Tired of warm drinks on a hot day because your mini-fridge just can’t keep up? Many of us love the convenience of a compact refrigerator, but the lack of a built-in ice maker can be a real letdown. Finding the perfect small fridge that also delivers on ice can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. You want that cool refreshment instantly, but most compact models force you to deal with messy ice trays or bulky add-ons.
This challenge is common when space is limited. You need the chill factor without sacrificing precious counter space or breaking the bank. We understand the frustration of settling for less when it comes to your favorite cold beverages. That’s why we dove deep into the best options available today.
In this guide, we will break down exactly what makes a small fridge with an ice maker a game-changer for dorm rooms, offices, or tiny apartments. Keep reading to discover our top picks, essential features to look for, and how to choose the model that perfectly fits your needs—ensuring you never run out of ice again.
Top Small Fridge With Ice Maker Recommendations
No. 1
Frigidaire, 2 Door Apartment Size Refrigerator/Freezer Combo, 7.5 cu ft, Platinum Series, Stainless, 23" D x 21.5" W x 55.5" H
- SPACIOUS STORAGE: With a generous 7.5 cu. ft. capacity, this platinum refrigerator ensures you have ample space for all your essentials, making it easy to keep everything at your fingertips.
- ORGANIZED CONVENIENCE: Equipped with removable glass shelves, a transparent crisper, and a full-width door bin, this small upright fridge offers organized and convenient storage for all your food and beverage items.
- DEDICATED FREEZER: Enjoy the convenience of a separate freezer compartment with ample space for your frozen goods, along with an adjustable thermostat and interior lighting for both compartments.
- SLEEK DESIGN: Featuring a sleek and durable platinum design with chrome trim and handles, this small fridge freezer adds an upscale retro look that will elevate your space.
- FLEXIBLE CONFIGURATION: The adjustable/removable shelves offer flexibility to customize the interior layout according to your needs, accommodating items of various sizes with ease. A reversible door also allows for flexible opening to best suit your space
No. 2
Sweetcrispy 3.2 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer Small Refrigerator Single Door Adjustable Thermostat Energy-efficient Low Noise, Compact Fridge for Bedroom, Office, Dorm (Black)
- Compact and Convenient: With a compact design(17.5’’*17.7’’*31.5’’(W*D*H)), the single-door mini fridge has more capacity than a double-door small refrigerator of the same size. Ideal for dorm rooms, offices, and small apartments, this refrigerator provides easy access to your favorite snacks and beverages without taking up too much space.
- Energy Efficient: Our mini refrigerator is designed with energy efficiency in mind. It operates quietly and uses minimal power(0.41 kWh per day (about 0.04 dollars/day)), helping you save on energy bills while providing consistent cooling performance. Enjoy the convenience of cold storage without significantly impacting your electricity consumption.
- Adjustable Temperature: With a user-friendly dial, you can tailor the temperature to keep beverages, fruits, or beauty items fresh and chilled to perfection. It features a five-level adjustment, the third level recommended for residential or workplace application, and has a 3.2 Cu.ft total capacity including a 2.9 Cu.ft Refrigeration zone (33.8℉~44℉) and a 0.3 Cu.ft freezer area (23℉~35℉).
- Spacious Interior: Despite its compact size, the small fridge boasts a spacious interior with 1 crisper drawer, 2 adjustable shelves, and door compartments. This smart design allows you to maximize storage space and organize your items efficiently, making it easy to find what you need when you need it.
- Quiet Operation: The low-noise fridge operates at 38dB. This artistic, quiet piece ensures undisturbed sleep, even if it is located next to your bed. Enjoy a peaceful environment with the mini fridge's whisper-quiet operation. It's engineered to minimize noise, making it ideal for use in bedrooms, study areas, or any quiet setting where you need a silent appliance.
No. 3
Frigidaire 26 Lbs per Day Portable Compact Maker, Ice Making Machine, Stainless, Medium
- Sleek Design - Never run out of ice again with the Frigidaire Ice Maker that produces up to 26 lbs. of ice per day. Elevate your space with its sleek stainless steel countertop design that blends seamlessly with any kitchen, bar, office, or dorm.
