Mini fridge test & guide
Have you ever thought about a mini fridge? Whether for hotel or guest house rooms, your own gazebo, caravan or your personal room: A mini fridge or minibar is a practical and easy way to always have the essentials cool and ready. Drinks, snacks and, with a freezer compartment, even ice cream and other treats can always be at hand in the smallest of spaces. So that you can find out which mini fridge is right for you, we will introduce you to the different functions, performance levels and models.
Mini fridge: comparison of features and performance
Basically, the function of a mini fridge is easy to explain: to cool things. But compared to the large fridge in the kitchen, the minibar is the hidden secret weapon in the room of your choice. So it depends: How big or small can it be? Do you only want to use it for drinks? Do you need a freezer compartment in your mini fridge? You should also think about the desired design, the location and thus also the door stop. Especially if the refrigerator is in a bedroom, you should make sure that you buy a cooling helper that is as quiet as possible. Therefore, there is a lot to consider. To give you a better overview, we'll present a few models!
Klarstein's Happy Hour Minibar
Product tip
Happy Hour Minibar
The classic mini fridge: Compact, simple and without a freezer compartment. Available in three colours and therefore suitable everywhere!
- Compact: Clever design with 40-litre capacity
- Simple design: Available in 3 colours
- Quiet: Silent operation
The Happy Hour minibar is the classic among mini fridges, and with a capacity of 40 litres, it can fit a few cans and bottles as well as snacks. It has very compact dimensions and fits into any room with its simple design. Whether in the hotel or BnB room, in your hobby room or in the caravan: The device finds a place everywhere.
- Flexible slots
- Silent operation
- Compact dimensions with 40 x 53.5 x 48 cm
Advantages:
- No freezer
- Not a built-in device
Disadvantages
Mini fridge with freezer compartment
Product tip
Luminance Frost 45l
The little one with the freezer. The Luminance Frost not only looks elegant thanks to the tinted glass door, it also has a small freezer compartment in which you can store ice cubes or ice cream.
- 45 litres capacity for cooling
- 1.5-litre freezer compartment
- Elegant design and compact dimensions
A mini fridge with freezer compartment is really practical if you want to keep some ice in stock with cool snacks and drinks. The Luminance Frost has very small dimensions, but is a real miracle of space. With 45 litres of space for cooling and 1.5 litres for freezing, you can use it anywhere and always have your favourite things in stock. It also looks really chic with the tinted glass door.
- Compact dimensions of 48 x 50 x 44.5 cm
- 1.5-litre freezer included
- Elegant tinted glass door
Advantages:
- Less space to cool
- Not a built-in device
Disadvantages
Mini fridge with glass door
Product tip
Brooklyn 42 Mini Fridge
Always see what's inside: The Brooklyn is a mini fridge with a glass door that brings a real bar feeling into the room.
- Cool design: With glass door
- 42 litres capacity
- Flexible: With adjustable slots
That's how you imagine a cool drinks fridge or minibar, right? The Brooklyn drinks fridge is available in 4 colour combinations and always shows what it has in store for you with its glass door. It works with a SilentCool system and is therefore extra quiet. And with the LED lighting inside, the look of the minibar is perfect.
- Minibar with glass door
- Illumination with cold white light
- Particularly quiet in operation
Advantages
- No freezer
- Not a built-in device
Disadvantages
Mini fridge with LED
Product tip
Audrey Mini 2-in-1 Refrigerator
Retro looks always work, right? The Audrey mini fridge comes in 3 different colours and has an extra freezer compartment with it.
- Retro: Stylish and in three colours
- Multi-talent: With built-in freezer compartment
- With LED interior lighting
Audrey is a real eye-catcher among mini fridges. In a colourful retro look, it is a highlight, no matter where it is positioned. You have the choice between red, pastel blue and beige. Which colour suits your concept best? In addition to the outside, the minibar also has a lot to offer inside: With a usable volume of 37 litres and a small freezer compartment with a flap, it is ready for everything.
- Chic retro design
- LED lighting inside
- With freezer
Advantages
- Does not fit in every room
- Not a built-in device
Disadvantages
Mini fridge comparison
Tips for buying a mini fridge
Want to buy a mini fridge, but you are having a hard time making a decision? No problem! Simply answer the following questions and then select the right model:
- Where should the mini fridge be?
- Which design do I like for the fridge?
- Should the minibar have a glass door?
- Do I need a freezer compartment in the minibar?
- Which side should the door open to?
- How loud at a maximum should the fridge be?
- What is my budget for the minibar?
Once you have answered these questions, the table below will help you to find the right model. Haven't seen quite the right one yet? Then just have a look at our online shop and find exactly the right product for you in our large selection.
Mini fridge test - differences and similarities
| Minibar | Mini fridge with freezer | Mini fridge with glass door | Mini fridge with led | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product dimensions | 40 x 53.5 x 48 cm | 48 x 50 x 44.5 cm | 40 x 53.5 x 48 cm | 43 x 50 x 55 cm |
| Energy consumption (per year) | 193 kWh | 100 kWh | 95 kWh | 124 kWh |
| Capacity | 40 L | 45 L | 42 L | 32 L cooling, 5 L freezing |
| Number of compartments | 3 in interior, 2 in the door | 2 in interior, 2 in the door, 1 in freezer | 3 | 1 in interior, 2 in the door |
| Noise level | 23 dB max. | 37 dB max. | 23 dB max. | 39 dB max. |
| Colour selection | silver, black, white, black-white | black, white | silver, black, white, black-white | pastel blue, beige, red |
| Advantages | Simple design, particularly quiet | Elegant and compact | Glass door, particularly quiet | Retro look, freezer compartment |
Mini fridge FAQs
Most mini fridges start at around 100 euros. Depending on the size, quality and function, the upward range is relatively high. Minibars and the like are usually not more expensive than 400 euros.
Most mini fridges use 100 to 200 kWh per year. It is advisable to pay attention to the energy efficiency class when buying. In addition, when you are buying a fridge, the ambient temperature at which it can ideally work and cool will be stated.
The smallest mini fridge in our range has a volume of 10 litres. The largest mini fridges manage to have a volume of almost 80 litres with compact dimensions.
Most mini fridges are primarily used for drinks. Snacks such as chocolate bars and the like are often included. In principle, of course, everything that fits in and needs to be cooled can go in the mini fridge. Sometimes the little cooling wonders are also used to cool medicines or certain cosmetics. Thus, you have many possibilities for use.
The smallest minibar in the Klarstein range has a volume of 10 litres. There are also so-called table refrigerators on the market, which only have a volume of 4 litres.
Similar to a fridge, the ideal temperature in your mini fridge is between 8 and 12 °C. If you are storing special items such as medicines and similar in your mini fridge, this recommendation can of course vary.
Basically, a minibar does not need much maintenance. Of course, as recommended above, you should clean the fridge regularly inside and out. In addition, drinks and food that have been stored there for a long time should be replaced. This way, you can be sure that no mould can form.
Of course, this depends on how it is used. Traditionally, most people keep drinks and snacks in their fridge. There are usually compartments in the door for drinks. Snacks and other drinks can then be stored inside. As with a normal refrigerator, it is coolest at the bottom of the minibar.