Ideal for dorms, offices, game rooms and even bedrooms, mini-fridges allow you to grab a drink or a snack on the go. And if you’re going for a retro look, you’ll find plenty of vintage-style mini-fridges that will match your aesthetic.
With so many options on the market, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of which one to buy. We’re going to explain what to look for when choosing your mini-fridge and share some of our top picks.
What to Look for in a Vintage Mini-Fridge
When shopping for a your own mini-refrigerator, there are several things to consider. Along with your needs and your space, you need to think about the fridge’s:
- Size
- Design
- Energy efficiency
Size
The size of the fridge is one of the most important things to consider. Along with the dimensions of the fridge, you also need to think about the capacity (cu ft).
Most mini-fridges are small enough for tabletop use, but some are larger than others. If you know where you want to place the fridge, make sure that you choose one that will fit in that space.
If you plan to place it under a desk, for example, you may need a model that’s wider than it is tall. On the other hand, if you want to place it in a corner or use it in an office, you may want a taller model that’s easy to access without having to bend down too far.
Think about what you want to store in your mini-fridge. If you only want to store bottles and cans, you can go with a really small model that’s portable and lightweight. But if you want to able to store snacks, lunch and other items, you’ll want a bigger model.
Some mini fridges also have freezer storage space, and these are great options for dorm rooms or office break areas.
Design
The design of the fridge is another important thing. If you’re going for a retro look, you want to choose a model with vintage mini fridge colors, like:
- Mint
- Blue
- Pink
- Red
- Coral
- Black
- White
Look for rounded doors with steel latches and steel logos to complete that vintage look.
Energy Efficiency
Refrigerators of any kind, including mini-fridges, can be energy hogs. Choosing an energy-efficient model will help you save on energy costs each month.
Look for models that are Energy Star Certified to maximize your energy savings.
Our Favorite Retro Compact Refrigerators for Sale
There are dozens of retro mini-fridges on the market, but some are better than others. We’ve rounded up our favorite models based on their size, retro design and efficiency.
Daewoo FR-004RCNM Mini Fridge
Daewoo’s retro mini refrigerator is a combination of modern engineering and retro design. Offering tabletop function, FR-004RCNM has a sleek design reminiscent of what you would have found in your grandmother’s kitchen.
Like the refrigerators of the 50s and 60s, the refrigerator door doesn’t have a handle. It’s also available in fun retro colors:
- Mint
- Red
- Cream Beige
- City Blue
- White
Soft dial and easy control make this fridge user-friendly. It’s also Energy Star certified, making it an efficient choice for your home or office. Like modern refrigerators, this model has LED lights, so you can always see what’s inside.
With 4.4 cubic feet, this refrigerator is roomy. The Fresh Keeper food sliding drawer helps keep produce and perishables fresh. The fridge door has a beverage shelf as well as a Multi Keeper box for specialized storage space.
As far as size goes, the FR-004RCNM is 22.8” x 19.2” x 36.1” and weighs just 61 lbs. Compact and lightweight, this mini fridge is ideal for offices, outdoor entertaining areas and any other retro-themed space.
Frigidaire Retro Mini Fridge
Frigidaire offers a collection of mini-fridges in different sizes and price ranges.
Two of their most popular models include:
EFR376
This 3.2 cu ft mini fridge is 21.5” x 19” x 33,” so it’s compact yet roomy inside. The interior has three classic storage shelves, and there’s also a small freezer area at the top. The door has can storage and other shelves for extra storage space.
The EFR376 has a retro design, with the vintage Frigidaire logo on the fridge door. The metal door latch adds to the retro look while making it easy to access the contents inside.
The side bottle opener is a convenient feature that makes it easy to open your favorite bottled beverages.
The EFR376 comes in six vintage colors:
- Black
- Blue
- Coral
- Moonbeam
- Red
- White
The freezer area and bottle opener make this mini fridge a great retro addition to your home.
EFMIS129
The EFMIS129 is a mini refrigerator designed primarily for can storage. It’s one of the most affordable retro mini-fridges out there, but it’s also one of the most compact.
This tabletop fridge is 7”W x 10”L x 10.5”H and can hold up to six cans. What’s great about this model is that it’s easily portable. While it’s designed to store cans, you can also use it to store snacks. The storage space is limited, but this model is a great option for anyone who doesn’t have or doesn’t want to use up a lot of space.
The EFMIS129 uses thermoelectric cooling, so it’s quiet and vibration-free. It can cool to 27-36F below the ambient room temperature.
To complete the retro design, this fridge comes in four colors:
- Blue
- Red
- Gray
- Pink
Another advantage of this fridge is that it can be plugged into either a home outlet or a 12V car adapter. Frigidaire includes both cords, so you can take this fridge with you on-the-go if you want.
Galanz Retro Mini-Fridge
Galanz’s mini-fridge has an interior light, adjustable thermostat control and storage volume of 3.5 cu ft.
The reversible door and door handle complete the retro design. It also comes in three vintage colors:
- Blue
- Red
- Black
The Galanz fridge is 19.2” x 23.3” x 35.3” and weighs 65 pounds.
It’s compact enough for countertop use, and the quiet operation makes it ideal for office use.
The interior of this mini fridge is surprisingly spacious. There’s a small freezer area at the top of the fridge. Two tall shelves give you plenty of space to store your items. There’s also a produce drawer at the bottom to store your perishables. Shelves on the door allow you to store beverages, condiments and other items.
Nostalgia Coca Cola Mini Refrigerator
A retro Coca Cola mini refrigerator with a capacity of 3.2 total cubic feet and durable design. The fridge body is made of steel and the door is made of stainless steel.
With dimensions of 19” x 18” x 31” and a weight of just 47.6 pounds, this mini fridge is great for tabletop use or any other compact space.
The interior features a top freezer area (0.67 cubic feet) and three shelves for food storage. The door has special can storage as well as wire shelves to store other items. The interior light allows you to see what’s inside, and the two leveling legs keep the fridge steady. There’s also a convenient bottle opener on the side of the fridge.
The red exterior and nostalgic Coca Cola logo make this mini fridge a perfect fit for any retro space.
Magic Chef Retro Mini Refrigerator
Magic Chef’s mini fridge with freezer is ideal for anyone who wants designated freezer space. Some of the other fridges on our list have freezer space, but it’s part of the refrigerated area and doesn’t really have a specialized freezer function.
The Magic Chef model is a different story. This Energy Star Certified mini fridge has a separate freezer compartment with its own door. It’s a true mini-refrigerator, and it has a vintage design. It also has a capacity of 3.2 cubic feet.
Both the freezer and refrigerator doors have steel latches along with the retro Magic Chef logo and other steel elements you’d find on vintage refrigerators.
The freezer area has a manual defrost for long-term food storage, and the freezer door has a wired shelf for secure storage.
The refrigerator door also has wire shelving and a beverage dispenser. The crisper drawer keeps produce fresh, and two glass shelves provide ample storage for your items.
This fridge has a bright interior light and adjustable thermostat control. Magic Chef makes this model in four retro colors:
- Mint Green
- Red
- White
- Black
Magic Chef’s fridge weighs just 53.1 pounds and has dimensions of 20.1” x 19.1” x 33.5.” It’s small and light enough to place anywhere or even carry up the stairs.