Cheap small refrigerators come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. While there is no official description of a small refrigerator, it is generally accepted that anything below 18 cubic feet is considered a small or mini refrigerator. The widely accepted notion is that a small refrigerator is the general term for anything smaller than a standard full-sized refrigerator; a mini refrigerator is smaller than 18 cubic feet but larger than roughly 8 cubic feet. And a compact refrigerator is anything from 2.8 to 8 cubic feet.

Compact Cube Refrigerators

The smallest of typical small refrigerators, around 2.8 to 4 cubic feet can also be called a compact cube refrigerator for its cube-like shape. These usually have freezer compartments that are half width and being so small it isn’t good for much more than a tray of ice. These are commonly used as small beverage refrigerators since they cannot hold more than a few snacks. There are even smaller refrigerators but we won’t consider those because they become novelty items. Some are just large enough to hold a single 16 ounce can.

Small Refrigerators

Moderately sized small refrigerators are larger than the compact cubes and offer a full width freezer compartment which makes it useful for keeping a couple frozen dinners or left over pizza. These are useful for someone who doesn’t need too much in terms of grocery storing but like the option of keeping enough food for a couple meals.

Apartment Refrigerators

Then there are apartment refrigerators which come close to resembling full sized refrigerators especially the larger ones that have a separate freezer compartment. These are perfect for someone who could use a full-sized refrigerator but does not have the space for it such as those residing in tiny studio apartments.

Specialty Refrigerators

On the larger end of the scale, there are small refrigerators that offer specialty functions such as the ability to make and store ice. Their larger size allows more flexibility to offer these functions but begin to border on losing the convenience of a small refrigerator.