- Fast Ice Production - This compact ice maker makes hosting easy! It churns out 9 bullet-shaped ice cubes every 7 minutes, with two size options to suit any beverage or occasion.
- Intuitive Control - The ice maker features a transparent window so you can easily monitor ice levels and see when ice is being made. Take full control with the digital LED control panel, allowing easy adjustment of settings and ice size selection for ultimate convenience.
- Large Water Capacity - With a 2.1 qt. water tank capacity, you can enjoy uninterrupted ice making without having to constantly refill. Say goodbye to tedious cleaning routines with the drain plug feature that provides easy emptying and cleaning for hassle-free maintenance.
- Bonus Accessory - Enhance your ice making experience with the included ice scoop for easy retrieval of ice cubes. The interior basket holds up to 1.5 lbs. of ice at a time, so you’ll always have ice on hand.
No. 4
Igloo 3.2 Cu.Ft. Single Door Compact Refrigerator with Freezer - Slide Out Glass Shelf, Perfect for Homes, Offices, Dorms - Black
- Capacity: Spacious 3.2 Cu. Ft.. Capacity
- Refrigerator Cooling Range: 32 – 50 degrees F
- Freezer: Separate Freezer Compartment Is Ideal For Any Frozen Foods
- Thermostat: Adjustable Mechanical Temperature Control
- Cooling Type: Compressor Static Cooling No Fan
No. 5
Upstreman 3.2 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Single Door Mini Fridge, Dorm Fridge, Adjustable Thermostat, Mini Refrigerator for Bedroom, Office, Dorm, Black-BR321
- Single-Door: This mini fridge measures 18.7’’*17.4’’*33.1’’(W*D*H) and has 3.2 Cu.ft(90.6 L) capacity including freezer. The single door design is convenient and space efficient. While being able to grab ice cubes and drinks at one step, this single-door mini fridge has more capacity compares to those double-door small refrigerator with the same size. The storage is greatly utilized, occupies a little space, making it perfect for dorms, offices, bedrooms, RV cars and garages
- Adjustable Thermostat: From 33.8° F to 46.4° F (1° C to 8°C NOT suitable for storing ice cream) , there are 5 variable temperature settings can be manually switched between as per your needs. (Optimum temperature range for perishable food storage is 37 to 41 °F (3 to 5 °C)). The temperature of freezer is affected by the cooler’s temperature settings. Choosing the most favourable temperature setting to keep the food fresh while save on electricity bills
- Energy-efficient & Quiet: The mini fridge energy cost is estimated to be as low as 0.5 kWh per day. The small refrigerator working noise is 38 dB, roughly at the level of quiet rural area. Economic and quiet, you will hardly notice its existence when it’s cooling all your food & drinks, ideal appliance for bedroom, study and quiet space
- Crisper Drawer & Removable Shelves: Features a crisper drawer to keep your greens and fruits fresh and juicy. The small fridge storage space is adjustable to practical uses with removable shelves. Arrange these shelves how you see fit and you’d be amazed how much the small fridge can stores
- Accessories & Services: 1 Upstreman 3.2 cubic feet mini fridge with freezer, 2 removable shelves, 1 crisper drawer, 1 defrost tool and worry-free customer service
No. 6
Antarctic Star Compact Refrigerator with Freezer,2 Door Mini Fridge,Adjustable Shelf,Small Fridge for Bedroom Office Dorm Kitchen,3.2 Cu.Ft.BLACK
- Size and Capacity-Dimension: 19.37''(D)×18.31''(W)×32.28''(H) and 3.2cu.ft capacity. Sufficient space to store your eggs, vegetables, drinks,fruits and milk. 120 cans standard (330ml) beverage storage.
- Multi-Function Storage-Double Door Design： freezer compartment can be used for storing frozen foods or making Ice cubes. The door offers a spot for your favorite canned beverages.There are fresh fruits you like to eat in the drawer, sweet ice cream in the frozen area.
