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You want a mini fridge that fits your dorm or office, keeps drinks cold, and doesn’t hum you out of sleep. The 1.7 cubic foot class is the most popular size for these spots, and this guide sorts through the models that actually deliver on cooling, noise, and everyday use. You will find direct comparisons of features that matter, so you can skip the guesswork and choose with confidence.
I’m Min — the founder and writer behind Gadgets Feed. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
1.7 cu ft mini fridge options vary widely in freezer space, energy use, and noise, so we compared the specs that most affect your daily routine.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best 1.7 Cu Ft Mini Fridge
Before you compare prices, start with the single biggest fork in the road: do you need a true freezer or just very cold drinks? Models marketed as beverage coolers deliberately skip the freezer to boost can capacity, while others, like the Frestec, carve out space for ice and frozen snacks. Knowing which you need first makes the rest of the filtering easy.
Decide Between Freezer and Freezerless
A freezerless unit, such as the Erivess 76 Can, dedicates its whole 1.7 cubic feet to drinks, often holding up to 76 cans. A model with a freezer-to-top design, like the Frestec, splits that space—roughly 1.5 cubic feet for fresh food and just 0.2 cubic feet for freezing. If you need to freeze breast milk, keep ice cream, or make ice cubes, the dedicated freezer models win; if you only chill cans, a freezerless cooler is simpler and quieter in operation.
Match Noise and Energy to Your Room
Most compact fridges list a noise level measured in decibels (dB); a 37 dB reading is roughly the sound of a quiet library, while anything over 40 dB starts to be noticeable in a silent bedroom. Energy use is usually quoted either as a daily kilowatt-hour (kWh) figure or an annual one—so 0.55 kWh per day translates to about 200 kilowatt hours per year. For a dorm or office that runs the fridge 24/7, these two numbers determine whether the unit disrupts your sleep and your electricity bill.
Look for Door and Shelf Flexibility
Nearly every 1.7 cubic foot fridge now comes with a reversible door, meaning you can hinge it to swing open from the left or the right to fit your corner. Inside, removable shelves make the difference between storing tall bottles and stacking standard cans. The Midea even includes a door shelf engineered to hold a full 2-liter bottle, which is a small detail that quietly changes how much you can actually keep on hand.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Freezer Space | Cooling Capacity | Noise Level | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frestec 1.7 Cu Ft★ Best Overall | Bedrooms needing a real freezer | 0.2 cu ft (8.5x less than its fresh food space) | 1.5 cu ft fresh | 37 dB | Amazon |
| Erivess 76 Can (Freestanding)Best Value | Compact drink coolers | — | 1.7 cu ft fresh | Whisper-quiet compressor | Amazon |
| Erivess Glass DoorBest Display Pick | Displaying drinks with style | — | 1.7 cu ft fresh | Whisper-quiet compressor | Amazon |
| DOGHLY Glass Door | Bars and classrooms | — | Holds 72 cans | Under 40 dB | Amazon |
| Frostorm 1.6 Cu Ft | True freezing at low noise | 0.3 cu ft (reaches -14°C to -24°C) | 1.6 cu ft fresh | 30 dB | Amazon |
| EUHOMY 1.7 Cu Ft | Low-maintenance freezing | 0.2 cu ft | 1.5 cu ft fresh | Below 38 dB | Amazon |
| BANGSON 1.7 Cu Ft Red | Cold rooms with style | Freezer-on-top | 5 temperature settings | 38 dB | Amazon |
| Electactic 1.7 Cu Ft | Low-cost basic chilling | 0.12 cu ft (not for ice cream) | 1.7 cu ft fresh | Ultra quiet claim | Amazon |
| Midea 1.7 Cu Ft | Energy-saving bedrooms | — | 1.7 cu ft fresh | Low noise claim | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Frestec 1.7 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer
Our pick — 4.5★ from 450+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The bedroom fridge that fits a real freezer into a 19.8-inch tall frame
Most 1.7 cubic foot fridges force you to choose between a freezer and usable fridge space, but the Frestec splits the difference cleanly. It gives you 1.5 cubic feet of fresh food space plus a separate 0.2 cubic foot freezer on top — an 8.5x gap that shows where the real storage lives. That layout suits the most common mini-fridge job: keeping milk, snacks, and leftovers cold while still freezing a tray of ice cubes or a pint of ice cream.
You get a quiet hum at 37 dB (about the level of a library whisper) and low energy draw of just 0.55 kWh per day—roughly 200 kilowatt hours per year. Buyers in small offices and nurseries report it cools fast and holds a whole case of beer, which is why functionality and size are the two things owners mention most. The 6-position thermostat (spanning 28.4°F to 50°F) plus a one-touch defrost button means you won’t be chipping ice by hand; you just press a button in the middle of the temperature dial, and the soft, detachable door seal wipes clean easily.
