So you want to be able to host friends in your man-cave without taking up a lot of space in the garage. Or maybe you just need a little bit of extra cold storage to deal with your indoor fridge/freezer overflow. Or maybe you just like to have a few cold beverages handy when you’re hanging out in the garage.
Whatever the case may be for you, a garage mini fridge is an elegant solution. They don’t take up much space and they serve multiple practical purposes. So today we will be taking a look at the best mini fridges for garage use.
Frigidaire EFR341
Editors’ Choice: 4.8 out of 5.0 stars
First on our list is a mini garage fridge that gives the vibe of a vintage 1950’s soda or malt shop. It’s a Frigidaire model and it would look great in a garage -especially one where classic muscle cars are often worked on.
For that reason, commercial auto garages might want to take a good look at this model if they are trying to keep with a theme. This is a combination freezer and fridge. The freezer gives you almost one cubic foot of storage space.
The refrigerator section has 2 shelves and a vegetable crisper. The inside of the door itself has plenty of storage for large bottled beverages and snacks as well. It’s EnergyStar certified and it comes from Frigidaire so you know it will last.
Frigidaire Retro Bar Fridge
Editors’ Choice: 4.8 out of 5.0 stars
Now this fridge would be perfect for both garage use or maybe to put next to your grill under a covered patio. This is a one-door fridge which means the entire space is dedicated to refrigerator use – i.e. there is no freezer.
The interior gives you 0.93 cubic feet of storage space which is plenty to supplement your indoor fridge, keep grilling supplies handy, keep a bunch of beverages cold or to keep condiments cold when you are having a BBQ.
There is also a side-mounted bottle opener for when you want to have a few brews with friends and family. The shelves are also removable so you can arrange larger/smaller items the way you need to. There is also an internal, adjustable thermometer control knob.
Galanz Retro Compact Mini Fridge
Editors’ Choice: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars
If you are looking to score a mini fridge on the cheap, this is a great model. While Galanz may not be the first brand you think of when you think of home appliances, you would be remiss if you completely overlooked this one.
That’s because it sells for just under $200 and it provides you with ample freezer and refrigerator space. The freezer provides 0.95 cubic feet of storage and the fridge provides 2.08 cubit feet of cold storage.
This is a 2-door unit that stands 19 inches wide, 35 inches tall and 23 inches deep. It’s nice and compact so you can keep it in even the most cramped garage or outdoor space. Plus, it only weighs 54 pounds so it can be easily transported.
The temperature knob is simple and consists of three intuitive settings: cool, cold and coldest. The feet can also be height adjusted. The interior light is nice and bright so you can see everything that you keep inside.
Cooluli 10L Mini Fridge
Editors’ Choice: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars
This is one of the most interesting devices we have come across and would be great for really tight spaces like dorm rooms or office cubicles. It is essentially a device that can thermo-electrically keep your food/beverages warm or cold indefinitely.
It only weighs 7.9 pounds and has it’s own top-mounted carrying handle to give you an idea of how compact this fridge is. The interior has a 10-liter capacity which is still enough to hold multiple beverages and food items at the same time.
Just plug it in and move the switch from “hot” or “cold” depending on your needs and it takes care of the rest. It’s only 9 inches wide, 13.4 inches tall and 11.4 inches deep so it would work great as a personal fridge or warm storage device.
RCA RFR322-B RFR322
Editors’ Choice: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars
RCA makes our list with a larger-capacity mini fridge. This would be a great choice if you have a little more space to work with and you would like to be able to store more drinks or food items because this fridge has an interior capacity of 3.2 cubic feet.
It stands32.8 inches tall, 18.5 inches deep and 17.7 inches wide so you will need a bit more space; but it can also be used for overflow storage for your indoor fridge. Now there is no freezer section but there is a small chamber that gets as cold as 32 degrees Fahrenheit that is meant for ice cubes.
This is a one-door fridge that sports a clean, stainless steel frame. It’s also pretty energy-efficient too as it operates at just 5 kilowatts per hours. The temperature can be adjusted as needed via an internal temperature knob.
Mini Fridge for Garage Buying Guide
The best mini fridge for garage use will be a very handy device; but you have to find one that matches your cold storage needs. So be sure to consider:
Size
Size needs to be your first consideration: both the space you have available to place the fridge and how much interior space it gives you.
EnergyStar Certification
We definitely recommend buying a mini fridge that has been certified by EnergyStar. That way, you won’t be paying a bunch of extra money in utilities just to run your mini-fridge.
Power Cord
It is often overlooked but check the length of the power cord of the fridge. Running an extension cord can look tacky and may not really be an option for you so be sure your fridge has a cord that is long enough for your garage setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I put a mini fridge in garage?
A: Absolutely. Mini fridges fit well and work well in even unheated garages.
Q: Do you need a special fridge for garage?
A: Not necessarily. If you have a large enough space, by all means, put a full refrigerator in there. Mini fridges are just a good option when your cold storage needs aren’t immense or you don’t have a lot of space in your garage.
Q: How do I keep my fridge running in a cold garage?
A: You may need to install a heating coil around the fridge’s thermostat so it stays on.
Final Thoughts
The great thing about the products on our list of the best mini fridge for garage use is that they aren’t just great in the garage; they can be put towards many different applications. Be sure to give them a look today!
