The Guide to the Best Apartment Refrigerators

The refrigerator is one of the most essential appliances in any apartment. Without a high-quality apartment refrigerator, you can end up with a crowded kitchen and spoiled food. If you’ve got a new apartment that’s lacking a great fridge, it’s time to go shopping.

Our convenient guide keeps refrigerator shopping from being tricky or confusing. We’ll provide a handy shopping checklist and tell you all about the best products on the market. Ready to find the ideal fridge for your apartment? Keep reading to find the best type of refrigerator for your needs.

The Top-Rated Apartment-Size Refrigerators

As you can see, a lot goes into finding the top-rated apartment-size refrigerators. Fortunately, our team’s taken a lot of the guesswork out of refrigerator shopping. We’ve carefully researched available apartment refrigerators and found the best apartment-size refrigerators. All the items on our list come loaded with great features, glowing user reviews, and high durability ratings.

Frigidaire FRPE3134AM 3.1-Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator

If you’re looking for something extra-petite, this refrigerator is an excellent choice. With 3.1 cubic feet of capacity, it is just slightly larger than a mini-fridge. This refrigerator is a great option for studio apartments and other extra-small kitchens. It also does a great job of supplementing your space if your current refrigerator is just a bit too small.

Despite the petite size, this small refrigerator is loaded with perks. First of all, the sleek exterior makes this fridge look classic and elegant. Instead of looking like the mini-fridge you’d find in a dorm, this fridge is a petite version of a full-size fridge. It seamlessly blends in with other modern kitchen appliances.

One of our favorite things is the reversible door swing option. You can choose whether the door opens to the left or the right. This makes it easy to slot the fridge into small corners or tight spaces between cabinets. The interior of the refrigerator has bright lighting, so you can quickly see where all your food is.

The storage is carefully designed to suit your needs. A crisper drawer keeps fruits and vegetables fresh while two shelves help you divide your belongings. The door storage system has slots for both cans and taller items. In the freezer, a rack on the door makes it easy to grab essentials.

The only con of this fridge is that it is a little on the small side. If you want a refrigerator that fits groceries for a large family, this refrigerator probably isn’t for you. It can also be hard to fit in oversized items without removing the middle shelf.

Ultimately, this Frigidaire refrigerator works well for people who need a mini version of a regular fridge. Though it doesn’t hold as much food as our other top refrigerators, the slim shape can be a perk. When you only have a tiny amount of space, this refrigerator is the way to go.

Haier HRB15N3BGS 15-Cu. Ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

Google’s Rating 4.4

Need plenty of space but don’t want your kitchen to feel crowded? This sleek fridge from Haier is a great choice. It includes a whopping 15 cubic feet while only being 27 inches wide. There’s plenty of space for pizza boxes, milk jugs, and other bigger objects.

Though it’s roomy, this slim fridge has a sleek, minimalistic design. It features a flat, stainless-steel front with recessed door handles along the side. The simplicity of the exterior helps ensure that the oversized refrigerator doesn’t make your kitchen look too big.

The front of the fridge has inset controls for adjusting and monitoring temperatures. These controls also have a few extra features. The “Quick Cool” and “Quick Freezer” models send a blast of cold air to chill new groceries. There’s also a Sabbath mode to temporarily disable interior lights, sounds, and other controls.

Users praise this Haier refrigerator for its efficient use of space. Inside the refrigerator on the top, there are two full-width shelves of tempered glass, one storage drawer, and one crisper. The shelves are made of sturdy, tempered glass. On the door are three storage racks, including a tall one for soda bottles and milk jugs.

The freezer contains a neatly organized space as well. It has three full-width freezer drawers, including one extra-tall drawer. The drawers all slide out, so you can find food easily. Both the refrigerator and freezer have a bright, long-lasting LED light.

If you go with this refrigerator, just keep in mind that users have some issues with the drawers. The drawers will only slide out if the doors are fully open. This means that the refrigerator is only a good idea if you have enough space to swing the door open occasionally.

Ultimately, this refrigerator from Haier is a great investment. It’s as slim as many of the other best apartment-size refrigerators while including a lot of room. As long as the door isn’t blocked by cabinets, the refrigerator’s efficient storage style works great. Plenty of drawers and shelving give you a lot of storage options.

Magic Chef HMDR1000BE/WH 10.1-Cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator

Google’s Rating: 4.3

Of course, it’s nice to have a refrigerator with fancy features, but sometimes, saving money is more important. If you just want a good, solid, no-frills refrigerator, this one from Magic Chef is an ideal option. This affordable refrigerator is hundreds of dollars cheaper than other similarly sized models. However, it still uses durable construction and quality materials.

