Quarantine season has seen the majority of people working from home and taking online classes to make up for the lost time to the point where some have barely left their rooms. If there is one appliance that you can be sure that is used by all family members, it is the refrigerator, ref, or pridyider, as some people like to call it.
A mini ref is ideal if you want a convenient and space-saving storage solution. The right size could easily be fitted into your room or house, so you won’t have to worry about missing a lecture or making the deadlines when you go hungry. We’ve provided you with the best mini refrigerators for when you want to store snacks in your room or for your grocery haul. There are even options under Php 5,000!
From compact cubic refs for your snacks and skin care to double-door refrigerators for household use, here are our recommendations for the best mini refrigerator from different brands.
**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**
RS-12DR4S
From ₱7,145
Type | One-Door |
---|---|
Capacity | 3.2 Cubic Feet |
Energy Efficient Feature | Yes |
Dimensions | 84.2 x 44.6 x 46.9 cm |
RB-18HS Stainless Look
From ₱4,998
Type | One-Door |
---|---|
Capacity | 1.8 Cubic Feet |
Energy Efficient Feature | Yes |
Dimensions | 52 x 44 x 47 cm |
Hasref 18
From ₱7,259
Type | One-Door |
---|---|
Capacity | 1.8 Cubic Feet |
Energy Efficient Feature | No |
Dimensions | 49.5 x 46 x 48.5 cm |
RDD-35R
From ₱8,698
Type | Two-Door |
---|---|
Capacity | 3.5 Cubic Feet |
Energy Efficient Feature | Yes |
Dimensions | 34 x 19 x 20 in |
GAV5SAMRBS
From ₱10,995
Type | One-Door |
---|---|
Capacity | 5 Cubic Feet |
Energy Efficient Feature | No |
Dimensions | 84 x 52 x 53.4 cm |
EBR K-18
From ₱4,499
Type | One-Door |
---|---|
Capacity | 1.8 Cubic Feet |
Energy Efficient Feature | Yes |
Dimensions | 485 x 445 x 470 mm |
RB-30MKS Stainless Steel
From ₱7,398
Type | One-Door |
---|---|
Capacity | 3.0 Cubic Feet |
Energy Efficient Feature | No |
Dimensions | 25 x 17.75 x 20.25 in |
SJ-PL10AS-GY
From ₱8,898
Type | One-Door |
---|---|
Capacity | 3.5 Cubic Feet |
Energy Efficient Feature | No |
Dimensions | 831 x 449 x 470 mm |
KPR122MNR
From ₱8,500
Type | One-Door |
---|---|
Capacity | 4 Cubic Feet |
Energy Efficient Feature | No |
Dimensions | 20.9 x 35 x 21.3 in |
ES-88F
From ₱7,990
Type | Two-Door |
---|---|
Capacity | 3.2 Cubic Feet |
Energy Efficient Feature | No |
Dimensions | 82.5 x 48.5 x 51 cm |
Image | 1 ![]() Hisense | 2 ![]() Fujidenzo | 3 ![]() Hanabishi | 4 ![]() Fujidenzo | 5 ![]() GE Appliances | 6 ![]() Eureka | 7 ![]() Fujidenzo | 8 ![]() Sharp | 9 ![]() Kelvinator | 10 ![]() Ezy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Single Door Refrigerator | Bar Fridge | Refrigerator | Two-Door Direct Cool Ref, Lucky Red | Bar Fridge | Bar Refrigerator | Bar Fridge Refrigerator | Mini Fridge Personal Refrigerator | Personal Refrigerator | Refrigerator |
Features | Store Your Essentials in this Fully Equipped Mini Ref | Anti-Bacterial Coating to Preserve Your Food | Keep Your Snacks and Skincare in This Mini Ref | Add a Pop of Color With This Retro Theme | A Mini Ref Ideal for Your Home or Office | The No-Frills Mini Ref | A Sleek Design Fitting for a Bachelor Pad | For the Fridge Space Maximizer | For the Minimalist Homemaker | Perfect for Storing Frozen Goods |
Price Starts at | ₱7,145 | ₱4,998 | ₱7,259 | ₱8,698 | ₱10,995 | ₱4,499 | ₱7,398 | ₱8,898 | ₱8,500 | ₱7,990 |
Type | One-Door | One-Door | One-Door | Two-Door | One-Door | One-Door | One-Door | One-Door | One-Door | Two-Door |
Capacity | 3.2 Cubic Feet | 1.8 Cubic Feet | 1.8 Cubic Feet | 3.5 Cubic Feet | 5 Cubic Feet | 1.8 Cubic Feet | 3.0 Cubic Feet | 3.5 Cubic Feet | 4 Cubic Feet | 3.2 Cubic Feet |
Energy Efficient Feature | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Dimensions | 84.2 x 44.6 x 46.9 cm | 52 x 44 x 47 cm | 49.5 x 46 x 48.5 cm | 34 x 19 x 20 in | 84 x 52 x 53.4 cm | 485 x 445 x 470 mm | 25 x 17.75 x 20.25 in | 831 x 449 x 470 mm | 20.9 x 35 x 21.3 in | 82.5 x 48.5 x 51 cm |
Link |
Like the small appliances you see in your hotel rooms, mini refs or sometimes known as compact refrigerators are ideal if you want to save space, as it is less bulky than its full-sized counterpart. Both will provide you the same function in keeping your foods fresh and your drinks cold. It is perfect if you live in a small apartment or rent a dorm.
