic Appeal – When you walk into a high-end hotel room, you will notice a cute little mini fridge, which looks very classy in addition to the utility it provides. If you have a mini fridge placed in your bedroom or anywhere in the house under the counter, it does add a lot of value to the overall elegance and decor of your house.
Disadvantages of a Mini Fridge
1). Less Storage – There is no denying the fact that a mini fridge offers less storage as compared to a regular size refrigerator. While regular size fridges have a capacity which starts from 100 litres and can go up to 500 litres, a mini fridge only has a capacity from 5 to 99 litres.
2). No Space for Big Containers – Unlike a regular fridge, where you can place multiple big containers of 5 litres, this may not be an option with a mini fridge. As a matter of fact, placing one single 5 litre container will impact the storage of other items already present in the mini fridge.
3). Regular Adjustments – With a mini fridge, you will always have to look out for more storage options and in this process, you might even have to prioritise, what do you want to keep and what do you want to take away from the mini fridge.
4). Freezer – Not all the mini fridges have an in-built freezer inside them. So, if you are looking to make ice in the mini fridge, you will have to look out for a mini fridge, which comes with a freezer.
5). Limited Features – A regular fridge comes with a variety of features such as frost free, double or triple door, moisture retention technology, microblock technology, customized cooling technology, etc. If you are looking to buy a mini fridge, you will have to resort with a limited number of features.
How to Take Care of the Mini Fridge (Do’s and Don’ts)
Every product you buy, irrespective of its price, has a few instructions which you should follow to enhance the life of that product, similar is the case with a mini fridge. Here is the list of some simple do’s and don’ts which you can follow for the long life of your mini fridge —
1). No matter what, always keep the mini fridge in an upright position all the time. Since it is a mini fridge, there will be times, when you are going to move it one place to another. When that happens, ensure the mini fridge is not kept horizontally, as this can interfere with the working mechanics of your mini refrigerator.
2). Regular cleaning, probably, once a week is crucial for the long life of the mini fridge. Being a minirefrigerator, you will not have to spend a lot of time in its cleaning. Discard anything in the fridge which is not fresh or may have reached its expiry. Clean the spills as soon as possible.
3). If you are planning to take a vacation or leave the mini fridge unattended for a few days, always defrost the fridge at least 24 hours before you leave. Depending on the model of the mini fridge, this may have to be done manually or automatically.
4). Your mini fridge does not require sunlight to operate, and hence you should always avoid any direct contact with the sunlight, as that can directly impact the cooling performance of the mini fridge.
5). The mini fridge should be placed on an even surface, where there is no rough or uneven floor. The fridge should not be leaning in a left or right position, and it should always be upright.
6). The first time you are going to use the mini fridge, make sure it has a medium-cold setting so that the food items can adjust to a gradually reducing temperature.
7). Even though it is a mini fridge, make sure there is some space between the contents kept inside the mini fridge. This is essential to keep the food cold inside the refrigerator.
8). If you are going on a trip, make sure to remove and discard all perishable items, as they will most probably be stale when you come back.
9). Never overload the mini fridge, respect the storage capacity of the refrigerator, since overloading has a direct impact on the cooling performance of the refrigerator.
10). If you are going to clean the mini fridge, let it air dry after removing everything from the fridge. Do not store anything in the fridge before it gets completely dry.
How to Clean a Mini Fridge Easily
Regular cleaning can have an impact on the performance of your mini fridge, and this is why, you should try to clean the mini fridge at least once a week. Since it is a mini fridge, cleaning is not very difficult and can be easily completed within a few minutes, if you follow these steps —
1). The first thing you should do before cleaning the mini fridge is to unplug it from the power source to avoid any accidents and injuries.
2). Once you have unplugged the mini fridge, start by removing everything from the fridge, so that the cleaning process becomes easy. If the shelves are removable, you can take out the entire shelf.
3). With the help of some hot and soapy water, remove stains from the shelves and drawers. Once cleaned, dry each of these parts with a clean and dry towel.
4). You can now use a microfiber cloth or a toothbrush to clean the interiors of the mini fridge. A brush will be perfect to reach the nooks and corners of the small refrigerator. Once cleaned, rinse the interior using some clean water.
