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Customizing a dorm room to your personality is a highlight of the college experience. From the fluffy comforter and shaggy floor rug to cozy up the space to a closet organizer and under-the-bed storage to keep things tidy, there’s a lot to consider before college move-in day.
Dorm room appliances account for some of the most expensive purchases you’ll need to make, and what’s actually allowed will vary from campus to campus. However, there’s one appliance no college student living in the dorms should go without, and that’s a mini fridge. And if you can find one with a built-in freezer, that’s even better.
Why mini fridges are essential for dorm rooms
A mini fridge in the dorm room is handy throughout the school year, but it can be a lifesaver during midterms and finals when you don’t have time to hit the cafeteria. Not a morning person? You don’t have to wake up for breakfast if you have a mini fridge, because it has cups of yogurt and milk for your coffee. Need a late-night snack to fuel your study sessions? The mini fridge has you covered. Were the restaurant’s portions too large and now you have a doggie bag of leftovers to enjoy later? You can keep them fresh longer in the mini fridge.
While tiny refrigerators can cost hundreds of dollars, you can easily find mini fridge deals for $200 or less. One of the most affordable options is the Galanz 1.7 Cu Ft Single Door Mini Fridge at Walmart, which is currently on sale for $83. As one of the smallest sizes of mini fridges on the market, it should fit within nearly every college campus’s approved appliance list. We love that it even has a built-in freezer at the top, so you have a spot for popsicles when you need a sweet treat.
Galanz 1.7 Cu Ft Single Door Mini Fridge
Mini fridge must-have features
Amazon, Walmart, and Target are the most affordable places to begin your dorm room mini fridge search, especially now during peak back-to-school season, and there are almost countless options to choose from. Because of the sheer amount of mini refrigerators available, it can feel like information overload. First, you’ll want to check out your university’s specific regulations on dorm room mini fridges, which could put restrictions on the size and wattage of the appliance. To narrow down your search more, it’s helpful to consider what features are non-negotiable for your mini fridge.
Outside of size, color, and shape, there aren’t huge differences among mini fridges, but there are still factors that may be preferable for your dorm room setup. Adjustable shelving is incredibly helpful if you want to keep taller items inside, like a gallon of milk, which otherwise wouldn’t fit. Which side the door opens on your mini fridge can have a larger impact than you’d expect on the overall layout of your floorplan, especially if you have them in a tight corner. If you won’t know the exact layout until you arrive for move-in, you can also get mini fridges with reversible doors, so it’s easier to switch it up to your needs.
For myself, a freezer is a must-have in any dorm room mini fridge. If you can’t make it to the dining hall for dinner before it closes, you can keep a single-serving frozen dinner inside. College athletes and fitness lovers can use the freezer to keep ice packs chilled and ready to soothe sore muscles. Depending on the size of the freezer, you can even use it to store pints of ice cream — the ultimate late-night pick-me-up. Mini fridges with an internal freezer unit can be prone to icing over without proper maintenance, but models with a dedicated freezer space, like the Electactic 2.5 Cu Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, are comparable to those in a traditional refrigerator.
Electactic 2.5 Cu Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer
Dorm room mini fridge deals up to 46% off
I’ve hand-combed through all the mini fridges on Amazon, Walmart, and Target to find you the best possible option for your dorm room. You’ll find a variety of sizes and colors, but all these mini fridges are under $200 and have a built-in freezer. Walmart’s $83 deal on the Galanz 1.7 Cu Ft Single Door Mini Fridge we previously mentioned is the lowest price we’ve seen for dorm room mini fridges. Walmart’s discount on the Frigidaire 3.2 Cu Ft Retro Compact Refrigerator is one of the best deals available with 46% off, but it’s sold out in all but one color, so you’ll want to act fast.
Frigidaire 3.2 Cu Ft Retro Compact Refrigerator
Antarctic Star Mini Fridge with Freezer
Electactic 3.2 Cu Ft Mini Fridge
Frigidaire 2.7 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator
Whirlpool 4.3 Cu Ft Mini Refrigerator
Kenmore 1.7 Cu Ft Mini Refrigerator
Midea 1.6 Cu Ft Energy-Star Certified Mini Fridge
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