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Mini Fridges: Ratings of Sources
Total of 13 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. ConsumerReports.org
Not Dated
Refrigerators
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEditors at ConsumerReports.org rate seven compact refrigerators as part of their annual refrigerator roundup. Reliability ratings for mini fridges are not included, as they are for many appliances evaluated by ConsumerReports.org, but a handy comparison chart is included. Each model is rated based on refrigerator and freezer performance, noise, and energy efficiency. On the downside, most of the recommended mini fridges have since been discontinued.
2. Walmart.com
As of Aug. 2011
Refrigerators and Freezers
by Contributors to Walmart.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWalmart.com sells about 50 compact refrigerators and allows users to post reviews for them. Although the reviews are generally brief, many different mini fridges receive at least a dozen or so reviews. Danby and Haier are the brands most often rated highly by users here.
3. ABT.com
As of Aug. 2011
Under Counter Refrigerators
by Contributors to ABT.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentABT.com, an online appliance retailer, carries more than 60 compact refrigerators, about a dozen of which receive user reviews. Most, however, receive only a handful of reviews. Danby and GE models receive the highest ratings and the most reviews.
4. Sears.com
As of Aug. 2011
Compact Refrigerators
by Contributors to Sears.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentOnly a few of the three dozen or so mini fridges sold at Sears.com have owner reviews. Because the Kenmore brand is sold exclusively at Sears, this is the only place you can read user reviews for Kenmore compact refrigerators. The 4.6-cu.ft. Kenmore HS-166R receives the most reviews and gets high ratings.
5. PlanetGreen.com
Aug. 11, 2009
Buy Green: Compact Refrigerators
by Blythe Copeland
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPlanet Green, an environmental website run by Discovery Channel, recommends four compact refrigerators, as well as refrigerated drawers, based on their energy consumption. Author Blythe Copeland says that compact refrigerators generally use less energy than their full-size counterparts. It isn't clear if any of the products listed were tested, and little is said about other features besides energy consumption.
6. ConsumerGuide.com
As of Aug. 2011
Compact Refrigerator Reviews and Prices
by Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentConsumerGuide.com provides detailed reviews for eight compact refrigerators, one of which (the Kenmore 95872) receives a Best Buy award. The two top-rated models have been discontinued, however. The GE Spacemaker GMR06, KitchenAid KURS24 and Magic Chef MCBR170 also get good ratings. It's not clear whether any of the refrigerators have been tested, and the reviews date back to 2006, with none more recent than 2008.
7. RefrigeratorPro.com
Not Dated
Compact Refrigerator Reviews to Help You Find the Right One for You
by Editors of RefrigeratorPro.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBrands (rather than individual models) are recommended, and there's no discussion of what testing methodology was used, if any. Still, this website is bursting with advice on shopping for and caring for refrigerators in general, most of which is applicable to compact fridges.
8. Bestcovery.com
July 25, 2011
Best Mini Fridge for Dorms
by Jerry Arlen
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentJerry Arlen sells appliances at a big box store, and uses what's he's learned to recommend five compact refrigerators for college students. There's no indication that he has personally tested the refrigerators, and two of the models he recommends have been discontinued by the manufacturer, although they are still available in some stores.
9. Amazon.com
As of Aug. 2011
Compact Refrigerators
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAmazon.com carries a staggering number of compact refrigerators, though some of the models listed here have been discontinued by the manufacturer. There are a few current compact refrigerators listed with at least a dozen reviews each, so you can get a good idea of how they perform in actual use. The site is also easy to search.
10. CompactAppliance.com
As of Aug. 2011
Compact Refrigerators
by Contributors to CompactAppliance.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentCompactAppliance.com offers more than 100 compact refrigerators, but it's impossible to tell how many users have reviewed a specific model without viewing the product page. The site seems to sell more Danby and EdgeStar models than any other brand. Two models, the EdgeStar CRF150 and the EdgeStar CRF320, receive a large number of (mostly) positive owner reviews, and the Danby DAR259 and DAR195 get fewer reviews but high ratings.
11. Target.com
As of Aug. 2011
Kitchen Appliances: Refrigerators and Freezers
by Contributors to Target.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAbout one-third of the 39 refrigerators listed at Target.com have user reviews, and most receive only a few comments. The Emerson CR500 receives far more reviews than any other compact refrigerator, with above-average ratings overall.
12. HomeDepot.com
As of Aug. 2011
Compact Refrigerators
by Contributors to HomeDepot.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentOnly a half-dozen or so of the many compact refrigerators sold at HomeDepot.com receive more than a handful of owner reviews. Among those with more than a dozen reviews, the Magic Chef MCBR170, Magic Chef MCBR445B1 and Magic Chef MCBR415S get the highest ratings.
13. AJMadison.com
As of Aug. 2011
Compact Refrigerators
by Contributors to AJMadison.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMore than 50 compact refrigerators are rated by users at online appliance retailer AJMadison.com, but most have only a few owner reviews. The Danby DAR482 has the most -- about a dozen -- and receives high ratings.
     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

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