It is convenient as it can be used in your office or other parts of your house such as your backyard or bedroom, handy if you want to have access to a quick snack. You could even use it as a wine cooler. Though you should keep in mind that mini refs can hold less capacity than a standard refrigerator though it is significantly cheaper.
In finding the right mini ref, you should consider what it would be used for, how much space you have, and your lifestyle. A fridge that would be used to hold light snacks and drinks would be different to a fridge that would be utilized like a standard sized fridge.
What you should first consider is what would suit your needs. If you are single and do not have much to store then a single door is enough, but if you want more versatility and space then a two-door fridge will do the job for you.
A one-door fridge is ideal if you live alone or for personal use to keep snacks and drinks handy, especially if you’re prone to midnight snack cravings. What’s great about this is that it consumes less energy, as it is smaller, so you won’t have to worry about your electric bill skyrocketing.
Do keep in mind a single-door ref has a limited freezer compartment, so you will mostly get a small slot big enough to stash just a few popsicles, and some models won’t even have freezers at all. One door means both the fridge and freezer will be exposed every time you open the door, which would mean the fridge temperature would drop easily.
This one is perfect for condos and small apartments if you want a compact fridge but slightly larger than a single-door mini ref. You would be pleasantly surprised to find out that two-door mini refs are equipped to resemble a full-sized fridge, so you can definitely store more than your late-night snacks.
It has more compartments and shelves, such as a vegetable crisper, so you can be more organized. Remember, it consumes more energy, as it is larger. The freezer and the fridge have separate doors, so you can open the freezer without opening the main door, which would make for a more consistent temperature for your food and beverages.
Select the type of mini ref you want depending on what you’re going to use it for. Nowadays there are different models available for you to choose from. Choose whether you want your mini ref to have a freezer and fridge or just a fridge only function.
A combination is ideal if you want to use it like a standard refrigerator minus the bulk, as it has separate compartments for you to utilize.
It is suitable if you have a small living space like a condo, so you can store all your necessities without taking up too much space. Choose between one or two-door mini refs.
For keeping light snacks and drinks, perfect for when you need a quick snack, a fridge-only model is handy to keep in your room or office, so you have a snack ready at a moment’s notice.
If you're a skincare enthusiast, you could also use it to store your cosmetics and skincare products to preserve their shelf life, such as your sheet masks, gels, and lotions.
A refrigerator's capacity is indicated in terms of cubic feet, and it is measured by the volume of the internal portion of your appliance. Mini refrigerators vary in size. The smallest one is a cube-shaped fridge and measures 17 inches wide and 20 and a half inches tall, while larger ones could measure up to 43 inches tall.
When selecting the size of your mini ref, you should have an idea of where you would put it and how much space you need. Take note of how deep the fridge is to maximize storage use. Remember that just because a fridge is smaller does not mean it would contain less.
The last thing you'd want is your ref's noise waking you up in the middle of your peaceful sleep or distracting you while you're working or studying. When choosing a refrigerator, it is also worth looking at the noise level. The lower the decibels (dB), the better! You may opt for one that has a 25dB noise level, which is comparable to a whisper.
Of all your household appliances, your ref is responsible for consuming the most electricity as it is running 24/7. Fortunately, innovations have been made to conserve energy consumption. Some refrigerators have energy-saving modes that could save you on your electricity bills.
Inverter models are efficient in their consumption of energy as they were designed to expend the right amount of energy depending on usage. At night, when no one is using the fridge, it runs slow so it consumes less energy, though mini refs rarely need it as it does not consume much energy as standard refs do.
This goes without saying, but as with other purchases, it is always important to consider your budget. A home appliance, no matter how big or small it is, can be quite an investment, so think about how much you are willing to spend. Of course, the more advanced features the appliance has, the higher the price will be.
Another thing you must check is the warranty of the item. The warranty gives you an assurance that the item you will or have purchased is of good quality and is not defective. Should any issues arise with the product, the manufacturer has the obligation of resolving that.
Your mini ref needs love too! Keep it in tiptop shape by remembering to do the following.
Newer model refrigerators claim to be frost-free, though some older models need to be manually defrosted. This is because of the accumulated ice that has slowly built up in your freezer, which can block the circulation of cold air that is why your ref is not as cold as you would like it to be. Defrost every now and then to ensure it keeps cold.
You know how sometimes you feel as if your fridge is not getting cold? If you fill your ref too much this would only make it difficult to chill your food and drinks because the cold air cannot properly circulate. This would make your foods more prone to spoilage.
Discard foods that have expired, have molds forming, or left too long in order to maintain a clean fridge. Check for any spills and wipe it immediately to avoid bacteria, mold, and mildew from forming. A small cup of charcoal or baking soda can absorb unwanted odors.
When you stock your fridge after grocery shopping, always keep newer items in the back, this way older foods are not forgotten and not left to rot. This would ensure your food is eaten before its expiration date.
A well-equipped kitchen can help bring out the inner chef in you especially during this quarantine season. Hone your cooking skills and prepare more meals with these other picks.
Mini refs are a great tool during this quarantine when most of us are confined to our homes. It stores your food, drinks, and beauty products in a convenient way.
It can also provide extra storage for your grocery hoards. Make use of the extra time by organizing your fridge to check off another quarantine bucket list.
Author: Justine Cuizon
Like and follow our Instagram and Facebook page for updates!
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Household goods
PC and Cameras
Home Appliances and Electronics
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Smartphones and mobile phones
Mobile data
Investment and asset management
Credit cards and loans
Insurance
Music
Smartphone applications