Inside of the refrigerator, there is a two-shelf system with adjustable shelves. The bottom of the refrigerator contains two side-by-side crisper drawers. More storage is found along the door. A larger rack along the bottom of the door easily fits gallon-sized containers. Angled bottle containers fit cans and condiments with ease.

The freezer on the top of the Magic Chef refrigerator is roomy enough to fit items like frozen pizzas. It has a single shelf with an adjustable position. For further organization, the door has two clear bins. Thanks to an automatic defrost cycle, you don’t have to worry about ice buildup inside the freezer.

Another great thing about the Magic Chef refrigerator is its low energy usage. This refrigerator actually uses less energy each year compared to some mini-fridges. The energy efficiency lets you keep saving money long after you buy this refrigerator.

This refrigerator doesn’t come with most of the quality issues found in budget refrigerators. However, you should be aware that some users report noises. The fan can be a little loud, and some people notice a gurgling sound. So, if your refrigerator is right by your bedroom, this might not be the fridge for you.

For the most part, the Magic Chef apartment-style refrigerator is a solid, practical choice. It’s a little on the small and simple side, but it runs well and has a nice, classic look. With the low price and reduced energy needs, this refrigerator will save you money for years.

Bosch 800 Series B10CB81NVW 10-Cu. Ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

Google’s Rating: 4.3

Tired of refrigerators that break down in just a couple years? This sturdy refrigerator from Bosch gets high ratings for reliability. These German-made refrigerators regularly get listed in Consumer Reports as some of the most long-lasting refrigerators.

This Bosch apartment refrigerator does more than just keep working for years. It’s also ideal for its special design. This refrigerator includes more than just three refrigerator shelves and a vegetable crisper. It also has an optional egg tray and wine rack inside. The door also comes with three storage bins.

The freezer on the bottom of the refrigerator is similarly outfitted. It has three drawers and a special shelf for the included ice trays. Thanks to the clever No Frost technology in the freezer, you don’t have to deal with ice buildup, either.

A final perk of the Bosch refrigerator is its seamless design. The exterior is mostly stainless steel, with a door made of glossy white or black glass. The lack of bulky door handles allows the refrigerator to blend in with the rest of your cabinetry. This ensures your fridge takes up less visual space, so the rest of your apartment can shine.

This refrigerator is so reliable we couldn’t even find any major user complaints. Some people report that the more intense refrigerator settings are too cold. However, you can easily customize temperatures if needed.

Ultimately, as long as you are willing to pay the higher price tag, this is one of the best refrigerators on our list. It’s durable, efficient, and spacious.

LG LFCS22520S 21.8-Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator

Google’s Rating: 4.4

This best-rated French door refrigerator has two doors that swing outward to access the roomy fridge. Despite having two French doors, it’s still a narrow fridge that is just 30 inches wide. The extra height of the fridge allows for a little more space. Its 21.8-cubic-foot capacity makes it the biggest fridge on our list.

The two doors provide access to a roomy interior. The refrigerator has two adjustable shelves, six door racks, and three drawers. Two of the drawers are humidity controlled, and Air Flow technology keeps temperatures uniform throughout the whole refrigerator.

In the freezer, two pull-out drawers help organize your food. An ice-cube bin is automatically filled by the ice maker on one side. The lower bin is oversized, so it fits bulky items.

The only downside of this refrigerator is that it uses a little more energy than other similarly sized fridges. You might find that your monthly energy bill is a few dollars higher if you select this refrigerator.

Overall, this LG refrigerator is one of the best apartment-sized French door refrigerators. It provides a petite version of one of the most popular refrigerator styles. The inclusion of an ice maker and extra temperature controls make this a nice, luxury model. As long as you have the space in your apartment, this is an ideal choice.

GE GLE12HSPSS 11.9-Cu. Ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

Google’s Rating: 4.7

If you love putting every food you purchase in a specific spot, this is the fridge for you. The GE refrigerator has a unique design with a refrigerator, a freezer, and an additional temperature-controlled freezer.

The top of the refrigerator is filled with plenty of storage opportunities. There are two shelves and two full-width drawers inside. On the door, there are three racks, including a rack sized for tall bottles. A wine bottle storage rack can hold five bottles of wine or fold up out of the way.

