Beverage Coolers

Cube fridges are okay for chilling sodas, but not much else

The smallest type of mini fridge, a cube fridge (sometimes called a dorm fridge), measures between 18 and 21 inches on each side and weighs less than 50 pounds. It is portable and stackable, which makes it convenient for a dorm room -- especially if you want to keep your food separate from your roommate's -- but most models also cost nearly as much as a mid-size mini fridge, which are just a few inches taller.

Many cube refrigerators aren't true refrigerators at all -- they use thermoelectric cooling rather than the standard compressor and coolant. This configuration can't keep leftovers and perishable food at a safe temperature (below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture) in a warm room. They're fine if you want something to keep soda cool (not super cold), but they're not a good choice for storing food or dairy.

The best-reviewed cube fridge, the Danby DAR195BL (*Est. $110) , has a 1.8 cubic feet capacity with no freezer, freeing up room for beverages and perishables. It uses a compressor, and it is Energy Star-rated for energy efficiency. The DAR195BL is designed to sit under a desk or on a countertop; it's 17.5 inches wide and 20 inches high and deep, with a scratch-resistant top that can be used as a storage area or work surface. It comes in black only. The inside door space has a can dispenser for up to six cans, and it has a shelf large enough to hold a 2-liter bottle. The website Green Planet names it one of the most energy efficient compact refrigerators available, and owners posting reviews at CompactAppliances.com praise it, saying it's relatively quiet and maintains a constant temperature.

Owners say that the 1.7-cubic-foot Magic Chef MCBR170 (*Est. $100) is also a good value. Like the Danby DAR195BL, the Magic Chef fridge uses a compressor rather than thermoelectric cooling, which means that it gets cold enough to store leftovers and other perishables. ConsumerGuide.com editors say it's a solid basic option and give it a good rating. Users at HomeDepot.com say the Magic Chef dorm fridge is a convenient size for chilling drinks and a few remark that it is quiet. Reviewers in one professional test report poor energy efficiency and poor freezer performance, but these are common complaints about cube fridges in general. The Magic Chef fridge has a reversible door and is available in white or black. Full model numbers are MCBR170WMD in white, MCBR170BMD in black.