5). The most important part of the fridge is its coil and condenser. This is where, dust can accumulate and impact the overall cooling performance of the refrigerator. You can use a vacuum cleaner to clean the coil as well as the condenser, as this will remove all the dust and debris.
Mini Fridge Vs Bar Fridge
A lot of people often confuse a mini fridge with a bar fridge, but there is certainly a difference between these two types of refrigerators, especially in the way they are used.
1). One of the most important difference between amini fridge and a bar fridge is the storage. A bar fridge is mainly used for cooling the drinks, however, a mini fridge can store drinks as well as the food items.
2). The internal space of a bar fridge has equal and dedicated slots for keeping the drinks. Hence, you will not find uneven shelves or drawers. A mini fridge, on the other hand, can store food items too, so you will see shelves of different sizes and there will be a combination of every size.
3). There is usually no freezer inside a bar fridge, whereas, the majority of the mini fridges come with an in-built freezer, so you can even make ice in it.
4). In terms of the features, designs and variants, the number of options will be very less in a bar fridge as compared to a mini fridge. Most of the bar fridges have a glass door, whereas, mini fridges come in a unibody design, which is stainless steel.
5). In terms of the affordability, mini fridge is more cheaper as compared to a bar fridge. Since there is usually less variety in a bar fridge, most of the available options are usually expensive.
FAQs
Q. What is the proper size of a mini refrigerator?
A. A mini fridge comes in various shapes and forms, and the capacity also varies from brand to brand. However, most of the minirefrigerators have a capacity which starts from 5 litres and can go up to 100 litres. The most popular minirefrigerators have a capacity around 50 litres.
Q. Is there a freezer in a mini fridge?
A. Not all the mini fridges have an in-built freezer. However, brands like AmazonBasics, Haier, Mitashi, Hisense and Whirlpool offers mini fridges with in-built freezer.
Q. Where can I store a mini fridge?
A. Depending on the dimensions of the mini fridge, you can store it in your bedroom, kitchen countertop and even next to your workstation in the office. Storage mostly depends on the capacity and size of the mini fridge.
Q. Is a mini fridge loud?
A. Although mini fridges do not produce a lot of noise due to their small compressors, yet, you should always check the product label for more clarification. On an average, mini fridges produce a noise of around 30 to 40 decibels, which is as close as a whisper.
Q. What is the power consumption of a small fridge?
A. The power consumption of a small fridge depends on the energy efficiency, which is mentioned on the product label. If the mini fridge has a 1 star rating, it will have an annual power consumption of around 200 KW. Similarly, if the mini fridge has a 2 star rating, it will have an annual power consumption of around 160 KW. Lastly, if the mini fridge has a 3 star rating, it will have an annual power consumption of around 140 KW. In simple words, the higher the rating, the lower will be the power consumption.
Q. Do mini fridges leak water?
A. If the mini fridge is leaking water, it could be because of 2 reasons, a blocked defrost drain and a water supply that is either clogged or frozen. In either case, you may want to get the mini fridge checked for any repairs.
Q. How to defrost a mini fridge manually?
A. In order todefrost a mini fridge manually, the first thing you need to do is unplug the fridge from the power source and take everything out from the freezer and the fridge. After this, leave the door of your fridge and freezer open for around 1 hour. This will melt the ice of your freezer and the defrosting process will be completed in an hour.
Q. How long does a mini fridge take to get cold?
A. The cooling time of a mini fridge depends on a lot of factors, including the capacity of the fridge, compressor, and how many times the door of the fridge has been opened. On an average, it can take around 4 hours for the mini fridge to get totally cool.
Q. Is a mini fridge safe?
A. A mini fridge is totally safe as long as you follow the safety protocols. If you are going to keep the mini fridge in your bedroom, there will be noise certainly, but nothing unsafe.
Q. What is the lifespan of a mini fridge?
A. The lifespan of a mini fridge depends on how you use and keep it, as long as you follow the basic maintenance tips, the mini fridge can easily last for around 8 to 10 years.
We hope this post on “Top 7 Best Mini Fridge in India” was useful and informative to you. We also encourage you to read the customer reviews of any product before buying. Should you have any questions on this, feel free to leave a comment. If you want our team to review a product you are interested in buying, you can reach out to us at askus@betterchoices.in, and we will be happy to review it.
