What Are the Dimensions of a Mini Fridge? Sizes and Tables

Mini fridges look alike online and then arrive at the wrong size. One is too tall for the shelf, the door hits the bed frame, or it fits the gap but has no room to breathe. The sizes below come from manufacturer listings and one large data set, so you can plan a space before you shop.

Mini Fridge Size Ranges

"Mini fridge" covers a wide range. One study of about 1,494 models found that mini fridges overall run from 9.5 to 65.6 inches tall, 6.8 to 36.3 inches wide and 9.7 to 26 inches deep, with capacities from 0.14 to 7.6 cubic feet. It splits them into two groups:

The maximum heights are extremes. Most people shopping for a dorm or office fridge are looking at the middle of the large group.

Dimensions of Real Models

These are listed product dimensions for specific models, as published by the maker or a retailer. Another model with the same capacity can differ by an inch or more.

Two things stand out. First, a 3.1 cubic foot fridge is about 33 inches tall, so measure the underside of your counter or desk before you assume it fits. Second, weight climbs fast. A 4.4 cubic foot unit weighs more than 60 pounds, which is a two-person lift. (The Cooluli figures are an independent reviewer's measurements, read here as length 10, width 7.3 and height 10.5 inches. Check the maker's sheet if the fit is tight.)

Measuring Your Space

The listed size is the cabinet. The space it needs is bigger.

• Door swing. One 3.1 cubic foot Frigidaire listing gives a depth of 20.5 inches with the doors closed and 39.25 inches with them open. That's almost 19 inches of free floor in front. Check which way the door opens, and whether it can be reversed. The Danby 4.4 cu ft model, for example, has a reversible hinge.
• Ventilation. Danby's product page says its fridge is meant to stand free and shouldn't be fully enclosed in a cabinet. Built-in use is only for models whose manual says so, and only with the airflow gaps the manual gives. Look for the clearance figure in your model's manual, since it varies. We didn't confirm a single standard number.
• The route in. Measure doorways, stair turns and elevators, not only the final spot. Compare against the box size on the spec sheet. The Danby 2.2 cubic foot unit, for example, ships in a carton of 21.5 by 27.9 by 20 inches, larger than the fridge itself.
• Power. Check that an outlet sits within reach of the cord, without an extension lead behind a tight gap.

Choosing the Right Size

• Desk or bedside drinks: a thermoelectric cooler around 4 liters. It holds about six cans. In one set of reviewer tests, it cooled to about 37 degrees F in a 75 degree F room.
• Dorm or office: about 2 to 3 cubic feet. Check the height against your desk or counter.
• Studio apartment, garage or bar area: 4 to 5 cubic feet gives real shelf space and often a small freezer box, at the cost of more weight and a wider footprint.

Capacity matters less than whether the shape suits the space. A taller, narrow unit such as the 45 inch Danby top mount fits a corner where a 33 inch fridge would sit awkwardly.

Power Use and Running Cost

Energy use is listed in kilowatt hours a year. The Danby 2.2 cubic foot model is listed at 208 kWh a year, and the Midea 3.1 cubic foot model at 270 kWh a year. A table of models in the data set shows examples from about 106 to 220 kWh a year, with countertop units between about 133 and 175 kWh. To estimate your cost, multiply the annual figure by your electricity price per kWh from your bill. A bigger fridge doesn't always use more power. Efficiency varies widely by model.

ENERGY STAR defines compact refrigerators as those holding under 7.75 cubic feet. To earn the label, they must use 10% less energy than the federal minimum standard. That's a quick way to compare similar fridges.

After You Move It

Keep a mini fridge upright when you carry it, and let it stand before you plug it in. Wait times differ by brand, from 15 minutes to a full day. Our guide on laying a fridge down to transport it has the manufacturer details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is a standard mini fridge?

There's no single standard. Many common models are about 18 to 21 inches wide, 24 to 34 inches tall and 17 to 22 inches deep, and hold roughly 2 to 5 cubic feet. Always check the listing for the exact model.

How much power do mini fridges use?

Listed figures for the models above run from 208 to 270 kWh a year. The wider data set shows examples from about 106 to 220 kWh a year. Multiply by your electricity rate to estimate the cost.

How much space does a mini fridge need around it?

Leave room for the door to swing, and follow the clearance in the manual for ventilation. A Frigidaire listing shows the doors adding almost 19 inches of depth when open. Danby says its fridge shouldn't be fully enclosed in a cabinet.

Will a mini fridge fit under a counter?

Often, if it's about 33 inches tall or less and the manual allows built-in use. Many mini fridges are meant to stand free, so check the manual before you enclose one.

Is a bigger mini fridge heavier?

Yes. In the listings above, a 2.2 cubic foot unit weighs about 42 pounds and a 4.4 cubic foot unit about 64 pounds.

Sources

• Eco Cost Savings: Mini fridge sizes (size ranges across about 1,494 models, example energy use)
• Dimensions.com: Frigidaire compact refrigerator 3.1 cu ft (size and open-door depth)
• The Brick: Danby 2.2 cu ft compact refrigerator (size, weight, shipping size, energy use)
• The Brick: Danby 4.4 cu ft apartment-size refrigerator (size, weight, reversible hinge)
• Danby: 4.2 cu ft compact fridge top mount (size, weight, free-standing and ventilation note)
• Midea: 3.1 cu ft compact refrigerator (size, weight, energy use)
• ENERGY STAR: Refrigerator key product criteria (compact definition and efficiency requirement)
• OutdoorGearLab: Cooluli mini fridge review (4L cooler size, weight and tested cooling)

Listings change and retailers sometimes differ. Confirm the size, weight and clearance in the manual for your exact model number.