No matter how sophisticated and hi-tech refrigerators become, they always seem to be one of the noisiest appliances in the home. This is even worse with mini fridges.
You would expect such tiny appliances to be relatively quiet. But this definitely isn’t always the case. Even the fairly quiet ones can be a nuisance because of where we use them.
Mini fridges are usually kept in a bedroom or office space. Two places where you definitely don’t want much noise. So, while it might not be the only consideration, a quiet mini fridge is a must.
Otherwise, you will be irritated by the appliance that is keeping your snacks and drinks fresh for you. And you definitely don’t want to be annoyed at something so important.
So, to help you find the perfect peaceful snack storage, here are some of the quietest mini fridges on the market.
OUR TOP PICK
Our top pick for the quietest mini fridge is this compact and sleek refrigerator from AstroAI. This mini fridge is our top pick because it has a great sleep mode. This fridge is designed to reach no higher than 25db.
Unless you’re a super light sleeper, 25db is quiet enough for most people to sleep through. This means that it is specifically designed to be as quiet as possible. It is designed to not disturb you in the slightest.
Designed specifically for dorm rooms, this mini fridge won’t keep you up at night. Nor will it disturb you if you want to keep it in an office. This would also be perfect for storing breast milk.
This refrigerator can run all night without bothering you or your baby. But, when they wake up for their feed, the sound of the refrigerator won’t upset or disturb them while they’re feeding.
Pros
- Affordable - This is not the cheapest option. But it is affordable for its quality.
- Sleep Mode - This mini fridge is designed to be as quiet as possible for sleep.
- Option For Cooling and Warming - This mini fridge can be used to keep food, drinks, and skincare products cool to 32°F or warm up to 150°F.
- Improved Heat Dissipation - This mini fridge is suitable for travel.
EDITORS CHOICE
This is a very sleek and modern looking mini fridge. It has a matte black door that will look smart in any space.
This won’t interfere with the decor of any bedroom or office space. It is also available in several other colors and patterns.
At 15 liters, this refrigerator is much bigger than most other quiet mini fridge options. But it is still small and compact.
The capacity of this refrigerator extends backward. This means that it is not much taller or wider than most other mini fridges.
It also has shelves built into the door. This is not a common feature but adds extra space.
Despite its larger capacity, this refrigerator does not use much more power than the smaller models. In fact, it has EcoMax Technology which ensures that it uses the minimum amount of energy required. This also helps to reduce the noise output.
Pros
- Extra Large Capacity - This refrigerator has a large capacity but is still small and compact.
- Available in Multiple Colors - This refrigerator can be customized to suit any decor.
- Heater and Cooler - This mini fridge can also keep items warm.
Cons
- More expensive than average.
BEST VALUE
This is a very cute and small refrigerator. It has a cute style that will best suit a dorm room or a nursery.
It is very small and compact so can be easily tucked away. The smaller size means that it doesn’t require much energy and so noise levels are reduced.
At 4 liters, this refrigerator can fit 6 standard-sized drinks cans. But also features a shelf built into the door. This adds a small amount of extra storage.
Best of all, this refrigerator has a sleep mode. This means that its noise levels do not exceed the recommended levels for sleep.
At 25db, this refrigerator will not disturb you during the night. This is ideal for keeping in a dorm room.
This mini fridge is especially suitable for keeping skincare cool. This is due to the size. But also the removable shelf.
Skincare products come in a huge range of heights, shapes, and sizes. And a shelf can either be useful for storing small pots. Or it can be removed to make space for taller products.
Pros
- Sleep Mode - Does not exceed 25db for uninterrupted sleep.
- Compact - Suitable for small items and does not require much space.
- Door Shelf - Small but useful additional storage.
Cons
- A little expensive for the size.
RUNNER UP
This Frigidaire model is a really cool looking refrigerator. It has a vintage design that will be appealing to any teenager or student.
This is perfect for a dorm room or bedroom. Available in black, pink, and yellow, this refrigerator will suit a range of decors.
This is a very small mini fridge. It can fit up to 6 standard-sized cans. But that is with four standing up and two lying down on the shelf. This means it can be easily tucked away on a desk. Or even on a bookshelf.
This is already a pretty quiet refrigerator. But you can unplug this mini fridge, and it will retain the set temperature for quite a while.
This is due to its high quality insulation. So, if even the very quiet humming is too much for you, you can safely unplug it while still keeping the contents cool for ages.
