While there’s usually plenty of room to store stuff in the pantry, my freezer just never seems large enough.
A really effective mini-freezer makes keeping extra frozen food on hand much easier.
For not much cost, we get a huge increase in the amount of frozen food and snacks we can store. It definitely keeps the stress of running out of space away. Not to mention the excuse to stock up on a few more packs of ice cream!
Best Mini-Freezers: Shortlist
| Image | Mini-Freezer | Award | Size | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Kismile 2.1 Cu.ft Upright Freezer | Best Overall | Multiple | Amazon |
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Sunpentown UF-114W | Best Miniature | 1.1Cu.ft. | Amazon |
 |
Whynter CUF-110B | Best Mini in Black | 1.1Cu.ft. | Amazon |
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Whynter CUF-210SS | Best 2.0 Cubic Feet | 2.1Cu.ft. | Amazon |
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Midea WHS-109FW1 | Best 3.0 Cubic Feet | 3.0Cu.ft. | Amazon |
The Best Mini Freezers: Reviewed
If you’re looking for a freezer that just won’t quit, the Kismile upright freezer is my top recommendation.
This freezer comes in three sizes: the standard 2.1 cubic ft. model, and then 1.1 and 3.2 cubic ft. models as well. No matter how much space you have, the Kismile has an option for you. All three sizes have removable shelves. Whether you need to store a lot of small snacks or a few big packages, you’ll have room.
The Kismile also comes in three colors: white, black, and stainless steel. No matter what color scheme you’re trying to match, this mini-freezer can keep up. The door is also reversible, so you can easily adjust the freezer to fit your space.
The Kismile is quiet, too, promising noise levels less than 40 decibels – softer than a quiet rain. It will keep all of your food frozen with the adjustable thermostat without ever distracting you. The freezer can keep stuff as cold as -7.6 degrees Fahrenheit to 6.8 degrees F.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lots of choices | Price-jump (efficiency + adjustability) |
| Adjustable thermostat | |
| Quiet operation | |
| Reversible doors |
Our Verdict
If you want a small freezer for your office, dorm room, or just as a backup option, there’s no better option.
It’s a great option all around. You have your choice of colors, sizes, and customization.
It’s quiet, energy-efficient, and effective. I couldn’t ask for more.
If you’re really tight on space, you should look for the best tiny unit on the market. For the money, the Sunpentown 1.1 cubic ft. upright mini-freezer is just right.
This mini-freezer is only 18.5 x 17.5 x 19.4 inches – barely more than a foot and a half wide in any direction. No matter how little space you have, the Sunpentown mini-freezer is bound to fit.
It’s also an Energy Star rated appliance. According to them, it should cost less than $26 to run all year long. Compared to full-size freezers, that’s nothing.
It comes with a built-in thermostat so you can adjust the temperature. No worries about melting ice cream here! It even has a handy removable tray on the bottom to make defrosting the unit a snap.
| Pros | Cons |
| Tiny footprint | Few options for customization |
| Energy Star Certified | |
| Easy to defrost | |
| Reversible doors |
Our Verdict
It’s compact and built to last.
The Sunpentown brand is found in restaurants and resorts world-wide, so it’s a brand you can trust.
When you’re running on limited room, this is a fantastic option for keeping your cold food frozen without eating up floorspace.
Sometimes matching your décor (or staying discreet) is just as important as getting something that works. If that’s the case, the pure black Whynter mini-freezer is about as subtle as it gets.
The handle is flush with the door, so there’s no awkward bump to get in the way. The door is reversible, so you can choose which way the freezer opens. Overall, this is a freezer designed to just work – you don’t need to think about it.
It also comes with a lock, just in case you’re storing medications or alcohol. The Whynter freezer comes with two keys, so if you want, you can also use it as a safe.
The built-in thermostat lets you set the temperature between -10 and 2 degrees Fahrenheit. No worries about medication or food spoiling here!
This is another Energy Star rated freezer, so you know that you’re not wasting your money on unnecessary electricity.
| Pros | Cons |
| Subtle black design | No auto-defrost |
| Built in lock | |
| Energy Star Certified |
Our Verdict
For situations where you need something that doesn’t stand out, this handy black freezer is great.
It’s compact, though it also comes in a larger 3 cubic ft. size. The built-in lock will keep your cold goods secure.
The reversible door makes it easy to use in any space, and the Energy Star rating keeps costs down.
It’s hard to find a subtler mini-freezer than this.
The Whynter brand is versatile. If you need a great mid-sized mini-freezer, the Whynter 210SS is a solid option.
This stainless steel mini-freezer is sleek and easy to use. Just plug it in and go! The reversible door will help the freezer work no matter what kind of space you have.
This model has a cylinder lock and pair of keys, too. Don’t stress about anyone stealing your lunch – you’ll know it’s locked up safe. It can keep other valuables just as safe, too.