The trade-off is that some units ship with dents on the top, and a loose glass shelf can rattle slightly.
What wins people over
- True freezer compartment for ice cubes and frozen items
- Quiet 37 dB operation suits bedrooms and offices
- Reversible door and adjustable feet adapt to any corner
What to watch
- Occasional shipping dents on the top panel
- Glass shelf can feel slightly loose and rattle
Reach for this if: you want a single unit that chills drinks and still freezes ice in a small bedroom.
Keep browsing if: you need 76-can capacity with no freezer—that points to a beverage cooler instead.
2. Erivess 1.7 Cu Ft Freestanding Beverage Refrigerator
A mirror-front drink cooler that looks far pricier than its mid-range tag suggests
This Erivess variant uses a see-through glass front door framed in stainless steel, letting you spot your wine or soda at a glance without opening it. It is a dedicated beverage cooler, so it skips the freezer entirely and instead packs a full 1.7 cubic feet of can space — enough for up to 76 standard cans. Since it lacks a freezer, its entire footprint goes to drinks, which is exactly what a dorm or office fridge should prioritize.
Performance-wise, the compressor delivers a whisper-quiet chill down to 37°F, and a memory function restores your preset temperature after a power outage or unplugging. That convenience is the standout here. Buyers mention the mirror front panel looks more expensive than it is, and the digital display plus easy-touch controls make adjusting the temp a two-second task. It draws 165 watts annually, 45% less than the glass-door Erivess, making it the more energy-efficient pick. Two adjustable, removable chrome shelves keep 12-ounce cans and wine bottles organized without permanent dividers getting in the way.
Because there’s no freezer, this is strictly for drinks — the listing itself warns against storing fresh foods like meats, vegetables, or fruit. It does include a temperature sensor that triggers auto-defrost, keeping the interior frost-free without any manual scraping on your part.
Why it earns its spot
- Frost Free defrost system means zero manual scraping
- Memory function restores temp after power loss
- Lower energy draw than the glass-door Erivess
Know before buying
- No freezer — drinks only, not for fresh food
- One buyer notes the temp may not drop below 40°F
Best suited for: anyone stocking a bar cart or dorm minibar who wants a stylish, affordable drink chiller.
Not for: anyone expecting to freeze ice or store perishable groceries long-term.
3. Erivess 76 Can Mini Fridge with Glass Door
A glass-door showpiece that keeps drinks icy and adds a soft blue glow
This Erivess model swaps the mirror front for a clear glass door backed by a soft blue interior light, turning your drink stash into a mini display case. It chills down to 37°F and a simple touch control handles the temperature while a digital readout keeps you informed. Owners often mention the blue light as a nice touch that makes the whole unit feel more premium than its price suggests.
Its 240 W compressor draws 45% more power than the freestanding Erivess’s 165 W, a gap you’ll notice on your electric bill. You feel that difference only on your electric bill, not in day-to-day chilling speed, which buyers describe as fast and consistent. Storage comes from two adjustable, removable chrome shelves, and the interior is large enough for 76 standard cans or several wine bottles.
Over about a year of use, buyers report it stays quiet while running and holds beverages cold on demand. The recurring complaint is noise—a high-pitched ring from one unit that ran constantly in an office setting. If you’re sensitive to hum, expect some variability between units; most buyers, though, find it acceptable for a bedroom or studio.
Where it shines: the illuminated glass-front look and fast chilling make it a favorite for studios and basement bars.
The honest catch: it is a beverage-only cooler, so fresh food and freezing are off the table.
4. DOGHLY 1.7 Cu.ft Glass Door Beverage Refrigerator
A glass-front cooler that fits a classroom corner and holds 72 drinks quietly
Teachers and night-stand users have found a mutual friend in the DOGHLY, which pairs a clear glass-like door with a 1.7 cubic foot interior. It holds 72 standard cans, and the electronic control lets you dial anywhere from 37°F to 61°F, so you can keep water bottles cold or switch to a milder setting for red wine. The removable shelf lets you stack tall bottles on one side and cans on the other without wasted space.
The compressor-based system is rated below 40 dB during operation, and owners in small bedrooms report it is large enough to hold several water or tea bottles while still fitting conveniently in a corner. The glass front garners consistent praise—buyers describe it as a clear, mirror-like door that makes the fridge look more polished than the price implies. Cooling performance is good, with drinks coming out properly cold, and the size is the single most-praised feature across owner feedback.
The flip side is noise variability: some units run very quiet while others are noticeably loud, and the noise level is the most mixed aspect of the feedback. If you place it in a bedroom, you may want to test it in the corner you plan to use before committing to a spot where the hum would sit right next to your pillow.