Pros
- Vintage Aesthetic - The style of this mini fridge is very cool and appealing.
- Small and Compact - This mini fridge has a slightly smaller than average capacity. But can be stored anywhere due to its size.
- Available in Multiple Colors - This mini fridge comes in black, pink, and yellow to suit all styles.
Cons
- Small handle can be tricky.
RUNNER UP
This refrigerator is definitely a throwback to when mini fridges first became popular. Its curved style and bright colors scream late nineties and 2000s.
If you love bright and cute colors, then this mini fridge is perfect for you.
Despite its cute style, this mini fridge is larger than average. It is not the biggest on our list. But it is more than double the capacity of most other mini fridges.
But this refrigerator is still very small and compact. It will be easily tucked away in a corner. But, even if you choose the black finish, it will still stand out.
This refrigerator is relatively standard. But it is still pretty quiet. It shouldn’t keep you up at night. Another great feature of this mini fridge is that it is eco-friendly.
This refrigerator has been engineered with thermoelectric technology. It is free of CFCs and refrigerants which the manufacturer promises are better for the environment.
That said, it can still be charged to cool items down. And powered with a standard outlet. Or with a 12V car adapter.
Pros
- Retro Aesthetic - This mini fridge will definitely stand out in any room.
- Eco-Friendly - This mini fridge has been specifically engineered to be better for the environment,
- Available in Multiple Colors - This mini fridge is available in black, blue, pink or red.
Cons
- More expensive than average.
Quietest Mini Fridges Buying Guide
Noise Levels
The noise levels of mini fridges can vary greatly. So look out for refrigerators that specifically advertise their decibel level.
Some mini fridges, including some listed above like the AstroAi unit, are as quiet as 25db. This is even quieter than most people need to sleep.
This will, of course, vary depending on the person. But for reference, the World Health Organization recommends that steady noise pollution should not exceed 55db.
It is estimated that even 30db can interrupt the sleep of some people. So 25db is ideal for the average sleeper.
If your refrigerator is noisy there are ways to quiet a noisy refrigerator compressor.
Size
When you imagine a mini fridge, you likely consider the products listed above. But, some refrigerators are considered to be “mini” simply because they are smaller than a kitchen refrigerator.
These refrigerators will be too large if you’re only looking for something to store snacks, drinks, or skincare.
These refrigerators will still be quieter than most standard-sized refrigerators. But they are often noisier than more traditional mini fridges.
So, make sure to look into mini fridges that are really mini. And not just small.
Generally speaking, the smaller the refrigerator, the quieter it will be. This is because a smaller refrigerator will require less energy.
But, this isn’t always the case. So considering size is important. But overall noise output is the most important.
Also, compromising on size also means you won't have the features of a regular size refrigerator. If you want to have ice you're not going to get it in one of these units. You'll need to also buy a quiet ice maker.
Power
The noisiness of a refrigerator will be partly determined by the power input and output. This is how much the refrigerator requires to be fully powered.
And the temperatures it can reach. Some mini fridges, including some products listed above, can keep items cool and warm.
This can result in refrigerators being slightly noisier. It won’t be a huge difference. But it is something to consider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a noisy refrigerator dangerous?
Any appliance making a strange noise can be cause for concern. They might be making a noise because something is wrong. But this isn’t always the case.
As mentioned above, refrigerators are often just really noisy. Mostly because they require a lot of energy to run. This is why looking specifically for a quiet refrigerator is such a good idea.
What is the noise level of a refrigerator?
This will vary depending on the size, capacity, and age of the refrigerator.
Older refrigerators tend to be noisier. This is because modern refrigerators are designed to be quieter. But also because they are close to their end of life and so use more energy.
A standard kitchen refrigerator will generally have a decibel level between 36dB and 43dB. This is pretty quiet. You very likely can’t hear your kitchen refrigerator most of the time. For some comparison, a quiet blender is around 70dB.
But this changes when you have one in your bedroom and are trying to sleep. Everything seems to be noisier and more annoying when you’re trying to sleep.
The quietest mini fridge will have a decibel level below 30 which definitely won't be loud enough to disturb your sleep when the compressor kicks in.
Mini fridges don’t require as much energy. So they don’t make much noise. But, this isn’t always the case.
If you're looking for the quietest mini fridge then pay special attention to the dB sound level ratings the manufacturer lists. These aren't always 100% accurate but it helps to compare noise levels.