How Long Do Mini Fridges Last? (Complete Guide)

Mini-fridges are one of the most useful house appliances, aren’t they? They are pretty compact and can cool drinks and food in a very short time.

While purchasing a mini-fridge, you might wonder how long they last and how to maintain them. Well, let’s find the answers to all your questions one by one.

How long do mini fridges last?

All the mini-fridges don’t necessarily have the same lifespan. It mainly depends on the quality of the compressor and materials used. Generally, most mini-fridges last for around 6 to 14 years. However, the mini-fridges can last longer with proper maintenance and care.

How long should a mini-fridge last?

A mini-fridge should last for more or less ten years. Nevertheless, the lifespan can differ due to the material and quality of the compressor. It can vary from brand to brand as well.

Haier is one of the most popular brands in the mini-fridge industry. Their mini-fridges last for around nine years on average. However, Haier offers a warranty of 24 months.

The mini-refrigerators from Galanz are one of the most long-lasting units available in the market. Their mini fridge can last up to 14 years upon proper maintenance and usage.

How can you tell if your mini refrigerator is going bad?

Understanding if your mini-fridge is going bad is very important because you can take necessary measures according to it. There are few effective methods by which you can know that the mini refrigerator is going bad.

Let’s take a look at the warning signs through which you can know your mini-fridge is broken.

Excessive condensation:

While the formation of a small amount of condensation in your mini-fridge isn’t a big deal, there shouldn’t be too much. If your mini fridge has excessive condensation, it may not be cooling properly.

It can happen due to a loose rubber seal or a problem in the fridge’s mechanics.

Loud noise:

Mini refrigerators normally make a pretty soft humming sound. The motor and compressor in your refrigerator turns on and makes a somewhat louder noise when the mini-fridge overheats.

If your mini-refrigerator makes a louder noise than usual, it is a sign that your fridge is going bad.

The motor is hot:

When you touch the back of your refrigerator, you may feel warm, which is quite normal. The coils on the rear of your mini-fridge are insulated, which prevents the motor from being too hot.

On the other hand, excessive heat is an evident symptom that something is wrong with your mini-refrigerator.

Water on the floor:

Just like normal refrigerators, mini-fridges also have a proper drainage system to remove the water accumulated from condensation and sweat from the interior.

If there is a residue of water on the floors of your mini-fridge, then it is an obvious sign that it is not working well and needs repairing.

The fridge isn’t cold enough:

The main function of a mini-fridge is to make the drinks and food cold. If it fails to do so, then there is surely something wrong with it. The fridge mainly fails to become cold enough due to a broken compressor or motor.

How to make a mini-fridge last longer? How do you maintain a mini-fridge?

By maintaining your mini-fridge in the right way, you can make it last longer. Let’s take a look at a few methods by which you can make a mini-fridge last longer.

Cleaning regularly:

By regularly cleaning your mini-fridge, you can prevent any food spillage or dust from blocking the drainage system. The cleaning process of the mini-fridges is reasonably simple.

While cleaning, you won’t even have to unplug the mini-refrigerator. After removing the shelves or compartments, you can simply clean it using a soap mixture and a soft sponge. You should do it on a monthly basis to ensure maximum efficiency.

Clean the coil:

The mini-fridge will not function at its full capacity if the condenser coil is covered in dirt and dust. You should clean the coil at least twice a year to make the mini-fridge last longer.

To clean the coil, you should pull the fridge away from the wall, remove the grille, and clean the dust with a brush.

Get rid of the extension cord:

Connecting the mini-fridge to the power through an extension cord along with other appliances is quite common. However, this is not always the best approach.

Even the mini-fridges have a compressor that needs a lot of electricity, which can cause the extension cable to overheat and burn, which will damage the refrigerator itself. So, by getting rid of the extension cord, you make your fridge last longer.

Check the compressor regularly:

The compressor is the main part of a refrigerator. The refrigerant gas is pushed through the condenser coils by this device, which makes the mini-fridge function.

By regularly checking the compressor, you can find if there is any fault in it and repair it if necessary. So, with regular maintenance of the compressor, you can make sure that your mini-fridge lasts for a long period of time.

How can I make my mini-fridge more efficient?

By making your mini-fridge more energy efficient, you will help both the environment and your wallet. There are few effective ways to make a mini-fridge more efficient. Here are some of those methods:

Always keep the door closed:

It’s very common to get distracted and walk away from the mini-fridge, leaving the door open. However, this allows all of the cool air to escape and all of the warm air to enter, requiring the compressor to work harder to cool things down again.

So, by keeping the door closed, you can ensure that the mini-fridge doesn’t need additional power to cool down. 

Fill up the fridge:

Try to always fill up the fridge with food and drinks as much as possible. Because there is less air to keep cool in a full fridge, it doesn’t have to function at its full capacity, saving energy. The items on a full fridge keep each other cool as well.

Don’t store hot beverages or food:

When you put hot food in your mini-fridge, the temperature inside rises, making it function harder to bring the temperature down. So, you should make the food and beverages come to room temperature before storing them in the fridge.

Check the door seals:

The door seals are usually made of rubber, which can get damaged due to numerous factors. If your door seals are broken, your mini-fridge has to work hard to maintain the temperature inside.

So, by checking the quality of the door seals on a regular basis, you can make it more energy-efficient.

What mini-fridges last the longest?

There are hundreds of thousands of mini-fridges available in the market. The lifespan of each mini refrigerator is different from one another. They can last from 6 to 14 years normally.

However, it can differ depending on the power source, usage, maintenance, and more factors.

Let’s take a look at some of the mini-fridges that last the longest.

• Danby Designer Compact Refrigerator
• Midea WHD-113FB1 Double Door Mini Fridge
• Black + Decker BCRK25B Compact Refrigerator
• Chefman Portable Personal Fridge
• EdgeStar Cold Beverage Cooler
• Costway 3.2 Cu. Ft. Mini Fridge
• Haier HC27SF22RB 2.7 Cubic Feet Refrigerator

Are mini-fridges worth it?

Mini fridges are definitely worth it for those who live in a compact space such as small apartments and dorm rooms. These fridges are quite compact and don’t consume much space.

The mini-fridges are the perfect option if you are living alone in your apartment as it just has enough space for you to store all your leftovers and drinks. It is also very energy efficient due to its small size.

Why did my mini-fridge stop working?

Your mini fridge might stop working if there is any fault in the power cord or the compressor. It can also occur due to a damaged evaporator fan motor, failed thermostat, issue in the sealed system, a failed condenser fan motor, and more.

If your mini fridge stops working, you should check the power cord first for potential damage due to a short circuit or any other factor. If there is no external issue, you should immediately take the fridge to the service center for repair.

When should I replace my mini-refrigerator?

You should replace your refrigerator when it shows warning signs that it is going bad. You should also replace the mini-fridge if it doesn’t cool down the food properly. You should also get a new one if you have used the fridge for more than 20 years.

There are numerous signals by which you can understand if you should replace your mini-fridge. The signs include loud noise, excessive condensation, water on the floor, very hot motor, and more.

There is no particular time period for a mini-fridge to last. It usually lasts up to 14 years on average. However, it can even last more than 20 years. You can make your mini-fridge last longer than usual by cleaning regularly and proper maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can You Put Things on Top of a Mini Fridge?

Do Mini Fridges Have Freezers?

Do Mini Fridges Leak Water?

Do Mini Fridges Need Ventilation?

Do Mini Fridges Use a Lot of Electricity?