- Removable Glass Shelf: The glass shelf and drawer separate fruit and vegetable.It can separate your different types of food.A removable slide-out glass shelf provides more ways to organize your storage needs.
- Temperature Ranges: By turning the thermostat knob, the range of the refrigerator temperature control is form position 1 the cold to 3 the coldest. Refrigerator compartment 32' to 50' F, / Freezer compartment 3' to -1'F
- Classic Design : This fridge is designed with a sleek black exterior that adds a classy touch. It can match any of your furniture,better for the home, dorm rooms, small office spaces, workshops,and more.
No. 7
BLACK+DECKER 24 Cu. Ft. Top Mount Refrigerator with Ice Maker, 2-Door Refrigerator with Top Freezer, Freezer with Icemaker and Adjustable Temperature Control, ENERGY STAR, BR2400JIMW, White
- Spacious 24 Cu. Ft. Capacity: This full size refrigerator with freezer provides ample space for your fresh and frozen foods. Top freezer refrigerator is ideal for kitchens in homes and apartments
- Top Freezer with Ice Machine: Included ice maker with ice probe sensor produces approximately 3.5 lbs. of ice per day, depending on the temperature of the freezer and other operating conditions
- Adjustable Temperature Control: Maintain optimal freshness with the adjustable temperature control feature. Set the perfect cooling levels for both the refrigerator and top freezer sections
- Frost-Free Design: Enjoy maintenance-free convenience with frost-free operation. Ensure your refrigerators stay free from ice build-up, making it efficient and easier to keep clean
- Energy Star Certified: This refrigerator full size features an inverter compressor, ensuring energy efficiency and quiet operation. Ideal for those seeking a full size refrigerator with freezer that is environmentally friendly
No. 8
Electactic 3.1 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, 2 Door Compact Refrigerator, Mini Fridge with Adjustable Removable Glass Shelves for Bedroom, Office, Dorm or Apartment, Black
- This 3.1 cu.ft mini fridge features a built-in freezer compartment. offering dedicated space to keep fresh foods organized and ample room for storing frozen items. With its space-saving design, it fits seamlessly into tight spaces like dorm rooms, bedrooms, offices, or RVs.
- The small refrigerator for bedroom with a thermostatic knob, allows precise temperature control: 32°F to 50°F in the refrigerator compartment and -1°F to 3°F in the freezer compartment. This ensures optimal temperatures for different types of food, meeting the diverse temperature requirements of various ingredients.
- Our mini fridge with freezer is stylish and perfectly lit inside for great results, Mini freezer Fridge is equipped with Adjustable glass shelves, adjusted according to needs. Flexible storage of food or drinks, easy to take out and clean. Note: The refrigerator does not have an automatic defrost function
- The separate freezer and fridge compartments allow you to store a variety of items, from beverages and snacks to frozen meals and ice cream, keeping everything fresh and organized. This compact refrigerator is ideal for everyday and Family.
- The small refrigerator adopts R600 high-efficiency low-energy-compression compressor is adopted, cooling fast and low noise<38dB, this mini refrigerator is ideal for everyday use without driving up your electricity bill. Designed to save energy while maintaining consistent cooling performance.
Your Guide to Buying the Perfect Small Fridge with an Ice Maker
Finding the right small refrigerator that also makes ice can make life much easier. Whether you need extra chilling space for a dorm room, office, or small apartment, this guide will help you choose the best model. We cover what matters most so you get a great deal.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look closely at the features. These details decide how well the fridge works for you.
Ice Maker Type and Capacity
- Automatic vs. Manual: Automatic ice makers refill themselves. Manual trays require you to fill them with water. Automatic is usually better for convenience.
- Production Speed: Check how quickly the unit makes ice. Some small fridges can make a new batch every hour, while others take much longer.
- Storage Bin Size: A bigger bin holds more ice. If you host parties often, you need a larger storage area.
Size and Capacity
- External Dimensions: Measure the space where the fridge will sit. Make sure you have room for the doors to open fully.