Best in role: a classroom or office workhorse where the glass door adds a tidy, professional look.
Before you buy: consider the noise complaints—bedroom placement with high noise sensitivity is a gamble.
5. Frostorm 1.6 Cu Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer
The quietest freezer fridge here, humming along at just 30 dB
This model runs at an exceptionally low 30 dB and cuts noise further by using auto defrost, so there’s no manual ice scraping to interrupt your routine. Inside, a dedicated 0.3 cubic foot freezer reaches -14°C to -24°C, making it the only unit in this list where you can store ice cream without worrying about it melting into soup.
On energy, the Frostorm sips just 0.6 kWh per day—roughly 100 kilowatt hours per year, which is the most efficient annual figure in this comparison. A simple 1-5 mechanical thermostat (with 3 recommended for daily use) keeps operation intuitive, and a durable metal shelf plus PCM steel cabinet are built to survive dorm life. Owners have verified the temperature holds steady using a probe, and some trust it enough for storing breast milk.
Where it stumbles is the finish: the exterior scratches easily, so it’s not the fridge for a home with curious cats. Some units also arrive with dents or scratches, and the brand asks you to let it rest flat for 12 hours before first plug-in to protect the compressor.
The strongest points
- Only unit here with a freezer reaching -24°C for real frozen storage
- Auto defrost saves hands-on maintenance
- Lowest annual energy figure in the lineup
Fair warnings
- Scratch-prone finish needs gentle handling
- Requires a 12-hour rest before first use
Choose this when: quiet operation, true freezing, and low energy bills are your top three priorities.
Look elsewhere if: you want a pristine showroom finish—this one wears its scratches openly.
6. EUHOMY 1.7 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge, Reversible Door
A compact 16.9-inch-deep fridge with a real freezer that fits under a desk
The EUHOMY squeezes a 0.2 cubic foot freezer and 1.5 cubic feet of fridge space into a compact 16.9″D x 17.5″W x 19.1″H frame that slides under most desks. A removable wire shelf lets you clear vertical space for taller bottles when you need it, and a high-density foam layer in the body holds the cold in during long heat-preservation sessions. The temperature knob spans 32°F to 50°F, giving you a wide dial range for everything from chilled water to slightly warmer produce storage.
Energy use sits at just 0.55 kWh per day, and the compressor holds noise below 38 dB, so it’s a responsible citizen for a dorm room or home office. The manufacturer backs it with a one-year service commitment and promises replies within one day.
The honest caveats: the freezer builds up frost every 3-4 months and needs about five minutes of scraping, and one unit arrived defective and never got cold despite a 24-hour rest. Most owners, though, report reliable long-term performance with the thermostat set between 4 and 5.
Why it works: a space-saving footprint plus a genuinely useful freezer for ice cream lovers.
The fine print: expect periodic frost scraping and always let it rest upright for 24 hours before plugging in.
7. BANGSON 1.7 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Red
A bold red fridge with five cooling presets for rooms that want personality
Most mini fridges come in black, white, or silver, so the BANGSON’s vivid red cabinet is an instant conversation piece for a dorm or game room. Style aside, it brings a freezer-on-top design plus five adjustable temperature settings spanning 33.8°F to 46.4°F. The dial presets are tied to real uses: 41°F chills beverages, 37°F preserves fruits and vegetables, and 33.8°F handles small frozen items—so you pick a scenario rather than guessing at a number.
Owners consistently praise the cooling performance, noting it keeps everything very cold and maintains a stable interior temperature, which makes it useful for storing temperature-sensitive medication. The unit runs at 38 dB, quieter than a typical library, and uses only 0.5 kWh of electricity per day. A reversible door plus adjustable leveling feet let you fit it under a desk or on a tilted table without wobble.
The freezer is the weak spot in the feedback: some owners mention the tiny freezer shelf barely freezes unless the thermostat is set to the highest level 5, and others note it doesn’t freeze at all. It also arrived dented for some due to packaging. If you need serious freezing, the Frostorm remains the stronger choice; if you want statement color with reliable cold drinks, this fits.
Why buyers love it
- Five scenario-based temperature presets
- Stable interior temp trusted for medication
- Distinctive red finish stands out
Set expectations
- Freezer needs the highest setting to actually freeze
- Occasional shipping dents reported
Grab it if: you’re decorating a dorm room and want a reliable drink fridge with a bold color.
Think twice if: your main need is a functional freezer compartment—this one underdelivers there.