This GE refrigerator also has an unusual double-freezer design. The freezer on the top is temperature-controlled, so you can adjust settings to suit your needs. This lets you freeze things at different temperatures or sort your frozen food more effectively. It also saves on energy since you don’t have to open a big freezer to get a few small items.

However, if you want a sleek, spick-and-span kitchen, this might not be for you. Many customers feel like the stainless-steel front shows fingerprints too easily. There are also reports of the finish getting scratched.

In the long run, this is a great refrigerator if you need organization and don’t mind a few smudges. The unique double freezer with temperature control lets you fine-tune your food storage.

Smeg FAB28 9.92-Cu. Ft. Retro Top Freezer Refrigerator

Google’s Rating: 4.4

Even in a small apartment, the refrigerator can be a major design accent. If you want something unusual and eye-catching, Smeg refrigerators are the way to go. This brand has a reputation for gorgeous, colorful, retro-inspired refrigerators.

Of course, the big benefit of Smeg refrigerators is the style. The refrigerators have a rounded shape and come in a huge range of colors and even patterns. This model is a petite version of the brand’s retro style refrigerator with bottom freezer. Instead of having a separate freezer on the bottom, it has a built-in freezer on the top.

Smeg refrigerators are more than just stylish, though. The interior of this refrigerator has three adjustable glass shelves for storage. There are also two drawers along the bottom of the refrigerator. On the door, there are two bottle racks, one oversized bottle rack, and one rack with a pull-down lid.

Keep in mind that this isn’t a good choice for people who have a lot of frozen goods. The freezer is on the smaller side, and it’s built into the rest of the refrigerator. You won’t get quite as much temperature control, and it won’t fit mountains of frozen food.

However, if you want a beautiful refrigerator and don’t care much about freezing foods, the Smeg is an excellent option. The aesthetics of this refrigerator really cannot be beaten, and it does a great job of chilling food, too.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, any item on this list can be a great choice. However, there’s no “one size fits all” solution to refrigerator shopping. Different people have different needs. To find your dream fridge, you’ll need to stop and think about your kitchen size, cooking habits, and design preferences.

With a little patience and some smart decision-making, you can find the best apartment refrigerator for your property!

What to Look for in the Best Apartment Refrigerators

Refrigerator shopping goes more smoothly when you know what features to look for. Here are some things to consider while you shop for the best apartment refrigerators.

Size

To qualify as an apartment-sized refrigerator, a fridge needs to be a little slimmer than a full-size fridge. What is the best apartment-size refrigerator? Usually, these fridges are somewhere around 24-inches to 30-inches wide and roughly 60-inches to 75-inches high. If you’re putting the fridge in a preexisting alcove, make sure to measure the space and ensure the fridge will fit.

You’ll also need to look at a fridge’s capacity. Measured in cubic feet, this refers to how much space is inside the refrigerator. Apartment-sized refrigerators can have anywhere from 10 cubic feet to 15 cubic feet of space. Bigger is almost always better since it means more storage for you.

Type

The best type of refrigerator will depend on your needs. Many people feel styles with a freezer on the bottom are easier. The benefit of this style is that you don’t have to bend over to get items out of the fridge. However, if you have kids or pets, you might want a fridge with a freezer on the top. The lack of a handle near the ground makes the fridge safer.

Another option is refrigerators with French doors. This type of refrigerator takes up more space, so it won’t work in most apartments. However, if you have the room, it can be helpful. The two side-by-side doors allow for simpler access to the fridge.

Efficiency

When buying a new refrigerator, it pays to get an energy-efficient model. This saves money on utility costs later on. Even if you aren’t paying for utilities in the apartment, it’s a good idea. Energy-efficient models are very appealing to renters.

Look for refrigerators with an ENERGY STAR certification. This lets you know the refrigerator meets certain standards for efficiency. You can also check the EnergyGuide label found on most fridges. This will tell you the appliance’s estimated yearly electricity use.

Extra Features

With all the new technological advancements lately, apartment refrigerators are getting fancy. You can still find plenty of simple, classic refrigerators, but it might be worth selecting a fridge with some luxury details.

Of course, one of the most popular features is an ice maker. Apartment refrigerators with an ice maker and water dispenser in the door are especially useful. Another optional yet fun feature is an unusual finish. Most fridges come in white, black, or stainless steel, but there’s a growing trend for fun colors like glossy navy blue or cherry red. A final feature to consider is smart technology. This makes it easy to do things like adjust the temperature or check your fridge contents from your phone.

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Check out our other reviews below.