Summer luxury at its best is possible with the mini fridges, the must-have accessory for keeping your drinks cool. These compact wonders fit perfectly into any space, whether in the living room, office or even the bedroom. But how do you choose the perfect mini fridge from the myriad of options available? To simplify the decision-making process, we present an in-depth comparison of three fascinating models: CHiQ, Klarstein and Hisense. Explore their distinctive features and make an informed decision to upgrade your mini fridge. Stay cool and quench your thirst in style this summer.
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The must-have features of a mini fridge
The first thing we are going to do is specify what features a mini fridge must have in order to be considered a mini fridge.
- Capacity: Mini fridges have a limited storage capacity compared to full-size fridges. They are intended to store a small amount of food and beverages. The capacity of a mini fridge usually ranges from 1 to 5 cubic feet, although there can be variations.
- Size: Mini fridges are compact in size, designed to be smaller and more portable than regular refrigerators. They are often designed to fit in small spaces such as dorm rooms, offices, bedrooms or small flats. The size can vary, but mini-fridges are typically less than 5 cubic feet in capacity.
- Portability: Mini-fridges are designed to be portable, allowing you to easily move them from place to place. They are often lightweight and equipped with handles or wheels for convenience.
- Cooling mechanism: Mini fridges use different cooling mechanisms, such as compressor cooling or thermoelectric cooling. Compressor mini fridges tend to be more efficient in cooling and can reach lower temperatures, while thermoelectric fridges are quieter, but may have limitations in cooling capacity.
- Features: Although mini fridges may not have all the features of a full-size fridge, they often come with basic functionality. This may include adjustable temperature controls, shelves or racks for organisation, a small freezer (in some models), and interior lighting. Some mini fridges also have additional features such as can holders, door storage, or reversible doors for flexibility in placement.
- Power supply: Mini fridges can be powered by electricity, usually with a standard power cord that plugs into an electrical outlet. Some models may also have options for alternative power sources, such as a car adapter or USB power, making them suitable for travel or outdoor use.
Taken together, these features define what is generally considered a mini fridge. However, it should be noted that there may be variations in specific features and designs between different models and brands.
CHiQ vs Klarstein vs Hisense: How are they similar?
As you can imagine, there are several models, but we have selected the ones that we think offer the best value for money. In this section, we’ll show you the commonalities between the three mini fridges we’ve chosen:
Reversible door
In any of the three mini fridges we can choose which way we want the door to open, as all three have a reversible door. Therefore, you can place them anywhere, without this being a conditioning factor in terms of location.
Bottle rack
Mini-bars are usually used to store bottles and drinks. For this reason, it is interesting to know that the three we have analysed have a bottle storage space located in the door. The Klarstein has more storage space for bottles of up to 2 litres, however, as it does not have a second compartment in the door, as the other two fridges do.
Dimensions
One of the most important aspects when choosing a mini bar is its size, because we are looking for compactness, ease of use, and the ability to fit almost anywhere. In this sense, the three we have chosen have very similar measurements; in fact, none of them exceeds 50 centimetres in height, so you will be able to use them in practically any space.
In terms of design, it is worth noting that they all have a fairly similar aesthetic, with the colour being the visual element that changes the most. However, the shape is quite similar in all three cases, except for the small differences in space distribution that we have seen.
They are quiet
Another important aspect is the noise level of these mini fridges, especially at night. However, all three are quite quiet, as none of them exceed 40 decibels. However, the Klarstein is ahead of its two rivals, with only 26 decibels, compared to 36 decibels for the other two.
Price range
Last but not least, we know that price is often a decisive factor when choosing between products, but in this case, not so much. Although there are differences, there are three mini fridges with a very similar price range, so you can afford to choose solely on the basis of their features.
CHiQ vs Klarstein vs Hisense: what are the differences?
Here are the most important differences between the models we have chosen from the three brands.
Temperature control
In all of the models in this review, the temperature can be adjusted in several levels, but there are some important changes that you should be aware of. The CHiQ mini fridge has 7 temperature levels in a range from 0º C to 10º C. The Klarstein mini fridge, on the other hand, can be adjusted in 5 levels, but has a wider temperature range of up to 15 degrees Celsius.
The Hisense mini fridge, on the other hand, does not specify the maximum temperature range, but can be adjusted manually by means of the adjustment wheel.
How is the space distributed?
In reality, most of the space is distributed in the same way between the three mini fridges, except for the space we see in the door. The CHiQ and Hisense mini fridges have two storage compartments, while the Klarstein mini fridge only has a shelf for bottles. Therefore, CHiQ and Hisense make much better use of the available space, as they also have a storage compartment for bottles.
Interior light
We are used to the fact that most mini fridges on the market today have an interior light. However, this is not the case with the CHiQ, which is the only one of the three that does not have this small light to illuminate the interior. It’s not usually necessary, but if you feel like grabbing a drink at night and don’t want to wake anyone up, it’s a welcome addition.
Maximum volume
Another difference is the capacity of the three mini-fridges, and here there are important differences. The Klarstein mini fridge has a larger capacity than its two rivals. This mini fridge has a volume of 17 litres, far from the 46 and 45 litres of the CHiQ and Hisense, respectively.
Auto Defrost function
Only the Hisense mini fridge has the Auto Defrost function, whereby it can automatically perform the defrosting process. In the other two refrigerators, it can be done manually, i.e. by unplugging the power plug and letting the ice layer defrost.
CHiQ vs Klarstein vs Hisense: Our final conclusion
Finally, we are going to tell you the conclusion we have drawn from our analysis of the three models, to share with you what our choice would be. Of course, you know that this is very personal, so you should first think about what your needs and priorities are, as these are the ones that will condition your decision.
Bearing in mind that all three are quite similar in price, we are only going to look at their functionality. And, having said that, we consider the Hisense to be the most interesting. It has a large capacity, as well as interior light and a more appropriate space utilisation system. In fact, it is the only one that has all the features, as the other two have some but lack others.
For example, the CHiQ has a good capacity and a double compartment, but no interior light. The Klarstein, on the other hand, does have an interior light, but its capacity is smaller. It is, however, the quietest of the three.
That said, the choice is entirely up to you, so think carefully and, depending on the space you have at home, choose the one that suits you best.