- Internal Volume (Cubic Feet): This tells you how much food it holds. For a single person, 1.7 to 3.5 cubic feet often works well.
Temperature Control
- Adjustability: Good models let you set the exact temperature for both the fridge and freezer sections.
- Freezer Quality: Ensure the freezer section gets cold enough to keep ice cream hard, usually 0°F (-18°C).
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used affect how long your small fridge lasts and how easy it is to clean.
Interior Lining
- Plastic vs. Metal: Most small fridges use durable plastic interiors. Look for smooth, non-porous plastic. This plastic cleans easily when spills happen.
- Shelving: Glass shelves are superior to wire shelves. Glass shelves prevent small items from falling through and hold heavy liquids better.
Exterior and Insulation
- Door Seals: Thick, strong rubber seals keep the cold air in. Poor seals waste energy.
- Exterior Finish: Stainless steel looks nice, but fingerprint-resistant finishes are easier to maintain in busy areas.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several design choices directly impact performance and your overall experience.
Noise Level (dB)
- Low Noise is Key: Small fridges often live in living spaces. Look for models rated under 40 decibels (dB). Anything higher might annoy you, especially at night.
Energy Efficiency
- Energy Star Rating: Models with the Energy Star label use less electricity. This saves you money on your power bill over time.
Defrost System
- Auto-Defrost: This feature prevents ice buildup in the freezer automatically. Manual defrosting takes time and effort, so auto-defrost improves quality of life significantly.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about where you will use the fridge. This helps you prioritize features.
Dorm Rooms and Offices
- These areas need compact size and quiet operation. An automatic ice maker is great for quick drinks without needing extra counter space for an ice bucket.
Home Bars or Game Rooms
- Here, ice production speed matters most. You will want a fridge that can keep up with entertaining guests.
Small Apartments or RVs
- Efficiency and reliable temperature control are crucial. Make sure the fridge can handle temperature swings if it is exposed to heat from outside.
10 FAQs About Small Fridges with Ice Makers
Q: How much space does a small fridge with an ice maker need?
A: Most compact models need about 20 inches wide and 33 inches tall. Always check the specific model’s dimensions before buying.
Q: Do small fridge ice makers actually work well?
A: Yes, most modern small fridges have reliable ice makers. Quality depends on the brand and whether it has an automatic system.
Q: Is the ice maker removable if I don’t need it?
A: Often, yes. Many automatic ice makers can be taken out, freeing up freezer space if you need more room for frozen goods.
Q: Will this fridge use a lot of electricity?
A: Not if you choose an Energy Star rated model. Smaller units naturally use less power than full-sized refrigerators.
Q: What is the difference between a freezer compartment and a true freezer?
A: A small compartment might only keep things slightly below freezing. A true freezer section (usually paired with an ice maker) reaches 0°F to keep food safely frozen.
Q: How long does it take for the ice maker to start working?
A: After plugging it in, the unit needs several hours to cool down completely. The ice maker usually begins production after the freezer reaches its target temperature, often within 4 to 6 hours.
Q: Are these fridges noisy?
A: They are usually quieter than large fridges. Look for models under 40 dB if noise is a big concern for your space.
Q: Can I hook this fridge up to my home water line?
A: No, most small fridges with ice makers use a self-contained water reservoir that you fill manually. They do not require plumbing connections.
Q: What is the best material for shelves inside the fridge?
A: Tempered glass shelves are the best choice because they are strong and easy to wipe clean.
Q: Should I buy a manual or automatic ice maker?
A: If you use ice daily, choose automatic. If you only need a few cubes occasionally, a manual tray model saves space and money.
Hi, I’m Larry Fish, the mind behind MyGrinderGuide.com.. With a passion for all things kitchen appliances, I created this blog to share my hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Whether it’s helping you choose the right tools for your culinary adventures or offering tips to make your kitchen more efficient, I’m here to guide you. My goal is to make your time in the kitchen not only easier but also enjoyable! Welcome to my world of kitchen mastery!