The on-board thermostat will help you keep frozen items between -10 and 2 degrees Fahrenheit.
When you need to keep a moderate amount of space to store frozen food, the Whynter 2.1 cubic ft. freezer is a perfect option for dorms, offices, or anywhere else.
| Pros | Cons |
| Built-in lock | Only one color option |
| Reversible door | |
| Easy set up |
Our Verdict
If you have a little more space, tis is the mini-freezer for you. It’s the right size to store enough frozen foods to last you a week at a time.
The built-in lock will keep roommates or coworkers from snatching any goodies.
The beautiful stainless steel finish is sleek and modern.
Best of all, the compact footprint won’t get in the way of your floorplan.
Getting a compact freezer as some auxiliary storage is a smart idea in modern times. The 3 cubic ft. Midea WHS mini-freezer is the right compromise between storage capacity and compact size.
This freezer has tons of customization options. It comes in white, black, and stainless steel. You can get it with or without a lock. There’s even a removable wire drawer to keep things organized.
On top of all that, it’s Energy Star rated. This freezer is energy-efficient and runs quietly, so you won’t have to worry about noise pollution or regular pollution.
Finally, the included thermostat regulates the temperature between -11 and 8 degrees Fahrenheit – the widest range of any freezer on this list.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lots of storage space | Only one size |
| Plenty of customization | |
| Energy efficient |
Our Verdict
If you have a little more room for your mini-freezer, this is a fantastic choice. It will fit any décor and it can store a shocking amount of food for something less than three feet tall.
The optional lock can keep food safe. You can organize the interior to suit your needs.
Overall, if you’re looking for an extra back-up freezer or just a little more room for cold food, this is a great option to have.
What To Look For In A Good Mini Fridge?
A mini-freezer can last for decades of use if you take care of it. The trick is to get a good one to begin with.
- Build Quality. Getting a well-built mini-freezer should always be your first step. You want something that can stand up to regular, heavy use. Check the pictures to gauge the material quality.If the gaskets or the casing looks cheap, it’s probably not well-made. You can also check reviews to see if people tend to have problems with the quality.
- Warranty. A good warranty shows that the company trusts its product. The longer the warranty on your new mini-freezer, the longer the maker expects it to last.A year is the standard, but longer is better! If you’re concerned about it breaking after that, consider getting an Amazon protection plan on the freezer.
- Size. Figure out how much room you really have and how much storage you need. Different mini-freezers can have the same storage space, but different outside dimensions. Measure your room to make sure you’re getting something that will fit.
- Features. If you have a tight floorplan, a reversible door can help. Similarly, if you need to store tall bottles, look for removable shelves. Decide what kind of features you want your mini-freezer to have, and go from there.
- Brand. Some brands are well-known. Others are hidden gems. If you notice a certain brand is getting rave reviews on a product that’s too big or the wrong color, Amazon lists their whole catalog – just click their name.
The brand may have the thing you need in the right package. A company that makes one really good product will likely make another as well!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use a Mini Freezer as a Fridge?
Most mini-freezers aren’t intended for use as fridges. Their on-board thermostats only handle sub-freezing temperatures.
However, if you’re a DIY enthusiast, you can modify many mini-freezers to become fridges. The project requires you to take out the old thermostat and install a new one. Only try this project if you aren’t worried about ruining your mini-freezer!
Are Mini Freezers Quiet?
Most mini-freezers are perfectly quiet. Traditional compressor-driven mini-freezers produce a quiet hum, just like a normal fridge or freezer. The noise is usually less than 40 decibels, which is barely above a whisper.
What Size Mini Freezer Should You Get?
There are three main sizes of mini-freezer on the market: 1.1, 2.1, and 3.0 cubic feet. The extra space comes mostly from vertical space and shelves. A 1.1 cubic ft. freezer is about half the height of most 3.0 cubic ft. freezers.
All three sizes have their benefits:
A small mini-freezer is great as extra storage or a dorm room option. These freezers average about 18 inches per side, so they can easily be stored under a table to keep ice cream and pizza rolls at the ready.
A medium mini-freezer is a good choice for parties or multiple people. You can keep enough treats for a couple people at a time in 2.1 cubic feet. They are still pretty short, so they fit under counters or lofted beds.
A large mini-freezer is great as an auxiliary storage space. They can be used to store that extra venison or keep you liquor cold for the long term. If you have bulk frozen food that you want to keep separate, a large mini-freezer can help.
Conclusion
The best mini-freezers can seriously upgrade your kitchen.
Whether that’s providing extra food storage space, an excuse to buy more ice cream – or even just getting your first freezer!
They’re an incredibly useful appliance to have. Especially in summer.
I hope this quick guide’s helped you figure out which of these mini-freezers might be best suited to you.
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Thank you so much for reading.
I hope have a great day!
-Craig
