The reasonably priced, energy efficient Danby DAR017A2BDD mini fridge has a small, 1.7-cubic-foot capacity. Because of its size, it can sit on a counter or fit in a dorm room or den. On the inside of the door, there’s a spot for a 2-liter bottle as well as dispenser that fits six soda cans. The fridge itself has one full-width shelf and one half-width shelf. You can adjust the shelves to fit large items in the fridge, and since you can remove them, they are easy to clean.
This mini fridge has a reversible door – using a screwdriver, you can switch the hinges from one side to the other. As such, you can choose whether the door opens to the left or to the right, depending on where you want to put the fridge.
The DAR017A2BDD uses a compressor rather than a thermoelectric cooler. This is the same type of cooling system found in regular-size refrigerators, and it more efficiently maintains temperature. This Danby mini fridge is Energy Star compliant and costs an estimated $27 a year to run – to put that in perspective, it’s a mere $2.25 a month.
Although the Danby DAR017A2BDD doesn’t have a freezer, the lowest temperature setting is cold enough to turn it into a mini freezer. It even has an automatic defrost system. If you need a refrigerator and freezer combo, check out the Midea WHS-87LW1 as an alternative.
This Danby model has a few shortcomings. For example, it doesn’t have an interior light. Also, the temperature dial is on the back, which may make it difficult to access depending on where you put the fridge. In addition, Danby’s warranty lasts for only 18 months, which is short for a mini fridge.
