If it’s just a dedicated drinks mini fridge that you require, then the Subcool Super50 not only looks stylish but has the largest capacity here, plus it looks great in any home or office. Another portable or light use mini fridge, the iceQ’s price puts it head-to-head with larger capacity cool boxes. However, for those not requiring more space, then the iceQ works well as a chiller for leisure or home use. If you’re looking for a drinks fridge with a great appearance and good capacity though, the Subcold50 most definitely takes the win. The IceQ mini-fridge is the best mini fridge to buy right now. The 15-litre capacity is enough to store up to 15 330ml drinks cans, and the carry handle and 12v adapter make it portable enough to use in any room of the house or to take with you for on-the-go cooling. How we chose our recommendations It’s always worth paying attention to the energy efficiency rating too – A+++ is best, and it will mean you’re spending less on running costs and you’ll be kinder to the environment in the process (although a higher rating can mean a higher price tag).

Sizes vary from four litres (enough for a few cans of drink) right the way up to about 10 times that size (enough for a couple of bags of shopping), and everything in between. Bottom line - if you buy something bigger than you need, you’ll be spending more than you have to.

This is a 15 litre fridge which works well as both a mini fridge and portable cooler. The fridge has been designed to hold two 1.5 litre bottles in the main compartment and about 3 smaller bottles in the door tray. The interior shelf is removable, so you have the choice of storing the larger sized bottles or cans and other chilled items. The height of the iceQ is 41cm and is approaching that of the larger capacity fridges. This mini fridge from VonShef is very similar to the Russell Hobbs model, both in terms of looks and features but also price. So, what would make you choose between these two mini fridges from well-known brands? YEAR GUARANTEE - For added peace of mind, this Russell Hobbs Table Top Fridge comes with a 1 Year Guarantee. If you think you might need extra features like an ice box, it’s worth exploring mini fridges at the larger end of the scale. These bigger models tend to have more options for shelves and storage compartments too. A very important one. If you want a dedicated drinks fridge or countertop fridge then look at models between 40 and 50 litres capacity. For a mini fridge cooler, 5 litres is probably the minimum you would want to consider.

This Table Top fridge is perfect for those with an extra need for space to store their refrigerated essentials. Some mini fridges are portable too so you can take them on long car journeys and on camping trips. What is the best mini fridge to buy? COMPACT & PRACTICAL - (H)49.2 x (W)47.2 x (D)45 CMs Table top fridge with adjustable feet and a reversible door so that it can fit into any home, and be effortlessly moved around. If you’re looking for a mini fridge, it goes without saying that you’ll want something compact – just make sure it’s big enough for what you need!It possibly would not be a complete small kitchen appliance review without Russell Hobbs featuring somewhere, so it’s not a surprise to see this fridge positioned as one of the bestselling products in the mini fridge category. We started by saying that this fridge was very similar to the Russell Hobbs, however, as they are both similar priced then we would choose this VonShef due to the larger capacity and stylish design. However, the Russell Hobbs does have 4 colour options so will be more appealing to those looking to coordinate with existing kitchen appliances and décor.

Between the two smaller portable coolers here, we would choose the cheaper Subcool Ultra 6 as it has the space and power flexibility that you need in a smaller cooler. Another fridge from Subcold but this time something a lot smaller and cheaper than the Super50. The Ultra 6 is very compact in size and capacity, but this means that its ideal for use in bedrooms, dorms or when camping. This mini fridge really is “mini” with a 6 litre capacity. That’s still room though to fit in 8 of your favourite 330ml cans. The internal shelf is removable, so you have the option of using as a drinks or food only fridge, or both. The Ultra 6 has door storage space, but this is only wide enough for a thin bar of chocolate, this is still a nice addition though as this gives you even more storage options. Measuring just over 30cm in height, the Ultra 6 is definitely a compact choice.

1. Best overall mini fridge: iceQ 15 Litre Deluxe Portable Mini Fridge with Window

This is one of the larger fridges reviewed here at a generous 43 litre capacity. At this size, it has plenty of room for drinks and other fresh items. This Russell Hobbs fridge also has a small ice box which is a nice touch and does not take up too much space within the fridge interior. There is space for a 1 litre bottle within the door and room above for smaller items such as condiment jars. ENERGY EFFICIENT – With an F energy rating (A+ on the old scale) this table top fridge minimises your carbon footprint whilst keeping your food fresh. The iceQ includes a small viewing window in the door but we are not 100% sure what use this serves due to the size, but it does make the overall appearance of this fridge more modern. As this is intended to be a portable fridge it includes a carrying handle as well as the option to run on mains or 12v power. As with the Subcool Ultra 6, this is more of a chiller and can cool up to 20 degrees below ambient temperature and can also be used as a drink and food warmer. The iceQ sits nicely in size between the small Ultra 6 from Subcool and the larger fridges from VonShef and Russell Hobbs. It’s not cheap though as is approaching the price of the much larger models. So, what do you get for your money? This is quite a neat and stylish portable mini fridge that makes a great (and cheaper) alternative to an electric cool box. It’s not the largest in capacity but is ideal for extra refrigeration space or for using when you’re out and about.

Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation from a real parent, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which mini fridges discerning Mumsnet users had bought. We compiled a list of mini fridges they recommended, noting how effective they found them, and whether they were particularly good for any certain needs.