8. Electactic 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge, Silver
An entry-level chiller that reaches 33°F for tech-savvy budget buyers
The Electactic is the value pick for anyone who wants a cold drink fridge without paying for a freezer they won’t use. Its rotary thermostat offers 7 variable settings across a 32°F to 50°F range, and owners who tested the limits report it reaches 33°F and can even dip below 32°F on max. It is explicitly not suitable for storing ice cream—the tiny 0.12 cubic foot freezer compartment is a bonus, not a feature.
Daily energy consumption is about 0.5 kWh, keeping ongoing costs low, and owners describe the cabinet as clean with a white metal exterior, recessed handles, and wide door rails that hold bottles well. Being larger than many expect despite the 1.7 cubic foot rating, it handles quite a few items across its shelves.
The trouble shows up in long-term reliability. Customers note durability issues with units failing within a few months, including one who dealt with constant water leakage from the tiny freezer’s freeze-thaw cycle. Appearance and quiet operation earn praise, but the cooling performance and size both carry mixed owner feedback—the noise claim of “ultra quiet” doesn’t hold for every unit. For a low-cost bedroom fridge for canned drinks, it can work; for anything requiring consistent freezing, it’s the wrong tool.
Where it fits: a budget-friendly can cooler for a dorm or office where noise sensitivity is low.
Proceed with caution: reliability across months is the biggest question mark in the owner feedback.
9. Midea 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge, White
A big-brand Energy Star fridge that quietly chills a 2-liter bottle on the door
Midea is a name buyers recognize, and this 1.7 cubic foot model carries an Energy Star certification, meaning it meets government efficiency standards. Freezerless by design, it delivers a full 1.7 cubic feet of fridge space—no freezer to maintain—and the single door shelf is engineered to hold a full 2-liter bottle upright.
Owners consistently praise the extremely quiet operation, saying you can’t hear it even with white noise music playing nearby, and the size is called perfect for a bedroom. Several use it for the “fridge hack” of storing breast pumping parts and milk, reporting it gets properly cold after a night of being plugged in. The adjustable, removable shelf lets you customize clearance for taller bottles or cans.
The catch is cooling consistency: while some owners confirm it reaches a properly cold temperature, others report it holds around 50°F and can’t maintain below 40°F, making it a beverage chiller at best rather than a safe food-storage fridge. Its 246 kWh annual energy use exceeds the Frostorm’s 100 kWh despite the Energy Star label. Weigh the quiet, name-brand reliability against the mixed cooling reports before using it for perishables.
Standout strengths
- Energy Star certified for efficiency standards
- Extremely quiet operation in bedrooms
- Door shelf fits a full 2-liter bottle
What to verify
- Cooling consistency varies—some units stay too warm for food
- No freezer compartment for frozen items
Choose it for: a quiet, trusted-name bedroom fridge for drinks and pump parts rather than long-term groceries.
skip it if: you need guaranteed sub-40°F performance for perishable food storage.
Understanding the Specs
Compressor vs. Thermoelectric
All nine fridges here use compressor-based cooling, the same technology as your full-size kitchen fridge. A compressor is powerful enough to reach true refrigerator temperatures (around 37°F) and is the only type that can support a freezing compartment. Cheaper thermoelectric coolers can’t get cold enough for food safety, so stick with compressor models if you plan to store anything perishable. This is exactly why every pick in this guide uses a compressor.
Manual, Auto, and Frost Free Defrost
Defrost refers to how the unit handles ice buildup on the cooling coils. Manual defrost means you periodically turn the unit off and let the ice melt—some models add a one-touch defrost button to speed this up. Auto defrost runs a cycle to melt frost on its own schedule, while a Frost Free system (found on the Erivess freestanding unit) uses a sensor to prevent ice from forming in the first place. If you dislike maintenance, prioritize Frost Free or auto defrost; if you want the coldest possible freezer, manual models often freeze harder.
FAQ
Do all 1.7 cu ft mini fridges include a real freezer?
How many cans fit in a 1.7 cu ft mini fridge?
Can I store breast milk in a 1.7 cu ft mini fridge?
What does a reversible door mean for placement?
Is a 1.7 cu ft mini fridge energy efficient?
How noisy is a 1.7 cu ft mini fridge in a bedroom?
Can I make ice cubes in a 1.7 cu ft mini fridge?
How long should I wait before plugging in a new mini fridge?
Does a glass door make the fridge less efficient?
Can a 1.7 cu ft mini fridge freeze ice cream?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
Across the board, the 1.7 cu ft mini fridge winner is the Frestec because it balances a real freezer, a quiet 37 dB hum, and energy use of just 0.55 kWh per day in a compact frame that suits nearly any bedroom or office. If you want maximum can capacity with zero freezer maintenance, grab the Erivess Freestanding. And for the quietest true freezer performance available in this size, the Frostorm is the one to reach for.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of September 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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